Have you ever been in an earthquake? Earthquakes shake our most basic assumptions: that the ground will remain steady beneath our feet, that the world's current existence is the way it will always be. But when tectonic plates shift under the earth's surface and the ground shakes beneath our feet, it rattles the bedrock assumptions on which we build our lives. The Gospel of Matthew reports that on the first Easter morning, an earthquake rocked the earth, ripped open the tomb, and scared the Roman guards at the tomb, who "shook with fear and became like dead men" (Matthew 28:4). This is the second earthquake reported by Matthew. The first one took place on Good Friday, when the noonday sky turned black and Jesus died. In Easter Earthquake , James Harnish invites us to place the resurrection at the center of our Lenten journey. This 6-week study explores how Christ's resurrection shakes some of our most basic assumptions about ourselves and God. "The earth-shaking promise of Easter is that God has not forsaken any of us," Harnish writes. "The risen Christ will meet us along the confused, chaotic, fearful paths of our lives and speak the same words the women hear at the tomb: 'Do not be afraid .'" This book reverses the usual focus of Lenten studies by starting at the empty tomb and seeing the entire journey in light of the resurrection. Join James Harnish in this energizing exploration that will inspire you to live as a more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. FEATURES A guide for daily mediation and prayer An outline for small-group meetings Begins with Ash Wednesday and continues through Easter Each week contains 5 readings, a prayer focus, and suggestions for small-group interaction Includes a hymn each week Jim Harnish invites the devotional reader or the circle of study to share a warm and winsome conversation about the nature of the journey through Lent to Easter. Blending classical with contemporary illustrations, he weaves tradition and relevance into a single trustworthy cloth of assurance and faith. Easter Earthquake is a gift from a pastor's heart to all who seek to explore more fully the season the ancients called the springtime of the soul. -Rev. Paul L. Escamilla Senior Pastor, St. John's United Methodist Church Austin, Texas Author, Longing for Enough in a Culture of More Like a news reporter announcing breaking news, Matthew reports that on the first Easter morning, a great earthquake shook the earth. An angel descended from heaven, rolled back the stone from the entrance to Jesus' tomb, and sat on the stone. This is the second earthquake recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. The first one took place on Friday, when the noonday sky turned black and Jesus died. Matthew says, "The earth shook, and the rocks were split." In *Easter Earthquake**, James Harnish invites us to place Easter at the center of our Lenten journey. This study explores how Christ's resurrection shakes some of our most basic assumptions about ourselves and God. Harnish reverses the usual focus of Lenten studies by starting at the empty tomb and seeing the entire journey in light of the resurrection. This different perspective on the Passion can bring fresh energy into our lives as followers of Christ. James A. Harnish is a retired United Methodist pastor, writer, and teacher. He served in pastoral ministry in Florida for 43 years, including 22 years as senior pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida. He and his wife, Martha Lea, live in Longwood, Florida. They have 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren.