There is no greater calling than being a significant and meaningful parent in a child's life. There are a lot of important jobs in the world today but none as important as being a mother. Being a good Christian father is an important job as well. Jesus' use of the name Abba for God implies an extremely close and trusting relationship. The 23rd Psalm starts with; The Lord is my shepherd... Jesus came to offer full and abundant life to every sheep. Jesus laid down His life for the sheep. Jesus knows us and every one of us matters. When it comes to counting sheep, every sheep counts.

Jesus is walking along with us in the disguise of everyday life. We miss Him because we are looking for Him in the dramatic and the drastic. He often reveals Himself in the quiet moments, through Word and sacrament and gathering of people. The key to knowing Him in our lives is to slow down and walk with Him. Don't let temporary disappointment blind you to the good things a good God is doing in your life. We are assured of His presence with us. Believing is seeing. There are some things that have to be believed in order to be seen. It makes a difference whether you are looking at life through the eyes of faith.

Holy Smokes!!! Jesus is alive! People have seen Him and He offered them peace. He promised peace, a peace that passes understanding. Listen to this sermon for the eight keys to emotional and mental stability, eight keys to having peace. Live in the sunshine of Jesus' resurrection, not the shadow of the crucifixion. In the household of God's grace, love wins. May peace be given unto us this day. He means for all of us to have peace.

Are we keeping the joy of Easter throughout the year? Does life make us not see the resurrection moments in our lives? Do we wander off from the resurrection? What does a risen, live Jesus really mean in our lives? Jesus is no longer in the tomb. He arose so He could be sitting right beside us every day. His being alive, how has Jesus affected our lives? The power of the resurrected Christ has changed people throughout the centuries. Remember Jesus is watching you. Death has been conquered. Christ the Lord is risen. He is risen indeed!

People notice when royalty comes to town. Jesus, though, rode on a donkey. That is what separates the King of Kings and Lord of Lords from the royalty of the world. Jesus fulfilled prophecy. Hosanna to the Son of David! The week that changed history forever started out so routinely. Truth is never found in crowds. Consensus isn't the voice of God. Jesus was killed by the rule of the majority. Who is this Jesus? What is the meaning of His coming and the reason for His suffering and dying? Who is He to me? What was the main event of the Easter season? He came to humbly be with us and become obedient unto death. He revealed on the cross God's love for you and for me. He is our Savior.

Are there dry bones in your life? Does God's Spirit need to breathe a fresh breath of life into you? You see, with God even dry bones can live. Desperation can make for very interesting responses in life. Is there any hope? Ezekiel said, "Oh Lord, You know." God has a way of reviving those things that seem dry and dead. God's promise, "I will put my spirit in you and you will live." God's breath of life can give new life to you in your circumstances.

Jesus sees people as people of worth, as children of God, as persons of integrity. He loved them and embraced them and healed them. Jesus chooses to move in and help and give us things to do. It is not enough to talk about the problems around us. What pleases God is when we do something about them. Very often we need to do something about healing in our own lives too. Look at others with eyes of sacrificial love. May you be Christed and anointed by the spirit of Christ.

Are you looking for a quick fix from God? To get a solution in the long term requires a long term solution from God. Are we looking for love in all the wrong places like the woman at the well? Jesus offered living water to the woman. We all need living water. Have you found what you are looking for yet? Are you looking for love in all the wrong places when Jesus has living water and the answers? Let Jesus' love transform you and your actions toward others. Who is the woman at the well you walk around?

There are other worlds to sing in. This is a beautiful and powerful thought. What life does God dream for us? God has a dream of a different life for us. God wants us to be born again into a different life. How did you come to Christ? We all come to Christ in our own different ways. We need to celebrate in whatever way we come to Him. It is amazing that we come to Jesus at all. To be a follower you need a new life from above. God gave His only Son. We all need to be born again to see the Kingdom of God. Whoever believes in Jesus shall have everlasting life. Have you truly asked Christ to come into your life? It is a new song to sing and it is ours for the asking.

Temptation indicates strength not weakness. Are you prepared? Jesus prepared for His temptation in the desert by fasting. The tempter hits us where we are most vulnerable, as he did Jesus. With Jesus, he used power, popularity and partnership. Jesus was prepared with the Word of God to demonstrate His ultimate devotion to God. God's plan is the only real truth. Help me to desire nothing but You.