Easter....bunny?

Recently traveling in my automobile I noticed a slogan on a store marquee that read: "Sorry Bunny, Easter is for Jesus". Upon reading I immediately smiled. There was something speaking to my brain saying this is funny and this is correct too. It was funny because the slogan was cleaver and crafty. The most successful advertisement campaigns are those that cause us to think and this signs message accomplished that quickly. It is not only possible but highly probable that others might see the same sign and be wondering what It means. Easter is a familiar term often expressed in conversation around this time of the year but the meaning no doubt has a lost understanding for many, if not possible a majority or more of those we share society with. When my siblings and I were being born in the 1950's, 60's Easter was a big deal not only in our family but in society. When was the last time you experienced a clothing retailer advertising the sale of Easter clothing so you children would look 'picture perfect' for church on Easter Sunday morning? That's what I thought, you can't remember. The loss meaning of Easter in society is not the fault of a bunny or any rabbit. The loss is because the importance of honoring God or the practice of publicly demonstrating our faith with such practices has fallen from the priority list of Christians. Wearing new clothing or dressing up for church will not make you a Christian just as going to church does not make you a Christian. Dressing up could be a reminder that He deserves our best. After all, Easter represents that time of the year that Jesus Christ gave His best and His all for us on a Cross at Calvary. Forgiveness is a universal need. We can practice forgiving one another for hurts or misunderstandings, but only Jesus can forgive sin in the heart and this is the real meaning of Easter. Until then

Happy 'springtime' Happy Jesus time too!

In the phrase "springtime" I automatically hear great weather, flowers and baseball. It is amazing what we hear when we are really listening and even more so when we know what we want to hear. I confess my disposition for great weather is in an always status and I am man enough to say I love flowers, landscaping and even yard statues. As for baseball being a part of my "springtime" mindset allow me to write my baseball thoughts as ice cream and apple pie! Growing-up I remember flying a kite in March because this month is always windy. Spring weather includes a wide array of weather related possibilities including floods, tornados, and dreaded lightening bolts from the sky. Two direct opposite weather experiences all in the same month not to mention the possibility of hearing one thing and two different people have two entirely different thoughts from hearing the exact same words. Christianity is a word that can strike just as many different thoughts in an individual's mind too. My first thoughts are love and plan. I have no doubts or questions regarding God's love because I believe the scripture John 3:16. Plan comes to my mind because there are only two plans in life and each is clearly defined in John 10:10 in the Bible....another scripture that I totally believe and have based my life of faith upon. With the arrival of "springtime" and the windy every changing weather of March it is difficult to predict what exactly will be ones weather experience. With respect to weather there is no real variable to predict any particular weather to occur with regularity but with respect to faith there is plenty that can be predicted. The fact that Jesus is a friend that sticks by closer than a brother is well worth clinging to no matter the storms that will blow in and out of our lives. Happy "springtime" and happy Jesus time too! Until then

A Balm in Gilead

If I were to ask if you'd like to sign up for a hospital visit and stay I am figuring your answer will be "not interested". When it comes to hospital visits many will hear the call of care and concern when our friends and neighbor's are in for a procedure, surgery or recovery period, but even then, our plans are to make the visit short, encouraging and did I write short? Quick visits to family members and friends who are hospitalized might see rude but the healthy truth is that if you are in the hospital it is for a reason and I'm confident rest is vital to a heathy recovery. While no one wants to be admitted to a hospital for any reason, unless it's to give birth to a child, the fact remains we try to avoid such institutions as much as humanly possible. There are many things that you can count on while participating in your 'patient status'. 1) Expect to receive shots, required to swallow medications, and answer a lot of questions. 2) Expect to be in a bed where getting comfortable will be totally out of the question. 3) Expect to hear good news, bad news or answers that will require additional follow-ups. As a minister often the duties or services that have been necessary required up early in the morning, out late in the evening or night and lots of explaining with a encouraging hope that God has a plan. The task is not only daunting but exhausting physically and spiritually. There are many songs about Jesus as the Master Physician and scripture speaks of a Balm in Gilead. We sing of this Balm from the African American Spiritual, "There is a Balm in Gilead". The search for healing has been a journey traveled by many, even Edgar Allan Poe. In the last stanzas of his poem The Raven: "Prophet!" Said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore. Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted - On this home by Horror haunted - tell me - tell me - I implore - "Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - Tell me - tell me, I implore!" Quoth the Raven "Nevermore" Hospital visits, hospital stays, all this not forever more but rather just until our Savior and the sweet release of the 'Balm' that does last forever more. Until then