They finally dislodged the stuck ship from the Suez Canal. 9 Billion dollars of trade had been lost each day for the week it was stuck. Everything got backed up, people had to make hard decisions about going around Africa or waiting it out, each decision fraught with expense. But now it’s free and the canal is open again and things are flowing. A friend of mine pointed out that this is like Easter. Our lives, our flow got disrupted when death blocked our path to God. But Jesus dislodged the rock from the tomb and got life flowing again. Easter is about hope. That which is stuck will be dislodged. That which blocks our path will be removed. The grief, the sorrow, the despair will all give way to rejoicing and joy. I think this year that message is harder to hear and more needed than many years before. Life is returning!

-Pastor Travis

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Jesus often found himself immersed in dying, death, and resurrection. I do wonder what was going through his mind as he entered into Jerusalem during that festival week.  He was greeted by cheers and cloaks thrown down for him to ride over as the people welcomed him. This of course would be short-lived, the cheers would become jeers as the week went on.  Surely Jesus must have spent time reflecting on a life well lived.  From growing up in Nazareth, doing carpentry projects with his dad, playing with his cousin John, teaching in the temple, performing countless miracles, welcoming children, befriending those that others dared to even look at let alone dine with, and now he was entering town with a title he didn’t ask for but knew would carry deathly consequence.  So, what was Jesus hoping for in his last week? Was he able to reflect on all the connections and relationships in his life?  Did he know that some 2000 years later we would still be learning the way from him and bringing others to know him too?  I invite you to reflect this week on the connections you’ve made and lives you’ve touched.  What mark do you hope to leave in this kingdom of God? 

-Pastor Carrie

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“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.” John 12:27

I’m always struck by the struggle Jesus has with going to the cross. He’s clearly feeling anxious about the path ahead, but is committed to it nonetheless. I’ve often wrongly believed that people who do the hard but right thing felt good about it. I’ve found myself feeling like a weak leader when I second guess the path or have mixed feelings about the hardship of walking the path. But then I see Jesus with great clarity walking towards his death. Although he is clear about what is required it doesn’t mean it isn’t hard on him emotionally or spiritually. His prayers and comments reveal a man who daily has to quiet his fears and anxiety and continue to do what He knows is right and required. We are called to hard paths in our Christian faith sometimes and we need not feel ashamed when we feel the stress and internal anxiety. Turn those over to God and then, like Jesus, continue to be obedient. No matter what

-Pastor Travis

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