Sometimes life moves us to exclaim, "God, how could you?!" But when it comes to our own actions, we dearly need the hope we find in Scripture: That God's forgiveness is bigger than our deepest faults.

The tomb is empty, but God’s love is overflowing. In a world full of questions, Jesus is risen, real, and ready to walk with you. Celebrate Easter with us and discover a hope that still speaks today.

In Hebrews 11, the preacher takes us on a meaningful walk through our family cemetery of faithful ancestors, reminding us to be strong as they were strong, and encouraging us that those who wait for us at the finish line are cheering us on in our life's race toward Heaven. 

Jesus fulfills the Law of Moses. He purifies us by his death as our Passover Lamb. He intercedes for us with God as our High Priest. He welcomes outsiders into his circle as a priest from a different order. Our connection to God is greater than anything that was possible before it. All of this moves us to worship and connects us as people who share faith.

On many Sundays, the average person in the room is a baptized believer. We have to remember to go beyond the basic "plan of salvation" to the deeper matters of God. Earl shares about stages in a "growth chart" and what it looks like for us to continue on toward maturity.

For this Sunday, we coordinated songs, prayers, communion, and Scripture reflections around a two part theme:

1. It's Spring time! Nature is coming back to life and flourishing. It's a great season for us as people and as a church to think about what God wants to revive in us.

2. As the army of God, the nature of our battle is spiritual. Most importantly: God fights our battles for us!

God's promises are our anchor. Everything else in life is fleeting and fading, but God's promises are an anvil that can endure any hammer of time, pressure, or circumstances. Anchor your soul in God's promises and you can weather any storm.

Jesus will return one day, and will bring salvation with him for all who are in him. Our challenge is not only to hold firm, but to move on to greater maturity in Christ, growing in grace and good works.

In the time between now and eternity, it is easy to get distracted and discouraged. Some of the most important work we can do involves two things: 1) holding fast and 2) praying boldly. God will give us what we need to do what He's called us to do.

God worked hard and then God rested. God invites us to do the same. We live this life in view of the next life where we desire to arrive and enter into God's rest for us.