Here is a good Easter story for you that fits with the theme of our Easter Sunday Service.

                Alfred Henry 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 City to study music. From there, it was on to the Royal Academy of Music in London. Alfred then returned to the States to attend Westminster Seminary in Maryland, and in 1914 was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. 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 flipped on the radio as he shaved 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 dust in some Palestinian tomb. The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!"

                Alfred wanted to throw 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 Alfred 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 exercised over his friend's question (Why should I worship a dead Jew?) and the morning's radio sermon. "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 his 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 Savior. 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!

                Contrary to that New York Preacher it does make a difference that Jesus is risen! In fact it makes all the difference in the world! What a Difference a Day makes! Happy Resurrection Sunday!