Why is Today called "Good Friday"?

Today marks the day that Jesus was crucified. He was REAL and still is REAL today, and yes, his crucifixion REALLY happened. I was just thinking this morning, "Why is today called, 'Good Friday'?" So, like any resourceful person, I Googled it!

Good Friday is the day commemorating Jesus Christ's death on the Cross, which is probably to be dated April 3, A.D. 33. In the liturgical calendar of the Western church, it is the Friday before Easter. The exact origins of the name are uncertain; some argue it stems from the use of "Good" as an adjective applied to the day, which is an Old English synonym for "holy." Others argue it is a corruption of the word "God," in the same way that "Good Bye" comes from the phrase "God be with ye." Christians believe the day is "good" because the message of Easter is of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil; as the Apostle Paul wrote: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." It is believed that, in Jesus' death on the Cross, He took once and for all the sins of all mankind upon Himself, in our place. This gift He extends to everyone who will believe in Him. Believing in the Good News of the Gospel is our hope. Jesus, the Son of God, who died for our sins, was raised again for our justification, we who believe being made in right stead with God. However, the term "Good Friday" is only used by Western Christians, and not by Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox refer to this sacred day as "Great and Holy Friday." Author: John Beagle Many religions "recognize" that Jesus was indeed crucified and died on the cross. What makes Christianity different from other beliefs, cults and religions is that WE believe that Jesus died and then ROSE AGAIN, three days later. "The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded." John 10:17-18 What do YOU believe?

Motivational Monday!

What brings you JOY????

Reeeeaaaaaaaal Joy?

DO that...

BE that....

SHARE that...

Spend more time with that

and you'll

have more

JOY!

So, what brings YOU real Joy?

I gain JOY through

laughter,

anyone's laughter,

seeing my children happy,

BIG hugs,

when the underdog wins,

when a prayer is answered,

helping someone,

BIG HUGS!,

when I know I've made a positive difference,

a handwritten card/note w/heartfelt sentiments,

connection,

music!

"Be JOYful always:

Pray continually:

Give thanks in

ALL

circumstances,

for this is Gods' will for you in Christ Jesus."

1Thessalonians 5:16

I know it isn't easy to "be Joyful ALWAYS" and have to admit that sometimes I'm the pouting kid...okay, more than sometimes.

But the bible commands us to

Be Joyful,

Pray Continually,

and

Give Thanks in ALL circumstances.

When we listen to Paul's advice, we will gain more JOY and have a better perspective,

because let's face it-

there can always be "better" or "worse"

so let's be JOYFUL exactly where we are

today!

I choose JOY today!

Avoidance

JAPAN

Can you even believe these pictures?

They look like something taken out a movie.

Oh, yes, an old Godzilla movie,

after all, this is

JAPAN.

Please forgive my sarcasm.

It is being used to cover my

grief

and

shock.

I found another picture that made me burst into tears...

it was a hand sticking out of the rubble.

I'm of Japanese descent,

1/2 third and 1/2 fourth generation,

have never been to Japan,

but have cousins there.

I would be considered

"faux"

Japanese.

Too Americanized...

But, I cannot help but feel a personal pain in my heart for Japan

and especially the

26,000

who are either

dead or missing....

I have totally avoided watching any news about the tsunami,

it's devastating..

overwhelming...

almost nauseating...

But...there is HOPE.

The Japanese are doing what they do best,

working together,

helping each other,

supporting one another.

This is an email my mom sent me:

"For those who wonder how JA's were able to 'gaman' and live through what happened to us as U.S. Citizens during World War II, 'On the Ground' by Nicholas D. Kristof describes it very well. Trust you will agree.

But the Japanese people themselves were truly noble in their perseverance and stoicism and orderliness.

There’s a common Japanese word,

“gaman,”

that doesn’t really have an English equivalent,

but is something like “toughing it out.”

And that’s what the people of Kobe did, with a courage,

unity

and common purpose that left me awed."

"This stoicism is built into the Japanese language.

People always say “shikata ga nai” – it can’t be helped.

And one of the most common things to say to someone else is “ganbatte kudasai” –

tough it out,

BE STRONG.

Natural disasters are seen as part of Japan’s “unmei,” or fate –

a term that is written by combining the characters for movement and life.

I remember reading an ancient account, I believe from 16th century Jesuit visitors, of an earthquake devastating a village,

and then within hours the peasants began rebuilding their homes."

In the midst of this disaster, the Japanese people have come together.

But, I'm still praying for the Japanese.

For strength,

for perseverance,

and

most of all,

for their

souls.

85% of the Japanese are Buddhist.

Less than 1% are Christian.

Please pray for the Japanese...

"I will build them up and not tear them down;

I will plant them and not uproot them.

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.

They will be my people,

and I will be their God,

for they will return to me with all their heart, "

(says the LORD.)

Jeremiah 24:6-7

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our

troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any

trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Let him who walks in the

dark,

who has no light,

trust

in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

Isaiah 50:10