Early in the morning Mary Magdalene learned that the body of Jesus, which had been place in a tomb, was missing. It was assumed someone had stolen the body. Sadness deepened to greater grief because now they had no way to give Jesus a proper burial.

But then… surprise! Jesus, very much alive, appeared to Mary. He came back to life just as he said he would. She ran and told the others Jesus was alive. Skepticism was rampant, I'm sure. What she "saw and heard" was more than likely dismissed as the wishful delusions of a grief-stricken woman.

Later that evening, the disciples were in the upper room with the windows and doors locked. Suddenly Jesus stood among them. Can you imagine the utter shock that ran through them? Their friend, teacher, and Lord had been killed. And now he stood before them very much alive – just as Mary had said.

They saw for themselves that Jesus had come back to life, just as he said he would. And they were ecstatic! They then knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was who he said he was – the Son of God, the Messiah. What joy! They saw and believed.

Thomas had not been there when Jesus appeared, and did not believe the others when they told him Jesus appeared to them. He said, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

How like so many people today. Proof is demanded. They want to see with their own eyes because "Seeing is believing."

No, we cannot always trust what we see. Computer programs allow modifications of photos to the point where photos are rarely allowed as evidence in courts of law. There are those who are very good at slight-of-hand manipulations causing us to see something that isn't there. Misinformation on social media is rampant.

Thomas the doubter wanted proof. In this instance, Jesus gave it to him. When Jesus appeared to his disciples again, he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

And there it is. Today there is no physical proof of our Lord's resurrection from the dead. We have to take the word of those who were there that did have the proof. We have to take the word of our Lord. We need to trust the stirring of God's Holy Spirit within us.

Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven to rule the world. He is still the friend of sinners.

Blessed are we who have not seen and yet have come to believe!

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Believe in the things not seen

Tomorrow is Palm/Passion Sunday. When I was a child it was referred to only as Palm Sunday. So why are there two names for it in contemporary times?

"Back in the day," people took Holy Week a bit more seriously. They knew there would be worship services in the days following Palm Sunday that would help them engage in remembering the Passion of Jesus Christ.

The Passion was remembering the spiritual, emotional, and physical agony endured by Jesus as he made his way to the cross and put to death. He knew what was coming and prayed fervently that if it was possible to "let this cup pass from me."

The Passion was typically remembered at Maundy Thursday and Good Friday times of worship.

But nowadays it is challenging to get people to return for two extra worship services during the week. And, besides, these two services are based on sadness, suffering, and death. Who wants to go to church only to walk out feeling bad, sinful, and sad?

Because getting to the foot of the cross is so important, and knowing many won't return to church for additional worship service, often Palm Sunday worship is divided in half: the first half, Palm Sunday; and the second half, the Passion.

The truth of the matter is, each of us played a role in the reason for the crucifixion of Jesus. Our sins caused him to be mocked, whipped, spat upon, and nailed to the cross.

But in our happy-go-lucky desire in life these days, no one wants to be reminded of that. We'd prefer to go from one happy feeling to the next. This is why most go from Palm Sunday to Easter and avoid the cross altogether.

Yes, the gift of forgiveness of sins is definitely worth celebrating. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central focus of our religion. And the depth of meaning truly increases when you realize to what lengths Jesus went in order to secure our forgiveness.

Be sure to get to the foot of the cross before the great celebration of Easter. You'll be glad you did.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: How the church honors the passion of Jesus

CRESTVIEW — Easter weekend is coming up fast, and there are plenty of family-friendly Easter activities in Crestview.

The Easter holiday coincides with the return of warm weather in Northwest Florida, making it the perfect opportunity to get kids involved in outdoor activities.

Lifepoint Church

Lifepoint church is having a flashlight Easter egg hunt at 7:30 p.m. March 30 on the football field at Twin Hills Park.

The egg hunt is a free public event open to anyone. Pastor Stanley Cosner said there is no strict age limit, but the event is geared toward children ages 4 to 12.

Cosner said the church is planning for up to 500 kids to participate, and will divide them into age groups, though they will all be on the same field. Parents may accompany younger children on the field.

To avoid the sort of scramble for eggs you might usually see at an event like this, Cosner said each participant will be given a number or a letter and will each have ten eggs they must find on the field marked with their number or letter. They can then exchange their eggs for a goodie bag.

Registration for the event will be at 7 p.m. Flashlights will not be supplied, so be sure to bring one.

