The presence of God can be flash and crash - thunder and lightning. It is fireworks on Mt Sinai. It is the holy smoke of glorious fire. It is the power to bend trembling knees into worship. Unveiled, it is death for mortals to see. The presence of God is all of this, and more. Even though His presence can be overwhelming, this is often the presence we expect. Obvious. Undeniable. Unmistakable. But this is not the presence we experience.

This past Easter weekend, the New York Times published an opinion column by Peter Wehner. I have never heard of the author and usually don’t look to the “Times” for devotional input - but God’s Voice is heard from surprising sources. The article was entitled, “Why is Jesus still Wounded after the Resurrection?” It’s a good question.

Two secret disciples – two followers of Jesus – two who bravely came to ask for the body of Jesus.  

When have you had to be brave in following Jesus? Was it a time when you needed to say something about your faith? Was it a time when you had to act on your convictions – even though everyone around laughed at you?  

As I think about the Easter story and all that it entails – crowds of people are part of it. These crowds show up at various places during the Passion Week. At the beginning of the week, there are crowds standing at the side of the road – spreading their coats, waving branches and calling out ‘Hosanna’ – an exclamation of praise to God.

Have you ever mourned your failings and imperfections? I do. I always think I should be better than I am. And yet if I think about it – it is in this very place of weakness that God wants to work. It is through my deficiencies and flaws that God seeks to work through me. For when I take my eyes off of me – I am able to see Jesus better.

This is the highest celebration for followers of Jesus. The events that we remember over these days have brought us salvation in Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. As we continue our preparation for Easter, it is certainly a season of prayer. Over the next 4 weeks, you will be invited to take time to pray.

Miriam and I were enjoying our dream trip, driving counter clockwise across the United Kingdom. Graced with plenty of time and sufficient cash, we felt the bright enthusiasm of explorers navigating from castle to cathedral.

When something is spent, it is gone. Once you’ve spent $20, you can’t spend it again. You may have another $20 dollars, but the bill you handed to the cashier can only be exchanged once. It is spent. That holds true for the time you spent waiting for a bus or a match that is lit. You can’t get your time back nor can the match be re-lit. They are spent.

It would be easier to give mouth to mouth resuscitation to an alligator than to stand in Moses’ sandals. The demands upon him were as deep and wide as the Red Sea. Perhaps none was greater than when Moses stood in the space between God and a stubborn people.

Thomas Moore died this week from COVID-19. This Englander was a centenarian, a RAF veteran of WW2 and someone who earned global fame in his final year. If you can’t recall his name, you probably remember his story. Mr. Moore had been treated for cancer and wanted to express his support for health care workers. He wasn’t content with just saying, “Thank you.” He looked outside and decided that during this pandemic, he could still pace around his garden.