April 10, 2009
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GETTING READY FOR EASTER
It is hard to believe Easter Sunday is only a few days away! I had the privilege of designing a Power Point show to go with the song "How Could You Say No to This Man?" for our church. Perhaps you've heard it.... Thorns on His head, spear in His side...Yet it was a heartache that made Him cry. He gave His life so you would understand. Is there any way you could say no to this man? How could you look in His tear stained eyes knowing it's you He's thinking of? Could you tell Him you're not ready to give Him your life? Could you say you don't think you need His love? Jesus is here with His arms open wide. You can see Him with your heart, if you'll stop looking with your eyes. He's left it up to you; He's done all that He can. Is there any way you could say no to this man?
We're using a hauntingly sweet acapella version. It was so powerful I wanted to use graphics only and no words at all. My first challenge was to figure out a way to convey Jesus crying. But it turned out to be an even bigger challenge to find images that conveyed rejection ~ not the easiest emotion to capture. But I was able to use PSP to layer present day shots of people of different ages and race over crucifixion art. Toward the end I used some pretty graphic shots from The Passion of The Christ I found online. I think I had the most fun designing this background: (If you want to download it, you should be able to go to the original size by clicking on it.)
Anyway.... Today being Good Friday, I was thinking about the first Easter that I finally understood the significance of this day... the day of curcifixion.... It was over 20 years ago... I had been studying the Passover celebration in BSF, and realized for the first time how Jesus is our perfect Passover lamb. Sadly, most of us don't realize that it is our very own nasty habits and our own secret sins that put Him on the cross to begin with. I don’t think any of us fully comprehend the depth of the love that held Jesus on the cross when He had thousands of angels at His beck and call. Too many folks stop there. Yes, Jesus died for me. But more importantly, now He lives for me!
According to Hebrews 7, Jesus is our advocate, the mediator between believers and God. He looks after our interests and intercedes for us with God. The Word says Christ makes perpetual intercession before God for us and that His continuous presence in heaven with the Father assures us that our sins have been paid for and forgiven ! (You know Christianity is the only religion that serves a risen savior. All the other religions of the world hail to a prophet that lived once upon a time, but is no more.)
So as we are getting ready to celebrate our Risen Savior this weekend, let's be careful not to lose the meaning in the new clothes, yummy things to eat and egg decorating. This weekend isn't really about Springtime and bunnies and candy. It's about a love so deep we can't really understand it; a love that overcame death to rescue folks who didn't deserve it.
Comments (12)
You and I ought to find a BSF in Lubbock and start attending it. I will be through homeschooling in a few weeks. Do they do those during the summer? Or can you start one in your home?
Amen to that reflection on the meaning of Easter!
@texasmelody - There is one in Lubbock but it is only during the traditional school year. And no you can't use their studies in your own home other than for personal use.
What about just doing a Bible study together? It doesn't have to be just like it.
what a great reflection for today...and your graphics are amazing.....blessings on your Easter Sabbath!!
What a good reflection on the deep meaning of Easter! I did an Easter power point too, illustrating our pastor's sermon entitiled, "The Day Death Died." I had loads of fun doing it. I also used stills from The Passion of the Christ. I love your graphic and I will snitch it since you gave permission.
Your words touched my heart today. Hope you have a beautiful Resurrection Sunday.
@Suzyquekau - Glad you can use the cross background. I love playing around in Power Point. Wouldn't it be fun to have a job where you get paid to play with fonts and colors and graphics!
@piecedtreasures - @brokenbread - @New_Orleans_lady - Thank you for your affirming comments and faithfulness to keep in touch. May you all have a wonderful blessed Easter !
@suezzzque - I've often made that same comment to my husband! "I could do this for pay!!" I'm the head of our power point team at church, (Sounds grand, but it's really not!!) and it's always just a delight for me when it's my turn to put together the pp backgrounds for the worship team, etc. It's definately not "work!" Have a most blessed Resurrection Day!
Happy Easter.
We finally got rain. We really needed it.
The kids are excited about tomorrow. Tyler keeps telling everyone he is having an Easter hunt at church. Little man is so cute. He keeps us going. Everything is "do like". He saw a fire truck close up and he was fascinated. They had an emergency at the commissary. He said it goes Whoo!!!
Little Miss has an attitude problem tight now. That will change real soon.
Ken's back is hurting again. Still haven't heard from the surgeoin about his nosel
We are going to Black Angus for Bob's birthday so I better get ready.
Have a great day tomorrow.
Love ya.
@Diane_B - Happy Easter to you too. I had visions of calling everyone on Easter ... somehow never got around to it.
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