Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the Comfort Heritage Foundation or the Comfort Library. Maps are to be picked up at the Comfort Heritage Foundation the day of the tour.

As you can imagine, I was horrified. I don’t like blood and guts and I SERIOUSLY didn’t like walking past this – especially since walking is SOOO slow when it comes to something like that. It just looked like a pile of raw meat just sitting there. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH – I didn’t want to look at it! I kept thinking, “Why would someone do that?”

Given that the day before was Good Friday and the fact that Easter was coming the next day, my mind couldn’t help thinking about the significance of what I was seeing and how the Easter message for so many is just like the skinned deer on the side of the road. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, I can’t look at it! Why would someone do that?

In our simple way of looking at things, we just don’t GET it!

1 Cor 1:18 says, Those who are doomed to perish find the story of the cross ‘sheer folly,’ but it means the power of God for those whom He saves. My simple translation: the cross just makes no sense unless we can see that there was WAY more going on than our minds can see naturally.

As for the Easter story, we mostly think of it as being the period beginning with the Last Supper, the trial and conviction of Christ, His Death, and then, ultimately His Resurrection and Ascension.

Actually, the Easter story begins in the book of Genesis. Every story of God encountering mankind from the beginning of time until now, is God working the Easter story.  In order to “get it,” we must realize that.

The Easter story is a story of freedom … freedom from slavery.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6)  Contrary to the natural mind, Jesus was not trying to be an exclusivist. He was trying to say, “You just aren’t going to “get it” until you listen to me.” Why? Because only the Son knows the Father’s story (Matt 11:27). Only the Son knows the “how” of leading you out of slavery.

John 8:31-34 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Enslavement. Freedom by knowing the Truth. A slave to sin. What does this all mean?

All of these are pictures found in the Passover Story which NOT coincidentally happens at Easter.

Christ told His disciples:

“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15, 16.

Why was it important to Jesus? Why did He EAGERLY DESIRE to eat the Passover with His disciples?

I can hear our Lord saying: “This is really important because THIS is a picture of Me and what I will do for you. I am the body of the Lamb. It is my blood that goes over the doorpost of your being. I am the one who causes the angel of death to pass over. I am the one leading you out of slavery into the Promised Land. I am the fulfillment of Passover. I am calling you to be a people that follow me.”

So, back to the picture of the deer on the side of the road. All I could think of was how awful it was for a person to just throw the deer out, discard it as having no value … a total REJECTION of the animal.

Rejection? To feel rejected … to be rejected … It is just such an awful thing.

And yet, that IS the story of the man and the Cross and that is also the story of Passover and Easter.

Basically, to be a slave is to be rejected. I am better than you and YOU must serve ME.

You have no value other than to serve ME.

Rejection – Very quickly it morphs into hatred. If you are rejecting me, then I will reject you. Very quickly it opens the door for all kinds of evil as the one who feels rejected reacts by spewing all kinds of ugliness onto the other person. Where death is, there the vultures are as well (Matthew 24:28). They have a great time feeding on the ugliness.

Despite the fact that God never rejected mankind, mankind interprets his feelings of guilt as rejection from God.  After the Fall (e.g., man’s rejection of God), man’s mind became utterly skewed.

Adam and Eve doubted God’s goodness, choose to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (e.g, that which God said was not good for them), and the fall out was that they became afraid, began to hide, and interpreted their feelings of guilt as rejection by God. Adam and Eve, in their skewed thinking, began a life filled with feelings of rejection that led them (and their descendants) into enslavement. They feel alone. They go their own way. They suffer the consequence and then feel rejected again. The devil feeds on all of this and creates an awful cycle of rejection, death, and slavery.

Unfortunately, this story plays over and over. Mankind always ends up in slavery and it is God who opens the door for release from that slavery. And yet, mankind does not “get” the fact that the it is man who is rejecting, not God.

In Exodus, we read a story about slavery and release. The descendants of Israel had gone into a foreign land and had become slaves to the Egyptians.

They learned first hand what it was like to be a rejected people. Life was terrible. God hears their cries and responds by calling Moses to lead them out.

