...the old has gone

I feel like a little girl this morning! Easter. I absolutely love it. I know my love for Easter is deep rooted from childhood. As a little girl, my mom and grandmother made a big big big deal of the Easter Sunday "get-up". Flowery, frilly dresses, white hats, white stockings, white patent leather shoes. Aside from my permed mullet (yes, I had one) - I was simply adorable. The Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, buffet lunches at Holiday Inn. Random, I know. But it was our Easter and it was refreshing and exciting and so much fun. Looking back, even as a child, I knew there was something deeper to Easter. Something deeper to be excited about. Fast forward twenty-five years or more, and I am still so giddy about Easter. I love this day. I am thankful for the newness of Spring. I am thankful for tulips and buttercups. I am thankful for the smell of a hard-boiled Easter egg. I am thankful I no longer have that permed mullet. Hallelujah. But even more, I am thankful for my Resurrected Savior.

I have a lot to celebrate. Because of the events that we celebrate this Easter weekend, I am free. I lived in bondage to my sin for years. Bound. In chains. Hopeless.

Until Christ.

Today, I celebrate. Liberated. Redeemed. If you knew me then, you would know. I was different. 1 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Yes.

It is no coincidence that Easter falls in the heart of Spring. He makes all things new. Beautiful. Alive. He makes us new, beautiful and alive. I have such Passion for Jesus because I KNOW what He has done for me. I remember where I came from. Oh, Lord, don't ever let me forget. Grace is unmerited favor. He has given me unmerited favor. He has given us all unmerited favor. Grace. It is what we are celebrating today. Forgiveness for sin.

Don't be fooled by the bunnies (although I love them).
No bunny loves you like Jesus. Oh, yes I did.

This day is all about Jesus. He is Alive. Hallelujah.

Be blessed this Easter.

Alive Forever. Amen. - Travis Cottrell

Verse 1
Let the children sing a song of liberation
The God of our salvation set us free
Death, where is thy sting? The curse of sin is broken
The empty tomb stands open, come and see

CHORUS
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive! Praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Verse 2
Let my heart sing out, for Christ, the One and only
So powerful and holy rescued me
Death won't hurt me now because He has redeemed me
No grave will ever keep me from my King

CHORUS
I'm alive, alive, alive, hallelujah!
Alive! praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Bridge
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise
Worthy is the One who has overcome the grave
Let the people dance, let the people sing
Worthy is the mighty King.


Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead...'. - Matthew 28:5-7a