Easter Monday, March 28

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:5-6

Time is a Trainer

I love this little devotional book “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. It is full of meditations as if Jesus were speaking to me. I try to think of the devotion as a daily inspiration, some peace to take with me as I go about my day.

As I celebrate my daughter’s 17th birthday today I am so grateful for the wonderful ladies of this church and Presbyterian Women who inspire me with grace every day. These ladies are all about giving. They are part of most events our church hosts as a community of faith. It may be Rummage sale, making refreshments, meals or a casserole for our Thank Offering or Birthday Offering brunch or for a family in need, Rejoicing Spirits, tutoring at Alcott School, baking cookies for funerals or Second Mile dinner. These women of Strength are like Super Heroes. They may not wear fancy capes or a leotard; they are the hands and feet of our church with big hearts, the true spirit of LOVE. It may seem like a small thing but they are there, with a smile and they just keep going, giving love and support like no other I can imagine. I have watched these super ladies move with such strength, all the while holding their own load that no one knows. They step in with effortless ease as they have done this all their lives. Giving is their mission and God is their guide. They teach by example and my daughter is learning great lessons from these women who show her what strength looks like every week.

My church family is filled with talented men and women of strength that share their unique gifts, everyday and every week. Today is all we have, tomorrow is another story. We must live in the Spirit and not the flesh. God has a plan for each and every one of us. We just have to be willing to Listen and do what GOD asks of us. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Go where HE takes us and HE will change us into Super Heros all the while helping others on the way.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us what we need when we need it. Help us to be your hands and feet. Lead us with your spirit of understanding to help those in greatest need of your love. Amen

Kathleen Sleder

Easter Sunday, March 27

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’

John 19:30 and 20:19-21

Finished is a fascinating word. It can be a word expressing success. I have finished my paper! I finished the race! It can be a word expressing defeat. It’s finished, over, and my last hope is gone. People have applied both of these usages to Jesus’ last, dying words on the cross, “It is finished.” Some people have assumed he was admitting defeat. My time here is finished and I have failed to change the world. Other have taken it as a statement of victory. I have finished what I needed to do and God has won. Those standing at the cross watching him die would probably have assumed that it was the former, an admission of defeat, for what else could crucifixion mean?

This morning, this Easter morning, we know which meaning to choose: victory. We know that Jesus’ words were not those of defeat but of victory over sin and death. We know that because God raised him from the dead, the power of sin and death was broken. His resurrection was the victorious news that the old world ruled by powers and principalities was finished and a new world ruled by the risen Christ was coming into being.

So on this Easter morning as we hear the proclamation of Jesus’ victory, let us hear “finished” as not an end but a beginning; a beginning of our work for this wonderful new world that Jesus is bringing into being.

Loving God, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead so that what his finish is our beginning; the beginning of life here and life forever.

Dr. John Judson