We stopped at a favorite park along the coast and looked out at the roaring ocean fueled with the fury of the high winds. In front of us was this tree—solid, worn, and beautiful. It has withstood the intense winds, the pounding surfs, and human efforts to mar its trunk.

The stone was rolled away! Jesus did not stay in the tomb but arose on Easter so that we might have life and hope and joy. Celebrate this event! God offers each of us new life in the risen Jesus we call the Christ. Even the stone shouts out with promise and Good News! May you experience Easter joy and hope in your life today and in the days and months ahead.

From the cross, Jesus cries, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Sometimes, we forgive because God asks us to. There is no need to reason why the other does what he/she does. Jesus taught his disciples to pray “And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). Forgive, forgive, forgive is what Jesus says.

It makes a difference who you follow and why. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” If we follow Jesus, we are sure to be on the right track. Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Building our lives on the Word of God, like a house built on rock, may take much effort and will at times be difficult. But when the storms of life come, and many will, we will be able to stand firm; for God, our rock and our salvation, is with us!

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul says we have been appointed by God to be God’s ambassadors: to bring the message that God has done in Christ Jesus all that needs to be done for a full reconciliation to take place between God and the people of God’s world-like us!

In your times of deep trouble, listen to the cries of the psalmist, hear God’s Love in their words of promise and hope. You are not alone.

PRAYER: Today, I pray with the psalmist, “Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.” Amen

We all are broken crayons of various shades and sizes. But, we also have so much potential to change, to bring goodness into our world wherever we are, and to help others through the rough times of their lives. What a privilege that is!

I do not know what happened to Barbara, but God does. I have released her into his loving care. Hopefully another servant of God was there to carry on the task of being a hand and voice of God for her. And who knows, perhaps she is the one who now brings the message of hope and love to others.

Devastations have come upon lands throughout history. There have been volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, flooding, and dust storms. Add to that, the Black Plague, Smallpox, Measles, Polio, and now Covid. The list could go on and on. At each point, Joel calls upon us to be God’s people who act on God’s behalf. I do no believe God sends disaster to punish or kill people. But disasters happen and when they do, we are to be God’s first responders.