Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

Growing Pains
Laura MacCorkle
Senior Editor at Crosswalk.com

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Ouch, ouch . . . OUCH! I thought to myself while lying in bed one night. My legs REALLY do hurt!

I was nearing my teenage years, and my prepubescent body was in the middle of a growth spurt. Later on in life, my mom told me that she had known I was going to be tall even as a young child, because of the great distance between my hip bones and my knees—it was a pretty good stretch and still is!

Those of us who are taller (or "closer to heaven" as I sometimes jokingly say) have known these growing pains all too well in our formative years. I spent many nights like that with much cramping and twitching and discomfort as I tried to rest. Now it wasn't that excruciating to feel my legs growing longer, but it surely wasn't pleasant. Regardless, I needed to grow physically in order to become the woman that God had designed and purposed for me to be.

If they could talk, I'm sure many of the flowers around us this first day of spring might say the same thing in this refreshing season of the year. They're in the midst of a growth spurt as well. What was once hidden from the human eye is now bursting through sometimes rocky and root-filled ground and ready to realize its full potential. I'm sure it's not exactly an entirely pleasant growing process either, even though it eventually yields a glorious beauty that can be appreciated by all and undoubtedly points to the master Creator.

I dare say it's similar to the Christian walk, is it not? Usually the times of growth in our lives are painful and involve traveling through a dark valley. And then there's usually a turning to the Lord. It's just what we do as humans. When we hurt, when we are pressed upon, when we experience discomfort in our lives, we cry out and turn to our Creator.

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer (Psa. 4:1).

I've called out in this manner many, many times in my life. And although I wasn't immediately delivered from whatever difficult circumstances I was going through at the time, I knew that God was with me, working in me and walking right beside me as I made my way along the valleys.

Pastor Tony Evans of "The Alternative" radio broadcast ministry reminds us ...

"If you're in emotional turmoil, know by faith the Lord is with you. And know that means that his power is there and his grace is there. And what they will do is comfort you. . . . There is a valley that God calls us to walk through. . . . What I can promise you is that in the valley of the shadow . . . that you don't have to walk through alone . . . God will be with you and if you will cast your eyes on Jesus Christ, he will meet you where you are. So you keep walking. You don't throw in the towel . . . you don't walk this road alone."

When we go through valleys in life, we are changed because this is by God's design. And our victories point to the One who has brought us through. Praise God for the new life he gives us through Jesus Christ! And praise him that he doesn't give up on us as we continue growing in him!

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psa. 100:5).

Intersecting Faith & Life: As long as you have walked with God, how many times has he failed you? And how many times have you strayed away and failed him? Our Father patiently takes care of us as we grow in faith. Let's thank him for his loving-kindness today!

Further Reading:

Isa. 43:2

2 Cor. 5:17

Phil. 2:12

2 Peter 3:18

[Judy Harder]

Be Like the Bereans
by Anna Kuta
News and Culture Editor at Crosswalk.com

"Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
Acts 17:10-11

The first part of Acts 17 tells the story of Paul and Silas' missionary journey through the cities of Thessalonica and Berea. The chapter begins with Paul and Silas arriving in Thessalonica to preach and share the gospel in the synagogue of the Jews, as was Paul's typical approach: "Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ'" (Acts 17:2-3). Paul and Silas' teachings converted many, but some Jews who weren't persuaded became angry and caused an uproar in the city, gathering a mob to attack the house of the Christian man named Jason who was hosting Paul and Silas. With the help of some believers, they escaped at nighttime to Berea.

Upon their arrival in Berea, Paul and Silas again went to the Jewish synagogue, but here they had a warmer reception. The Bereans proved much more eager to hear their message than the Jews in Thessalonica. As Acts 17:11 says, the Bereans "were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word in all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:12 goes on to say that many Bereans then believed, including many prominent Greek men and women.

What a lesson we can all learn from the Bereans. When Paul and Silas preached, the Bereans didn't merely take them at their word – they searched through the Jewish scriptures to test and ascertain that what they were hearing lined up with God's word. Then, when they discovered that the doctrine of Christ affirmed the Jewish scriptures, they received the message gladly. Acts 17:11 also makes a point to mention that they searched the scriptures every day – not just on the Sabbath.

