Easter Archives - Heart Talk with Linda Rooks

Dying to Meet Jesus, Author Interview with Randy Kay

March 27, 2024 by Linda Rooks Leave a Comment

WITH THE DEATH of my husband just three months ago, Heaven has been very much on my mind. It’s a surreal feeling to know my husband is still alive but in a heavenly realm where I can’t communicate with him. I long to know what he is doing and what his new life is like. So the interview I did here with author Randy Kay is especially meaningful for me. Randy almost died a few years back and had a near death experience in which he actually experienced heaven for about 30 minutes. His book, Dying to Meet Jesus, tells about his near-death-experience after dying and meeting Jesus in heaven. In my interview with him here he’s going to share some things from that experience. As CEO of PACEsetters and chairman of TenorCorp, Randy Kay has an impressive business background and has written for Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.

As we celebrate Easter and the new life Jesus brings to us through His death and resurrection, Randy’s story gives us a riveting glimpse into the heaven our God has prepared for us.

Linda: Randy, before sharing your story with us, please tell us a little bit about your background. I understand you have more than 30 years of experience working in business and are the founder of PACEsetters. Tell us more about that and how you became a Christian.

Randy: I was a devout agnostic in my youth and challenged all religions through a comprehensive study at Northwestern University that I detail in my book.

Our researchers debunked all religions except Christianity. Most religions were created by a single individual or a fusion of beliefs. However, we discovered that the biblical account of God being true was validated with a probability ratio of 1.26 million to one! After that I cried out to an unknown God: “If you’re real, I need to know you as genuinely as I know my loved ones on earth.”

After surviving a near-fatal car crash, I began my sincere search to learn about the God of the Bible. I attended a church near Chicago and responded to an invitation for attendees who wished to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I prayed, and later that night I indeed met Jesus Christ in my spirit. Still, I remained a bit of a skeptic. I certainly did not believe in near-death-experiences (NDEs). That is, until I had my own.

Linda: I watched a TV interview with you and saw that you experienced a miraculous face-to-face encounter with Jesus in your near death experience, meeting Him at the point of death. What were your first thoughts when seeing Jesus in heaven during that near death experience?

Randy: Yes, I clinically died from multiple blood clots and a drug-resistant infection throughout my body. My heart stopped beating.

I remember that first time meeting Jesus as vividly as if I were there right now. My “cheek to cheek” meeting with Jesus brings me to tears whenever I think back on it. My first thought in heaven was: “So this is Love.” Jesus hugged me, tightly. He did not have to say that He loved me, because His presence permeated every fiber of my being. I remember a sense of “knowing” – knowing that Jesus was my all, and that nothing could happen to me without Jesus being with me. Perfect peace and comfort possessed me. “I am with you always,” He said. I just caved into His chest. I felt at home like never in this world.

Linda: Can you describe what else you experienced during your time with Jesus?

Randy: In heaven, Jesus fulfilled all of my needs, so I did not long for anything and I certainly had no worldly cares. Being with Jesus was sufficient for me. This is a difficult thing to describe, because that sense is like nothing on this earth. It was total completeness, absolute contentment. Another sense I experienced was that I had all of Jesus’ attention. I knew that He held the cares of the world, but I felt as though I was an audience of one.

As to heaven itself, the colors were more vibrant, the fragrances more aromatic, the landscape more beautiful than anything in this world. Everything was alive. The glory of God rested through the environs, and everyone and everything worshipped the Lord.

I remember the angelic chorus, rows of linens, the joy on the faces of everyone in paradise…there really are no adequate words to describe heaven. It was like walking into another dimension, as though I was viewing a beautifully painted landscape and then suddenly I had stepped into a living version of that landscape.

Linda: You present a very comforting picture–particularly for me in this time of my own grieving. Since your near death experience, have you struggled at all to share this story? How have people reacted to the story of your near death experience?

Randy: It took me 14 years before I could share my near death experience publicly. Before then, only a handful of people knew about it. There was no need to share it with others who might trivialize the most important meeting in my life. That is, until I was interviewed on GodTV about a business book I had written, and the interviewer (who was my former pastor), asked me about my near death experience. I cried while sharing my story for the first time publicly.

On the flight back, the Holy Spirit prompted me to write another book. However, this time the Holy Spirit prompted me to write about “our special time together.” At first, sharing this experience was hard. I felt like I was defiling something sacred, but then God’s peace and inspiration filled me, and the writing just flowed out. That is how I wrote Dying to Meet Jesus.

I now pray that readers will know God more intimately after reading this book. Also, I wanted to address the question as to why a loving God allows suffering. I hope that readers will better understand why God allows brokenness and suffering to happen, since I share several stories of brokenness involving others as well as my own sufferings. I share the suffering of my daughter’s struggles with drugs, illness, rape and attempted suicide for the first time. I also share my own struggles with depression. Several others in my life allowed me to share their stories of brokenness also.

Linda: What trials did you face after your near death experience? Did you expect to face more trials, or did you believe that the worst was behind you?

Randy: I never doubted God’s Love after my near death experience, but I did struggle. In fact, some of my greatest sufferings occurred after meeting Jesus. I lost my job, my financial security, and almost lost my family. At times I wondered why God did not just take me when He “had the chance.” However, in heaven, Jesus told me that He was returning me to this world because my purpose had yet to be fulfilled. Since then, I began teaching people how to thrive in life and how to overcome struggles.

Previously, I was a corporate executive. I lost almost all of my savings trying to fulfill the purpose with which God commissioned me, but I never doubted God’s hand in my life. When challenges arise, my Lord tells me to “trust” Him, and that He will always make my path straight. I am continually reminded that God is still with me.

Linda: Did your near death experience change your outlook on life?

