Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Sunday's Coming

Good morning again from sunny Arizona,

I pray all is well with you today.

As we prepare for Easter, I joked last Sunday that Easter is the one service that the house is full. This year, I'm afraid we are going to have a small congregation, since so many have left for their summer homes. You know, though, we will praise the Lord no matter how many are here and we will remember each one in our prayers that have made their way home.

Let me ask you a question this morning, What is Easter?

Send me a note and let me know what your answer is.

As I think about Easter, a song comes to mind... one of my favorites of all time, "Victory in Jesus!"

While I was reading this morning I read the following from Max Lucado. Enjoy and have a great Easter.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

A Cry of Victory by Max Lucado

“It is finished.”

Stop and listen. Can you imagine the cry from the cross? The sky is dark. The other two victims are moaning. The jeering mouths are silent. Perhaps there is thunder. Perhaps there is weeping. Perhaps there is silence. Then Jesus draws in a deep breath, pushes his feet down on that Roman nail, and cries, “It is finished!”

What was finished?

The history-long plan of redeeming man was finished.
The message of God to man was finished.
The works done by Jesus as a man on earth were finished.
The task of selecting and training ambassadors was finished.
The job was finished.
The song had been sung.
The blood had been poured.
The sacrifice had been made.
The sting of death had been removed.
It was over.

A cry of defeat? Hardly. Had his hands not been fastened down I dare say that a triumphant fist would have punched the dark sky.
No, this is no cry of despair.
It is a cry of completion.
A cry of victory.
A cry of fulfillment.
Yes, even a cry of relief.
It’s over.
An angel sighs.
A star wipes away a tear.

“Take me home.”
Yes, take him home.
Take this prince to his king.
Take this son to his father.
Take this pilgrim to his home. (He deserves a rest.)
“Take me home.”
Come ten thousand angels!
Come and take this wounded troubadour to the cradle of his Father’s arms!
Farewell manger’s infant.
Bless You holy ambassador.
Go Home death slayer.
Rest well sweet soldier.
The battle is over.

From "His Name is Jesus" © (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009) Max Lucado

5 comments:

Claudia said...

Have a wonderful and glorious Easter and a safe trip back to Oklahoma. We'll see you in December. Claudia

Wendy and Rick Fury said...

It is hard to put into words what Easter means to me. Rick and I are seeing the Lord work in many ways for many of our family members. We are constantly under attack by the devil but we know the Lord will win. We just have to look beyond the moment and trust in him. Have a fantastic Easter and know we love you guys.

EaglesEye said...

Oh Glory to God! This is such a glorious time where rebirth and re dedication to our beliefs is done.

It is a time to know that the glory of God is within us all. He is in our every thought and in our every movement. For everything we do we do for God and with God in it. How can we fail with him within our hearts and souls?

We were studying the early Christians, the last days of Peter - it is absolutely fascinating how the power of our Lord worked within him to bring to the people the glory of his word. We worry and complain today but fail to realize what trials and tribulations early Christians endured for us so that we may worship as we do today. May we give thanks and prayers to those that paved our righteous pathways before us this Easter as we celebrate rising of Lord to the Glory of Heaven and Eternal Peace of all the Universe.
God Bless You all.

N.O.G. said...

We are thankful for the HOPE we have even during our darkest hours...HE IS RISEN!! We also give thanks for you two as you work to increase HIS KINGDOM!

HAPPY EASTER!!! Bruce & DeAnn

Unknown said...

Pam and Garry Greenbush
Thank you for remembering us on this glorious day, HE HAS RISEN!
Take care of yourselves and bless you in your travels.