Yesterday was Good Friday.  A Christian Holy Day.  One that is remembered with words of faith of Jesus' last day.  This whole week is what we call Holy Week comes to an end on Sunday, but will be celebrated again next year, and the year after that, etc. etc. etc.

Christ has RISEN INDEED!

Easter Sunday is when we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ has conquered death. It has no sting!  HE is ALIVE!  The sad news is that Jesus suffered horrible pain and anguish for our sin.  The Good news is that God sent His only Son to die for our sins that we, as humans, have acquired because of what Adam and Eve thrust upon humanity right from the get go.  But we serve a loving God and that is the reason for the sacrifice that we celebrate at Easter.  Overcoming Death.  Dying for our sins.  How can we put it into words that give it the respect, awesomeness, total scope of what Jesus has done for us, so many years ago?  We can now read, learn, and discuss, what Jesus was/is all about.  Now we can look at others through the eyes of Jesus in what He taught us through His life, on treating others with love and compassion, giving us hope, and joy.  Sharing our sorrows, and our happiness.  Helping others for no other purpose than to make their lives better.  In this time of world wide chaos, and uncertainty, we can take time this Easter to re-focus on the One that can make a difference in our lives, if we take the time to sit and listen to that little voice that has been talking to us from our birth.  You know what I'm talking about don't you?  He has been with you trying to communicate for a long time with you.  Sometimes you have heard Him...then shrugged it off, and went on your own way, only to hear that voice talking again.  Some people are afraid that it sounds like a crazy man doesn't it?  Let me assure you that the "voice" is perhaps what we call "conscience".  At any rate, we as sons and daughters of God are needing to start listening closer to that inner feeling that is trying to guide you and love you.

What a wonderful season that we get to celebrate every year, this wonderful Easter message.

For those that are fence sitters with this "Christian" thing, stop on in to a church in your neighborhood this Sunday and share in the celebration of the resurrection of our (and your) Lord, Savior and Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.  His sacrifice was for YOU.

Since this is my blog, and it conveys my thoughts, I am sure that there are others that disagree or have other beliefs that do not include the whole theology of Jesus.  I know that there are many religions and a whole bunch of denominations out there.  This is one of the thoughts that we as Christians call "free will".  When we have free will to choose what we want to believe in, we also have to be willing to stand up for our beliefs and be accountable to others for what we say, do (and NOT do), and manage to put out there for anyone to read and contemplate.  I am not a theologian, nor am I a very complicated thinker.  I do believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as my Lord and Savior.  I have grown up in the United Methodist Church as a denomination.  I have studied and taken lots of courses and studies through my walk in faith.  As a Certified Lay Speaker of the UMC...oh wait....we are now Lay Servants. Not really sure what this all means, and am pretty sure you don't either and titles are really meaningless in the end. What you do and how you act is what counts most. With that said, I have grown in the church. What has developed has happened over quite a few years of seeing how I could make a difference in others lives.  When asked to take a position as a District Director of Lay Speaking Ministry in the Desert SouthWest Annual Conference, I was shocked that someone would even ask ME, let alone think I could do the job!  After five years and building our Ministry throughout our district to about 145 Certified and Trained Lay Speakers, I turned over our successes to the next person asked, to develop and nurture. We then moved to Tennessee to listen for God's whisper to what He has for me to do next.  I have discovered that we never realize what we have inside us to do God's work, until someone ASKS us to do something.  After five years I found out some interesting and exciting areas that I never knew I had or experienced before.

 The fact that the United Methodist Church is a connectional organization is something that I am very proud of.  As a world wide organization we are the first ones to areas that need disaster help.  We are where people are.  I am proud of that ability and the financial resources we have available because of that connection.   To those shying way from organized religion because of the hypocrisy of a lot of churches. please remember that churches are not a resting place for the Saints, but a learning place for the sinners.  Although there is NOTHING worse than in-church politics, but even that is something we all experience but something that we can overcome with compassion, calmness, and love in our hearts.  But for now, I ask that you who are reading these words to search out a neighborhood church and attend it this Sunday.  Then perhaps you will even try it again the following week.....let me know how that worked out for you.

Keep singing, keep praying, keep going to church

Blessings,
Gary