Happy Easter!  Holy Day!  Hoppy Spring!  April is a precious month because in April we celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.  It was the most important event in his life and it is the most important event in ours!

     Right on schedule, the first robins appeared on the first day of Spring!  What fun it is to listen for a new bird’s song every morning and to watch the pattern of the sun as it moves across the sky with the changing seasons.  Now we wait for the first flower and leaf to pop!  For all these blessings, we give God praise!  Sometimes, if we think no one is looking, we may even throw open our arms and shout, “Hallelujah!”

     I want Jesus Christ to be as real to you as all the new life opening up around us:  robins pecking in the ground for worms, daffodils forcing their glow up through the dark ground, as bunnies bouncing around the yard as if looking for places to hide eggs, and as real as thunderstorms rolling and lightning broiling the waves.  I want Jesus to be Real to you, no ifs, ands, or buts about it, just plain real.  Period.

      A few years ago I went on an overnight retreat with a group of other clergy.  I was blessed to stay in the suite as I was the only woman.  We stayed in a beautiful log lodge, before its spring opening to the public and, that first night, we built a roaring wood fire in the enormous fireplace and arranged the chairs in a semi-circle around the fire.  In turn, we each shared our faith stories and how fascinating they were!

     About half the pastors there had had a “born again” experience.  They were very definitely going in the wrong direction and God sort of grabbed them and turned them around on their heels!  These pastors all felt that a Christian needed to have “a moment of decision” when he or she actually made a decision to follow Christ.  The other half of the pastors were raised in the church and never felt as though they needed to turn their lives around.  In my own case, I don’t remember when Jesus Christ was not my Savior from my earliest of years.  Yet, on more than one occasion, I have made a public confession of my faith and devotion to Christ.   As Christians, we do this individually and collectively whenever we baptize someone, confirm someone, or accept someone into the fellowship of our church family, and, also, when we step forward to partake of the Lord’s Supper and I say, “This table is free and open to all who proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

      Nevertheless, from time to time I hear someone say “so-and-so brought me to Christ.”  These are usually good folk who have grown up in the church and who I would consider to be very sincere and loving followers of Jesus Christ.  What were these Christians think missing?  A public confession?  A personal acceptance?  A choice or chance “to be born again?”

      Just in case some of you aren’t sure where you stand with Christ—or where Christ stands with you, I want to take this one moment to extend that very special invitation to you right now, right where you are, just in case no one has ever offered Jesus Christ to YOU as your personal Lord and Savior.  Here is the prayer you pray:

                                            Holy God, I admit that I am a sinner

                                            and I humbly repent of my sins.

                                            Right now, I ask your forgiveness.

                                            Lord Jesus, come into my heart and be

                                            Lord of my life and my personal Savior.

                                            Fill me with your Holy Spirit.

                                            Guide me in your will, today and always.

                                            I ask these things, in Jesus’ name.   Amen.

      Saying this ‘Jesus Prayer’ won’t make you perfect and saying this prayer does not mean that you will never sin again.  Yet saying this prayer will wash away your sins and draw you closer to the heart of God and that’s what this earthly journey is all about, isn’t it?  You may choose to say this prayer in the quiet of your home.  Or, if you like, you may say this prayer with me and receive an anointing of oil.  Either way, God bless you for taking this strong step in this strong month, whether it is for the first time or one of many yielding of your spirit.

      And, always remember that you are loved by God.  Blessings of joy this holy season,

 Pastor Mary