Randy: I know Love as a person and as a guiding presence, and that has made all the difference in my life. I can handle challenges better because of this deeply embedded awareness of Jesus as my friend. He is more real to me than most people I know! I can speak to others about God with more confidence and understanding. And, this has given me an insight into Jesus’ absolute devotion to His children that has transcended into every area of life, both the good and the bad.

Linda: In your book, Dying to Meet Jesus, you say, “Friends, be careful what you pray for.” Could you tell us why you say this? 

Randy: God answers prayer, but He will do it in a way that is best, even if the way to attain what we need is fraught with challenges. God desires our best, whereas we oftentimes desire what is convenient, or what appears good. This world sullies us with its temptations and false teachings. God refines us through a process of redemption. As a father, I know that the most painful process of parenting is allowing my children to go through challenges for their own good. God may allow suffering for a reason, but He will never leave us there. God collects our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8), and from those tears He produces a river of abundant life. That is what I saw in heaven.

Linda: For those of us who have lost a loved one, what can you tell us about what they might be experiencing now?

Randy: For the believer in Jesus Christ, there is no real death. I never experienced a sense of having died. I only experienced a transition to another place.

Leaving this world is like leaving your workplace, and then suddenly finding yourself on a glorious vacation with the One who loves you most. For anyone who has lost a loved one in Christ, know that he/she feels more alive today, as difficult as that may seem. There remains an empty place for those of us who are left behind, but I can assure you that we can look forward to an eternity in heaven with no remembrance of our losses or sufferings.

Grieving for a lost loved one is normal, but only because we will never again see our loved one in this world again. For believers in Jesus Christ, think of dying as similar to saying goodbye at the airport knowing you will not see your loved one for a while, but also knowing that someday, you will meet again. Celebrate that your born-again loved one is experiencing the best time of his or her life. And soon, like a blink of the eye from an eternal perspective, you will meet again in paradise. That will be a “wowsa moment!”

Linda: You have an amazing story, and I know people will be interested in reading more. Where can readers go to connect with you and buy a copy of Dying to Meet Jesus?

Randy: You can find the book at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Christianbook.com, or your local book store.

Watch Randy Kay’s Interview on the Cornerstone Television Network

Filed Under: BOOKS, comfort, Death, Easter, faith, Fear, Grief, health issues, Hope, Interviews, Jesus, Knowing God, Love, Pain, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Where is God?

To My Husband Who Is Now in Heaven

March 6, 2024 by Linda Rooks Leave a Comment

Beautiful sky with white fluffy clouds - looking into heaven

Photo by Jacob Mejicanos

I SEARCH THE HEAVENS, looking for what is unseen by human eyes, wondering where you are, what you’re doing, longing to touch you again, longing to hear your voice. The partition between heaven and earth is vast and is not to be traversed by the living. You are on one side of this vast chasm, I am on the other. I cannot reach you.

But God’s peace whispers in my heart, telling me what I already know, the truth of what we’ve lived for throughout these many years.

Your race is over. Your job is done. You rest now in the unseen realms of eternity. Somewhere up there beyond the clouds where the beginnings of this world took place, where creation began and blessed souls go to rest, you are in the arms of Jesus. You have finished the race. You have heard the words, “Well done good and faithful servant” Your job here on earth is done.

You have left this messed up, crazy world for the peace, the beauty and the glory of a heavenly world the rest of us dream of entering one day. For you there is no more waiting, no more wondering about what’s to come. No more are you seeing in a glass darkly for now you are face to face with the Savior. You are experiencing true reality while I still live in this mirage of what’s to come.

How I wish I could touch you, to hear your voice. You are far from my reach. But one day I will finish this race as well. I too will hear the call. One day I will no longer look longingly up in the skies, searching for what is unseen to mortal eyes for I will be in Heaven too.

But for now my job is not finished. The pages of a new year unfold before me – blank and unfamiliar. What will be written on them I don’t know. But as long as I have breath I know God has more for me to do. I walk into the days ahead alone, listening for God’s voice to lead me on.

Lord, let me hear your voice clearly. You are always before me. You are always with me. You are my refuge, my help in trouble. And I hold fast now to the encouraging promise you’ve given me in your Word. I turn to Jeremiah 29:11 where you said, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I cling to that promise now, Lord, for this one thing I know. Your love holds both of us close. Although I remain here on earth and he is now in heaven, we are both safe with you. And I will see him again.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants (Psalm 116:15).

Marv and Linda

TO MY SUBSCRIBERS: Yes, you may have seen this post before. Because of issues on my website, we had to backdate it to clean it up so a couple of old posts will reappear. But stick with me. New posts are coming soon.

Filed Under: comfort, Death, Easter, faith, Grief, Hope, Jesus, Knowing God, loss, Trusting God, Uncategorized Tagged With: death, faith, grief, Heaven, hope, invisible God, peace, seeking answers

Reflections on the Names of God, Interview with Author Ava Pennington

March 17, 2022 by Linda Rooks Leave a Comment

WHO IS GOD? How do we see him, and what is God really like? How do the different qualities of God impact us in our daily lives? According to author Ava Pennington, one of the ways to understand more about God is to learn the names of God and what they mean. In her new book, Reflections on the Names of God, Ava delves into sixty names and attributes of God. Did you know there were that many? Wow! I didn’t. Her devotional book provides new insights and understanding into the person of our God in a very unique way.

Linda: Tell us about your new book, Reflections on the Names of God.

Ava: Reflections on the Names of God: 180 Devotions to Know God More Fully (Revell Books, 2022) released this month. It’s an abridged, hard cover gift book edition of the original one-year devotional, Daily Reflections on the Names of God.

Every name and attribute of God reveals something about His character and His ways. Reflections on the Names of God is a devotional that explores each of 60 names and attributes of God from 3 individual perspectives: who God is, how this name or attribute changes us, and how it changes our relationships.

