Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

April 18, 2011

What's Your Sign?
By Ryan Duncan, Editor for TheFish.com

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. – 2 Thessalonians 3:3

I recently stumbled across an interesting Facebook thread. One of my friends had met a young man who claimed to be a Christian, but also believed in the zodiac. My friend had created the thread asking other Christians for their opinions on this, and as you probably guessed, most of them wrote back that it was all garbage. Some of them even called horoscopes "demonic" and quoted Deuteronomy 18 for emphasis.

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,  or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. -  Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Surprisingly, a number of people also rose to the zodiacs' defense. A few argued that they fit their sign description to a "T," or that the little predictions sometimes came true. One person even stated that God had declared that the heavens were for "signs and seasons" in Genesis 1:14 and that Matthew 2 records the Magi using astrology to discover the birth of Jesus.

The whole thing made me curious. So I got on the internet, found my astrological sign, and started browsing the supposed character qualities. Honestly, it was pretty accurate. It even listed traits about myself I really didn't like. Maybe there was something to all this zodiac stuff, but then, why all the fuss about it in Christian circles? I mean, reading your horoscope wasn't exactly summoning the devil. The question stuck in my mind for a few days until I overheard my parents telling an old story of theirs.

It goes like this. A young woman had recently come to Christ. One day, the church she attended hosted a breakfast for its new members, and by some random act of chance, she ended up sitting next to the senior pastor. Wanting to make conversation, she turned to the pastor and asked, "So, what's your sign?" The pastor turned to her with narrowed eyes and replied, "Why, the Cross of Jesus Christ."

A little rude? Perhaps, but I think his response hits the nail on the head. The problem with horoscopes, aside from the whole sorcery deal, is that they're a petty form of idolatry. When we look at stars for answers, we are essentially telling God that he's not good enough. It shows we would rather depend on constellations instead of putting our trust in the all-powerful God who loves us.

So, does the zodiac have any special powers? The answer: it doesn't matter. We don't need to look at the stars. We have Christ, and there is no better sign to live under.

Intersecting Faith and Life

Are you putting something else in front of God? Try to rely more on your Heavenly Father.

Further Reading

2 Timothy 2:13     

[Judy Harder]

April 19, 2011

There's Power in the Blood
Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb.

"There Is Power in The Blood"
Words & Music: Lewis E. Jones

I recently watched Cecil B. DeMille's classic 1956 film, The Ten Commandments. And if you haven't seen it in a long time, then I recommend it for an old-school, over-the-top movie experience (while keeping in mind, of course, that this is storytelling done Hollywood style).

Sometimes campy in its performances, the film still caused me to crack open my Bible to the book of Exodus and revisit how God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and communicate the Law to his chosen people.

Before that pivotal scene in the movie, though, four of the ten plagues that the Lord called for when Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go from Egypt are depicted on-screen. As I watched the acting during the final and tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, I marveled that the Israelites were protected from this by the institution of The Passover.

In Exodus 12, the Lord instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that they are to sacrifice a lamb (without defect) for each household and that the blood must then be placed on the sides and the tops of the doorframes of each home.

The movie showed the Israelites (who were still slaves in Egypt at that point) wiping the blood around their doors. After that, the Bible says, they were instructed to eat the meat of the sacrifice in a very specific way. On that very same night, the Lord passed through Egypt and struck down the firstborn—both men and animals—and brought judgment upon the land.

But the homes marked with lamb's blood were "passed over" and were saved from death. There was definitely power in that blood. But why is that? Because the blood was the means of deliverance and provided protection. Yes, God's pledge of mercy to the Israelites was established. But an animal's blood was needed to atone for their sins.

"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life" (Lev. 17:11).

And this requirement for blood sacrifice pointed the way to the Messiah, the Lamb of God who was yet to come.

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

John the Baptist also fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 40 when he called people to repent because the Messiah was soon coming.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn. 1:29).

When we receive Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, it HIS blood that washes our sins away. And THIS is the power that saves us!

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. ... If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. ... He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 Jn. 1:7, 9, 2:2).

