Letter from Christ

This was passed on to me via email, and I wanted to share it with my readers as we celebrate Love this Valentine's Day week. :D
~ESA
_________________________________________________________________

Dear Humanity, 

I miss you; I want you near me once again. 

Your LORD isn't one that enjoys punishing the wicked; your LORD doesn't like to hold his hand back and see you weep.

Your LORD wants to watch over you as a young mother bird would watch over her baby birds; I want to be called your Salvation, your Deliverer.

I want your eyes to look Heavenward and jump for joy when you hear the trumpets sound. I want you to be sure in where you stand -- not guessing.

I don't care how many tears I shed; if they end yours then I'll cry a thousand times. I've looked over your bad times and good. I've cried with you; I've even laughed by your side.

Time is running short, and I want you near me once again. I take no pleasure in punishing and leaving you behind; nor do I enjoy knowing you're in pain and I can stop it.

I've fought for you and defended you many times; when I died naked on the cross it was because I love you. 

I still love you, you are GOD'S Creation; His Spirit is within you.

Don't tremble when I draw near; instead open wide. Let me hold you and embrace you in my arms. 

I love you.

~Yeshua (a.k.a. Jesus)

Loki Gets No Grace (Story)

Last fall I attended an interfaith convention where Linda presented the following song at the bardic circle. Within a matter of hours, I had a story response to the question asked in her song. Both are shared below.

Linda's Song calls attention to the way some Christians behave, judge and condemn others (even after we profess that Christ is the only Judge). The story that follows shares just how far the Love and Forgiveness of Yeshua / Jesus extends. Both hold a good message to share. :D

I've heard it said, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know, that I love you too.
Let no one say, that I turned down a friend.
So I went to see if Jesus loves me too!
Went to see if Jesus loves me too, went to see if Jesus loves me too!

Oh, first I went to find him at the Pearly Gates,
But the man at the door didn't like my face.
I turned into a nun, said do you like me now?
He said: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!" "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

So I turned into a mouse, snuck in the back.
There were harps and clouds all over the place.
Asked an angel where to find the Christ.
He said: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!" "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

So I turned into a girl, dressed in white lace,
Sweetly said as I kissed his face,
"Why, if he loves me, can't I get to first base?"
He said: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!", "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

So I went to the man, sitting on the throne
Saying "Can I date your son? With permission embrace?"
He was not amused, angels gave me chase
Saying: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!", "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

Well they say Jesus loves me, but if that's the case
I can find no proof, not a single trace.
I don't like his friends and their Master Race
Saying: "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"
"No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!", "No, Loki no, Loki gets no grace!"

I've heard it said, that Jesus loves you.
I want you to know, that I love you too.
Let no one say, that I turned down a friend.
So I came to see if you would love me too.
Came to see if you would love me too, came to see if you would love me too.

I don't live in a church, I won't kneel in a pew.
I won't save your soul, you don't need me to.
I just want to come and laugh with you,
Saying I'm Loki and I'll play with you,
I'm Loki and I'll play with you, I'm Loki and I'll play with you!

____________________________________________________________________________
The Response

After the above song was spread far and wide, a message came from Heaven to clarify a few things about what happened. There are many of Jesus' followers, even in the ranks of Heaven, that do not know everything that Jesus does. This led to misunderstandings. If you read the above lyrics, clearly Loki never had a chance to ask Jesus the question directly.

So, right after Loki was bounced out of Heaven, Jesus paid Asgard a visit. Being a gentleman, Jesus had previously asked Odin's Permission to enter Asgardian Realm, and Thor met Jesus at the entrance. One look at all that Jesus brought with him and Thor's eyes lit in mischief as a sly grin crossed his face. "Oh, this is going to be good!"

Jesus smiled pleasantly and asked Thor, "Do you think you could keep Loki occupied for a while?" 

Thor's eyes shone as he laughed and toyed with his hammer. "Of course I can! Oh LOKI...!"

As Thor took off in search Loki to distract him, Jesus ventured to the place where Loki had set up residence, leaving something for him there to discover later.

Several hours later, Loki arrived at his home, ragged and sore, doggedly trying to escape Thor's notice for the time being. Upon arrival, however, his jaw dropped.

Now you see, Jesus has the advantage of being the Creator's Son. So after Loki's escapade through Heaven, Jesus approached his Father and asked for a favor. Still fuming a bit, His Father let Jesus have His wish. Jesus wanted unicorns... lots and LOTS of unicorns. "Not the small goat kind that was documented in the Middle Ages, Abba, nor the perfect equine kind that is often pictured today. I want something different," He explained. "Abba, have you ever seen the TV show My Little Pony?"

