Easter- Alive to God

Easter this year was made extra special by a 3 day visit from the Neimer family, our friends from Charleston, SC.

The kids had a great time with Ross and Dugger. It's a special blessing to watch your friends have kids and then their kids grow to be friends with your kids.

We enjoyed an Easter hike that ended at Peach cove at dusk. The hike back included 800 plus stairs up a mountain side then a moonlit walk back to the car. It was all breathtaking, both the scenery and the hike!

After Easter we rented a sailing yacht for a day trip around the Bay of Islands. It was great to sail around and talk. Sally and I can talk and talk and still feel like there is more we want to share/ask about but haven't covered. The guys are happy to talk church and medicine.

We stopped for a kayak and beach walk on one of the islands. The kids loved hanging on the yacht too.

We arrived back at the dock in time to catch this most amazing sunset come ablaze over 5 minutes. See the progression from the boys to every couple on the dock going for their photo with the sunset.
Below were some reflections on Easter morn.

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead , death no longer has mastery/dominion over Him. The death he died he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives HE LIVES TO GOD. In the same way count yourselves dead to sin but ALIVE TO GOD in Christ. Romans 6:9-11

Happy Easter. I grew up in a Presbyterian Church where Easter morning people would say to you, "He is risen" and you reply, "He is risen indeed."

The resurrection is so powerful. We have access to God himself. The gift of eternal life is not from God as much as it is a gift of God Himself. He is the life. We enjoy His presence now through the Holy Spirit and in heaven more fully later. He doesn't give us comfort but He gives us Himself and He is the comfort. We don't seek power or a good life as much as we seek God Himself. He is the life and the power. We are "Alive to God" because of the resurrection. Enjoy Him and reach beyond wanting what He can give us. Reach to Him. That is our response to the forgiveness we have because of the cross.