"It Is Finished!"

There are a lot of famous phrases, some cliched, still others with profound wisdom and prophetic implications, that have been uttered throughout history.  John F. Kennedy's, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."  Neil Armstrong, probably America's most famous astronaut uttered the historic phrase from the moon, "That's one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind."  Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address began, "Four score and seven years ago..."  Patrick Henry, one of America's most passionate founding fathers and orators shook his fist in the eye of England's King George and yelled, "Give me liberty or give me death!"  Japan's Admiral Yamamoto stated rather prophetically to his celebrating staff of officers after Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 said, " I am afraid all we've done is awoken a sleeping giant."  Martin Luther King's speech on the Mall In Washington D.C. began with this familiar phrase, "I have a dream..."
  All of us can recall our favorites that have seared our memories and touched our hearts with endearment for the cause at hand and the brave fights waged by ordinary people made extraordinary in their brief moment in history.  Certainly, when debating their impact, it would seem to emphasize the fact that their importance at that particular time period when ours and other countries were at critical crossroads in history was enormous.  Be it known however, that a lifetime of noble work and achievement is fine for the chronicles of history books but their words would forever capture us and seal their larger than life status and immortality through time!  But all the monumental catch phrases and inspirational quotes pale in comparison to the three words uttered over 2000 years ago on a rugged cross in Calvary.  In unspeakable agony, beaten mercilessly and nailed to a crucifixion cross, a carpenter from Nazareth shouted the words that would shatter the bounds of time and limits of mortality for us all.   "It is finished!"  John 19:30 in the Greek language translates the phrase to "Tellestai!" and no single sentence ever spoken has had the immeasurable timeless impact like this one.  Almost all well known famous quotes are linked primarily to a specific time and place or events.  But this one short deliberate statement cuts through every single circumstance or event that's ever happened here on earth.  It unequivocally, interprets one way and one way only.  At that moment as Christ's life was leaving His battered body, His mind was clear and His mission was about to be completed!  God's Holy plan of redemption through the sacrifice of His only beloved Son had sent shock waves through the universe!  Hallelujah, the price had been paid, albeit at great cost to both the Heavenly father and His Son.  Yet today, a significant and growing number of people when hearing this greatest assemblance of words, this short seemingly meaningless sentence, cannot place it.  Here we have the single greatest historic and spiritual moment in recorded history and it's often relegated to a back of the book presence in today's Easter Bunny, chocolate egg, superfluous world.  Let alone preached about in many of our watered down churches.  Yet the powerful impact is still there!  Millions of us walk around today completely unaware of the fact that the life given on Golgotha that first Good Friday then resurrected on the first Easter Sunday, paid it all!  All! 
  We can rest assured knowing that Jesus never did it for publicity or fame.  He craved neither!  He never did it for sympathy or self martyrdom.  He died for you and me because He loved us so much that He knew that their was no other way to reconcile our lost and fallen nature to His!  No way to heal our brokenness, remove our bondage.  Consequently, His marvelous and glorious resurrection confirms and gives hope to the lost and hopeless today.  I am changed because of His sacrifice for me.  I love Him and try to honor Him in my life.  I am encouraged by the glorious reunion and restoration that is to be at His second coming.  So in the midst of Easter brunch, little ones gorging on candy, family dinner and fellowship give Him your thanks and heart for the three greatest words ever spoken!  Our Lord is an all loving and all inclusive God and this promise is meant for every color, creed, religion or belief.  May God bless you all and keep you this Holy and Happy Easter!

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

They Call Me Grandpa!

One of life's great pleasures is the proverbial passing of the torch or the changing of the guard as my father used to say.  Melissa and I have recently been blessed with the news that we are going to be grandparents for the first time!  When we first heard the news from our daughter, our initial reactions were quite typical for a father and mother.  My wife of course, for those of you who know her was born to be a mother but her DNA is inundated with the grandma gene.  After all it's been twenty years since we last celebrated the birth of a child, our baby and youngest Rebecca.  She has had numerous battles with withdraw over the years and her favorite phrase for reminding me about the blessings of having kids even after our years of fertility is " Blessed is the man who's quiver is full."  She would've given the Duggar family a run for their money!  That's how much she loves children and being a mom.  Alas, God was generous to give us five beautiful and healthy children so we are not lacking!  Now the smile hasn't left her face since she heard.  She already is looking for cribs, car seats, clothes and planning for baby showers and years of smothering the poor child with so much sweetness, love and affection the baby will have cavities before it's teeth come in!
  Me on the other hand reacted as the typical father, as if I was investigating a crime.  Alright, how did that happen?  I need to speak to him.  Well, that changes everything!  Ok, let's sort through this for a minute!  What?  Sort through it?  How did that happen?  It was almost as if I was in denial!  Then reality kicked me in the pants and I came to my senses as I looked at my beautiful daughter and put on my sunglasses to keep me from going blind from the light of my wife's smile.  I was going to transition from dad to grandad.  I could feel the waves of anxiety come over me.  I had passed through the next great portal of life and there was no going back.  My hair was thinning, my wrinkles were suddenly more pronounced, my AARP card mysteriously appeared on the table, and I had the sudden desire to buy a Buick.  My Lord, what was happening to me!  My wife and child were hugging in tears of joy and I suddenly needed to see my chiropractor!
  I was awoken from my paralyzing fear by my daughter saying, " Well grandpa what do you think?"  It was then the Lord checked my spirit and said quite pronounced, "Rejoice and celebrate this life to come, for I have given it to all of you."  It was as if I was becoming a father for the first time.  So, I just grabbed her, gave her a hug and told her how truly excited and happy I was.  How could I not?  One of our own beautiful girls was going to be a mom and experience all the joy and emotion that God puts into our lives through the privilege of being a steward to His most precious creation.  This is life's most important task besides our own salvation and relationship to Him. It all makes so much sense to me now.  As my life has wound along it's highways, I've lost my way a number of times, made my share of mistakes and not been the best child to my Heavenly Father.  However, He was always there.  Ready to forgive, love some more, put me back on the right path and reveal His will and blessings for my life.  I have had many!  They all center around my family.  First my beautiful wife of 31 years Melissa, then five great children, DeAnna, Christina, Alicia, Ricky Jr., and Rebecca.  Now our grandchild!  It's been a marvelous and awesome ride and now it continues.  Melissa and I get to pass along our wisdom and love again!  God is truly good.  So to all my friends and family out there who are or will be graced with grandchildren, embrace the moment.  Jesus said, " I have come to give you life, and give it abundantly."  Truer words could not have been spoken.  Now it's off to the store for some Rogaine and Just For Men hair coloring!

Psalm 105
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.