The Fruit of Kindness by Sharon Heagy

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22-23

Though I hate to admit it, there are many days when I am not kind. When I let my impatience and irritation get the best of me. Those days I am snarky and snappy and crabby. Often I don't even know why I am reacting like an unruly child, or overreacting to, well, everything. There is just a sense of restlessness, an air of prickliness, a profound crankiness. Everywhere I go I feel like I am accompanied by the music played in Bugs Bunny when the bad guy appears. Bomp bomp, bomp bomp, bomp bomp, bomp bomp. These are also days when remorse rears its head and I weep for the people who have been on the receiving end of my grumpy attitude as I overthink how my obnoxious behaviour has affected them. Believing they will never forgive me when in reality most of them weren't even bothered and carried on with their day as if nothing ever happened. "Good grief, Charlie Brown!"

Then there are other days, when I look beyond myself and am able to extend some sort of small kindness to others or to receive a blessing from a gentle person. Most of us find the latter harder than the giving but the need to be gracious is imperative for both. In our community, meals and flowers are exchanged when someone has passed away or is ill. If there is work to be done, people come together in a work bee to lift one more burden from the back of one who is suffering. Fundraisers abound to help those with financial stresses in times of need. Yet the compassionate acts that are unexpected, those that come or go at just the right time, are tender gifts best loved. And if they are done in anonymity, all the better. They get our warm fuzzies going and produce a bursting grateful heart overflowing with love.

But is that what kindness is all about? Is it just about being good to one another? A feel-good action and then we are on our merry way? The questions bounced around my brain and I sought to find the answer.

In the verse from Galatians 5:22-23, kindness is mentioned as one fruit the Spirit provides. The Greek word for kind is chrestotes (khary-stot-ace). The meaning of the word does confirm the importance of benevolent actions to another but its meaning holds so much more. It is a way of being. There is a purity about it that also includes having a tender and gentle disposition. It is a matter of character and attitude even to people we'd rather not deal with or with those who would rather not deal with us. How easy it is to be kind and giving to those who love us, yet more difficult to allow others to give us a slap on the cheek and turn and offer the other. (Matthew 5:39) Kindness is not an inherent natural quality. It is a gift from God given by the power of His Spirit.

The greatest kindness I have ever received is truth given in love. When my steps become wayward and confusion bars the path, there are those who love me enough and will, in His loving kindness, help to clear the way and set me straight on the road home once more. It doesn't always feel like kindness in the beginning, but I am grateful for those who persevere and for a God who confirms the truth. It isn't always easy to share the truth either but it's priceless to those who will receive it. A parcel to unpack along one's faith journey.

The ultimate kindness for me was to be introduced to Jesus. To learn of His grace, mercy and forgiveness. To learn of the price He paid for my debt. He loves even me, just the way I am. He loves even you, just the way you are. On Sunday, we will celebrate the resurrection power that saved all humanity if only we would ask and believe. Perhaps an opportunity will be opened for us to share that ultimate kindness with a fellow faith traveller, to share the Saviour Himself. 

May each of us be transformed by God into a person of continual kindness and may your Easter season be blessed.

Sharon Heagy writes from the little town of Rockglen, which is nestled in the hills of southern Saskatchewan. Her kids have flown the coop so she and her husband have retired to town. She writes to inspire and give hope with a chuckle or two along the way.

"Good grief, Charlie Brown!" - Charles M. Schultz

Inspiring or Distracting by Steph Beth Nickel

As the celebration of our Lord’s substitutionary death and triumphant resurrection approaches, one of two things can happen.

We can spend extra time meditating on what Jesus accomplished on our behalf …

OR …

We can face a tsunami of extra plans and preparations coupled with trying to accomplish five days' worth of work in only four.

True Confession

Because I have extra work to accomplish this week (thankfully, some of it is even paid work), both in my office and beyond, I haven’t been spending near the amount of time I would like to focused on the Saviour.

I am thankful, however, for Christ-centred podcasts that I can listen to while I’m cleaning the church (and my house, although this won’t get near as much of my attention).

