Yesterday we celebrate Easter 2008. What a great day it was at Liberty. We had 9 adults saved in the morning services, PLT. Last eve we celebrated the Lords Table and during that wonderful time the Lord led me to read from John 20. It is Johns recording of the resurrection and when he and Peter ran to the tomb and found it empty. There is some humor in this accounting as John is writing about himself and is sure to show us he out ran Peter and got to the tomb first. I am sure it was hard to record that he didn't go on in, not sure why but he has to record what the Holy Spirit inspires so he tells us that Peter went on in. What a picture of our humanity and our personalities. 

John goes on to share a great truth that is a little hidden from us in this time of history. He tells us in verse 7 that the napkin which had been laid over Jesus' face had not been tossed down as the clothing but had been folded nicely and placed in its own place. Any Hebrew of that day would have known the meaning of this particularity. In that day if the master of the house would take his napkin and wad it up, then toss it down on the table it would mean that he was finished, and the servants could begin cleaning up. If the master was to get up and fold the napkin nicely and place it on the table it meant he was leaving for awhile but was not finished but would be coming back. Jesus was saying He wasn't finished but He would be "COMING BACK". When He comes back He will have a a great meal with all His children. The "MARRAIGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB"  What a day that will be. Aren't you glad He is not finished yet.

Now let me ask about you. Are you finished yet? What does your napkin look like today. Is it wadded up and thrown down on the table of service or is it folded nicely, ready for future service? Have a great day of service to the ONE who is not finished yet!!! 

 Have you ever seen something like the following? One man is reading a blueprint, three men are leaning on shovels and one man is down in the hole digging. Here you have a District Supervisor,Job Foreman, Area Supervisor, Sight Supervisor and a Laborer. This reflects the beuracracy in American society. It would seem we have "To many chiefs and not enough indians". A beuracracy is top heavy with too many leaders and not enough workers. Not everyone is to be a leader. Many are not inclined to be effective leaders, the Lord has not created them to be such. BUT " All are to be Followers". I believe we should be working harder in our homes and churches to train our people to be GREAT FOLLOWERS. So many times Jesus said "FOLLOW ME"! It is true that the "BEST LEADERS ARE THE BEST FOLLOWERS". One of my heroes in the ministry was Adrian Rogers and he said over and over ""You will never learn to be Over what God wants you to be Over until you learn to be Under what God wants you to be Under". Shouldn't we all be working harder on our Following Skills? Let me mention Five Characteristics of a Great Follower.

                           1. A good follower accepts direction & instructions.

                           2. A good follower is active rather than passive.

                           3. A good follower accepts responsibility for his or her actions.

                           4. A good follower is creative and resourceful.

                           5. A good follower is loyal & dependable.

Think about these characteristics and may each of us work on being a better follower today!!!                      

It has been a few days since I have blogged. One of the reasons is that for the last several days we have had to be "Out With The People" a lot more than normal. You may ask what were you doing? Just "Standing With Them". Today we will be leaving the office in just a little while to travel to Indy and just "Stand" with John Rickner and his family as he goes thru open heart surgery .May I encourage each to find time just "Standing With Others". Perhaps at the hospital, maybe the funeral home, or the nursing home. There are lots of places you can show your love, encourage another by just "Standing With Them". It takes time but it is well worth it. There will be a time that someone will just "Stand With You" and you will be so blessed because of it. Take a meal, send a card, whisper a prayer, just "Stand". 

Make sure you pray today for John Rickner, Larry Henn, Maddona Ballanger, Tracy Gordon, Steve Smith, Deb Macatte, Mary Cox, Larry Brooks, etc,etc,etc. 

HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS SATURDAY AT THE "COME ALIVE" PRAYER BREAKFAST AND BLITZ!!!!!!!!!!!

 This past Sunday was the last service for one of our families who have been with us for nearly 18 years. Gregg & Jaquey Hanson  have been a part of us in so many capacities that it would take this slow typist far to long to mention all of them. They haven't been gone but a few days and already are missed badly. We wish them Godspeed and nothing but the best. We are reminded that we need to enjoy each other today, and to count the blessings of each of our Brothers and Sisters every day we have them with us. Gregg and Jaquey will leave lots of holes in ministry at Liberty. Perhaps you could fill one or several ministries they have left void. Choir member, orchestra member, song leader, S.S. teacher, soloist, praise team, and many other places will need to be replaced. Thanks Gregg and Jaquey for all those years of faithful attendance, serving and giving, you have made a difference!