Happy Resurrection Day, friends and family.  My prayer this week is that we can find joy in the hope that comes from knowing that our Lord lives, and that soon He will make all things new.  We may all be separated in our homes, but we will be together in spirit as we join in celebration tomorrow.

I enjoyed hearing from a few more of our regulars last Sunday.  I an looking forward to hearing your voices again tomorrow.  We’ll keep the same format that we have had the last couple of weeks.  I hope you can stick around and chat after we’re done.  Contact us if you want the dial-in information.

Here are some tips for making the call go more smoothly.  At the beginning and end of the call, all lines will be open, but it is still best to keep your line muted unless you want to talk.  this reduces background noise and interference for others on the line.  *6 mutes or unmutes your line, or just use the function on your phone or headset.  If you want to watch on Facebook while on the call, turn your device volume down to prevent the delayed echo from feeding back to the call.  Speakerphones can also cause the problem with echo, so keep them muted unless speaking.

I encourage you to take a few extra minutes tomorrow to reflect on what it means that He died for you and rose from that grave.  One way to do this could be to have a communion service with the members of your household.  You don’t need anything special.  any food and drink elements will do.  It’s all about your heart.

All this week I have been thinking about our present situation, and the significance of what we celebrate this Sunday.  It’s going to  be very different than what we’re used to.  Churches are usually fuller than usual as those who do not attend regularly want to come for this day.  This year, the buildings will largely remain empty.  There will be no pageants, no fancy clothes, and children’s activities will be much smaller in scope.  Yet our hope is not diminished.

The whole of the gospel message hinges on the truth of the resurrection.  Without it, there is no hope.  Without it, we have believed a lie.  But we know that He is risen!  This is the source of our hope.  With this hope we can rejoice even when our circumstances give us every reason to despair.  With this hope we know that God is going to work everything out for our good.  With this hope we look forward to the day when our bodies are changed and sickness and disability is no more.  With this hope, we eagerly anticipate the day when Jesus returns to set the world right and we will join Him for eternity.

I also think there is reason to hope in our current circumstance.  I believe the God is going to bring much good from this evil virus as well as the evil done under its cover.  Families are spending time together.  Parents are finding out what their children are learning.  We’ve had much of the time wasting inanities our society provides stripped away, leaving us time to contemplate what really matters.  We are faced with our mortality and economic hardship.  These things tend to make us look for answers.  As followers of Jesus, we have those answers.

Across this land, God’s people have been praying for revival.  Consider the meaning of that word.  It’s root means life.  To revive is to return life.  In other words, a resurrection.  I believe we could be on the cusp of the spiritual revival that we’ve all been asking for.  Let us be ready when the call comes.  Declare with boldness tomorrow and forever, He is Risen!

Join us tomorrow at 2:30 on Facebook or on the phone.

Love y’all!

Larry