This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem – the tomb is empty! They crucified Jesus + laid His body here almost 2000 years ago. He rested His Sabbath + on the 3^rd day: He is Risen! Christ conquered sin + death when He rose from the dead! He broke every idol, destroyed every fear, vanquished every -ism. Nothing has ever been the same since, nor will it ever be! He is making all things new; He makes even people new! Why do you seek for living among the dead entertainments of this world? Their graves promise, but can never fulfill; they are empty of life.

A year ago on Easter Sunday, I was preaching this Resurrection message in Sri Lanka. Suddenly, cell phones started ringing in the congregation: countenances changed: some began weeping, some left, others just sat shocked, wondering what to do? I knew something dreadful was happening, but I had no understanding of what that was.

Amid the confusion, I thought it best to finish + was handing my microphone over to my interpreter, the pastor.

The worship team had picked up their instruments + I heard the boom-box beat - a simple, powerful da-ra-ta-ta!

I sensed God was not finished, I felt His heartbeat for His people + I pulled back the mic + started to sing: ‘Rise up!’ + the boom box echoed: ‘da-ra-ta-ta!’ ‘Rise Up… da-ra-ta-ta!’ ‘Rise Up! … and then Pastor Cham responded in Sinhalese: ‘Nagi tami!’ The Spirit moved… our song grew stronger … and people rose to their feet and joined us singing together! Fear broke as we focused on He who is Faithful; the Spirit of Christ rose in our midst, through our confusion and pain, just like He did so many Easters ago … again… still… forever!

Only later did I learn the horrific news that terrorist bombers had attacked Sri Lankan churches during their Easter celebrations + over 250 had been slain: families destroyed, children senselessly slaughtered… but never in vain. Jesus’ Blood has never lost its power. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

This Easter, our entire world faces an invisible enemy attack, but I can hear that same boom-box beat calling His people to Rise Up! On both wings: His Word + His Spirit: Suffering + Healing!

Can you hear it?  Break out of distracting pandemic fear. Fill your heart, mind + mouth with His new song:

Rise up! - da-ra-ta-ta!

Rise up! - Nagi tami!

Do you hear the sound? … it’s growing stronger; it’s filling the whole earth!

Rise up! - da-ra-ta-ta!

Rise Up! … in His Word + His Spirit!

Rise Up! … Christ has risen, can you hear?   

Rise Up! … Jesus heals every sickness!

Rise Up!  …His Love destroys every fear!

RISE UP!

'It is finished!' I saw van Gogh's Starry Night on the Rhone in Paris a few years ago -
 it struck a heart-string + I started this 1000-piece puzzle in August: surely the hardest I've ever tried; 
a real test of faith + perseverance; pieces I'd thought in place had to be replaced at times
 = kinda like life these days, eh? 
but last night the stars pushed through + won!
Stars shine brightest in the darkest night!
Be encouraged: the Light will always break through!

In the wilderness

In this pandemic wilderness

of shattered visions, unfilled dreams + threatening fears…

In my wilderness

In our wilderness...
That eternity between the prayer and the answer

When it seems like we are all alone, all hope is gone, no place to call real home…

We are left

In the wilderness… an endless barren stretch of nothing, at the end of ourselves, no way out --

But God…

Is present

In the wilderness…

He is here, His love abiding, overcoming every fear

In life’s wilderness

He is here… with me … and with you… NOW!

I led Israel through their 40 years in their wilderness.

My Presence guided, provided for them all ways

My cloud by day + fire by night sheltered them

Quail rained from the sky and manna fell like dew

I split the Rock + waters poured out

to fill their hunger + quench their thirst… naturally

Yet I was digging deeper to open their hearts… spiritually

… to Me.

I sent my signs in their wilderness,

Pointed out My Way to their holy land.

And I sent My Son into your worldly wilderness

He walked this way before you as the Lamb

He overcame your ultimate foes - sin and death

And defeated all which lied against the Truth.

Our lust, our greed, our pride… are unable to save us

In this wilderness…

Alone

On the Cross He died and took our pain

And rose from the grave and overcame

And life’s wildernesses have never been the same

And never ever will be again

And so am I… and so are you… and so are we

Because Jesus is with us…

In this wilderness.

God is Present

With us

In this pandemic of grief and all unknowns

He carried our pains + sicknesses alone,

And now works miracles, changes hearts, makes all things new

Through this valley of fears… and tears

He’s gone this way before + He’s with us once again.

He who promised never to forsake us: He is True!

He is with us, God is working all for Good

His kingdom coming as it should…

His Love is bringing us through!

So much happening in Lalok today: Simon + Sarah lead such a wonderful church; Father God loved on more hungry+thirsty eagles; thunder/wind/rain+ rainbow all showed up; forced over 200 into the school rooom for cover + the glory of God came! Then we front-slid back to Gulu through mud + what seemed like the parting of the Red Sea... or at least the Sea of Galilee!

Such a wonderful time with Simon + the new church in Lalok in northern Uganda. From victims to victors; from orphans to sons + daughters, our Uganda Jesus Village is moving into 2nd generation life in the midst of Church: His Name is Jesus!

Some of the many faces of Uganda!

Larry + I just returned from a week ministering in Kisiita - Kakumiro District in Northwest Uganda: Bible School + conference + children + even a double wedding + the church even got a new bright paintjob! Jesus said He would build the church + what a joy to see Him build in these precious lives!