In this episode, Tony and Eric explore the season of Lent and the reason for Easter hope. Lent is a time to let go obstacles for physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing in order to make room for new life at Easter. This dynamic of letting go and making room is true for people of all faiths, and no formal faith connection at all. Jesus offers all a living hope for abundant life beyond death. Tony shares this story — 

In my faith, Easter is a season of renewal, resurrection, new life. Jesus said unless a kernel of wheat dies, there can be no harvest. If we allow things to pass away, however, we can embrace abundance beyond measure.

 Easier said than done. No one wants to let something or someone they care about die. We cling to addictions to feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that may once have served a purpose but now stunt our growth or even lead to our destruction. As a child, I experienced trauma in my life. This aggravated a genetic mental disorder. This could have been very disruptive. But I was encouraged by family, teachers, and coaches, to pursue athletic prowess and  scholastic achievements. I became addicted to success and recognition. But I couldn’t get enough. After being humbled in college, I turned to alcohol, nicotine , and marijuana. Some call this self medicating To quote my good buddy Steve Franz, it’s really dying by suicide in a manner deemed acceptable by society. I didn’t die physically, but these death-dealing ways did great damage to me in many ways and I hurt others as well. I quit consuming substances to raise a family but I didn’t tackle to root issue of the God-sized hole in my soul. For over 30 years I was a dry drunk — self-absorbed, self-righteous, self-destructive. When my life finally became unmanageable from things I couldn’t handle I turned back to the bottle. Soon I was in the valley of the shadow of death and saw no way out. But God showed me the Way. A friend in recovery sent me a caring text. Are you tired? Hungry? Depressed? Angry? Christ reached out to me at my lowest point and, by God’s grace, I reached back and held on tight. That was August 19, 2024. I have now been sober, sane, and serene for over 9 months now and I’m still counting each day, moment by moment. This Easter I celebrate the hope of renewed clarity, restored relationships, reconciliation with God. The Resurrection of Christ was not some incredible, irrational, inaccessible, one time miracle. God promises that all who believe and receive the Spirit of Christ have the hope of abundant life now and forever. Can you believe it? Will you receive it? To God be the glory. Now and forever. Amen. Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-crucifix-jesus-crucifixion-1979473/