10 years ago many lives were changed forever. Columbine. I heard some stories on the news. I watched young men and women talk who were 16 and 17 year old scared kids 10 years ago when the terrible tragedy took place. I never thought about what they said, how whenever they are asked where they went to school they would say it: Columbine, and then the look on the person's face. The look of "now what do I say"
Many times we say dumb things. Things like, life goes on. In my sermon yesterday I talked about how I hate that expression. How does one go on when one faces a situation so tragic that you feel as though you have died inside? I'm sorry folks, but I need more than just "life goes on John"
I preached on the disciples hiding behind locked doors after reports of the resurrection. They were afraid of the Jews and perhaps of the future. Now what? The Man we followed is gone but now some women say He rose. And then Jesus comes through the locked doors and brought great joy to these men. The Savior wants to do the same for you!
The Savior indeed has risen and through eyes of faith we see the scars on His hands. Scars that show how much He loves us. Scars that show the price He paid for our eternal life. Scars that show us that there is life beyond the scars, that life does go on....but with Jesus right by us and yes, sometimes carrying us!!!
The next time you are told to get over it, write me! The next time you are told that life goes on, write me, call me. And if you don't want to then remember this: life does go on but with Jesus. His rising from the grave means we will rise above every and any tragedy that has come or will come in our lives. I can't wait for the day when we see Him face to face and His presence fills us with eternal joy.
As you go through life, remember that Project 52 is here to help you, to encourage you! The world may say life goes on, but we add, with Jesus, and that is what gets us through!
He is risen!
Pastor John
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Easier or Easter?
Philippians 4:11.....for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
With Holy Week coming up this will be my last blog until after Easter. A Blessed Easter to you all!
It's easier to feel better about life when the weather's nicer. Or when we have more money or when things are going the way we want them to. The above passage reminds me of how far short of the mark I fall when it comes to looking at my circumstances and being content. That is why I love Easter!
Easter gives us all a new beginning. Easter says that we are forgiven and that there is nothing God cannot do for us! Even teaching us how to be content! My prayer and its a hard one, is that God would give us not easier but Easter lives. The difference between the two words is the letter i and the letter t. We would all love our lives to be easier. But we live in a world of sin and broken dreams and promises. So what better thing could God do for us than to give us Easter lives? When He exchanges the I (i) mentality for the cross (t) mentality we can truly handle all life throws at us because the focus is on Him and not me and He is in control and He has a plan!
By His power alone we learn daily what it means to be content in whatever circumstance we are in. I know it's hard. But I do know the power of God. With Him all things are possible. Just look at the rolled away stone. Praise God for Easter. Praise God for making my life and yours, an Easter life!
On Behalf of Project 52,
Pastor John
With Holy Week coming up this will be my last blog until after Easter. A Blessed Easter to you all!
It's easier to feel better about life when the weather's nicer. Or when we have more money or when things are going the way we want them to. The above passage reminds me of how far short of the mark I fall when it comes to looking at my circumstances and being content. That is why I love Easter!
Easter gives us all a new beginning. Easter says that we are forgiven and that there is nothing God cannot do for us! Even teaching us how to be content! My prayer and its a hard one, is that God would give us not easier but Easter lives. The difference between the two words is the letter i and the letter t. We would all love our lives to be easier. But we live in a world of sin and broken dreams and promises. So what better thing could God do for us than to give us Easter lives? When He exchanges the I (i) mentality for the cross (t) mentality we can truly handle all life throws at us because the focus is on Him and not me and He is in control and He has a plan!
By His power alone we learn daily what it means to be content in whatever circumstance we are in. I know it's hard. But I do know the power of God. With Him all things are possible. Just look at the rolled away stone. Praise God for Easter. Praise God for making my life and yours, an Easter life!
On Behalf of Project 52,
Pastor John
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