Easter Reflections
Today was amazing! I am still laying on the couch trying to recover from a busy, but fulfilling day. As I reflect upon each service, I am overjoyed with what God did each hour (or each hour and 12 minutes - oops!). Each worship service had it’s own moments that will make this an Easter I will never forget. Today, a beautiful lady who was 83 years old committed her life to Jesus. When I finished praying with her, she said she wants to be baptized! I cannot believe what God has been saying and doing this past 40 Days.
What made this Easter so incredible? I think it was due to our readiness! Lent, is the discipline of expectation. We allowed God to meet with this us, and we were intentional in meeting with Him. It is good to live with hope. It is good to live for hope. The more I have read the stories on the wall, the more my faith has been encouraged.
When those doors were raised in the form of a cross, my heart nearly exploded. I saw my name! I could hear God whisper to my soul, “You were dead, but now you are alive. You were lost, but now you are found. I am so glad, you came home!”
How did Easter affect you?
PS: By the way we ate ham too!
Posted in Lent 2008
March 24th, 2008 at 8:34 am
If Sunday was not amazing, you must have been sleeping! As the cross was raised, I found myself face down. The shock and awe of what Easter truly means was reflected not only in the sermon, but the visual was no less than heart-wrenching! As the cross was being raised, my 7 year old leaned into me and asked for my cell-phone. I got upset because I was so emotional and couldn’t believe what he was asking at that moment. It was only when we were leaving that I learned why he wanted it. He said; “Mom, I’m sorry you got upset when I asked for your cell phone. I only wanted to take a picture of the cross so you could have it as a screen-saver on your phone.” Oh, God…that you would use the least of these, in that moment, to bring me home!!! Thank you, Lord, for each and every member of the staff at MABC as they worked tirelessly to bring home the message that you wanted us to hear this Easter. I will praise you ALWAYS!!
PS: We ate ham too!!!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Todd - Over the years I have participated in numerous Resurrection services and programs that our church was involved in but yesterday was so incredible. There was a moment in the third service when the cross was raised that I will never forget. The music was playing, we were singing Jesus paid it all, I heard prayers, shouts and low groanings. I had goose bumps on my goose bumps. We were in His arms in such a wonderful way. That moment will stay with me the rest of my life, until I see Him face to face. Thank you Todd for your vision and willingness to let the Holy Spirit use your heart in such a blessed way!!!
March 24th, 2008 at 11:34 am
What?!! No brisket?!!
We ate what God provided… which was ham.
It’s funny how a simple thing like putting your name on a door and watching the cross of them hang there… knowing that you belong to the list of those who were cleansed by His blood, can be so powerful!
Great service! Incredible Easter! All provided by and *Awesome* God!
A blessing to be there! Thanks!
-Charity
March 25th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Todd,
The service was very special to me, when the doors were raised it was awsome, to see it resembled a cross with so many names.
My son was with me in church… Wow I do know God answers prayers, because people have been praying for him. Please keep those prayers coming.
God Bless You have a relaxing week.
March 25th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Pastor Todd, You know I greeted you after church on Sunday but I wanted to make mention again on how wonderful and powerful Sunday’s service was. The sermon you preached spoke to our hearts, I could hear God’s voice. When the doors were being set up and I realized they were forming a cross, I was in tears. I told my sister from MD today on the phone about our
Easter service. We both got emotional…and my sister was not even there. Thanks again Pastor Todd for allowing God to use you. Our God is so good!
April 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Wow! Easter was awesome and every service we have been to since we started attending MABC this year has been awesome. Easter was especially emotional for me because my daughter and I are in nearly the same circumstance as the mother/daughter you read about on Easter Sunday. Having her there in service with me and having that story read just overwhelmed me with pain and tears. It was beyond painful, yet necessary for me to realize how much the hurt she is feeling now could put us in the exact situation down the road. I only wish I knew how to love her in this difficult time like Christ loves us. I appreciate how wonderful it is that God gave you the words to touch so many in the services Easter Sunday and every Sunday. I felt as if the entire service, down to the music was a tool in trying to show me how much our family needs God to help us in everything we do. I too was blown away by the cross being raised with all of the names. I just wish during the Lent lessons, I could have found the words to put my story on the door as so many did. I wrote my story over and over and just didn’t like the story. Pray for me as I realize my story is my story, regardless of how it began. The important thing I need to trust God with is that it ends with hope. Thank you Todd, I believe it is a true blessing that our family was led to MABC. I cannot wait for our new lesson to begin this week!
p.s. I think you’re up to like 10 now!!!!