Easter Preparation #4- Via Dolorosa

Thursday, April 17, 2014 

"Via Dolorosa"


With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion,who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”  Mark 15:37-39 

I have always wanted to visit Jerusalem and see the area where Jesus was born and where he eventually was laid to rest. I want to walk down the streets He walked and visit the places and Gardens He visited. I am a very visual learner and I would love to not only be able to SEE these places but experience these places.

I have always been a very musical person but when I was a teenager I was visiting my grandmother in Wichita, KS and I was able to hear my aunt Julie Garrett sing a song about Jesus and His death on the cross. Julie always did and still does have the voice of an angel but this particular song stuck with me and really helped me get a grasp on the situations that took place as Christ died for you and me. Thank you Julie for giving me this experience and singing these words so beautifully so many years ago!

"Via Dolorosa" by Sandi Patty

Down the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day

The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street

But the crowd pressed in to see

A Man condemned to die on Calvary

He was bleedingfrom a beating,
there were stripes upon His back

And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head

And He bore with every step

The scorn of those who cried out for His death

(chorus)

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,

But He chose to walk that road out of His love

For you and me.
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men

Made its way to the heart of Jerusalem.

Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering

Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King

But He chose to walk that road out of His love

For you and me

Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary

What Via Dolorosa looks like today...

I listen to this song and read these lyrics and all I can say is THANK YOU! 

Thank You, Jesus Christ for walking down Via Dolorosa on your way to Your Crucifixion. You walked this road with the weight of the cross and the entire World on Your shoulders! Thank you... Thank you. 

It's Thursday... But Sunday's Coming! 

God is Good... All the Time! 

Easter Preparation #3- The Old Rugged Cross

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 

"The Old Rugged Cross" 

An oldie but a goodie... This is one of the best hymns ever written and the words are ever true, even today. I'll cherish the Old Rugged Cross... til my trophies at last I'll lay down. This is what I cling to as I think about the upcoming days and Jesus' death and then resurrection. This is a constant reminder of what He did for you and me. 

He suffered and died to sanctify ME? He bore the guilt and the shame of the world and was buried but on the 3rd day was resurrected and brought back from the grave. How is this possible? I still am amazed at the beauty of the entire event!

The great book of Colossians reminds us of this sacrifice.  "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation"- Colossians 1:21-22

"The Old Rugged Cross" 

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.


Refrain:

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.




Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.


In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.


To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I’ll share.















I will Cling to The Old Rugged Cross... And exchange it someday for a crown! I cannot wait for that day! 







God is good... All the time! 

Easter Preparation #2- The Power of the Cross

April 14, 2014

"The Power of the Cross"

Easter is this Sunday... Prepare your heart and mind for this amazing day by taking time to spiritually awaken your soul for the amazing deed Christ did for all of us. 

As I prepare my heart of this Sunday and Easter, I cannot begin to fathom the amount pain and agony, Jesus went through as he walked down the road to Calvary to be nailed to The Cross. All of MY sins and all of YOUR sins bore on the weight of His shoulders as the crown of thorns was placed on his head. "It is finished" was His cry. 

The Cross is Powerful but sometimes we need the simple reminder of HOW powerful it really is. Christ became sin for us by being nailed to this Cross of wood. And because He did this for you and me... We stand FORGIVEN at the Cross! And the sins I have committed and commit on a daily basis; the nagging of my husband, the short tempered with my kids, the impatience on the roadway and at work; sins both BIG and small. We are forgiven of these sins because of what took place on the cross. What an amazing gift we have been given.

I saw a saying on social media last week that really helped me grasp this amazing gift and Power of the cross: "The Power of the cross is not found in what I do but in what has already been done for me" by Suzie Eller! What a thought to ponder and think about as we continue in this Holy Week. 

This beautiful song is a testimony of this event and the beautiful gift God has given us... But we have to accept this gift. 

"The Power of the Cross" 

Oh, to see the dawn

Of the darkest day:

Christ on the road to Calvary.

Tried by sinful men,

Torn and beaten, then

Nailed to a cross of wood. 

CHORUS:

This, the pow'r of the cross:

Christ became sin for us;

Took the blame, bore the wrath—

We stand forgiven at the cross. 

Oh, to see the pain

Written on Your face,

Bearing the awesome weight of sin.

Ev'ry bitter thought,

Ev'ry evil deed

Crowning Your bloodstained brow. 

Now the daylight flees;

Now the ground beneath

Quakes as its Maker bows His head.

Curtain torn in two,

Dead are raised to life;

"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name

Written in the wounds,

For through Your suffering I am free.

Death is crushed to death;

Life is mine to live,

Won through Your selfless love. 

FINAL CHORUS:

This, the pow'r of the cross:

Son of God—slain for us.

What a love! What a cost! 