Do you believe that there 's power in the blood? If you've never accepted this free gift of salvation, I invite you to find out more in the Who Is Jesus? section at Crosswalk.com. You, too, can be redeemed through Christ's atoning sacrifice and the power of his blood that was shed for you.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Put yourself in the context of Isaiah 53:5:  "But he was pierced for [my] transgressions, he was crushed for [my] iniquities; the punishment that brought [me] peace was upon him." Does this humble your heart and bring you to your knees today?

Further Reading:

Romans 3:21-26
1 Peter 1:17-21

[Judy Harder]

April 20, 2010

A Springtime Mystery
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Romans 1:20

When was the last time you wondered if spring would ever come? Not in the ironic sense - really wondered if winter might last forever, something like the 100 years of winter in Narnia. My guess is never. Most of America lives in the reality of four seasons, and we expect the Earth to naturally cycle from winter to spring to summer to fall. We expect trees to unfurl new leaves this time of year because they're supposed to.

But what if they didn't? What if the trees bloomed in winter when their new leaves would freeze, or what if their flowers matured into hornets' nests instead of apples? What if they didn't bloom at all?

In his autobiographical work, Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton remembers his journey from agnosticism to faith including such nonsensical questions. Before he became the great 20th century apologist, he was a man confined to the world of determinism, where the natural world was governed by impersonal laws or nothing. But observing spring outside his window, he was struck by the wonderful fact that for some reason, trees do indeed bloom into fruit.

"They talked as if the fact that trees bear fruit were just as necessary as the fact that two and one trees make three. But it is not... You cannot imagine two and one not making three. But you can easily imagine trees not growing fruit..."

"I had always vaguely felt facts to be miracles in the sense that they were wonderful: now I began to think them miracles in the stricter sense that they were willful. I mean that they were, or might be, repeated exercises of some will. In short, I had always believed that the world involved magic: now I thought that perhaps it involved a magician." (Orthodoxy)

I owe Chesterton a great debt, because he taught me to be amazed at everyday grace. After all, how often do we marvel that the sky is blue (or grey) instead of orange or electric pink? Yet again, familiarity breeds contempt, and we forget what incredible world this "magician" made and keeps in order. Like children who see the same magic trick one too many times, we stop wondering "how did he do that?" and are bored until we see something new.

I use the term "magician" loosely - God is no mere conjurer of tricks, and Jesus didn't feed the 5,000 just to wow the crowd. But I wonder that we lose our wonder of this world, even in its fallen state. As Paul writes in Romans, the evidence of God's incredible, "eternal power" and transcendent, "divine nature" is right in front of our eyes. How do forget a God so great that He makes trees bloom?

As Virginia turns to spring again, I can't help but look outside and be amazed. To paraphrase Chesterton, the fact that grass is really green - and so perfectly suited for spring time sports - truly is a miracle, a supernaturally guided fact. What an awesome God.

Intersecting Faith & Life: When was the last time you took a look outside? Consider that "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 8:1) and the Earth is the work of his hands. Are you properly inspired to worship their Creator?

Further Reading:

Psalm 8
Psalm 33:5
Genesis 8:22

[Judy Harder]

April 21, 2011

A Clear Conscience
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
Romans 6: 12-13

This time of year tends to inspire a certain level of introspection among people. The other night I attended a Bible and catechism study at a friend's apartment. To kick off our evening, my friend's husband read an "examination of conscience." After opening with prayer, Keith read what Jesus said was the greatest commandment: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22: 37). He then proceeded to read a litany of ways we can potentially fail to love God. The list was achingly thorough.

I didn't feel terribly comfortable as I felt my perceived "goodness" melt away.

"Sin" is not a common term used in our culture today. It's much easier to speak of our shortcomings in the context of psychology or environmental influences or biological predispositions. But the truth is, as creatures of free will, sometimes we just decide to do the wrong thing. We act selfishly when we could have been selfless. We get angry when we should have shown mercy. We seek personal gain at the cost of another.

But the point of this exercise was not to shame us. We listened to Keith read the list with full knowledge that:

a) All present in the room are guilty of falling short.

c) As creatures with free will, we can make better choices tomorrow.

b) God's mercy and transforming grace is available to us every moment of every day to help us shed the "old self" and put on the new.

