How Will You Spend Easter Sunday? Do You Dread The Prospect?

What do you do when your spouse doesn't share your passion for Jesus?  Do you attend church alone with the kids?  How do you make Easter Sunday special for your family when everyone is not on board?

My husband has agreed to go to our early church service this Easter Sunday.  He hasn't attended church with me for a couple of months now.  That is in part due to some minor surgery he had earlier in the year, and a nasty cold a few weeks back.  At least he is willing to celebrate with me one of the most important events on the Christian calendar:  Resurrection Sunday!  However, it was not always so.

I can remember getting our son ready for Sunday School and church services many times - not knowing if Daddy would be coming with us.  I met the Lord Jesus in my mid-thirties, and our son was about 3 yrs. old in April of 1989.  There were many Sundays when we would go to church alone.  That was okay with me because I had met the King of Kings.   I made a personal decision that I would make the effort to attend church services and introduce my child at a young age to Jesus Christ.

This year our son and family are visiting during the week before Easter.  His wife's family has a reunion every Easter Sunday at the beach after church and has an egg hunt for the little ones.  They cook-out and enjoy the sand and surf while catching up with each other's family.

On some Easter Sundays we have a home-cooked meal with our parents and loved ones.  Other times we attend church and go out for Brunch afterwards.  Each year is different - especially now that our son is grown and living in another state. 

While the little ones are still at home - it's fun making your own family traditions and special memories.  When our son was young he attended a Christian grade school, and he often made crafts with an emphasis on Easter.  They recited Scripture from the gospels and learned about Jesus and the resurrection.  They sang songs centered around our risen Savior and the cross of Christ. 

One year I made a "Resurrection Egg Basket".  It consisted of a basket with brightly colored plastic eggs - each one containing a symbol of the life and death of Jesus.  The eggs were numbered, starting with "1".  They contained one or more tiny trinkets along with Bible verses.  The object is to tell the Easter Story as you open the eggs and read the Scripture corresponding to each item. One egg had a miniature loaf of bread in it.  One egg had a fish.  One egg had a piece of purple velvet and a small twisted piece of vine with thorns.  Another had a nail in it.  I put a small silk Easter lilly in an egg.  Another egg had a tiny cross, and one had a large stone.  The last egg was empty.  You can get creative and think of your own special touches.  I used that Resurrection Easter Basket year after year - and he enjoyed opening the eggs and discovering the treasures each time!

How do you keep the Easter season special and meaningful for your family?  What traditions do you have from growing up that you intend to continue with your own children?  Even if your spouse chooses not to celebrate Easter with you - you can have influence in your home that will last a lifetime.  Begin now shaping a legacy that will be passed on from one generation to another.  Easter is a wonderful time to discuss "new life" and why the Resurrection is important to us as believers. 

Begin now by praying for your spouse to have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" the true message of Easter.  Here is an example to follow: 

Dear Lord, I lift up my (husband/wife) to you now.  I humbly ask that during this Resurrection season You would open the eyes of their heart that they may see who You truly are.  Thank You Lord that whenever they turn to You, the veil will be taken away and they will behold Your majesty.  Cause them to know the hope of Your calling and the riches of Your glory.  Thank You Lord you will save them, not on the basis of their deeds, but according to Your mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.  Lord, Your Word declares that You will be found by those who do not seek You, and You will be manifest to those who do not ask for You.  Thank You Lord that they will know Your love which surpasses all knowledge, that they may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  We thank You Lord that You are not slack concerning Your promise... but are longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  In Jesus Name we pray,   Amen.

(Ref:  Colossians 1; Ephesians 1; Titus 3; Romans 10; Ephesians 3; II Peter 3)

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.

http://www.Godmissionpossible.com

How Will You Spend Easter Sunday? Do You Dread The Prospect?

It's a Birthday Bash, and You're Invited !

Our family recently celebrated two birthdays:  my mother turned seventy-five (a milestone), and my sister's birthday is the same day!  This year was indeed a special one!  There's nothing I like better than baking their favorite cake, picking out just the right card, and of course, finding the perfect gift to give!   One of my favorite verses to quote for a birthday is Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."  I like to imagine Father God, sitting in heaven, looking down on my "birth" day saying, "Look at my daughter...isn't she beautiful? Today is the day her family celebrates her birth! That which I have created brings Me such joy!"

Psalm 139:13-17 declares, "For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.  How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!"

Gifts are, of course, the grand finale when it comes to the birthday bash!  Despite our best efforts, we can't make the recipient take the gift! That is something that they have to do.  God extends a free gift to us as well.  He offers us eternal salvation through His son Jesus.  No strings attached.  It's a gift that cost Him everything - but it is ours simply by accepting what Jesus did to secure that salvation, namely, His death on Calvary.  John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."  And again Paul states in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  

Sometimes I wonder why someone wouldn't gladly accept a free gift, especially when it comes to their eternal security.  I'm glad God gives us the opportunity to tell others about Him.  When I was still a "newbie" Christian, I purchased bibles for my entire family and gave them as gifts on their birthdays. I don't even know if they have opened them and read them, but nevertheless, I gladly and enthusiastically gave the gifts!  My part is to sow the seed, someone else waters, and God brings the increase (I Corinthians 3:6).  God loves a cheerful giver, and I don't think that just applies to tithing.  The act of giving gifts emulates our Father in Heaven, Who is the greatest giver of all!  I truly enjoy giving a gift and watching the reaction when the recipient opens it!  After all, I spent precious time searching for just the right gift.  Then I carefully and artfully wrapped the gift, using bright colored paper, silky ribbon, and a big fluffy bow. Sometimes I get so excited, I can hardly wait! 

In James 1:17 we see that, "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." I don't know about you, but I only want those gifts that my heavenly Father sends my way!

One thing is for certain, birthdays are fun and we look forward to them.  But nothing compares to receiving our greatest gift in person - a greeting by the Lord Jesus Himself with open arms extended - welcoming us as He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your lord." 

Now that's a celebration I can get excited about!

                                           

      

It's a Birthday Bash, and You're Invited !