LIVE A LIFE OF NO REGRETS!!: Our Resurrection Celebration

Quote from "Stepping Heavenward" by Mrs. E. Prentiss

"She says I shall now have one mouth more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less leisure or visiting, reading, music and drawing.

Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other.

Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which dwells is worthy of all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other dear darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, wondrously blest!"

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Our Resurrection Celebration

My sister , Sandi, and her friend, Cecilia, have been tossing around an idea for a new get together tradition for a while now. We had our first trial run at our gathering to celebrate this Resurrection Day. It was a great success. The idea is for each family to bring it's own "table." You bring a table for your family and decorate it with sheets, tablecloths or a quilt. Also, to simplify, each family should keep a box or a basket for these gatherings to store your picnic table settings. I brought a yellow flowered quilt. Everyone decorates your family's table however you desire. Our family brought a long table and a small children's table. We used cloth place mats on our quilt and tucked silverware in the pockets of the place mats. Mason jars were our drinking cups. Decorated two jars with honey suckle we picked on the way into my sister's lovely home. The tables were all set under the trees. Although the day was warm, the combination of shade and breeze was perfect for a family and friends picnic. When it's time to eat, you can sit with whomever you desire at any table but leave the silverware and dishes at the chair you dined at when you finish. When everyone finishes, you rinse your family's plates off and tuck back into your family's picnic basket. We had a separate table for the food that everyone brought. Each family also brought tea or lemonade to share. It was so much fun.

Came home, threw my quilt in the washer with place mats. The dishes, silverware, and jars thrown into the dishwasher. When all was done, I restocked my family's basket for our next gathering. Put my turkey carcass in a large pot for making stock. Now after reflecting on my family's wonderful day, it's time to reflect upon my marvelous Savior.

Jesus HAS RISEN from the dead, PTL! Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6.
God raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 10:9.
There were many eyewitnesses who saw Jesus after he was raised from the dead. Matthew 28:9-10, 16-17; Mark 16:9, 12-14; Luke 24:15-43; John 20:11-16, 19-20, 26-29; 21:1-14; Acts 1:3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.
Jesus said that those who believe He has risen from the dead without seeing Him (like me!!) are blessed. John 20:29.

Ready-to-halt, poor Fearing, and thou, Mrs. Despondency, and Much-afraid, go often there [the empty tomb]; let it be your favourite haunt, there build a tabernacle, there abide. And often say to your heart, when you are in distress and sorrow, "Come, see the place where the Lord lay." ~Spurgeon

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
~Charles Wesley