For Easter Sunday, March 31st, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

March 31st, 2013

82 DAYS TILL SUMMER

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

It's SUNDAY

HAPPY EASTER!

The real meaning of  Easter, is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To Christians, it is the most special day of the year. Yes,the birth of Christ is quite important. But, his resurrection offers the hope of everlasting life to everyone!

Easter also also is celebrated with the Easter Bunny, colored eggs, jelly beans, and lot's of chocolate. He or she, as we are never quite sure about this, comes on Saturday night leading to Easter Sunday morning. He brings lots of chocolates and other candies. 

Most of us will celebrate both parts of this spring holiday. Upon awakening Easter Sunday morning, the children will hunt for the Easter basket left by the Easter Bunny. Then the family will dress in their finest new spring clothes, and go off to church to celebrate Christ's resurrection. From there, the holiday tradition varies. Some have a big breakfast of brunch feast. Other family will have a big main meal with baked ham being the most common meat. Brightly colored hard boiled eggs will also be popular. It is not a day for high cholesterol diets. It is a day to feast as the long lenten season is over and Christ has arisen.

New life, clean heart, and pure spirit are awaiting all of us

An Easter Prayer

God, Give us eyes to see the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty in every living thing.
And may we see in lacy leaves and every budding flower
The hand that rules the universe with gentleness and power
And may this Easter grandeur that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith lying dormant in our hearts
And give us ears to hear, dear God, the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful than man's often empty words.
Telling harried human beings who are lost in dark despair
Be like us and not worry for God has you in His care.

Helen Steiner Rice.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.  

S.D. Gordon

As with most Sundays, I'll be off to church this morning.  This Sunday is extra special and I am hoping it will mark the ending to a very long winter.  We'll be singing Alleluia and celebrating our risen Lord.

Our church choir is magnificent and most Easters they sing Handel's Messiah at the conclusion of the service.  Messiah was composed as an Easter oratorio, from comes from the Latin oratio which means prayer, about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus and features the famous Hallelujah chorus. 

As my family got together last weekend, I imagine that I'll be spending the day quietly.  I'll probably get to see a few of them at church, but for me the day will be spent relaxing here at home.

I do hope you all have a marvelous Easter Day!

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.  

Robert Flatt

May the glory
and the promise
of this joyous time of year
Bring peace
and happiness to you
and those you hold most dear,

And may Christ,
Our Risen Saviour,
always be there by your side
To bless you
most abundantly
and be your loving guide.

PRIORITY FOR TODAY:

LOVE

Dear Lord, open our hearts to love those you have placed in our lives. Amen.

For I remember it is Easter morn,
And life and love and peace are all new born. 

Alice Freeman Palmer

COUNTING MY GIFTS

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts. I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day, 

408.  My car is still running, and gas hasn't climbed up to $4.50 a gallon, yet

409. The finer points of an afternoon nap, and time in which to indulge.

410. Time and creativity:  time to keep my house clean, and the creativity to come up with something more interesting so I won't have to 

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU !

The story of Easter is the story of God's wonderful window of divine surprise.  

Carl Knudsen

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone dear…

Love,

ma