What Now?

Do you ever wonder what happened with the disciples after Jesus rose from the dead? Not right after the resurrection because we see that they interacted with the risen Christ in different ways and places (I Corinthians 15:3-7; Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24; John 20 & 21). Not 50 days later as Pentecost occured because we have that incredible and exciting story in Acts 2 (and the growth of the early church through the rest of the book of Acts). I mean with each man and women that just experienced following Jesus as teacher and leader and now having witnessed, experienced,.... and being thrown head-long into... the death and resurrection of Jesus!
What were they feeling as they went to bed at night? What were their emotions as they contemplated what it meant to "wait for the promise", "go into all the world", or "feed my sheep"?
Did Thomas have little doubts come up in this interim period between resurrection visits and Holy Spirit filling? Did Peter kick himself for denying Jesus with the benefit of hindsight? Did John build on a mother-in-law suite for Mary in obedience to Jesus request to care for His mother?
Have you had those moments where you have just experienced something incredible from God but you can't quite fully explain it? Have you just celebrated the risen savior but you find yourself back in your cubicle of life wondering how this all fits together?
Well, we have the benefit of the disciples hindsight. We know what happens as the story unfolds. Because we have this insight we can deal with the "day after" in victory. We have the benefit of knowing how to live this resurrected life that extends beyond an annual trek to church and family lunches and egg hunts.
Today, the day after "the big day", resolve to live the resurrected Christ through every thing you do and say. This is a commitment to living out Romans 10:9 "...confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved." This is not a single isolated event but an ongoing confessing from our mouth, an ongoing making Him Lord, an ongoing believing that God became man and died for our sins and has risen from the dead! This is Monday morning stuff!
What about you? do you have Easter Celebration hangover? Do you feel like you are in the "interim" between Resurrection and Pentecost? How do you confess and believe 24/7/365 rather than just once a year or even just on Sundays?

*A tool that may help you live this resurrected life are the daily devotions based on the Sermons at Orange Friends Church. You can find these at http://www.orangefriendschurch.org/devotions.html

Authentic Love

Jesus had key relationships: Martha, Peter, Mary Magdalene and John. Each of these profiles of friendship were unique unto themselves. These people walked, talked, loved and were loved by Jesus. Each of us may be similar in some way or another to one or more of these folks but ultimately they walked with Him. What they experienced is special, unique and will never be replicated.

But...

We do share the most important things in common...

the need for and ability to receive His ultimate love through the cross and resurrection. Each of these special people needed to choose to follow, repent and receive the grace and mercy provided through the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is what we share… We must do the same. Jesus Died and rose from the dead for them and for us.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Time for a Fresh Start

I love Spring time! Especially when I have the opportunity to get out in the woods on a hike. The smells of the outdoors, the green of the growth coming up in all directions, the trillium popping up from the forest floor-- now that is a God given gift. When the seasons change it reminds me of how everything has its time. When Spring comes it reminds me that there is a time for newness and fresh starts. Not only has God created this natural world with a time to have renewal but He has created us to have times of renewal spiritually and personally. I am glad Easter happens in the Spring time. It represents the ultimate time of renewal. If it were not for the reason behind Easter we have no true renewal! No cross... no recovery. No Resurrection from the dead for Jesus... no hope of new life for us. Just like there is no Spring time without the Winter Time-- there is no Resurrection without the Cross --there is no renewal without repentance-- no change without ....change.
Personally, you and I must have a daily renewal. Corporately, we must place ourselves in a position where newness and freshness will occur. On April 4th our church family will be celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in our new Worship Center. This transition is an effort at worshiping more freely, opening the doors more widely and proclaiming his victory over death more clearly. Ultimately, we seek renewal! Do not allow another Easter to pass without seeking the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. As a church family we will not allow any Easter to pass where we have not made clear to those around us why we have this hope, this wholeness, this love, this fresh start. May God richly bless you as we walk this journey with Him together.