We have a family tradition to celebrate Passover by gathering around our table and sharing a special meal. As we enjoy the meal we remind ourselves of how God rescued those who had followed His instructions to paint the blood of a lamb on their doorposts. You can find this story in Exodus 12:12-13.
This year we enjoyed the week of Easter in late March, but with spring break travel, sports, church attendance, and more … I was sad to see that we were unable to set aside time to celebrate with our traditional Passover meal. Imagine my surprise and joy as I discovered that Passover 2016 was NOT the same week as Easter! Passover 2016 begins April 22. We still had time to celebrate our Passover meal!
When I learned this, I was overcome with a sense of God’s mercy and a fresh falling awe of His second chances. On a piece of paper I wrote In This Season and began to make a list of all the things I needed to talk to God about … current happenings in my family, problems I was experiencing in this season of life, and issues that needed hope, help, and healing.
My list included names of friends and family, sickness and diseases, personal struggles and sins. In black ink I wrote my own sinful attitudes followed by the mindset I wanted to trade them for. I also listed things I am hoping for in the future.
I smiled as I considered the Passover season, and purposefully used a red pen to write over the whole list two words. Big and bold over the whole page in red ink I wrote “I AM.”
As I humbly thanked my Savior and desired to express my love and gratitude, I took a green pen representing growth, and began to write in smaller letters in a diagonal direction some of the verses in Psalm 103… He forgives; He heals; He redeems; He crowns with love; He fills my life with good things; He renews; He gives justice.
As I looked at the page, I noticed that the list I began with … those problems I was experiencing in this season … was almost illegible. What stood out was The Great I AM! I almost shouted in victory as I took a pen and drew an arrow from the small heading “In This Season” and wrote “Passover!”
Will you join me and make a list of your own?
Write down the struggles you are facing in this season of your life. Are there areas in your personal walk with God that have become dormant or stale? Are you ready for the Lord's plow to work on that dry and dusty, fallow ground? If so, write it down. What about those closest to you? Have they been bitten by the frosty wind of your cold heart? Don't be ashamed to bring these confessions to God. When you have finished your list, grab a red pen and BOLDLY write "I AM" over all of it. Then praise God with a song of gratitude like the one in Psalm 103.
Thanks to Susan Peacock for sharing her FaithStory today. What’s your story? We’d love to hear from you at http://debbieh@gfbc.org.
home to home in the poorest part of the village and allowed the villagers to choose a fruit tree. The tree was planted in the rock-solid soil in their yards. The villagers eagerly chose from the lemon, coconut, mango, or orange trees. They stood by with pots or buckets of water to pour on the tree as soon as it was planted. This small gift
meant so much to these families!
love.
rtunity to worship in the church that was built last summer. What a joy to see the women and children fill the seats inside the open air facility. Boys climbed a tree in the back of the church and perched on a tree branch as their “church pew” during the service. Other boys climbed into the back of a pickup truck and worshiped from there! The sounds of babies and children filled the air. Some toddlers were allowed to walk around during the service. But the people listened and responded, and God was near to us.
recognized a few phrases … Cristos … Alleluia, … but we recognized much more than words. We felt the Spirit of God moving in a mighty way and tears swelled and spilled onto my cheeks.
stand before our God! Our total focus was on Him!
Kelley’s Place has a therapy pool, and the physical therapist met us there to baptize the boys. It was an amazing time of seeing the joy on the faces of these two teens who had limited mobility. The boys were in wheelchairs when we arrived. They could not walk or sit up, so they were placed on an aqua mat. Pastor Mark and the therapist went into the pool, and others helped to lower each boy lying on the mat into the water. Each came out of the water smiling! What an amazing sight!! Their joy was evident without the nee
d for words!
as not thriving and growing.
. Oscar’s hair was dry, brittle, and falling out, with a washed-out yellow tent. Oscar’s mom had several other children to care for and she struggled with allowing him to leave her. Finally, she trusted Hope of Life with her son and sent Sara, his 13-year-old sister to be with him. 
team spent one morning measuring and packing 300 bags of food to distribute to the people of our adopted
village of Antombran. The rice, dried beans, and dried corn had to be measured and bagged. After that, the rice, beans, and corn were combined with sugar, corn flour, a soup mix, a protein powder, and coffee.
a festive atmosphere as the villagers anticipated receiving the bags of food!
d bags were placed in the hands of the people, they were hugged and told, “Jesus te ama” (Jesus loves you!) or “Dios te ama” (God loves you!). We received lots of smiles, hugs, and many returned our blessing saying, “Alabado sea Dios!” (Praise God!) or “Que Dios te bendiga” (God bless you!).
had a pharmacist able to give needed medications, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications.
eyesight and offered eyeglasses to the people. A blind woman was led by her daughter and waited for hours to see if glasses would help her see. We prayed with her asking the LORD to meet her needs. Another eighty-seven-year old woman walked alone with a wooden cane from her home, waited patiently to see the medical doctor and then waited longer to have her eyes examined. She was thankful to receive glasses! A nine-year-old jumped in awe as glasses were put on her and she could see! Lots of smiles … Lots of “gracias” … Many happy hearts!! 
little Wendy was not happy to wear the patch, and her mom did not understand the need. After Reid patiently demonstrated to the mom how covering one eye could straighten the lazy eye, the mom excitedly agreed to use the patch.
