Easter Hodgepodge

1. What are your plans for Easter? Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner? Dyeing eggs? Attending a sunrise service? Eating too much chocolate?

We are pretty low-key on Easter. We'll obviously attend church. It's still a bit up in the air whether we'll eat out or at home. The place I wanted to eat doesn't have any available reservations until too late for us; I don't want to spend the whole afternoon trying to get lunch, so I'll probably end up fixing something. I love Honeybaked Ham on Easter but it's hard to justify for just the four of us.

2. What is something you feel too young to do?

Be this old!

3. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."

Of the characteristics mentioned in the biblical definition of love which do you find most difficult to live out and why?

Oh any of them could vie for "most difficult" depending on the day! LOL I guess I would say envy because it's such a tendency of the sin nature to look around and see what I lack instead of being grateful for what I have.

4. What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?

Buttercups. And getting the "butter" on my nose.

5. Ever sung karaoke? If so, what's your go-to song? If not and you're given the opportunity, would you?

Nope. And it's highly unlikely that I would do so.

6. What is something you keep in a basket?

Pot holders in the kitchen.

7. When was the last time you felt foolish?

I don't remember - I really try to block those times out of my memory. And I certainly don't publicize them on the internet! LOL

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Have a blessed Easter!

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He is Risen!

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here;

HE IS RISEN!

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TSMSS - Playing Games at the Foot of the Cross

I hadn't heard this song in years until it was played at the Good Friday service at my MIL's church last night. It's such a beautiful song with a great message. How easy it is to be horrified at the soldiers who cast lots for Jesus' clothing right there below Him as He was hanging on the cross for their sins -- yet how often do are we often found Playing Games at the Foot of the Cross?



At Easter it is always so hard for me to choose what to post because there are so many wonderful songs about the incredible sacrifice Christ made on our behalf. This is another song from last night's service that I hadn't heard in awhile.




Visit Amy's for more songs.

Blessings to you this holy Easter weekend. Come back tomorrow for a Resurrection celebration!

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TSMSS - The Cross

We are about to enter the week when we reflect on the cross and the amazing grace Christ poured out for us with His blood. I couldn't choose between these two songs, so I decided to post both of them!

I still think of this as a newer song, but it's almost as old as I am. It was new when I was growing up!



Love this beautiful old hymn!



Join me at Amy's for more songs.

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HE'S ALIVE!

A blast from the past. . . Don Francisco, from 1977.

Blessings to you this Easter. He is risen, indeed!

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TSMSS - There is a Fountain

Visit Amy's for more songs. Have a blessed Easter.

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Flashback Good Friday Prompt

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble,
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

What comes to mind when you "flashback" to that Friday almost 2000 years ago? Have you spent much time reflecting on the events of Good Friday or is it generally a regular day and Resurrection Sunday is the focus? Thinking through the events of that long night and day--the trials, the scourging, the frenzy of the crowd, the walk to Golgotha, the raising of the cross with Jesus Christ suspended from its beams, the vigil as they watched and waited for Him to die, His agony, His tender words to His mother, her grief, the darkness, the soldiers gambling for his clothes, the mocking of one thief and the repentance of the other, the finality as He said "It is finished," the grief as his disciples lowered his body and prepared it for burial--what stands out as vivid and touching to you? Where does your mind usually "park" when you reflect on the crucifixion?

It has only been in recent years that we have attended a church service on Good Friday. When I was growing up, that was not a Southern Baptist tradition. While I can guess that the intent was to differentiate from the more ritualistic observances that some denominations observed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, I think the pendulum swung too far the opposite direction. It was far too easy to ignore the horror of the cross and skip right over it to the joy of the Resurrection. However, the Resurrection's meaning is that much more profound by reflecting on the agony that Jesus suffered for us.

I was in college when I first "discovered" John 17, the prayer Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Knowing the drops of blood that He sweat as He wrestled with knowing what the next hours would hold, and yet reading the loving prayer that He prayed for each of us in the midst of that just boggled my mind. (It still does!)

