For all of those who missed church yesterday, I simply say you are missing out on the most important things you could possibly do in worshipping God, especially on such a Holy day. Yes, it is more important than watching the Masters, or going to the lake or beach, a bar, or attending the best Easter Egg hunt in the world.
Yesterday we attended a beautiful Easter Sunday service in a fairly small church near our home. The congregation was welcomed to the service by a friend of mine and his beautiful family. He is my John Deere representative and is always relaxed in his blue jeans and cowboy boots, but he looked as nervous as a rat looking at a cat as he stood in his suit before the congregation staring out at the audience reciting his lines in a “memorization-monotone”. He did a good job though and even quoted a lengthy Scripture from memory.
The singing and worship music for this program was stunning, and my wife commented how amazing it is that so many talented people assembled from a local talent pool gather in this one church to perform. Mind you she has sung in many different choirs since high school including a 400-member choir with a huge orchestra (many of whom were paid musicians). This church program was every bit as good. The singing was so good it was hard to keep a dry eye.
The service itself was a reenactment of local talent dressed for their parts for the trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ with songs sung through each phase. Another friend of mine who works at the local feed store where I buy my feed and seed played the part of Jesus and had been growing his hair long for months. He did an excellent job. He told me he was getting his hair cut TODAY because he couldn’t stand it that long anymore. LOL
After the service, we attended a lunch with one of our neighbors and their very large multi-generation family. There was plenty of good food from which to choose but the highlight for me was homemade ice cream which was being churned in an electric device in the kitchen sink. I had not eaten any in years and it was a special treat.
Afterwards they conducted a huge Easter Egg hunt with over 200 hundred plastic eggs hidden all over the yard and pasture. All the eggs had two dollars inside them except for two which had fifty dollar bills hidden inside both. We had a great time talking about hunting, fishing, farming, college football, and photos of the new bass boat I just purchased. We also talked about the church services that we attended that morning. I loved watching the kids run around having a blast. They didn’t need marijuana, or beer, just some good old-fashioned fun.
I’m happy I moved to Mississippi where folks are down to earth. Call me a redneck if you will and I will proudly be counted in that number. Yes, in Mississippi most folks love Jesus, our guns, and what is left of the greatness of America, and we do not apologize for it, in fact, we are proud of the wholesome lifestyle that we live. We don’t have to carefully choose our pronouns, because everyone knows the difference between a man and a woman. Yesterday there was no cursing, or spewing hatred, or even a political discussion, we just focused on the love of God and the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon our lives.
How was your resurrection weekend? I hope it was like mine.
Phil 4;7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you . . .