WHAT?!?

Our friend Josh Howerton is the paster of The Bridge in Spring Hill, TN. Although I don't go to the site much, I came across this post today...

Easter is a pagan fertility holiday.

The term “Easter” was derived sometime before the year 900AD from the Anglo-Saxon pagan goddess “Eostre”. Eostre was a goddess of fertility who was said to visit the earth each Spring in the form of a hare (Easter bunnies are “hares”, not “rabbits”!) who annually birthed a fertility egg that went into the ground, causing the earth’s “fertility” that gave rise to the growth of the spring season. Hares and eggs have been symbols of fertility in paganism for millennia.

As is the case with many holidays, as Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity they redeemed their celebrations, replacing pagan practices with Christian ones but sometimes retaining forms and customs from old rituals. This is how we came to celebrate the resurrection of Christ on a holiday called “Easter”, dyed eggs began to represent the spilt blood of Christ and a tomb, and the Easter Bunny became a holiday “mascot” instead of a goddess-avatar.

But Eostra was a legend, nothing more, and every one of her followers’ bodies stayed in a grave.

Don't we all suffer with forgetting the real meaning of Easter?! They may not be the same; but easter egg hunting, candy, candy, more candy, dying eggs, easter baskets, wearing bright colors and big hats? Not to say that I don't participate--of course I love to dress Caleb up, eat lots of candy, and be sure that Matt and I are in our Sundays best. I mean, who doesn't?

But sometimes I need to sit back and think--Christ died for my sins, but would I be willing to die for the gospel? Christ was missional beyond my imagination, but am I willing to even share the gospel with my friends? Christ will never leave me nor forsake me, but do i sometimes leave and forsake him? I am constantly being drawn back to the cross because I have a Father who cares to continually watch over me and bring me back.

I just hope that I never forget what Christ has done for me. In the midst of prayer, he was betrayed and taken to be persecuted. His own friends turned their backs on him--strangers spit on him--He was nailed to the cross and put to death. and for WHAT?! For our sins...OUR sins! I am so thankful for his death, for a loving Savior, and for the resurrection. I am a sinner and deserve only hell, but my Lord is RISEN!

Jumping on the bed?!?! YES, PLEASE!

I was changing the sheets on our bed the other day and Caleb took that as his cue to play on the bed! How could I refuse?! Needless to say, it took awhile to make the bed:)

Plaid Shorts Sunday!

We are so happy that it is finally warm enought to wear shorts! Caleb is thoroughly enjoying being outside and HATES when we make him come back indoors! I predict that we are going to have a GREAT summer!! Summer plans? We are headed to Louisville in May--and New Mexico in August! ...and we plan on using our pool a WHOLE lot! Easter is coming up soon--so we'll be sure to post some pics of our family!

Love, Meredith(for the Svoboda's)

Growing Like a Weed...

Book-End Review (Leota's Garden)

Well, after spending countless nights, staying up waaay too late to finish this book...i have finally FINISHED!! I always feel so good after I finish a book--like I've accomplished something, ha! So, what did I think of the book?!? I loved it, of couse. Francine Rivers has a way of writing, that makes it feel like you are part of the story. And, I am not going to lie, I did shed a few tears. She also has a way of taking Christ and making him the center of the plot. It was a great book, and I recommend to everyone (esecially women); Im sure they would be more interested anyways. So, what is my next book?!?!...I have decided to read Transparent bySarah Zacharias Davis. I started reading this book in college and never quite got into it...so I am going to give it another try! I will let you know how it goes.

Francine Rivers!

Okay, i need to stop for a moment to tell you how amazing Francine River's writing is. I started reading her books when Matt and I first got married. The book was Redeeming Love, and let me tell you---it was WONDErFUL! I have also read And the Shofar Blew, some of the Mark of the Lion series, the Scarlet Thread...etc. BUT this habit of reading can be a bit expensive. SO...i found myself at the Kearney Public Library! It was amazing, they have a bunch of her books that I haven't read, so I am super excited to take them, one at time (free of charge...yes!!) and read them. The first one I have checked out is Leota's Garden. My mom told me that this one is good, so i figured I would take a swing at it...seeing as I haven't read one that isn't good! Anyways, my advice to you, is... go to the library! I cant wait for Caleb to get a little bit older, so that he can enjoy it as much as i did!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence,and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51: 10-12

Well, although it would be nice sometimes, time does not stand still! Caleb is getting so big...he is now 13 months old and is CRAZY! Sometimes, I feel like a bad mom, because my son sins. yes, i said it...he is a little SINNER! I get so frustrated with the fact that he doesnt 'listen' sometimes and he gets into everything. Then I say to myself...welcome to motherhood. I recieved an email this week, amidst my frustration, from babycenter.com. I have recieved emails from them ever since I found out I was pregnant! It has been wonderful to find out how my child is developing. And, alas...here is the email I recieved this week:

"Spirited and mild-mannered toddlers alike will experiment with...how shall we say it?...undesirable behavior. If your toddler indulges in fits of screaming, hitting, and biting, you can take some solace in knowing that his developement is right on track."

Thank goodness! haha...just kidding! Caleb is NOT all bad--he is in fact, a boy! He just gets more and more curious as he days go on. I love watching him entertain himself--and his new thing, pointing & waving at everything!

The verse at the top of the page was part of my bible reading this morning. And might I just add that I have been horrible at reading my bible! Thankfully I have an amazing husband who helps to reveal this to me, and encouraged me to get back on track. So as I sit here and call my son a sinner...I too am a sinner, but am thankful for a gracious Lord who loves me, and continually calls me back to the foot of the cross.