Like so many women with highly textured hair, I always thought that my hair was so much more manageable if I wore it straight or with a relaxer.  With much convincing from my younger sister I took a big leap and decided to wear my hair natural, with no chemicals.  This was the first time that I decided to really learn about my hair and what it took to maintain it.  I researched and researched.  With so much out there it was enough to make your head spin!  The Science of Black Hair condenses so much of the information and puts in one place.  For those of us who like concrete information, the fact that it approached hair care from a scientific view was so appealing.

From Amazon:

The Science of Black Hair is the ultimate consumer textbook on black hair care. Technically oriented and detailed throughout, this book was written with the serious hair care consumer in mind. Hair science, research and testimony combine in this carefully written text designed to examine black hair on a deeper level. With its light academic style it is truly the last hair book you ll ever need. The special, salon professional edition of The Science of Black Hair features full-color photographs and color-tab organization to enhance the reading experience. All versions of the book feature special multimedia capabilities that bring the book to life including additional live tips and updated voice messages from the author for the life of the book!

Readers will learn how to: 
* Maintain chemically-treated or natural hair in optimal health. 
* Stop hair breakage with a novel, protein/moisture balancing method. 
* Regulate product pH balance for shinier, more manageable hair. 
* Grow their hair longer, stronger and healthier for life!

Additional Features 
* Regimen Builder with extensive product listings 
* Ingredients glossary 
* Interviews 
* Real photos of hair at the microscopic level

This book is great if you are just starting your hair care journey if you have been on the road a long time.  Ms. Davis-Sivasothy has done a WONDERFUL job!  The book starts off with this.  Gotta love it!

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)

Read it, and Run!

We are so excited to announce that Sisters of the Faith is doing The Science of Black Hair sweepstakes!  Two lucky winners will receive an autographed, standard edition book ($24.95 value).  All you have to do is enter here!  The sweepstakes will run from Feb.1st-Feb.12th.

For more information:

http://scienceofblackhair.com/index.html

To purchase:

http://scienceofblackhair.com/buy_book.html

Recently, I had the chance to watch a little T.V. without my children.  I settled on a marathon of the T.V. One series Unsung.  I’ve always loved documentaries and music, so a two for one would be great.  After about three episodes it began to feel as if I was watching the same story with different characters.  Individuals from bygone eras, as well as the recent past, that had lost everything to alcohol or drugs or both, strings of failed marriages, broken friendships, bad business dealings and so on.

Those that were able to survive the industry and the blows that life had dealt them all seemed to be making feeble attempts to resurrect the glory of their withered careers.  Most of them struggled to sing with voices that should have been in retirement long ago.  My heart went out to them.

The more I began to reflect on their stories, the more I realized that they were not much different from the rest of us.  None of us can live on the “glory” of our past.  Like it or not, “yesterday’s slam dunks don’t win today’s basketball games.”  We have to have more than that to hold on to.

Most of us, I suppose, have received a few awards and accolades at one point or  another.  Somewhere along the way we have experienced the thrill of that momentary applause and recognition. But time passes, memories fade, people change. Life moves on. And those diminished accolades, as Paul so aptly stated, are, in reality no more than a “perishable wreath.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

The tough economic times that we now live in have caused many to reevaluate their lives.  Those that once held enviable positions are now unemployed.  Huge amounts of debt were amassed in order to keep up with the Joneses.  For many, the American Dream seems farther away than ever before.  Many have been forced to reevaluate their definition of success and self worth, and rightly so.

Hopefully, we are all reevaluating our definition of “success” and “self worth,” and coming to the realization that there is more to life than attempting to hold on to a temporal prize.

Mother Teresa once said, “God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.“ Her faithfulness to God is her success. Shouldn’t we measure our successes in light of our commitment to discipleship?