The most profound result of doing an examination of conscience had little to do with feeling guilty – instead, it renewed our appreciation for God's great love for us. Romans 5: 8 sums this up beautifully and for that reason it's quoted often: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ, with full knowledge of our darkest moments, died out of love for you and me when most of us wouldn't sacrifice half as much for a virtuous friend.

But we can't stop with this realization – we can't presume on God's mercy, doing as we please thinking "Oh, I can just repent later...." This attitude would be a terrible sin in it of itself. With full knowledge of Christ's sacrificial love, how we live our lives now matters more than ever. So, what if we took this time before Easter to tackle sin more intentionally in our lives? What if we identified our sin, confessed it to the Lord, and committed to practical ways of replacing each sin with a virtue?

Of course, it would be daunting to try to achieve perfection – we simply can't "acquire" holiness purely with our own efforts. But I am seeing in my own life that a more purposeful approach to sin is an integral part of maturing as a follower of Christ. Not to mention, "coming clean" with God can feel incredibly freeing.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Honestly examine your life in light of God's Word. A good way to start an examination of conscience is by praying Psalm 139, verse 23-24: "Search me, O God..." Then, hold up your life to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17). Don't forget to consider what resides in your heart, not just what you've physically done (example: "Thou shalt not murder" -- consider if you've held lingering hatred for someone. Or "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" – consider if you, out of envy, spread gossip about someone). Confess, perhaps even to your pastor or an accountability partner, the ways you've sinned against God, thank God for His forgiveness, and ask Him for the grace to change. Don't get discouraged if you have many areas that need change – we're all works in progress.

Further Reading

Ephesians 4: 21-32
James 5: 16
How Repentance Heals the Broken Heart

[Judy Harder]

April 22, 2011

Easter: All That Matters vs. All I Live For
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Managing Editor

He has risen, just as He said.
Matthew 28:6, NIV

What would I ever do if someone I knew came back from the dead? Especially if he had said he would, and if he had spent a couple nights in a grave already?

Seriously, what would I do? What would you do? Wouldn't I blab to everyone I know - and most people I don't - about this miraculous event? Heck, I tell everyone when I'm feeling under the weather or when I saw a good movie.

Then factor in that the same guy was now telling us that because of what he had done, none of the rest of us would ever have to suffer death. What's more, simply by believing what we had seen, no matter our background, history, race, or education, we could restore our long-lost connection with the Almighty, and live forever.

Man... unfortunately, I'm having a hard time conceiving what I would do. Or, even if I can conceive it, I can't quite believe it, because honestly, I have seen this, I do believe this, and yet my daily reaction to it doesn't exactly line up with The Acts of the Apostles.

Has the news of a resurrected savior really become passe?

Why don't I want to read Acts?

What am I afraid of?

That I'll be rejected?

(He who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:).

That I won't be powerful enough?

(God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7)).

That the good news isn't relevant enough?

Salvation and the message of the resurrection, the miracle of born again-ness, is a salve to all wounds.

This Easter I'll join choruses like "He's Alive" while pondering and praising the miracle, but when it comes time for the next day of my life to begin, a day and a life that means nothing if not lived for my Savior, it'll be all about me again and my troubles and making my way and who cut me off and what I have to get done and who I don't like and what can we complain about today.

Yuck.

I want this Easter to be real. Because I did see it happen (so to speak; the resulting spread of those who ran to the corners of the earth to tell the story with no regard for personal safety is traceable to this day), it is real, and I'm cheating life and people God loves if I'm not shouting those facts from every corner and rooftop I can find. Everything else is just window dressing; "Christian living" is often just how we pass all our extra time in this country where so many of our basic needs are so easily met, and where we can cordon ourselves off from each other. What matters in life?

1.     That there is life, and...

2.     how it came about that there might never be death, but...

3.     there are still dead men walking.

Really, why else are we here if not to keep excitedly shouting the truth of the miracle as if we'd just experienced it with our own eyes yesterday?

Intersecting Faith & Life: For the longest time, I've felt a leading in my heart to launch out into a complete study of the book of Acts, something I've never fully done. For some reason, I continue to put it off. But in my quest this year to make Easter real, I'm beginning a study of what those who witnessed the resurrection couldn't keep themselves from going out and doing. Care to join me?

