The post-Easter season is a favorite time of year for many of us. The plethora of church-related Easter activities is behind us. Pastors have been encouraged due to the attendance on this special Sunday as the Lord reminds them again of the potential his local congregation still possesses. Yes, I know many of these participants only come on Easter and Christmas. By the way, I heard them described last week as "lilies and poinsettias." But the point is they still come. A spark remains somewhere in their heart, and my generation sang a song in our youth which stated, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going!" A couple of weeks ago one of our pastors said to me, "The Easter season is the most exciting time for any pastor." Many spiritual seeds were planted on Easter Sunday. As we enjoy the emergence of the Spring flowers and the blooming of the bluebonnets, I pray God?s creative activity will remind us the Holy Spirit is continually at work in the lives of those with whom we have contact.

The post-Easter season in the ultimate sense is a favorite time of year because it is "after" the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Can you imagine how those followers of Him must have felt when they saw him for the first time after He arose? They watched Him die, and now they see Him alive. Do you remember how good you felt and how free you were after you trusted Christ as your Savior?

Do you recall the bounce in your step and the ultimate joy which encompassed your entire being? The Psalmist David was prophetic when he wrote, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." Our faith in Christ is still about our intimate relationship with Him, and our daily relationship with others around us. Let's experience joy and bring joy during this Spring of 2008.

Truman Turk

- Truman Turk