We rose early this morning to make the sunrise service at our church followed by a wonderful time of fellowship, a church breakfast, and an egg hunt on the church lawn. It was truly a blessing. As I contemplate the meaning of this day, my thoughts turn to another group of people who, a couple of thousand years ago, began this day with a much more somber outlook.
To take a bit from our pastor’s sermon this morning, Jesus’ followers, disciples, and family still mourned the horrific torture and death they had witnessed a couple days before. Jesus had been scourged, hung from a cross and pierced with a spear. He had been taken down from the cross dead. His spirit was gone. Only the torn shell of his body was left. Their hopes had been shattered and His words forgotten. “In three days, I will rise from the dead.”
Women arrived at the tomb to wash the body of the man they had all loved. Imagine their distraught state being amplified by not finding him there. His body was gone. Things could not have gotten worse but suddenly they had.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead ?”
The sudden realization and joy they experienced is hard to fathom, but it must have been beyond exuberant. I am sure tears flowed, but this time filled with elation. God had moved again and Jesus was alive. They raced back to tell the others.
We serve a living God. He died on the cross for all, Jew and Gentile. His resurrection is an event worthy of celebrations beyond our capability, but this is what Easter is about. We should feel as those women did that morning so long ago as they ran breathless back to share the news.
He is risen, He is risen indeed !
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Life and Friends
It has been way too long since I added anything here but thanks to the inspiration of a recently located dear friend from the past and her blog, I aim to be much more regular in posting. Thank you EV.
Speaking of friends in your life, it amazes me how they seem to come and go OR stay throughout your life OR disappear for decades and then suddenly speak like not a day has passed. Social media, especially Facebook, has enabled reconnection with people and friends I long ago lost contact with, but making contact is the easy part. It is the friendships made, either previously or now, which make these reunions memorable and special.
There was a girl in high school I rarely talked to because she "ran" with a different crowd. I never gave her a chance to show me who she really was. After finding her on FB a few years ago, she has become a very dear friend and we have both helped each other immensely - helped through rough spots and issues. According to her, it was my fault I did not get to know her better in school. You know, she is right. We should not judge others by someone else they may be "hanging" with. Avoid stereotypical opinions of others. You just might be passing up and an opportunity for a great friend.
A couple of days ago, a name came across my radar on both LinkedIn and Facebook. I had thought about this person often through the years and to be truthful after all this time, I cannot remember why this person and I had drifted apart. Taking that proverbial "shot-in-the-dark", I sent her messages on both sites and WHAM - reconnected. We are both happy and shared brief glimpses of our life's adventures, surprising in some ways and reminiscent in others. In talking and giving each other the Reader's Digest 30-year synopsis' of our lives, it was as if no time had passed at all - well, except for maybe some slight differences. :-)
I intend to hold on dearly to these two friends, as well as the others in my circle. Friends are too dear for them to slip away. Count your blessings and hold them close to your heart. When all else fails, it will be these special people who are there for you, blood or not.......
Speaking of friends in your life, it amazes me how they seem to come and go OR stay throughout your life OR disappear for decades and then suddenly speak like not a day has passed. Social media, especially Facebook, has enabled reconnection with people and friends I long ago lost contact with, but making contact is the easy part. It is the friendships made, either previously or now, which make these reunions memorable and special.
There was a girl in high school I rarely talked to because she "ran" with a different crowd. I never gave her a chance to show me who she really was. After finding her on FB a few years ago, she has become a very dear friend and we have both helped each other immensely - helped through rough spots and issues. According to her, it was my fault I did not get to know her better in school. You know, she is right. We should not judge others by someone else they may be "hanging" with. Avoid stereotypical opinions of others. You just might be passing up and an opportunity for a great friend.
A couple of days ago, a name came across my radar on both LinkedIn and Facebook. I had thought about this person often through the years and to be truthful after all this time, I cannot remember why this person and I had drifted apart. Taking that proverbial "shot-in-the-dark", I sent her messages on both sites and WHAM - reconnected. We are both happy and shared brief glimpses of our life's adventures, surprising in some ways and reminiscent in others. In talking and giving each other the Reader's Digest 30-year synopsis' of our lives, it was as if no time had passed at all - well, except for maybe some slight differences. :-)
I intend to hold on dearly to these two friends, as well as the others in my circle. Friends are too dear for them to slip away. Count your blessings and hold them close to your heart. When all else fails, it will be these special people who are there for you, blood or not.......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)