I walked into a church for the first time in my life on Easter morning 45 years ago. I’d never before heard the words “He is risen” or the traditional response “He is risen indeed!” much less said them. But as I spoke those words I sensed that my life would be 
changed forever. Mark Twain said the two most important days of your life are “the day you’re born and the day you find out why.” Easter 1976 was the day I found out why.
Is the Easter story your story? Or is it just Jesus’ story? Faith, real faith, is not a spectator sport. It’s hands-on-the-ball, up-to-your-cleats-in-the-mud participation. Jesus’ prayer for his followers–the reason He died and rose again–was “so that they may be one, as we (He and the Father) are one…so that the world may know.” (John 17:22-23)
People need to see Easter in us! Do others catch fire when they stand too close to you? If not, check to see if your Pilot light is out. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you?”
Every Easter for a decade (until the pandemic struck last year), I had the privilege of leading fellow followers in my favorite variation on that traditional Easter greeting:
“He is risen.”
“He is risen in me!”
†
Note: Fool’s Odyssey, my search for the meaning of life, will resume next week.
Mitch Teemley 
Theresurrection is not just a unique event exclusive to Jesus only. The invitation now exists for each of us to have ours too.
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Mitch, good to see you staying the course.
I had my 50th spiritual birthday on 7th March this year.
‘Great is his faithfulness’
Brian
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Amen, Brian!
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Happy spiritual birthday! How wonderful that Easter was the day you first heard the gospel!
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Preach! I especially love “Is the Easter story your story?” I may borrow that. And… he is risen in me! You have blessed my day, Mitch. Thank you.
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Of course, Steve. Have a blessed Easter, my friend!
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Preach! I especially love “Is the Easter story your story?” I may borrow that. And… he is risen in me! You have blessed my day, Mitch. Thank you.
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I love it! I wish we’d stayed in touch after The Right Pithy Players had ended. Maybe I would’ve been able to say “He is risen in me!” much sooner than I did. Love you, Mitch!
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Aw, bless you, Mary, you too! Yes, we both had life-changing encounters with our Creator after the Pithees, didn’t we?
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Great testimony, Mitch. I really like, “Is the Easter story your story?” Identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is critical to understanding our true identity in Him. When He died, we died, when He was buried, our sin was buried with Him, and when His Father raised Him from the dead, He raised us with Him in God (Eph.2:6; Col.3:3). That’s the very basis of our identity.
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Exactly, Mel. Have a blessed Easter.
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You have a blessed Easter, too!
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Every day can be considered a spiritual birthday, because God loved us so much. His gift keeps on giving throughout life in so many ways and it lasts for an eternity. Happy spiritual birthday, Mitch.
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My spiritual birthday is today. I became “a fool for Christ” 31 years ago! I love the journey and sharing it with other pilgrims. May I share your Easter morning greeting? I want it all over Facebook on Sunday morning! Happy birthday to you, Mitch. ❤🙏🎂🇨🇦
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Of course, Gail. And happy birthday to you!
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Amen.Praise the Lord.🌹🙏
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I love your testimony! And I am not ashamed to say I’m going to steal your Easter greeting, too. God bless you, Mitch. Happy spiritual birthday. May you continue to shine a light on our dear Savior.
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You too, Connie!
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Very well said. Have a great Easter.
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You too, Anita.
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2 corinthians 11:05
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Why, Rudy?
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to go with 13:05
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He has risen indeed.
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Happy 46th Spiritual Birthday! 😊👏🏼💐
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Thanks a year early, Roser!
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Mine is the Easter vigil! I am turning four this year. It’s when I was confirmed as a Catholic.
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Wow, 45 years as a believer. Woww
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I celebrate grace
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I like this search for the meaning of life, Mitch. But I’ll read next week too.
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Happy Spiritual Birthday! I’m so glad that you know when and that it ‘took’!! Thank you for being so faithful! This was my favorite:
“People need to see Easter in us! Do others catch fire when they stand too close to you? If not, check to see if your Pilot light is out. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you?”
God bless and Happy Resurrection Sunday!!
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You too, Peach!
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Wow! Great story! Amen! Happy Spiritual Birthday! 🙏🏻
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Thank you, Lisa!
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I like that variation, of “He is risen in me.” Thanks for continuing to reflect the light of Christ.
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Likewise, Shirley.
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Happy spiritual birthday Mitch! I can relate as I met JESUS Easter 1980, so 41 years for me. My sister persuaded me to attend a meeting on Easter Saturday. I reluctantly went and the rest is history, or should I say HIS Story! \O/
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Exactly, Carol. And a happy spiritual birthday to you.
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Thank you. It was actually Easter Sunday for me, not the Saturday. Don’t know why I put Saturday!
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Your real birthday–hallelujah!! Without the spiritual birth, you were a walking dead man.
You put a lot of riches in a small package, Mitch. You are so concise with your words but this post packs quite a punch. I love it, to God be the glory for the great things He has done.
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Amen, Manette.
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I must appreciate the way you have delineated your thoughts. I totally enjoyed reading.
But hey! I have recently started blogging on positivity. So it will mean world to me if you can stop by my page and shower love!! Please let me know the feedbacks aswell.
Thanks and have a great day!!
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That’s worth celebrating!
About this time, 35 yrs ago, I became a new thing….alive for the first time. Though I knew of God, loved God, always and thought I was saved…it was ineffectual in my struggling, floundering life. I had the wheel and was driving, foot to the floor, straight over the edge. When He over took me. I was the walking dead, dying and wishing for the end. In fact, I was dying in a hospital in the middle of the night, alone, being rushed into surgery. He took me on right there an did not let go. When I survived, the moment I opened my eyes, He made sure I knew it was Him. The day after I was released from the hospital, He randomly sent a ministry team from a local church to my door! My Life began right there in my livingroom that night.
This, this was a new thing. He took hold of me and in that instant I WAS saved, RADICALLY saved reborn and filled with the Holy Spirit in one fell swoop. Like His breath of life blew into me and I took my first true breath and I was in an instant a completely different person. All the self destructive activities, habits, addictions and pursuit of death, fell away like ashes to the ground.
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What a marvelous testimony, Laura. He truly is risen–in you!
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A joyful day well remembered in one’s life.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Happy Spiritual Birthday Mitch!
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Thank you, Susan!
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Happy Spiritual Birthday 🙂
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Thank you!
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👍👍
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Congratulations, Mitch.
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We see the spirit of Easter in you, Mitch. What a beautiful testimony! I found him early in life. In almost losing my life, literally twice, I fell flat on my faith. He is risen in me, too! Oh, what a Savior we serve!
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Aw, bless you, Karla. And amen!
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