Jesus and the Easter Bunny

“I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in Me will live forever.” ~ John 11:25

According to a recent study, curious children ask a staggering 73 questions every day ... half of which parents struggle to answer.  Riley’s question this morning clearly caught his Mom off guard.

“What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Jesus?” ask the unusually bright 4-year old.

“That’s great question,” Donna stammered, trying to buy a little time.  Faced with two choices, (making something up or admitting she had no idea), she said “Let me have a little time to think about that one.”  Then quickly turned to Google.

Later that day she offered Riley this explanation.

“There's no story in the Bible, “she began, “about the cotton-tailed creature known as the Easter Bunny.  Nor is there a verse about children painting eggs or hunting for baskets filled with tasty Easter goodies.”

“Sometimes,” Mom continued, “people made up stories for things they couldn’t understand.  Many years ago, bunnies, eggs, and fluffy, yellow chicks became part of the celebration of Easter honoring the day Jesus died but came alive again. It’s never happened again.  That’s what makes Easter so special.”

Way back then, people in Germany enjoyed a festival to honor Eostra, the fairy-tale goddess of Spring and Fertility.  When it came to finding a symbol for Eostra, rabbits hopped to mind because rabbits are really good at making more rabbits.  Like Jesus, they’re also gentle, kind hearted and forgiving.

One day a little girl found an injured bird and prayed to Eostra for help.  Magically, the goddess turned the bird into a rabbit, promising that, for her good deed, she would return at the end of Lent to bring the child rainbow colored eggs.  (Back then, people couldn’t eat eggs during Lent.)  Eggs were an ancient symbol for rebirth, like Jesus emerging from His grave and rising to heaven.

Both rabbits and eggs around Easter soon meshed into a single tradition with stories of Easter bunnies hiding colorful eggs in gardens for children to find.  The tradition of making nests for the rabbits to lay its eggs soon followed.  Eventually, nests became decorated baskets and colorful eggs were swapped for candy, treats and other small gifts.  It wasn't long before chocolate found its way into the modern form of Easter.”

“Riley, the TRUE story of Easter is a little confusing,” Mom said, “but you’ll understand it more as you get older.  I love that the Easter story uses eggs, baskets, and a bunny to honor Jesus.  He was a friendly man who taught us about love and heaven.  Jesus died and it was sad, but then He came back to prove that He was God's son and show us that there could be life after death.

“Black is for the wrong things we have done, Red’s the blood He shed for every one. Green’s for growing His Word in your heart, put your trust in Jesus for a brand-new start.” Amen  ~ A Jellybean Prayer

Hopeful Grip

"In God’s eyes, all human life is sacred." ~ Genesis 9:6

They’d been trying frantically for a baby.  Julie, an obstetrics nurse, had suffered two miscarriages before she became pregnant.

Then, at 14 weeks, she started having painful cramps.  An ultrasound painted a grim picture that every parent-to-be dreads - spina bifida. Their unborn son’s spine had failed to close properly during the first month of pregnancy.

If a baby survives, spina bifida often leaves debilitating defects including hydrocephaly and a host of devastating secondary conditions.  Abortion was encouraged as an option.

But after years of trying to conceive, the couple believed that God had chosen this baby for them.  Scripture is clear on the sanctity of life in the womb; ending the pregnancy was never an option.

Based on her medical training, Julie discovered a pioneering program of in-utero surgery at a hospital in Nashville.  The theory behind the surgery is that repairing spine disorder before the baby is born prevents or limits brain damage, and gives a better chance of healing.

After intensive discussions with the medical staff, they not only gave surgical approval for their  21-week-old Samuel, they also agreed to let a photographer capture the surgery on film to increase awareness of this innovative procedure.

Tension mounted as the surgery began.  The procedure would take place within the uterus; no part of the child was to breach the surgical opening.

The procedure took less than 90 minutes and seemed to go well.  As the photographer stepped forward to get a final shot, the uterus shook violently from within.

Suddenly, an entire arm thrust out of the surgical opening, then pulled back until just a little hand was showing.  The doctor reached over and lifted the tiny hand that reacted by squeezing his finger as if to say “Thank You!”  Testing for strength, the doctor shook the tiny fist.  Samuel held firm as the photographer shot.

