Category: Easter

  • Surrender

    Surrender

    As we step into Holy Week, I find myself thinking about how Jesus entered this week—not with resistance, not with fear, but with a quiet, steady surrender. Not the kind of surrender that gives up, but the kind that gives over.


    On this Monday of Holy Week, Scripture tells us Jesus returned to Jerusalem with a purpose. He walked toward the cross with full awareness of what was coming. And yet, He kept moving. He kept teaching. He kept loving. He kept surrendering His will to the Father’s plan, one step at a time.


    I imagine Him walking those dusty roads, knowing the weight of the week ahead. And I think about how often we carry our own heavy burdens we didn’t choose, questions we can’t answer, situations we can’t fix.


    But Jesus shows us a different way.
    A surrendered way.
    A trusting way.


    Surrender doesn’t mean we stop caring. It means we stop carrying what was never ours to hold alone. It means we loosen our grip so God can place something new in our hands.


    Matthew 21:12–14 — Jesus cleanses the temple, restoring it to a place of prayer and purpose.
    A reminder that surrender often begins with clearing space for God to move.
     
    Reflection Questions

    • What is one thing I need to surrender to God as I begin Holy Week?
    • Where am I holding on too tightly, and how might God be inviting me to trust Him more deeply?
    • How can I make space—emotionally, spiritually, or physically—for God’s presence this week?


    As we begin this sacred week, maybe the invitation is simple:
    Lay down what is heavy.
    Open your hands.
    Let God lead.


    Because resurrection is coming.
    Hope is already on the horizon.


    And the same Jesus who surrendered Himself for us invites us to surrender ourselves to Him—one breath, one prayer, one step at a time.

  • In the Blink of an Eye

    But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

    (from “Stitched in Christ” by TerryAnn Porter available on Amazon)

    I was working on a doll that I was crocheting for my grandchild which was done in a way that had the clothes worked into the pattern. This means there will be color changes along the way.

    I was half way through the project, mindlessly making the stitches, when I looked back at the doll and realized something was wrong. This outfit didn’t look well at all crocheted into the doll body. It was then I realized that although I made the color change for the waistband, I missed the color change back on row 17 for the bodice. Can you say FROG!  (you know, rip-it  rip-it  rip-it).

    On another project I noticed the scarf I was working on had become quite askew. No more did I have the straight even edge that looked so smooth the first 6 inches of the project.  Now, nearly 24 inches later I picked up a wrong needle from the basket it was laying in. I had knitted the last 18 inches on one needle of appropriate size and one 2 sizes smaller.

    These events are very similar to the day I woke up with a smile on my face, plans for the weekend all set, only to receive a phone call that my dear friend has passed away a few hours prior. “In the blink of eye, disaster!” (Psalm 73:19)

    Jesus was escorted into Jerusalem on what we now call “Palm Sunday”. (see the story in John 12)  When people heard he was coming to the Feast; they gathered palm branches and shouted as he approached, “Hosanna” “Blessed is the King of Israel”. (see John 12)

    A few days later these same people stood in a crowd in front of Pilate and cried out “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (see John 19)

    So quickly things change. Every day offers new challenges and new rewards. That dark day was brightened when the women went to the tomb and found it empty. (see John 20) A sad day quickly became bright as Jesus appeared to many who loved him.

    Your life, like the wrongly knit scarf, can change with or without notice. Every day offers new opportunities. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” is our promise in Psalm 30:5.

    God is a steady fortress,(Psalms 91:2)  unchanging (Hebrews 6:7),  ever present (Proverbs 15:3). When things turn suddenly to dark, hold tight to the hand of God. Walk with Him daily, and He will be at your side. Stay with Him when the stitches of your life are straight and smooth; and He will be there when you miss that color change or drop a stitch in your life. “Hold tight to God, your God, just as you have done up to now.” (Joshua 23:8)

  • Easter Craft Ideas

    It never fails. I was looking for one particular pattern online and I got distracted finding many other ideas to pursue. I found a number of links to ideas for Easter crafting so I thought I would share some with you.

    Miscellaneous Easter Crafts

    It’s been 20 some odd years since my daughter made one of these for our Easter table. It has been added to the table every year since then, until last year when it got lost in a stash of boxes during a clean out http://www.makingfriends.com/spring/hat_centerpiece.htm

    Your child will have so much fun when you make this Chicks In A Basket puppet. http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-baskets/chicks-in-a-basket-665067/

    Reuse that scratched up CD to make this bunny: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/easter/recycled-cd-memo-bunny.shtml

    Don’t throw that burned out light bulb away, make it into an Easter duck: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/duck.shtml

    Here is an idea to use those eggshells after the hunt: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/candles/eggshell-candles.shtml

    Make a nest for your eggs: http://www.dltk-kids.com/recipesdb/view.asp?rid=123

    Make your own chocolate covered Easter eggs: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Covered-Easter-Eggs/Detail.aspx

    This page leads to all sorts of bunny craft ideas: http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/rabbits.html

    Make a fluffy lamb pencil holder: http://crafts.kaboose.com/easter-tincan-lamb.html

    Preschoolers will love this marshmallow bunny: http://crafts.kaboose.com/marshmallow-rabbit.html

    Tired of plain hard boiled eggs on the table? Try this to bring a chick smile to the table: http://eyecandy.nanakaze.net/?p=459

    Make a bird’s nest from paper bags: http://www.alphamom.com/holiday/2010/03/make_a_birds_nest_for_spring.php

    Egg Dyeing ideas:

    When I was a child I watched my mother do this every year to make hollow eggs for us to dye: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/easter/blow-out-eggs.shtml

    String Technique: http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/all-easter-crafts/egg-dyeing-string-technique-668387/

    Thumbprint Technique: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts/egg-dyeing-thumbprints-technique-668394/

    Tea Infused Technique: http://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/TeaInfusedEggs.htm

    Crayon Artistry: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/crayon.htm

    Celebrate the Resurrection

    Easter Story Cookies: http://recipes.holidays.net/view_recipe.php?id=235

    Jelly Bean Prayer: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/easter/jellybean.htm

    Have your own Family Easter Sunrise Service: http://www.annieshomepage.com/service.html

    My mother made this every year for our Easter dinner: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easter-Lamb-Cake-I/Detail.aspx