Linda: Why did you write Reflections on the Names of God?

Ava: I’ve always been curious about the many names of God in the Bible. Some were familiar, such as Yahweh Jireh, The Lord Will Provide. But others were confusing, such as Yahweh Nissi, The Lord My Banner. And then there were names that sounded frightening, such as when God referred to Himself as a Consuming Fire.

Bottom line—I wanted to learn what God said about Himself and why He chose those particular descriptions. Since I belonged to Him, it’s important to me to understand who I belong to!

Linda: What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

Ava: As they read these devotions, I hope readers will benefit in four ways:

The more they learn about who God is and how He works, the more they will see how much He loves them, which will make it easier to trust Him.
The names and attributes of God combine to give us a full picture of who God is, revealing His glory to His children.
The more they learn about who God is, the more they will learn about themselves in relation to Him.
Becoming familiar with God’s names and attributes will help them see the priority He places on their relationships.

Linda: What surprised you most about what you learned?

Ava: The biggest surprise was in finding hope and encouragement in every name and attribute of God, even in the names that originally made me feel uncomfortable. When I cut through the noise of who others said God is and focused instead on who He said He is, I realized that every name written thousands of years ago is precious to me today.

Linda: How has God used the message of your book in your own life? For instance, how does it impact your prayer life? My husband often talks about how the names of God help him have more focus in his prayers. Have you found this to be true?

Ava: Yes, learning the names of God has helped me Relate to God differently. Faith in God is not blind faith. I can confidently rely on who God is by what He revealed about Himself in His Word. And because He is unchanging, the God of the Bible is the same today.

In terms of prayer, learning the names of God encouraged me to Pray differently. I’m not praying to an impersonal force out there in the universe, I am praying to our very personal God. And whatever the subject of my prayer— whether worship, thanksgiving, interceding for others, or asking for myself, there is a name or attribute God has revealed which helps me relate to Him in that area.

Finally, knowing the names of God caused me to Teach and share Christ differently. Everything about who He is and how He works is relevant to us today. Knowing His names and attributes gives me specific words to describe who He is. It also helps me when others speak of who they think God is, because then I have a starting point to say, let’s look at who God says He is!

Linda: What’s your favorite name or attribute of God in this book?

Ava: It may sound like I’m avoiding the question, but I don’t have any one favorite. The more I’ve studied the names and attributes of God, the more personal He has become to me. Different names speak to my heart depending on my circumstances.

One thing I can attest to: I have never been in a situation where I haven’t been able to draw on a particular name or attribute of God to touch my spirit with healing, hope, and encouragement.

Linda: What does the topic of this book mean to you in your current season of life?

Ava: After being married for 40 years, I’ve been a widow for the past 4 years. Definitely a time of adjustment as I navigate this new season of life. I so appreciate the different names and attributes of God as they draw me into even deeper intimacy with my Savior. Now, more than ever, they give me strength for this present life and nurture my hope for eternity.

Linda: What is the difference between your new gift book edition of Reflections on the Names of God and the original version? How would potential readers decide which to get?

Ava: Although the original edition is no longer in print, print copies may be obtained from online sources. It’s still available as an e-book if readers prefer that format. And if readers are interested in a one-year devotional, they can explore e book as an option. The new devotional is an abridged edition with 180 devotions. The smaller size and hardcover make it a great gift for yourself or others.

Linda: How can people find out more about you and your books?

Ava: You can find Reflections on the Names of God on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christianbook.com, and you can find out more about me and my books by visiting my website at https://www.AvaPennington.com .

Filed Under: BOOKS, Easter, faith, God's goodness, God's Word, Interviews, Knowing God, Time with God, Trusting God, Uncategorized, Where is God? Tagged With: author interview, Easter, faith, God's love, invisible God, Knowing God, Names of God, prayer, Who is God?

A Savior Who Knows the Pain of Rejection

March 31, 2021 by Linda Rooks Leave a Comment

As we approach Easter and the celebration of the resurrection, we first come to the cross.

For before the victory is the pain and suffering.

If we are among those who have suffered rejection, we meet there a Savior who knows our pain. For not only did Jesus suffer the pain of an excruciating death on the cross and the unrelenting harassment by his enemies, but during his most horrific moments of his earthly life, HE ALSO EXPERIENCED REJECTION FROM THOSE CLOSEST TO HIM.

As he was marched to his execution, where were his disciples, the men He had loved and poured His life into for the past three years?

THEY HAD DESERTED HIM, scattered in fear and confusion. One of them had betrayed Him, taken the sweet privilege of walking beside Him, enjoying his companionship, and listening to His personal confidences and used this intimacy to turn him into his enemies.

Another, Peter, who had vowed to fight for Him, never to leave Him crumbled at the simple questioning and accusations of a humble servant girl, swearing to her that HE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HIM. Then, in shame, he too had run away.

Of the twelve, only the disciple John stood by him. And, indeed, his mother.

Yes, JESUS KNEW REJECTION. He knows our pain. And He comes to us as He did long ago to heal us, comfort us, and give us a newness of life. For those of us who felt the stab of betrayal or rejection from spouses who vowed to love us for a lifetime, we are not alone. The very God of the Universe, the One who created us, and told us He came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up our wounds knows the pain of rejection from those closest to him on this earth.

Sometimes on this desolate journey, we feel all alone. No one seems to understand just how painful rejection can be when a spouse turns their back on us. We don’t know where to turn, who to talk to. But as we come to the cross, as we look up to the One who spilled out his blood on our behalf, whose love bleeds sacrificially into the healing of our hearts, we can know WE HAVE A SAVIOR WHO DOES UNDERSTAND. He’s been there. He’s felt our pain. He loves us, and He promises to heal our broken hearts.

This Easter, experience your Savior’s love as a personal gift to you. Let the love He offered on the cross heal the wounds of rejection.

