A Complete Loss For Words….

Sometimes I come in knowing what I’m going to say….what I’m going to write.  But today….I wasn’t really sure.  I didn’t know if I wanted to continue my theme of my last post or just share the meaning of Easter.  But after this morning…I still don’t know what to say.

Last night’s Saturday service was amazing.  God was in that place for sure.  Our family had a wonderful time and the Word of God was spoken through Pastor Jeff.

Today was a day of service.  The whole family had a part to play.  Even the boys sported their volunteer shirts and nametags.  Even when my wife ended up in the second service helping with offering, my youngest, only 7, stepped up and ran the food and beverage area of Volunteer Central while she was away.  She came back and she said he was ready with a list and was already restocking things.

Our three services today were packed.  We ended the weekend with over 3000 in attendance.  And the most amazing thing was the over 440 known who are now brothers and sisters in Christ.

As I stood outside of the auditorium after the last service a young Spanish women approached.  She was holding a young child in one hand and had another walking next to her.  She barely spoke English, but she walked up and said, “I’m a Christian, where do I go?”  I walked her down to our information center where they took her and started her on the next steps of her new Christian life.

She was just one of the many stories today….the many lives changed because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us by dying on a cross….a criminals death.  He paid the ultimate sacrifice so we may have eternal life.

My wife and I spoke about me sharing this part of the weekend, but I just don’t think I can talk about the amazing Grace of Jesus….the great and powerful things He does without sharing.

After we got home from dinner last night we were talking about the sermon.  My oldest son, who listens sometimes, not so much others said it was great.  Even better than Steven Furtick.  And then he says, “You know I raised my hand after I prayed with Pastor Jeff.”  My wife and I just looked at each other….both not really knowing what to say.  The kid has had lots of questions lately, and I’ve tried to explain and give answers the best I could.  But ultimately, it came down to God speaking to him on Saturday night through Pastor Jeff.

So now we have another baptism to prepare for……one in which mother and son will most likely be getting baptized together.

As I think back to all those years ago…..as the sun came up over the borrowed tomb….and the rock that held our Savior was blasted away…..and He stepped out of an empty grave…how it changed the world forever.  No more would the devil ever win.  No more would we be burdened by our sins…..by our insecurities, our fears, our hopelessness.  Because that grave really wasn’t empty.  All of that stayed inside.

Easter may be over for another year…..but our mission is not.  We had over 3000 at our services this year.  My mom said her church was standing room only.  Why can’t we have over 6000 next year?  Why not 10,000?  We have over 440 new brothers and sisters…..why not over 1000 next year in one weekend?  It’s all up to us.  We have been given a mission to go and share.  To bring those lost back to Jesus.

I remember sitting in Easter services last year….it was not very long before I had my “moment” where I, for the first time, really turned it all over to God.  I was not in a good place.  But Jesus was just beginning to work His miracles in my life.  And now a year later, I not only have a wife, but I have a sister in Christ.  I not only have a son, but I have a brother in Christ.  Who can say that?

It is only fitting that the day started off with my wife’s favorite song, “Glorious Day,” and finished with what is now an anthem for our family’s lives….” When Death Was Arrested.”  We have one more left in the family….my youngest…..but that little guy….he is already asking questions…questions that I am struggling to answer for him.  But those are the best kind.  Because in the end, those are the questions that only Jesus can answer.

So as this Easter comes to a close…..and my loss for words has turned into a bunch of random experiences from the weekend…..I pray for all of us.  I pray we continue to search and follow God’s plan for our lives.  I continue to pray for those out there who are still lost….but are looking to be found.  I pray that we can be the path that leads someone to Jesus….and I pray that next Easter…..it may be you, or someone close to you that experiences the true  Resurrection Power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.