Why did God respond? Because God is not into rejection. God is into inclusion, freedom, participation with Him. You are My People. I have called you to be a peculiar (different) people – to be a blessing to the nations around you (e.g., to co-labor with me as I reach out to all mankind).

The Passover story is what gave the Israelites the freedom to leave. God calls them out of slavery but the taskmasters would not let them go.

What you have to realize is that the slave owner really does “own” the slave. It has a right to the slave. Of course, the slave owner does not want to let the slave go.

Likewise, with our enslavement, when Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (e.g., doubted God’s goodness and chose to go their own way), they opened the door to slavery and for death to “own” us. It does not want to let us go!

And so, how does God provide a path of escape? He creates a scenario where the taskmaster willingly lets the slave go. He disables death for it was death that owned mankind.

God disables death by calling His Son to conquer death. How does He do it?

In the Old Testament, there was a sacrificial system set up: one sacrifice for the many: the exchange of a perfect lamb for the imperfect people.

Jesus follows this system and becomes the ultimate sacrifice.

He was not just any sacrifice. His exchange was the ultimate exchange: a free-man for a slave.

In the Passover story, the blood of the Lamb was a foreshadowing of Christ’s blood. His blood (His life) could not be held by death.

And so, God says to the angel of Death: “Go ahead and work your evil.”

The truth is that Satan always brings death where sin is present UNLESS Christ’s blood says “NO”.

The Passover miracle was that Death did not have access to those who BOTH listened to God’s instruction to put the blood of the Lamb on the door post and who also ate, or partook of, the Lamb. For those who did not listen to God, death was able to do its work – remove it.

The result: it disabled the enemy of God and God’s people were ENCOURAGED to leave. “You are free to leave. Leave us alone.”

It was the blood on the doorpost that kept the angel of death from entering the house.

So … what does a gory thing like blood represent?

The blood of the lamb was placed on each doorpost reflecting that the inhabitants had slayed a Lamb and eaten of it.  Death could not enter.

Blood is the evidence of Life sacrificed. Life exchanged. Free man for slave. Christ – the new man – the only human – who did not reject God … who did not doubt God was holding out on him (e.g., the first sin, “Did God really say …?”) for those enslaved to go their own way. He did not choose his own way. He gave no opportunity for Satan to work death into His life. His Life was exchanged for our death. Jesus Christ became the Lamb – He entered into our enslaved state – felt our skewed way of thinking and yet chooses not to go with it. He receives our rejection into His being (He experiences the ultimate rejection: an unjust trial, a cruel death … at the hands of sinners) and yet does not choose the natural response of rejection, in kind. Christ submits Himself to the ultimate rejection … There is no question as to “Who is rejecting who?” Christ does not reject in return. He sacrifices Himself for us. He exchanges His life for our death.

God’s command to place the blood on the doorpost was a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His command to partake of His body and His blood. Identify with my son, Jesus. Listen to Him. Follow Him. His faithfulness closes the door to the Angel of Death – Satan – to work his evil schemes. Death must pass over His Life.

Because Christ was the perfect sacrifice, not only did death have to pass over, death was conquered. The Lamb slain returns to life. Death could not hold Him. He had the perfect obedience. He was not just a sacrifice. He was the Son who was opening up a new mankind – a resurrected man – where death could not work its evil.

His Body was Pierced – like an acorn – so the life of God (e.g., the Holy Spirit) was able to come forth again. The first Adam, after the Fall, was clothed with flesh – His heart and mind changed … it was hardened and he was unable to see and hear God. He was subject to a distorted skewed way of thinking … thinking that he was rejected and alone, when in reality, Adam was doing the rejecting.

On the Cross, God used the rejection of Man to accomplish His purpose – He opened a new way of living. He loved despite our rejection. He trusted the Father to work a greater purpose. He proved the Father’s Love. Death could not conquer Life and, in fact, Life conquered death. The Father’s Love never fails.

Life conquered death. Christ did not suffer decay; death’s torment could not gain access to Him, nor hold Him; The Father did not reject Him and, in fact, the GREAT purpose of God was accomplished – He won victory for us as well!!! Jesus, who was the representative second Adam, opened the door for a new type of human to come forth. He opens the door for a second birth, a re-birth. As we partake of Him and His Life, we experience the resurrection – death must pass over.

