Easter is just around the corner. For many, this holiday is about bunnies hiding eggs and candy filled baskets. For me, it’s about the miraculous sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Down through the centuries, many have tried to discredit the resurrection. They have no problem with the kind, compassionate Jesus who ministered to the poor and downtrodden. This view of Jesus requires nothing of them. They can admire Jesus; even emulate Him, but still answer to no one but themselves.

A risen Jesus SHOUTS that He is the Son of God, and as such He has a claim on us. I am accountable to Him, my Redeemer, the One who loves me and gave His life for me. Through His death and resurrection Jesus conquered sin and death, opening heaven for you, me and anyone who accepts His gift of eternal life. We love Him with our lives ...

Love it or dread it…back to school season is here! This time of year signals a time of transition. Young children off to their first day of Kindergarten. Teachers finalizing lesson plans. New students wandering in circles. Anxious high schoolers faking confidence.

Some invite new experiences. Others feel fear. All must move forward. Regardless of age or life circumstance, many of us feel the same way. It’s fun attacking new situations with confidence, isn’t it? Confidence is different than courage. Courage often involves fear while moving forward. It doesn’t necessarily mean you feel courageous.

As a child, I was shy and introverted.  I found new situations involving relating to strangers very difficult for me. Was I sometimes fearful? Definitely! Over time, as I faced new situations, I learned I wasn’t as inept as I felt and actually came more confident. Am I still fearful sometimes? Absolutely!

In this season of ...

Independence! It's something we all value. Two year olds grasp at it, eighty-year olds want to keep it, and teenagers can’t wait to get it. We want to make our own decisions, be our own person. Yet, dependence is a vital part of God’s plan. We’re dependent on Christ to forgive us, and dependent on the Holy Spirit to grow in our faith. As fellow believers we are taught to depend on each other; and Jesus said He did nothing on His own initiative, only what the Father told him to do.

I want to learn to be more dependent... on Jesus.

Marv Mickley

Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for your support which inspires us to continue encouraging people every day and reaching out to others who are seeking, even to those who may not be aware yet that they’re in need of Jesus.

We know God uses PRAISE to impact lives like it has Carol’s life:

When I got in from shopping this morning, I automatically turned on PRAISE radio. Matt Maher was singing ‘Turn Around’, which was just the song I needed to hear. I had been feeling very discouraged about my sinful actions of the past week and was so grateful to be reminded that ‘there is grace to wash away every sin.'

If you gave during Spring SHARE, thank you from the bottom of my heart! If you didn’t have a chance to give, we can still use your help. As we move forward, please keep ...