He is Risen – Easter Reflection 2013

He is Risen_edited-1

I love the words spoken on Easter morning: “He is Risen – He is Risen Indeed!!!” There is nothing more beautiful than an Easter sunrise service. It may be a little early to get up at 4am on a Sunday, but for me personally, it is well worth it.

You may have noticed (or not), I took a 40 day break from Facebook. It really was not intentional, but between Ash Wednesday and this morning, I did not post on Facebook. I used the time to be more intentional about my real-life relationships; especially the relationship with my Lord.

A couple of weeks ago, I had an argument with one of my closest friends. That was not intended at all, but it showed me that I need to work on my communication skills. Yes, I was in a ‘dark’ place filled with frustration, but I should not have said the things I said…

So, this morning, as my hands were cold, my heart warmed. It warmed with the love of Christ. He is the one I need to look to when frustrations hit; when the burdens seem too heavy. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Believe me, my dear friend, Jesus means what He says. When the heart is heavy, come to the cross and leave your burden at the foot of it. Jesus Himself said that life will not be easy, but when traveling with Him in our hearts, the burden is lighter.

We sang the song “You are Stronger” this morning after the reading of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 24:1-12). What a powerful song to sing on this glorious Easter morning. Let me leave you with the chorus of the song:

“You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me
It is written, Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all…”

Have a blessed Easter today and always…

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday ~ Lunch with Friends

I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.
(Psalm 52:9 ESV)

Pei Wei Lemongrass Salad

Once a month I meet for lunch with my sweet friend Lori. We used to work in the same department, but she moved into a different job. One thing we said we would do is to meet once a month for lunch.

The great thing about having lunch with Lori is that we are both followers of Christ. We pray together and we can speak freely about our journey. Today was our lunch date and we went to Pei Wei.

I had a yummy salad, but the best thing was the company 😛 . We talked about our personal life. I needed that! So, this week I am thankful for lunch with friends.

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving a link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God puts friends into your life – foster those friendships for they are a blessings.

Love & peace,
<>< Iris PS: If you live in the US or Canada, check out my giveaway posted on Monday.

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Denise
2. Ms. Kathleen
3. Rocks
4. Edwards Granddaughter
5. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
6. bp
7. It Feels Like Chaos
8. Kate @ Teaching What Is Good
9. Slenderella Jenn
10. Aisling Beatha
11. Lisa Maria
12. Stefanie @ UpLIFTing Words
13. Melanie @ M&M
14. Cause for Thankfulness…
15. Joy Reflected
16. Mary
17. A Moment with God
18. Tonya
19. Deidra M.
20. Pia
21. First or Last?
22. LIFE by Ashley Pichea
23. My Husband
24. February Joys
25. Daily Journey
26. I sold my life to social media

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Get The Code

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Thankful Thursday ~ Random

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
(Psalm 9:1-2 ESV)

Honestly I could not come up with just one thing to write about this week for Thankful Thursday. There are just so many things on a daily basis I am thankful for 🙂 .

In no particular order, here is my ‘random’ list from my thankful heart…

  • God’s protection – not only for me, but for my family and friends. I had used the van pool for almost a year, but I had to switch back driving myself to work. I work often later than the hours of the van pool. God has been protecting me on the crazy roads of Arizona (you have no idea how wild these people drive).
  • God providing our ‘daily bread’. We have a roof over our head, food to eat, money to pay the bills and help out others when needed.
  • My husband’s love for me. You have to understand, I am a little ‘wild’ sometimes 😆 – I start dancing or start cracking jokes out of the blue.
  • Our son’s independence. Sometimes I can’t believe that he will be 27 this June. He has done well for himself. And he is very smart with money. I just hope he changes his mind moving back to Europe this year. But then again, I just had him as a ‘loan’; God will guide his steps.
  • My friends far and near, who don’t mind if I ask for prayers. I try to be a good friend as well as they are. I hope I am.

So, what are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart.

Love & peace,
Iris

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Grace (1st entry)
2. The Blessing of Opposition
3. Edwards Granddaughter
4. Slenderella Jenn
5. It Feels Like Chaos
6. JOHN
7. Aisling Beatha
8. Daily Journey
9. Stefanie @ UpLIFTing Words
10. Jocelyn @ His Pursuing Kindness
11. Amy@Make Me A Mary
12. Working for the Lord…
13. Kate @ Teaching What Is Good
14. Melanie @ M&M
15. Noreen
16. bp
17. Heartmade Home
18. LovelyLici @ Conchsaladesque
19. Mary
20. LIFE by Ashley Pichea
21. Maricon
22. Laurie @ Women Taking a Stand
23. Denise
24. Ms. Kathleen
25. Love and Glory
26. So Full of Love
27. Carol
28. A Moment with God
29. Inspirations from Phather Phil-Thankful Thursday: Comfy Jeans

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Get The Code

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.

Lynn’s & Dineen’s New Website Lauched



If you have some time this weekend, I would encourage you to check out my friends Lynn’s and Dineen’s brand new website “Winning Him Without Words”. Their first book will be released later this month. The website has wonderful resources and you can even win some prizes 😛 . Just click on the image above to get to the website.

Thanks for stopping in today. Have a blessed weekend!!!