Further Reading
Acts 1

[Judy Harder]

April 25, 2011

Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
Alex Crain
Editor, Christianity.com

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3


Just before our second son, Henry, was born earlier this year I remember standing with my wife in the nursery, looking around and just taking in everything. The wooden crib stood assembled and accessorized with matching mobile, blankets, padding and pillows. Diapers, booties and footy pajamas were tucked away in the bureau. The oak rocking chair sat sturdily in the corner nearest the window. In only a matter of days a tiny boy would fill that little room with life and great joy.

People love babies. There is an unexplainable excitement that surrounds the beginning of life. But as soon as the day of birth arrives, it becomes simultaneously the most important day and least important day of one's life. It is the most important because, without it, one wouldn't have life; but it is also least important because it is only the starting point and then it's past. After the moment of birth, the most important thing is, of course, living.

Obvious as it seems, I was reminded while reading Francis Schaeffer's book, True Spirituality, that many professing Christians seem to languish in denial of this fact regarding the moment of their own spiritual birth. Ask a friendly, "how is your relationship with the Lord?" and you may hear an answer emphasizing a past decision, a moment of crisis, or an experience—as if past events were all that mattered. Schaeffer wrote,

"In one way, the new birth is the most important thing in our spiritual lives, because we are not Christians until we have come this way. In another way, however, after one has become a Christian, it must be minimized, in that we should not always have our minds only on our new birth. The important thing after being born spiritually is to live." (ch. 1)

Yes, we are grateful for the past. We look forward expectantly to the bright future ahead with Christ in His manifest presence. But our present walk with Christ, right now, is the most important moment. Romans 14:17 says, "The kingdom of God is [present tense] ... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

First John 1:7 reaffirms this emphasis on the present—true spirituality is concerned with walking [present tense] in the light "as He is [present tense] in the light, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us [present tense] from all sin."

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Refocus today on your present walk with Christ. If your fellowship with the Lord is broken, let 1 John 1:8-9 illumine the path. It says, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Trust God's promise of forgiveness and cleansing in Christ, and begin to walk with Him again. The important thing after being born spiritually is to live spiritually.

Further Reading

Psalm 86:7-12

Continuous Revival, by Norman Grubb (Chapter 1: "The Walk")

[Judy Harder]

April 26, 2011

The Race
By Ryan Duncan, TheFish.com Editor

For I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith - 2 Timothy 4:7

On April 2nd, my home city of Richmond held its annual 10k run through the historic Monument Avenue. Thousands of people turned out to join the race, while others crowded the sidelines to wave signs, shout encouragement, or play music for the passing runners. As for me, I found myself somewhere in the middle of the moving heard, running at a steady jog. Initially, I had been unsure about joining the 10k. Sure, I enjoyed jogging every now and then, but a 10k was completely different.

This race would be fun, but it would also be hard. That thought followed me all morning as I lined up in my starting position.  I began having visions of my lifeless body sprawled across Monument Avenue, trampled to death by Olympic sprinters and power-walking grandmothers alike. The buzzer sounded and we took off, and for the first mile or so everybody was ok. Soon enough though, all that running began to sink in.

I started passing people who had slowed to a walk, while a few individuals stopped off for momentary breaks on the side of the road. To be honest, there were times I was close to joining them. So why didn't I? Because I wasn't running alone. I ended up running the 10k with a co-worker of mine named Marvin, and throughout the race we helped each other keep pace. Having a friend by you is always great because when things get tough, they'll encourage you, and you're able to do the same for them. In the end, I finished the race in fifty-eight minutes, a personal best for me.

Paul often compared the Christian life to a race, and I can see why. The Christian life is not easy, sometimes there are moments when you're so tired you just was to give up. Sometimes there are moments when you want to compromise, just a little bit, because it would make things easier. Sometimes you're not sure you have the strength to go another mile. I believe that is why God created the Church, because when someone is running beside you, you somehow find the strength to keep going.

