Today we celebrate the resurrection of this world's one and only Savior, Jesus Christ. Last night, as a tradition that my friends and I try to celebrate annually, 2/3 of us went to the Easter Pageant at IBC. We used to be dancers in it during high school, and I did it for a year in college....not highly recommended, but entirely worth it for the worship and the friendships that came out of it!
This year's pageant was called The Victory: Worth The Cost. It came from several perspectives, each person having something to lose by following Jesus. Alison and I were pointing people out throughout the whole performance and dancing along to the music that we had danced to in previous years! As horrible as the crucifixion is portrayed, that scene didn't bring me to tears as much as another one does: the raising of Lazarus! Seriously, it sends tears to my eyes now and chills across my arms remembering the choir breaking out in that familiar song. It was written by Carmen but arrangement by Rhodes...very peppy, gets ya moving! Jesus (Russ) calls out Lazarus, COME FORTH! "Lazarus! Lazarus! Laaazarus, come forrrrth! Lazarus! Lazarus! Laaazarus, come forrrrth!" A little more goes to the song, and then it's dead silence....why?....LAZARUS CAME FORTH! It just touches my heart, because I can see into this miracle so easily. If my brother died and came back - any of them - I'd be worse than Mary and Martha!
The pageant also showed an amazing portrayal of good vs. evil. They had an angel (dancer) near the tomb's stone. All of a sudden, the music got very eerie and the devil (a good friend of mine in real life!) and many minions came out of a dark entrance, all celebrating Jesus' death while the devil stood proudly in their midst. As they did this, the angel beckoned and an angel came from each side of the crowd! They came and danced alongside the head angel while the demons still danced their little celebration at the bottom of the steps. More and more angels came out until there were 7 all dancing around the top and middle stage:) All of a sudden the battle began! The head angel and the devil began a non-contact dance that suggest powers at work. Each of the other angels picked off another demon, leaving them scurrying off the stage back into the darkness. Eventually, the devil was pushed back with his minions and the angels celebrated, parting for the head angel to dance back to the top of the stage and roll away the tomb as Jesus (and lots of dry ice) came out! Unbelieveably marvelous!!
Thank you, Father, for this opportunity to be there and to see old friends from IBC. It pushed me to start reading my Bible again. This morning I read Matthew 26-27 with a fine toothed comb, questioning every little thing even if it might seem silly. I have questions about what the Scripture says, but not because I'm doubting it....because I'm READING it :) Oh, what a wonderful feeling!
I'm also looking for a good book/commentary on the 12 disciples: who they were, what their families were like, etc. I love comparing the 4 gospels, and I've always wanted to dig deeper to find out why certain men wrote certain parts of Jesus' life down:) Ooooh I'm so excited :D:D:D
He is Risen....He is Risen, INDEED! :D
Isaiah 55:8 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD."
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Apr 4, 2010
Apr 11, 2009
Week 6
Can you believe I've been home for 1 1/2 months now! I worked Mon-Thur with Lauren the lamb:) So much fun! We did a lot with her Tango and some physical exercise like jumping on the trampoline, walking around, going to the park. We read several books, especially Dora books. Bless that little girl! She's gotten so big since I knew her (around 18 months old?)!!
Tomorrow brings Easter. The story of Christ's birth rings throughout everywhere I turn. Radios, churches, movies, even commercials. I am so thankful Alison and I saw our church's Easter pageant last week. I cried through parts just because I could look past knowing the actors and actresses and dancers and stage crew and could just see this really happening 2000 years ago. I pray that God blesses each person that was involved with that ministry! I also pray for those that accepted Christ because of the pageants and those that are still deciding:)
It's hard during Easter pageants for me because I remember loved ones gone ahead already to worship God face to face. Buddy Wood was an amazing man of God that I didn't get to talk to a lot personally, but saw his love for his Savior and others during his life, even when he was sick. I remember a few other gentlemen who were also ill, such as Mr. Arndt and Mr. Britton (the elder). What's hitting me hardest right now is the death of my dear friend Mrs. Usher. She died 11/11 last year, while I was in the midst of student teaching and work. I still remember breaking down at my "desk" in the hallway and running to the bathroom to cry. I don't think I will ever be able to wrap my head around the idea that she is gone from this earth forever. She doesn't want to come back to her earthly body; I suppose when I reach heaven, I'll feel the same way. However, the way she touched hearts was unmatchable. She worked as the main seamstress in the Easter pageant, so when I was still dancing in it, I would get to see her at least once every other week, then daily as the pageants commenced. She had such a heart for God that is unlike anyone I've met....and I just miss her dearly. (I've been bawling my eyes out since I started typing this....how silly is that??)
Lord, please help me make it through tomorrow focusing on the birth of Your Son, the Life of Your Son, the compassion of Your Son, the Death and Sacrifice of Your Son, and the RESURRECTION of Your Son! Hallelujah, He is Risen!
