Easter 2006

What an incredible experience we had at the River Center this Sunday! The countless hours of planning, the weeks of prayer and fasting, the muscle used in setting things up, the choir practices, the creativity, the give-aways and outreaches, the massive energy and spiritual push--it all culminated in an amazing time of spiritual discovery for over 7000 people. I am so proud of our staff and volunteers. I have never seen a group of people stay so focused and work any harder than our very own HPCers. I heard that Lance LeBlanc and Toby Bohl never went home Saturday night--now that's commitment! Rachel and I are humbled to be connected to so many great men and women who are sold out to the vision of our house.

Anytime you take a risk for the kingdom and step outside your circles of comfort, you can be guaranteed two things: 1) God will kiss it and pour His favor on it 2) it will stir up opposition--including religious spirits. The blessings on this city-wide event were obvious. But it was unfortunate to see a group of people with signs, yelling outside the arena in protest of our service. It created confusion in some and incited anger in others. My heart was grieved. It was obvious what the devil was trying to do: use the misguided passion of a handful of people to create a distraction from the primary purpose of the day--the celebration of the resurrection of our Savior!!

Opposition like this is nothing new to Jesus. He didn't even bat an eye at the small gathering of sign-wearers and screamers outside the arena. He came up against religious spirits in His day all the time--they were called the Pharisees.

Instead of being drawn into debate and playing right into the enemy's hand, our church responded with grace, dignity, and the spirit of Christ. One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that God is in control, resisting the temptation to jump into a situation on fleshly impulse. The fame of Jesus was not tarnished Easter Sunday. In fact, he was exalted in such a mighty way, that nearly 100 people stepped out of their seats and came to the front to commit their lives to Christ! Don't you know that gave the devil a black eye!!

I love what the prophet Isaiah said in chapter 54 of his book: "But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong..." The Bible didn't say that weapons would not be formed against us--or protesters wouldn't shout at us. It said that the weapons formed against us would not be successful! Ha! The proof: 100 people born again. I think that's a sign I could wear around my neck for a long time!!