HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!

I don’t remember saying these things growing up in church.  I know that many churches do, but I just don’t recall that being a part of our church tradition.  But i really liked it when we lived in Latvia that when you went to church you would have these other believer friends BEEMING at you “HE IS RISEN!” shaking your hand and just so glad to see you there in church Easter morning. 

I think we forget the joy this Celebration is supposed to be here in the U.S. We fret over getting our kids the right Easter outfit, on our inevitably tight budget (well, at least I don’t have very many rich friends).  We fret over what to fill the baskets for the “easter bunny” to leave for the kids.  We fret and fuss over the Easter Brunch or Lunch or Dinner or Linner that we are planning, especially if we are having guests. The more important the guest, the more of a Martha we seem to become. Ironically I think we worry and fuss more if those guests are family sometimes too!  And I must admit that my first Easter morning service in Latvia much of my focus was spent on remembering how to pronounce the Russian (Vo istona voc kres, isn’t such a common term!). 

Today in Oregon it is BEAUTIFUL out! This goes a long way for me to just be able to sit back and enjoy the day and reflect on the wonderfulness of this life we live! My house currently is TRASHED!! Most of this week it has managed to stay clean, but the last day and a half have caused quite a mess with doctors visits and my working on our taxes (Praise the Lord they are almost finished and were not as difficult as last year!). When I say trashed I mean, gross mess too!! (and why is it that my father didn’t come see us all week, but happened to stop by to get something from us this morning!?!?! they always see the house trashed! oh well!) But this morning, despite the mess, and the prego sickies, I got up and made my family Eggs Benedict (my first attempt) though we are calling them our Tomb Eggs. Why? Because I got to thinking how they reminded me of the shape of Resurrection Cookies. They are domed like resurrection cookies, but these have something in them, so tomorrow we will have the empty tomb cookies!! I think this may be a new family tradition. This got me thinking.

Most people think of the Tomb being full as a sad sad thing… but I don’t in the Tomb for me is WHAT actually has saved me, cleansed me, covered my sins… ALL OF THEM, no matter how horrible they might be… Covered, cleared, PAID FOR on that Cross where He died! What a JOYOUS sacrifice was made. That HE would lay in the Tomb for three days, THREE DAYS in a guarded tomb where there could be no doubt that He had died, before He came back from the dead, broke free of the grave and went back to Heaven. I don’t know, yeah, so it was painful for him, but it was a free gift, and He gave it willingly, and that is reason for joy!

Have a happy and blessed Easter everyone… and if you haven’t yet, just accept the price He paid for the things you’ve done… you won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!! Need help knowing what to do or how to learn and trust… there’s lots of great churches out there… and I bet you have friends that attend some of them!  You’re welcome at ours as well! www.meadowsprings.org (Sam did this website by the way… isn’t he good!?!?)

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