shout it out with joyful voice

About a year ago, I got a phone call from a good friend who happened to be serving in the bishopric at the time. (The Bishopric is the local leaders of our church, comprised of three men, a Bishop and his counselors, who lead the congregation. For more information about our local organization see HERE or just ask.) He asked me to speak in church on Easter Sunday on how the Resurrection has blessed my life.

Though I have a firm belief in the reality of Christ's resurrection,  I never really applied it to my life now. Studying for the talk deepened my testimony of not only the Resurrection, but also in his Atoning sacrifice. I learned that time after time in the Bible, Christ testified of his mission to heal us spiritually by healing others physically.  "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" (Matt 9:5)

A year has passed, and with it experiences that have taught me more about the amazing power of the Resurrection. That same friend and his wife, Christy, lost there little girl in November. I have thought of them so many times this week as I have thought about my Savior. The reality of the Resurrection has become so much more real for them. It means that they get to see their little girl again. Jane will live again and they will see her and hold her! Even though my heart still aches for them and their two little boys, I am so happy for them that they have Hope in Christ. The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.

For all who have lost, the Hope is the same. Christ lives! Though I have spent my week sewing Katie's Easter dress and dying eggs, the glory of this holiday is the glory of the Lord.


Hallelujah. He is Risen!