While I’m taking my daughter to work and picking her up or toodling around, running errands, I can listen to faith-based podcasts and audiobooks.

Even in the midst of my busyness, there are things I can do to keep my thoughts centred on Jesus and the price He paid on my behalf.

There are also other things happening this week that have the potential to help me focus even more intently on the most profound weekend on the Christian calendar—as long as I don’t let my mind wander to the tasks yet undone:

1. Worship team practice on Thursday night.

2. The Good Friday Service (to be followed by a fellowship lunch).

3. The Resurrection Sunday service (preceded by yet another worship team practice).

 And then there’s the amazing reminder in Colossian 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (NIV). (emphasis mine)

So, whether I’m spending quiet time with the Lord, participating in the church services, cleaning my house, preparing meals, or working in my office, I can turn my thoughts heavenward. I can work at my tasks as if doing them for God—because, ultimately, I am.

This week—or any week—I can and should commit my To-Do List to Him. In fact, I repeatedly make plans to begin each task by committing it to Him. This is not a habit I’ve gotten into, but it is one I intend to work on today and in the days ahead.

So, is the upcoming weekend an inspiration or a distraction? 

While it has the potential to be both, as we take our thoughts captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), even the distractions can inspire us.

Do you find this week inspiring, distracting, or a bit of both? How do you stay focused on our Saviour when you’re especially busy? How do you point those around you to the One we are to honour each and every day He gives us breath?

The Holy Spirit: Breath of God by Bob Jones

 

Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:21,22)

 

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)

 

“Good writing is like breathing deeply.” Moreno Zugaro

 

Breathe!

 

My brain kept urging my lungs, but they seemed to have forgotten how. 4am. Out of bed, walking in panic circles, heart racing, arms flapping, with nothing more than a wheeze of air able to be sucked through my mouth. What is happening to me? Is this what it feels like to die? After what seemed like a lifetime, at last a gasp and then one more. Breathing began to return to normal. But life didn’t. Every night, over the next three months, the pattern repeated itself. A specialist explained these episodes were panic attacks, most likely brought on by stress. My lungs stopped breathing to awaken me to the distress in my soul and save my life. That was 39 years ago.

 

Breathing is synonymous with life. That's one reason why the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is likened to breath. At Easter, images of God the Son and God the Father are prominent but not the Holy Spirit. But no mistake, the Holy Spirit was breathing life into the narrative of Easter.

 

The Book of Genesis makes clear that God’s breath animates us. It sustains us. It inspires us and guides us. This is because the breath of God is indistinguishable from God’s own presence. In the act of breathing life into creation, God breathes in God’s very self. God’s breath, therefore, is equivalent to God the Holy Spirit.

 

Both the Hebrew word ruach, and the Greek word pneuma contain this association. These words can equally be translated as “breath” or “spirit”. Physical life begins with breath. Eternal life begins with the Holy Spirit.

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed…” (1 Timothy 3:16) We’re told that “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) The reference is to the breath of God as wind in their sails. Their writing and their living were carried by the Spirit.

 

You can’t choose to be inspired, but you can choose to take a breath in. And then a breath out. And then another breath in. Our lungs are the only major organ in the body that we can directly control with our minds. I’ve not yet seen any evidence that your thoughts impact your liver or kidneys, but you can decide, at any moment, to take over your breathing.

 

Pam Allyn, author and Senior Vice-president for Innovation at Scholastic Education, says “Reading is like breathing in and writing is like breathing out.” Think of reading the Bible as breathing in the presence of God. Think of writing as expressing the Word of God through your creativity.

 

You can’t go more than a few minutes without breathing. Going a day without the Word of God is inspiration deprivation. Reading devotionals, biographies, books on leadership, marriage, parenting, and relationships is a way for the Holy Spirit to breathe life into your writing soul.

 

Now, if you always breathe the same air, it gets stale — just like information does. Look for new sources of inspiration from time to time, like an unknown podcast, a controversial writer, or a thought-provoking newsletter.

 

Writing is breathing. Sometimes it’s a background activity that we ‘just’ do, regularly, keeping things moving along. Sometimes it’s something we practice and do intentionally, whether or not we are in the mood. Peter de Vries' perspective on inspiration is spot on, “I only write when I’m inspired, so I see to it that I’m inspired every morning at nine o’clock.”

 

You should strive to write the best you can. But sometimes you just need to breathe, to look up from your keyboard, or notepad, stretch the kinks out of your back, and say,

Wow, I’m writing.

I’m breathing.

I’m alive.

 

The Holy Spirit makes all the difference between a blank sheet and a finished masterpiece.

 

 I write to grow hope, inspire people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.

Please follow my writing at REVwords.com

I would love to hear from you.

Guest post by Christine Smith - Truth, Fire and the Road to Emmaus

Truth, Fire, and the Road to Emmaus 

This March teaching has held a higher level of anxiety and reflection than any other year. It has been 12 months since COVID-19 changed each of our lives. A year later, I find myself having adjusted somewhat to the new normal of masks, handwashing, and social distancing. It is time to teach the same topics as I did last March, including focusing on the same Bible stories as Easter approaches. 

One of the stories that greatly resonated with me last year was the Road to Emmaus. My teaching partner suggested we teach it so we could talk about trusting God “in these uncertain times.” To my delight I was able to find ways to make this story relevant to seven-year-olds on an electronic platform during our new online e-learning time. 

 Each Lent I take time to read in detail the accounts of Holy Week. This year, however, I started with the Road to Emmaus, as this story had brought me hope and direction last year. This account is a great roadmap in learning how to trust Jesus more in every season of life. Just as the disciples needed to grow in this area, so do we, whether at the beginning, middle, or end of a pandemic and really, in all of our troubles of this world. 

As the story reveals in Luke 24:13-35, trust is not something the disciples had that Sunday so many years ago. The Scripture said that their faces were “downcast” and that they “had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” Had hoped. Their hope was gone, dashed. 

 Jesus, not having indicated who He was yet, goes on to point out their lack of faith. “How foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Then “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” I cannot help but wonder if they had heard some of these things before but had merely forgotten. Perhaps some of these truths never actually took root in their hearts at all. They did not believe what the Scriptures said and as a result, their joy too was missing. 

Once Jesus revealed himself to the disciples they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Not only was their hope restored, so was their energy and passion, such that they ran over two hours back to Jerusalem. As many of us have learned and relearned, spending time with Jesus is the best way to restore joy to our souls. 

During different seasons of my life, I have found it extremely valuable to write out and frequently read what is true. My soul is strengthened when I read truths to myself that I find challenging to believe. A year ago, in response to this story, I had my students rate how easy or difficult it is for them to believe certain statements that are indeed true for all of God’s people, such as “God forgives all my sins.” or “God is with me all the time.” Reading their responses brought me joy and I accepted the opportunity to pray for their belief in God’s truth to grow in their hearts. 

 What truths do you need to remind yourself of today? How will you take time to be with Jesus and let His words build a fire in your soul? Just like the disciples, may your heart burn with a fire of joy, energy, passion, and renewed purpose to glorify Him this Easter season.

Christine Smith loves words: having stimulating conversations with people, reading a variety of books, and most recently, the words she writes.  She is a teacher who is just beginning to write for audiences other than herself in her journal or her students’ parents.  Christine lives in Langley, B.C. and enjoys coffee, being outside, and making memories with her husband and four kids.

Get Your Copy of EASTER STORIES AND MORE

 

EASTER STORIES AND MORE recently released! Get your copy in time for Easter!

Amazon

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A collection of stories, poems, reflections and more from InScribe members. A worth addition to your bookshelf! 

There is also a blog tour featuring many of the authors: Check out the schedule here and join in with comments.

March 24 - Ruth L. Snyder https://ruthlsnyder.com/blog/

March 25 - Sally Meadows https://sallymeadows.com/blog

March 26 - Eunice Matchett https://albertastoryteller.com/

March 27 - Lynn Dove https://lynndove.com/

March 28 - Pat Gerbrandt https://patgwriter.wordpress.com/

March 29 - Denise Ford https://walkingwithdustyanddee.com/

March 30 - Marcia Laycock https://marcialeelaycock.com/thespur/

March 31 - Bob Jones revwords.com https://revwords.com/

April 1 - Valerie Ronald https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

April 2 - Kimberley Payne https://www.kimberleypayne.com/blog/

April 3 - Marnie Pohlmann https://marniewriter.com/blog/

April 4 - Lynn Simpson https://lynnjsimpson.com/

April 4 - Allison Lynn https://allisonlynn.blogspot.com

Rabbits and Relationships - Bruce Atchison

I'm sure we all agree that the real meaning of Easter has been buried under chocolate bunnies and marsh mellow chicks. Even so, I've learned much from having rabbits living in my home. Instead of keeping them in lonely backyard hutches, they lived with me and received as much care and attention as I could pay each one.

Bunnies are timid creatures but they enjoy the company of those whom they trust. That's why winning the friendship of a rabbit is precious. Just as wounded souls need to learn to trust Christians again, so rabbits need to learn that they're safe with us.

Tenderness is one requirement of us all in Christ. As 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (Bible in Basic English) admonishes, "For it is not right for the Lord's servant to make trouble, but he is to be gentle to all, ready in teaching, putting up with wrong, Gently guiding those who go against the teaching; if by chance God may give them a change of heart and true knowledge, And so they may get themselves free from the net of the Evil One, being made the prisoners of the Lord's servant, for the purpose of God."

Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits misunderstand chastisement. To them they think they're being attacked.

When we correct wayward believers, we must consider 1 Thessalonians 2:7   and 8 (BBE). It shows how we need to be easy on each other. "But we were gentle among you, like a woman caring for her little ones: Even so, being full of loving desire for you, we took delight in giving you not only God's good news, but even our lives, because you were dear to us."

I also learned over the years to relate to bunnies on their terms rather than forcing myself on them. For example, I would lie on the floor rather than grabbing them and putting them on my lap. Every rabbit I had came to trust me and to associate that posture with being petted. Some bunnies even hopped over to me when I began to lie down.

Paul likewise learned to relate to different groups, as he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 9:22 (BBE). "To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation."

What a wonder it is that Christ also became one of us. He could have come as a consuming fire but he became the Lamb of God for our transgressions. When he comes again, he'll be the judge who will punish wickedness and dispense blessings to his children.

Thoughts on the First Easter Morning - Lorilee Guenter

The Tomb is Empty

Each year I look forward to Easter Sunday. We pull out songs just for this service to celebrate our Risen Lord. We celebrate victory, hope and promises fulfilled. In Sunday school the celebration begins early since there is no Sunday school on this special day. In the weeks leading up to Passion Week we tell the story of Jesus sacrifice, of His resurrection and his appearances to His followers. This year as I prepared to tell the story of that day I reflected on how different it must have been.

The ladies in their grief and shock begged to know where Jesus body was moved to. Why would someone take the body? I imagine their heartbreak turned to anger. First their hopes died on the cross. Jesus could not be the Messiah they waited for, not now that he was dead. Now they could not even anoint his body with the spices they had. It was their custom. It was part of grieving and honouring their dead. Someone had taken even that from them. Oh what relief it must have been to hear the words of the angels and remember Jesus words: He would be raised on the third day. Maybe their hope was not dead. Maybe.

Unfortunately the men did not believe the story told by the women. Why should they? They were all still grieving and everyone knew the testimony of women held no influence, not then. Perhaps they brushed it off as false hope of those who refused to give up hope of a long awaited Messiah. Perhaps they brushed it off as grief filled denial of the truth. In any case, it sounded like fictitious nonsense. But  then there is Peter. At least one person did not dismiss the ramblings of the women. Grief filled, guilt ridden Peter. Could it be true? But the denial, the fear, even if this far fetched story was true, how could he face Jesus? Still he had to know, had to see for himself even though he knew the story told by the women was impossible.

Then the scene changes. The story moves from the tomb and the gathered mourners. The rod. The dusty road home. A part of the story I knew but did not think much about. Two men on a road is all I remembered even after reading this story many times. This time I lingered longer because instead of rushing ahead to Jesus appearing to His disciples our story this year paused to look at these two men. With centuries of church history and theologians studying the Scriptures, picking apart the nuances, the signs that could have been obvious it seems incredulous that the men did not recognise Jesus. Oh they might have the thought they had seen him at a distance in the crowd. They had no other context to aid their recognition and no expectation of meeting Jesus on the road even if the story of the women was true.

Cleopas, a name to match a downcast face, accused Jesus of being out of touch. How could anyone not know about the crucifixion? This was headline news. Crowds lined the route, as if watching a parade,  to that horrible hill. The crosses still stood as a reminder of the terrible event. Then he summarised the events as if reporting for a newspaper but he included the quieter, hope crushing morning with the missing body.

But we would know better, wouldn't we. We would recognise Jesus from the first time we saw Him. How easy to claim those on the road, those who walked with Jesus should have understood. How arrogant to judge from our position of having Scripture explained from Moses and the prophets through Paul's letters and the Revelation of Jesus. This season I am celebrating the empty tomb, the victory over sin and death. I am also considering how different our perspective is than those who found the tomb. How fortunate for us they believed as they encountered Jesus and began to understand. How fortunate for us Jesus had the patience to explain again to His followers why this had to happen. Now we can celebrate: He is alive!

A Bar Song - Marnie Pohlmann

 

This evening is the Facebook launch event for Inscribe’s Easter Stories and More anthology. I am excited to have some writing and photos in this book. Will you meet me on the Inscribe Facebook page to celebrate?

I have enjoyed this month’s blogs about Easter. Like the anthology, we see a variety of writing styles, and this month has more poems, songs, and lyrical prayers than are usually posted. Somehow celebrations like Easter make us want to break out in song, don’t they? So to celebrate the launch of our anthology and the upcoming celebration of Easter, I would like to join in.

I am NOT a singer. I am, as the cliché goes, not able to carry a tune in a bucket. I come from a musical family, though, so I learned how to join in, and I continue to use this method to worship God in church. I whisper-sing, and sometimes I even just mouth the words (gasp!) but I know God is hearing the sweet sacrifice of praise even if my neighbour cannot.

I have written songs, though, or at least lyrical words that have been set to music by others. And if I have a tune stuck in my head, I will sometimes re-write the lyrics to that music.

Did you know that early hymn books didn’t have the music included, only the words? That’s because the early musicians and congregants didn’t write new music. They put new words to songs that the populace would already know the tunes for. Many of the favorite hymns were sung to the same tune, with new words, as the songs sung in the pubs by drunken sailors.

See if you know the tune these changed lyrics could be sung to, and if you can, I apologize now for putting that tune in your head for the rest of the day.

                    A Risen Saviour 

What will you do with a risen Saviour?
What will you do with a risen Saviour?
What will you do with a risen Saviour?
Early Easter morning?

He conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Early Easter morning.

Drop the grave clothes and fold the headpiece,
Drop the grave clothes and fold the headpiece,
Drop the grave clothes and fold the headpiece,
Early Easter morning.

He conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Early Easter morning.

The stone rolled away by muscled angels,
The stone rolled away by muscled angels,
The stone rolled away by muscled angels,

Early Easter morning.

He conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Early Easter morning.

Some women came with tears and herbs,
Some women came with tears and herbs,
Some women came with tears and herbs,
Early Easter morning.

He conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Early Easter morning

What have you done with my Lord, my Saviour?
What have you done with my Lord, my Saviour?
What have you done with my Lord, my Saviour?
Early Easter morning.

He conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Early Easter morning

The angels explained that Christ is Risen,
The angels explained that Christ is Risen,
The angels explained that Christ is Risen,
Early Easter morning.

He conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Conquered death and up He rises,
Early Easter morning

OooOoh,
What will you do with a risen Saviour?
What will you do with a risen Saviour?
What will you do with a risen Saviour?
Early this Easter morning?

 While not an Easter song anyone will sing next weekend, the message of this ditty is clear.

Christ conquered death and rose from the grave. Yes, we need to celebrate this but more importantly, what does that mean to us? The theology of believing Jesus literally died on the cross, rose from that death, and remains alive today is a stumbling block for some people. But what an amazing truth it is!

What would our own hope be for life after death if God Incarnate had not defeated death? What hope would we have if Christ had not given us His Spirit, alive and present in our lives today?

The resurrection is a crucial piece of the salvation message, so each of us must ask ourselves,

“What will I do with a risen Saviour?”

Marnie writes from Northern BC and has recently resurrected her blog, Phosphorescent. 

Mother, Daughter, Sisters ~ Valerie Ronald

When I twirled, the full skirt of my new Easter dress bloomed around me like the ruffle of a daffodil. The sunny yellow and white windowpane checked fabric matched my mother’s new dress, as did our white shoes, gloves and hats. My mother’s flair for sewing shone in the mother and daughter outfits she made for an Easter church service and luncheon. Being only five years old I barely recall the event, yet I vividly remember feeling proud to be dressed like my lovely mother.

My mother was the center of my world yet there were times when she seemed to disappear even when she was physically present. I realize now that she suffered from bouts of depression, related to the long absences of my sailor father on navy voyages and his battle with alcoholism. Deeply hurt by his condition, she would retreat into a shell, even from her children. I remember trying to read her face so I would know how to respond to her. She was a beautiful woman but when she closed herself off her pale, taut face seemed to belong to a stranger. I watched her for any sign of my real mother returning. Chores were done without being told, little bouquets of wild flowers offered and hugs given even when she wouldn’t hug me in return. Somehow I believed if I was a good little girl she would become the warm, loving mother I missed so much. Actually it had nothing to do with my behavior and all to do with my father’s.

We always knew we were loved and wanted, however my brothers and I grew up with the fixed knowledge that we were secondary to the foundation of our parents’ love for each other. In spite of my father’s increasing struggle with alcoholism, their love gave me a sense of security I felt was unshakable. Coming into a room to find them in each other’s arms made me squirm in delight rather than embarrassment. Sometimes I squeezed my small self into that treasured place between their embrace just to absorb the overflow of their love.

Because she loved him so wholeheartedly, my mother was devastated to lose my father to cancer when he was just 60. At that time I was a young mother of three myself, raising a family and struggling with my own marriage problems. I was also a new believer in Christ, so I shared with my mother the little I knew about the Savior I loved, to offer her comfort. In God’s providence, He provided a caring Christian neighbor who befriended her and shared the healing truth of the gospel so eventually my mother became a believer too. Her new friend invited her to church and enfolded her into a warm circle of women who ministered to her hurting heart and helped her grow in her new faith.

It was a gift when she came to live in our community so she could be closer to my family. Visiting for hours over tea in her bright seaside apartment deepened our relationship beyond mother and daughter, because now we had a common faith to explore. Together we joined a Christian Women’s Club luncheon group where we made friends and memories. My children grew up with the knowledge that Grandma was their biggest fan. She faithfully attended their school concerts, came to their birthday parties and encouraged them in all they did. I soon realized that my mother had become my best friend.

There were still times when she was unreachable, when grief for my father rose strong even after many years, when all I could do was pray for her. These times sent the roots of her faith deep because she realized how much she needed the Lord. I learned so much from her in her suffering. When my time of suffering came with a vengeance, she was there by my side – steadfast, generous, loving me as only she could.

My mother loved celebrating Easter. Her warm brown eyes teared up whenever she talked about what Jesus had done on the cross to save her. She embraced the traditions of Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, preparing her spirit with topical devotionals and events. Her holiday weekend was usually spent with us, often accompanied by gifts of chocolate eggs and bouquets of spring flowers.

