"Easter -- A Season For God And Family" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

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Dear Ones:

     We live in a hustling, bustling 'work-a-day' world...And it's not always easy to take time to 'smell the daffodils and tulips'.

     But today is a special day.  Today is the most important day for Christians all over the world, because it heralds the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

     We take time out from our busy lives today to worship and spend the day with family and friends.

     We pray, we hunt for eggs, have fun with the children, enjoy a wonderful Easter meal together....And, more likely than not, eat way more chocolate than we ought to!

     Yet, amid all this 'fun', there are times when true 'spiritual breakthroughs' occur, for the very fabric of this day lends itself to discussions and meditations of all that is God-breathed.

     In fact, Easter is a time when some may even decide that they wish to be baptized.
     And here I have some interesting information for you:  Did you know that any baptized Christian may baptize another with 'full authority'?  It's true.
  (Disclaimer: I realize that certain denominations do not consider laity to be 'qualified' in this regard, except in emergencies, and that certain denominations and individuals do not feel that a 'woman' (myself) is qualified to be clergy and speak as I do, but for those who are other-minded, please read on.)
 

The Great Commission

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt 28:16-20 (NIV)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28&version=NIV

 

     My message to you is this:  one need not necessarily use 'Jordon River water' to baptize a person seized by the Spirit of the Lord and asking for a fellow Believer to baptize them.

     Any Believer may take pure water and 'bless it' for Holy use and then proceed to use it to 'baptize'.

     ALL Christian Believers are qualified and, are indeed, 'commanded' to GO FORTH and baptize others in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!

     From a 'private baptism' in a family bathroom on Easter Day to a heart-wrenching, yet life-affirming one performed in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) on a precious infant in an 'Isolette' (using sterile water and a sterile eye-dropper), one never knows when the need to baptize may appear.

     So, dear ones, if someone should ever ask you to baptize them, proudly proclaim your 'authority' as a Believer and do it!

     Whether it be a 'normal day', at an 'accident scene' or other disaster or when clergy are simply unavailable, step up and fulfill that request.

       Do it and live, so that the person you baptize can 'live', just as Christ lives and bids us to be his 'hands, feet and hearts' on this earth.

May Your Easter Be Especially Blessed,

Rev. Barb

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com 

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"It's Easter And We Are Blessed" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

It's Easter and we know we are blessed...
for Christ has arisen!



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"Today Is Good Friday" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

courtesy www.witnessed.wordpress.com

courtesy www.theChristianwallpapers.com

courtesy www.theChristianwallpapers.com

           But before the Glory, there shall be pain...

"Christians Are Still Being Crucified This Holy Thursday" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

courtesy http://hiswordinpictures.blogspot.com.au

 Dear Ones:

     Tonight is the night we celebrate 'The Last Supper', and we do this in remembrance of Christ on the night before he is arrested, prosecuted, sentenced and crucified. 
     For those who live in a place where they are free to practice Christianity in relative peace and safety, let us give thanks that they are free to worship. 
     Yet, as we reflect this Easter-tide, may we also be acutely aware of and remember Christians in parts of the world where they are persecuted, tortured, reviled and literally crucified, themselves, to this day. 
     And so we pray:

  
Dear Heavenly Father:
      We come to you this Holy Thursday with heavy hearts, as we remember what befell our beloved Jesus. 
     Yet we can't help wondering how different our lives would be, had you not allowed your Son to be sacrificed for us.  Who would 'lead' us?  Who would sustain us and give us hope in the world today? 
     We thank you, Father and are very grateful for this day of remembrance and humility, even though this night anoints us with great sadness. 
     Please reconcile this for us, Lord, so that we can best serve you.
Please give our hearts more courage and understanding as we celebrate today's Last Supper in remembrance of our Lord. 
     It grieves us that in this day and age, there are those who are yet so very persecuted for worshiping our Savior and that Christians are still being crucified.

courtesy www.GospelGifs.com  God Bless Jim Sutton

     Thus, we pray for all Christians, near and far.  God, shield them and frustrate their tormentors.      Remembering that our brother Jesus will return, we are at peace as we await upon this. 
     We pray these things in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Brothers & Sisters:
     I believe that those who die at the hands of Christianophobes all over the globe shall receive a special place in Heaven.
     They shall be close to our Heavenly Father, Jesus, Mary, and all the Saints and with kith and kin through the ages who, also, fought and died for that 'carpenter's boy'.
     So let us be fearless today and ever more, as we await the final return and a joyous reunion. 
     Be of good cheer this holy night, dear ones, even in the darkness of this night.

