Recently, my son was invited to a classmate's birthday party. It was one of those parties where many of the kids knew each other and yet many of the parents did not. As the kids ran around playing, having fun, etc., I looked around at the scene before me. Several parents were sitting off to themselves engrossed in their phones. One lady was reading from her Kindle. A few were talking to one another. I must admit in social situations where I do not know many or any people, it is easy for me to suddenly become interested in the Weather Channel app on my phone. But, I had an epiphany that day. I need to "be there" no matter where the "there" is. Wherever I may be and whoever I may be with, I need to be fully there.

Jim Rohn said, "Wherever you are, be there." He also said, "When you work, work. When you play, play. Don't mix the two."

I haven't always done that. Never too late to start!

Community Easter Egg Hunt @ Oneal Village

I am excited about our church joining up with the Randolph Group at Oneal Village for a Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We have done these egg hunts at Lake Robinson (pictured above), Lake Cunningham, and at Mountain View Elementary. We've never done one at Oneal Village. It's going to be a great day of bridging people to the love of Christ!

Pulling off an event this big which will attract hundreds of people means we have some volunteer opportunities available. There is an opportunity to dress up in a bunny costume and sweat profusely for two hours. I know that sounds grueling but you get to meet a lot of people and will pose for many photos. There is an opportunity to bring joy to the faces of kids by laying out eggs in a field, serving them a hot dog, painting their face, giving them a balloon, helping them in a bounce house, and many other ways. If you would like to get in on the fun, please contact me at tommy@ridgeviewchurch.net.

The larger question is why do this? It takes planning, time, money, and energy. But, all of it is worth it because this is more than just an egg hunt with some prizes, bounce houses, and free hot dogs we're passing out. We will be disbursing hope to people who come. Our lives have been changed by Jesus Christ. We once lived in darkness but now walk in the light. We are letting that light shine (Matthew 5:16). We will be out in our community Palm Sunday weekend meeting lots of people because we want them to know 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." It's amazing when we reach out to people through an event like an egg hunt how God opens doors for us. Doors open that allow us to share that hope that they can become "the righteousness of God" in Him.  

I know where I'll be Saturday, March 31. I'll be passing out hope. My platform is an egg hunt. I invite you to join me and pass out some hope to people in our community who have religion but do not have hope.

Pastor Tommy