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”  1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Paul understood that one day when he stood before Christ, what would count would not be his earthly “success,” but the lives of the people that he had invested for the sake of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).  Like a good shepherd, his maturing flock had become his hope. His joy. His glory. His crown.

If you were to examine the secret desires of your heart, where does your hope, joy, and glory really lie?

You have got to be careful the people you allow to share your space in this life.  You must also be mindful of those who speak into your life, breathe your air, and share your space and even your bed.  Despite the feelings of your flesh we must realize that everything that may feel good is not good for you.  I once heard someone say that the devil knows your weaknesses, why would he waste time trying to tempt you with someone who is light and bright when it is milk chocolate that tickles your fancy.  If drugs are not your struggle it would be a waste to tempt you with that. The real temptation is the desire of your heart, your real weakness, or passion or pleasures.  They could be your desire for wealth, or prestige, or even something as simple as a desire for company.  Whatever your desire, it is your duty to be aware of yourself and those you allow to be close to you so that in your living of life you are not lost.

A successful undergraduate student pondered as to why she could not find a stable mate.  She dated guys that were in college and those that were working.  She went to all the parties and never found anyone who was really “into “her.  She never found that person who seemed to really care about her and her needs.  She wanted to have someone who inquired about her academics and her sorority work.  Someone she could share her ups and downs with.  There were many dates and many introductions, but nothing of value to her ever appeared.  Until one day she met a man who was gentle and kind and seemed to put her above all.

It was not too long before the young woman had fallen completely in love with him.  He was everything that she wanted.  They spent all of their free time together, before class, after class, on the weekends.  You rarely saw them alone.  As time went on, the students’ life began to change.  She didn’t have time for the sorority meetings, or girls’ night out or anything outside of their relationship.  Her life had become this man.  Whenever her friends would mention that they missed her or they wanted to see her, she made excuses.  When she spoke to her boyfriend about their concerns, that she needed some space, for some time for herself, he told her they were jealous.  The young woman did have moments of clarity, moments when she just wanted to be with her friends and do girl things.  Sometimes she did go out, but when she returned it was horrible.  There wasn’t anything physical- in the beginning.  It was just yelling, arguing and belittling.  It got to the point where the young woman didn’t even want to go out anymore, because it wasn’t worth the hassle when she returned.  Her world got smaller and smaller.  Any argument about anything got worse and worse.  The yelling turned into grabbing and the grabbing turned into pushing and the pushing led to bruises and busted lips.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into years, until one day the young woman looked at her life and couldn’t believe what she had become.  The once intelligent, outgoing, outspoken woman was now a small fraction of that person and she could barely find herself inside.  It was then, that she made her plan of escape on the journey to find her former self.  It wouldn’t be until years later that she could actually say that she was a victim of Domestic Violence.  That young woman was me.

Now I am older and wiser.  My relationship with God is real. I attribute my experiences and faith in Him to the strong woman that I am today.  I use my life as a testimony that God is still and has always been good.  His love for me is greater than I could ever imagine for myself and it is greater than any love anyone (man or woman) could ever have for me.

This Easter season is a constant reminder of what God whispered in my ear, while I was in the ER waiting for an x-ray.  I heard it as clear as the voice of the doctor in the room with me.  HE said “JESUS paid it ALL”.  That was it, just four words I had heard hundreds of times before, but this time it seemed to have a greater meaning.  Jesus paid it all.  Jesus paid it all.  You mean Jesus paid it all?  So I don’t have to be here?  I don’t have to allow myself to be abused verbally and physically.  I don’t have to endure my heart being crushed and crucified by the words of someone who wears the title of lover?  He paid it ALL?  Really?  So my debt is to Christ and no one else?  God are you sure?

