He is Risen

                                                             He Is Risen

There are no other words to describe Easter Sunday. Because God sent His Son to  die for us, we are wiped as clean as snow, forgiven of our sins, and guaranteed life with Him in eternity if we confess that He is indeed our Savior and take Him into our hearts forever. We rejoice because He is alive. 

Surprising, this mornings sermon by Pastor Vance Eubanks was not about the resurrection of Jesus, but of another person - Lazarus. Jesus says, "I am" as a statement of His deity.  John 11 is the the story of an encounter with Jesus just as we should have an encounter with Him. At this pint in the story, the disciples have not yet figured out where Jesus was going - they still thought He was going to be an earthly king. This is a story of a family - Lazarus who is the strong, silent one, his sister Martha, who pays strict attention to details and organization, is the perfect hostess, and always concerned about order, and his other sister, Mary, who was the fun one who was busy living life, walking through and feeling everything. They all lived together in Bethany. Jesus and hid disciples stayed with them often in their travels and were good friends. Lazarus was sick and the sisters sent for Jesus who was nearby to come and heal their brother. Mary and Martha expected Him to respond immediately. Jesus loved the family and stayed  two more days where He was. God loved them but waited so that they would learn something. It was a slow and grow situation so that they and we too, could grow in Him. Jesus had the final word about death. We need to have this active waiting on the Lord. We need to let God grow us in that in-between time. God had a perfecting plan for us - one to allow us to grow. What have we learned from this in-between COVID year? We have to let go and let God. We need to die in self in order to live. When Jesus finally showed up in Bethany, Lazarus was already dead and buried. Martha confronted Jesus and said that if He been there her brother would not have died. Jesus then told her that Lazarus would live again. He knew Martha needed someone to speak the truth to her - "I am the resurrection and the life". Jesus meets us where we are to calm us down and tell us the truth. Jesus then sent for Mary who cam to Him immediately and feel at Hs feet. She too, told Jesus that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus comforted her . He then went to the tomb of Lazarus and asked for the stone to be moved away. He called for Lazarus to come out. Jesus proved that He is indeed the resurrection and the life. He can exceed your expectations. Remember, Jesus may seem slow to answer your prayers, but He will never be late. He knows you and will meet you where you are. If you trust Him, He will exceed your expectations. 

I do not express my political views which I try to keep to myself or sometimes share with my family. This is not a political statement,  but whatever reports you hear on the news regarding the border crisis, it is worse. This picture is of the bus depot nearby, where tent cities have been setup (right in downtown) to house either refugees or the children. There is indeed a huge influx of people that must be addressed. I can understand the need for folks to want to come to the land where they feel they can be free and have a chance at a good life, but I beg of them to do it legally. America is indeed the melting pot - my relatives came from Europe - my grandfather was born in Rome and migrated, as well as the other relatives from Italy and even Germany. All have the right to want a better way of life, but doing so illegally is really not a good beginning of that life.  

We had an amazing week for Caring Hearts Ministry - not only being blessed with an abundance of food and other items, but with the company of two wonderful missionaries - Dennis and Paula Key. We met them at the last chaplains meeting as they attended to "check out" CRM and possibly joining our organization. They are great servants of the Lord and serve in many different areas of missionary work. Friday was not a "normal" distribution day (as if there is such a thing) as  it was Good Friday. We had to load produce on Thursday as our distribution point was closed on Friday (luckily the weather was cooler). As a result, we packaged donuts here at home for a change so that job was already done. We did not have to leave as early as usual, so the Keys joined us. It was a great day with lots of boxes filled, lots of folks picking them up, and many people blessed. The Keys were troopers and pitched right in, doing whatever was necessary, including packaging those prickly cacti! After all was almost done we had lunch together (thank you again Dennis and Paula) and spent time fellowshipping together. I sincerely hope they do join CRM and we get to see them again.

We hope your Easter was blessed and that you remember to wait on the Lord - your time, too will come.