The problem is, we Christians often try to go it alone. Maybe we are ashamed of the baggage we're carrying or maybe we don't want to appear weak. Whatever the reason, we keep people at arm's length and try to power on alone, taking everything with our own strength, but it never works. That's because the whole point of the Christian faith is that we can't win by ourselves. We can only reach salvation through the grace of Christ, and we can only hope to live the Christian life by helping each other. So don't be afraid to ask for help, we were never meant to finish the race alone.       

Intersecting Faith and Life

Is there anything troubling you that you need help with? Reach out to someone in your Church or small group and ask for their help. Has someone come to you with a personal problem? Don't turn your back on them just because it makes you uncomfortable.

Further Reading

2 Thessalonians 3:5

[Judy Harder]

April 27, 2011

The Iniquity of Us All
Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ~ Isaiah 53:4-6, KJV

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of singing George Frideric Handel's Messiah in concert. It was probably the third or fourth time I've performed this great oratorio—which Handel wrote in just 24 days back in 1741—but perhaps the first time I've really stopped to consider the words and felt them so deeply that I was moved to tears.

Maybe it's due to the fact that I'm also studying Isaiah in Bible study right now, and that Messiah's libretto is drawn so heavily from this prophetic book.

Many associate Messiah with Christmas, but it was originally written to coincide with the Easter season as it illustrates a Savior, Christ the Lord, who saved the world through his victory over death. In my times of reflection during Holy Week last week and in preparation for Ascension Day, the movements that have been most meaningful to me are those that illustrate Isaiah 53 so beautifully and communicate what Jesus did for you and me through his sacrifice on the Cross ...

Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows ...These words are from the 22nd movement of Messiah, and I cannot sing them with getting a lump in my throat. "He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities." Yes, it is my sin. And it's personal. But it's not something I like to think about that often, especially as a lifelong believer who likes to think she's got her spiritual act together. But it is a powerful reminder of the truth that I need a Savior—someone to save me from my depravity, someone who gave his life so that I might live for him.

And with His stripes we are healed ...That's all the text there is to sing in the 23rd movement. Over and over again this phrase is repeated throughout. Why was this phrase singled out to have its very own movement? I don't know, but I can't sing it without realizing the amazing love that came forth from God the Father to sacrifice his Son for me. Because he suffered, died and rose again, I am clothed in righteousness. His body was beaten and broken so that I could be made whole. That is amazing love!

All we like sheep ...In the next movement of Messiah, the 24th, we are reminded how, even as believers, we are so much like sheep. We become easily distracted. We get tired of following the Shepherd. Each of us wants to go his or her own way. I know I struggle with that on a daily basis. And because I am so prone to wander, that means I need a Shepherd who will protect me and keep me on my path. The ending line, and the remarkably slower tempo of the final section of this movement, reminds me of this and the consequences of living for myself: "And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Jesus did what I couldn't. He was the spotless and blameless Lamb, and he gave up his life to save me from my sins and give me hope for eternity. 

I invite you to read through these passages in Isaiah 53 today and to take a hard look at yourself, at your condition, at your lifestyle, at your choices. Are you living for the moment? For what feels good? For what is comfortable? For what will get you by?

Let the impact that "the iniquity of us all" was laid on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that he suffered, bled and died for you really sink in. Your life was bought and purchased. Your transgressions were blotted out, and you have been made clean (Psa. 51:1-2). May the indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15) of God's Son make a difference in how you choose to live today.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

First John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Do you believe that? When we confess, he will forgive. Praise God that Messiah has come, and we are no longer separated by our sins!

Further Reading:

Rom. 3:22-24, NIV

Rom. 8:1-2, NIV

1 Cor. 15:57, NIV

[Judy Harder]

April 28, 2011

Prayer at the Pump?
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..." (Matthew 6:7-9)

We know God cares about something as small as a sparrow, because he says so. But does he care about the price of gasoline?

My husband couldn't help stirring the pot during a recent youth group discussion, and pulled out a news story on a subject. Down in Dublin, Georgia, one pastor is leading his congregation in literal prayers at pump once a month, where they ask the Lord to drop the price by at least $1.50. And they pray for prayer at the pump to spread across the state.

The pastor of Beacon of Light Christian Center, Marshall Mabry, says, "I don't understand how anybody can say God doesn't have anything to do with gas prices. God has everything to with the country.... Prayer is always my foundation, and I can always go back to God in prayer."

