By HAROLD KELLER / L’Observateur / April 3, 1999

Early Thursday morning, I stopped by the Belle Terre Country Club to have a cup of coffee. The usual group of men were there and I enjoyed meetingwith them, as I always do. On my way out, A.J. James and I walked outtogether. A.J. was on his way to hit a few, as he put it. I casually said,”Have a nice holiday!” “It’s the most important holiday of the year,” he said.

To be honest, A.J.’s answer sort of surprised me. “Why do you say that?” Iasked. “Why?” he shot back, as surprised at my question as I was at hisanswer. “Because,” he continued, “2,000 years ago, a man died so that wemight have an avenue to be forgiven for all of our sins. This Sunday, wecelebrate His rising from the dead. That’s why it’s the most importantholiday.”I’ve known A.J. for many years, but it wasn’t until Thursday morning at theBelle Terre Country Club that he exposed a little of his heart. I want tothank him publicly for reminding me that this holiday is truly the most important event in history.

In this newspaper, I’ve publicly said that the holidays I enjoy the most are July 4 and Thanksgiving. Those are holidays that can be emotional andmoving. But this Sunday, the celebration of the Resurrection is, indeed, thegreatest event in all history. Many men have died as Jesus did, but only Herose from the dead and sits at His Father’s right hand in Heaven. He paidthe price for our sins but, as A.J. profoundly put it, it’s only an avenue thatwe may choose to take. “It’s so simple,” A.J. said. “Jesus died for all of usbut we must, individually, take the action of asking God’s forgiveness.”This Sunday, as we gather with family and friends, let’s all remember the reason for the holiday.

Jeanne and I wish all of you a happy holiday, and I personally thank my friend, A.J., for reminding me what Sunday is all about.

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher