Two thousand years!

And there are still people that say He didn't rise from the dead. As we say in the South, bless their hearts.

After a life spent preaching a simple Gospel of love and redemption, the Roman Empire decided Jesus was a threat to their rule.

As it turns out, they were right.

In the ensuing 2.012 years, we have seen the Roman Empire fall. But He is still alive. In fact, every despot and tyrant that has come on the scene has tried to re-crucify Him. Remember the Soviet Union? Gone.

The communists in China have passed laws against even owning a Bible. But the faithful meet and worship and praise His name.

Even in this country, where a professional athlete risks the wrath of the late night talk shows and banishment to the New York Jets, the Lord uses the ridicule and cruelty to get the message out that He loves us and that we should love each other. When was the last time you heard a Dad say, "Son, I want you to grow up to be more like David Letterman."

So, yesterday, when we said, "He is Risen," we mean it. He is here today, will be here tomorrow. Still with the simple gift of love and redemption that has eluded dictators for over a millennia. I say again, " Bless their hearts," but this time when I say it, it isn't a Southern put-down ... it's a prayer.

Jim Vann was a part of the morning show on KICKS Radio for 20 years. Since leaving broadcasting he has earned his paralegal certificate from Kennesaw State University, and is a trained mediator. Jim is employed by the Law Firm of G. Michael Smith, in Dunwoody. He is the author of “Who Died...And Left You in Charge?” available at Amazon.com. Jim also blogs three times a week (if the grandkids don’t come over.) He grew up in Cherokee County and attended Cherokee High School. He now lives near Woodstock.

You can connect with Jim on Facebook.