I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been like to have been in the crowd that day. As much as I want to protest the fact, I fear that my sin nature would have made me follow the crowd that day and be swept up in the emotion of it all. At the same time, it is nearly impossible to fathom attending a crucifixion as if it were just another event in the day.

Of course since I've been a mom, it's hard not to identify with Mary at the foot of the cross. How distant the memory of the angel's visit announcing that she would bear the Messiah must have seemed as the man who spent his first days in a cattle stall spent his last one nailed to a cross.

Although words can never begin to convey what that day was like, this song has always spoken to my heart.



Share your "flashback" and reflections on your blog and link up here. Blessings to you this Easter weekend.

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TSMSS - Blessed Redeemer

Easter is so late this year that it almost seems like we've skipped right over it! I started to post Casting Crown's beautiful song Glorious Day but it's getting a lot of airtime on the radio and, I suspect, on blogs as well. I love it when the old hymns are given a fresh arrangement so that their timeless truths are enjoyed once again. I'm an old fogie and enjoy the original arrangements, but I'm learning to enjoy some of the newer versions as well. (As long as they aren't too raucous! LOL)

Here's another beautiful old hymn from Casting Crowns that speaks of our Blessed Redeemer and His amazing love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.



I hope Amy's back to host TSMSS this weekend. If she is, be sure to pop over to her blog to say high and visit some other blogs to hear some great music! I'm at our church's Ladies Retreat all weekend, so I'll be scarce around the blogging world.

Thanks to Debbie at Heart Choices for helping me link up when I'm gone!

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HE IS RISEN!

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; He has risen!"
Luke 24:5-6

Christ the Lord is ris'n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Foll'wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

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TSMSS - Waiting for Sunday

I have always loved this song. Dallas Holm recorded another version several years after this one, and I don't think it's nearly as powerful because of the incredible piano accompaniment. When I was in high school, I always loved turning the volume up for that powerful intro.



I posted this yesterday, but not many saw it so I just have to do it again! Beautiful hymn!



You'll find more songs at Amy's.

Have a beautiful, blessed Easter!

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The Cross

BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess:
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

WORDS: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1868
MUSIC: Frederick C. Maker

For the message of the cross
is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God.
(I Corinthians 1:18)

May I never boast
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world.
(Galatians 6:14)

He forgave us all our sins,
having canceled the written code, with its regulations,
that was against us and that stood opposed to us;
He took it away, nailing it to the cross.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities,
He made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them by the cross.
(Colossians 2:14-15)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2)

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In Remembrance of Me

Today and tomorrow, churches all over the world will gather to partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, just as Jesus instructed his disciples at the last Passover meal He shared with them.

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Luke 22:14-20

One of my favorite memories from my high school church choir days was our singing of the musical Celebrate Life. Here's a beautiful song from that musical.

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An Eggs-cellent Random Dozen!

1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?

Blech. It astounds me that people buy the things!

2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?

Pray. Listen to piano music.

3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?

Not as much as Spring sunshine. But more than Winter rains.

4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?

That is just too weird. I guess I'd choose my kids.

5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?

Neither. But probably a tattoo, since I would put it in an always-covered area. It's kinda hard to hide a nose ring.

6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?

Wrack/rack my brain making clues for our kids' traditional Easter Basket Scavenger Hunt. Yes, they're in high school. Another "great mom" idea that's coming back to haunt me. They'll probably still want this when they're 70 and I'm 104!

And of course, our Good Friday service and church on Sunday.

7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs?

Neither. Dove Dark.


8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of?

The roofers and the truck with the conveyor belt sending the shingles up, which was today.

9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one?

Just started Lis Wiehl's Hand of Fate. It's riveting, as was its predecessor, Face of Betrayal. Review on Monday.

10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning is mandatory?!

Getting rid of stuff.

11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?

One less than I did before a friend's new puppies chewed up my favorite pair. And what separates flip-flops from nicer "sandals" that have no back and have the strap between your first two toes? 'Cause I either have 2 or about 6. You thought this would be an easy question, didn't you?!

