Thoughts on Easter

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone was rolled aside from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and me (John) and said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where thy have put him!"
We ran to the tomb to see; I outran Peter and got there first, and stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but I didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went on inside. He also noticed the cloth lying there, while the swath that had covered Jesus' head was rolled up in a bundle and was lying at the side. The I went in too, and saw, and believed [that he had risen]--for until then we hadn't realized that the Scriptures said he would come to life again! (John 20:1-9)

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That evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders, when suddenly Jesus was standing there among them! After greeting them, he showed them his hands and side। And how wonderful was their joy as they saw their Lord!

He spoke to them again and said "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." Then he breathed on them and told them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven." (John 20:19-23)

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This was the third time Jesus had appeared to us since his return from the dead.
After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others?"
"Yes," Peter replied, "You know I am your friend."
"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: "Simon, son of John, do you really love me?"
"Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I am your friend."
"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.
Once more he asked him, "Simon, son of John, are you even my friend?"
Peter was grieved at the way Jesus asked the question this third time. "Lord, you know my heart; you know I am," he said.
Jesus said, "Then feed my little sheep. When you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will direct you and take you where you don't want to go."
Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me." (John 21:14-19)




I actually went to Easter service last night at my parents church. It was a really nice evening to connect with God, thank Him for the incredible gift, and think the about the inevitable question that comes to when I think of the resurrection. What does this really mean to me as a follower of Christ?

To quote my favorite movie Almost Famous, "To begin with, everything." Last night, Bill did talk about what the Resurrection meant to us. 1) No more fear of hell, or isolation from God. 2)Getting to see our loved ones for eternity. 3)That the messiah will return again, alive and well.

And I believe those three, basic truths--the cornerstones of my faith. Jesus' life, death and resurrection will forever the be the reason that my Christianity, my personal relationship with God exists and thrives. Without Christ, I would not have a reason to breathe, or love, or live a moment of my life. Without Christ I have nothing and I am nothing.

I have been a follower of Christ since I was nine years old. In our 16-year relationship, this been strained, of course, but he's never left me. I believe that once you ask Christ to dwell in your heart, there is no way of pushing him out completely. And believe me, I've done a decent job trying to do this. Because I would rather think that I had control over my own destiny then let God make my decisions for me.

It's lucky for me, I guess, that Jesus the man was the sort guy that I admire. Yes, reading his words inspire me because he's the Son of God, but I'm pretty sure that his life would have inspired me even if he were just like all the other inhabitants of this planet. Even if he were just a man born into this world, who would end up succumbing to the grave--just as we all will. Jesus' words were always backed by action, and he had this completely open heart and open mind for all of humanity--but especially for the oppressed and undervalued people in this world. And what just got to me last night, and what I think really comes to light the scripture I typed out from the end of the Gospel of John, were his priorities immediately after his Resurrection.

Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God. And for a very long time, I have come to believe that this Kingdom is meant to be in the here and now. A King's people do his work. They represent him to the best of their ability and they intercede for him when he can't physically be there to carry out his plan and mission.

Christianity is not just about seeking lost souls and winning them for Heaven. Though it most definitely is a beautiful part of it. But I think what Christ focused on when he spoke with the disciples before his ascension was his concern that we would be here to carry on the amazing work he had been doing in his short time on Earth. Jesus came to restore our hearts, heal brokenness, teach us to love one another free from conditions. He taught us to be peacemakers, to worship God with our entire selves. To show a kind of devotion to God that makes any other kind of love look like hatred in comparison. Jesus came to start a revolution. He said, if you love me, you will share my passions for the poor, needy, sinful, dirty, hungry, thirsty people in this world. Jesus' philosophy of life was that it doesn't matter what you have, it only matters how you used it to help others and advance the Kingdom.

In my life, I have seen that the most effective way to spread Christ's hope, his story of life, resurrection and restoration, is through one-on-one personal relationships and people's stories. There is a reason that all Christ followers have a "testimonial," or story to tell. There is a reason the Bible is a bunch stories put together. We are built, has humans, to connect with each other and to relate with one another. When Jesus came back to his disciples, that what's he told them to do. He said, Your forgiveness can hold real power over people's lives, so forgive and love liberally. Make sure you are taking care of the people I'm leaving behind. Feed them- their bodies and their souls- so that when I come back I can take ALL of you, and the rest of humanity, with me.

I think that's what he meant when he said he was going to prepare a place for us. It was both a promise and a challenge.

Butler and the Goddard Way

I've seen a lot of basketball in my life. Started attending varsity boy's games in my mom's womb. My dad's passion for basketball has bled over into our family life, as anyone who has come in contact with us knows already.

And being from Indiana is a special thing. Basketball is a part of our communities, part of the fabric of our state. Its what we are known for--what a fun thing to be known for.

One of the things I love about Butler is that they've given families something that I have had my entire life. Something to bring us all together that has nothing to do with a holiday or birthday. My sisters and I are grown up, one married and one in nursing school. But at least once a season, we all meet at Hinkle field house for an old fashioned family fun day. We got to go twice this year, to watch the Dawgs beat Stanford and for Senior day.

I had to take a pause in this post because my dad was having one of his coaching moments. For some reason, we were watching part of the Kansas/VCU game.

"Watch this... this is what Butler is going to do tomorrow." And he proceeded to show me how Butler will adjust and shift to guard VCU's offensive set. Actually standing in front of the TV, just as he has stood in front of his own players the last 30 years.

A typical Friday night in the Goddard living room. And I love it. Basketball is the sixth member of our family. In the last decade, Butler has been a part of that craziness. I'm so proud of the team. And happy that my family has one more weekend to come together this year and enjoy something special.