Nightbirde , "YOU CAN''T WAIT UNTIL LIFE ISN'T HARD ANYMORE UNTIL YOU DECIDE TO BE HAPPY."

Jane Kristen Marczewski (31) also known as Nightbirde, of Nashport OH, passed on Feb. 19, 2022. For such a time as this, she lived, she sang, and she died. Her bio says, .."went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." I get it. It's my destiny as well, But it is a death. As Jesus so aptly stated, "Unless a grain of wheat fall to the earth and die, it ramains alone. But if it die it bears much fruit." This song was resurrected in her memory on her passing, at the verge of a war, at the crisis and confusion caused by 2 years of pandemic, rising costs, well- you who are here know the litany of problems. And into that, into the darkness, this Nightbirde sings. And then says, "you can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." For such a time as this, her song is heralded into the night. I gotta say, I needed this message. I waste far too much time on sadness over past regrets, and other stuff. In the midst of it all, it's okay- I can let go and live the today God has for me, and be grateful for the good. I need this reminder. I thank God for this message. It's the embodiment of the answer to the question in in Romans 8: What can separate us from the love of God? 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a] 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Our God trumps death! And what do you know, I just realized today is Ash Wednesday... For those who don't know that one, it's the beginning of the Easter season. A preparation of the life and heart for the celebrating of the death and then the resurrection of Jesus! One famous sermon, by African American preacher, S.M. Lockridge most simply states it this way, "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming." We all have our deaths to die, but holding on to Him who conquered death, and you will rise- as He did on that first Easter. When did Jesus announce Himself as the Resurrection and Life? At the graveside of his friend, to his friend'sgrieving sister.! "Martha,” Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection, and I am Life Eternal. Anyone who clings to me in faith, even though he dies, will live forever. John 11:25

A Belated Share of Christ- mas Light

 In my Advent ( pre-Christmas readings) I came on the following verse, which set off a whole string of wonderful thoughts and the feeling that God had just spoken to me, illuminating, if you will, some wonderful truths.  It felt very personal and private, but then I realized that the gift He was giving, the gift of understanding and growing in love, is truly a gift for us all.   So, with a little concern over presuming to use God's voice in the first person, I share the following. Take what "speaks" to you and leave the rest, if you please.