About Maundy Thursday

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Having taken part in many a Maundy Thursday ceremony over the years I’m loathe to admit I never really knew the meaning of Maundy.

I knew that Jesus gathered his disciples for their last meal together before his crucifixion, and it has always been known as The Last Supper; but that did not explain the meaning of Maundy. After reading the excerpt below I am much the wiser and it has only taken eighty-four years! Hopefully, those who are learning about this two-thousand-year-plus event will gain this insight at a much younger age.

Here is an explanation of Maundy Thursday as gleaned from the Intrnet:

The name ‘Maundy‘ is derived from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning a commandment. Jesus Christ, at the Last Supper, commanded:

‘And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.‘ John 13:34

Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci: Meaning, Interpretation

The Week that Was

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It started with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. His devoted followers were waving palm branches, and spreading them on the path before him. According to Wikipedia, the palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world.

What the crowds did not know that day was that Jesus was riding towards his death. His death would fulfill the plan that He had come to earth for thirty-three years earlier; the plan that included a trial, a scourging, and a crucifixion; the plan that He agreed to, to save humanity from the power of sin.

We know today as Palm Sunday, and the week to come as Holy week, but after Easter it will be remembered as the week that was. Happy Sunday.

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Just Maybe

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Saturday may be just another day to some of us, and maybe we have to work at making it a little different. Maybe we need a little something to make us smile, and just maybe that little something is as simple as a cartoon character. Here is my smile for the day. What will make you smile? Happy Saturday.

Happy Saturday Funny Memes (Page 1) - Line.17QQ.com

Saving Grace

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We all want to be safe, right? Safe from all harm and evil; safe from bad judgement and poor decisions; safe from Satan’s wily ways. That’s where saving grace comes in. Although it doesn’t eliminate the former, it makes those things easier to deal with. Here are a few examples of how to come by this saving grace:

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved – you and your household. Acts 16:31

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:11

In closing, here is a little prayer for the day: “God grant me the grace to live this day in your strength.”

Happy Sunday.

Happiness Times Two

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Today is International Day of Happiness. Who knew this? I have been on the planet for eighty-four years and have never heard of this day. I wonder why.

Today is also the first day of Spring; another reason to be happy. Who doesn’t love to be happy? Let’s take advantage of this timely duo and have a Happy Saturday.

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Notes from a Spiritual Journal

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Any kind of journaling is a release of thoughts, memories, gleanings; a way of putting things into perspective for future reference. Spiritual journaling is particularly productive because of its subtle way of enlightening once the words are out of the mind and onto the page. Here are a few examples dictated by gifted thinkers:

Faith is characterized by people believing God’s word regardless of their personal circumstances. Father Peter Coughlin, Catholic Priest.

God will give you an idea that will challenge you to live by trust. Robert H. Schuller, Hour of Power

He is your best friend who brings out of you the best that is in you. Henry Ford

No problem is too big for God’s power, no person is too small for God’s love. Robert Schuller

We defeat ourselves, or gain victories by the thoughts we think. Norman Vincent Peale

Through His word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, God will teach us what is right and enable us to do it. Our Daily Bread magazine.

The most important thing of all things to possess is peace of mind. Peace of mind includes all other good things. Emmet fox

Some of the best advice ever given: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Happy Sunday.

Strong Quotes

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Strength is a powerful word; not just physical strength, but moral strength and spiritual strength as well. Sometimes we need help to keep up our strength, and sometimes that help comes in the form of words spoken by others.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. Bob Marley, singer/songwriter.

Strength is a matter of a made up mind. John Beecher, author.

Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. Suzanne Collins, American author and screenwriter.

Courage isn’t the strength to go on…it is going on when you don’t have the strength. Napoleon Bonaparte

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:29

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Mahatma Gandhi

Happy Saturday.

Saved by the Bell

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Do you ever wonder where idioms come from? I googled ‘saved by the bell’ and found this:

The origination of the phrase comes from the world of boxing where the rounds are of a short duration and often boxers are saved because of the signalling of the bell to say that the round is over. The opposite party cannot throw another blow when the bell has rung and hence the other side is merely saved by something that happened outside rather than his own efforts. The phrase is speculated to have originated in the 1950’s. Source: theidioms.com

And then there’s saved by the Word, not an idiom but a scriptural fact as in Roman’s 10:9. Happy Sunday.

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Clap Your Hands

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Today is the last day of February! It brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Spring is on the way! Even the trees of the fields will soon clap their hands as Isaiah tells us. Enjoy the day, whatever it holds for you, and be sure to clap your hands as you envision Spring in the air and Covid-19 out of it. Happy Sunday.

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. . ” Isaiah 55:12 NIV

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Precious Memories

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Life is full of precious memories.

Since 1965 Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers has been one of my favorite songs, and my youngest son, even in his teens, was aware of this. He was born in 1967.

At his wedding in 2000 he chose this song as the mother and son dance. As you can guess, I was very touched.

I just heard the song yesterday, after a long time, and it brought tears to my eyes as I recalled one of my most precious memories, dancing with my youngest son at his wedding to his thoughtful choice of my favorite song. I hope you have the luxury of recalling some precious memories today. Happy Saturday.