When Loki arrived at his little corner of Asgard, there were hundreds of thousands of these brightly colored little ponies everywhere. Some sang. Some danced. Some played silly games like four-hoofed care-bears. And they ALL farted rainbows and did other things on his nicely manicured lawns and gardens.

Fuming, Loki made his way -- stepping carefully -- across the grounds and stormed into his abode. Only to be met with another surprise. There were white teddy bears of every size imaginable crammed into any and all open spaces. Each had a big red heart emblazoned across its chest.

But the worst part was that they all spoke. The moment Loki slammed the door they ALL started up - HUNDREDS of them - in UNISON. "I Love you. I Love you. I Love you. I Love you. I Love you..." 

Within mere moments the words were a mantra Loki could not get out of his mind. He searched the first few in range only to maddeningly discover that there was no off switch nor any way to remove the batteries. The chant continued.

Right in the center of the room was the biggest teddy bear of all, bearing a note written in an elegant hand. Loki tore the note from the bear's heart and read:
 

You may receive Forgiveness' Grace,
Just like any other
May you never once forget, Loki,
I love you like a brother.
~ Jesus
P.S. Your turn!

For you see, Loki and Jesus have this game of "tag" that has gone on for centuries. Of course, when Loki approached the throne, God the Father KNEW all this. His rebuke and the angel chase was just His way of making it perfectly clear to Loki that Heaven was out-of-bounds. 

Where will the next turn take them? 

The ball is in Loki's court... ;)

Burying Hatred

In past two days, my ears caught a news story that a fellow Nutmegger offered a family plot gratis to bury the body of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, as the funeral home tending the body cannot find a place that would accept it for decent burial.

The one condition Paul Keane requested is that it be done in memory of his mother, who taught Sunday school. Among her teachings was Christ's message: Love your enemies.

There has been much outcry and protest about this particular burial. Tamerlan can no longer do us any harm; he has already met his Maker and faced the only true Judgement there is.

Why do people still attack the corpse like a pack of feral dogs? Have we become like the terrorists we abhor?

The funeral home has come under attack, and Keane has also since his noble offer. I wonder, have the acts of terror instilled such hatred and fear into our hearts? This Nation was founded on Christian values.

When Christ came into this world, there was no room for Him. He was born where they kept the animals.

When Christ died as a criminal, there was no tomb for him. But Joseph of Aramathea, whose heart was touched by Yeshua / Jesus, offered his own unused plot to bury the body.

Would these same protesters hurl insults at the innkeeper and Joseph, and insist that no one should do business with them again because of the Compassionate acts?

I am not saying Tamerlan is anything like Christ. But I am saying that Keane's offer and the funeral home's efforts are based on Love and Compassion that Christ inspires.

Both are following in the steps of Joseph of Aramethea, helping a distraught mother to see her son's body decently buried.

The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."                      (Matthew 25:40)

"I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me." (Matthew 25:45)

Which to follow

Love or hate?

This is choice

We all must make

~ ESA

Church Bells

Church bells are a common sound throughout New England, ringing several times per day, every day. Today church bells will peal an additional time in Connecticut at 9:30 am in memory of the lives lost in Newtown. I've heard there will be church bells ringing not only in this State, but other communities as well.

In my own way, below are some past tweets that echo the melody of church bells and what they sing to me:

• A lone church bell rings in the quiet morning: a new day begins.
• New England church bells ring now, echoing the song my heart sings somehow.

• New England church bells ring in the sunny morning light. I say a little prayer to guide me in what’s right. 
• Church bells ring in a new day, reminding me it’s time to pray.
• New England church bells peal under bright morning sun. I raise my head from prayer; a new day has begun. 
• Church bells ring at the start of a new day, reminding me to pause, reflect and pray.
• From a choir and full orchestra, to solo or simple bell, there's something deep inside, that music brings out so well. 

 

• At the dawning of the sun, New England church bells ring. Song of love wells within my heart; I just have to sing! 
• New England church bells ring at the start of my day. Yet it seems much brighter when I take a moment to pray. 
• Church bells ring across the land; the lavender sky glows over sparsely-leaved trees; a lone car drives by: a new day begins. 
• The day dawns overcast as church bells ring over the blanketed landscape, but nothing dims the song in my heart.
• It's still dark outside, as the morning church bell rings. Oh what changes the winter season brings.
• Church bells ring melodiously on this winter's night. Sometimes things just sound and feel so right.

 .

~ESA