PRAYING HANDS

There are hands that help and comfort,
Hands that plan and teach,
Hands that rest and hands that strive
For a goal just out of reach,
Hands that grasp and hands that give,
Hands that work and play,
Friendly hands and loving hands
That soothes life's cares away.
But praying hands are dearest
In the sight of God above
For in their sweet and earnest clasp
Are reverence and love.
No hands can do an unkind act
Nor cause another care
Nor sin against Our Father's love
When they are clasped in prayer.
Author Unknown

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
Psalm 91:14

Our Father, which art in heaven hear this Easter prayer.
That we trust God’s judgment and be guided by His hand.
A prayer that his Wisdom will abide in us each day.
To help and to guide each step along life’s way.
Amen.

Bible Study
The story of Jesus comes from many sources and is filled with love – love of God, of Mary and Joseph and an unknown twelve who followed him. His life is a story of faith and the faithful. Jesus taught in the synagogues in Galilee preaching the good news of the kingdom and he healed sickness and disease among the people. Read of his life in

Luke 2:21 The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in a barn.
Mark 3:13-19 Jesus calls together a crew of 12 very human men.
Mark 9:2-13 Jesus is transfigured on the Mountain. Moses and Elijah made a sudden appearance to Jesus, Peter, James and John.
Mark 14:17-26 The Last Supper with his disciples.
Mark 15-25-32 The Crucifixion
Luke 24:1-12 The Resurrection

Dear Lord, Thank you for all things bright and beautiful. Thank you for the times of our lives that draw us close to you. Thank you for all things great and small. Thank you for landscapes. Thank you for memories. Thank you for the seasons of our lives. Thank you for the times of our lives – of hope, of faith, of harvest, of surrender and of trust. Thank you for the promise of your word. Amen

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, who we'll call Brother Smith. She says Brother Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into seminary and knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Brother Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry . . . and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend (on her right), drew a picture of a girl who had
stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left), drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of Brother Smith, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on his face. Sally was
pleased at the overall effect she had achieved.The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Brother Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Brother Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . . .
A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled
picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.

Brother Smith said only these words, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ. The students remained in their seats . . . even after the bell rang . . . then slowly left the classroom, tears streaming down their faces.

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40
Author Unknown

Before I awaken this morning you are with me, Lord. As I open my eyes, I thank you for the gift of this new day. May I take this certainty of your presence with me into all this day can hold – help me not to waste the day, but to learn from all that it brings. I bundle my fears of what this day may bring and place them in your hands. Let me see the people you send to me, not as interruptions in my schedule, but as creations in your image to touch and to love. Be with me now as I arise. Open my heart to love, to trust, to hope, to share, to give, and to the call of the needs of others. Give me an awareness that is constantly opening all of my senses to search for the hidden joys, the tiny discoveries of your gift of life. Come unto me now and shepherd me through this day. Amen

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence.
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."
But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."
"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the paintings?"
"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told there was a secret stipulation. And not to say anything of that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?" Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
Author Unknown

Heavenly Father, You move in my heart even though I do not know how to listen. Remind me that You are at work within me. I pray that Your light will shine through me. I know that when I serve others, I also serve you. Help me to make time to serve. Help me to take time to touch someone’s life today. Help me to take time to listen, so that Your love will flow through me and that I may be ever aware of Your Spirit within me. Amen

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull." Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best. We know Jesus endured the Cross to bring us the gift of eternal joy. Knowing this, every day we can find our strength in Him.
Author Unknown

Heavenly Father, grant me the faith to place myself completely in Your hands. Let me feel Your presence and guidance. As I extend my hand, let me feel Your reassuring grasp and abundant love. Amen

I see your hand, Lord, in everything around me, and in every aspect of my life. I seek your will. I see your plan, Lord, in all the years behind me, and in the days and years to come – I’ll trust you still.
Jeremiah 29:11

Many years ago, a dogwood tree grew on a hill outside Jerusalem. In those days, the dogwood tree was as tall and mighty as an oak, and this tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods, and extremely proud of its strength.

"Something wonderful is going to happen to me, it said to anyone who would listen. "I'll probably become the mast that holds the big sail on a grand ship, or the main timber supporting a great house.

Unfortunately, the huge old dogwood was cut down to become the cross to which Jesus was nailed. The tree was horrified. All its dreams of glory were smashed, and it groaned in agony as two boards from its trunk were nailed together.

