Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,  

~Matthew 28:5-7

Easter 1960- Grandma and Mama sewed our Easter outfits. Mama purchased hats and gloves for herself and me. Everything is ironed and laid out for Sunday morning. Only the Easter baskets are left to prepare. 

Mama brought out the vinegar and dye tablets, a coffee cup for each tablet, a spoon, and an old towel. Leftover baskets with fresh plastic grass were placed on the table beside the towel. The Easter bunny didn't leave our baskets. We helped dye the eggs in stinky-colored vinegar. Excitedly, we balanced the hard-boiled eggs on our spoons and dipped them in the cups. The dye kit contained a wax pencil to draw designs before we dyed the eggs. Gently, we lifted the eggs from the cups and placed them on the towel to dry. Then we decorated our baskets with eggs and candy wrapped in colored foils. But never were we told anything about how eggs were related to Easter. 

Easter 1983-  My small children and I often visited my grandma, who was nearing 90. A discussion came up about dying eggs with my babies. Somehow, we worked around to the subject of what eggs have to do with Easter. I had no idea, and she was shocked. 

"Why, the shell represents the tomb!" surprised no one had taught me that. "There's unseen life inside an egg. When it's ready, the chick will burst forth like the resurrection." 

Well, that made perfect sense. Why hadn't I even thought of that? Of course, our hard-boiled eggs had no life left in them, but a fresh egg certainly could, especially the farm eggs Grandma was used to gathering. 

There are several ideas as to the origins of colored eggs and spring celebrations. We too can derive some meaning for today's children. So what can we say about Easter eggs? 

• Fresh eggs encapsulate life with the appearance of death, just as the tomb in death held the answer to eternal life in Jesus.
• Eggs need 3 weeks to hatch. Jesus lay 3 days in the grave before his resurrection.
• The hatchling uses its beak to crack the shell and come out. Jesus used his voice to call Lazarus from the tomb.  A great earthquake and angels announced Jesus's resurrection.  One day, His voice will call us from the grave as well.  
• Easter eggs are dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Jesus died for everyone of every color. 
• We hunt for eggs hidden all around. Jesus goes wherever people are found to bring salvation to those who will believe in Him.
• We gather the eggs in a basket. Jesus will gather us one day and take us to our heavenly home. Until then, we gather in our churches to worship the One who has overcome death and the grave.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins. Thank you for sending reminders all around me that you are the giver of life eternal through Jesus.  Help me remember to tell the children that You are the Creator God and that everything and everyone is created with a purpose. May my heart and life be filled with worship this Easter season.  In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.

Preparing for Easter

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,  

~Matthew 28:5-7

Easter 1960- Grandma and Mama sewed our Easter outfits. Mama purchased hats and gloves for herself and me. Everything is ironed and laid out for Sunday morning. Only the Easter baskets are left to prepare. 

Mama brought out the vinegar and dye tablets, a coffee cup for each tablet, a spoon, and an old towel. Leftover baskets with fresh plastic grass were placed on the table beside the towel. The Easter bunny didn't leave our baskets. We helped dye the eggs in stinky-colored vinegar. Excitedly we balanced the hardboiled eggs on our spoons and dipped them in the cups. The dye kit contained a wax pencil to draw designs before we dyed the eggs. Gently we lifted the eggs from the cups and placed them on the towel to dry. Then we decorated our baskets with eggs and candy wrapped in colored foils. But never were we told anything about how eggs were related to Easter. 

Easter 1983-  My small children and I often visited my grandma, who was nearing 90. A discussion came up about dying eggs with my babies. Somehow we worked around to the subject of what eggs have to do with Easter. I had no idea and she was shocked. 

"Why, the shell represents the tomb!" surprised no one had taught me that. "There's unseen life inside an egg. When it's ready the chick will burst forth like the resurrection." 

Well, that made perfect sense. Why hadn't I even thought of that? Of course, our hard-boiled eggs had no life left in them but a fresh egg certainly could, especially the farm eggs Grandma was used to gathering. 