The image captured the amazing event with perfect clarity.  The “Hand of Hope” photo instantly went viral and has been used extensively by pro-life and Christian organizations to illustrate life inside the womb.

Samuel’s surgery delivered the results his parents had prayed for.  The hydrocephalus began shrinking immediately.  By the time their young son was born 15 weeks later, his brain damage had also reversed.

Now an active teenager, Samuel Armas has become a pro-life advocate.  "When I see that picture, he said, “the first thing I think of is how special and lucky I am to have God use me that way.  There is no debate about whether a child in utero is alive; the debate is over whether or not they are worthy of protection.  By witnessing such divine miracles, scientific research within the womb is challenging many to reconsider that question.”

Father God, all life is in Your care.  You’ve entrusted us to one another, that we may show everyone the same love You have for us.  We pray, then, for the least among us, the children in the womb.   Protect them from the violence of abortion.  Amen

Take Up Your Cross

“Jesus said, “If you to follow me, deny yourself, carry your cross and follow me." ~ Matt 16:24

The dawn came with musical silence; Raelyn’s soul heard the melody that her ears could not.  A new day had come, new possibilities, a fresh page yet to be written.

To her friends, she appeared strong.  But deep down, she felt the kind of sadness that leached into your bones rather than exploded in a cascade of tears.

Her friend invited the family to visit their cottage in Michigan, but they couldn’t go.

Heather, their 23-year-old daughter had been suffering from anorexia for more than a decade.  Her weight was that of a small child.  They’d nearly run out of options until a chance Facebook posting last fall brought Heather the first breath of hope in years.

Treating anorexia, which is characterized by self-starvation and an inability to maintain adequate body weight, seems absurdly simple on the surface: just eat and gain weight.  It’s something Heather and the millions of others afflicted by eating disorders have heard many times.  But it’s never that simple.

Raelyn had long since lost track of the number of times Heather had been admitted to a treatment program with electrolyte imbalances caused by starvation or self-induced vomiting, or thoughts of suicide.  She’d gain weight during the program, then return to her old ways when discharged.

So for more than 20 years, she remained miserably, incurably, trapped.

Up to one in five people with chronic anorexia will die as a result of their illness, either from the effects of starvation or to suicide.  It’s the deadliest of all psychiatric disorders.

Scientists have made tremendous progress in treating teenage anorexia before the disorder becomes chronic.  But this hasn’t translated into effective treatments for adults.

In Ohio, an experimental five-day intensive program requires patients and up to four support people to join them for treatment.  So Raelyn’s family vacation will be spent in Ohio this summer with Heather and their last hope before hospice for successful treatment.  She felt the weight of the sadness in her heart; making no effort to chase it away.

“It's okay to be sad . . . especially about sad things," thought Raelyn.  There's a single word for a burden we bear for the good of others: CROSS.

She thought about Jesus and "Take up your cross and follow me."  There's a difference between taking up a cross begrudgingly and accepting it as a heavy gift for someone else.  Jesus wasn't happy about His situation; He pleaded three times to have that cup taken from Him.  Yet He didn't resent having to die for the sake of the world.  He was sad, but did what He had to.

Jesus or the comforts of this life?  It’s a tough call, but the reward is incomparable.

“Here I am Lord.  It is I Lord.  I have heard You calling in the night.  I will go Lord, if You lead me.  I will hold Your people in my heart.”  Amen

Silent Grief

"He comforts us so that we’re able to help others when needed." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:4

It was her last of several visits today.  She rapped softly on the oak door, tucking her personal worries and problems to the back of her mind.  It’s time for comforting words and compassionate presence.  She’d been doing this for two decades and knew scripture by heart, yet clamped to her chest she carried a leather bound Bible.   Pastor Carrie knew that just the sight of it brought comfort in times of pain.

The door opens and she’s mindful to project warmth and genuine caring.  This is why she came to this profession, this calling - to bring God’s Word to those in need.

Her visit brought needed relief to a woman grieving the death of a stillborn child.   Mission accomplished.   Her Savior’s grace brought temporary joy to a personal life (Carrie’s) laden with a sadness forever etched just below her consciousness.

Not until her young daughter died in a horrifying car accident, one that could have avoided had she not been in such a hurry, did she truly understand grief’s intensity - piercing, crushing, and enduring.

