The later verses express the New Testament teaching on death and life beyond death wonderfully well
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Christian church is amazing in it's diversity ,people from every tribe and tongue and nation but also from every generation.
So today I thought of so many of the people whose funerals I have taken down the years, from the retired police inspector and the elderly pioneer missionary, to the young student ,to the children and still born babies and many many others,and how Christ's Death and Resurrection changes everything for them, and means "we sorrow not as others sorrow who have no hope"
Easter is an incredibly hopeful time
As I parked my car on arriving home from church I noticed this young apple tree in full blossom in the garden.
It is a tree generously given to me by the parents of a fine young Christian man killed in a road traffic accident not so long ago, and whose funeral I took part in .From the depth of a harsh winter new,beautiful and hopeful life has sprung.!
From death comes life .
In the words of Stuart Townend's great hymn which we did sing this morning "Death is dead love has won Christ has conquered!
Hallelujah!
Charles - my thoughts this morning as we entered the third anniversary of events leading to Stephen's death - were of how significant Easter Sunday has become. The sure knowledge and confident hope that Christ died and conquered death we may know eternity with God. In that - our separation and grief is transformed into renewed hope and life. So much to thank God for in the midst of our sadness and grief - above all, we can still praise and worship the risen Lord Jesus.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you Sally.I love Easter and look forward to that amazing coming day when we shall see Him face to face and be reunited with those we have loved and who have gone before,including Stephen
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed and been blessed by your facebook thoughts and quotes
Thank you!
it's good to reflect and Easter seems to make that more possible. I noticed from one of your posts that you had the vist of the Saltmine Theatre company - well we certainly enjoyed them this year at Spring Harvest. I hope you're enjoying your Bank Holiday? Judyx
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy
ReplyDeleteThey were great! Its a long time since I have been to Spring Harvest maybe get there next year?