And as the salve of love binds up your heart, allow yourself to capture the beautiful climax of what happened next. JESUS SHOWS US THAT REJECTION AND PAIN ARE NOT THE END. That with Him beside us, there is victory. Let Him comfort you in your pain, but through His resurrection, let Him also show you the path to the abundant life He so desperately wants you to have. He wants so much for you to experience the wonderful new life He has for you that He died to give it to you.

If you’re looking for more help to heal your broken heart, I pray my book, Broken Heart on Hold, Surviving Separation, can help fill in the gaps.

Filed Under: comfort, Depression, Easter, Grief, Jesus, Lonliness, loss, Love, Pain, Receiving Christ, Rejection, Uncategorized Tagged With: Easter, God's love, marital separation, marriage in crisis, rejection, troubled marriage, True love, Who is Jesus?

Dying to Meet Jesus, Author Interview with Randy Kay

April 9, 2020 by Linda Rooks 1 Comment

We’re living through a scary time in our world with the daily death toll from Covid 19 rising each time we turn on the TV. But author Randy Kay has no fear of death any more. Because of a near death experience a few years back, Randy Kay can encourage those of us in the age of Covid 19 through his description of what it’s like to experience heaven. His new book, Dying to Meet Jesus, begins with his near-death-experience after dying and meeting Jesus in heaven. As CEO of PACEsetters and chairman of TenorCorp, Kay has written for Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.

As we look forward to Easter and the celebration of new life Jesus brings to us through His death and resurrection, Randy’s story gives us a riveting glimpse into the heaven our God has prepared for us.

Linda: Randy, I understand you have more than 30 years of experience working in business and are the founder of PACEsetters. Tell us more about your background and how you became a Christian.

Randy: I was a devout agnostic in my youth and challenged all religions through a comprehensive study at Northwestern University that I detail in my book.

Linda: I watched a TV interview with you and saw that you experienced a miraculous face-to-face encounter with Jesus, meeting Him at the point of death. Do you recall your first thoughts when seeing Jesus in heaven during that near death experience?

Randy: Yes, I clinically died from multiple blood clots and a drug-resistant infection throughout my body. My heart stopped beating.

Linda: Can you describe the senses you experienced during your time with Jesus?

Linda: What a beautiful, comforting picture you present! Particularly at a time like this. Since your near death experience, have you struggled at all to share this story? How have people reacted to the story of your near death experience?

Linda: What trials did you face after your near death experience? Did you expect to face more trials, or did you believe that the worst was behind you?

Linda: Did your near death experience change your outlook on life? Please tell us a little about that.

Linda: In your book, you say, “Friends, be careful what you pray for.” Why do you have this reminder? 

Linda: During this scary time in our world, what message of hope can you give to people who pick up your book out of fear of dying or bereavement?

Randy: For the believer in Jesus Christ, there is no real death. I never experienced a sense of having died. I only experienced a transition to another place.

Leaving this world will be like leaving your workplace, and then suddenly finding yourself on a glorious vacation with the One who loves you most. For anyone who has lost a loved one in Christ, know that he/she feels more alive today, as difficult as that may seem. There remains an empty place for those of us who are left behind, but I can assure you that we can look forward to an eternity in heaven with no remembrance of our losses or sufferings.

Linda: This is an amazing story, and I know people will be interested in reading more. Where can readers go to connect with you and buy a copy of Dying to Meet Jesus?

Randy: You can find the book at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Christianbook.com, or your local book store.

Watch Randy Kay’s Interview on the Cornerstone Television Network

Filed Under: BOOKS, comfort, Death, Doubt, Easter, Fear, Grief, Hope, Jesus, Surrendering to God, Time with God, Uncategorized Tagged With: author interview, death, Doubt, Easter, fear, God's love, grief, Heaven, hope, invisible God, Who is Jesus?

Social-Distancing-Safe Easter Event for Kids

April 2, 2020 by Linda Rooks Leave a Comment

Easter is coming, and the kids are at home and anxious for something to do. Community Easter egg hunts and parties have been cancelled, and churches have gone online.

The world seems to have turned upside down, but even in the midst of this pandemic, Easter is coming! We will still celebrate Jesus’ rising from the dead to bring us new life through his sacrifice on the cross. We will still praise Him for His mercies and grace. He is king of all creation.

But how do we celebrate Easter with our kids in this lockdown? My article, “Bringing Children to the Heart of Easter” in the March issue of MTL Magazine might provide some ideas for you.

A Neighborhood Social-Distancing-Safe Event for the Kids

In addition, however, we can also give our children a fun neighborhood event which is social-distancing-safe to celebrate the coming of Easter. With kids stuck at home during this pandemic, the Moon Rabbit Watch Party provides an opportunity for kids to enjoy a new discovery that will delight them for years to come. You can also use it to teach your children about what Jesus did for us at Easter. And you can make it a neighborhood party that is social-distancing-safe!

Since the date for Easter is determined by the first full moon after the advent of spring, the moon plays a significant part in the coming of Easter. But what is most intriguing to those of us in the U.S. is the discovery that there is also a rabbit in the shadows of the moon! Although most of us in the West have never heard of him, those in Asian countries have celebrated him for centuries. They have even created legends about how the rabbit got there. You can see this rabbit in the moon for yourself when the full moon arrives on April 7. But be sure to include your kids!

A Rabbit in the Moon and the Moon Rabbit Watch Party

And this year, when everyone is secluded in their homes, you can make it a neighborhood party – The Moon Rabbit Watch Party that is social-distancing-safe. Plus, you can use it to have a meaningful talk with your kids about what Jesus did for us at Easter. The coincidence between the Easter bunny and the fact that there is a rabbit in the moon brings a new twist to the Easter bunny and gives us something fun to add to our Easter tradition.

