Easter Stories and More

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Lynn

In April 2019, we were encouraged as InScribe Writers Online, to write a blog article for Easter from a different point of view. For me, it became a reimagined journey to witness the final hours after Jesus’ betrayal as seen through the eyes of the Apostle John who witnessed all the events that led to Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

Only days after I wrote the story, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It was my second cancer diagnosis, having battled breast cancer in 2001. In my story, “The Passion Through John’s Eyes” in the new anthology “Easter Stories and More“, I wanted to travel the Via Dolorosa, stepping into John’s sandals, as he followed his beloved friend to Golgotha. It was a writing pilgrimage for me, to stay true to the Gospel writings, without adding or subtracting from Scripture, while still being able to describe anew what John may have experienced that day. I knew as a Christian, we are called to pick up our cross, in our own way, and follow Jesus. Days later, after writing my story about John, I was facing my own journey road following Jesus. I never thought I’d have to face cancer twice in my lifetime, but I had complete trust that God had a plan and a purpose in allowing me to go through this new battle.

I have always been disturbed by these Words from Jesus on the Cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) It implies that God the Father abandoned Jesus on the Cross, which just does not line up theologically for me. (I wrote a blog post a few years ago that explains my thoughts on that.) I will admit, that during my last battle with cancer when I was in the throes of “chemo thunder”, as I called it, I would weep aloud, “God, why have You forsaken me?” In despair, my body so weak and tired from the chemotherapy and radiation, I forced myself to grasp hold of the promises from Scripture, particularly clinging to Psalm 22, with the knowledge that Jesus would never leave me or forsake me, just as God the Father never left Jesus on the Cross. When you read my story “The Passion Through John’s Eyes“, I incorporated Psalm 22 into John’s context as he stood at the Cross trying to make sense of Jesus’ death.

As Christians, we are challenged daily to experience Scripture, to immerse ourselves in God’s story, and become part of that story as we live out our lives. I am honoured to be a contributor to “Easter Stories and More“. I am confident it will be a family favourite book in your home. I pray you will pick up a copy today and leave a review!

I am delighted to participate in this Blog Tour to celebrate the book launch of “Easter Stories and More“, and I encourage my readers to “travel” to these other blog sites of other writers who contributed to this amazing anthology.

March 24 – Ruth L. Snyder https://ruthlsnyder.com/blog/

March 25 – Sally Meadows https://sallymeadows.com/blog

March 26 – Eunice Matchett https://albertastoryteller.com/

March 27 – Lynn Dove https://lynndove.com/

March 28 – Pat Gerbrandt https://patgwriter.wordpress.com/

March 29 – Denise Ford https://walkingwithdustyanddee.com/

March 30 – Marcia Laycock https://marcialeelaycock.com/thespur/

March 31 – Bob Jones revwords.comhttps://revwords.com/

April 1 – Valerie Ronald https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

April 2 – Kimberley Payne https://www.kimberleypayne.com/blog/

April 3 – Marnie Pohlmann https://marniewriter.com/blog/

April 4 – Lynn Simpson https://lynnjsimpson.com/

“I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” Psalm 22: 22-24

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St. Patrick’s Day -2021

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Lynn

I’m not Irish, nor do I particularly like the colour green, but I enjoy seeing pictures of my grandbabies trying to “catch” leprechauns in their day home. My daughter-in-love puts a lot of effort into making the day fun for her three boys and her day home kidlings by painting green shamrocks on their chubby cheeks, and filling their bellies with shamrock-shaped sugar cookies. That sounds like a great way to celebrate the day. Count me in…

Next year.

I don’t usually “celebrate” this day, I’m not even wearing green this year. Covid restrictions are still in effect so it goes without saying, I won’t be attending any festive parades, nor will I indulge in drinking green beer. (As if I did that before…Haha!)

People all over the world celebrate the 17th of March to honour St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.  Born in Britain during the 4th century, St. Patrick, was kidnapped when he was a teenager and enslaved by Irish raiders.  He was able to escape after six years and became a priest in Britain but later chose to return to Ireland as a missionary.  According to Irish folklore, he used a shamrock to explain the Christian concept of the Trinity to the Irish.  In spite of continuous opposition from pagan leaders, he continued to evangelize for thirty years while baptizing the newly converted and establishing monasteries, churches and schools.  He died on March 17th, and it is his “death day” we celebrate each year.

