Happy Easter from Crescent City Sports

It is Easter Sunday.

Today, somehow, I will find my way to watching some Major League Baseball, PGA Golf and NBA playoff action. I am addicted. After all, I have made a career out of the love of sports.

I have a tremendous love for my wife, children and family. I love music. I love food.

Somehow, music will figure into the equation today.

Candy will be enjoyable but not in large quantities. I particularly enjoy Heavenly Hash, an appropriate choice, based on the name and the importance of this date for Christians.

Coloring Easter eggs was always a joyful occurrence with our wonderful mother and we continued that tradition with our children. Easter egg hunts were anticipated with huge enthusiasm. I always wanted to compete, to win, to obtain the most eggs, regardless of what those plastic eggs contained.

Attending Easter service at church is a lifelong trek and one which, in truth, has always been an enjoyable experience, even in the years where my faith waned.

Of course, we used to dress up. Today, I am in a shirt and slacks, though I loved seeing men in sports coats and women with pretty hats.

Eating a wonderful meal is a guarantee. Today, we will celebrate that festive occasion following prayer at our blessed daughter’s home with her generous husband. Of course, I am counting calories and often losing the battle with the count being too high to the point of having to use my phone calculator. I will fight the good fight!

Spending time with family members is treasured, valued, appreciated.

I miss my late mother and father, both of whom did all of the above on Easter and bestowed love on all five of their children throughout their substantive lives.

Ultimately, today is all about hope. It is about faith. It is about love.

It is about the hope of a life beyond the limited existence on this earth which is often troublesome and burdensome.

It is about the faith to carry one in tough times, to believe that better times are coming, if not in this world then in the world that is to come.

It about the love of family, the love of others and the greatest love of all, bestowed on us by the One we praise and worship on this day. Easter is the very basis of the belief that all Christians have. The Risen Lord provides the promise that we, too, will rise above the malaise of perishing.

As Cheri Keaggy wrote, “All blessing and honor are His. All glory and power are His. Let all wisdom and strength be the Lord’s in this place. Let all glory be given to Him. There is joy in the Lord. There is love in His Spirit. There is hope in the knowledge of Him. There’s a fountain that flows like a river from Heaven abounding in love to my soul.”

As Sandi Patty wrote, “There is strength in the name of the Lord, there is power in the name of the Lord, there is hope in the name of the Lord. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

As Don Francisco wrote, “He’s alive, He’s alive, He’s alive and I’m forgiven, Heaven’s gates are open wide.”

That is the basis of hope for all believers.

The greatest command of Christ was twofold in scripture—to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39) and to love one another. Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. All men will know you are My disciples if you love one another,” John 13:34-35.

Regardless of our faiths, churches or beliefs, we are to embrace those basic tenets, put differences aside and love one another. That is the true witness and evidence of a genuine follower of Jesus.

Today, may Christians celebrate the joy of the Lord and what he has done for us. For all others, may your day be blessed and joyous as well with your families and thank you for your support of CrescentCitySports.com.