So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

I really do love Saint Patrick Street. It’s a kind of microcosm of our entire experience here in Tarboro. The Town Common; Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church; our restored house, the historic district. It’s all right here on this one street.

Now it is summer. Well, officially almost summer but Saturday hit 88-degrees so, yes, summer for sure; summer but still hanging on to some of the freshness of spring. I especially noticed the vibrancy of all the color when I was walking Max in the afternoon between rain showers. Fresh washed green everywhere. Fresh growth everywhere. Rinsed off and vibrant. Restored. Life undeniable.

Kind of like what God intends for the witness of the church, of the way we all live – especially in this immediate post-Easter season. Resurrection! Newness! Growth! Freshly baptized in grace! Restored from death. Life undeniable!

So new and so inviting that people cannot help but want to know what is going on. Like that guy at the service club where I was invited to speak one time: “Young man, your approach is unusually enthusiastic; would you please explain yourself?”

Well, yes! But better yet how about those speakers who offer no enthusiasm explain themselves?! No enthusiasm for their work… their family… their charity… their organization… or – God forbid – the Good News….

It’s Sunday morning, friends. How about we all show a little enthusiasm for the new life we have: “fresh, rinsed off, vibrant, restored – life undeniable….”

I will see you in church – DEREK