The Neighborhood Moon Rabbit Watch Party fills the gap in preparation for the coming of Easter when Easter egg hunts have disappeared and everyone has to stay at home. Neighbors begin by hanging a balloon in front of their house to let people know they are part of the party, then look for the rabbit in the moon from their own yard on the evening of April 7. When they see him, they blow on a horn, ring a bell, or shout, “I see the rabbit.” They can share pictures on Instagram too. It’s a way to have a neighborhood family event that is social-distancing-safe to herald the coming of Easter.

Tying This All to The True Easter Story

The Bunny Side of Easter

But how does this tie into the true Easter story and what Jesus did for us on the cross? In my children’s Easter picture book, The Bunny Side of Easter, I use this premise about the rabbit in the moon to tell an exciting, but winsome adventure story about how the heroism of a little rabbit made him the Easter bunny and the rabbit in the moon. In the story, bits of allegory about the bunny’s heroism point children to Jesus, the biggest hero of all. You can learn more at my website: bunnysideofeaster.com, where you can also download a discussion guide for parents to help you use the story to point your children to what Jesus did for them on the cross at Easter. On the website, you can also get a FREE FUNPACK of activities for kids to keep them busy and entertained when you order one of the books. The book is also available on Amazon and you can get it on Prime here. (But it won’t include the FUNPACK.)

Children delight in discovering the rabbit in the moon and love hearing stories of how he got there. The rabbit can be seen in the shadows on the left side of every full moon. You might see a large bunny facing to the left with his ears back and an Easter egg at his feet. Or you might make out a bunny facing to the right with his ears flopped over and his head bowed in prayer. Or you might spot a smaller bunny at the top. He can be seen in three different ways.

If you want to join the Neighborhood Moon Rabbit Watch Party and make it a neighborhood event that is social-distancing-safe, you can download flyers about the event from my website at http://bunnysideofeaster.com/happenings/neighborhood-events/ to distribute the flyer in your own neighborhood.

Remember that regardless of this pandemic, Easter is coming to remind us that Jesus conquered death and gives life to those who seek Him. Let’s share this hope with others and give our children the message of new life that will shape their lives from this time forward.

For a preview about The Bunny Side of Easter, watch this Video Trailer

The Bunny Side of Easter

Filed Under: Children, Easter, Jesus, Knowing God, Love, parenting, Receiving Christ, Uncategorized Tagged With: children, Easter, God's love, hard times, Jesus, Pandemic, staying at home

Opportunities for the Family Amidst Stay-at-Home Orders

March 26, 2020 by Linda Rooks 1 Comment

“Would you like to read a book together while we’re shut up in the house?” Marv asked a few days ago.

I’m not sure if I looked shocked or just felt it, but his question gave me a pleasant jolt. It was unusual for him to suggest something which seemed so . . . so relational.

But then nothing in the past couple of weeks has been “usual.” Our world has flipped upside down, and while we all watch the daily drip drip of numbers across the country and the world, we’re also finding new ways to cope and new ways to live. And some of them aren’t too bad.

“I love watching so many families taking walks together,” Marv commented again as another group of children accompanied by mom and dad passed by our window.

His comments got me to thinking. He was right. With so many working from home, gyms closed, and stay-at-home orders all over the country, people are forced to spend more time together as families. Families can have meals together and take those walks. That’s one of the good side effects of all this. But it also brings new challenges. For as time wears on, what can we do as a family when the kids begin to get tired of computer games and Disney Plus and have watched every DVD we own five times? We can all get a little stir crazy.

In this unusual moment, we have an opportunity to stretch beyond our customary routines and habits and discover a deeper sense of family. Although many are experiencing a lot of stress, we can also regard it as a time to “enjoy” one another in an unrestricted atmosphere where deadlines no longer define us and expectations of others no longer consume our energy. Here are some suggestions:

If you live in a pleasant climate like we do here in Florida, enjoy those daily walks or bike rides as a family. Even in colder weather, have fun family times on sunshiny days by doing something outside together. But what else can you do?
As a family, try playing board games, doing puzzles and rediscover some of the things people used to do in days gone by. If you don’t have board games, do you remember how to play charades or pantomime quiz? Most children love acting out their favorite movies and songs and making people guess what they’re doing.
Read a book with your children. Get out one of the old classics like Heidi, Tom Sawyer, The Secret Garden, Charlotte’s Web, Peter Pan, Black Beauty, Bambi, or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Reading a book to your children as a family can establish a life-long love for books that brings enjoyment for years to come. Yes, at first the children might balk at the idea of your reading a book that doesn’t have pictures, but within the first half hour, chances are their imaginations will catch up with the stories so the pictures in their minds begin to soar.
Create a treasure hunt in the backyard or inside the house. Let the older children help you write clues, then watch the children scramble around the house (or yard), searching for the treasure. Or for younger children, you can just play hide the teddy bear and let the children look for it. You can absorb a whole evening while children hunt for the elusive bear again and again. After awhile they will want to hide it for each other, and wow, can they ever get creative! Or what about hide and seek? Be prepared for a little more chaos than usual, but also be prepared for more laughter and fun.
Instead of throwing out old corks, strawberry baskets, egg cartons, scraps of material, pieces of yarn and ribbon, or empty jars and cans, use them to do crafts with your kids. Then add in some beans, pasta, pieces of construction paper and cardboard. By just laying out a bunch of “junk” on the kitchen table with some glue and tape, you might be surprised at the creativity that springs forth in your kids.
Let your children use blankets, sheets, and cardboard boxes to build a tent inside the house. Let them be creative. Suggest they make cubbyholes inside for their favorite stuffed animal and a place to enjoy snacks.
Have fun baking with your kids. In addition to baking cookies and cakes, try some new treats. Easter is coming, and there are many creative concoctions you can put together. If you need ideas, you can find some on my Pinterest Page.
Decorate for Easter. Perhaps you can use those craft times to create new Easter decorations. Have you ever learned to blow out eggs? You can find directions and other craft ideas on my Pinterest Page.
Involve your children in helping someone who needs assistance during this time of isolation. Do you know an older person – perhaps a grandparent, neighbor or someone at your church—who could use encouragement? Volunteer to do some grocery shopping for them or run an errand. Make a greeting card and send it in the mail. Make an Easter craft for them and leave it at their front door.
And speaking of Easter. With Easter coming, you might want to treat your children to a fun discovery and a new tradition. On April 7 when the full moon appears, you will probably be surprised to know you can actually see a rabbit in the shadows of the moon. Legends from China, Japan, India and other
The Bunny Side of Easter

countries in the Eastern part of the world have celebrated this rabbit for centuries even though few of us in the West have ever heard of him. In my children’s Easter picture book, The Bunny Side of Easter, I transform this legend into an adventurous, but winsome story about the heroism of this rabbit that points children to the true hero of Easter. When the full moon appears on April 7, you can have a Bunny Moon Watch Party with your kids. Children delight in seeing that there’s a rabbit in the moon.

And this year, for those of you who order the book from my official website http://bunnysideofeaster.com, you will also receive a FUNPACK, including character stickers, a puppet of one of the characters, a coloring page, a Happy Easter hat, and an activity book with several games and a discussion guide for parents. You can also order it from Amazon, and you can get it on Prime if you go to the second buying page for the book: https://The Bunny Side of Easter on Amazon , (but it won’t include the FUNPACK.)

God can use this difficult time in our world for good when we trust Him and look beyond regular everyday routines to make the most of our circumstances.

Thank Him for the blessings you have so He can expand your vision and help you see new opportunities to enjoy your family.

Bunny Side of Easter Fun Pack

Filed Under: BOOKS, Children, comfort, Easter, parenting, Peace, Problems, stress, Uncategorized Tagged With: children, difficult life, families, Feeling lost, Goal Setting, hard times, New Directions, seeking answers, what to do

The Roses I Didn’t Know

April 12, 2019 by Linda Rooks 3 Comments

“Do you think you’ll be able to take care of Chuck’s rosebushes?” my friend teased soon after we moved into our house.

Chuck, the former owner of our house, had greatly prized the six gorgeous rosebushes that put out a continual profusion of blooms in the bed beside our driveway. Perched on an incline above the street, they were on continual display to passersby and greatly admired.

“Of course I‘ll take care of them. They’re my rosebushes now. I like roses,” I said. “My mother had lots of them.”

After we moved in, I threw a little fertilizer on them occasionally and watered them when I thought about it. But the blooms became fewer and smaller.

Within three years, two of the bushes died, and I realized I didn’t actually know how to care for roses after all.

I certainly enjoyed seeing the pretty blooms and breathing in the intoxicating scent. I loved putting them in vases and letting the fragrance filter through the house. But I actually knew very little about roses—particularly about raising them. I was busy, and instead of taking the time with my adopted bushes to understand what they required of me, I took a lackadaisical attitude and assumed I knew what to do.

Sometimes I think I’ve done the same thing with my relationship with God. I assume I know what He wants, but I don’t. I go off half-cocked, doing my own thing, relying on my own understanding and then wonder why my spiritual life is dull and fruitless. And then it hits me. Do I really know Jesus? Do I really know who He is? If not, how do I have a relationship with Him? How do I know what He wants of me?

Who is This Jesus After All?

Recently I spent time reading the gospels. The person of Jesus came alive to me as I saw Him healing with compassion, challenging the self-righteous, and sowing fresh seeds of understanding in those who came to seek Him out. I saw Him suppress His mighty power and stand meekly before those who erroneously thought they held the power of His fate within their hands as He fulfilled His father’s plan to give us eternal life. I saw a Jesus whose understanding transcends anything my finite mind can fathom, a Jesus who shed His robe of eternity to wear the dusty sandals of a traveler on earth.

Who is this Jesus? If we want to know him, we need to spend time with him in the places where we can hear his voice—in the Word of God, in the garden alone with him, in prayer, and in the fellowship of others who seek him. We need to close our ears to the clamor of the world for a few minutes of each day and sit in His company. And then we need to open our eyes to watch what He does in our life and in the lives of those around us.

Some Things I Know and Some Things I Don’t

Who is this Jesus? I certainly don’t understand all the complexities of how he works—why some prayers are answered and some aren’t or why bad things happen to good people. But I do know He’s good and that I can trust him. I’ve learned this through the years as I’ve deepened my relationship with Him, particularly when He journeyed with me through the heart-rending time of my separation. I’ve watched Him heal lives that seemed beyond repair, and sometimes I sit back in wonder, marveling at how He can turn crisis into a higher blessing in the lives of His faithful believers.

Who is this Jesus—really? How do I get to know Him? I believe one of God’s purposes for us as mortals is that we ask that question and follow where He leads day by day. Knowing Him is an adventure we will explore all our lives. We just need to take the next step, then the next. We begin by reading the words He gave us and letting them sink into our hearts. We question Him and talk to Him and seek to understand His will. As we see what He’s trying to tell us, we obey Him without letting our feeble thinking get in the way.

When we do these things and follow in His footsteps instead of wandering off on our own, our day-to-day walk with Him will become more vibrant, His direction clearer, and the fruit of our lives more abundant. Then, one day when we meet Him face to face in our heavenly abode, we will see Him clearly and intimately and know this Jesus who walked with us and loved us throughout our lives.

Who is this Jesus? This Easter let’s take the time to find out.

Join the conversation: What new things are you learning about Jesus? Comment below.

