| Hi everybody! It's the day after Easter, and I'm feeling pretty good today. Holy Week was a spiritual renewal for me, going to the depths of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday. I watched the movie "Passion of the Christ" again and attended a bible study called "A Physician's Review of the Crucifixion," and I was reminded of a doctrine that Lutherans call "theology of the cross." I know that words like "theology" and "doctrine" aren't the most exciting words out there, but it's simply a way of defining what we believe, and for me, I was restored in my belief that the presence of suffering does not equate to the absence or the distance of God. To make it very personal, I was reminded that our struggles are not a sign that we are God-forsaken. I could always have told you that from my head; last week it also connected with my heart.
Now, it was still very hard to be away from home for my second Easter in a row. We had a blessed Easter worship service, but my heart is still back in Red Wing. I've had a few people tell me about Easter Sunday at United Lutheran, for which I'm grateful. I'd be even more grateful if any of you have pictures from the service and/or the pancake breakfast. Yes, I'll be homesick to see them, but I'll be homesick anyway, so here's my request for all of you from United -- send me any pictures from Easter Sunday that you have. Those of you reading this who aren't from United, I'd love to see pictures of your Easter Sunday services, too. One of the groups that has supported me is Desert Skies church in Arizona; they sent me pictures of their church, and even though I've never been there in person, it helped me feel even more connected with them. I just love seeing pictures of a church filled with people, all decked out to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.
That's all I have for you right now. I hope your Easter was also blessed, and the blessings continue in the days and weeks to come. He is risen indeed. Amen, and alleluia.
God be good to you!
CH Steve Timm |
