VICTORY!!

Well, here we go, back to the blog now that Lent is over. I'll try and keep up - no promises. Yesterday was Easter and wow, what a great day! We began with a sunrise service in the park located just west of the church. The youth led the service and did a great job and acted out a skit that focused on what it means to truly follow Jesus. The service was followed by a breakfast in the fellowship hall. The room was beautifully decorated. A wonderful spread of muffins, rolls, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, and yes, even a chocolate fountain for the fruit. And of course, coffee, milk, and juice. Awesome!

The worship services were a great time of celebration. We kicked off the JAM service with a jacked up rendition of Christ the Lord is Risen Today led by the praise band- sweet! The place was packed and God was definitely in the house. You could just feel the Spirit. The same held true for the service in the sanctuary. The great hymns of resurrection, the large gathering of men and women, boys and girls, the music of the choir, the word preached and the challenge given, and the celebration of the resurrected Lord that sent us into the world - what an awesome day!!

Easter Sunday is as good as it gets. As I mentioned to someone the other day, you think a rabbit hiding eggs is a big deal?? Try rising from the dead!! Now that's something to shout about. That's why I chose the above picture - Jesus with his head thrown back and you can just hear him laughing, "You thought death could keep me down? You thought a tomb could hold me? You thought a stone could keep me in the grave?? Have you forgotten who I AM??"

The resurrection laughs at sin, at death, at bondage, at despair.......... The resurrection defeats them all. Jesus is all about victory!! He is the One who gives us the victory. He is the one who gives us the joy that we can throw our heads back and laugh at all that attempts to bring us down. Here's the deal. There is nothing that can defeat us because of Jesus, because of faith in Him. DO WE BELIEVE IT?

It is my prayer that for whomever might be reading this, that you will not just talk about how wonderful Easter Sunday was, but live out how wonderful Jesus is - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the one who brings you salvation, joy, forgiveness, hope, and peace. And he is the one who brings you victory. Believe it! Live it out! And join Jesus, the originator of LOL - "laughing out loud" as we proclaim the victory over sin and death!