With Love in Christ,
Rev. Barbara Sexton
www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

"Maundy Thursday Blessings To You" From Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

courtesy http://www.thechristianwallpapers.com

courtesy http://hiswordinpictures.blogspot.com.au

"A Blessed Palm Sunday Healing Message For You" From Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

above courtesy http://www.praytherosaryapostolate.com/palmsunday.htm

Dear Ones:
     I relay to you a most heartfelt Palm Sunday greeting with a message of healing for you during this Holy Week.
     Palm Sunday is, traditionally, a day of 'triumph'.  It heralds a joyous reception of our Savior Jesus, replete with cheers and shouts of joy as he passes by the crowd.
     But, even with all the happiness this day brings, there is an undercurrent of not only sadness, but of anticipation and even 'dread', as well.
     Those who know this Gospel story, know that Jesus will soon be arrested, sentenced and crucified before long.
     So, too, do our modern day Christian celebrations sometimes become 'marred' and mired in sadness as relatives and friends, of different denominations (or of no denomination at all, meaning agnostics and atheists) gather for holidays like Easter and Christmas.
     We know that no matter how much 'joyous fun' we are supposed to have, there is bound to be a 'thing or two' that sets our loved ones 'on edge' and causes strife during the holidays.
     Sometimes, the controversial subject causing discord is interpersonal in nature.
     But, sometimes, religious and denominational differences also rear their heads and this is where my message comes in.
     It is this:  when loved ones debate about 'interdenominational differences', remember that, in Christ, there is only one way.
     And that is the Way of Jesus!
¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil."   1Thessalonians 5:19-22  (NIV)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5&version=NIV 
     So my suggestion for you this Easter, however you choose, as a Christian, to celebrate it with family and friends is this:
     Celebrate that which you hold sacred in common.  Cast aside that which divides you.  And, above all, remember to 'celebrate the good' this Easter.
     Yes, Holy Week is rift with agonizing sadness.
     But, like a spring bulb hunkering just below the surface of sweet dirt, we know that we are on the brink of 'witnessing' the amazing Resurrection of Christ.
     It's spectacular, it's a wonderment and we stand in awe of spring life, and in awe of eternal life.
With Love in Christ,
Rev. Barbara Sexton
www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

courtesy www.GospelGifs.com

"Happy St. Patrick's Day Blessings To You" From Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

St Patricks Day Glitter Graphics

St Patricks Day Glitter Graphics

Dear Ones: 

Many St. Patrick's Day Blessings To You & Your Loved Ones!

Love,

Rev. Barb

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

                                               

                                courtesy http://www.animationlibrary.com/animation/21596/Ireland/

"CT Mourns The Death Of U.S. Army Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel & Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad--Killed In Afghanistan" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

 

Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of Madison, Connecticut

above courtesy www.graphicsgrotto.com

"The Defense Department has identified two soldiers who were killed Monday in Afghanistan.
Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of South Miami, Fla., and Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, Okla., died Monday in Jalrez District after being attacked by small arms fire, according to a Defense Department news release."

"Pedersen-Keel was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C., the release said. Schad was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga., it said."
LINK: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/03/army-pentagon-ids-soldiers-killed-insider-attack-afghanistan-031313

photo LINK: http://www.armytimes.com/mobile/news/2013/03/army-pentagon-ids-soldiers-killed-insider-attack-afghanistan-031313

 "MADISON, Conn. — The first selectman of Madison, Conn., says a soldier from the town has been killed in Afghanistan.
First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said Tuesday the parents of Army Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel, who live in Madison, were informed Monday of his death. McPherson said flags in Madison have been lowered to half-staff.
McPherson said Pedersen-Keel was one of two soldiers killed in an attack at a police station in eastern Afghanistan.
U.S. officials have said two special forces soldiers were killed Monday when a policeman fired at people leaving a meeting at district police headquarters in Wardak province. The Pentagon has not released their names.
McPherson said Pedersen-Keel graduated from Avon Old Farms School in 2002 and the U.S. Military Academy in 2006.
He said the town “stands ready” to offer what honors or special services the family desires.

LINK: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/03/ap-town-official-says-soldier-andrew-pedersen-keel-killed-afghanistan-031313/


photo above LINK: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Connecticut-Soldier-Madison-Avon-Andrew-Pedersen-Keel-Afghanistan-197608231.html

 

 photo LINK: http://madison-ct.patch.com/articles/u-s-and-connecticut-flags-ordered-to-fly-at-half-staff-to-honor-madison-man-killed-in-afghanistan#photo-13650408
"Governor Dannel P. Malloy today ordered U.S. and Connecticut flags to fly at half-staff to honor Army Captain Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan."
From Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office: 
“Captain Pedersen-Keel made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our state and our nation," said Governor Malloy. "Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his unit during this very difficult time. We pray for a safe homecoming for our troops who are stationed around the world, and thank them for their bravery and service.”

“This is a tragic and sad reminder that even as the conflict in Afghanistan is winding down there are still hundreds of Connecticut soldiers in harm’s way,” said Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman. “Captain Pedersen-Keel and every one of the other 63 brave men and women from our state lost in Afghanistan and Iraq died defending us and our freedom, and that sacrifice must never be forgotten.”
LINK: http://madison-ct.patch.com/articles/u-s-and-connecticut-flags-ordered-to-fly-at-half-staff-to-honor-madison-man-killed-in-afghanistan#photo-13650408

flag & divider animations courtesy www.free-animations.co.uk

"May God welcome these heroes to rest by His side...

As we grieve for them with incredible pride.

The U.S. is strong due to those such as this,

Their duty now done, may they know Heaven's bliss."

We offer our sincerest condolences to Capt. Pedersen-Keel and Staff Sgt. Schad family and friends at this time.  May you be comforted to know that your sons--our heroes--will never be forgotten.

A grateful and grieving Nation thanks you...as we thank them.

~~May these brave soldiers rest in peace~~

God Bless you. 

 

With Love in Christ,

Rev. Barbara Sexton

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

 above courtesy www.wittnessed.com