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by Dennis Wheeler
I was blessed to be raised in Ironton, Ohio...a wonderful little city nestled along the Ohio River. One of the bragging rights of Ironton is that they have the nations oldest Memorial Day Parade! Every Memorial Day thousands and thousands of people converge into Ironton to enjoy the 2+ hour parade. It's quite an extravaganza...beautiful floats, marching bands, the Shriners, Military units & veterans, clowns, cheerleaders, government officials and dignitaries, etc.
As you stand along the parade route you will notice one thing in common...kids love parades!!! The children will squeal with delight, and clap with the bands, and wave at the officials, and grab for candy that is thrown to them. Honestly - have you ever seen an unhappy child while a parade passes by?
Come to think of it, at parades even most adults resemble their happy-go-lucky children. Smiles abound and cares all disappear.
It reminds me of a time long ago when the children of Jerusalem lined the dusty road as a parade passed by one morning. There weren't any marching bands or clowns or floats. But a dignitary was there. JESUS CHRIST! I guess you could say He was the Grand Marshal!
The children cheered and waved.
The parents applauded and sang "Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!"
They waved palm branches.
They carpeted the roadway with their cloaks.
It must have been quite a scene!
Yet - it's a scene we are able to recreate every time we come as children into the Lord's presence.
I am praying that your Palm Sunday will be a celebration filled with anticipation, cheering, waving, applauding and singing praises to the One who comes in the Name of the Lord!!
"The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" - Matthew 21:9
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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