We have had a really great Easter Weekend.
It was full of fun activities, family time, and reflection on the fact that we serve a Risen Savior.
Mom bought an egg dying kit and Grant and I were the only ones that were able to come and dye with her. We had such a fun time doing something I haven't done in many, many years.
Our cute little assistant
Last weekend, we had our Easter Cantata at church and it was such a sweet night.
It was 2014 when I participated in my first Cantata, it was the Christmas Cantata.
My Uncle Edd was the narrator that year and I remember thinking to myself how neat it was to share in that with family. And boy, was he a great narrator.
Last Sunday night, less than a month after his passing, I was chosen to stand in the place where he stood as the narrator of our Easter Cantata. Those sweet memories, along with the powerful words that were read and beautiful songs that were sung made for an emotional night.
The Lord really used that night to prepare my heart for the week leading up to Easter Sunday.
I'll share the lyrics to one of the songs from this evening:
"Look to Christ, the Man of Sorrows. See His suffering, feel His pain.
Share the joy of love that changes greatest loss to greatest gain."
That night, as I stood where Uncle Edd had, I was overwhelmed with thankfulness over the fact that he shared in the joy of love that changes greatest loss into greatest gain.
This Easter season I am thankful that Uncle Edd is sharing in THE greatest gain with Our Savior who took our loss, bore the cross, shared His love and saved us all.
Praise God for His Risen Son, our Savior, our Greatest Gain.
I just love this picture of my Dad
I want to end this post with Scotty Smith's prayer for Easter Sunday:
"The Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!"
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice. 1 Peter 1:3-6a (NIV)
Risen and reigning Lord Jesus, we join the Apostle Peter’s bold declaration of living hope and great joy. For you have risen from the dead, and this isn’t just a game changer; it’s an everything-changer.
Because of your resurrection, we’re neither afraid to die nor fear-full in life; we’re not hapless vagabonds on earth, we’re hope-filled children of our Father. We’re no longer enslaved to our sins; we’re now robed in your righteousness. Those who’ve “gone to sleep” in you, aren’t slumbering in the void; they’re rejoicing—fully alive in your presence.
Because you were raised, Jesus, we’re less to be pitied than anybody, and more to be grateful than everybody (1 Cor. 15:14-19). You are the firstfruits and guarantee of a whole new order—the “new creation” world of redemption and restoration. “Everything sad will come untrue,” and all things will be made new. How we long for that über-glorious Day.
Because of your resurrection, you are already reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords. All evil dominions, wicked authorities, and malevolent powers now stand defeated; and one Day they will be fully eradicated. “Hallelujah!” we shout with joyful anticipation.
Jesus, your death is the death of death, and your resurrection is for the renewal of all things. You died for our sins and have been raised for our justification. Oh, the wonder, marvel and gratitude that fills our hearts today. We are forgiven, we are beloved, and we are yours!
In light of this living hope and compelling love, this measureless grace and eternal inheritance, free us for spending the rest of our days living and loving to your glory.
So very Amen we pray, Jesus, in your triumphant and grace-full name.
He is risen, He is risen indeed.
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