He is Risen!
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of reading and talking about the pandemic. That said, I loved the thing I’ve seen a few times on Facebook that basically says, “It’s okay that the church is empty this Easter. So was the tomb.”
I think this time of realizing church is so much more than a building is good. It’s a reminder we all need.
More than that? I love that Easter this year isn’t even tangentially about a bunny. (At least not that I’ve seen. Maybe I have a limited sphere.) I get so tired of reminding my boys that yes, I know so-and-so’s parents go to church and do a big bunny-themed Easter, but that’s not what we do. This year, it’s been so much easier to focus our home on the cross and the empty tomb and what that means for us.
Have a very blessed Easter!
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Returning Home by Toni Shiloh is 99c through the 16th!
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Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Laurie Larsen talked about the lights being out on Broadway.
On Tuesday, Julie Arduini talked about isolation projects.
On Wednesday, Shannon Taylor Vannatter highlighted some useful reader tools.
On Thursday, Jaycee Weaver talked about when life impacts reading ability.
On Friday, Closed for Good Friday
On Saturday, Jan Thompson spoke about reading and writing in a pandemic.
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Toni Shiloh
Tuesday: Valerie Comer
Wednesday: Elizabeth Maddrey
Thursday: Tara Grace Ericson
Friday: Valerie Bodden
Saturday: Staci Stallings
New Releases
April 2020
The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride (Saddle Springs Romance 6) by Valerie Comer
Hill Country Redemption (Hill Country Cowboys) by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Second Chance Sweethearts by Liwen Y. Ho (re-release)
Second Chance Love (Pinecrest 1) by Merrillee Whren
Not Until This Day (Hope Springs 6) by Valerie M. Bodden
March 2020
Making Believe (Imagination 8) by Staci Stallings
Look for Me (Vacation Sweethearts 4) by Jan Thompson
Accept Me (Chapel Cove Romances 8) by Marion Ueckermann
Love Once More (Abundance 4) by Sally Bayless
Hoping for Hawthorne (Bloom Sisters 0) by Tara Grace Ericson
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks, our permanently free e-books, and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I agree I am tired of the talk, tired of some of the jokes, tired of some of the posts and just tired. I started the day listening to Michael W Smith. He does a half hour service of mostly music every Saturday night around 6pm on his FB page. I did try zoom (that’s how our church is going to do some services) but it didn’t work well. I really need a new laptop one that’s more reliable. I did go to a FB service. They have it loaded so not live streamed but for me that works better as its the live streaming I cant handle.
I do miss going to church as Sunday when you live alone can be lonely. (I have rung some friends the past few days and not sure who else I can ring). Ironically I am the one who does most of the ringing. I rarely get phone calls besides spam and even they seem to have stopped. (wonder if its cos India is in lockdown).
But in saying this its good to be able to focus on the real meaning of Easter and its interesting how media who don’t often talk about the true meaning of Easter got annoyed when someone was doing a party theme on Good Friday rather than thinking of what Good Friday is all about. Also how some of the services mostly Mass were broadcast when they normally are not.
Hi Elizabeth! Blessed Easter! The Lord is Risen. Easter and Passover 2020 has a different emphasis not just in the United States, but around the world. Best wishes to the Inspy Romance authors and their avid readers.
Hugs! My sister lives alone and I’ve been trying to call her more because I know she too feels the isolation more than I do. I’m glad you’re phoning friends – keep on doing it even if they don’t seem to reciprocate, I’m sure they appreciate the contact.
I hope you find (or I guess found as you’re already well through Easter by now) some encouragement in online services today!
He is risen indeed!
This year can definitely be more meaningful for us if we take the time.
Have a blessed Easter!
Hugs Jenny. My prayers for you and others who are alone through this time.
Dolly Parton’s He’s Alive and Matthew Ward’s He is Risen are two of my very favorite Easter songs. I’ve sure been enjoying those on repeat!
He is risen indeed!!! Friday night, my church did a Lord’s Supper on FB live, on youtube, and on our church website. It was different, but it was good!! There were a lot of us all “together” and it was the first time I’ve ever had communion on Good Friday, so it was really touching. I’ll be watching one of our four services today on my computer. The church is still going strong, even though we aren’t meeting in our buildings!! I, too, am very tired of hearing about the virus, so I scroll by quite a few posts on FB, and limit the amount of news I hear. I’m concerned, but I’m not going to live in fear. This was no surprise to God, so I’ve decided I’ll let Him worry about it!
Both such good songs!
We had our communion service on line on Thursday – different but good. I’m slowly getting to enjoy online services.
He is Risen Indeed!
Happy Easter!
Yes. The uncertainty this year is actually a wonderful opportunity for anyone usually too focused, distracted and/or entertained to perhaps consider “What then? What if?” Because I know the one in whom I put my trust is True my stress level is pretty low. I realize homes with high-risk individuals have real reasons for concern. My heart goes out to them.
At the beginning of the COVID19 scare, I dug deep into my heart and asked myself “What if? What then?” It was necessary for me to confirm where I was at, and now I am at peace.
Regarding truth, I stopped listening to televised News months ago. There are other more reliable sources. ;).
Happy Easter! He Is Risen Indeed. <3
Happy Easter!!! He is Risen!
Love this! Happy Easter!
Jesus is Alive ❤️
Happy Easter blessings to all of you❤️
He is!
Praise God!
And to you!
I got goosebumps when I read about the Church being empty, but, so was the tomb! I shared it with my friends!
Isn’t it great? A perfect visual.
I’ve discovered one thing I like! When I’m taking notes, if I miss something, I can go back later and get it, or stop it and write it down, and then continue!! We’re doing three services Sunday morning and one Sunday night, all the same, so that people can choose the time they like, and because the first Sunday everyone had to do it from home, the internet almost crashed! One service on Sunday morning is also broadcast over our radio station.
Happy Resurrection Day! :):):)
Happy Resurrection Day!
To you too!
Thank you, and to you!
Thanks Elizabeth and Valerie. Its interesting its only Sundays I really struggle. Today I planted bulbs and some seeds (still got more seeds to plant). Also chatted with a neighbour who lives the other side of the road a couple of houses away and found out my little one (Libby the cat) goes and visits! My cats have a more active social life than I do.
I have been ringing friends from away more so than local people. Partly cos a few others are in similar situations and when I am feeling really lonely I am ok ringing friends away who I know well. But ringing those I don’t know as well its harder cos when I feel down I don’t want to bring them down too especially when I know a few struggle with depression. When I am feeling good I am better to ring those ones. Its different when someone rings me cos it makes me feel good.
Thank you so much! 😊
This blog is such a blessing to me in so many ways! ((Hugs)) 💕