Easter 2019

I was wondering how the early Christians from the first century would find Easter today in Toronto. If they were here, time traveled from Jerusalem and saw all the images and things about Easter, their very first question would be "What's this bunny and eggs all about? 

In our culture today, people have turned from an empty tomb to an Easter egg, and the symbol of the Easter bunny has displaced the cross. The real meaning of Easter escapes us. The events surrounding Jesus are buried somehow by many in the celebration of spring and Easter holidays.

Is the resurrection of Jesus really that important? Are the events of Jesus life relevant to me today? What do you think, mis amigos?

My confession is this: Jesus has transformed my life. Jesus transforms everything he touches. Jesus is alive today and he loves you.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it"

Happy Easter!

(I took the first picture from my house in Toronto on March 31. The second picture was taken from a dinning table during the PCC Pastors conference in Punta Cana on April 29. What a change!) 

               

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday we gathered around the communion table in the sanctuary for Ash Wednesday Communion. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty day span of time from now until Easter. Ash Wednesday has its origins in the early Christian church. The idea was that Christians would sprinkle ashes on their head as a sign of repentance and humility. Ashes represent mortality, humility, remorse, and repentance. 

In the morning, I spent a couple of hours making ashes in my backyard by burning some fire woods. I mixed ashes with the anointing oil and brought it to church. During the Ash Wednesday communion service I anointed each one who was present and imposed the ashes on their forehead. "You are dust. To dust you shall return.. but remember, my friend, that the Lord is walking with you.."

It was a time of God's anointing, a time of receiving the touch of the Holy Spirit. It was a time of repentance and commitment. It was a time for the holy presence of God.
"Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (psalm 51:10)

Lenten Blessings!