City of Crestview

The city will be holding its own Easter egg hunt the next day, March 31, in the same location. The city event will include prizes and an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

There will be three separate egg hunts, split up by age groups. Ages up to three will start at 9:30 a.m. at the small soccer field. Four to six-year-olds will begin at 10:15 a.m. on the football field, while seven to twelve-year-olds will start at 11 a.m. on the same field.

For more information, call 682-4715.

Emmanuel Baptist Church

For a change of pace, Emmanuel Baptist Church will be hosting an Easter at the Zoo event at the recently re-opened Emerald Coast Zoo. The event will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31 and is free to the public.

According to the church’s website, www.ebccrestview.com, guests can enjoy a bounce house for kids, free food and drinks and carnival games with prizes. The church asks for a donation of one non-perishable food item to Sharing and Caring, an area food pantry.

Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church

Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church will have an Egg Drop 10 a.m. March 31 at the church, 5595 U.S. Highway 4, Baker. It includes egg hunts for younger and older children, candy, hotdogs, prizes and games. Organizers request that people do not bring pets to this event. Call 537-9221 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family fun for Easter weekend

Shortly after my parents died, my wife and I received an unusual inheritance: Cinderella.

Cinderella is a 10-year-old cat who adopted my parents shortly after giving birth to her first litter of kittens when she was about one year old. She was a feral cat who gave birth in the pouring rain just outside the back door of my parents’ apartment.

When my parents heard the commotion, they checked to see what was going on and Cinderella, uninvited, carried her brood, one by one, into my parents’ apartment, placed them under their bed, cleaned them up, nursed them, and started motherhood.

The kittens were all eventually given to good homes, but Cinderella stayed with my parents and was loved and well cared for.

I find myself wondering what may have happened to her before she found a loving home. There are some things that still make her very, very wary. One is, she becomes very afraid when an attempt is made to pick her up. It’s only after she is held and petted for a few moments that she allows herself to relax.

There are emotional scars from her past that make her skittish these years later.

She is not much different than many people who have scars from past events. These scars are emotional and spiritual. They often come about because of unmet expectations they had of God, the Lord, or the church.

Some turn to God in a time of great need, try to make deals, and expect God to give them exactly what they desire, only to have those expectations not met their way.

Some give their life to Jesus and expect all their problems and trials to simply disappear, only to be disappointed when life continues to throw them curves.

Some join a church and expect to be among perfect people who will care for their every need, only to find out the church is full of people who struggle with matters in life.

These unmet expectations leave scars and make one wary, but you will find a comfort you did not expect if you allow yourself to remember the following:

•God does not necessarily give what you desire, but what you need.

•Jesus does not take away your problems and trials, but gives you strength, courage, and support to deal with them as they arise.

•The church is not full of perfect people, but filled with people who are willing and able to support and encourage one another on this journey of life.

Cinderella grows less fearful each time she realizes being picked up will give her loving attention. I hope that one day she will look forward to being held.

You will grow less fearful each time you trust God and realize God will do for you exactly what is needed at the time. Give God a chance.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Holding Cinderella

BAKER — Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church's youth pastor, Justin Douglas, is accepting applications for youth volunteers, and North Okaloosa homeowners in need.

Douglas is a coordinator for Do Something, a national student camp mission project in which church youths tackle home repair and improvement projects free of charge for those who qualify.

Anyone in need, as well church youth groups, may apply at dosomethingcamp.com no later than May 1. Youths will work on house repairs and improvements June 10-16 in North Okaloosa County.

Youths for the first local Do Something in 2016 completed jobs for eight homeowners. Last year, they worked on 18 houses in Crestview and surrounding areas, including Laurel Hill, Mossy Head, Holt and Baker, and three backyard Bible clubs, would like to increase the number of people they help this summer.

"We'll go anywhere. If the need is there, we'll go wherever we need to go," Douglas said.

Advancing seventh- through 12th-grade students, with the help of experienced contractors and adult volunteers, do everything from installing wheelchair ramps to replacing roofs. They also do yard work, painting, and other activities for the homeowner, as well as back yard Bible clubs.

"We have contractors who come in and work with our students and make it all happen," Douglas said.

Youth groups that would like to participate this summer may also visit the website to enroll. Cost is $200 per student, and free for adults. The money is used to purchase supplies for the home projects.

More about Do Something

As a media release for the outreach effort states, "There are many people within our own community that have needs, and it's time that we 'do something' about those needs. Many homes that we pass by each day are in need of help and we think 'someone should 'do something' about that house."

The inspiration for Do Something also stems from James 2:14-26, which states, in part, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."

Contact Justin Douglas, 537- 9221, for more about the program.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Homeowners, youths may apply for Do Something