There are several ideas as to the origins of colored eggs and spring celebrations. We too can derive some meaning for today's children. So what can we say about Easter eggs? 

• Fresh eggs encapsulate life with the appearance of death just as the tomb in death held the answer to eternal life in Jesus.
• Eggs need 3 weeks to hatch. Jesus lay 3 days in the grave before his resurrection.
• The hatchling uses his beak to crack the shell and come out. Jesus used his voice to call Lazarus from the tomb.  A great earthquake and angels announced Jesus's resurrection.  One day His voice will call us from the grave as well.  
• Easter eggs are dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Jesus died for everyone of every color. 
• We hunt for eggs hidden all around. Jesus goes wherever people are found to bring salvation to any who will believe on Him.
• We gather the eggs in a basket. Jesus will gather us one day and take us to our heavenly home. Until then we gather in our churches to worship the One who has overcome death and the grave.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins. Thank you for sending reminders all around me that you are the giver of life eternal through Jesus.  Help me remember to tell the children that You are the Creator God and that everything and everyone is created with a purpose. May my heart and life be filled with worship this Easter season.  In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.

Matters of the Heart

 

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. ~Luke 9:49,50 

There is always some sort of controversy going on in the church. When I was growing up it was the length of a guy's hair. Later it was whether women could wear pants. Music is still controversial and now I'm seeing things pop up about wearing our best. I'd like for you to think back a little to the time of our grandparents. Let's say the 1920's.

Eggs and Easter

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,  ~Matthew 28:5-7

Let's see, it's Easter 1960. Grandma and Mama have sewn our Easter outfits. Mama and I have purchased our hats and gloves. Everything is ironed and laid out for Sunday morning. Only the Easter baskets are left to prepare. 

Mama brought out the vinegar and dye tablets, a coffee cup (not a mug) for each tablet, a spoon and an old towel. Leftover baskets with fresh plastic or paper grass were placed on the table beside the towel. The Easter bunny didn't leave our baskets. We helped dye the eggs in the stinky colored vinegar. We were excited to balance the hardboiled eggs on our spoons and dip them in the cups. Sometimes there was a wax pencil to draw designs before we dyed the eggs. The dyed eggs were gently lifted from the cups and placed on the towel to dry. Then we decorated our own baskets with eggs and candy wrapped in colored foils. But never were we told anything about how eggs were related to Easter. 

When my own children were small, we often visited my grandma, who was nearing 90 at the time. The discussion came up about dying eggs with my babies. Somehow we worked around to the subject of how eggs have anything to do with Easter. I had no idea and she was shocked. 

"Why, the shell represents the tomb!" surprised no one had taught me that. "There's unseen life inside an egg. When it's ready the chick will burst forth like the resurrection." 

Well, that made perfect sense. Why hadn't I even thought of that? Of course, our hard boiled eggs had no life left in them but a fresh egg certainly could, especially the farm eggs Grandma was used to gathering. 

There are several ideas as to the origins of colored eggs and spring celebrations. We too can derive some meaning for today's children. So what can we say about Easter eggs? 

• Fresh eggs encapsulate life with the appearance of death just as the tomb in death held the answer to eternal life in Jesus.
• Eggs need 3 weeks to hatch. Jesus took 3 days to resurrect.
• The hatchling uses his beak to crack the shell and come out. Jesus used his voice to call Lazarus from the tomb.  A great earthquake and angels announced Jesus's resurrection.  One day His voice will call us from the grave as well.  
• Easter eggs are dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Jesus died for everyone of every color. 
• We hunt for eggs hidden all around. Jesus goes wherever people are found to bring salvation to any who will believe on Him.
• We gather the eggs in a basket. Jesus will gather us and take us one day to our heavenly home. Until then we gather in our churches to worship the One who has overcome death and the grave.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ~Romans 10:9

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for my sins. Thank you for sending reminders all around us that you are the giver of life eternal through Jesus.  Help us remember to tell our children that you are the Creator God and that everything and everyone has a purpose in worshipping you. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.

Hey Kids: 

Easter egg hunts are usually for the little kids but you can play a part as well. 

• Help little ones learn to dye eggs. Search out natural dyes, use brown eggs instead of white. 
• As you dye the eggs, relate the Easter story to younger children who may not yet know or understand.
• Relate to the little ones how the shell is like a tomb and a baby chick grows inside of the shell when left for the hen to keep warm.
• Let the little ones know Jesus loves all the children of the world.  Sing "Jesus love the Little Children". 
• When we hunt for eggs we are like Jesus who looks for people who love Him and want to belong to Him. 
• We put the eggs in our baskets. When we gather in our churches to worship we are gathered together like eggs in a basket, every color, and every nation. 

Preparing for Easter

 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. ~ Zechariah 9:9 KJV

I wonder why Jesus chose the colt of a donkey to ride into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday? 

Was it because that was the common form of transportation? 

If we examine the prophet Zechariah's words (above) we see the people were to be looking for their king to come on a donkey's colt. But wait, kings rode horses!

A donkey is short but a colt is much shorter. Jesus was riding right down there where the people were. The clothes put on the colt's back covered a prophecy that Jesus had tried to tell his disciples. Under the clothes was a cross. 

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. ~ Mark 11:7-10 KJV

Almost all donkeys have a cross on their backs. It runs down their backs and across their shoulders. 

A donkey is an animal known for carrying burdens. The donkey carried Jesus who was carrying the greatest burden of all - our sins, the sins of the whole world. 

Jesus rode this donkey into Jerusalem the same day the sheep would have been brought in, the tenth day of Nisan. The sheep were to be put up and examined until Passover when they were to be killed as the Passover sacrifice.

During this week, Jesus would be examined. He would be arrested and stand before His accusers. Like a sheep that is led before the shearers is silent, so Jesus did not answer the accusations. He was slain as our sacrifice, the Lamb of God.

Father, help us slow down and realize today is the day our Savior has come. Today is the day of salvation. If only we will call upon Him, He will take our burdens and save our souls. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

Hey Kids:

Have you ever seen a donkey? Many of the farms in my area are keeping donkeys in their pastures to ward off the coyotes. The next time you see one, stop and look for the cross on his back. NOT TOO CLOSE! Stay behind the fence. The purpose of the donkey is to kick away any danger. He would think that includes you too!

You might also enjoy The Easter Donkey, a picture book by Donna Thornton. 

She tells the story of a real donkey used by a church in our area to help reenact Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is the day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. 

Some churches put on Easter Passion plays and invite the public. Like Christmas Pageants depicting the birth of Christ, so Easter Passion plays depict the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 

How are you preparing for Easter? 

The Old Rugged Cross

 

 

Everything is showing signs of spring - peach and apple trees blossom, daffodils and tulips pop up everywhere. Even the pine trees are sporting new growth. But wait! What is that I see?

A Colt, the Foal of a Donkey

 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zechariah 9:9

I wonder why Jesus chose the colt of a donkey to ride into Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday? 

Was it because that was the common form of transportation? 

If we examine the prophet Zechariah's words (above) we see the people were to be looking for their king to come on a donkey's colt. But wait, kings rode horses!

A donkey is short but a colt is much shorter. Jesus was riding right down there where the people were. The clothes put on the colt's back covered a prophecy that Jesus had tried to tell his disciples. Under the clothes was a cross. 

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. Mark 11:7-10

Almost all donkeys have a cross on their backs. It runs down their backs and across their shoulders. 

A donkey is an animal known for carrying burdens. The donkey carried Jesus who was carrying the greatest burden of all - our sins, the sins of the whole world. 

Jesus rode this donkey into Jerusalem the same day the sheep would have been brought in, the tenth day of Nisan. The sheep were to be put up and examined until Passover when they were to be killed as the Passover sacrifice.

During this week, Jesus would be examined. He would be arrested and stand before His accusers. Like a sheep that is lead before the shearers is silent, so Jesus did not answer the accusations. He was slain as our sacrifice, the Lamb of God.

