Jesus Is First In Everything

The first is always a special experience; one a person usually never forgets.

My son Matthew bought his first car yesterday.

I love the colour of it! The colour is called dragon green.

It was also the first car his young salesman sold. I don't know who was more excited: Matthew or his salesman.

The Bible says Jesus Christ is the first in everything. He existed before anything was created and everything was created through Him and for Him. He is someone the world should never forget because Jesus will be supreme over all who rise from the dead.

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

He existed before anything was created

and is supreme over all creation,

for through Him God created everything

in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see

and the things we can't see---

such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers,
and authorities in the unseen world.

Everything was created through Him and for Him.

He existed before anything else,

and He holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church,

which is His body.

He is the beginning,

supreme over all who rise from the dead.

So He is first in everything.

Colossians 1:15-18 (NLT)

God's field

Last week I invited all my immigrant students to the Easter drama production. I didn't know if any would come, since they know very little English. I had a very difficult time trying to explain to them what it was, so I wasn't too sure if I persuaded any of them. However, in the process I did manage to teach them a new word, "amazing". I kept saying that word over and over again, each time using my hands to emphasize it.

With each performance I attended I looked out for them. When I spotted a student and their family, I would get very excited! I loved being able to meet their spouses and children afterwards. By the time all four performances were complete, most of my students came. Praise God! The seed has been planted and now God will be the One to make that seed grow.

All of God's family are called to work together with the same purpose: to bring in the harvest. We are God's field, but God is God who makes the seeds grow.

"I planted the seed in your hearts,

and Apollos watered it,

but it was God who made it grow.

It's not important who does the planting,

or who does the watering.

What's important is that God makes the seed grow.

The one who plants and the one who waters

work together with the same purpose.

And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.

For we are both God's workers.

And you are God's field.

You are God's building."

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (NLT)

Jesus is alive!

Nothing Is Too Hard For The Lord

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

Genesis 18:14 (NLT)

Four weeks ago in the beginning of a week, my son Matthew and I saw the advertisement for the yearly Easter Drama at one of the large churches in Edmonton. We have attended this Passion Play for several years and absolutely love it! It is a musical as well as a drama! My son even said to me, "I sure wish I could be in that play!"

As soon as Matthew made that statement, a few seconds of silence followed. Sadly, is excitement soon turned into despondency, He then said to me in a softer lower tone, "As if that's ever going to happen."

I had to agree with him. Gloomily I said, "Yeah", and nothing more was said about it.

Well, God heard our conversation and even though no prayers we said, He went to work.

A few days later, I heard this same large church was hosting the Watoto Children's Choir on Sunday. I then asked my two sons, Tim and Matthew, if they wanted to go with me to this church to hear them. I figured we could go to their first service and then still have time to go to our second service at the church we regularly attend. My sons readily agreed.

When Sunday morning came, we arrived early to this church to get a good seat. As we were waiting for the doors to open into the sanctuary, a friendly woman approached us. We chatted for a while. Then later she spotted her husband and called him over. We were surprised when she introduced him as the Music Director of the church. He shook hands with all of us, talked with us for a bit, and then asked Tim and Matthew if they wanted to be Roman soldiers in the Easter Drama! There were two openings available. Obviously two male actors were no longer able to fulfill their commitments. Before any of my sons were able to speak, all three of us stood there wide-eyed with shocked looks on our faces. It was during my shocked state, I heard the Lord speak to me and say, "It was really an easy thing for Me to do. Why didn't you ask?"

"This is an easy thing

in the eyes of the Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Here our some pictures of last week's performances. Being their mother, I attended three out of the four performances. Their grandparents even came all the way from Chilliwack, B.C. to attend two of the performances.

Tim and Matthew are the two Roman soldiers standing on the left side of the stage.

My sons are now standing in front still to the left.

At this part in the drama Tim and Matthew are in front holding back the crowd as Jesus is being nailed to the Cross.

Here are my sons close up.

Praise God! He is so amazing!