I wish I could tell you that I jumped up out of that hospital and never went back, but that would be a lie.  I did go back.  But believe me when I tell you I was a new creature.  The same way the relationship morphed into the dysfunction that it was it took some time for me to untangle myself from all that I was tied to.  But it did happen.  I did escape what at times felt like a no win situation.  I did discover that God gives you what you need when you need it, and many of my friends whom I had shunned earlier were the same ones who embraced me with open arms and wiped my tears away.  God has helped me rebuild my life brick by brick, day by day.  It is only HIM who has fostered forgiveness in my heart and hope for my future.  My past doesn’t determine where I will go or with whom.  I have the power to determine who shares my space and so do you!

10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

I don’t know about you, but 2010 was an extraordinary year. I can think of so many adjectives to describe how I felt and even how I feel right now. What I can say is that after all I’ve been through, I still have joy.  After all I’ve been through I’m still standing. I realize that when God formed me in my mother’s womb He had a plan in mind for me. I realize that everything I’ve been through, all the “IT’S” in my life had to come so I could get to “THIS”.

What is it? It can be anything. It can be a loss, it could be an illness, it could be a separation. But what is This?  This is the other side of It. This is my wealthy place. This is the fruit of my labor. This is what happens after I have endured it. It tried to kill me. It thought I was going to lose my mind. You thought I was going to lose my mind.   But don’t look now, I’m still here. It had to come to this. It had to come so I could get to this– my wealthy place.

Psalm 66 is a thanksgiving-psalm. All people are here called upon to praise God.

If you focus on verses 10-12 of this psalm we find the psalmist is calling upon God’s people to praise Him in a special manner. Let all the lands praise Him, but Israel in particular–those who call on his name. There are three things I want to briefly bring out as we deal with our topic; It had to come to This.

The psalmist says for thou oh Lord has proved us.

1. We must be proved. For thou, O God, hast proved us. He proved His Israel with sore trials. David had his share of temptations. All the saints must go to the proving house; God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son without trial. I don’t understand why we complain. The Bible says in Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. The Lord Himself proves us. If He allowed us to go through it, it will work out for our good. Romans 8:28 says And we know that all things work together for the good of them who love God and who are the called according to his purpose.

Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Searching and repeated, severe and thorough, has been the test; the same result has followed us as in the case of precious metal, for the dross and tin have been consumed, and the pure ore has been discovered. God is proving you so He can bring out the pure you. You had to go through the proving. The proving had to come to you so you could get to your wealthy place.

2.  Sometimes it feels like you’re the tail and not the head. Sometimes it seems like everything the Word of God says will happen is just the opposite for you. The Bible says you’re the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:13), yet you feel like you’re the tail and not the head. The Bible says many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19). Yet you’re wondering how long I will be afflicted? When will this all be over? It seems like God doesn’t hear you. The Children of Israel were in bondage for over 400 years and I’m sure they felt sometimes like God had forgotten them. But God had not forgotten them. The thing we need to remember is that the scripture says Thou has proved us, thou tested us, thou trapped us into the net; thou laid burdens on our backs, thou allowed people to ride over our heads. We must remember as we are going through it that God is in control. Nothing happens in our lives that God does not allow. God is the author and the finisher of our faith. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. God knows what He is doing when He allows you to go through it. What you must do is endure.

3.  God always provides a BUT. We went through fire and through water, but. Anytime you see but that means on the contrary, yet, except, save, unless, if not, or except that.  But thou again- thou meaning God brought us out into a wealthy place. But you brought us out into refreshing, but you brought us out into abundance. Yes it looked like everybody else was doing better than me. Yes, everybody had a job while I was unemployed, yes everybody was prospering and it seemed like I was going down deeper, it seemed like I was drowning. It seemed like the more I praised the worse things got, BUT you brought me out into my wealthy place!

I don’t know what your wealthy place is, but my wealthy place is the fact that I’m still standing. The fact that the devil thought he had me but I got away. Why? Because, it came, BUT then this came. It had to come to this! Why? So God will get the glory. It came in the form of loss, it came in the form of lack, it came in the form of gossip, it came in the form of bondage, it came in the form of death, it came in the form of fear, but it had to come so I could experience this.

