Good morning everyone!
Easter is coming -- the absolute best day of any year! Everyone probably has their own personal "take-away" on Easter and how it impacts them personally and I would love to hear your stories. For me, Easter marks an eternal moment in time with message that echoes through the ages: God's love is unstoppable and His goodness will always win out over the worst that you or I can ever do or even imagine.
With the terrible shootings our nation has endured these past 10 days, I believe the Easter message is needed now more than ever. It tires me a little to watch the news and hear people scramble for answers and solutions, when I know the answer has always been the Church recovering her true mission on this planet, which is bringing this unstoppable love of God to all people, everywhere. We have a message of hope that can reach any soul, even those who hide in the cover of darkness with terrible schemes of hurting their neighbors. The message of a true, loving, grace-filled Jesus Christ doesn't always reach into these spaces.
One of the key High Places founding Scriptures over the years says, "I live in a high and holy place, but also in the lowly places with the contrite and humble. I will restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courgage of those with repentant hearts." Isaiah 57:15
Because God defines Himself this way, we believe in He who is larger, bigger, and better than we can ever imagine -- but also the One who can meet us in our lowest places to heal, revive, and embolden us so that we might live our best lives in Him! That's an exciting thing in which we can place our TRUST day after day!!
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which marks the day Jesus entered Jersualem on a donkey. Recognized leaders in this time rode powerful horses to show their weath and influence, even their military success. But Jesus rode a donkey! The Writing Was On the Wall: Jesus never came to be an earthly king and had no interest in changing people through top down approaches. Jesus came to transform us from within! Unfortunately, most of those cheering him on that day could not see it... they were still blind to the power that comes from a humble life. They still wanted the wrong kind of power -- and so these same voices who cheered him on Palm Sunday, were shouting to have him crucified a week later.
But up from the grave, He arose! Signifying the power of Godly love. We hope to see you this week and then to see you again on Easter for this great day of celebration.
In the meantime, we could use some more Easter candy, Easter eggs, and Easter Egg Candy Stuffers. Lend a hand if you can!
And don't forget if you can help with the cleaning, let Kathy Monger know this week. We're running out of time.... and yet, we have all the time in the world. We have ETERNITY in Christ!
Love to you all -- EXCITING things are happening fast! Can't wait to fill everyone in after Easter!
David