NOTE: I realize Easter was awhile ago, but I started this blog post and never got around to finishing and posting it. So, while over a month late, it's a good reminder of the meaning of Easter and the ways God has blessed me with friends and wonderful community in my new home in Tulsa.
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He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
These are the traditional words spoken at church services across the world on Easter Sunday. I wish we spoke these words more often. Throughout the year I find myself thinking about and talking about the Cross: I consider the immense pain, the costly sacrifice, and thank God I never have to face such a death. But I infrequently consider what comes after the Cross: Christ didn't just die, he overcame death and defeated sin. He didn't just open a door and give us a pass into heaven: He determined that we should have Christ's righteousness, as imperfect as we are, and be called children of God. I love how Easter reminds me to look past the Cross and see that, because Christ is risen, I don't remain dead in my sins but have been raised to a new, better life with him (see Romans 6).
This was my first Easter spent in Tulsa, and first Easter away from my family. While I thought it might be difficult, God has blessed me with an incredible family of believers to celebrate with. This past weekend was one of the best I've had in Tulsa. It started off well on Good Friday: I attended a lunch on campus with some students where we read and reflected on selected scripture in the chapel sanctuary. In the evening I went to my church's Good Friday service then went back to the chapel on campus for a lock-in. We spent an hour during the lock-in singing worship songs, reading scripture on the crucifixion, and washing each others' feet before spending the night hanging out and having fun together. Somehow I managed to stay up the entire night! It seemed the perfect way to spend Good Friday: reflecting on the Cross, worshipping, and enjoying fellowship with other believers.
Saturday the weather was beautiful and I'm thankful I had some energy to enjoy the sunshine with a friend, and Sunday morning I awoke ready to celebrate Easter. After the church service my campus minister and his wife invited students who couldn't be home for Easter to share a delicious potluck-style meal at their home. We had over a dozen of us gathered at one big table. The food and fellowship were wonderful!
The weather in Tulsa Easter day was gorgeous and my roommate and I went to the river near our apartment for a bit. Some friends of ours came over later in the evening and I had the privilege of making them homemade pesto with pasta and chicken for dinner. Though dinner didn't consist of the normal foods I'm used to (like lamb), and though I couldn't be with my immediate family, it was a joy for me to be able to share Easter dinner with a few good friends who have become like family to me.
I'm so incredibly thankful for the ways God has shown His amazing and undeserved love to me through Christ and through new friends. I'm overwhelmed by His goodness to me and how He has cared for me so well during this new stage of life. My time in Tulsa so far has been filled with many rich blessings and wonderful experiences. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the ways God will continue to care for and show His love to me.
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He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
These are the traditional words spoken at church services across the world on Easter Sunday. I wish we spoke these words more often. Throughout the year I find myself thinking about and talking about the Cross: I consider the immense pain, the costly sacrifice, and thank God I never have to face such a death. But I infrequently consider what comes after the Cross: Christ didn't just die, he overcame death and defeated sin. He didn't just open a door and give us a pass into heaven: He determined that we should have Christ's righteousness, as imperfect as we are, and be called children of God. I love how Easter reminds me to look past the Cross and see that, because Christ is risen, I don't remain dead in my sins but have been raised to a new, better life with him (see Romans 6).
This was my first Easter spent in Tulsa, and first Easter away from my family. While I thought it might be difficult, God has blessed me with an incredible family of believers to celebrate with. This past weekend was one of the best I've had in Tulsa. It started off well on Good Friday: I attended a lunch on campus with some students where we read and reflected on selected scripture in the chapel sanctuary. In the evening I went to my church's Good Friday service then went back to the chapel on campus for a lock-in. We spent an hour during the lock-in singing worship songs, reading scripture on the crucifixion, and washing each others' feet before spending the night hanging out and having fun together. Somehow I managed to stay up the entire night! It seemed the perfect way to spend Good Friday: reflecting on the Cross, worshipping, and enjoying fellowship with other believers.
Saturday the weather was beautiful and I'm thankful I had some energy to enjoy the sunshine with a friend, and Sunday morning I awoke ready to celebrate Easter. After the church service my campus minister and his wife invited students who couldn't be home for Easter to share a delicious potluck-style meal at their home. We had over a dozen of us gathered at one big table. The food and fellowship were wonderful!
The weather in Tulsa Easter day was gorgeous and my roommate and I went to the river near our apartment for a bit. Some friends of ours came over later in the evening and I had the privilege of making them homemade pesto with pasta and chicken for dinner. Though dinner didn't consist of the normal foods I'm used to (like lamb), and though I couldn't be with my immediate family, it was a joy for me to be able to share Easter dinner with a few good friends who have become like family to me.
I'm so incredibly thankful for the ways God has shown His amazing and undeserved love to me through Christ and through new friends. I'm overwhelmed by His goodness to me and how He has cared for me so well during this new stage of life. My time in Tulsa so far has been filled with many rich blessings and wonderful experiences. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the ways God will continue to care for and show His love to me.
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