Fighting for Your Marriage while Separated now available

Filed Under: Easter, God's goodness, God's Word, Jesus, Knowing God, Receiving Christ, Time with God, Uncategorized, Where is God? Tagged With: Easter, God's love, invisible God, Jesus, Who is Jesus?

How to Explain Easter to our Children

March 16, 2015 by Linda Rooks 9 Comments

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As Christians, we celebrate the wonder of Easter and the amazing love that Jesus poured out on the cross for us, but as parents we struggle with how to explain Easter to our children. We’d like our kids to know that Easter is about Jesus. We want to help them appreciate the significance of what Jesus did for them on the cross.

But how do we do it?

Christmas—our other Christian holiday—is easy. It’s the time Jesus was born as a baby. Children understand that. But Easter? How do we explain the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection so a child can understand it? Even children’s books for Easter often fail to fully connect at a child’s level of understanding.

Meanwhile, our children and grandchildren look forward to Easter because of the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts, and getting lots of candy. So what’s a parent to do? How do we focus our kid’s attention on what Jesus did on the cross instead of the capers of the Easter bunny and the goodies he brings?

Well, what if we didn’t have to choose? What if instead of trying to brush the Easter bunny aside, we could make use of the Easter bunny to actually point our little ones to Jesus?

My new Easter picture book for children, The Bunny Side of Easter, is an exciting adventure about an ordinary rabbit that is willing to sacrifice his life for a little angel when a tiger threatens her life on the first Easter eve. It’s a winsome story about prayer, God’s omnipresence, His great love for us and what Jesus did for us at Easter. It’s the story of how a little bunny became a hero and the Easter bunny. And, by using bits of allegory, it points children to the biggest hero of all – Jesus, who gave His life so we could live forever.

Frequently Asked Questions About
The Bunny Side of Easter

When talking to others about my new book, The Bunny Side of Easter, certain questions tend to arise. The following are my answers to some of those questions.

What is the story about?

The story begins on Easter eve when three animals—a mischievous rabbit, a plucky duck and a playful monkey are lost in the forest and must face a fearsome tiger. A little angel is kind to them, but her doubts about God’s omnipresence put her in danger when a fearsome tiger emerges on the scene. The question then becomes: can the three animals save themselves and the little angel who was kind to them? Will the angel discover the truth about her power? The bunny comes to the rescue to save her even though it may mean sacrificing his own life to do so. His act of heroism makes him the Easter bunny. The Bunny Side of Easter is a tale of fears faced, friendships gained, and faith discovered.

You say there is a rabbit in the moon. Is this true? Is there really a rabbit in the moon?

Yes, if you look carefully at a full moon, you can see a rabbit’s image in the shadows. His body is on the left side and his ears are at the top.

While we in America talk about the man in the moon, countries in Eastern cultures have for centuries talked about the rabbit in the moon. In fact, the moon rabbit has been a popular subject of folklore in Eastern countries like Japan, China, India and several others for hundreds of years. Storytellers created legends to explain how the rabbit got up there.

When American children look for the rabbit and see it for the first time, they get really excited. It’s a fun picture right up in the sky that most of us didn’t even know was there. (You can see more about the rabbit in the moon here .)

What age is the book intended for?

The target ages are from 5 to 8. But children as young as 4 and as old as 9 have enjoyed the book as well. I’ve even read the book to a couple of three-year-olds. One three-year-old sat all the way through it very attentively, but for another little boy, I had to quickly summarize what was happening on each page so he could turn it to see the action on the next page. When I finished, however, he turned the book back to the beginning and said, “Again.”

The illustrations are captivating so even when the words are a little too many, the pictures draw them in.

Children in the target age range enjoy reading the book over and over . . . even when it’s not Easter. Since children are now learning to read at an earlier age, they can read it by themselves too.

**What do you hope children will get out of reading The Bunny Side of Easter?**

First of all, I hope they will be so thoroughly delighted with the story and characters that they will want to read the book again and again.

But more significantly, I hope children will—first of all—grasp the power of prayer and realize that God is always present with them and loves them very much.

And—secondly and most importantly—I want children to appreciate the awesomeness of what the bunny did in his willingness to sacrifice himself to save the angel and how that is similar to what Jesus did for us on the cross at Easter when He died so we might live forever. I think children become even more captivated with the bunny’s sacrificial act because the story shows his struggle with the enormity of the decision.

Finally, just as the Easter bunny is a hero in the story, I want children to see the allegorical significance in that Jesus is the most amazing hero of all.

Who did the illustrations?

Marilee Harrold Pilz is the illustrator, and she did a wonderful job of capturing my vision for the book. As soon as I saw samples of her art, I fell in love with her style. My dream was for the artwork to have a Winnie-the-Pooh kind of look. Marilee paints with watercolor, and when I saw her work, it was exactly what I wanted—a perfect match for my own style of writing.

**Why should a parent or grandparent give The Bunny Side of Easter to their child for Easter?**

On Easter morning, as parents and grandparents watch their children scurry about the yard looking for Easter eggs, many feel a disconnect between the legend of the Easter bunny and what their children will be taught in Sunday school a couple of hours later. As parents, we struggle with how to explain Easter to our children anyway, let alone mixing it up with the whole Easter bunny business.

The Bunny Side of Easter fills this gap, taking children on an exciting and charming adventure with hints of allegory that points children to the true significance of Easter. Through the charm and appeal of story, The Bunny Side of Easter brings the complexities of Easter to life for a child at his own level by combining bits of allegory and the character of the Easter bunny to introduce the concept of Jesus as our hero.

Children love heroes and when you can use this story to show them how Jesus was a hero, they see what Jesus did in a wonderful new way they can relate to.

