LUKE 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day‘?” And they remembered His words.

Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 John 4:7-19

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.

This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given to us from His Spirit. And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; for we are as He is in this world. There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He first loved us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and yet You come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him [to be baptized].

After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. And there came a voice from heaven:This is My beloved Son.I take delight in Him!

1 Peter 3:13-22
Undeserved Suffering

And who will harm you if you are passionate for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm.

In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few—that is, eight people —were saved through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.

Romans 6:1-4
The New Life in Christ

What should we say then? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.

Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission

The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 2:37-39
Forgiveness through the Messiah

When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?”

“Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

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The image is taken from the website for Suncreek United Methodist Church, depicting one of the stained glass windows in their sanctuary: “The sacrament of Baptism is revealed through the story of Jesus’ baptism. As when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him (Matthew 3:16). This window illustrates the dove descending from the heavens to lay claim upon God’s beloved child. The ritual of Baptism invites us to honor God’s loving claim upon our own lives, for we also are God’s beloved.”

ZECHARIAH 9:9-17

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your King is coming to you;
He is righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the horse from Jerusalem.
The bow of war will be removed,
and He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His dominion will extend from sea to sea,
from the Euphrates River
to the ends of the earth.

As for you, because of the blood of your covenant,
I will release your prisoners
from the waterless cistern.

Return to a stronghold,
you prisoners who have hope;
today I declare that I will restore double to you.

For I will bend Judah [as My bow];
I will fill that bow with Ephraim.
I will rouse your sons, Zion,
against your sons, Greece.
I will make you like a warrior’s sword.

Then the LORD will appear over them,
and His arrow will fly like lightning.
The Lord GOD will sound the trumpet
and advance with the southern storms.

The LORD of Hosts will defend them.
They will consume and conquer with slingstones;
they will drink and be rowdy as if with wine.
They will be as full as the sprinkling basin,
like [those] at the corners of the altar.

The LORD their God will save them on that day
as the flock of His people;
for they are like jewels in a crown,
sparkling over His land.

How lovely and beautiful they will be!
Grain will make the young men flourish,
and new wine, the young women.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

In some random surfing this morning, I ran across a wonderful resource, The Veritas Forum.  ”Veritas Forums are university events that engage students and faculty in discussions about life’s hardest questions and the relevance of Jesus Christ to all of life.” I found, and downloaded, a 2-part lecture on Christ’s resurrection to listen to during this Lent season. Then I noticed several lectures on C.S. Lewis. Titles are:

C.S. Lewis’ Spiritual Journey
Theology of Narnia
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien
An Evening with C.S. Lewis: Dramatic Performance
C.S. Lewis for the Third Millenium
C.S. Lewis and the Problem of Pain
Newman, C.S. Lewis and the University

Some are audio and video presentations. You can listen live or download. For those with Ipods (like me), to download into your Itunes:
1.  Right-click on the DOWNLOAD MP3 AUDIO link and select:  SAVE LINK AS…, then save it to whatever folder you choose (just remember where you saved it!).

2.  After the file has downloaded completely, open Itunes. Then select FILE, then ADD FILE TO LIBRARY. 

3.  Navigate to the file you  just downloaded and select/click on  it.  Itunes should now have added it to your library. Go to RECENTLY ADDED in Itunes to find it. 

Here is the lecture I just added from their site:

Why Does Jesus’ Resurrection Matter? 
Part 1  and Part 2

Again, I just found this site and just started to explore it so can’t go much beyond saying it appears to be a rich resource of thoughtful and insightful information. To SEARCH, select MEDIA at the upper toolbar on the site to access their search feature. Enjoy!

I wasn’t familiar with Charles Stanley until a lady in my Sunday school Beth Moore class mentioned the Blessings of Brokenness. I decided to look up the book on the Internet, and then landed on Stanley’s website In Touch Ministries. I know there are tons of Christian resources out there … but if you have never visited this before, I HIGHLY recommend it. LOTS of resources, Podcasts, devotionals, Bible studies. I noticed there was a Life Principles New King James Bible that included articles by Stanley with nearly 100% positive reviews. I would LOVE to purchase that but can’t afford it yet, so thought I would check his site to see if the Life Principles were there, and they ARE! The Life Principles Notes are wonderful, concise scripture studies in Adobe Acrobat format!