12. Which color makes you happiest?

Sunny yellow. Fuchsia. And royal blue.



Don't be a chicken! Lid's a real good egg, so hop on over and link up your answers!

(Sorry--couldn't resist the yolks! I mean the jokes!)

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Her Son

Some of the dearest scriptures to me as a mom are the ones that speak of Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasuring and pondering in her heart events from Jesus' youth. (Luke 2:19, 51) I can't even wrap my mind around what it must have been like to be His mother - during His childhood, throughout His ministry, at His crucifixion, after His resurrection.

We most often associate Mark Lowry's beautiful song Mary, Did You Know? with Christmas. But it is also an incredibly poignant song during this Holy Week. I love hearing it juxtaposed with the images in this video.




And if that didn't stir your heart, I guarantee that this post by Missy will!

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Calvary Covers It All!

The beauty of the cross is its absolute totality. Whether one is 7 or 70, living in a mansion or on the streets or on death row, a faithful servant of God or a hardened reprobate, when we lay our sin at the foot of the cross, we discover that Calvary Covers It All

I hadn't thought about this song in years, but it popped into my head when I began thinking about what songs to feature this week. I love the quiet reflectful way Dave Boyer sings this.

Calvary covers it all
All my past, with its sin and shame
My guilt and despair
Jesus took on Him there
And Calvary covers it all

Far dearer than all that this world can impart
Is the message came to my heart.
How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone,
And Calvary covers it all.

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The Wonder of the Cross

I sometimes say that I was born about 30 years too late, because I love hymns. Sometimes, however, it's easy to just sing them by rote - verse, chorus, verse, chorus, etc. - without thinking through the words that are coming from our lips. How much more meaningful it is when we slow down and sing the words from our heart.

I love this arrangement of a wonderful old hymn. Allow it to speak to your heart as you meditate on the cross.

AT THE CROSS
by Isaac Watts, 1707

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sov’reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain:
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
’Tis all that I can do.

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The Cross

One of the things that has made Easter really special for me in the past few years is time spent reflecting on the cross of Calvary. As believers, we can find ourselves so focused on the resurrection and the joy it brings that we ignore the cross that preceded it. But there can be no resurrection without a death. And the Bible clearly states that Jesus endured horrific suffering and a painful, agonizing death on the cross. Acknowledging and meditating on that makes the wonder of His resurrection that much more glorious. We don't want to get stuck on Good Friday, but we shouldn't skip it either!

About 20 years ago Steve Green recorded this song Embrace the Cross that is a beautiful reminder of the juxtaposed sorrow and beauty of the cross. Reflect on its beautiful message as you worship God today.

EMBRACE THE CROSS

I am crucified with Christ
Therefore I no longer live
Jesus Christ now lives in me
(Repeat twice)

Embrace the cross
Where Jesus suffered
Though it will cost
All you claim as yours
Your sacrifice will seem small
Beside the treasure
Eternity can't measure
What Jesus holds in store

Embrace the love
The cross requires
Cling to the one
Whose heart knew every pain
Receive from Jesus
Fountains of compassion
Only He can fashion
Your heart to move as His

Oh, wondrous cross our desires rest in you
Lord Jesus make us bolder
To face with courage the shame and disgrace
You bore upon Your shoulder

Embrace the life
That comes from dying
Come trace the steps
The Savior walked for you
An empty tomb
Concludes Golgotha's sorrow
Endure then till tomorrow
Your cross of suffering
Embrace the cross
Embrace the cross
The cross of Jesus

Words and music by John G. Elliott, 1989

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TSMSS - I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked

Reflecting on the life of Jesus. . . . Larnelle Harris sings this beautiful song in Israel.



It was so hard to choose which song to feature today. I may post a song every day this next week as we prepare our hearts to remember Christ's death and resurrection.

Head on over to Amy's for more songs.

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TSMSS - Glorious Easter!

One of my favorite Easter songs from years ago. . .


Be sure to go by Amy's blog for more songs to bless your weekend!

Have a blessed Easter!

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. . .Out of His Love for You and Me

But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

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