As we partake of His life – the body and the blood – as pictured in the eating of the passover meal and what we refer to as the Lord’s Supper, we are given the power and energy to go forth into the new life, a promised land, a life led by the Spirit, which was symbolized by leading of God by the column of cloud by day and the column of fire by night in the book of Exodus. Death can not conquer us because it did not conquer Christ. It must pass over.

Christ, on the night before He was betrayed, said that He EAGERLY DESIRED to eat the Passover. He was wanting them to “get it.” To get the fact that something wonderful was going on – more than they understood. “Remember this, guys!!!!”

He said, in essence, “Remember me each time you partake of the Passover meal for the Blood is my blood and the Meal is my Body. This is how you will find release from slavery and enter the kingdom of God.”

What does it mean to remember? It means, “THIS IS THE MEANING! Don’t miss it!!”

What does it mean to partake? To take or be given part or portion; to participate, share in.

And so, we partake or share in Christ’s Life as we listen to Him, take in His words as our sustenance. He leads the way to enable us to live a life that sees the Father properly, that does not doubt His goodness or go his own way. We receive of that Life by accepting the fact that God received our rejection and responded only with Love. God is GOOD! There is no need to doubt His goodness. We partake of the perfect sacrifice as we share in His obedience. It is a gift, but it must be partaken … received. Christ wills to share His obedience. It is not just a one time partaking. It is a following into the Promised Land. Only by listening to His words will we enter into that which is not subject to death: immortality.

So … we partake of this new life, remembering the old bitter life of slavery (e.g., bitter herbs), recognizing it is the life of Christ that brings the sustenance (e.g., we partake of the Lamb (following Him as He leads us to live, not in disbelief of God’s goodness, but in obedience to the purpose of God) and the Unleavened Bread (distancing ourselves from the leaven of the old life so that the leaven of the new life can begin its work) and finally, recognizing that this new life must be chosen quickly (e.g., we eat the passover in haste) for the longer we waver between belief and disbelief, the more likely we will fall into the entrapments of the old life of slavery.

So, do we “get” the Easter story? It’s a story of release from bondage.

Do we “get” that we are in bondage? If so, Christ is the one who brings release. We have been released from bondage and brought into sonship. That is the good news!

Let no one be our master except Christ for Jesus is Lord!

Next Segment – We no Longer Have to Fear Death!

Here are a few options for lunch on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

814 A Texas Bistro Easter Brunch from 11:30am-2pm. Reservations recommended. 713 High Street 830-995-4990 www.814texasbistro.com

The Haven River Inn Easter Lunch from noon-2pm. Menu Easter Salad w/Papaya Citrus Vinaigrette, Chicken & Dumplings, Easter Eggs, Hummingbird Cake. $20 inclusive of tax & gratuity. Reservations by Friday, March 29. 830-995-3834. www.havenriverinn.com

The Terrace Grill at Riven Rock Ranch Easter Sunday Buffet from 11:30am to 3:30pm. $49.95 adults, $29.95 children under 10, 3 & under complimentary, plus beverages, tax & gratuity. Check website for menu. Reservations: 830-995-4045 390 Hermann Sons Road www.rivenrockranch.com

Welfare Café Easter Brunch from 11am-3pm. $36.95 per person. Four Courses. Limited seating. For reservations: 830-537-3700 223 Waring Welfare Road, Boerne www.welfarecafe.com

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/14/business/global/understanding-the-european-crisis.html?_r=0

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/abrams/2013/03/15/small-business-mortgage-rules/1989407/

1.  How will you take title? In other words, I need your legal name.

2. What’s your mailing address, email, phone number, and fax number?  This is primarily so that the title company can send you their title commitment and all the restrictions, easements, etc. that affect the property.

3.  How much is the offer and how are you going to pay for it?

This is where people who have not been working with a buyer representative sometimes are surprised and can get a little offended.  What you need to keep in mind is that, from the Seller’s point of view, he/she wants to know, “Can this buyer perform?” So …

If the intent is to buy with cash, you’ll need to give me either a copy of a recent bank statement that shows that you have an account balance that is equal to your offer price or you can ask your bank to provide a letter stating the same information.  Most banks are more than willing to write a letter for you.