The wife of the senior pastor of a large church in Central Florida with 20,000 worshippers said it best when she told me “I read the book to our four-year-old grandson, Luke, last night and he absolutely was enthralled with the story! Such a beautiful job of capturing the heart of what it means to sacrifice for others; a tough concept for all of us, but especially for children. The book led us to a great talk about Jesus’ sacrifice making Him the greatest hero of all.” (Becky Hunter, wife of Joel C. Hunter of Northland, a Church Distributed.)

What is your ultimate goal for this book?

My ultimate goal is for children to come to an understanding of what Jesus did for them on the cross and then to want to ask Jesus into their lives as savior. My website has a discussion guide called “Let’s Talk,” which can help a parent or grandparent use the book for a deeper discussion with their child about what Jesus did on the cross. There are additional tools also that can actually walk children through to receiving Jesus as their personal savior.

**Where Can I Buy The Bunny Side of Easter?**

The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and many other stores. People can also purchase an autographed copy on my website and receive a free puppet for each book purchased.

Find out more about The Bunny Side of Easter

Discuss this book with your child

Lead your child to Christ

Find out more about the rabbit in the moon

Read “What Does the Moon Have to do with Easter” on Woman to Woman Mentoring

Favorite Easter Picture Books For Children

March 8, 2015 by Linda Rooks Leave a Comment

As Easter displays spring up to replace Valentine ones that came down a couple of weeks ago, I love to start meandering through bookstores to peruse children’s books for Easter on the holiday table. I’m always on the lookout for those special Easter picture books to give to my grandchildren when we get together to celebrate. While candy and Easter egg hunts will always be a big hit with our kids, a good Easter book can add something much more meaningful to their Easter experience and provide enjoyment from year to year as well.

So in case you’re trying to find that extra-special Easter book too, here’s a list I’ve put together of my ten favorites.

The Bunny Side of Easter by Linda W. Rooks, illustrated by Marilee Harrold Pilz. An exciting adventure about an ordinary rabbit whose act of heroism makes him the Easter bunny and the rabbit on the moon. Lost in a forest on Easter eve, a mischievous rabbit, a plucky duck and a playful monkey face a fearsome tiger. Through bits of allegory and the heroism of the bunny, children discover the love and sacrifice of what the Easter story is all about, pointing them to Jesus as the biggest hero of all. For ages 5 – 8.

The Legend of the Easter Egg by Lori Wahlburg. Story of a boy whose sister is sick with scarlet fever. He has to stay with other people on Good Friday, and he’s worried she will die. He asks about the Easter egg and hears the story of the resurrection and how the egg reminds us of how Jesus broke free from the tomb of death just like the chick breaks free of the egg. Last page has traditions and symbols of Lent and Easter. For children ages 4 – 7

The Very First Easter by Paul L. Maier, Illustrated by Frank Ordaz.
Beautiful illustrations accompany a child-friendly telling of the actual story of Easter. As a child listens to the Easter story, he asks some difficult questions which are answered by the story-teller to enhance a child’s understanding of Easter. For family reading or religious education. For ages 5 – 10

The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt. Three trees dream of what they will someday become – a holder of treasure, a fine ship, and a hilltop beacon pointing to God. As the years pass they are disappointed when life doesn’t turn out the way they hoped. But in a surprising way, their dreams do come true, although not in the way they expected, and God’s plan unfolds in a beautiful way. Told as a folktale about three trees. For ages 9 and over.

God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren, Illusrated by Laura J. Bryant. Little cub is stunned to hear her Papa say that Easter is even better than Christmas. On a walk, Papa Bear uses an Easter egg, an uprooted tree, and evidence of new life in a pinecone to tell the Easter story of how Jesus was the root of Jesse who came to die and to rise again so that we would have the chance to go to heaven, where we will see Him face-to-face. For ages 3 – 7.

The Berenstein Bears and the Real Easter Eggs by Stan Berenstein and Jan Berenstein. Brother and Sister go on an Easter egg hunt and find a nest of hatching eggs. They are thrilled at seeing “the wonder of Easter and the message of new life.” For ages 4 – 7.

The Sparkle Egg by Jill Hardle, Illustrated by Christine Komacki. On Easter morning, Sam feels guilty even though he’s been forgiven by his parents. When he opens his Sparkle Egg expecting a surprise, Sam finds it empty. His parents explain that the emptiness of the egg represents the emptiness of the tomb that first Easter day. Because Jesus died and rose again and left an empty tomb, we are forgiven. And so is Sam. Sam realizes that letting God’s gift of grace into our hearts allows us to sparkle and shine with God’s light.

The Best Thing About Easter by Christine Harder Tangvold. Talks about all the fun things about Easter and concludes by showing how Jesus is the best thing of all. Good at bringing the Easter story down to a child’s level of understanding. For ages 4 and up.

My Very First Easter by Juliet David, Illustrated by Helen Prole. Tells the story of Jesus from Palm Sunday through Easter day. This is part of the Candle Bible for Toddlers series and pairs simple text with bright and friendly illustrations to teach the very young about Jesus’ death and resurrection–perhaps for the first time. Ages 3 – 5

My Easter Basket: and the True Story of Easter, a board book by Mary Manz Simon. The colors in the Easter basket remind the child reading this book of different parts of the story of Jesus and Easter. Features a rhyming format, bright colors, glitter art, and a die-cut shape. Ages 4 and up

As you make your plans to celebrate Easter this year, don’t forget to include some good Easter picture books for children in your kids’ Easter baskets to add special meaning to their understanding of what the day is all about.

To add some extra special fun to your Easter plans with the children, visit Bunny Side of Easter on Facebook. You’ll find craft ideas for the kids, recipes, party ideas, decorations, stories, and more.

For more information, visit http://bunnysideofeaster.com

What book are you putting in your child’s Easter basket this year?

Happy Easter to you and your family!

Filed Under: BOOKS, Children, Easter, Uncategorized Tagged With: Books, children, Easter

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