Easter God's Way!

Every year we try to put together the service that we feel God wants to use to impact the right people with the message of hope and forgiveness. And every year we struggle to know what to expect - 'cause we're not God! So we pray, asking Him to be real to those who come, to meet needs in just the right time, to allow hardened hearts and sour hearts to be open to whatever it is that He wants to say. Well, turns out God did Easter His way and touched lives.

• I challenged those who already knew Christ as Lord to step up and recommit their lives to His call, His purpose and His direction for their lives. 30 + people said YES to surrendering their lives back to God. Pray for them and for us as we help get them 'reconnected' to the vine.
• The spirit of worship in the body was intoxicating at all the services. You could sense people ready to celebrate Easter and desiring to truly want to move closer to God.
  
• We prayed that God would speak to our hearts in the area of our giving to the point that we give with the right heart attitude and with a cheerful heart. God showed up! Our attendance was down 23% to last year but the giving was up over 112% to last year! Praise God!
  
• Personally, had a great encounter with God at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning (until about 4:30) that moved my enthusiasm to a new level for the Sunday services. I am humbled every time He does that and grateful for what I learn through it.

To all who served in the worship services, in children's ministry and in the family room - THANK YOU! Your servant hearts led to a welcoming atmosphere. Your willing hearts loved people enough that the pain and hurt they carried in was lifted so they could hear the Gospel. Your sacrificial service made it possible to see 30+ people follow God's call to put Him first in their lives for His Kingdom work.
Because of people like you, I can't wait to get back up and see what He's going to do next week through all of us!

God Bless!