The freebie is their In Touch magazine, with articles plus daily devotionals. AND if you have high-speed Internet, don’t fail to check out the online flip magazine version of this. I’ve got the daily devotionals loaded into my Itunes, too. You can subscribe to the magazine, download it, check out the archives.

There’s LOTS more here to explore.

Here’s a list of the Life Principles Notes included on the site. I look forward to working through them. I’ve created a Word document that you can print out and check off the studies as you progress through them. Please note that these are each linked to their respective PDF documents on the In Touch website.

A Good Conscience

A Good Conscience, Part 2

A Mother’s Greatest Gift

Are You Limiting God’s Blessings?

Are You on Thin Ice with God?

Baptism: Option or Obligation

Bearing Each Other’s Burdens

Bearing the Greatest Burden

Can God Use You?

Confronting Closed Doors

Controlling Your Thoughts

Conviction and Condemnation

Cross, The: Where Wrath and Love Meet

Danger of Drifting, Part 1

Danger of Drifting, Part 2

Desires of Your Heart

Encouraging Message of the Resurrection

Exposing False Teachers

Extraordinary Life

Facing Life’s Obstacles: Facing Criticism and Praise

Facing Life’s Obstacles: Facing Our Failures

Facing Life’s Obstacles: Facing Our Fears

Facing Life’s Obstacles: Facing the Unknown with Confidence

Facing Obstacles: Facing Difficulties

Facing Our Loneliness, Part 1

Facing Our Loneliness, Part 2

Gift of Exhortation

Gift of Giving

Gift of Mercy

Gift of Organization

Gift of Prophecy

Gift of Service

Gift of Teaching

God’s Call to Genuine Repentance

God’s Purpose in the Storm

Good Conscience, Part 1

Good Conscience, Part 2

He Forgives Our Sin

He Uses Our Suffering

Help is On the Way

His Resurrection, Our Assurance

How Do You Honor Your Mother?

How to Build Truth into Your Life

How to End Well

How to Listen to the Word of God

In Father’s Footsteps

Inadequacy: Barrier or Blessing?

Inspiring Message of the Resurrection

Into All the World

Investing in Eternity

It’s Good to Give Thanks to God

Jesus – His First Appearance

Landmine of Compromise

Landmine of Fear

Landmine of Sexual Sin

Landmine of Slothfulness

Landmine of Unforgiveness

Letting God Handle Your Burdens

Liberated to Live

Life-Changing Prayer

Life’s Trials Explained

Living Godly in an Ungodly Age

Love in Its Highest Form

Message of the Cross

Only Way to Win

Our Trustworthy Guide

Power of a Personal Relationship

Power of Solitude

Protecting Your Future

Real Jesus

Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness

Release from the Bondage of Rejection

Seeking God’s Guidance

Sifted for Service

Spirit of the Antichrist

Thankful Heart

That All May Know Him

Walking through Dark Valleys

War Against Christmas

Way to Heaven

Ways of God: A God of Love

Ways of God: God Always Rewards Obedience

Ways of God: God Uses the Wicked to Accomplish His Purpose

Ways of God: God’s Schedule

Ways of God: God’s Surprise Visits

Ways of God: He Forgives Our Sin

Ways of God: He Keeps His Word

Ways of God: He Uses Our Suffering

Ways of God: The Best Way

Ways of God: The Things God Uses

When God Calls

When God Is Silent

When Your Fire Goes Out

Will of God: His Plan for You

My dear cousin-in-law Max recently passed away. He suffered a long battle with cancer, never wavering in his faith nor expressing self-pity — all the while retaining his characteristic sense of humor. He leaves behind his wonderful wife (my cousin, Darlene, who is one of the kindest, gentlest yet strongest souls I have ever been privileged to know) and his grown daughters. In writing a sympathy card to them, I came across this little poem in my old, old book Pearls From Many Seas that I found at the used book sale at our local library (published in 1904 and reflective of a generation that were fervent believers). Thought others might find comfort here, too:

God calls our loved ones, but we lose not wholly
What He hath given.
They live on earth, in thought and deed, as truly
As in His Heaven.