Jesus took pity on the tree, even as he carried it to Calvary. "You will never be put to such use again, he told it. "From this day on, your shape will change, even as will the world. You will become slender and sway easily with the breeze. And instead of acorns you will bear white flowers in the shape of a cross, with dark red bloodstains at the side of each petal to show the world how you have suffered. Last of all, the center of your flowers will be marked as though with a crown of thorns, to remind people forevermore, that you and I spent our last moments together.
Author Unknown

I know a man who was born to a poor family. His father was a laborer who never made a lot of money. His mother stayed at home and raised her children. Before he was born, his parents had to move to a new town and start all over again. They knew no one there and didn't even have a place to stay. He was born in a barn because they had no money for doctors, hospitals or even a room at a motel.
Before he was two years old, his family had to flee the country because the government decided he was a threat to national security.
Finally the old regime fell, and his family was able to return home. Home was a small out of the way town. He lived there for about 25 years. He never finished High School, and he had no trade school training. He went to work helping his father in his work, and he learned his father's trade.

When he was 30, he decided it was time to begin his own work and he became an itinerant preacher. He traveled around the countryside, on foot. He didn't own a horse, donkey, car or bicycle.
He taught people what he knew to be the truth. He loved people for who they were, not for what they could do for him, or how well they treated him, or how much they tried to find favor with him. He knew and understood all the motivations of their hearts, and he still loved them and still told them the total truth.

The problem was, he made enemies. Enemies in high and important places. These enemies decided he was a threat to national security, not to mention their own security, so they plotted to do away with him.
They succeeded, they thought. They brought him up on charges, bought off all the right people, got him convicted and executed. They thought all their problems were over, but in reality all their problems had just began.

His followers took over where he had left off, and soon there were thousands of them, each one spreading his teachings around the world. His words have influenced every one of our lives in one way or another. Some of us have given our lives into His control by receiving Him as our personal Savior. Others have totally rejected Him and all He taught. His life influences our laws, our moral code and the way we reckon time. He has touched everything that is now and ever has been and ever will be. He is Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior. He is the reason for Easter, He died for my sins, He rose again so I could live eternally and He is coming again to bring me into the presence of the Father forevermore.
Author Unknown

Unknown, but not uncharted, tomorrow waits for our arrival – a day designed, a place prepared with tender care by the One who goes before us … Let us walk with faith behind him in the footprints of his love.
Psalm 37:23

Love cannot be forced, love cannot be coaxed and teased. It comes out of Heaven, unasked and unsought.
Pearl Buck

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.
Author Unknown

Today is a new day Lord, show me the way to walk it. Help me to walk step by step with you. Guide me, inspire me in the way I should go. Thank you for all the opportunities that will come my way. Help me to give love so generously that it becomes a part of who I am and a reflection of who I serve. Amen

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church’s pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, “A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast,” he began, “when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean.”

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking some what interested in his story.

He continued, “Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son’s friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.

As the father yelled out, ‘I love you, son!’ he threw the line to his son’s friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered.

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man’s mouth. “The father,” he continued, “knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son’s friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus.” Therefore, he sacrificed his son.
“How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us.” With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man’s side. “That was a nice story,” politely started one of the boys, “but I don’t think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son’s life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian.”
“Well, you’ve got a point there,” the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, “It sure isn’t very realistic, is it? But I’m standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see....I was the son’s friend.
Author Unknown

My message has been very simple. To live well we must have a faith fit to live with, and a work fit to live for – something to which we can give ourselves and thus get ourselves off our hands. We cannot tell what may happen to us in the strange medley of life. But we can decide what happens in us – how we can take it, what we do with it – and that is what really counts in the end. How to take the raw stuff of life and make it a thing of worth and beauty – that is the test of living. Life is an adventure of faith, if we are to be victors over it, not victims of it. Faith in the God above us, faith in the little infinite soul within us, faith in life and in our fellow souls – without faith, the plus quality, we cannot really live.
Joseph Fort Newton

Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
Phillips Brooks

To be courageous requires no exceptional qualifications, no magic formula, no special combination of time, place, and circumstance. It is an opportunity that sooner or later is presented to us all. Politics merely furnish one arena which imposes special tests of courage. In whatever arena of life one may meet the challenge of courage, whatever may be the sacrifices he faces if he follows his conscience – the loss of his friends, his fortune, his contentment, even the esteem of his fellow men – each man must decide for himself the course he will follow. The stories of past courage can define that ingredient – they can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each man must look into his own soul. John F. Kennedy

