Assemblyman Jim Patterson

Dear friends and loved ones,

Thank you all for the prayers, texts and phone calls. Jim is out of the hospital and getting stronger every day in physical therapy. He is so thankful to be alive. His recovery has been nothing short of a miracle as he has gone from a ventilator to WALKING! Please continue to keep him in your prayers as he still has a long road to recovery. But as we all know, Jim is a fighter through and through.

With gratitude, Sharon

As we remember the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, we remember that each victim had a family, a story, a reason for living.

It is the undeniable truth that their lives were taken. No amount of denial can erase this heartbreaking fact.

We will continue to honor those who lost their lives and work to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

On this Easter I have been pondering two individuals Jesus gave special attention to after the Resurrection.

1) Simon Peter:

After Jesus' resurrection, Simon Peter was questioned three times by Jesus, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" In each instance, Peter responded, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”

The Risen Lord gave Peter the opportunity to make amends for the three times he denied Him.

2)Mary Magdalene:

According to Mark 16:9, Mary Magdalene was the first person to witness the resurrection of Jesus. She was one of the women who followed Jesus and supported his ministry, and she was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection.

With this special privilege, Jesus was assuring the woman he encountered, and shaming the crowd who wanted her stoned.

It is in this passage Jesus confronts the mob with these words, “Let him who is without sin caste the first stone.” The stones were dropped and the crowd dispersed. Then, with a voice of compassion and forgiveness, Jesus said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

The road to faith and forgiveness can sometimes be a rocky one. Mary Magdalene’s soul was scarred. She had many sins that must have haunted her often. Jesus understood what sin can do with those in the infancy of their New Life in Him.

Jesus was also obviously aware of the deep mortification in Peter’s soul that called out for recognition and redemption. And what better way to wipe the sting of three denials away than by giving Peter the chance to proclaim his love to Jesus three times.

Jesus thoughtfulness upon His resurrection gives us hope that our sins were buried at the cross to be remembered against us no more, and our standing with the Savior, even if we pain Him along our faith walk, is always redeemable. That’s the Jesus we know and love today.

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!”

Happy Easter. He is Risen. And our lives will never be the same.

Jim & Sharon Patterson

Today is Holy Saturday. What are we to make of the day between the cross and the empty tomb? His death is certain, but His resurrection is not. The promise is unfulfilled.

Sometimes our lives are like that. Earthly troubles weigh us down. Doubt creeps into our mind and soul. We are between the cross and the empty tomb.

Jesus knew the same foreboding. In the garden, in his own moment of doubt and fear, he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

In our time between our cross and the Lord’s victory over Death, Hell, and the Grave, today is a good day to thank Him for His sacrifice, praise Him for His goodness, and rest in His loving, resurrected arms.

Have faith. Have hope. Have courage. Today may be Saturday, but Sunday is coming, as sure as the sunrise tomorrow.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” ~John 14:27, the words of Jesus.