Do you remember?

I can’t say I grew up going to church; It was very occasionally. I do remember Vacation Bible School in the summer and Good News Club every Tuesday after school. I remember persistent friends who would invite me to church and youth group throughout high school. But it wasn’t until a time in college that I found myself (finally) at the cross and gave my life to Christ. It was Easter Sunday 1991.

I remember walking to the front of the church, but not feeling watched. I remember pouring my heart out to God and someone praying over me. And I remember feeling different. Safe. Free.

I’ve come across a song that really celebrates the change that happens when we trust Christ. It prompts me to keep that day, 27 Easters ago, close to mind. It reminds me of the basic truth of the Gospel. It challenges me to share.

Salvation Day
by Vicky Beeching, Jonathan MacIntosh, and Sarah MacIntosh

God so loved, loved this world that He gave His Son
Whoever would put their trust, put their trust in Him
Would live forever would live forever

Oh I was dead but now I live
Oh all my sin has been forgiven
Oh now with all my heart and soul I sing
Thank You for my salvation day

I so love, love Your world that I’ll give my life
So they would, yes they would see Your sacrifice
And live forever and live forever

Here we are rescued and ransomed
Sing it out this is our anthem
Shout it out we’ll live forever

© 2010 Integrity Worship Music | Thankyou Music

My days aren’t always the way they should be. But the Lord is faithful and brings me back to that day. Do you remember your day? Maybe today’s the day.

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It’s Friday but Sunday’s Comin’!

The other day I watched this video clip that was titled Sunday’s Comin’. The images that went by depicted Christ’s Passion. The words that were spoken were adapted from a sermon made famous by Dr. Tony Campolo and they went something like this:

It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden, Peter is sleeping, and Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. Pilate is struggling, the council is conspiring, the crowd is vilifying. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. The disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd, Mary’s weeping, and Peter is denying. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus, robe Him in scarlet, spit upon Him, and crown Him with thorns. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. Jesus is walking to Calvary, blood dripping from His body. The cross crashes down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a comin’.

It’s Friday. See the Roman soldiers are driving nails into the hands and feet of my Savior. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying, saying “Father, forgive them”. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s comin’.

And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Sunday’s Comin’!

How Big?

Each week as we gather as the church, we have the powerful opportunity to proclaim and declare our love for, thanks to, submission under, joy about our Great God. Each of us with our different gifts, personalities, backgrounds, and experiences come together to hear what this One True God has to say to us from His Word. We worship by singing, praying, preaching, listening, serving.

Worship is our response to God. That is very basic, I know.