It is officially Holy Week & Easter is right around the corner.  There are a whole lot of things going on & it would be easy to miss some opportunities that would be incredibly enriching for anyone seeking to make the most of this Easter season.  If I could sit across the table from everyone who reads this, I would encourage you to do 5 things in the coming week:

1. Read The Easter Story with fresh eyes - I’ve found that the longer I go, the easier it is for me to miss the “special-ness” of The Story we find in scripture.  Having heard it so many times, sadly I’m so calloused to what’s actually taking place.  Take the time in the coming days…don’t read it like you would the latest “Hunger Games” book; read it as though it just made the front page of the Tribune.  This really happened & has huge implications on you today.  Read it…Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-19; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1 – 22:25
2. Join for 1 hour in the 60 Hour Prayer Event - It’s so exciting to me to know that the people of Crossroads are joining forces to create a constant stream of prayer for 60 hours asking God to move among us.  I read a quote this morning from Louie Giglio saying, “If only we knew what was happening when we pray we would never cease to pray.”  So true…  I encourage you to carve out 1 hour to come to the prayer room at Crossroads (Library).  You won’t regret the time…your prayers will have great impact, but you will also be impacted by being there.  
3. Come to the Good Friday Experience - This is a meditative worship experience where you will tangibly be led through the events leading up to Jesus’s death on the cross.  It’s a great opportunity for you individually or with your family.  Simply put, it will mark your life in a way that you will never see Christ’s death quite the same.  The experience is in the Backlot Auditorium Friday, April 6th 10:00am-8:00pm.  
4. Invite & host your circle of influence to “A Beautiful Exchange” - I’ve been involved in a lot of services up to this point in my ministry & I can honestly say this one may be our very best thus far.  God’s fingerprints are all over this weekend…I believe with all my heart that God is going to do some big things in our midst.  Don’t miss your part.  If He has put someone on your heart…make the ask!  Host them through the weekend, buy them breakfast & help them connect beyond the weekend.  There are 5 opportunities:  Saturday 4:30 & 6:30pm, Sunday 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00am.
5. Connect with your family - Holidays can be some of the busiest times in life.  Don’t allow it to drown out those closest to you.  Make the season an excuse to spend time together not an excuse not to.  

I know this is a long list & you only have so much time, but I’m convinced that we all have the time to do what is most important.  We waste so much time on a regular basis doing things that have little long-term value.  This week, replace some of that time with these things that have eternal value & you won’t regret it.  These are 5 things I’m doing this Easter…will you take the challenge?