We stand forgiven at the cross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aowdjLeaCYs&feature=kp

Will you accept this gift? 

God is Good.. All the Time!

Easter Preparation #1

April 10, 2014 

"By the Way of the Cross" 

As I have gotten older in my years, Easter has become my favorite holiday. Not because of all the chocolate (I do not even like chocolate), the candies, the cute spring dresses and colors or the Easter Egg hunts with my kids but for the Biblical meaning behind this holiday. Each year as this holiday approaches I prepare myself for such an emotional holiday. This year I am going to write a series of blog concentrated not only on the events leading up to Jesus' death and his resurrection but the songs the speak to me about these events. 

I am humbled by what our Father has done for not just me but you too. Condemned to die on a cross and given a crown of thorns to wear on his head. For me? Really, For me? What have I done to deserve such love. Why me? 

I think of all the countless ways I sin on a daily basis and how I have nothing to offer but my battered and bruised self ...yet God sent his ONLY SON to die on a cross FOR ME! The sacrifice that must have been made I cannot even imagine. The weight of the cross as He carried it up the hill must have been unbearable. Then to be put to death by nails in His hands and feet and the crown of thorns on His head. Yet the words "You will be with me in paradise" came from his mouth to the thief who was also hanging on The Cross beside Him. 

The song "By the Way of The Cross" speaks these feelings so well. 

I HAVE NOTHING TO CLAIM BUT MY GUILT AND MY SHAME
HOPELESSLY LOST, I COULD NOT FIND MY WAY.
TILL HIS GLORIOUS LIGHT OF LOVE SHOWN DOWN ON ME.
HIS MERCY WASHED ALL MY SIN AWAY.

Despite the death of His only son, God showed us His love through this event. And Jesus died on The Cross for all of us as a sign of the unfailing undying love He has for us. I have nothing to give in return and lost and afraid. But His death and mercy have washed my sins away... as far as the East is from the West. What was once blood stain and battered, is now as white as snow.  

This is the love He showed for us all. You too can be washed as white as snow. Jesus' death was given for YOU. Accept this gift and you too will no longer be lost and hopeless.  

The words of this song sum it all up and this song speaks to my heart each and every time I hear it. Listen to the words of this song and watch the video if you want and you will see a better picture of this sacrifice. 

"By the Way of the Cross" 

CONDEMNED TO DIE ON A CROSS

FOR CRIMES HE HAD DONE.

THE THIEF WAS GUILTY, EVERYONE COULD SEE,

BUT HIS DESTINY WAS CHANGED

AS HE LOOKED AT CHRIST AND SAID,

“WHEN YOUR KINGDOM COMES REMEMBER ME."

IN PARADISE THAT DAY HE STOOD

JUST LIKE THE LORD HAD SAID HE WOULD

SURROUNDED BY THOSE WHO HAD GONE BEFORE.

ONE SAID "FRIEND HOW DID YOU COME?

WHAT ARE THE DEEDS YOU HAVE DONE?"

WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, I CAN HEAR THE THIEF REPLY.

THERE ARE NO MERITS TO MY NAME

NO WORKS THAT I CAN CLAIM

HE WHO BROUGHT ME HERE TOLD ME TO SAY:

CHORUS

I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,

I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,

IT IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE.

IT'S THE SUFFERING OF GOD'S SON

I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS

I HAVE NOTHING TO CLAIM BUT MY GUILT AND MY SHAME

HOPELESSLY LOST, I COULD NOT FIND MY WAY.

TILL HIS GLORIOUS LIGHT OF LOVE SHOWN DOWN ON ME.

HIS MERCY WASHED ALL MY SIN AWAY. 

AND WHAT HE DID FOR ME THAT DAY

WAS A PRICE I KNOW HE PAID

BY HIS GRACE I TOO CAN SAY, FOREVER SAY:

CHORUS

I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS,
IT IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE.
IT'S THE SUFFERING OF GOD'S SON
I HAVE COME BY THE WAY OF THE CROSS

I, too, have come by the way of The Cross. What a moving testimony to the spiritual events of the upcoming week! Thank you, God for sending Your ONLY SON to die on The Cross for ME!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyZDhk4YfFU

God is Good... All the time! 

Expect the Unexpected

April 8, 2014 

They Call Me "Aunt Sissy" 

Last week proved to be an unbelievably long and stressful week. It was full of late evenings and in fact, I was only able to put my kids to bed for 1 of the 6 nights. It was a great week full of Opening Day baseball, a saxophone gig and so much more but all too busy nonetheless. Saturday morning came and I was alone with the kids while Chris went to Saturday school. The kids and I went and got them Kolaches for breakfast and then did a few errands around town. It was such a release from the stress and tiredness of the previous 5 days. 

