Easter is coming!

Many look forward to this week in our calendar, simply because there is an extra day off on Friday. It's also the start of a new season of Doctor Who on Saturday night. But for me, there is more to it. Maybe you're excited all the chocolate you'll get to eat this weekend, or the fact that you'll have some sweet potato casserole with your Sunday meal (add whatever special dish your household might have). Or maybe you're just glad to get some extra down time and sleeping in. All of those work for me, but ultimately I look forward to it because of what Easter really is about, remembering Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.
I realize many in our world don't fully understand or even know what Easter is about, but we as the followers of Jesus need to act as reminders of what Easter is. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for Easter. I would not be the man I am if it were not for what happened at Easter. Jesus literally changed my life and direction. And Easter is a chance to remember that and thank him for what he has done.
Because of Easter, most of the hospitals and universities in our world came into being. Because of Easter, prisoners have the opportunity to find freedom while they are in jail. Because of Easter, hungry people can find food and shelter in times of desperate need.
Christians are Easter people, never forget that. May you have the opportunity to share Easter with someone else this week.

BTW -  I am also a Doctor Who fan, so I will be setting my PVR for Saturday night. That's my Easter present (haha).

God bless.










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Monday Mornings

I woke up tired this morning, as I have for the last week. I am not sure why I am not sleeping well, but regardless I woke up not really wanting to on this slightly overcast day. I was looking to my friends' blogs looking for some inspiration, as i really had no inkling or even desire to write something today. But I am learning to try and push through those attitudes and work till something comes out of my brain besides nonsense.
And then I remembered what I preached on yesterday. It's funny how quickly even the preacher can forget what was preached. Yesterday I talked about the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, found in the 11th chapter of the Gospel of John. Of course, there was a lesson to be learned by all who witnessed the miracle, but it wasn't simply that Jesus was the Messiah, although that is still a profound understanding. He wanted the group to see even more than that. Jesus says in John 11:25-26 NLT that, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish. Do you believe this Martha?" He asks Martha, but he is also asking us too. Do I believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life? Do I believe his nick-name? If I do then new life is there for me everyday. If I don't, well the there is no point to getting up in the morning, is there?
Well, to add salt to my wound God brought Psalm 23 my way this morning, and so I read it like a prayer. Maybe lack of sleep makes me feel like I'm in a bit of a valley this morning. Maybe I just need some of that rest Jesus offers. Coffee has never been a good substitute for Jesus. I think it helped put some perspective in the day for me. I think telling you about the start to my day is a bit cathartic, I feel a little more ready to meet the day head on. Thanks for listening to a fool for Christ.

Have a great day with the Resurrection and the Life!

Long range Missionary

In our Family Worship service we had a missionary visiting from the States. His name is Joshua Williams. He and his family currently live in the States and work in South America. Here's the catch, he doesn't leave his home to do his work. Williams family served in South America for 3 years and returned, I believe, last year. Joshua is trained as a pastor but has always had a love for things electronic. He has placed with computers since he was a boy. He shared with us that he felt a call to missions. He was a children's pastor in a church and went into missions expecting to use those particular skills, but when he was in seminary his computer skills were used to help the school with their technical issues. So now, God has opened a door and used his passions to become the resident Computer expert for the South America region. Meanwhile his residence is several thousand miles north of them. I was amazed when I heard all this.
He had a great message to us, about the ability to use our gifts and skills to share the Gospel. Because someone told the Gospel to the Paraguayan Soccer Team, several gave their lives to Christ. And so now they can use their soccer skills to share the Gospel. God is using Joshua's computer skills to share the Gospel. I got to admit, sometimes I think to linear. I think about the Gospel and discipleship in very specific terms, and yet God can use anything we own, anything we are good at, and any environment we find ourselves in, to build His Kingdom. The idea of being a missionary wherever you are is not new to me, but this definitely expands my definition of being a missionary. I realize once again, how limiting I can be in regards to my understanding of God's work.
It was also exciting to hear what was taking place in South America, and Argentina specifically. God is at work in our world. Don't give up on God's Kingdom!
As an aside, Joshua is a great communicator, also good with kids. He would be great for any Missions service if you're planning one.
Happy Monday!