SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
I really love Christmas! All the brisk weather (in the colder climes), the Christmas trees and wreaths. The decorations. But especially the music. It’s so much fun to hear and sing – both sacred and secular. It’s such a special time of year.
But for me – and all of Christianity – Easter is the very, VERY best! Of course, Christmas had to come first – to bring the Christ Child into this world. But Easter brings us eternal life…and that beats the socks off a fun, cute song any day!
The songs associated with Easter are so exciting – and uplifting – and inspiring – and so full of hope and promise. They tell of Christ’s death, yes, but also of that glorious moment when HE AROSE! Can you imagine it? God’s power is so tremendously great that He actually raised Jesus from death back into life! Amazing!! It’s so easy to just say…He arose. But just think of it – He actually rose FROM THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE! That never happened to anyone else, that didn’t physically die again. Our Savior lives again and still, and forever.
There’s a lot of anti-Christian stuff going on right now, that borders on persecution. Yes, I know – I really haven’t a clue what true persecution is like. But this is the most anti-Christian attitude in this country that I’ve ever felt. And it doesn’t feel good.
Seems like every Easter there is something that happens to a church here or there that actually backfires on the perpetrators. For instance, when we lived in Panama City, Florida back in the 1970’s, there was a Lutheran church who put up a “tomb/cave” on their front lawn every Easter. They would have a “stone” rolled across the front, that on Easter morning was “rolled away” to reveal the open/empty tomb. One year, the whole thing disappeared! Turns out, some teenagers, on a dare, took it away. So, instead of harming the message – the newspaper got ahold of the story – took pictures and all – and it made the front page news! Backfire, see?
And then when we lived in a small town in Virginia, our church had put up some sort of display on our front lawn – and some of the “soldiers” disappeared. Same thing – the city newspaper (and possibly the TV stations in town) got wind of the disappearance, and interviewed the Pastor about it. Again, it made the headlines and news stories. The culprits were found and the soldiers returned. Another backfire.
All that to say that I am convinced that there is still a remnant of believers in this country, and that God will honor those who still trust Him. What is done in the dark will be brought to light – and God’s name will be glorified.
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!
Happy Easter!
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On Sundays, our children’s class sings and plays percussion instruments. We have a special song called “Never Alone.” It was Bill’s favorite hymn when he was growing up and the concept of God staying near stuck with him. The kids like it too. Tina and Anna sing at the top of their lungs. They are cousins. Both their dads have been in prison for most of the girl’s lives.
Old Things R New 