Easter – it is a time to rejoice and celebrate.  I made this picture using photos I took while Keith and I were up the north coast last year – together they capture some of the themes of Easter.

I have not written for a while – I am sorry.  I had a nasty migraine that hung around for a couple of weeks and then the stuff of life filled up my time, thoughts and energy and I forgot that I even have a blog.  Keith and I have been reading Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith: Daily readings by CH Spurgeon over breakfast.  It is short and pithy and gives me something to ponder each day.  This week one of the devotions was on this verse: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” James 4:8.  He refers to a verse from Isaiah 58:9 “…you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”  It is so true!

And yet, this week as we headed towards Easter, it dawned on me that there was one cry that God ignored – Jesus’ cry as he hung dying upon the cross.  I felt the enormity of that abandonment and I felt the cost Jesus paid – in that moment, Jesus was totally abandoned.   He did this so that you and I can draw near to Him and He will draw near to us.  I have been thinking on this over the last few days.

This morning I read this verse: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3.  A new and living hope – yes – we do have much to be thankful for.

To my friends and family both far and near – Christ is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!  This picture has been made for you.  Happy Easter Day.