He is risen! He is risen indeed! Happy Easter season! On April 21st, my book of devotions by Max Lucado:

Jesus often withdrew to a lonely place and prayed. Luke 5:16

How long has it been since you let God have you? I mean really HAVE you? How long since you gave him a portion of undiluted, uninterrupted time listening for His voice? Apparently Jesus did. He made a deliberate effort to spend time with God. If you spend much time reading about the listening life of Jesus, a distinct pattern emerges. He spent regular time with God, praying and listening. Mark says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35

I ask the obvious of you. If Jesus, the Son of God, sinless savior of humankind, thought it worthwhile to clear his calendar to pray, (or in our day, shut off our cellphones, iPads, headphones) wouldn’t we be wise to do the same? I find turning off the world in the car or at home on the porch to be a good time to spend in prayer and listening.

Thank you to all who helped in any way on Easter: preparing the sanctuary, making breakfast, decorating the tables, helping in worship and music, and being there to worship. Our gathering was a joyful time of worship this Easter.

Blessings, Deacon Nancy Trimble

Time for God?

Jesus often withdrew to a lonely place and prayed. Luke 5:16