Our Father, on this day that reminds us especially of your ever present love, turn my eyes upon Jesus so I may tell this story of love so others might hear and experience Holy Communion with you. I know that Jesus looked into the eyes of every person, no matter what the infirmity, whether physical, or emotional and said, “Your sins are forgiven. The Light of God is in you.” Go with me Lord and guide me through each path along life’s way. Thank you, for Your love and care. Amen

Love one another deeply, from the heart.
1 Peter 1:22

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need.
I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Romans 8:11

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11

When we picture Easter colors we picture in our mind yellows and greens pastel pinks and blues. We think of variegated Easter eggs and ribbons on bright colored baskets. Spring has sprung and colors are in the air. Including the bright colored birds and bumblebees. There are flowers of every color and size, every shade and shape.

Easter: the time to feel lighthearted and shed a few clothes.
Easter: the time to spring clean -- opening doors and windows.
Easter: the time to fill children's thoughts with the idea of gifts and something sweet received for the looking.

RED For one minute, can I ask you to open your mind to the true colors of Easter? I believe Red is one of the colors of Easter. Red was the color of the sweat that poured from my sweet saviors brow as he asked his father, "if possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will, but thou wilt be done.” Red was the color of the blood that lay across what was left of the back of Jesus after the cat of nine tails dug in ripping and pulling flesh away from his ribs. Red was the color of the blood on his sweet face after he was beaten and had his beard pulled out by the handfuls. Red was the color of the blood that fell from his forehead when they beat the crown of thorns piercing to the bone. Red was the color of the blood that poured from his side when they pierced him to prove that he was dead.

PURPLE Purple is a color of Easter. Purple was the color that Jesus’ back shone bruised for our Transgressions. Purple was the color of Jesus’ swollen face and eyes showing us there was no pride only humility and a feeling of being forsaken by his beloved father. Purple is a color of Easter because it is the color of royalty. It is the color of the garment that covered Jesus the King of the Jews as they laughed and scorned Jesus.

BLACK Black is one of the colors of Easter. It is the color of sin that so easily took over the eyes of the people that chanted, " Barabbus release Barabbus". Black was the color of the sixth to the ninth hour over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "My God My God, why have you forsaken me.” Black was the color of the tomb where they laid the body of Jesus as they rolled the stone in front of it's mouth.

WHITE White is a color of Easter. White is the color of the robe they took from Jesus before they scourged him. White is the color of purity that we can receive from the death of Jesus on that cross. White is the color of the slate of one of the robbers that asked Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. White was the color of the linens that lay empty in the tomb. White was the color of the angels clothes that asked Mary why she was weeping. Yes, White is one color of Easter because it is the color of purity. Symbolizing the purity we can receive through the death of Jesus on that cross and the forgiveness of sins seeing he took them on himself so we can be saved.

Easter is the time for shedding things. Shedding weights of sin and shame so we can feel lighthearted. It is the time to open doors and windows of our heart so Jesus can sweep clean our slate. It is time to look for the treasures in the word so we can be filled with the sweet nectar that only comes from the Spirit of God.

Remember the Easter Colors – Red, Purple, Black, and White this Easter. But more so remember what they symbolize, ‘The True Colors of Easter’.
Author Unknown

Thank you for the confidence you have given, Lord, that I can tell you what’s in my heart and know you will listen – that I can listen with an open heart and know you will speak.
1 Samuel 3:10

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak
Isaiah 40:31

"Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
John 20:21

Dear God, help me to never forget that nails didn’t hold Jesus to the cross...but that love did. Thank you, Lord, for the lessons you teach me so gently. Who among the crowd today, do you want to gain my attention? Who is reaching out for something you want to give through me? Help me to see. Help me to hear. Help me to stop and take the time to love. Help me to gather from each day and to wrap each one carefully with your love. Thank you for planning my life. You know me so well—my hours and my days – my actions and emotions – my abilities and inability’s. Teach me to always rest in you. Thank you for your infinite care with every detail of my days. Amen

You go no where by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there.
He has a purpose in your being there.
Christ who dwells in you has something
He wants to do through you where you are.
Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.
Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the United States Senate

O God, help me to touch someone today with my eyes, my words,
my smile, my voice, my laughter, Your word.
Change my life, so I can make a difference.
Let my actions bring someone closer to you.
Help me to make Christmas last all year.
Help me to use my gifts for Jesus.

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