In 1969 I was appointed to WUMP: the Wesley United Methodist Parish. I was blessed with five churches including: Blairstown, Walnut Valley, Columbia, Hainesburg and Johnsonburg. They extended across the northwest corner of New Jersey bordering the Delaware Water Gap. It proved to be a growing time for me in ministry—a process that continues to this day.

Many events happened in 1969. You remember Neil Armstrong, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Oh! Woodstock: I accidently found myself there in the mud and drugs. Gas was 35 cents a gallon and the average house cost $15,000. A small company called Wal-Mart organized that year. Sesame Street came to television. Herbie the Love Bug, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, were big movies. Elton John and John Denver appeared on the scene.

On Easter morning, I was preaching at the WUMP Sunrise Service. During the first hymn, a few snowflakes landed on my notes. By 11 O' Clock nineteen inches of snow had accumulated- and it snowed all day. Church services were cancelled on EASTER morning. The unexpected came our way.

The resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, was the unexpected. The disciples were followers, but they never fully comprehended and expected what would happen. I love Max Lucado’s story of a little boy who fell out of bed. When his Mom asked him what happened, he answered “I don’t know. I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.” Easy to do the same with faith. It’s tempting just to stay where we got in and never grow in discipleship, mission and evangelism.

I challenge you to grow. Don’t stay near the edge. The unexpected Christ is the first and the last chapters in your life, don’t miss everything in-between. The journey with the Christ is so exciting. Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! 

Have a Blessed Easter!

Doug Miller