As a little girl in a matching twirly Easter dress, I loved my mother with a child’s dependence and adoration. Because the wonderful truth of the first Easter morning rose in both our spirits, we became more than mother and daughter – we became sisters in Christ. The anticipation of our someday reunion in heaven is particularly sweet when Easter comes around each year.

  

 

 

 

 

Valerie's devotionals can be read on her blog https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

EASTER HALLELUJAH by Joylene M Bailey

 

Image by Ken Haines from Pixabay 

When I think back to Easters of my childhood, what stands out the most are the hymns we sang on Easter Sunday morning. As a little girl, I couldn't have explained why I loved them so much but now when I look back, I understand that it was the pure joy of the moment. 

The songs of Good Friday were beautiful and appropriately solemn, but on Easter Sunday everyone sang with gusto. Who could somberly mumble Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! ?

No, we were celebrating our risen Lord and we couldn't keep quiet about it. I get excited just thinking about those old Easter hymns. 

I wonder if some of the hymns of my childhood will be familiar to you. I dare you to hum through these lines in my Easter Hallelujah and see if you don't continue singing one or two of them for the rest of the day. 

~~~~~

Hosanna, loud hosanna The little children sang;

Through pillared court and temple The lovely anthem rang;

Alas! and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I?

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Easter Song: Hear the bells ringing, they're singing 

That you can be born again.

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Saviour!

Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose, 

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

Does his successive journeys run;

Awake, my soul, and sing Of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.

How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:

How marvelous! how wonderful Is my Saviour's love for me!

We serve a risen Saviour. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

~~~~~

Joy will be singing with gusto from her family room couch this Easter Sunday, along with The Cowboy and Babe. Check out more of her writing at Scraps of Joy.

Hymns:

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna                    Jennette Threlfall, 1873

Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed?        Isaac Watts, 1707

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross    Isaac Watts, 1701

Christ the Lord is Risen Today            Charles Wesley, 1739

Easter Song                                      Keith Green, 1977

Low in the Grave He Lay                    Robert Lowry, 1874

Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun    Isaac Watts, 1719

Crown Him With Many Crowns           Matthew Bridges, 1851

I Stand Amazed in the Presence         Charles H. Gabriel, 1905

Hear Our Prayers, O Lord by Alan Anderson.

 

Great Lent for Eastern Orthodox Christians began on March 15. We are now into our journey toward Pascha (Eastern Orthodox Easter) which includes fasting until Pascha on May 2 this year.

 

One blessing of Great Lent is to focus on the life and ministry of Jesus. We do this as a Church through increased church services and times of prayer together.

 

As my March blog post, I offer this humble prayer poem to you my beloved InScribe family.

 

Hear Our Prayers, O Lord

 

In the noise of daily life

Busyness, activity, and human strife,

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

By the resplendence of Your unbounded love,

Holds us tight from Your home above,

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

You left heaven to show us Your presence,

Where we now realize Your magnificence,

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

We consider the majesty of your being,

We sit at Your feet, and on you we are leaning,

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

With confession of our sin and need,

By Your compassion You answer our plead.

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

When our cries overwhelm, and we give way to fear,

Remind us, O God, You are near.

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

You desire our repentance,

And we rejoice in Your acceptance.

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

Your Resurrection calls us to praise,

And live renewed lives the rest of our days.

Hear our prayers, O Lord.

 

Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy.

 

Amen.

 

Alan lives in Deroche, B.C. with his wife, Terry. He contributed stories to Good Grief People by Angel Hope Publishing, 2017, Story by Story: The Power of a Writer, Unstoppable Writers Publishing, 2018, and Easter Stories & More, by InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship, 2021. He has also written articles for FellowScript Magazine. Blog: https://scarredjoy.ca. Alan is the Provincial Rep. Liaison and BC Rep for InScribe.

https://scarredjoy.ca/