Tomorrow brings Easter. The story of Christ's birth rings throughout everywhere I turn. Radios, churches, movies, even commercials. I am so thankful Alison and I saw our church's Easter pageant last week. I cried through parts just because I could look past knowing the actors and actresses and dancers and stage crew and could just see this really happening 2000 years ago. I pray that God blesses each person that was involved with that ministry! I also pray for those that accepted Christ because of the pageants and those that are still deciding:)
It's hard during Easter pageants for me because I remember loved ones gone ahead already to worship God face to face. Buddy Wood was an amazing man of God that I didn't get to talk to a lot personally, but saw his love for his Savior and others during his life, even when he was sick. I remember a few other gentlemen who were also ill, such as Mr. Arndt and Mr. Britton (the elder). What's hitting me hardest right now is the death of my dear friend Mrs. Usher. She died 11/11 last year, while I was in the midst of student teaching and work. I still remember breaking down at my "desk" in the hallway and running to the bathroom to cry. I don't think I will ever be able to wrap my head around the idea that she is gone from this earth forever. She doesn't want to come back to her earthly body; I suppose when I reach heaven, I'll feel the same way. However, the way she touched hearts was unmatchable. She worked as the main seamstress in the Easter pageant, so when I was still dancing in it, I would get to see her at least once every other week, then daily as the pageants commenced. She had such a heart for God that is unlike anyone I've met....and I just miss her dearly. (I've been bawling my eyes out since I started typing this....how silly is that??)
Lord, please help me make it through tomorrow focusing on the birth of Your Son, the Life of Your Son, the compassion of Your Son, the Death and Sacrifice of Your Son, and the RESURRECTION of Your Son! Hallelujah, He is Risen!
Apr 5, 2009
Week 5
Holy cow it's been 5 weeks? Wow I need a job;)
Actually, I had a call back from Barnes and Noble (they only pay a bit over $7/hr, so I declined) and Paneras (after going to NVTemps, so declined them). My registration at NVTemps went well. It was actually fun once the frightening stuff was over. Frightening meaning the tests for Microsoft Office was 2000 edition. Maybe that's what most of their clients use in their offices? Anyway, tested great on everything somehow (God's grace!) and talked with a lady about doing some temp work.
Since I am just working this upcoming week with lovely Lauren, I asked that NVTemps search for a job for me that starts next week:) I actually got a call from them that afternoon - a lady in the office that didn't get that memo asked if I could work the next day! I also got a message from a conceirge business that needed someone to work the night shift tonight. I declined, but I'm excited!
This upcoming week should be interesting. Mom's in Vermont with my grandparents for the week. Public school just started their spring break (yesterday!), so Tim is doing a road trip with friends and his youth group leader. Phil and Sam are stuck here with me:P Oh, and Dad and Sean, too:) Hopefully it should work out well, but if not, I'll be ranting like usual :P
I got to see the Easter pageant tonight with Alison! Oooh I'm so happy I went:) I cried just looking through the list of kids in the pageant that I've seen grow up! Oh, and the singing! It makes me tear up just thinking about the beautiful worship that happened tonight:) Hopefully I'll get up to church sometime and get to stop by the dancer's room and say hi to the few I still know:)
Alright, I get up in 6 hours, feed the dog, shower, and get the boys and myself ready for 8am service. Whoot!:P
Actually, I had a call back from Barnes and Noble (they only pay a bit over $7/hr, so I declined) and Paneras (after going to NVTemps, so declined them). My registration at NVTemps went well. It was actually fun once the frightening stuff was over. Frightening meaning the tests for Microsoft Office was 2000 edition. Maybe that's what most of their clients use in their offices? Anyway, tested great on everything somehow (God's grace!) and talked with a lady about doing some temp work.
Since I am just working this upcoming week with lovely Lauren, I asked that NVTemps search for a job for me that starts next week:) I actually got a call from them that afternoon - a lady in the office that didn't get that memo asked if I could work the next day! I also got a message from a conceirge business that needed someone to work the night shift tonight. I declined, but I'm excited!
This upcoming week should be interesting. Mom's in Vermont with my grandparents for the week. Public school just started their spring break (yesterday!), so Tim is doing a road trip with friends and his youth group leader. Phil and Sam are stuck here with me:P Oh, and Dad and Sean, too:) Hopefully it should work out well, but if not, I'll be ranting like usual :P
I got to see the Easter pageant tonight with Alison! Oooh I'm so happy I went:) I cried just looking through the list of kids in the pageant that I've seen grow up! Oh, and the singing! It makes me tear up just thinking about the beautiful worship that happened tonight:) Hopefully I'll get up to church sometime and get to stop by the dancer's room and say hi to the few I still know:)
Alright, I get up in 6 hours, feed the dog, shower, and get the boys and myself ready for 8am service. Whoot!:P
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