If the intent is to finance the transaction, you’ll need to contact your bank, mortgage company, or credit union, make application, have them run a credit check, and, if you meet the lender’s criteria, they will send me a “pre-qualification letter” that I can submit with the offer.   Basically, what a pre-qualification letter says is that the lender is agreeing that they will lend you the money IF you substantiate all that you have told them about your finances (and  continue in the same condition through closing – e.g., don’t go out and buy a car or furniture without making sure it won’t affect your ability to purchase the property) and IF the property conforms to their standards.

4.  You’ll need to be ready to issue a check for the earnest money and option fee (if applicable – see below). Earnest money typically is $500, $1000, $1500 and up … depending upon the purchase price.  It’s  what shows that you are an “earnest” buyer.  Generally speaking, it will NOT be refunded if the deal falls through unless there are title issues.  The only exception to that is if you “opt out” during the option period (again – see below) of if your financing falls through during the financing period.  The Financing period is the time period within which you must supply the lender with all of your financial information and get the final “OK” from the Lender.

5.  Do you want to do inspections? If so, you’ll need to purchase the right to do so. Typically the right to do so costs $10 p/day and usually lasts from 7-14 days.  This 7-14 day time period is what is generally referred to as the option period.  It’s called the option period because, if you find something surprising during that time, you can “opt” out and all you lose is your option money.  If there are no surprises and you want to move forward, the option fee typically is applied to the purchase price.  Another alternative (if there are surprises found during inspections) is to go back to the Seller and ask for concessions or repairs.

Keep in mind that there are different kinds of inspections:  A general home inspection, a well inspection, a septic inspection, etc.  Also, if you are buying a raw piece of land, an inspection period usually does not apply.  And … if you are asking for a REALLY great deal or buying AS IS, you may gain leverage in your negotiations by not asking for an option period.  For example, my husband and I have gotten some REALLY REALLY good deals because we offered cash with no option period, and close in 2 weeks.  You just have to weigh what you are trying to accomplish.

6. Are there any other conditions that apply? (e.g., Sale of current home, owner financing, etc.)

7. Last but not least, when do you want the closing to be?  For a property that is financed, you are looking at between 4-6 weeks.  It will vary depending upon the lender’s backlog.  For an all cash deal, it just depends upon whether a survey is needed or if there are inspections.  Typically, 2-4 weeks.

The best part of my job is drawing up contracts.  It means we are doing are job … helping people buy and sell property.

There are a lot of things that can go wrong during the “closing process.”  My job is to walk you through the entire process, anticipate the problems that can occur and then resolve them.

So … Are you ready to put an offer in?  Call me and we’ll get the ball rolling.

*Obviously, I am just covering contract basics here.  There are a lot of other legal issues covered in the standard TAR contract.  If you want more information, just ask me and we can go over it in more detail.

Hours:
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday

You will find over 350 vendors, 6 barns & acres of:

“Antiques, collectibles, tools, crafts, shabby chic, primitives,ranch furniture, hunting accessories, candles, unique clothing, jewelry, food and so much more.”

7 miles East of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290 across from the Wildseed Farms.

Stay tuned for more pictures.

• Electrical – Electrical service will need to be upgraded/fixed if wiring is exposed, outdated (below 100 amp service) or a fire hazard (cloth wiring).
• Plumbing – Leaks, corrosion, outdated or inadequate plumbing systems.
• HVAC – Must be able to heat and cool the house to certain temperature standards.
• Lead paint and Asbestos- these materials must be disposed of properly and brought current.
• Exterior issues- Roofs, windows, and siding must be in working condition and leak free. Peeling paint must be scraped and repainted.
• Well and septic- Must be in working condition and conforming with safety standards.
• Foundation- Slabs can not be cracked and un-level. Pier & Beam must support the structure and be level.
• Unfinished areas- Missing railings, unfinished entries, exposed wiring, unfinished floors , missing insulation, drywall, etc. will not meet lending requirements.