April Fool
April Fool’s Day began in the late 16th century when the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1. Those who kept the old tradition were called fools, which began a new tradition of pulling pranks.A recent prank I’m aware of was the releasing of three pigs into a school building (but not before numbering them 1, 2, and 4). What a surprise for those looking for pig number 3!
April 14, 2014
As we approach Good Friday and Easter, how have Jesus’ death and resurrection affected your life?
the main event
In John Irving’s Prayer for Owen Meany, Owen announced the distinct importance of Jesus’ resurrection: “Anyone can be sentimental about the nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas. But Easter is the main event.”
taken
There are three major events in Jesus’ life that most Christian churches commemorate with special services: Christmas, celebrating Jesus’ incarnation and birth; Good Friday, commemorating His crucifixion and death; and Easter Sunday,celebrating His resurrection—His coming back from the dead. Some churches include Pentecost Sunday as the church’s birthday. There is, however, one important event that is forgotten by most Christians: Ascension Day—the day Jesus was taken into heaven. For some reason, our Lord’s return to heaven is not given the prominence in the church that it deserves.
a new genesis
A couple of years ago, as I was driving our son Wyatt to kindergarten, our conversation turned to resurrection. Understandably, Wyatt was perplexed about what it meant and how it worked. Finally, he asked the question for which he most wanted an answer. “Dad,” he asked, “when God raises us from the dead, are we going to be really alive? Or just alive in our head?”
you choose Q: does "Easter Day" please God?
Q: Does "Easter Day" please God? —Paul
A: “Easter” is not a biblical word, although it was used in Acts 12:4 of the King James Bible. The Greek word is actually the word “Pascha” (Hebrew: Pesach), which means “Passover.” This was the word used in later translations of Acts 12:4 (NLT, NAS, NKJV, NIV, ESV).
It’s true that Easter was originally…
making death smell better
Some years ago, I hopped aboard a plane in Simferopol, Ukraine, for a flight to Moscow. Officials had told me a separate Russian visa was unnecessary. They were wrong. Russian military stopped me at the plane’s door upon arrival in Moscow, detaining me overnight until they could stick me on a return flight the next morning. Meanwhile, my family was…
esteemed Easter
Sunday, April eighth, twenty-twelve—
to others, may be just another day,
but the more on it, the more Christians delve,
the more meaningful is Easter Sunday.
E – nter God’s presence with thanks and praise
A – llow Him to give us His embrace
S – ubmit to God out of love and respect
T – reasure His goodness…
April 2, 2012
What are you doing this week to reflect on Jesus’ passion?
February 27, 2012
What does Lent mean to you? In what ways do you acknowledge it?
scandalous grace
Imagine you’re a member of an organized crime ring with connections to corrupt city authorities. You discover someone who knows your gang’s every deed. One night you decide to round him up. He has to be silenced. Your thugs bring him to you and you hatch a devious plot.
A news conference is held the next morning. The mayor steps…
grave in springtime
It was the day between Good Friday and Easter. Winter had receded from the frozen landscape, so I ventured into the newly blossoming world. Hidden among the underbrush of our backyard, I discovered a small grave, complete with makeshift cross and crude headstone. On the gravesite, “H-O-L-L-Y” was spelled out in broken sticks and twigs. It was the name of…
life to the fullest - for Easter 2011
Much more than just a true story,
since the past for eternity,
is one that happened for glory,
that of the Holy Trinity.
Out of His great love for all man,
His Son, God was willing to send
that in Jesus, those who believe
will never die, but forever live.
Unlike Satan who comes to kill
in his ever deceiving ways,
Christ came to do the Father’s will
by redeeming us…
the perfect Lamb
Galatians 3:13-14: “Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He promised to…