Around 9:30am while I was finding bargains at a local Children's Consignment Sale my phone starts to BLOW UP with texts and missed calls. I noticed them all but Chris' really stuck out since I knew he was at Saturday school. I listened to his message only to find out that my Sister-In-Law who was not quite 37 weeks pregnant had broke her water and was in labor. YAY... This was so exciting! Except... this means that my nanny/ babysitter, other wise known as Gigi Jackie, was about to be gone for a week or so. 

We knew this could happen but I think ALL of us, even my SIL, didn't expect it to happen for another 2 weeks or so. Remember, I carried Natalie for 43 weeks so to me this was WAY early! I had already lined up a replacement sitter for Natalie and Luke and this would be MY OWN Grandmother, Grandma Juanita! So the rest of the day was filled with all types of emotions including excitement, stress and so much more. 

Finally around 11am, I was able to get a hold of Great-Grandma Juanita and let her know that the baby was being born and she and Virg needed to make their way down to Conroe soon. They live in Wichita, KS and had a 10+ hour drive ahead of them so I wanted to get the ball rolling. Poor Grandma Juanita, she sounded more than startled on the phone! But her and Virg got all their necessities taken care of and were on the road early Sunday morning! 

The rest of my Saturday and Sunday was filled with cleaning, organizing and taking care of things that needed to be done before company arrived. It was a very hectic and stressful weekend but through it all my man stayed calm and helped out like never before. He really is a great husband and I am so lucky to have him!

Mid evening Sunday my Grandma Juanita and Virg arrived and the fun began. Both of my kids don't really get to see either of them very often but Natalie remembered them both and within minutes they both had a new friend. I think we were all a little worried about Luke warming up to either of them but he LOVES Virg and goes right to him.

The past few days have been filled with fun and exciting activities for my kids and Grandma Juanita and Virg. Grandma and Virg have been so great already by helping take care of the kids while Chris and I are at work, taking them to school and even helping at night with them. Honestly, there is no way Chris and I could have gotten through this week without them! AND... it has only just begun!

The saying "Expect the Unexpected" is certainly true this week in the life of my family and I. We are SO THRILLED that Baby Madisyn has been born and now we are counting down the days until we meet this little one! I cannot wait to see what the next few days are filled with! Thanks again to Grandma Juanita and Virg for all their help! Truly a God-send! 

This is Madisyn Maelyn Davis- Born on April 5 at 9:15pm!

We cannot wait to meet you Miss Madi! 

God is Good... ALL the time
(Even in unexpected times)!

This Ain't my first rodeo... Wait it is.

Kellie Davis- Fine Arts Teacher 

I never imagined this title to be behind my name in the education world but here I sit and this is my title. I knew going into this position that Art would be involved but I had no idea to this degree and level. I have had to teach art once a 6-weeks period as well as teach, direct and organize the Rodeo Art Show Competition for my campus to compete in the District and State contests. This is ON TOP of my regular music duties, after school practices with honor choir and other groups too! Again, I had no idea it was going to be this involved. Nor did I realize I would have to come up with lessons and artwork for the kids to draw. 

However, you live and you learn and I have learned A LOT this year! It IS my first rodeo and I have learned so much this year that I feel like I could tackle ANYTHING next year! 

Basically the Rodeo Art Show is an opportunity for K-12 graders to create an ORIGINAL piece of artwork that depicts Texas wildlife, farm, rodeo and other themed creations. Most of my students used a visual picture and the re-created this in their own way to create beautiful pieces of art! 

It was incredibly stressful and I made SEVERAL mistakes BUT in the long run they all turned out GREAT! I am very proud of my kiddos... And myself! 

Scoring Guidelines 

Blue Ribbon- 1st Place 

Red Ribbon- 2nd Place

White- 3rd Place 

I did not include all of my winners but my favorite few! Again, I am very proud of ALL of my kids! 

A blue Ribbon winner from 5th Grade. 

White Ribbon from 5th Grade 

Red Ribbon winner from 1st Grade 

(Crazy thing about this one is I taught her how to draw this... Kinda weird, I have NO art talent at all) 

Red Ribbon winner from 5th Grade 

White Ribbon Winner from 5th Grade 

I learned a lot and I know next year will be EVEN better! And next year I can honestly say "This AIN'T my FIRST RODEO". 

God is good... ALL the time! 

Crossing Things Off

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 

Opening Day 2014

My entire life has included baseball and I consider baseball to be a very important part of me. In fact, growing up my family and I traveled to MLB Baseball Stadiums around the US and Canada for our annual summer vacations. We have been doing this for as long as I can remember and even before that I am sure. Wherever we planned on going, if it turned out the team wasn't in... well, then we went somewhere else. This made for an incredible tour of the US in my youth and adolescent years and I only hope I can give my own kids this same type of experience. (More on this later...I am going to re-live my youth and plan out my kids youth!) 

