What Easter Means to Me

I have this theory that all preachers take a course in asking good questions; it is just something they all get in pastor school. I believe I have mentioned our Assistant Pastor is just so good at asking these “questions”. Well he has done it again; a question that has just caused me to dwell on it for some time.

Last week he asked; what does Easter mean to you? I must admit that in the past Easter meant eggs, baskets, bunnies, good food, family…the list goes on. Years ago I started to notice something different in my Mother-in-law. This was her favorite holiday, she would just display this visible joy on Easter; I didn’t quite get it.

However, as I came to know Christ; I get it now! For me Easter is a time of reflection and introspection and don’t get me wrong, as it is ultimately a time of amazement and joy! The dictionary defines introspection as a reflective inward look: an examination of one's own thoughts and feelings. I think Easter gives us the opportunity to examine our own thoughts and feelings and for me it is so emotional, resulting in this unspeakable joy.

I now reflect on all Christ went through in that time, from a triumphant entry, to a washing of the feet, a breaking of bread, betrayal, denial, interrogation, torture and then; oh my, He took nails for me (us).

I think of the miraculous transformation; from death to life, eternal life, conquering, overcoming, overwhelming! I think of all Christ did for me (us) and because of me (us). I am awestruck. What love!

Easter means so much to me now; a time of love, worship and adoration. As Psalm Sunday approaches I pray that we all will have a time of introspection, reflection and clarity as we consider all Christ went through just for us! Amazing.

Grace and Peace!

Peaceful Easy Feeling

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You know as believers, it is possible to get this amazing “peaceful easy feeling” (sorry Eagles); a peace that transcends all understanding. While this feeling is not continuous or constant; at least for me, it is there.

Being a child of God should be so comforting, so encouraging, so peaceful but the world sometimes gets in the way. Billy Graham in his book “Peace with God” said, “I would not trade places with the wealthiest and most influential person in the world. I would rather be a child of the King, a joint-heir with Christ, a member of the Royal Family in Heaven. I know where I’ve come from, I know why I’m here, I know where I’m going – and I have peace in my heart. His peace floods my heart and overwhelms my soul.”

I don’t know, but somehow that encourages me. It reminds me that the more I seek to know our great and glorious God, the more peace will "flood my heart and overwhelm my soul."

I think Romans 8 gives us an idea of this amazing prospect.

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

So we may have our ups and downs, that peaceful easy feeling may come and go, but we can rest assured as adopted children, as co-heirs with Christ (WOW) and we can cry out Abba, Father! Simply amazing.

Grace and Peace!

Cause and Effect

Mark 9:24; Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Wikipedia says that cause and effect is the “philosophical concept of causality, in which an action or event will produce a certain response.” I have been thinking about this lately and how it relates to Christians.

Many times our natures drive us to look first to the effect while ignoring or even forgetting the cause. We develop our checklist of effects; you must go to Church, you must believe this, you must believe that and if you do you are a Christian.
I worry in our haste we may be reversing the true order of things. This checklist in reality is the effect of becoming a Christian and we must always first look to the cause; Christ!

Oswald Chambers says; “It is absurd to tell a person one must believe this and that; in the meantime he or she can’t! Skepticism is produced by telling people what to believe. We are in danger of putting the cart before the horse and saying a person must believe certain things before he can be a Christian; his beliefs are the effect of his being a Christian, not the cause of it.”

So in our zeal are we putting the cart before the horse? Are we focused on the task rather than what has been accomplished? Don’t get me wrong, this is not a call to do nothing. However, this is a call to rest in the message of Christ, a call to share the message of the cross with proper focus and not a checklist of effect. It is a call to share the cause of the good news!

1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

May all who are being saved look first to the cross; the power of God!

Grace and Peace!