A Blessed Easter to You

Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and frankly, I don't think there are enough words in all the languages of the world that could say what this one picture alone says.

I'm so grateful that as our Lord hung on the cross - he did it for me.....AND...for YOU!

When I try to wrap my mind around his life and even though he was fully God, he was fully man, who faced all the same kinds of trials and temptations each of us do, and lived it for 33 years WITHOUT sin.....and he did so because he was totally dependent on God.

When I think about all that he went through - the beatings with whips made from leather with spikes in the end (to where his body probably looked like hamburger meat), ripping out his beard, spit all over his body, bruises and welts from being punched in the face, a crown of sharp thorns jammed into his skull, ...then to finally have huge spikes driven through his wrists and feet....and a sword shoved into his side....

It brings me to tears that someone could love me THAT much...

Which reminds me of something I saw years ago - it said,
"Jesus, how much do you love me"? and his answer was...."THIS much" and he spread his arms and died....

I pray that on  this Easter, if you don't know this to be true in your life, that you would ask Him to reveal himself to you and be welcomed into the body of Christ.

If you do know him, remember all He did for you and has done for you throughout your life since coming to know him and give him THANKS...

Have a BLESSED Easter!

The Day History Changed Forever

Oh what love God showed to each one of us on this day - He became flesh and willingly gave his life and endured such suffering, beyond what any of us can comprehend, so that we might be reconciled to Him and have the hope of being with Him for all eternity!

Thank you Jesus, for so great a love - for taking the punishment for my sin, so that I may live a life here, filled with the presence of your Holy Spirit, and when it's my time to leave this earth, KNOW without a doubt, that I will live in your wonderful presence for time without end.

May each of you have a blessed Good Friday, and let your hearts ponder all that the Lord did for us on this day.

Janelle

The Wonder of the Cross

First Baptist Church Leesburg, FL

Choir and Orchestra

April 5, 2009

This past Sunday, our choir at First Baptist Church Leesburg, performed our Easter Cantata - "May We Never Lose the Wonder of the Cross".
It was a spectacular arrangment of songs that began with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and ended with his resurrection.
Kudos to Stephen Wolgamott, our worship leader, for his outstanding leadership in bringing this historical event to life through song.
Before the first performance, Stephen served communion with all those who were in the choir and orchestra........a very profound moment for all. The presence of the Lord was evident from that moment on.

Bill and I just relaxing between performances

Oh nooooooooooooooo....it's Mr. BILLS!

Below are photos of some of the group sharing laughter and FOOD of course - we're Baptists afterall........ :)

Then there were those who needed to "take 5" between performances...lol

The Alto section raises a toast!

You just can't have a function at a Baptist church, where we don't involve food......

Below is our Pastor Cliff Lea and a couple of his boys

One More Day

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday - the day we as believers celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where his followers waved palm branches, shouting "Hosanna".
We at First Baptist Church, Leesburg, will be celebrating as well tomorrow, as we
perform our Easter special - "May We Never Lose the Wonder of the Cross".
It is an outstanding cantata....and we have one awesome worship leader, who has worked so hard with us, to get us to where these songs are as he says, "are not just black words on paper" - but that they come from our hearts.
I am so excited about not only being able to be part of the choir, but also in how this music and the story of Jesus is going to impact those who attend.
I am blessed that some of my sisters are going to come to the performance....that means the world to me!
This Holy Week that we celebrate is a week that changed history - I pray that during this week to come, you will take time to reflect on your life and let the Lord speak to your heart.........

Blessings,
Janelle

Hippity Hoppity - Easter's on it's Way

She's got stained little feet from prancing in the Easter Parade!

She stands easily on her own!

I told ya I was on a bunny kick...lol
This sweet lil girl is now available on my website, which can be found by clicking the link to the right.

She is made from stained muslin and is string jointed. She stands at 14" or so - depending on how you bend her chenille wired ears, and sits at about 10".

Her dress has a dark purple cotton print bodice and the sleeves and skirt are a wonderful multi-colored Easter Egg cotton print. Her apron is a vintage hand embroidered table linen and is hand gathered and tied in back.

She would be a great gift for someone's Easter basket! :)

Thanks again, for looking!

Janelle