But in all of my years of watching baseball and touring MLB baseball stadiums, I have never seen the New York Yankees LIVE on Opening Day. I have only been to Opening Day one other time and that was in 2012 right before my little Luke was born. This was Opening Day for the Astros and it was the weekend AFTER the rest of MLB teams had the "official" Opening Day so some might argue that I had never been to an "official" Opening Day game... UNTIL last night! 

In September of 2013 when Allison and I went to the Astros/ Yankees series at the close of the 2013 season, we learned the Astros would OPEN the 2014 season with the Yankees and this would include Opening Day. Naturally, Allison and I immediately committed to going to the game without knowing what would be going on at the time. We even had the "number of sleeps" counted until we got to go to Opening Day with the Yankees. 

Yesterday FINALLY arrived and Allison and I were ready. We were decked out head-to-toe with Yankee apparel and even purses. Of course, the lame Astros fans made fun of us but they did not know that we are TRUE Yankees fans and have been since, well, birth. Our only living Grandfather LOVED the Yankees and every time we would go and visit him he would have the Yankee game on and would be supporting his Yankees. He had Yankee hats and shirts he would wear and he even had a Yankee bear for us to play with when we would go and visit him. Living in Kansas his whole life, naturally my dad was a Royals fan but not Grandpa! He kept cheering for the Yankees through thick and thin. Sure they won over 15 Championships while he was cheering for them but several of those other seasons they were in dead last in the division and Grandpa was still cheering for them! He taught us that it does not matter if you win or lose... You still cheer for your team! My dad instilled this into as well during the John Blake years at OU too (Geez... those were BAD)! 

We got to the game and even outside of the stadium the prices were WAY higher than usual, especially for an Astros game. The parking lot I usually use which is a decent walk from Minute Maid Park is $15 but last night it was $40. I know that when the Yankees come to town everyone's prices skyrocket but this was insane. We ended up parking in an even further lot and had to cross under HWY 59 BUT it was only $20! When we got into the game we took in all the sights and sounds of Minute Maid Park and Opening Day including several pictures! 

We stopped at the Astros Team Store to get an Opening Series shirt and found awesome Derek Jeter Farewell Tours shirts too! It is so hard to believe he is really going to be finished this year (More on this later too). We spent a good 20 minutes in line wait to pay but despite my worrying, we made it to our seats by the time the Pre-game festivities began.

Oh yeah... Got me one of these! Love it! 

We witnessed the entire Yankee and Astros lineups take the field as well as Derek Jeter himself. In fact, we were able to see him in his FINAL Opening Day... Kinda sad and cool at the same time! Nolan Ryan and Craig Biggio were in attendance to throw and catch the ceremonial first pitch. In fact, even President George H. Bush and Mrs. Bush were there. Our seats were in a location for us to be able to see them and watch them the entire game too.

Nolan Ryan throwing the Ceremonial First Pitch to Craig Biggio...It was a little OFF! 

Jeter's 1st At-Bat for the 2014 season and his FINAL Season's 1st At-Bat!
(AND I WAS THERE!)

Jeter's final At-Bat of the game... He got a HIT! Yay! 

For the first time while I have been there they had the Minute Maid Park roof open! This made me smile because I firmly believe baseball is not meant to be played indoors. But I do appreciate the AC in the 100+ temps of July and August but April 1st the roof open was PERFECT!

Baseball is NOT meant to be played indoors! 

The game was PACKED and CROWED, especially for an Astros game. I do not think it was officially SOLD OUT but I would bet it was within 2500 people from selling out if not less. This made for some very crowded seating and bathroom situations! Houston is not used to this type of crowd, obviously because they ended up running out of hot dog (HOT DOGS) in the 3rd inning! Honestly, it was kinda embarrassing! Also, in the 8th inning we were put up on the Jumbo Tron! This was also a first in all of our baseball years and experiences! 

In all of our travels and MLB baseball game watching, Allison and I had never seen the Yankees LIVE on Opening Day. I can now officially cross that one off my BUCKET LIST! (Disclaimer: "Witness Opening Day AT Yankee Stadium" is still on the list... HINT HINT, Honey!) The outcome of the game was not at all what we expected (Or anyone in Houston, apparently) but the game was GREAT. It was a great game of baseball and no matter what the outcome.. Allison and I will still cheer for our Yankees AND appreciate the game of baseball! Thank you Dad and Grandpa for raising us right! 

Thanks for a great night of Yankees Baseball Allison! I'm so glad we got to do this TOGETHER! I'm thinking no matter the opponent, we need to plan to attend Opening Day EVERY YEAR! Make plans NOW!  

I would not have wanted to share this with ANYONE ELSE! Love you, Allie! 
Good is Good... ALL THE TIME!