Friday, April 22, 2011

Rise Up-Dance Your Shoes Off


One of my secret ambitions is to be in a flash mob someday. The celebrations I've observed as joy spills forth in unexpected song are thrilling. Recently, the Second Baptist Church here in Houston put together a fabulous Easter flash mob celebration with 2000 of their own church members. Singing and dancing to a song commissioned by their church and sung by Lauren Carney, they burst into joy with the song "Rise Up." 

Hope you'll enjoy watching this video all the way to its stirring ending. Click twice to see full screen and then come right back to see a few more thoughts I have for you.










One of the reasons this video resonated so much with me is that it reminded me of a very dear friend who recently passed from the earth. 





Pat was a dear friend, wife, mother and grandmother who lived life fully and sparkled with enthusiasm. Her unexpected death a few weeks ago left a big hole in the hearts of all who loved her. We miss her laugh and her compassion terribly. The last couple of years Pat had struggled with her feet--one problem after another, requiring her to wear tennis shoes exclusively for a period of time, and then more recently a padded boot. Oh, how she dreamed of being able to wear a normal shoe.


Because we "... claim the victory, He won on Calvary..." we rejoice now that Pat is dancing with new freedom, with new joy, no longer shackled by the physical limitations of this world.  Because of our Risen Savior, we know we too can rise up to heavenly realms.  

Psalm 30:11 You have turned my mourning into dancing....

He's alive, he's alive inside us
We will rise up.
We claim the victory,
He won on Calvary.
Celebrate the King of Glory
So Rise Up 
People of the Lord.


59 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful tribute to your dear friend.

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  2. I echo Betty's comment ... a beautiful tribute! So thankful you, her family and friends believe in the Risen Savior. Having lost a dear friend six years ago this month, I can speak to how that Hope makes such a difference for now (the toughest of times) and the future!

    Sorry for your loss, dear friend.

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  3. Blessed be your friend, for now she is in the presence of LOVE FULFILLED...in HIS presence...wow that blows my finite mind away. THank you Debi for coming to visit me, for your well-wishes and indeed, the outpouring of love is remarkable. We shall indeed need new bodies to take in love in its fullness when we reach our final destination!!! HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!! Anita

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  4. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Debi. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all who loved her. Faith is such a great healer during times of grief. May Easter bring you extra peace and comfort this year.

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  5. How it strengthens my heart to see all of these people come together, sing praises from their hearts and to leave behind so many pairs of tennis shoes. This is just incredible. I am so moved by this and want my kids to see this. Thank you for posting.

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  6. Thank you for the encouragement, always. I am sorry for your dear loss of a sweet friend, but thank you for sharing Pat and her faith with us.

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  7. Beautiful tribute, Debi! I am so sorry to hear about your friend! That is a wonderful video, thanks for sharing it! Warm hugs and a lot of love and prayer sent your way, my friend! xxoo

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  8. A beautiful tribute. I had heard about this dance but never saw it. I too would love to be in a flash mob dance... this one would have been so amazing to be among so many other brothers and sisters praising our Lord. Love!

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