NO MATTER WHAT By Phil Morgan "We live in historic times. This could be the first in thousands of years that churches around the world will remain closed and empty on Easter Sunday. The good news we need to remember is this - Christ's resurrection is not dependent on our attendance. Think about it..... "No on was waiting by the tomb that first Easter morning.......and Jesus rose anyway. "Peter had denied even knowing Him......and Jesus rose anyway. "Judas betrayed Him, never asking for forgiveness......and Jesus rose anyway. "Thomas doubted.....and Jesus rose anyway. "The leaders of His own church plotted to kill Him......and Jesus rose anyway. "Pilate, the one with power to derail the execution, didn't.....and Jesus rose anyway. "One by one, His closest followers were persecuted, jailed, and martyred......and Jesus rose anyway... "Throughout the ages, leaders have denied Him, science has tried to replace Him, the church has done terrible things in His name........ and Jesus rose anyway. "So not matter where or how we celebrate Easter this year, Jesus is still as risen as that first glorious morning. Nothing in this world can change that fact.   "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us..... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor death, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 8:18, 38-39   "We have every reason to rejoice - Christ our Lord is risen from the dead! "Hallelujah and Amen!" ** (Happy Easter! Special Sunday edition of Karen's Korner!)