This is my wealthy place, this is my peace, this is my anointing, this is my joy, this is my faith; this is my destiny. This is my place in the kingdom. This is my prayer life, this is my ministry, this is my strength, this is my family being saved, this is my friends being saved, this is my enemies being saved! This, is the day when I hear Him say well done thou good and faithful servant, you’ve been faithful over a few things I will make you ruler over many enter into the joy of the Lord!

The psalmist praised God for bringing him out into his wealthy place. Whenever God allows you to go through something, He always makes it worth your while. You have to know that God has a plan for you. He is not just haphazardly doing stuff. He is allowing you to go through it for a reason. After it you will be stronger, after it, you will be wiser, after it you will be better. It had to come to this!

By Shequana Pulliam-Sidberry

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version)

With that being said, I encountered the true meaning of that scripture on August 6^th, 2008. I awoke that morning to the loud screaming sirens of police cars and the rumbling sounds of a helicopter above my head. I was confused and dazed by the thoughts of what possibly could have happened in my neighborhood, but oblivious to the fact that the next four hours were going to change my life for good. My phone rings. The voice on the other side of the phone says, “Your sister’s been shot.” The rush of adrenaline through my veins helped me gather my thoughts on the way to the hospital. I clearly was not prepared for the news I received, nor for what I was about to see. She received one gunshot wound to her arm, and one to her head. She was alive by nerve stimulation only. I watched her lay in that bed, breathing through a machine, and knowing that she couldn’t hear any words that came out of my mouth. There was nothing else left for the doctors to do. She inhaled. That was her final breath of air. She was pronounced dead. I prayed. I kissed her. I promised to take care of her baby. I told her I loved her. And most of all, I was thankful that she was finally at peace. You see, it was that morning of August 6^th, 2008, that my only sister, Detention Officer Tarica Ann Pulliam, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

God is faithful, his faith and love helped me to cope with loss, cooperate with detectives, care for my family, prepare for her arrangements, and maintain a smile at a time, when I thought I’d lost it all. God is always on time. He never left me. His loving arms held me close, when I couldn’t even bear to shed a tear.

Unlike most domestic violence stories that we tend to hear, my sister’s story was different. She actually took the initiative to leave after he assaulted her for the first time. She didn’t stay for things to get better. She made the decision to remove herself from any other potential abuse. She was a mother, and officer of the law, and she knew that her next decisions were critical. Despite his threat to take her life if she reported her abuse to the authorities, she knew that it had to be done. She moved out, she filed her restraining orders, went to court and stood boldly across from him and expressed her concern for the safety of her and her daughter. She was brave. And most importantly, she forgave him for is wrong doings. She knew that her blessings would be blocked if she withheld anger and hatred for his actions. She had faith that all things would work out because she loved the Lord.

To most of you, this story sounds tragic, but to me her life was a blessing. I was blessed to have her in my life for 27 years. We have memories and bonds that will never be broken. Her walk in faith gave her the courage to leave her situation, and take a stand against the wrongs of an abuser. She broke the curse of having this trickle down to her daughter. Her death has saved the lives of so many other domestic violence victims, because she empowered them to walk in faith, and walk away. I hope that it encourages another reader to hopefully do the same.

Be Encouraged. Walk in Faith. Be Blessed.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer brings up an interesting church problem: “For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Hebrews 5:12, KJV). First, the writer is not talking to new converts, but he is talking to Christians who have been in the faith long enough that by now they should be serving as teachers in the church.

Secondly, not only did these believers fail to grow, but also they had actually regressed spiritually. They needed to be taught AGAIN, the basic doctrines of Christianity! Though God inspired the writer to pen the above verse over 1900 years ago, the problem is just as real today.

Let me quickly share with you several reasons why our failure to grow as Christians is a problem. The first one has to do with the will of God for us. He wants us to become like His Son. God is actively working in our lives to finish the good work that He has begun in us. He has no desire to stop until we attain unto the fullness of Christ so that as Christ was in the world so shall we be.

The second reason has to do with our service to God. If we fail to grow, we limit what He can accomplish through us. Of course, there are many things He can use us to do even when we are babes in Christ, but there are many things that only mature Christians can effectively do. A case in point is the verse quoted above. This portion of the epistle was specifically aimed at those members of the local church who by virtue of their time in Christ should now be teachers. Their failure to grow, however, made that impossible.

Thirdly, in a local church where Christians fail to grow, excessive carnality can be the result. Paul the apostle wrote to the church of Corinth regarding this selfsame problem (see 1 Corinthians 3). He said the evidence of their carnality was reflected in the envying, strife and divisions among them. It is certainly true that people who are spiritually mature handle conflict in more Christlike manners than immature and carnal-minded Christians do. A pastor whose church is plagued with carnality will feel the burden of the increased disharmony.

I could on and on listing the problems with Christians failing to grow. But a more important question is, what is the solution? How do Christians who have been babes way too long stem the tide and put themselves on the road to maturity? In the book of Hebrews, two verses down from the verse I quoted above, here is what the Bible gives for an answer: “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14, NIV). In other words, the key to spiritual maturity is to constantly use or put into practicethe truths that we are exposed to.

There is no groundbreaking revelation in that verse, but we know it’s right. The bottom line is that Christianity is not simply a religion, but more importantly, it is a way of life. We must live it each day. In doing so, we exercise our spiritual senses, thereby learning to discern good from evil. This dynamic is fundamental to Christian growth. Those who fail to do this will not experience significant spiritual growth.

Frank King is a former church pastor. He is currently an evangelist. Frank is also the author of two books, Indiscreetly Yours and Steps to the Victorious Walk. Website: http://www.efrankking.com. Blog: http://wwwefrankking.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

A woman’s view of her Heavenly Father is often tainted by her view of her earthly father. A cold and distant father? A cold and distant God. Likewise, a generous, loving father renders her view of God as generous and loving as well.

How about you? What was your father like? A stern disciplinarian? Strict but loving? Gentle and quiet? Fun-loving and playful? Now, how do you view God as He relates to you on a daily basis? Faithful, but far removed from the details of your life? A stern judge who demands punishment for every infraction? Or a loving God Who guides you through all of life’s valleys and mountains?

It is a heavy burden to place on a human father, that of portraying the Heavenly Father to his children. No matter how loving or wise a father may be, he could never adequately demonstrate the truth of Who our Heavenly Father is and what He is like. Of course, the truth is found in God’s Word He often refers to Himself as our father (Galatians 4:6), and tells us in great detail exactly what He is like and how He feels about us, His children. If you ever find yourself projecting your father’s qualities onto your perception of God, turn to these passages for the truth:

Our Father in Heaven

1. cares for even the smallest of His children.

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

2. protects and cares for those who have no earthly father.

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. Psalms 68:5

You [God] are the helper of the fatherless. Psalms 10:14b

3. gives good gifts to His children.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

4. is perfect and holy; He never sins.

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” I Peter 1:16

5. meets the needs of His children.

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:27

For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:32,33

6. is both merciful and just.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14, 15

7. in His mercy gives us salvation and the hope of eternal life by the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1-3-5

Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:4

8. teaches us about Himself.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:17

9. gives grace and peace.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 1:2

10. must discipline His children.

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Hebrews 12:7

11. deserves glory.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6

Anne Simpson, stay-at-home-mom to one toddler and one on the way, loving wife to a loving husband, faithful member of a local church, prone-to-wander child of God

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

The thought of using coupons never occurred to me when I was in college.  Of course, I would use the occasional a Express or The Limited discount or promo but, that was different. Fast forward a few years and my first daughter was born.  I tried to pay attention to who had the best deals on Pampers, etc. but just going to Sam’s Club or BJ’s and buying in bulk felt like the best option.  I was a career woman and I did not see myself investing the time or energy into couponing.  I also secretly believed that they were for people who couldn’t afford to pay regular price.  I think it was working in retail management that helped me form that idea.  I became frustrated with people trying to haggle, reproduce coupons and so much more.  Honestly, my mood would change when someone presented a coupon.  I was a coupon snob.

Fast forward to 2007. Our second daughter was born.  My husband and I made the well meaning, albeit unplanned decision to become a one income family. Almost simultaneously gas prices were rising and the recession was crowning.  How were we going to maintain our lifestyle and all the luxuries we enjoyed with one income?  We had savings so it did not seem to be an immediate concern.  Then, our 2nd daughter suddenly took ill when she was 8 months old.  She was hospitalized for nearly a month (we were over two hours from home).  My husband did not work the entire time she was in the hospital so we were living off of our savings.  Then came the hospital bills!  Thank God for good health insurance.

At the beginning of every year we all make resolutions and 2008 wasn’t any different.  However, my resolution was.  I was committed to half-price living.  I decided I would enjoy all of the things that I used to for half-price.  We needed to rebuild our savings and figure out how this new lifestyle was really going to work out.  It started with diapers.  I enjoyed finding those $5.00 off Huggies coupons.  Then the baby wipes and other ancillary product coupons began to attract my attention.  Before I knew it I had progressed on to coupons for baby food and so much more.  I began to track how much I saved and I began to challenge myself to save more on the next shopping trip.  Eventually, I was saving over $40 a visit with in-store promotions and coupons combined.

However, I wasn’t completely cured of my stereotypical opinions of coupon users.  I just felt like I was an exception to the rule.  I refused to fumble through an envelope of coupons in the checkout line as my daughters wiggled in frustration with the whole ordeal.  My solution, I created myself a little nifty little binder to organize my coupons.  I began searching the internet and I found women that saved so much they took European vacations–on one income!  Boy, was I motivated and I was certainly cured!  I now consider myself a pro.

The rewards have been great.  We have saved a lot although we are far from frugal,. We have continued to tithe.  As a matter of fact, we actually increased our giving.  I get kind of excited about the Sunday paper in anticipation of the savings folded inside its pages.  The beginning of the month ushers in the new online printable coupons and I just can’t wait.  The moral of the story: never judge a book by its cover.  I wasted a great deal of money and time doing so.  But hey, when you know better do better.

Share your thoughts!

by Alan Allegra

“What makes Good Friday good?” you ask.
A challenge! A rather daunting task.
Some may dismiss it with a shrug and a smirk,
And consider it another day off work.
Others, religious, pious as such,
Take a few minutes for a mournful watch;
Merchants unlock their doors with glee,
Anticipating the pre-Easter shopping spree.
A bunny here, a chocolate egg there,
Symbols of a society that doesn’t care.
“Care?” you say, “Do you mean me?”
“What’s there to care; how can this be?”
It’s the cross, you forget, that rugged wood,
That makes Good Friday eternally good.
What’s so good about the death of an ancient man,
Who died long before my life began?
This man, who on this earth once trod,
Was not only man, but the Son of God.
That wood, that tree, that old rugged cross,
Was the symbol of gain and the symbol of loss.
To those who believe, it is the promise of gain;
The hope that, like Jesus, we’ll rise again!
For the skeptic, the doubter, the meaning is loss;
An eternal gulf, which no one can cross.
Good Friday is good, because of the death
Of Jesus the Savior, who gave His last breath
So you, friend, and I, could be cleared of our guilt,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb that was spilt.
Mourn not, my dear soul, for the death of the Lamb,
For that cross made the bridge to the Great I AM.
Christ paid the price, rose again to God’s side,
And brought us next Sunday: the Resurrection-tide!

Source:  http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=67564