Father, help us slow down and realize today is the day our Savior has come. Today is the day of salvation. If only we will call upon Him, He will take our burdens and save our souls. In Jesus name. Amen. 

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Let's return to the children's section of family devotions. A friend helped me recognize this as an important part of our blog. So here goes.

Have you ever seen a donkey? Many of the farms in my area are keeping donkeys in their pastures to ward off the coyotes. The next time you see one, stop and look for the cross on his back. NOT TOO CLOSE! Stay behind the fence. The purpose of the donkey is to kick away any danger. He would think that includes you too!

You might also enjoy The Easter Donkey, a picture book by Donna Thornton. 

She tells the story of a real donkey used by a church in our area to help reenact Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday is the day Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. 

Some churches put on Easter Passion plays and invite the public. Like Christmas Pageants depicting the birth of Christ, so Easter Passion plays depict the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 

What are some of the ways you are preparing for Easter this week? Leave a comment and let us know. 

Daily HIs Delight

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Proverbs 8:30-31

Where is your favorite place to have a cup of coffee or tea? I love my deck with the view of the mountains. 

With whom do you like to have that cup? I enjoy morning conversations with my husband or an afternoon tea party with my grandchildren. An evening chat with my neighbor is nice too. 

But there is one who delights in spending time with me -- and you.

Celebrate!

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Matthew 11:25 KJV

Here at Easter we see lots of eggs and bunnies, but how did a bunny replace the Lamb in the Easter story? Easter is actually a celebration of a pagan goddess, Eostre. Hares are symbolic of her. Her celebration coincides with our celebration of the resurrection of the Savior.  

The other celebration is Passover. Passover has everything to do with Easter. What is Passover? Simply, it is the remembrance of the night the Death Angel passed over the houses of the Hebrews who had the blood of a lamb on the doorposts and lintel. The blood placed on the outside caused all in the house to come in under the blood to safety. This was the night Pharaoh finally released the Israelites from bondage and allowed them to leave Egypt. It is also the meal Jesus ate as the Last Supper just before He was arrested.

Jesus the Messiah, fulfilled the Passover when He was sacrificed for our sins. As the Israelites were freed from Pharaoh on that night, so we who allow Jesus to cover our sins by repenting, asking His forgiveness and receiving that forgiveness by faith are freed from the bondage of sin and death by His blood.

Christians as well as Jews celebrate Passover with a Seder meal. As part of the meal, a piece of matzoh  (unleavened bread) is broken, placed in a cloth and hidden somewhere in the house. At the end of the meal, the children are allowed to search for the matzoh. During the meal, children ask questions about the celebration with bitter herbs, salty water tears, and a lamb shank. The search for the bread brings the celebration to an end. To Christians, this is the resurrection of Christ's body, The Bread of Life, wrapped and hidden in the tomb three days.

What are your Easter celebrations? How are they meaningful to you and your family?

Blessings for the Easter season,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Do you know about Passover?

Would you like to have a Christian Seder?

Start by reading Exodus 12.

You will need:

motzah bread (found in the specialty aisles of most grocery stores)

Parsley
Grape juice

Horseradish

Leg bone of a lamb or chicken.

You may want to check out these sites for a detailed version of how to have your own celebration.

http://www.crivoice.org/seder.html

http://annvoskamp.com/2012/03/the-best-easter-dinner-with-a-free-printable-start-a-christian-tradition-messianic-seder/

Bunnies or Lambs

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: Matthew 11:25 KJV

Here at Easter we see lots of eggs and bunnies, but how did a bunny replace the Lamb in the Easter story? Easter is actually a celebration of a pagan goddess, Eostre. Hares are symbolic of her. Her celebration coincides with our celebration of the resurrection of the Savior.  

