Browsed by
Tag: Easter

Kiss of Death

Kiss of Death

Comments 0 Comment

Kiss of Death--statue of Judas kissing JesusA kiss of death means something that causes failure or ruin.

It may be:

  • Actions. Poor attitudes or behaviors often result in the loss of jobs, friendships, or other positions.
  • Relationships. Associating with troublemakers frequently leaves people in trouble.
  • Events. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can destroy plans.
  • Poor timing. Failures frequently occur because people begin too early or too late to accomplish their purposes.

A kiss of death may look good but result in great harm.

Damage often occurs even if intentions appear helpful. A handshake or endorsement from the wrong people kills countless business deals and reputations.

This expression relates to Judas Iscariot’s kiss that betrayed Jesus.

When religious leaders wanted to rid themselves of Jesus, they enlisted Judas, one of Jesus’ followers, for help. Matthew 26:48-49 records it. “The betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him” (NIV).  A kiss of death has also been called a Judas kiss.

Not every kiss of death ends in permanent harm.

Although Jesus died on the cross, He arose from the dead on the third day. His death and resurrection conquered sin and death. All who place their faith in Jesus also receive victory over sin and death. That’s the message of Easter. Jesus offers everyone a fresh start, a new beginning.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6 NIV).

Thanks to Terrie Wilson for the suggestion. Photo by Francesco Alberti on Unsplash

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Nail It

Nail It

Comments 2 comments

Cross in center of paper, nailed to a rough piece of woodDuring the Olympics and other sporting events, athletes want to nail it.

  • Skaters desire a perfect balance of style, strength, and difficulty.
  • Swimmers want to remain in their lanes and reach the wall first.
  • Runners pull out all the stops to cross the finish line before anyone else.

To nail it is to do a job well.

People succeed. They complete accurate work or present an almost perfect performance. They hit the nail on the head.

Jesus nailed our sins to the cross.

Although soldiers hung Him there, Jesus gave His life freely.

Jesus lived a perfect life and died the perfect sacrifice for our sins. His resurrection on the third day was the final nail of victory over sin and death.

We nail our part in God’s perfect plan when we accept Jesus’ offer of salvation.  

We cannot earn our way to heaven. However, Jesus prepared the way for us. He nailed our salvation.

At Easter and always, we celebrate and tell others of the fresh start possible through Jesus’ perfect gift.

“[God] forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion. Image by congerdesign from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

On Cloud Nine

On Cloud Nine

Comments 3 comments

On Cloud Nine--clouds and sun raysWe love life on cloud nine. Something wonderful happens, and we feel on top of the world.

On cloud nine, we experience extreme happiness.

We burst with joy because of those special moments.

  • Graduation after years of hard work and study
  • A job promotion
  • Marriage to the love of our life
  • The birth of a long-awaited child or grandchild
  • Cure from serious illness

Opinions vary on the origin of on cloud nine.

 According to The Phrase Finder and The Free Dictionary, possible explanations relate to:

  • Classifications of clouds by the United States Weather Bureau
  • Stages of enlightenment in Buddhism
  • Nine as a mystical number

Other explanations also exist. The Phrase Finder says the phrase probably began as a “‘head in the clouds’ dreaminess” rather than happiness.

Whether on cloud nine or down in the dumps, life can be good.

A good life does not depend upon circumstances, clouds, personal enlightenment, or numbers. Rather, it comes from Jesus’ offer of eternal love, hope, peace, and joy if we trust in Him. That is the promise of Easter.

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Take It to the Bank

Take It to the Bank

Comments 4 comments

Take It to the Bank -- bank vaultIf someone pays us by check, we take it to the bank. The check promises money.

Of course, not all checks are good. In those cases, we lose the money listed on the checks.

When we say we can take it to the bank, we mean something is good.

  • We can depend on it.
  • The person who wrote the check has the money listed.
  • A person always speaks the truth. He is as good as his word.

We cannot take everything to the bank.

Like bad checks, not everyone speaks or acts in truth. When that happens, we lose trust. The person’s bad choices hurt us.

We all make bad choices. However, we can receive forgiveness.

Easter celebrates Jesus coming to earth to pay the price for our sins – our bad choices.

  • Jesus’ words and actions taught us how to live.
  • He died on the cross for our sins.
  • Before and as He died, Jesus prayed for us.
  • He arose from the grave on the third day.
  • Jesus’ victory over sin and death becomes ours free and clear, if we place our faith in Him.

Friends, we can take Jesus’ promises to the bank.

“This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3 ESV).

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion and to Citizens Bank for the photo opportunity.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Rise from the Ashes

Rise from the Ashes

Comments 4 comments
Fise from the Ashes-Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens, July 2011

On Sunday, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens blew.

Everything disappeared under the volcano’s ash and heat.

  • Trees
  • Plants
  • Houses
  • Animals
  • People

Yet, soon after, life began to rise from the ashes.

Plants grew. Animals returned. The land’s rebirth amazes all who see it.

Rise from the ashes comes from a myth about a bird.

The bird burns to death and then rises from the ashes.

However, the possibility of a fresh start is no myth. Anyone can begin again after hard times.

People must decide if they will rise from the ashes.

Will they refuse to allow a bad experience to keep them down? Or will they pick up the pieces of their life and keep going.

Sometimes people recover by themselves.

They heal from:

  • Illness
  • Job loss
  • Death of a loved one
  • Theft
  • Failure

Other times people recover as a group.

