Inspirations & Photography

For thousands of years the story of Jesus death and resurrection have been told in churches, meeting places and homes all over the world.  Jesus himself began to speak of his death even before they laid a hand on him. “Listen” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again” the gospel of Mark chapter 10, verses 33 & 34.

Celebrating Easter is more than the traditional  chocolate bunnies and colored Easter eggs, it’s remembering Jesus laying down his life for all mankind and God raising him from the dead. Why? Jesus Christ the Risen One was sent to us because of God’s amazing love.  Jesus endured the beatings for you and me. He allowed them to hang him on the cross to pay for our sins.

In the old testament Adam and Eve chose to not follow God’s instructions and when they disobeyed what the Father told them sin came into the earth.  Prophets in the old testament spoke of the coming Messiah who would take away the sin of the world.  “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2Corinthians 5:21  Because of the wonderful mercy and love of God, he sent his one and only Son to die for you and me, and when God raised Jesus Christ to life again, he made it possible for us to be put back in good standing with God our heavenly Father again.  All God asks of us is to believe. Believe that he sent Jesus to us, that he went to the cross for us, died and believe that God raised him from the dead.

Jesus Christ is alive and well today. He sits at God’s right hand in Heaven and because of the power of the resurrection, he lives in his people, his followers, Christians today. How? “The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11

As you celebrate Easter this year remember God’s amazing love for you and all of mankind. Realize and accept the truth that we need our sins forgiven. Understand that with our own strength or works we cannot make that happen, forgiveness only comes through believing in Jesus Christ and that he died for us.  Open your heart to Jesus and follow Him. Once you make this decision, your life will have meaning.  “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:8-13

Happy Easter!

Pastor Nina Tidwell
Ponce Church, Ponce Inlet, Florida

Everyone Welcome! We’re Surfside and we’re Casual!
Sundays 10AM
4670 S. Peninsula in Ponce Inlet

During the courageous true story of Bethany Hamilton who miraculously recovered from a 14 ft., Tiger Shark attack, leaving her with only one arm,  left me in awe as I watched her “Snap” a wave just as if nothing had ever happened. For those of you who are unfamiliar with surfing terms, “Snap” means a “sharp turn” executed at the top of a wave.

What also astounded me as I watched  “Soul Surfer” which was released on Friday, April 8th 2011 was her courage to get back-on-the-board only one month following the shark incident.

Even though Bethany was the victim of a shark attack, she did not play the “victim role” in real life.  AnnaSophia-Robb who played Bethany Hamilton in the film did an amazing job at portraying her as a  fighter!  Bethany did not want to be looked at or treated differently.  In the movie, when offered a 5 minute “head start” by surf competition officials, Bethany turned it down.  As I watched Bethany’s life unfold I saw her inner-strength and courage  powerful enough to inspire us all!

So how did she do it?! How did Bethany go from being a shark attack victim to taking 1st place in the 2005 National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) circuit?  “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength”  Bethany gained her courage from her faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the FIRST to ever walk on water, literally.  He is the same One who spoke to a storm while  he and his disciples (followers) were on a boat.  And as the disciples came to wake him saying “Lord, don’t you care that we’re going to die?!” Jesus responded and said “Oh, you of little faith” and immediately calmed the storm. This “faith” that Jesus speaks of in the Bible, “faith” to “move mountains” FAITH to conquer any “storm” in life, is the same faith that Bethany and her family believed in and together they grabbed hold of. It was this amazing faith and hope that ONLY the Lord God can give that turned what could have destroyed Bethany and her family  around for good: Bringing hope and courage to all who are willing to open their hearts and minds,  “All things are possible to those that believe”

While preparing one of my messages the Lord began to show me an amazing connection between Thanking God and Miracles. Like most human beings, we generally give “thanks” to God  AFTER a prayer is answered or something good comes our way. During my research in the Bible the Lord showed me clearly in the scriptures how Jesus gave THANKS to God BEFORE the answer came or before the need materialized. Allow me to share with you one of the accounts where Jesus proved this to be true: “So they rolled the stone aside-then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, FATHER I THANK YOU for hearing me…You always hear me-but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me-then Jesus shouted “Lazarus come out!” and the dead man came out…” John 11:41.

Another account took place after Jesus teaching to a very large crowd of people. The disciples asked Jesus to send the people away so that they could go and get something to eat for their journey home.  Jesus responded to them and said, “That isn’t necessary–you feed them” Then the disciples said to Jesus, “But we have only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish”  Then Jesus said to them “Bring them here”  Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish, looked up toward heaven and blessed them (gave thanks) Then breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the loaves to the disciples who distributed them to the people.  Then ALL ate as much as they wanted and afterward the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day in addition to all the women and children” Mathew 14:15-21. WOW! Another great example of the possibilities that can happen when we are thankful before we see the end result!  It is so very important to realize that there is an amazing power at work when we learn to give thanks before we see the final outcome.  Why?  Because making the decision to be  thankful before anything changes ignites our Faith...and from there the possibilities are endless!

For more go to PonceChurch.com and you can listen to my message titled  “Giving Thanks and Miracles” by Pastor Nina