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| Inspiration and Encouragement for Easter |
Recently, I shared with you several articles on the topic of love and relationships from one of my affiliates, DaySpring Cards and Gifts. What you might not know about the DaySpring website is that they have some pretty amazing writers. DaySpring writers regularly post encouraging and uplifting articles to the DaySpring website. There are articles for almost every holiday, particularly Christian holidays. Today, I want to share inspiration and encouragement for Easter from DaySpring writers.
Inspiration and Encouragement for Easter
5 Strategies for Planning the Perfect Easter Celebration by Mariali
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| 5 Strategies for Planning the Perfect Easter Celebration |
Easter is coming! You can tell it’s close—tulips are blooming and colorful, candy-filled Easter baskets now line the walls of our favorite supermarkets. It’s time to start thinking about Easter dresses and bonnets for the kids, preparing for community-wide egg hunts, and inviting loved ones to Easter dinner. With all these tasks in mind, it’s easy to focus on our ever-growing Easter to-do list rather than what Easter is primarily about—our heart’s response to Jesus and the Cross. So, before we start stressing out about having the perfect Easter celebration, let’s dive in to what it means to observe this beautiful, life-giving holiday. Continue Reading . . .
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| Spring Bunny Table Topper Easter Decoration |
When Jesus Said, "It is Finished," He Was Talking About You by Melody
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There’s such gravity in that moment. Imagining the Son of God, our Savior, with His battered and broken body nailed to a cross, stirs up a sense of both sadness and shame. He endured such terrible things that even thinking about them leads me to close my eyes in sorrow. Most every time I heard or read the story, my focus was on what happened, the events themselves, and less so on those three simple words He spoke at the end: “It is finished.” What did Jesus mean when He said “it is finished?" Continue reading . . .
Remembering Holy Week by Shawna
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| Remembering Holy Week |
And with those words…Holy Week began. As we begin our Holy Week celebration and head toward Easter Sunday, let’s remember the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection and acknowledge their meaning. Reflect upon what happened on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before His crucifixion, when Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem with coats and branches laid at His feet and people praising Him. Those shouting Hosanna, or “save us,” were looking for an earthly warrior to rescue them from the harsh Roman rule. Continue reading . . .
Awesome Collection of Easter Songs by Amazing Song Artists
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| Positively Easter: An Awesome Collection of Easter Songs by Amazing Song Artists |
How to Share His Good News with Family This Easter by Michelle Reyes
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| How to Share His Good News with Family This Easter |
It can be hard to talk about the true meaning of Easter with some of our family members. We worry that we’ll say the wrong thing or just fumble over our words and not make any sense. What if we make them less interested in this holiday or confuse them or make it worse?
These are real and valid concerns, which thankfully can be a bit alleviated by a bit of practice, sensitivity and planning. Below are three ways to get the conversation about Easter started with your non-believing family members. Continue reading . . .
Finding a seat for Easter by Leigh Sain
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| Finding a Seat for Easter |
“We have to go move the chairs. It’s Easter — the holiday of moving chairs . . . and talking about Jesus,” my youngest explains to his friend as I herd my kids into the car.
“What?” I ask, thinking that there are a thousand other ways to talk about the highest holy day on the church calendar. Moving chairs?
“Yeah, mom,” he answers grinning. “Jesus comes back to life; so we have to go move all the chairs!" Continue reading . . .
He is Risen Yard Sign with Metal Stakes
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| He Is Risen Yard Sign With Metal Stakes |
Faith-Filled Easter Gifts for Grandchildren by Paige
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| Faith-Filled Easter Gifts for Grandchildren |
Whether your grandkids live nearby or far away, Easter is a wonderful time to connect with them. It’s not only a time for fun and springtime surprises, but also a special opportunity to share the true meaning of the season. It’s never too early to start helping them learn more about Jesus—His sacrifice and the new life He offers to us all. One way to share the meaning of this season is through Easter gifts for your grandchildren. Continue reading . . .
An Easter Prayer by Tina
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| An Easter Prayer |
As we reflect on the Resurrection of Jesus, let’s take some time to praise Him and ask for even more of His Presence in our lives! Here’s a simple Easter prayer you can reflect on: Continue reading . . .
The Tomb is Empty - Our Hearts are Full by Paige
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| The Tomb is Empty - Our Hearts are Full |
And suddenly, I was reminded of the empty tomb and the childlike wonder
of those who witnessed it—who stood at the entrance of the place where
just hours before, the turning point in history had happened: human feet
on holy ground. Hearts filled with the utter delight of God’s love made visible in a way that it had never been before. Continue reading . . .
The Case for Christmas/The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel
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| The Case for Christmas/The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel |
Learning Lessons on Faith: God's Love is the Common Thread by Rachel Wojo
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| Learning Lessons on Faith: God's Love is the Common Thread |
Explaining Easter to Kids (Without Scaring Them) by Gini
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| Explaining Easter to Kids (Without Scaring Them) |
Easter is a unique holiday for Christians because it carries weight. We know that in order for the stone to be rolled away, Jesus had to first be crucified, tortured and left to die next to thieves. This is not an easy topic for adults to discuss, so how do we explain Easter to our kids without completely terrifying them? How do we describe the gravity of the holiday without horrifying them with the ugly, painful details of the suffering that Jesus endured? Or are we supposed to let them feel the pain and join them where they are? Continue reading . . .
