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Living Easter Through the Year By John Pritchard John Pritchard writes in Living Easter Through the Year that what happened on that first resurrection morning wasn't just that the stone was rolled away to let Jesus out; it was rolled away to let us in. We were shown that the empty tomb--the symbol of resurrection--is available for us all to experience. Resurrection is constantly available. It's an open secret. Living Easter Through the Year is full of ideas, reflections, and resources on how to extend the message of resurrection through the weeks following Easter and into the rest of our lives. It includes reflections, worship ideas, poetry, and much more, all serving as points of entry to theme of resurrection. |
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Why Celebrate Easter? By Steve Russo Has the most profound event in Christian history and the axis upon which all history turns been relegated to a backseat behind chocolate bunnies, decorated baskets, and egg hunts? Author Steve Russo sets the record straight in Why Celebrate Easter. Russo brings his readers back to the heart of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, placing the focus where it belongs. Russo looks at the history of Easter, Easter practices around the world, the authenticity of the resurrection claim, and the different responses to Easter. Why Celebrate Easter offers a solid biblical perspective that places the focus back on the real meaning of Easter. |
Whatever is Pure - Easter 2005
He is risen, He is risen.
He is not in the tomb.
No need to fret or worry,
No need for any gloom.
He is risen, He is risen
He is alive today.
That is the reason
He is not where He lay.
He gave us the promise
The one that He could keep
three days in the grave
He would no longer sleep.
He arose, He arose, He arose
now that the Mary's knew
There was one special thing
They knew they had to do.
Because they heard the message
They had to go and tell
He is risen, He is risen
and everything is well.
It is as He had promised,
when walking with His men
first He would need to die
Then He would rise again.
He is risen, He is risen
now joyfully we pray
praising Christ our Savior
on this Resurrection Day.
Joyfully, most joyfully
we can all shout and sign
our happy hallelujahs
to Lord Jesus Christ our King.
We can see the empty tomb
and we know the reason why.
Lord Jesus Christ is risen
reigning in heaven on high.
Matthew 28:5-6 But the angel answered and said to the women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) "Do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. (6) He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come see where He lay.
© Louise Evans
Louisewrites@aol.com
Email author for permission to use in any way.
Biblical account of the betrayal of Christ, his death and his resurrection
What shall I give you?
What shall I give you, Lord, in return for all Your kindness?
Glory to You for Your love.
Glory to You for Your mercy.
Glory to You for Your patience.
Glory to You for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to You for coming to save our souls.
Glory to You for Your incarnation in the virgin's womb.
Glory to You for Your bonds.
Glory to You for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to You for accepting mockery.
Glory to You for Your crucifixion.
Glory to You for Your burial.
Glory to You for Your resurrection.
Glory to You who were preached to men and women.
Glory to You in whom they believed.
Glory to You who were taken up into heaven.
Glory to You who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to You whose will it is that the sinner should be saved through Your great mercy and compassion.
Ephraem of Syria (ca. 306-373)
Do You Love Me?
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
He asked me,
"Do you love me?"
I answered,
"Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"
Then He asked,
"If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"
I was perplexed.
I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body
and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do,
The things that I took for granted.
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."
Then the Lord said,
"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and
how many of them still loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
The Lord then asked me,
"If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf? then I understood.
Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered,
"It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."
The Lord then asked,
"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me:
God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like.
And praising God is not always with a song,
but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.
So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.
And the Lord asked,
"Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
I thought I had answered well, but God asked,
"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST?
WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued:
"Why only sing at fellowships and retreats?
Why seek Me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
"Why are you ashamed of Me?
Why are you not spreading the good news?
Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on?
Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away.
I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you but your ears were closed.
I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away.
I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."
"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.
I had no excuse. What could I say to this?
When the tears had flowed, I said,
" Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered,
" That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"
The Lord answered,
" Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before.
How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done?
I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.
I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour.
And for the first time, I truly prayed.
Author Unknown
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