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER

Photo from this website: Sydney Webcam

I was baptized this morning at our church’s Easter sunrise service at the Columbia River. Simply an awesome experience. I have been unable to focus on much this week at all anyway with this in the back of my mind, but I had no idea what a moving and loving experience this is. Yes, the water was cold, but after doing this, I would not choose any OTHER way to do it. I just loved it. Though the forecast predicted possibly wind and rain (and early Saturday morning, temperatures had been well into freezing), this morning was not as cold. The air was perfectly still. It was cloudy, but a small break in the clouds allowed us to see a gorgeous sunrise. You could hear the flocks of geese in the distance. Just amazing to be a part of this. A young single mom who attended the same Alpha course as I did and 2 young children were also baptized.

I think the water temperature runs around 45 degrees Fahrenheit this time of year. I had no way to know exactly what to expect as far as that went, but that turned out to be surprisingly a nonissue.

So what a wonderful way to celebrate that He is risen! And the promise of a life in Christ!

I’d HIGHLY recommend this book to new Christians (like me) and also to those simply curious about Christianity. Those “seasoned” Christians will undoubtedly find some new perspectives here, also. In other words, this book is a must-read for just about anyone! If it helps any, it’s a relatively short read (NOT an “easy” read, though — your mind will be challenged!) He begins by first describing the belief in the existence of God and then progresses from that point to a discussion of Christianity.

I just finished listening to the (unabridged) audiobook of Mere Christianity, and I would HIGHLY recommend, if you’ve had difficulty absorbing the depth of this amazing work, to try listening to it first. And since Mere Christianity originally was a series of BBC radio broadcasts in the 1940s, read by Lewis himself I am waiting for a paperback version to go through it again, so I can highlight my favorite passages. I was lucky enough to find a grouped auction on Ebay of 5 C.S. Lewis classics. I won’t even attempt to write an analysis or review of this, because there is soooo much out there on the Web. I’ll list some sites that have study guides, forums, etc., that can facilitate your study and enjoyment of this. I really need to review the written work, but the things that stood out for me in this included:

The chapter on marriage:  Lewis wasn’t even married at the time he did these talks and wrote the book, but he’s right on the money for his view of a Christian marriage (or a successful marriage for that matter). Should be required reading for anyone BEFORE they get married and then repeatedly after that.

The notion of being given a soul to take care of:  I loved this idea as he presented it.

The chapter on pride: I am someone with very little “ego” problems, but I realized after reading this that it also has to do with being so shy and worried about “what people will think” that THAT’s pride too. It was a minor revelation for me. It was another reminder that it’s not all about “me” — and that includes being overly focused on how I am perceived by others.

If you’ve never read this book, I would encourage you to. Whether you are a new Christian or a “seasoned” one, I am certain you will find some exciting truths and interesting perspectives here that can only enhance your walk with Christ. Try the audiobook, too. The version I listened to is by Harper Audio, read by Geoffrey Howard. I was able to find it at my library. If your local public library doesn’t have it, perhaps it’s in your church library.

Here are some sites to explore while enjoying Mere Christianity:

Mere Christianity study guide: This is probably the most in-depth of the study guides listed here. It’s on Scholia.net and includes the same guide in downloadable Word version, too.

Mere Christianity study guide: This is another fairly in-depth study guide. The site provides helpful information on how specifically to use the study guide, including the types of questions that comprise the guide.

Mere Christianity study guide: A succinct yet thoughtful study guide to the book, chapter by chapter. It also serves as a brief outline to the book. I believe this was originally on another website no longer in existence, so I am thankful that it continues to be available.

Mere Christianity reading group guide: You need to scroll down midway down the page to find the study questions for Mere Christianity. Be sure and check out the rest of this site. There’s a discussion forum and a Lewis biography page, for example.

