The

 Sixth 

 Sunday 

of Easter:

Rise and walk!

Dear Friends, 

In my teens and my twenties, I was involved in the Charismatic Renewal, an interdenominational movement that focuses on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and lively preaching, song, and prayer, to renew peoples' spiritual lives. In those circles, there is a lot of emphasis on healing prayer and the many ways God comes into our lives to do a work of healing whether we are talking about broken minds, hearts, or bodies. 

The other emphasis in Charismatic Renewal is on praying together in small groups, almost always with a lively singing component. Hands are either clapping, raised in praise, or outstretched asking for God's presence...and there is a song that you'd hear in these groups almost invariably, called "What A Mighty God We Serve".

Reading the gospel to prepare for this weekend, I just could not get that song out of my head and how mighty a God we have. This might is not the same as human might--this is God almighty who gets right in our face and asks us if we wish to be made well...What a mighty God indeed! What a mighty God whose power is exercised in healing, deliverance, love, and reconnecting the disconnected. 

This weekend we are reminded of how divine power--God's might-- is available to us, with God asking each of us if we really want to be made well. I have to admit to my own string of reasons that make it easier to stay stuck, to stay unwell, to languish rather than to get up and walk. 

If God asked, "Do you wish to be made well?" how would you respond? Maybe an encounter with God at church--through community, worship, or just being in this sacred place, you'll have the courage to say, 'YES!"

See you in church, 

Gabe