New Life on Opening Day

Hello Emmanuel,

Today isn’t a national holiday, but it is a local one.  The Reds start a new season, albeit without a super positive outlook.  Opening Day, however, is a day that I have always looked forward to, dating way back to my childhood when I would run home from school to catch the last 3 innings or so (skipping school was always a secret option of mine, but not one I dared to risk).

Baseball has always been a big part of my life.  The diamond was a sanctuary for me, of sorts.  It was a place I could escape all of life’s other complications.  To be able to only focus on the game was a breath of fresh air.  And ever since then, baseball has been a reminder of sanctuary.

The Easter season is a season of sanctuaries.  It starts with the empty tomb, a place where you can escape the grasp of death and hope for life.  However, Easter doesn’t stop at the tomb.  As stated in the current sermons series, hoping for life should turn into pursuing life.  Witnessing resurrection should turn into being resurrected, not for some future event, but starting right now.  Where is your sanctuary now?  And how are you taking advantage of new life in Christ?

There are many ways to live into resurrection.  We have already discussed community and spiritual wellbeing.  I invite you to attend throughout April as we discuss other areas of livelihood that, for some, need resurrection.  I invite you to come to Emmanuel’s sanctuary and focus on the Christ.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe

P.S.  For anyone who may be interested, the Care Team is looking for someone to visit the Senior Blessings in April.  Contact Bonnie Honchel at 752-4052 or 259-6995.