This is suppose to be a true story...

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a fine Christian doctor by the name of William Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who treated his patients like real people.

One of his favorite patients was Edith Burns. You see Edith had introduced Doctor Phillips to the Lord. You see, Edith had an unique way of introducing herself. She would come up yo you and say, "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the real meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. That is what happen to Doc Phillips and to his nurse.

Dr. Phillips had the nurse call Edith into his office. She sized him up immediately as she sat down, she asked, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Why do you have your Bible out? Something wrong?"

Dr. Phillips' voice quivered as he spoke, "Got your lab report came back and.." he paused, "you have inoperable cancer, Edith. According to this.. you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Doc, why so sad? This is good news. I am going to Heaven. Praise God! I am going to get to see my Savior, Jesus and my husband, my friends.. my.. my parents. This isn't cause for sadness. This is cause to celebrate!"

Doc Phillips just looked at Edith and thought what a wonderful Christian Lady. The days seem to fly by. Christmas, the New Year and the spring and Doctor Phillips kept a close eye on Edith. In March he received a call. Edith was admitted to the hospital in failing health.

He went by to see her. She looked up at him and said, "Doctor, do me a favor? Could you ask the nurses to put unsaved people in the bed next to me. I want to do some good while I am here."

The nurse that took care of Edith was the first to be saved. Edith introduced herself.. "Hi. I am Edith Burns. Can I ask you a question? Do you believe in Easter?" In no time two nurses became Christians and they were glad to put unsaved ladies in the room with Edith. Over the next few weeks several women shared the room with Edith and several were gloriously saved.

Everybody on that floor from staff to patients heard about Edith's work. Soon they began to call her Edith Easter. There was one nurse that didn't take to Edith or her work. Her name was Phyllis Cross and she was the head nurse. She made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she didn't buy into that religious stuff. She had been a nurse in the Army. She had a hard life and learned early on to depend on no one but herself. The last thing she thought she needed was God.

One morning the two nurses who attended to Edith called in sick. Phyllis Cross ended up attending to Edith. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile, but Phyllis was quick to say, "Don't start any of that religious stuff on me."

Edith smiled and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I am praying for you."

Phyllis said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, cause it won't work. I'm not interested."

Edith said, "Well, I will pray, and I don't believe that God will let me go home until you come into the family."

Phyllis laughed, "Well then I guess you are going to live forever cause it's never going to happen." With that she walked out of the room.

Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into that room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."

There came a day when Phyllis was having a hard time. Things weren't going right and she needed to talk to someone. She felt drawn to Edith's room. She sat down in the chair next to Edith's bed and began to talk to her. Suddenly, Phyllis asked, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?' but you have never asked me. Why?"

Edith looked into Phyllis' eyes and said, "Oh, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked..." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis said, "I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was floated out on the wings of angels.

The next day, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to thank Edith for her prayers and for being used by God. When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. Her Bible was on her lap and her hand was on the Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. Phyllis knew about death and she could tell that Edith had died. She looked down and saw her hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith!"

Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a table where two new student nurses were sitting. She looked into their faces and introduced herself, "Hi. My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"

Adapted from a story by Russell Kelfer

We Need To Share Our Faith.

There is so much more to life that most people ever realize. There is a joy and a wonder that comes through our relationship with God. You see Jesus came int this world to bring us the promise of the best possible life we can have. A life of love, joy, peace and wonder. Too many people are missing out on that promise.

Sadly, that is not all. There is a judgement that is coming to to this world and to every person in it. Time us running out for this world.. and for every one of us. Time is running out for your family, your friends, your co-workers and for your neighbors.

God has called us, those who believe, to carry the message of hope, the Good News, the promise of salvation to those who don't know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God has given us, those who believe, the secret to the best possible life here on Earth and the key to living forever in the wondrous eternity of God. We must share this truth before it is too late.

We have a message to share. It can be so easy. Begin by inviting your friends to go to Church with you. Be a friend and let them know that you are praying for them. Be ready to share the good news and you will have plenty of opportunities. Begin now and ask the Lord to bring people into your life who need Christ and you will never lack for opportunities to share the gospel.

Be ready to introduce yourself and ask them.. If they believe in Easter?"