Second Chances

Many years ago I spent Easter morning worshipping at an Angelican

church – St. Andrews, I think it was – in Hong Kong. It was a cozy little stone church with wooden pews and a wooden communion railing up front at which parishioners knelt to partake of the bread – literally a giant crusty loaf that the preacher broke and shared – and wine, real grape wine that was served from a large, heavy silver chalice.

Because it was Easter there was a children's program that morning, and what I remember most clearly was the "choir" – about 20 (give or take a couple running off to Mom and Dad) young kids, not one older than ten it seemed, gathered in front and singing "The angel rolled the stone away" and "Because he lives, I can face tomorrow".

This is the season that we think about rebirth and renewal, about second chances and starting over. Throughout human history God has often stayed His hand and given man another chance, until finally the Ultimate Sacrifice had to be given so that we could once and for all get right with God. This Easter, I recall once again that because the angel rolled the stone away, because He lives, I can indeed face tomorrow.

Let this Easter be a time of true rebirth – in heart and mind and spirit.

Among a lot of junk mail I found this little gem in my email. It's Old World wisdom for the 21st century lifestyle:

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

One: Don't miss the boat.

Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the jobthat needs to be done.

Six: Build your future on high ground.

Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.

Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.