Painted Churches of Texas

If you visit Texas near Schulenburg, take a tour of the Painted Churches.  Spring welcomes Bluebonnets and the Texas flower paints the landscape on the drive.

German or Czech immigrants built most of these beautiful structures during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Leaving their native churches proved difficult. Faith meant life, and expressing reverence became a priority in the new land. A few settlers built places to worship before they constructed schools or personal homes.  Newcomers valued their cathedrals in the motherland and fashioned the fresh configurations as smaller replicas of those left behind.

Impressive soaring steeples welcome as you drive to the location.  The exteriors are often simple, white wooden buildings, but inside, the visitor finds a wealth of color on walls, murals, columns, and ceilings.

The edifices give evidence in the lives of the newcomers to gather for God. The early residents took freedom to worship seriously and thought nothing of sacrifice to build God’s meeting houses.

Are we as committed to our place of worship as the devoted immigrants were to theirs?

Cemeteries invoke emotions

Cemeteries invoke emotions.

At the gathering date of a burial, sadness prevails—a normal reaction during the recent loss of a loved one. As I attend the funeral of a long-time friend this week, I’m once more reminded of this fact.

As time progresses, visiting the site where we left that special person often brings comfort.

Miss the loved one?  Of course—but as Christians, we know the body remains below but the spirit continues above with the Lord.
 

Even a burial ground where you aren’t acquainted with the remains can summon peace. There’s something tranquil about them.   When standing in a cemetery, you stand on holy ground.
 

God tells us each person is appointed to die. A burial home of some kind awaits us.

Only one is not in a place like this. Jesus

He experienced the tomb for three days and then arose, never to die again.  Those of us who perish before His return will have bodies suppressed in a location like this. We will meet Him in the air when He returns.

Celebrate Easter every day.

Thank God for His power.

Honor Him with your worship in church on Sunday in church.

 

 

 

He is risen!

Never to die again!

 

The day of sadness is over! Let us remember His sacrifice and rejoice!

 

 

I'm a guest blogger today on Mary L. Ball's blog.  We'd love to have you pop over and see us.  http://marylouwrites.weebly.com/-mary-l-ball-blog.html