The other celebration this week is Passover. Passover has everything to do with Easter. What is Passover? Simply, it is the remembrance of the night the Death Angel passed over the houses of the Hebrews who had the blood of a lamb on the doorposts and lintel. The blood placed on the outside caused all in the house to come in under the blood to safety. This was the night Pharaoh finally released the Israelites from bondage and allowed them to leave Egypt. It is also the meal Jesus ate as the Last Supper just before He was arrested.

Jesus the Messiah, fulfilled the Passover when He was sacrificed for our sins. As the Israelites were freed from Pharaoh on that night, so we who allow Jesus to cover our sins by repenting, asking His forgiveness and receiving that forgiveness by faith are freed from the bondage of sin and death by His blood.

Christians as well as Jews celebrate Passover with a Seder meal. As part of the meal, a piece of motzah  (unleavened bread) is broken, placed in a cloth and hidden somewhere in the house. At the end of the meal, the children are allowed to search for the motzah. While the meal allows children to ask questions about the celebration with bitter herbs, salty water tears, and a lamb shank, so the bread at last is found. To Christians, this is the resurrection of Christ's body, The Bread of Life, wrapped and hidden in the tomb three days.

Have you allowed Jesus to cover your sins?

CarteeBlessings for your Easter celebration.

Gail

Hey Kids:

Do you know about Passover?

Would you like to have a Christian Seder?

Start by reading Exodus 12.

You will need:

motzah bread (found in the specialty aisles of most grocery stores)

Parsley
Grape juice

Horseradish

Leg bone of a lamb or chicken.

You may want to check out these sites for a detailed version of how to have your own celebration.

http://www.crivoice.org/seder.html

http://annvoskamp.com/2012/03/the-best-easter-dinner-with-a-free-printable-start-a-christian-tradition-messianic-seder/

Resurrected and Alive

photos by pixabay

⁹ 

You care for the land and water it;                              

    you enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water

    to provide the people with grain,

    for so you have ordained it.[d]

¹⁰ 

You drench its furrows and level its ridges;

    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

¹¹ 

You crown the year with your bounty,

    and your carts overflow with abundance.

¹² 

The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;

    the hills are clothed with gladness.

¹³ 

The meadows are covered with flocks

    and the valleys are mantled with grain;

    they shout for joy and sing.

Psalms 65:9-13 NIV

This week has been a busy one for us. As I slowed to begin to rejoice in the Easter season, I began to see all of creation coming alive around me. It seemed to have suddenly gone from the dead of winter to bursting forth with life! Trees are blossoming. Tulips and daffodils are blooming. A pair of geese were searching the neighborhood watering spots for a nesting place. 

God tells us that creation has cycles to show us about Himself. The stark images of trees, sleeping bulbs, and dry seeds all give us the appearance of death. It seems all hope is lost, but suddenly with the warmth of the sun, life springs forth with buds, and leaves, and flowers and fruit. What appeared dead, is now bursting with life. 

Are not our lives just the same? Our dead lives, our dead souls, our dead works suddenly become alive when Christ enters in. Christ gives our lives purpose, our souls eternal life, and our works are no longer selfish, but fruitful witnesses for Christ. Yes, life will have rough spots, just as the summer will get hot and hard. These will be times of growth, times to help us through when the showers of blessing seem scarce. But in the end of our days, the autumn of our lives, we will see the fruits of Christ in our lives. 

May the resurrection of Christ bring hope and purpose to our lives.

Blessings, 

Gail

Hey Kids:

We often hear the analogy of living in darkness as being a life without Christ and without purpose. 

Let's try an experiment to see how darkness affects seeds and plants.

Place a damp paper towel in a plastic sandwich bag. 

Place 2 or 3 seeds on the towel and close the bag. 

Tape it in a sunny window. 

You have created a mini greenhouse.

Now do the same with a second bag only this time place the bag with the seeds in a dark place, maybe under a cabinet. 

Keep a daily journal noting the changes occurring in each bag.

How are they the same/different?

How do you think a life lived in darkness, without Christ, is the same/different from a life lived with Christ at the center?

Discuss your results with your parents and other kids. 

Do you know someone who needs the light of Jesus to shine in their lives?