HE LIVES!!

Praise the Lord for the glory and wonder of the Resurrection that lingers in my heart today!  No, it was not the "normal" Easter Sunday celebration that we have probably thought we would always have, but I trust we were able to realize a little of the reality that "where Jesus is, it's heaven there!"
I am so very thankful on this Monday morning that our blessed Saviour conquered death, hell, and the grave; He is alive forevermore, and I am so thankful He lives in my heart this morning!

One of the beautiful hymns that is probably sung in most churches on Easter Sunday is the beautiful, soul-stirring hymn, "He Lives" by Alfred Ackley.  I trust a little of the story behind it will be a blessing to you today.

     "Why should I worship a dead Jew?  That question -- and a dreadful sermon -- inspired this hymn.
Alfred Ackley was born in Pennsylvania in 1887.  He showed great promise as a child, and his musician father personally tutored him before sending him to New York to study music.  Later he attended Westminster Seminary in Maryland, and was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in 1914.  In 1932, while pastoring in California, Alfred met a Jewish man to whom he began witnessing.
But the man resisted the Christian faith, saying, "Why should I worship a dead Jew?

      That statement played on Alfred's mind as he prepared his Easter Sunday message.  Rising early to prepare for the day, Alfred turned on the radio and was astonished to hear a famous liberal preacher in New York say:  "Good morning---it's Easter!  You know, folks, it really doesn't make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not!  As far as I am concerned, his body could be as dust in some Palestinian tomb.  The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!"

      Alfred  wanted to fling the radio across the room.  "It's a lie!" he exclaimed.  His wife rushed into the bathroom , asking, "Why are you shouting so early in the morning"?  "Didn't you hear what that good-for-nothing preacher said?" Alfred replied.  That morning, Ackley preached with great vigor on the reality of Christ's Resurrection, and he did the same at the evening service.  But later that night, he was still agitated.  "Listen here, Alfred Ackley", his wife said at last.  "It's time you did that which you can do best.  "Why don't you write a song about it and then maybe you'll feel better."
      Alfred went to his study, opened the Bible, and re-read the Resurrection account from Mark's gospel.  A thrill went through him, and he began writing the words to "He Lives"!  A few minutes later, he was at the piano putting it to music, not dreaming it would become one of the church's most
triumphant Easter hymns."

     "I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today.
I know that He is living; whatever men may say.
      I see His hand of mercy.  I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him -- He's always near.

      In all the world around me I see His loving care;
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.
      I know that He is leading through all the stormy blast.
The day of His appearing will come at last.

      Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian.  lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King.
      The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find.
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

      He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
      He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?  He lives within my heart."