e have a great opportunity in the days ahead. The majority of people in our culture will, at some time, at least say the word, "Easter". "Resurrection Sunday" is the only proper term for the day to some. That's great, now let us all worship in Spirit and Truth. No matter what you call it, it is about Jesus' miraculous victory over death. Even those who don't choose to believe may end up saying it when they talk about their spring plans, or an extra day off. It may even be that those with no regard for Jesus Christ at all will make sure they make the sales at the mall anyway.

After Mel Gibson's film about Jesus' death and the attention it has received, every Christian or thinking person has the right stimulation for going to the next step. It's doubtful that a popular movie will ever be made about an empty tomb. It just isn't very noisy or flashy. It isn't violent or graphically cruel. There is no cast of thousands or snorting horses ridden by criminally insane soldiers. There wouldn't be much to catch the eye. An empty stone cavern is rather quiet. It is just that in this pervasive silence occurred the greatest miracle ever. Jesus was alive and He was gone. He had things to do and many people to see.

The stage has been set for every believer to have something to say about the Resurrection. We have the message of the empty tomb, our risen Savior, and what that means to all creation. We are the voice from the silence. What will we say? Will our lives tell our story before we say anything? Or can we get it together and be ready to tell "the rest of the story"? We probably won't get much help from Hollywood with this good news. It is much easier and self-serving to feel sorry for a wounded and dying Jew than it is to bow before and serve The One who conquered death and lives eternally. The Risen Lord doesn't need our pity. We don't need to feel bad because Jesus was falsely accused and chose to not zap the impotent pawns who killed Him. It is no wonder that the fact of His resurrection has been under attack since before it happened. It is simply too strong a statement of God's pervasive power to be ignored.

The Resurrection of Jesus is a problem to anyone who doesn't want God to be powerful enough to really matter in this life or the next one. The crucifixion is about human suffering, but the resurrection is about God's all-conquering power. We have to be clear in our thinking and move beyond the ugliness of the cross to the beauty of the empty tomb. We also have to be able to take with us many who don't know the resurrection is for them too. How glorious it is to know that just as Jesus died for all who believe, He was also raised to life for them as well. Our eternal hope begins in this Firstborn in all creation. Thank you God!

The Hillside youth are celebrating another very successful Rummage Sale. They were able to break all records on fundraising and the amount of goods sold and given away. These funds will help pay for some of the activities planned for the coming camp season. Thank you Marshfield for your support.