Just the other day I received an email from a friend who asked, “Can you believe it is already 2010?”  That is the kind of question we ask each other every year when January rolls around.

Well, this year, I really can’t believe a new year has begun.  It is January, but I’ve been out of sync since September!  My father had a stroke and my husband and I moved temporarily to be nearer to him.  We have only just recently moved back home and are getting our life back in order. 

These last months, although stressful, have been full of blessings.  At every step along the way toward his recovery, we have said, “Thank you, Lord.”

One of the first things we did with Dad was to sing “Jesus loves me.”  Even though his speech was severely affected, he mouthed the words as he sang with us.  This was a statement of his faith in his loving Lord and his confidence that He would be with Dad in his recovery. 

The twenty-third Psalm says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”  Those are powerful and comforting words, indeed!  The important key word in this passage is the preposition through.  That’s through not in.  Meaning we don’t stay there in the valley.  There is the other side. 

So, Dad has walked through the valley and is coming out on the other side, with his speech and mobility improving every day.  Our family, though temporarily derailed during the last months of 2009, looks forward with eagerness to continue to sing God’s praises in the New Year 2010.

After a while, flags begin to look tattered and worn, and are in need of replacement.  Such is the case at our church.  This weekend we dedicated three new flags that will fly out in front of our church as symbols of what is important to us.

The first flag is the Christian Flag.  It stands for the true foundation of our whole life, both here on earth and in the hereafter.  It represents Jesus Christ’s victories over sin, death, and the devil.  Those victories obtained for us the forgiveness of sins and salvation and gave us new life in Christ and membership in the eternal kingdom of God.  These blessings are now given to us because of Him and through our faith in Him.

The second flag is the State Flag.  It reminds us that we have been called to faith and planted here where we live.  Daily we enjoy all the blessings of family, friends, neighbors, community, and vocation freely given to us through God’s hand that we must willingly, wisely, and lovingly steward.

The third flag is the National Flag.  It represents that union of fifty states which enables us to maintain our national, social, cultural, and religious freedom from tyranny or oppression.  That freedom allows us to do the very things, without compulsion or negative consequence, that permits us to fly our flags in the first place.

After each flag was dedicated with a prayer, we sang the Doxology.  “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”  The biggest blessing is that we are able to enjoy our religious freedom while being grateful that we live in our beautiful state and our wonderful country.  Our flags will fly bearing witness to this!  Praise God!

This past weekend was a perfect day to work in the garden.  It was in the low 70s.  Sunny and warm, but not too warm.  Cool, but not too cool.  Perfect for working outdoors.

Our four year old neighbor girl came running over to “help” me.  As we were bent over to put in some new plants, she observed, “What a beautiful day!”  She was absolutely right.  It was a gorgeous day.  The day itself was wonderful, but it was all the more so, because we were enjoying working together.

Upon further reflection, I am reminded of the scripture verse that says “This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

We all too often just take each day as it comes along, without taking the time to appreciate it.  Our sweet little girl next door was a great reminder to rejoice in the blessing of the gift of a beautiful day.  I thank and praise the Lord for it… and for her.

Today, Easter Sunday, we went to church to celebrate the risen Lord.  It was truly a festival celebration in our little church.

Our pastor always has notes in the bulletin about the liturgical setting, scripture notes, and so on.  Today was no exception.  I’d like to share what I learned by reading his notes to us, before the service began.

Easter had the ancient name of “Pascha” from the Hebrew word for Passover.  The word Easter we use today comes from the Anglo-Saxon name for the goddess of spring whose festival occurred each year at the vernal equinox.  Hmmm.  So even though we use the word Easter, the better Christian usage would be the Resurrection of our Lord.

The liturgy, which eliminated alleluias and glorias during Lent, restored them today.  Our little church had flowers, a procession, special music, a choir, and a guest soloist.

We celebrated Christ’s victory over death, giving us the assurance of salvation.  We sang our thanks and praises to the Lord.  Allelluia!

So… instead of Happy Easter, I wish you a blessed Resurrection of our Lord!

Today, as I was driving down the road, I saw two large yard ornaments.  They were the big air-filled type.  One was a huge yellow chicken, and the other was an equally big pink Easter bunny.  They were cute!  They made me smile!

But then I got to thinking.  Not that there is anything wrong with having fun with Easter bunnies and chicks, but I don’t recall that I have ever seen any yard decorations for the Christian aspect of Easter.  I don’t think that I have ever seen any in the yard of any church, either. 

At Christmas, yards are decorated with Santa Claus, reindeer, candy canes, etc.  We also see nativity scenes with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, wisemen, and shepherds.

So, what kind of yard decorations could be displayed for Easter?

An empty cross is a good symbol.  An empty tomb would be good, as well.  But I don’t really see either of these as a yard decoration.

These are way more important than Easter bunnies and chicks… even if they did make me smile. 

Tomorrow morning I will go to church to celebrate that empty tomb, because our risen Lord did hang on the cross, did die for my sins, and did rise in triumph over death and the devil for me.  I will give thanks and praise to the Lord!

That gives me an even bigger smile!  It fills my heart with joy!

Many years ago, my father, a doctor, was invited to speak to my parochial school biology class.  He began his presentation with the bible verse from Psalm 139:14.  “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”  That verse has always stayed with me.

When a baby is born, mothers and fathers count all of Baby’s fingers and toes and marvel at Baby’s cute little nose.  Wonderful!  They watch for developmental stages.  Marvelous!  Praise the Lord!

From the day of our birth, it is a daily blessing that we even open our eyes in the morning or take a breath.  Praise the Lord!

But… sometimes things go wrong.  Do we, then, not praise the Lord?  That’s a difficult question.  We are told in Ephesians 5:20 to “Give thanks always for all things”. 

I had a friend, who, when we would talk after a terrible day, would say with a big smile, “Well, praise the Lord anyway.”  I can almost hear her voice all these many years later.

Our Lord, who is worthy of praise in all situations and circumstances holds us in His arms from the very beginning of our life, no matter how long or short it may be.  A drawing of a baby in Jesus’ arms is a powerful expression of His love and caring for all His children.

Praise the Lord!