There is much debate amongst Evangelical Christians whether or not this day should even be acknowledged because it is predominantly a Catholic religious observance that has evolved into a day of celebrating Irish folklore, culture and national identity.  For those who are not Irish or have any religious affiliation, the day becomes basically a good excuse for a drinking party.

Here’s my opinion, take it or leave it. Just like Christians observing Halloween, and St. Valentine’s Day and having no trouble with Santa Claus and including a few bunnies at Easter, St. Patrick’s Day falls under a “holiday” category where individuals and families must decide whether or not they want to participate in commemorating a predominantly secular event. Wearing hearts for Valentine’s Day, or wearing bunny ears for Easter will likely not affect your Christian witness, neither will dressing in green and wearing a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day. If you want to evangelize, you might like to point out to those who do not know the symbolism of the shamrock to explain how the Trinity might be represented and you might have a conversation that shows how the shamrock is shaped like the Cross. Of course that may be stretching the Christian symbolism too far. My thought is to just enjoy the day like you might have enjoyed “Pi Day” on March 14th by having a piece of pie. Wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day but stay away from the green beer. 🙂

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Moving Forward…sort of

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Lynn

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic here in Canada. We went into lockdown on March 14th, and our lives changed overnight. I think I am a pretty positive person overall, but I have really felt the impact of this year on my physical, mental, and spiritual health as never before.


I took this picture on March 12th, 2020.
Only difference today in 2021 is we have TP. 🤦‍♀️

Yesterday I had the opportunity to book myself to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine next week, but after researching the efficacy of this particular vaccine and the fact some countries have pulled the vaccine due to clotting concerns, I elected to wait for the next roll out until May.

It’s so hard to know what to do. The information seems to change daily. I feel guilty I had the opportunity to be vaccinated, but am now waiting. I want to trust public health officials, they’re the experts after all, but I waver in trusting them entirely. I’m not a rule-breaker. I try to follow all the health protocols in place, but I’m starting to question and doubt. It’s unnatural to be so separated from personal contact with others.

We went to an in-person church service last Sunday. First time since last August we were there in person rather than watching online. We must wear masks, we must sit physically distant from others, and refrain from congregational singing. Still, it’s important to be together in corporate worship. I’ve certainly missed it!

I am flustered by the fact that some churches in Alberta are flouting the public health rules citing religious freedoms are more important than following the current restrictive health protocols in the province. One Pastor is currently in jail, for allowing packed church services, with no distancing, or masking that violates public health rules. He’s applauded by many in the faith community, who agree with his stance. I understand his frustrations, but I cannot support his rebellion. There are too many people who have battled Covid, who have lost loved ones to the disease, and many like myself, who are so vulnerable to serious complications if we catch it, that we must still adhere to the health measures. To do otherwise, is irresponsible.

How do we navigate being in the world and yet be apart from it? I’ll admit I do not have the answers. I pray this pandemic will end soon. I’m weary of it. It’s been a long, uncomfortable, challenging year.

I read an interesting article my step niece posted on Facebook:

“For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900. When you are 14, World War I starts and ends on your 18th birthday with 22 million people killed. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until you are 20. Fifty million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.

When you’re 29, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, global GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy. When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet.

When you’re 41, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war and the Holocaust kills six million. At 52, the Korean War starts, and five million perish.

Approaching your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, could well have ended. Great leaders prevented that from happening.

At 64 the Vietnam War begins, and it doesn’t end for many years. Four million people die in that conflict.

As you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends. Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How do you survive all of that? A kid in 1985 didn’t think their 85-year-old grandparent understood how hard school was. Yet those grandparents (and now great grandparents) survived through everything listed above.

Perspective is an amazing art. Let’s try and keep things in perspective. Let’s be smart, help each other out, and we will get through all of this. In the history of the world, there has never been a storm that lasted. This too shall pass.”- Author Unknown

Keep moving forward!

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