Easter or Easier?

Yesterday during our prayer request time it was amazing to me how many requests were offered regarding health issues. Tumors, cancer, strokes, chronic pain, and on and on. I was thinking, can't life just be easier?

The difference between the word Easter and Easier grammatically is the "t" vs the "i" It's tempting to ask God for an easier life but He might have other plans as He works through the results of sin in this world. It's not so easy to ask Him for an Easter life but its one for sure that He gives. The Christian journey is about the cross (the "t") not me (the "I") The things that He is doing in your life are for a reason and a purpose. Who knows where an easier life may lead to? (If Jesus would have taken the easier way we would all be going to hell!)

But I know where an Easter life leads to. It leads to victory and truimph! An Easter life means that no matter what happens it will all work out in the end. After every Good Friday there is an Easter! There is nothing we can't rise above. Why? Because its about the cross and not me, its about the Easter journey not an Easier journey.

And if the journey for you is hard that's what Project 52 is here for. Let us help you discover the Easter life!

In Christ,
Pastor John

From My Journal from the Dominican Mission Trip

I'm waiting for church. It's neat to walk around the camp and see people in devotion and prayer. I wonder why everyday can't be like this, prayer, fellowship, there's community here. There's community as well among the team. Back in the States we go to work and then back to our houses. It feels like hiding at times. The next day we do it again so we can earn money to live in the houses we are hiding in. Where does our spiritual growth come from, our fellowship with others? What if we were like the church in Acts and shared in everything? What does that look like for 2010? What if we were truly the army of Christ (bunking together if you will) moving out into the community with the Gospel like it was the most important thing for that day? I know, I'm dreaming, it happens alot on mission trips.

Maybe we can restore some of that sense of community as we continue to pray for Dustin and his family. Please pray also for Bill and Dustin and myself as we continue to see what God would have in store for Project 52 for the days are short and we want to make a difference. We have all learned the hard way that life is too short. Let us remember why we are here and the impact we can leave through the Spirit's work in us of making everyday count.

I still can see the community and I miss it, but I know I saw and experienced it for a reason. Maybe its not a dream.

In Christ,
Pastor John