Easter... What I Believe

I believe the Bible is real. 

And, what it says about Jesus is real too.

I believe he was a great teacher...

Not just of scripture and "holy" things, but of love. Of relationships.  Of service.  And, ulimately, of sacrifice.

I believe I'm pretty messed up.  Maybe not in the really outwardly/obvious ways (although sometimes those too); but inside I am greedy, selfish, impatient, jealous, and unkind.  (Romans 3:23)

Trust me, if I thought I was holier than thou, or "perfect," I wouldn't need to believe anything else.

And, because of that, I believe I need a Savior.

Someone who would suffer to make up for all the bad things I would say, and think, and do.

I believe God is good, and so he sent his own son "into our neighborhood" to live among us, feel our hurts, and then die a painful death to free us from the debt of our sin. (Romans 6:23)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

Thankfully, I believe the story doesn't end there... with suffering and death.

But, I believe Jesus came back to life after three days in the grave.  And, with him, brought LIFE for us all.

I believe THAT is what this weekend is all about.

And, I hope, in some imperfect, humble-attempt, my life is about that ALL the time.

Happy Easter friends!  I hope it is beautiful and grace-filled!