jayhardwick.com: Easter Highlights

The Hardwicks had a fantastic Easter weekend...a few highlights:

Molly, our 3 year-old, had the theological statement of the year at breakfast yesterday. She said, "Easter means that Jesus isn't dead on the cross anymore. He's alive...and that's a good thing." You better believe it's a good thing!
Loved singing "In Christ Alone" to close out the service yesterday. So much truth wrapped in such powerful lyrics..."And as He stands in victory/Sin's curse has lost its grip on me/For I am His and He is mine/Bought with the precious blood of Christ"
It was weird not preaching or preparing for and pulling off an Easter service and/or Easter event. No question we needed the "rest"...never have I sensed the power and voice of God in my life like I did this weekend...but hopefully I'll have a little more to do next year. :-)
I think we've warped Molly's mind when it comes to egg hunts. She asked several times, "Where's the helicopter?" Oops...
This guy's text message yesterday afternoon gave me chill bumps...literally. Awesome to hear and see how God worked all over the country yesterday. It's an honor to pray for my friends and co-laborers and celebrate how God uses them for His glory!
Pretty cool dyeing Easter eggs at my in-laws house Saturday night with all the family and grandkids sitting around the table laughing, sharing past memories, making new ones, and enjoying each other.
My father in-law had a great line in his message yesterday: "Many tombs are revered because of the remains that are in them (he listed a few). But, Jesus' tomb is revered because He's not there. And He didn't even need His own...He borrowed one because He knew He wouldn't be there long." Love it!
Our girls are growing up fast...watching them run around yesterday afternoon finding eggs, laughing and enjoying each other was something special. And their mommy...all I can is wow! How does a screwball like me receive such blessing? I'll never know, but I am forever grateful.

All weekend, I had a recurring question in my mind: What if I lived everyday with the confidence that death, hell, sin, and the schemes of man are powerless over me, my family, and my calling because of Jesus? My takeaway from Easter 08 is to not just hope in Jesus, but to be confident in Jesus!