The days are interesting! Have you noticed? With our economy on the verge of recession, the housing market taking a slow down turn, seemingly secure careers and jobs now in some question. The health of so many taking unexpected twists and turns.

I've talked to many who feel the weight of these times and days lately, wondering what is going on and what's happening with life right now. Is it general unhappiness or deep discontent? Are we doing something wrong as a people or as a nation? Is the coming of Christ imminent? Are we just enduring the last days before things really take a turn for the proverbial worst?

As a kid, then a teenager, then a young adult, as I look back over my life, I had an interesting view of Christ's return. I wanted Jesus to come back in my lifetime in order to personally witness the grand event. At the same time, I had a lot of living I wanted to do, so "Jesus, maybe not just yet, OK?" (As though He would even consider setting His timetable by my wish, huh?)

Now, as I've gotten older (wiser is up to anyone's interpretation, I suppose), I can see the pattern, in my opinion, of our "days" getting darker. I believe the last days are at hand! Now, before you go thinking I'm going off my rocker, I'm not about to make any rapture predictions or Armaggedian proposals.

The lack of security we find today in the world's sense of safety and the general unease we see in the events of the last years, in addition to current events, convince me more and more that we are moving headlong toward Jesus' return. And, that's exciting! Understand, though, that it's fairly easy for me to say that .... we are 20 more years closer now to Christ's return than we were 20 years ago. That's a calendar eventuality!

I think the most important issue is NOT whether or not we are moving closer to Jesus' return. Of course we are! And, again, I think what we see happening in local, national, and world stage events definitely complies with what Scripture outlines. Rather, the most important issue is, what do we do with this truth?

To a LARGE degree, I think we CELEBRATE it! These are painful days with all that you, we, and those we know and love, are going through. They are not getting any easier in my estimation.

Every one of us have people we know and love dearly who are enduring some tough stuff. The last thing we need to do is stick our heads in the sand or run for the hills. The world we live in is filled with people who STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR! And, we know WHO they're looking for ..... He is Jesus!

This month, earlier than in most years, we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Easter is on March 23, just a couple weeks away from this writing. Our theme for this year's celebrations is "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

The message is coming together, volunteers are starting to rally, the Worship team is at work, prayers are beginning to build as an anthem, and I believe our Father in heaven is hearing the cries of our hearts as we approach this holiest of celebrations. He is also hearing the cries of the hearts of the ones we love. They may not know it, but He is listening, and deeply desires to answer and to be the answer to the cries of their spirits!

Now is the time to invite those hearts to come to church with you on Easter Sunday! What might God do with a simple invitation of, "What are you doing on Easter Sunday?" Might a life be changed? Might a heart find Jesus? Might a lost one finally find what they've been seeking for too long?

Let's join our hearts in anticipation of MANY who will finally find what (WHO) they're looking for this Easter!