Has Easter made a difference?

Was it just another day attending church services and enjoying family time, eating, hiding eggs for the kids, and napping in the afternoon, or did Christ come to us again and impact our lives in a profound way? What happened in our lives yesterday? Did Easter make a difference? I pray so! Will we be the same? Will our church be the same? Has anything changed? Our commitment to Christ? Our dedication? Our service to Him? Our witness? Anything different? Or, after the revelation of the greatest event in history, have we so soon settled down to our routine lives again? Are we still living in fear, hopeless, and disappointed? If so, why? What will it take for God to really change us? Or, can we change? Will we change? If so, how? and, when?

I didn't reach my goal!

That's right! I didn't reach my goal. I wanted to distribute 300 door-hangers, inviting folks to Easter Worship Experience---but I failed. I only hung 220. I must admit, at the end of the day, my shins were hurting--really hurting. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and disappointed that I did not reach my goal.

But, with only a little time left, feeling the pain in my legs, I had a momentary flash-back of the video clip we had shown in church on Sunday. Remember?...the one about 'unpleasantries' encountered at times when doing God's work? In my mind's eye, I saw the 'agony' of the men changing the diapers on the video clip...the garb, the gagging, and the 'messiness' of the task. Then, I laughed. I laughed because I seemed to hear God say to me, "Now that your legs are hurting, you're sweating, you're tired, now that the work is unpleasant, you ARE doing my work and entering into genuine service."

Up until then, I was 'enjoying' the experience. In fact, I think I might have secretly said to myself, "Look, Lord! I'm REALLY working for you! Do you see what I am doing to advance your Kingdom?" But, suddenly the pain in my legs set in. I realized, "This is costing me something." Then, God whispered, "NOW, you ARE doing my work!" The thought then crossed my mind, "Tomorrow is Good Friday. Jesus carried a cross--though it wasn't fun and exciting." Oh, it pleased Him that He was doing God's will, just as it pleased me to know that I was doing God's will. But, unlike me, Jesus endured the full agony--He reached His goal. And, it cost Him something, too! He paid the ULTIMATE sacrifice!

What an awesome Good Friday Worship Experience!

Wow! God showed up today at the Good Friday worship experience! Many people worked so very hard to see a vision fulfilled. We had prayed that our Lord would be exalted above measure. Our prayers were answered! The Christian community came together at the Wesley Centre in Jesus' Name to remember the sacrifice Christ made for the world. Through music, song, and Word we declared His righteousness, suffering, and forgiveness--through faith in His substitutionary death. Praise be to God! As Pastor Earl said at the conclusion of his message, "It's Friday--but Sunday's comin'." A special thanks to all who attended!