Do you agree? The kids in our youth group found themselves first agreeing, then questioning, then agreeing, and so on for the whole discussion. The idea of praying at the pump generates some fundamental questions, such as, why do we pray? What good is prayer? If God knows what we need, why ask? What should we pray about?

I'm certainly not going to try answering all those questions in the span of one devotional, but I will point back to the ultimate model for our prayers: Christ's example in the Lord's Prayer. Let's consider just a couple things embedded in that prayer:

God wants us to pray.That's why Jesus bothered to provide us with a model for how we should go about it. We're told to pray even though God already knows what we need. That means he is not bothered by our prayers, but wants our attention and our trust.

Only one line in the prayer is about stuff.As a man, Jesus required the same necessities we do, but "give us our daily bread" is all he says about food, shelter, and clothing. He asks for just enough to sustain him day to day, and then moves on. Why? Because he knew that God always finds a way to provide, even if it's in unexpected ways.

We're praying to "Our Father."We don't pray to a sovereign deity who deigns to give us good weather if we offer the right words and rituals. Instead, Christ's directive indicates that we pray to a Father who loves and cares for us – and desires a relationship with us. That relationship status automatically directs our prayers beyond our wants and needs.

Intersecting Faith & Life: You've probably heard the acronym "ACTS" used as a prayer guide – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Notice how the bit in which we ask for our needs comes at the very end, after we've spent time admiring who God is in light of who we are and what he's done for us. It's a lot harder to stay focused on those truths than we realize. This week, try using ACTS as a reminder. And most importantly, get praying!

[Judy Harder]

April 29, 2011

He Defeated Death
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21: 12 - 14)

Recently, my husband and I attended a forum to discuss the increasingly controversial issues surrounding end of life decisions. The event was intended to approach the topic from a Christian worldview, drawing on the Christian teachings of the dignity of human life.

Most of us came expecting experts to delve into the ways we can ethically preserve a person's life in a culture all too quick to promote what Pope John Paul II coined "the culture of death." This aspect of end-of-life issues is a very important one, and it was discussed at length. But before we got to those topics, a local trauma surgeon gave the first talk. And her words sunk in deeply with the entire room.

She highlighted the reality that death is part of human life, and when it's a person's time, it's okay to die. She offered ways families can come to recognize - and find peace - when that time comes.

I can't lie - these words were hard to hear even though we all, deep down, know we are mere mortals. Nobody wants to die. Nobody wants to think about death. It is strangely easier to discuss heavy issues such as battling diseases or unethical procedures than to discuss the need to accept natural death.

Undoubtedly, part of our hesitancy to discuss the topic is fueled by our own sense of self-preservation and fear of loss. But I also think the topic is difficult because as Christians we celebrate life - and rightly so. We are people of hope, people who cherish the gift of life and the blessings that come with it. For centuries, Christians have been among the first to defend life and promote the dignity of even the tiniest, most fragile person.

But the trauma surgeon's talk about preparing for natural death does not run contrary to being people of hope. She spoke these words in light of our true hope: Jesus Christ. She highlighted that while we should not prematurely end our earthly lives - because, yes this life is a gift - there is eternal life with Jesus Christ awaiting those who believe. Our time here is a time of preparation for the fullness of life in Christ. She said (to paraphrase), "Natural death of a loved one or even our own is the time we are called to put into practice that faith we've developed year after year as church attendees, deepening our relationship with the Lord."

During this Easter week, we celebrate the resurrection of the risen Christ. Jesus Christ faced all the loneliness, pain, and fear that comes with death and conquered it. And as we read the Easter scriptures, we see that he did not disappear or abandon his disciples after the resurrection, but walked among them in his glorified state to offer further hope and instruction. So now, as we celebrate this profound moment in salvation history, we must ask ourselves: Do we truly believe He has conquered death and will never abandon us? As Christians, we can say yes with confidence.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you know someone who is ill or even grieving a loss? Find a way to be Christ's comforting presence for that person this week even if it's through a small gesture like a card.

Further Reading:

Acts 4: 1 - 12
John 21: 1 - 14