I have always wondered about Palm Sunday. How could these people welcome Jesus in such a grand way and then a few hours later scream for His death? What changed? Jesus was the same person He had always been yet something happened that dramatically changed public opinion about Him. Jesus clearly shied away from great public displays and would often slip into the crowd. Yet on this occasion He allows the crowd to be worked into a frenzy?

Ray Vander Laan shares some great insights at his web site, Follow The Rabbi. He explains that the people were expecting a political liberator, the messiah. When Jesus failed to meet this expectation the crowd turned quickly against Him. The wanted a might military leader not a suffering savior. Jesus allowed this display to fulfill prophecies and to illustrate the point that the Messiah would actually come in two stages, first, as a suffering savior and secondly as a conquering messiah.

I wonder how often I put expectations on Christ that are simply wrong. How often have I prayed for success because I wanted to bring glory to God. Then the success didn't come and even worst disastrous failure. The result; depression, doubt and wondering why Christ didn't meet my expectations. But it is really not about my expectations is it? I shouldn't be imposing my expectations on Christ but rather asking,"Lord what would you have me to do?"

My expectations often come from my fallen nature and are often motivated by a desire to look good. Why do I want success? Why do I want a successful marriage? Why do I want children that obey? What if God grants these expectations, what if He doesn't?

I think it is significant that when Jesus met Peter by the seashore, after His resurrection, He simplified everything for us. Jesus told Peter two very simply things:

Love Christ

Serve His people

I often complicate my Christian walk by adding all of my expectations just like the Palm Sunday crowd. May God help me not to fall into this trap, let me love His Son and serve His people.

Adult Choir 9 AM, 10:30 AM

Jonathan Windle a student at Bible college will be speaking Sunday night at 6 PM

There will be a dessert fellowship following the evening service sponsored by the Mission Team.

One week to Easter. How can I honor Christ on the day that we remember His victory over death? Use this link to invite your friends to Easter services.

Pray that people will bow at His feet on this day

Serve were you can, why not attend one service and help out in the other? Nursery, greeter, hall monitors, parking help, Sunday School class help, clean bathrooms between service, pick up trash, etc. You get the picture. We will be stretched to the max on Easter Sunday you can help. Attending the 9 AM service will be a big help and will open room in second service which is usually the largest. Considering bringing only one car on this day parking will be tight.

Invite your friends, there are people who are waiting to be invited to Easter Sunday Services. There are people God has placed in your circle of influence that only you can reach.

The adult choir is presenting a very special song on Easter Sunday, the Jam Kids have been working for their special part in Easter services and the Praise Team has some special music in store for us that day. I will be finishing my series on Three Days That Changed the World. The Third Day deals with the victory of Christ over death.

• New group "Every Man" starting in morning at church 11 AM sexual purity support group
• Marriage group Love and Respect going strong on Wednesday night
• Chris and Leann's special package arrived Addison Faith is here :-)
• 6 people attended our membership class last Sunday
• Over 6,000 people have visited our MyChurch site since it began
• 2008 is shaping up as another record year at Faith
• We were able to send our 20 missionary projects $311 each this month
• Was Harry Newman pumped up or what Sunday night? :0
• What do you think will pets be in heaven?
• Seasoned Saints did it again last week, boy those chicken and dumplings were goooood!
• Our church secretaries reminded me this week Secretaries Day is in April :), we do have great secretaries Thank God for their faithfulness and hard work. Why not let them know.
• Victory Bible Class is fixing an awesome coffee basket for the Mission Yard Sale, I may even bid myself.