Resurrection Sunday or easter?

Good Morning,

Psalm 14 (NIV)
The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
The LORD looks down from heaven
on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
Will evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread
and who do not call on the LORD ?
There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Some denominations of our Christian family call today "Holy Thursday" or have another official name for this day, for tomorrow, and for Sunday...Resurrection Sunday. No matter what the "name" that we might call these particular days, it remains that we, Christians all over the world, remember and celebrate these days because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

However, there are many, many others on this planet to whom this is only another time in which to have parties, buy new clothes, and feed their kids a ton of candy and chocolate (well, the adults get theirs too, of course!). Easter, for the world, has become just another holiday which is much like what Christmas (xmas!) is to the world...just a time that really has no meaning except to spend money on unnecessary things.

Today's verse, Psalm 14:1, came across my desk in two different communications. When that happens it seems to me we ought to pay attention. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" That, truly, is foolish. But then, if we look closely, much of the world IS foolish. David tells us that these folks who don't believe that God exists are not only fools but also corrupt and evil. Those are powerful words. They are also truthful words.

Look around today and see what the celebration of Jesus Christ rising from the tomb has become. See the easter eggs and easter baskets (no, I didn't err in my capitalization there) and the candy, flowers, clothes and all the rest. What in the world does any of that have to do with the reason we celebrate Resurrection Sunday? Okay, I'll answer my own question. These trapping have NOTHING to do with Jesus Christ! What we see are the leftovers for the pagan spring planting festivals from times long ago. You see, the world has kept the "good stuff" so it can celebrate with us, Christians, and make themselves fit in better to what we're doing during our true celebrations.

As we go about our individual and corporate services during the next few days, let's remember to pray for those who think that easter is just another holiday in which to over indulge in the things of the world. Let us lift up those who don't know God so they will come to understand what it is we really do celebrate: Jesus being raised up from death in order that God's plan of salvation would come to pass...for all humanity.

I don't mean these words today as ridicule. I mean them as words to point out the world needs our prayers. I believe it is our duty.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David