Mere Christianity: This is the entire book online.

Outline of Mere Christianity: This can be a helpful framework for study.

The Stations of the Cross are a way to meditate and enter into Christ’s final walk on earth. Generally meant to be walked, with prayer and meditation upon each station, one can also observe the Stations at any time, at home, privately if desired. The 14 depictions of Jesus’ death according to the Gospel are:

First Station: Jesus is condemned to die.
Caravaggio, Ecce Homo
“Behold your king,” says Pilate. “Away with him,” the people shout. And they sent you to your death.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, Light for our dark world, God come to save us, may we never send you away.
______________________________________________

Second Station: Jesus carries his cross.

Sebastiano del Piombo, Jesus Carrying the Cross

You were led to Calvary, Lord, carrying the cross by yourself. Yet was the cross only yours, or was it also mine you bore?

By your holy cross, O Jesus, make me strong and able to take up the cross I must bear.
______________________________________________

Third Station: Jesus falls the first time.

Relief sculpture at Via Delarosa, Jerusalem

How strange to see you fall as anyone does who cannot go on. And yet you rise again to take the few steps more you can. By your first fall, O Jesus, give your risen grace to those who fall and cannot rise.
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Fourth Station: Jesus meets his mother.

Raphael Sanzio, Lo Spasimo di Sicilia

O Mother of my Savior, you stand beside your Son. With love beyond all telling, you share his grief as one. How shall I know your sorrow, your tears beyond compare? Deep in my heart stand watching, and call my memory there.
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Fifth Station: Simon helps Jesus carry his cross.

Benvenuto di Giovanni, Simon Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

Simon, coming in from the fields, was pressed to carry your cross. Did he come to know you, Lord, walking by your side? By your meeting with the Cyrenean, may we find you in the stranger, and in the needy we meet.
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Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

Peter Paul Rubens, The Road To Calvary

A woman named Veronica kindly washed your face with a towel. Such a simple thing! A towel, a cup of water, a loving word. By your meeting with Veronica, Lord, help us value such small things, so great when given in your name.
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Seventh Station: Jesus falls the second time.

Stations of the Cross Shrine in San Luis, Colorado

Can God fall, a mighty God, whose hands uphold all that is? By your second fall, O Lord, remember how weak we are, remember our helplessness, remember our human frailty, and come to our assistance.
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Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.

David O’Connell, Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem

Women wept as you passed and you said, “Weep not for me but for your children.” Keep the grace of this meeting alive in our hearts, Lord. Keep us concerned for humanity’s children.
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Ninth Station: Jesus falls the third time.

Martin Schongauer, The Carrying of the Cross

Like water poured out, your strength is gone. You fall as if to the dust of death. By your third fall, O Lord, give us courage before our trials and patience to go on. Help us in our need.
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Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped.

Carolyn Gates, Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments

They divided your garment and cast lots for your clothes. Stripped of all dignity, you had nothing of your own. By your despoilment, O Lord, clothe us in your mercy which is rich beyond words.
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Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Gustave Dore, Nailing Christ to the Cross

Nailed to the cross, you know how many feel who, bound by circumstance, year by year get nowhere. By your riven hands and feet, Lord, help those fixed to a cross by long illness or misfortune.
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Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross.

Matthias Grunewald, The Crucifixion

Once the prophet said: “Who can believe our report?” God’s Servant, crushed in sorrow, pierced for our offenses! Shall we not stand watching, Lord, mourning the sins you bear, rejoicing in the pardon you bestow?
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Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Michelangelo, Pieta

Resting in your mother’s arms when taken from the cross, you died trusting a Father’s care, faithful unto death. By your holy death, O Lord, give us an unfailing trust in God, commend us to your Father’s hands.
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Fourteenth Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Titian, Entombment of Christ

You were buried in a garden tomb, like a seed fallen into the ground, waiting to rise again. Lord, help us rise again after dying with you. May all who have fallen asleep rise again.
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Remembering The Passion: Stations of the Cross