"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars..."

The President of Russia thinks he is in charge. This is his world. But it is not. This world does now, as it always has, belongs to God. Vladimir Putin cannot destroy this world, unless it is God's will. Period.

War. During this season of Easter and Passover. Jesus told us over two thousand years ago, there would be "wars and rumors of wars". Amen to that. Just look at what is happening in Ukraine. One survivor of Bucha (which was devastated), said it was like hell. How in the world could this happen? In this day of age? Man's inhumanity towards his fellow man? It is because our world is broken. It has been broken for a long, long time. But Easter "unbreaks" our broken world for those who seek Jesus. Jesus turns darkness into light, hopelessness into hope, death into life. 

Our main battle on this Earth is spiritual. Cold hard fact. How deep does it go? For example, today's op/ed in the NYT was something like "During this season, it is time to Passover God." What??? It was written by a former Orthodox Jew, who has strayed from his faith. I did not read it, but heard about it on this news this morning. On this day of hope, of the news of the resurrected Jesus, an American newspaper prints an op/ed telling us to forget God. You have got to be kidding me.

Yesterday we took our daughter and grandies to attend a church service. Over Easter, there are so many who come to our church, the church has to flex into Saturday to ensure there are enough services. That is very good news. But here is the not so good news. In the large city in which our church is located, it is estimated that 85% of the population is unchurched. Even though many on a census might claim to be Christian, many might not be following the faith.

Wars and rumors of wars. This past week, Russia gave a veiled threat to use nukes against Finland, Sweden and the United States. Why? Because the President of Russia thinks he is in charge. This is his world. But it is not. This world does now, as it always has, does belong to God. Vladimir Putin cannot destroy this world, unless it is God's will. Period.

Our job is to be peacemakers. To help Russia "pound their swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks." (Isaiah 2:4). To mollify the suffering in Ukraine. To feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Minister to the hurting - and to spread the Word. Which Word? The Good News for modern man. The story of Jesus - the greatest story ever told.

This morning, the sun is coming up and the sky is a "Robin's egg" blue. The stone has been rolled back, and the tomb is empty. Jesus, as prophesized, has risen. Have a blessed and happy Easter.