Happy Easter!
I hope this newsletter finds all of you well. As I am writing this we are
in the season of Lent. Lent is the season of the church calendar
that leads up to easter. It is a time when many Christians the
world over intentionally do things to grow closer to God. They
may give something up like chocolate, or the Internet, or
facebook. Some choose to add something such as prayer,
devotion time, or bible study. I love this time of year because of
the anticipation of getting to celebrate the resurrection. We as
Christians get to use this time of year to reflect on the promise
that we have in Christ's death and resurrection. The promise we
have is that we are forgiven. The promise is that we will have life
after death. The promise is that God loves us enough to send His
son to die the death we should have died, so that we can have
forgiveness that we don't deserve. The love and grace that God
shows us through Easter is the reason that we use the season of
lent to reflect on those promises. My encouragement for all of us
is to reflect each day on those promises and to not just confine
our celebration of the resurrection to one day. I hope that we will
all start to celebrate the resurrection everyday and to live in the
promise we have. As it says in Matthew
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be
hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in
the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in
heaven.
Christ calls us to share the good news of Easter with the world.
He calls us to do this by the way we live. As St. Francis of Assisi
encouraged “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary
use words.”
I hope everyone has a great Easter and look forward to serving
with you soon.
Shine On,
Jason
I am usually saddened when I hear TECies say that after a weekend they are sad because they go back to school, or
work, because they do not have anyone to talk to about their TEC experience. Their common response is: “My friends
just wouldn?t understand “.
How do you know that?
Do Christians go around with signs on saying, “I love Jesus, talk to me”? Of course they don't. But how do you know
what others believe unless you tell them what you believe?
I grew up in a family that was taught you never talk about politics or religion (they included sex too but that?s another
topic). Many people still adhere to that way of thinking. Is it wrong? I think so.
I believe that if we truly believe in Jesus and His teachings we are told to “make disciples of all nations”. We cannot do
that unless we go where people are and talk about it. So tell your friends about your TEC weekend by all means. But
remember, it was not about TEC. You experienced a small sample of the love and grace of Jesus. Invite others to a
TEC weekend so they might experience that love and grace as well. That can only happen if you TALK ABOUT IT.
Here are a few conversation starters:
Who am I – How did the weekend change me?
Sacred Scriptures – Tell about the cool bible you now have.
God is Love – Nobody loves me like He does.
Christians in the Community – Tell about what it?s like to have a „family? that lifts you up, supports you and shares your
beliefs.
Communication – How do I talk to others and God?
Christians Called to Action – How can we reach out to help others in need and show them God?s love?
Don?t be afraid. God is counting on us to spread his love.
TALK ABOUT IT!!!!!
Happy Easter
Gene