Even so...

Joe Millar, my assistant, sent greetings from Stonewall, Manitoba, where he is spending Easter with his wife's family. Although intended for staff, it's message is something we all ought to rejoice in!

Blessings to you all!

I know you guys are all working hard on the dinner so may the Lord reward your faithfulness. It seems that I have this big old house to myself today. Nancy & April are in the city buying groceries, shopping, having coffee (you know sister stuff), and Walter is visiting his Father. That means I have some quiet time to myself.

As I take this opportunity to reflect on the time of year, what Easter means, etc, my mind keeps drifting back to John The Baptist! It seems like that's where it's been over the last week or two! I am fascinated with this guy. Even before he was born he knew his purpose and he recognized Jesus! He was filled with the Spirit and the power of the Lord was upon him. If you get a chance read Luke chapter 1 from verse 39 to the end. How simple a life he lived, and yet his purpose was so huge!! What else do we know about John? He lived in the desert and he ate locusts and honey. I'm sure if you asked some of the residents, they'd say that it sounds like the mission!! LOL. He preached repentance, and eventually his level of honesty cost him his head! But this is what's been moving me: "A voice crying in the wilderness!" I can't escape that thought, and I know it's because it's from the Lord!

I dream of the Lord's return, and I long deeply to be with him! It is very easy for me to become jealous of the disciples. I have this mental picture of them sitting with Jesus on the shores of the lake; a fire burning as they "discuss" the days events, a warm breeze blowing in off the lake, even the warmth of the sand on their feet! Who knows what they all got to do together. John says in his gospel that at the time there weren't enough books to record all his deeds. We have the bible and some of his miracles are recorded in it, but they had him!

If I look back on my life I can now see what I didn't understand then. My first memory as a small child is of not belonging. Like I was out of place. In hindsight, I now recognize that it was God telling me that this wasn't my home! Brothers and sisters take courage and run the race! We are not of this world!! We are children of the wilderness! We are that voice crying out today! I find it easy to long to be with the Lord!

The old testament ends with the message, read Malachi chapter 4, that he will bring together the fathers and their children. The new testament, Revelation 22:17, ends with the Bride and the Spirit crying out for his coming. That's us today! Jesus will come again, and his return will be proceeded by our cry! We are the voice crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Today would be a good day for his return.
Happy Easter!!
Joe.