As legend has it, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was made from
a dogwood tree. God decreed that the dogwood tree would from that day
forth never grow large enough to be used to make a cross. Thus, the
dogwood tree is a small, under story tree. The flower of the dogwood
has four petals which makes the shape of a cross. The center of the
flower resembles the crown of thorns with bright red, clustered fruit
in the center representing the blood of Christ.

The dogwood blooms in April when Easter Sunday marks the resurrection
of Christ after the Crucifixion.

Legend of the Dogwood

In Jesus time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so

Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."

More than 1,600,000 viewers have seen Michael Gieson's
Shockwave movie masterpiece, The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

THE JELLY BEAN PRAYER

RED is for the blood he gave.
GREEN is for the grass he made.
YELLOW is for the sun so bright.
ORANGE is for the edge of night.
BLUE is for the sins we made.
WHITE is for the grace he gave.
PURPLE is for his hour of sorrow.
PINK is for our new tomorrow.

A bag full of jelly beans colorful & sweet,
Is a prayer, is a promise, is a special treat

HAPPY EASTER
(author unknown)

LYRICS TO:
RISE AGAIN

Go ahead, drive the nails in my hands
Laugh at me where you stand.
Go ahead and say it isn't me,
The day will come when you will see.

'Cause I'll rise again.
There's* no power on earth can tie me down.
Oh yes, I'll rise again.
Death can't keep me in the ground.

Go ahead and mock my name,
My love for you is still the same.
Go ahead and bury me,
But very soon I will be free.

'Cause I'll rise again.
There's no power on earth can tie me down.
Yes, I'll rise again.
Death can't keep me in the ground.

Go ahead and say I'm dead and gone,
You will see that you were wrong.
Go ahead, try to hide the Son,
But all will see that I'm the one.

Because I'll come** again.
There's no power on earth can keep me back.
Yes, I'll come again.
Come to take my people back.

And I'll come again.
There's no power on earth can tie me down.
Yes, I'll come again.
Death can't keep me in the ground.


* original reads "ain't no power..."
**original reads "rise" instead of "come" from here to end.

This very special set was made for "The Legend of The Dogwood" by Ice Dream.
Please respect and do not borrow.

Egg courtesy of ~Da'Bee~

Flag courtesy of Flutterby Wishes