Sharing the Gospel with Teens This Easter by Mariali
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| Sharing the Gospel with Teens This Easter |
When it comes to teenagers, it’s interesting that many adults have a challenging time with this stage of life. Many of us are confused by how to parent them, teach them, relate to them, and even talk to them. They’re not kids anymore, but they have yet to go through some experiences that help them fully become adults. And when it comes to talking about Easter or sharing the Gospel with teens…well, where do you start? Continue reading . . .
A Grandparent's Guide to Easter by Anna
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| A Grandparent's Guide to Easter |
When we give gifts (especially as a grandparent to a grandchild) we have the chance to bless even more deeply than the thrill of having something fun to unwrap. We have the chance to let the recipient know that we know them. And we have the chance to pass on eternal truths about the Lord’s love, even via the gifts that make their way into a plastic grass-filled Easter gift basket. Continue reading . . .
Favorite Easter Hymns and Their Histories by Julie
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| Favorite Easter Hymns and Their Histories |
My fondest Easter memories are centered around singing together as a congregation. I can remember the church being filled with Easter lilies and other girls like me decked out in our new, pastel-colored Easter dresses. But more than anything, I recall everyone’s voice being raised to God with hymns of worship, praising Him for sending His Son to die for our sins. Including my own. The stories behind the hymns we sing and the history of these Easter songs hold lessons about the songwriters’ great faith. Continue reading . . .
What's in Your Easter Basket? by Paige
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| What's in Your Easter Basket |
For many of us, life is filled to the brim. Commitments, activities, relationships and to-do lists take a lot of our time and energy (often in wonderful ways!)—especially as we are preparing for Easter. As you pack Easter baskets for children and friends, have you stopped to think about what’s in your Easter basket? We all need a pause now and then—an opportunity to be still and allow our Creator to fill us up with His goodness and love. Continue reading . . .
Shine God's Light in the Midst of Holiday Stress by Gini
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| Shine God's Light in the Midst of Holiday Stress |
Yes, in my world, holidays are action-packed with family, kids, utility vehicles, last years’ fireworks, heated political debates and even an occasional attack turkey. And, even though I wouldn’t change it for the world, it’s a lot to take on and many times, I find myself stressed out at the situation just trying to manage to get through the holiday without getting hurt. Continue reading . . .
3 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Family for Easter by Gini
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| 3 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Family for Easter |
Yes, Easter is a beautifully amazing holiday—one that stands out from the rest. Why? Because
to fully understand the celebration, to fully accept the joy of the
season, we must first comprehend the hard truth of Jesus’ sacrifice. So,
the question is: how can we prepare ourselves and our families in the
days leading up to Easter so that we can fully accept His love and grace
on that beautiful Easter Sunday morning? Continue reading . . .
Christian Hymns for Easter (These are Hymn classics you will absolutely love.)
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| Classic Christian Hymns for Easter |
The Blood of Forgiveness and Cleansing by Roy Lessin
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| The Blood of Forgiveness and Cleansing |
Jesus was crucified at the time of the Jewish Feast of Passover. This was not a coincidence. It was ordained of God. Jesus is called our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7) and also the Lamb of God (John 1:29).
The first Passover took place more than 3,000 years ago. It happened on the night when God sent the tenth plague upon Egypt. This plague would bring death to the first born in the land. To escape this judgement, the Jewish people were to follow God’s specific instructions for deliverance. Continue reading . . .
The Blood of Redemption by Roy Lessin
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| The Blood of Redemption |
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. ” Ephesians 1:7 KJV
“You are forgiven and made clean.” How glorious and freeing are these
words spoken from God’s heart to the hearts of those who have confessed
and repented of their sins. And to those who believe and are God’s
children, no words spoken by your heavenly Father could be more assuring
than, “You are mine!” Continue reading . . .
The Blood of Access by Roy Lessin
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| The Blood of Access |
How could this problem of separation be solved? How could sinful people gain back access into fellowship and communion with a Holy God? It was impossible! God was the only one who could provide the way to bring us back to Himself. He provided it through love—by His grace, by His mercy, and by the blood of atonement. Continue reading . . .
The Blood of Eternal Hope by Roy Lessin
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| The Blood of Eternal Hope |
It is His blood, and His blood alone, that makes it possible for us to carry the hope of heaven in our hearts. To say that we must do something to merit a place in heaven is to say that the blood of Jesus is not sufficient. When Jesus said, “It is finished” the price of our redemption was fully secured…three days later, when Jesus rose from the dead, our hope of heaven was fully assured. The hymn writer, Edward Mote, understood this truth when he wrote, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Continue reading . . .
Surrounded by Roy Lessin
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| Surrounded |
Suppose you owned a flashlight that was able to shine a light completely around you and send out a beam for a distance of 100 feet. Now suppose you had a super flashlight that was able to shine a beam completely around you that could reach to the end of the universe. God’s grace is like a super beam of light. It radiates from His presence and arrives unbroken from His throne to the place where you are. Continue reading . . .
PIN ME!
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| Inspiration and Encouragement for Easter |