Spring has definitely arrived from the yellow dusting of pollen that is everywhere. The Bradford Pears are starting to bloom, the brown winter grass is turning beautifully green and the birds chirping are all signs those blahs of winter is getting behind us.
Spring is such a beautiful time with the awakening of the outdoors. The beauty of nature starting to come alive is such a renewal of faith that God is evident all around us. The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday is coming soon.
Since I was raised as a “P.K.” (Preacher’s Kid) the days leading up to Easter were always a huge deal in our home. Like all kids, we enjoyed the Easter baskets, candy and egg hunts, but it was also the time that our Dad would prepare for his Easter sermon.
Being the pastor of rural Methodist churches, sometimes our Dad would pastor three churches on his charge. To the four of us young’uns’, that meant two sermons at two different churches every Sunday morning; another sermon on Sunday night and every Wednesday night. That definitely gave new meaning to always get “preached at” by your father.
Sometimes we would try to bargain with our parents to let us sit “out” one of those sermons. Sometimes they caved and agreed but it was only so they could get a break from the four of us and enjoy commute to church without the usual kid drama. Sunrise service was never an option and the mere thought of trying to bargain out of that early morning service was out of the question.
As a kid, it seemed to be cruel and unusual punishment to expect us to get up that early in the morning, get dressed on time, and be presentable and happy without an attitude.
As you get older, you realize and appreciate the significance of sunrise services. To worship and praise God as the sun is rising and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus who died for our sins brings renewed faith.
This beautiful hymn says it all.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down, I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left His glory above, to bear it to dark Calvary. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down, I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown.
I wish our readers a blessed week leading up to Easter weekend on March 27th.