They heal from:

  • School shootings
  • War
  • Business failure
  • Floods
  • Fires
  • Tornados
  • Other man-made or natural disasters

With Jesus, anyone can rise from the ashes of sin and death.

When Jesus rose from the dead that first Easter morning, He defeated sin and death.

All who accept Jesus as Savior and Lord receive:

  • Forgiveness of sin
  • New life
  • An eternal home in heaven
  • Peace in all life’s storms

Not every problem disappears, but Jesus walks with believers through every problem.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6 NIV).

Have you had a rise from the ashes experience? If so, please comment.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Bear Our Cross

Bear Our Cross

Comments 1 comment

Bear Our Cross: a cross with crown of thornsTo bear our cross means to carry a burden.

Similar expressions include:

  • Carry our cross
  • Cross to bear
  • Cross to carry

All mean we live with difficulty. We often carry our burden alone.

Burdens or responsibilities may include:

  • Illness
  • Financial problems
  • Difficult relationships

We may sometimes joke about small burdens, such as:

  • Chores we don’t like (for example, cooking and cleaning)
  • Busybody neighbors
  • Active children

To bear our cross comes from the Bible.

Before Jesus was crucified, soldiers beat Him. Then Jesus had to carry His cross. When Jesus became too weak, soldiers forced another man to carry Jesus’ cross for Him.

Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He loves us that much.

Yet, after three days, Jesus rose from the dead. He won the battle against sin and death. If we accept Jesus as Savior, He forgives our sins and promises us eternal life. He gives us a fresh start. That is the promise of Easter.

Jesus told His followers to count the cost and take up our cross.

That means we:

  • Choose Jesus above everything.
  • Give God control of our lives.
  • Follow God’s will wherever that leads and whatever the cost.

Taking up our cross for Jesus is not always easy. It is always worth it.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Pick Up the Pieces

Pick Up the Pieces

Comments 7 comments

Pick Up the Pieces-Judy ClarkWhen we break a dish, we pick up the pieces. Occasionally we glue those pieces back together. The dish may not be as good as new, but it works.

Sometimes we must pick up the pieces of our lives. We return to normal or a new normal after a bad experience. We try to make a difficult situation okay. We may have:

  • Broken hearts
  • Broken bodies
  • Broken minds
  • A broken world

Yet, we decide to make the best of our trouble. We pick up the pieces, pull ourselves together, and move on. We may not be as good as new, but we still work.

Easter is all about picking up the pieces. However, we don’t have to pick up the pieces ourselves. Jesus did that for us when He:

  • Lived a sinless life to pay for our sins.
  • Died on the cross to give us eternal life.
  • Rose from the grave in victory over sin and death.

When we give Jesus control of our lives, we receive more than a return to normal. Jesus makes us new — better than ever. Like a potter forming a new creation, He gives us a fresh start.

  • We become God’s child.
  • God’s Spirit gives guidance and support.
  • We gain a home in heaven. There we never have to pick up the pieces again.

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8 NIV).

Thanks to Judy Clark for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Fresh Start

Fresh Start

Comments 14 comments

Fresh StartWe all need a fresh start occasionally.

  • We lose a job and need a new one.
  • We hurt someone and need forgiveness.
  • We make bad choices and need another chance.

A fresh start means a new beginning. We start over.

A fresh start gives hope. We look for better days ahead, much like:

  • Springtime arrives after a long hard winter.
  • We build a new fence after the old one falls apart.
  • New flowers bloom through dead grass and leaves.

The message of Easter offers the greatest fresh start of all. Jesus died on a cross on Friday, but he rose from the grave on Sunday. He defeated death and sin.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we receive new life. We gain God’s love, peace, hope, and joy. We still have problems, but the problems will not defeat us. In addition, we have the promise of an eternal home in heaven.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Graveyard Dead

Graveyard Dead

Comments 3 comments

Graveyard DeadDead is dead.

Graveyard dead emphasizes that fact. Someone or something died with no hope of revival and must be buried. The phrase can be used for the death of:

  • An idea
  • A business proposal
  • Animals
  • People

The redundant description clearly means:

  • No effort will help.
  • No hope exists.
  • We must say good-bye.

But is that all?

If we have no hope, why have the word?

  • One idea or proposal may not work, but we can always try another.
  • The loss of an animal doesn’t remove the good it gave.
  • Jesus promised this short life is not the end.

Claim the message of Easter. Live it every day. Hope endures!

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

Comments 0 Comment

Don't Put All Your Eggs in One BasketAlthough not found in the Bible, egg hunts have become a common Easter tradition. Close to Easter seems a good time to remember we don’t put all our eggs in one basket.

As children find Easter eggs, they usually place them in brightly-colored baskets. Too many eggs make a basket overflow. Extra weight from the eggs can make a fragile basket break.

Using more than one basket, if needed, reduces the risk of losing or breaking their eggs.

Neither should we put all our eggs in one basket.

We don’t want to limit our resources to one possibility.

For a greater chance of success, we must diversify.

  • Invest money in more than one company.
  • Study more than one subject.
  • Learn more than one skill.
  • Apply to more than one school.
  • Develop more than one hobby.
  • Plan more than one vacation route.

We want to keep our options open.

If one goal fails, we have an alternative.

If our dream becomes a nightmare, we can follow a different dream.

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (Psalm 33:11 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.