The sudden death of a child disrupts the natural order of life.   She’d forever remember that day as the one in which her life froze.  Her death marked the loss of innocence, the future, of hopes and dreams.

Life wouldn’t be the same … ever!  Insomnia haunted her nights; fatigue ruled her days.  She was inescapably gripped by a whirlpool of pain – swift, relentless, dark.

Exhausted and emotionally shattered, Carrie tumbled into bed and surrendered to sleep this night.  As her brain slowly let go, she entered the surreal universe where dreams soothed and balanced one’s soul.

At first a lazy fog hung in the air, obscuring her view of a ghostly figure.  As the mist cleared, a small girl emerged.  Chestnut brown hair lay on her shoulders like a flowing waterfall, emerald eyes as bright as a sunrise.  Her smile was warm with a hint of humility.

She stumbled forward, struggling with the weight of two large water buckets - way too heavy for her small frame.

Something vaguely familiar about this child peaked Carrie’s interest.  She asked: “Sweetheart, what are you carrying that’s so very heavy?”

The angelic figure replied in a soft, sweet voice: “Your tears Mommy!”

Only after that dream did her heart begin to heal.

The spiritual battles and pressure your pastor faces are unprecedented.  We tend to believe their theology prepared them to see the God’s glorious purposes and are thus immune from the frailties of grief.

Untrue!  Pastors grieve just like every other human being and often, given the intensity of their profession, more deeply.  Strengthen and encourage your pastor through prayer and thanksgiving.

Lord Jesus, Thank you for all pastors/priests and the burden they carry for us.  Grant them the rest they need.  Help me to remember that I can help by volunteering my time and talents so that my pastor doesn’t have to take on that task.  Amen

Script for Hell

“Never allow yourself to be mastered by anything." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:12

As a police officer, Antonio was unafraid.  He broke up domestic quarrels and street brawls.  Once during a heavy rainstorm, he waded into a flooded intersection to rescue a motorist and her child.

But when a tow truck slammed into his patrol car, he suffered a career ending back injury.  Several surgeries and various pain meds over the next two decades did little to stop the debilitating pain.

Then he met OxyContin.

Purdue Pharma launched OxyContin with a bold marketing claim: One dose relieves pain for 12 hours, more than twice as long as generic medications.  Based on that promise, OxyContin became America’s bestselling painkiller, and Purdue earned billions in profits.

But as Antonio discovered, the drug had a fundamental problem: for him it wore off hours early.  Following Purdue’s guidance, his doctor prescribed a stronger, rather than more frequent, dose.

But they didn’t mention that since Oxy is a chemical cousin of heroin, when it doesn’t last, Antonio would experience painful withdrawal symptoms, including an intense craving for the drug.

Soon Antonio had developed a deep tolerance to Oxy and had become physically dependent on it.  His prescription had increased to over ten times the original dosage.  Yet his life was ticking along relatively pain free; a busy family life took precedence.

But here were warning signs along the way.  Stomach cramps, nausea, intense headaches - all would hit without warning.  Antonio wasn’t looking for a buzz when he sought the drug - he was desperately seeking to escape the gripping sickness that accompanies withdrawal.

Occasional fender benders led to more serious accidents.  He was constantly groggy; eventually spending most of his day sleeping.  One day, another officer found him slumped over the steering wheel of his car at a BP gas station and rushed him to the hospital.

He never regained consciousness.  He was 42.

A toxicology report showed lethal levels of oxycodone in his blood.  The label on an prescription bottle found nearby directed Antonio to take an 80 ml Oxy tablet twice daily.  There should have been 64 pills left.  There were only 5.

Over the last 20 years, more than 7 million Americans have abused OxyContin.  The drug is widely blamed for setting off the nation’s opioid epidemic, which has claimed more nearly 200,000 lives from overdoses involving OxyContin since 1999.

I’d like to blame GPs, the health system, and even Big Pharma.  But the problem's more complex than that.  We need more responsible discussions around the management of acute pain before it becomes chronic pain.  The key to avoiding addiction is the help of a medical team that's easily accessible, along with regular checkups to reassess the need for, and use of the drug.

Lord, wrap Your loving arms of protection around me to overcome any evil influences in my life.  Surround me with good, wholesome, God fearing people who will positively support me - not drag me down.  Amen