A Kinder, Gentler Easter

We had an amazing prayer time at our Staff Worship today at LifePoint Church. A great time of zeroing in on what God was saying, what we're supposed to be hearing and doing, and especially praying for the folks who will come and hear the Good News this weekend. It was a privilege to hear people who spend so much of their time focusing on serving others still having the energy to lift up in prayer those they serve. I am privileged to lead a tremendously loving and focused team.

Later, a great discussion with the Worship staff about how they are relaxed and ready for Easter. That's such a good thing, not feeling pressured, rushed, buried, or crushed by the deadlines and the production. As much as I love big productions for the holidays, it's always better when folks don't feel and portray the stress of getting ready as they lead in worship. I want us to offer the best we have, and the best is not stress. It is a gift, and the gift comes from the Giver, who is also the Prince of Peace. Giving an Easter full of peace is a good gift.

I love big productions for the holidays, and they are definitely the right thing at the right time if done the right way with the right heart. I love the heart I've been hearing and seeing at LifePoint, and I think that we're going to portray that heart effectively to the folks who come.

Keep praying for the effectiveness of the message (Colossians 4:4) in all the ways it will be shared: music, dance, parking attendants, food servers, kid's ministry, the message, the media, the greeters and ushers, the grounds, the bathrooms and everywhere else. Everything we do for the people who come, we do for the Lord, and everything we do for the Lord has the opportunity to show the Love of God to the people who come.

I can't wait for EASTER!!!