I went to Israel with my brother Butch a couple of years ago to do some ministry with our friend David Zauber. We checked the tomb and it is actually empty. I do know that there are differing opinions on which of two different tombs is the actual one. The Good News: They are both empty! HE IS RISEN!
10. You will be accepted and affirm no matter how you dress. You can do the Easter dress up thing OR you can come in jeans and a t-shirt.
9. You can be yourself. You don’t have to pretend to be spiritual. Come as you are!
8. It will put you in the right spirit before you go to the family circus gathering for lunch!
7. You can form your own opinion about CATGrove rather than listen to the rumors about how we handle SNAKES!
6. You can put to rest the rumors that Craig Story is planning to debut his HAIR PIECE!
5. See what CATGrove has planned special for Easter Celebration!
4. Catch the new worship tunes that Ric and the band have in store for Easter Sunday.
3. See if worship leader Ric Wortham can make it through the service without his wife Allison going into labor and having a baby!
2. See if Katelyn Acuff is sporting the new ROCK! (you will understand that one later)
1. Hope and pray that your invites hear and respond to the Resurrection Truth of the gospel of Jesus! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!
I bring this to you compliments of the blog of Matthew Paul Turner. I thought it was funny!
I read a book a number of years ago called Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning. It changed my life for a number of reasons. One of the chapters that has meant so much to me every Easter is titled “Present Risenness”.
This chapter led me to a time of reflection on the reality of living in the “present risenness” of Jesus. Did I really believe that the resurrected Jesus lived in me and walked with me everyday? How could I access the same power for my life that literally raised Jesus from the dead 2000 years ago?
Here is the dilemma for us: We celebrate Easter this Sunday like we do every year. It is a time that we put on Passion Plays, special musicals, and we even hunt plastic eggs filled with candy. I do like eating the candy my children labor to find. The reality of the resurrection of Jesus must be experienced as more than a past historical event! Otherwise, “it is robbed of its impact on the present.” For a lot of people, Christians included, the resurrection means nothing. Also some Jesus followers relegate the central saving act of the Christian faith to some future hope of heavenly bliss. This is correct and we should relish our home in heaven but not let it rob us of walking in the “present risenness” of Jesus.
We must not “let the old, old story, become the old, old story”.
Check out this verse from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:10 here.
And check out what Paul writes from Ephesians 1:17-20 here.
The challenge is taking what is a great idea, but somewhat ambiguous, and making it practical and real in our lives. I don’t know that I have it figured out, but I am going to live my life fighting to walk according to “Present Risenness” based on these three principles:
1. Walk by faith.
Standing on a London street corner, G. K. Chesterton was approached by a newspaper reporter. “Sir, I understand that you recently became a Christian. May I ask you one question?”
“Certainly,” replied Chesterton.
“If the risen Christ suddenly appeared at this very moment and stood behind you, what would you do?”
Chesterton looked the reporter squarely in the eye and said, “He is.” (Page 99)
2. I will chart my course in my spiritual journey. I trust Jesus with my life and the same power that raised Him from the dead is the power that will transform me into His image.
3. I will cultivate intimacy daily with Jesus. Read Revelation 3:20 here.
The Jesus who walked the roads of Judea and Galilee is the One who stands beside us. the Christ of history is the Christ of faith. (page 99)
