First Easter in Heaven

I wanted to quickly put down an encouragement I just received from a sister in Christ! She has written a poem called "First Easter in Heaven". She so wonderfully expresses joy in the midst of grief and loss as she remembers the death of her husband but also calls to mind what he will see not only on April 8th, 2007 Easter Sunday - but every day before the Lamb and His Throne! I hope she will publish this poem somewhere because I would love to link everyone who has experienced a loss this year to its comfort and joy!

A Perfect St. John's Ministry Morning

It’s Sunday morning and I rise to great the day at 7:00 a.m. I get up before my wife and get a good hot cup of Folgers going for her and some cereal for the kids. By quarter of 8:00 a.m. we are driving into the parking lot of St. John’s Lutheran Church. The cool morning air greets us as we walk into the sanctuary with the sounds of brothers and sisters in Christ greeting one another. The chorus of the carillon rings praises as we make our way to “our” pew in joyful expectation to meet the Lord. 9:30 a.m. finds me in a bible study where I am being prepared through the ministry of my fellow disciples. The Bible Study Leader prepares me for the real reason that I have come to worship today! It’s 10:15 a.m. and I’m standing in the parking lot waiting for the reason I got up this morning to arrive. I have been talking to a friend at work over the past few months and the topic of “church” came up. Well, to make a long relationship a short story, I’ve invited him here today – man I hope he comes! It’s 10:27 a.m. and I finally see their car pull in! I had almost given up! I didn’t think that he and his family would make it but they did. Praise God! We walk into “that worship service” I was telling him about. I told him that I was sure this church would be geared to what he needs and at a level that he and his family were sure to understand. We laughed about the “nightmares” he had heard about Christians and their churches. It’s 11:30 a.m. and it’s off to Frisches for their great Sunday Morning All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet. My treat! (I hope my VISA isn’t overdrawn!) Well, it’s 2:30 p.m. I’m ready for one of those classic Sunday Afternoon naps we guys like to call “watching the game”. I felt the presence of God this morning, I hope they did too. I sure am glad that the Holy Spirit takes over from here as they grow closer to Jesus. I just have to be their friend. Praise God! This has been what I call a Perfect St. John’s Ministry Morning. How was your morning?