The importance of constantly searching the Scriptures cannot be overstated. All preaching of man should be weighed against the inerrant word of God, and it is imperative that we know what the Bible says in order to avoid being deceived by wrong doctrines. In a world where there are innumerable false religions and false takes on Christianity, the most important thing we can do is become like the Bereans. The doctrine of Christ not only stands up to the toughest scrutiny, it stands strong as the beacon of truth and the divine standard by which everything else should be measured.

Intersecting Faith & Life

We should all strive to follow the excellent example of the Bereans by searching the Scriptures constantly and by receiving the truth of God's word readily. Determine to examine all preaching and doctrine against the Word of God – making the Bible your ultimate gauge by which you test everything you read or hear.

Further Reading

Acts 17

2 Timothy 3:16

[Judy Harder]

True Love for the Poor

Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13: 34

Lent is a time when believers not only meditate on Christ's suffering, but they reach out to those in need.  In light of this practice, I want to share an experience my husband and I had this weekend with a special group of Christians who understand the command to love one another at the deepest level. My husband and I spent a recent Sunday afternoon at a home run by The Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are a religious order dedicated to the care of the elderly. St. Jeanne Jugan founded the order in revolutionary-era France. Like so many other founders and foundresses of religious communities, she didn't set out to start an order. She simply saw a need in her community and answered God's call to meet that need through her own life.

St. Jeanne Jugan's work with the elderly began in her teens when she would beg on behalf of the elderly poor. As a young woman, she rejected a sailor's proposal, sensing God had consecrated life in mind for her even though she did not know all the details yet of how it would play out. After years of living a life of prayer and service, she realized God wanted her to serve the elderly in particular. As more and more aging and poor came to her doorstep, young women joined her in service and the order began.

Today, the Little Sisters have homes all over the world. My husband's grandmother now lives in one. This is what brought us to our local Little Sisters.

I am not an expert on caring for the elderly, but I've certainly visited nursing homes before. My most memorable experiences occurred during my own grandmother's stays in several local nursing homes. I know how dismal these places can feel.

Our visit to the Little Sisters was anything but dismal. Everything was so peaceful and well-kept. The nuns, in full habit, were eager to meet me and the rest of the extended family. My husband's grandmother, already settled in to her new place, used her new walker to give us a tour of the place. It was neat to see her walking faster than I'd ever seen her walk.

We saw the handicap accessible chapel where a service is offered every single day - and the sisters will even wheel your bed in if need be. As we stood outside the chapel, another resident zipped by in her walker. A nun smiled and mentioned how she is always visiting the chapel to pray for her many grandchildren. We saw the calendar filled with events and visitors. We saw the handrails, wheeled chairs, and even the salon - every detail of the place's design was focused on allowing life to be lived to the fullest.

Beyond the practical details that make life easier for the elderly, the attitude that each human being has inherent dignity and worth permeated the place. The nuns were attentive to everyone, young and old, no matter how healthy or sick. As mentioned above, the residents were bright-eyed and social. Nobody was a burden or a lost cause (or a cause at all, for that matter). A small sign at the front desk showed a smiling picture of one of their residents who had recently passed, expressing gratitude for her and asking for prayers.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are immersed in the realities and complexities of aging day in and day out. And they are just one of many unsung organizations that reach out to those in need, not just once during Lent, but every single day for as long as they are needed.

It's true that the Little Sisters' lives are not glamorous. They receive no earthly reward - not even a high-paying salary - and yet they are happy, beautiful women and interesting conversationalists. These women have created an environment of love and expert care that so many other facilities struggle to achieve, and it's precisely because of their love for Christ.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Is God calling you to increase your service to others? Pray about ways you can reach out to others in need this Lent.

[Judy Harder]

Overcoming the Past
by Stephen Sanders
Audio/Video Editor at Salem Web Network

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Philipians 3:12-14

Last night, I went to a college basketball game with my wife and kids. For the first time in a really long time, I was overwhelmed with a sense of not fitting in with those around me. As we sat and waited for the game to begin, my discomfort level steadily increased with every college kid that filled that arena. The clothing trends, the blaring hip-hop music and the comradery between the students took me back to a place in time that I tend to block out. As I drove home, I couldn't help but ponder all the pressures of my teenage years.

Now don't get me wrong, I love to reminisce about the good ole days just as much as the next guy. I think we all have at least a few fond memories that cause us to close our eyes and think about the things that we really miss. For example, if you are anything like me, there will never be a better era for music than when I was in high school.

Grunge bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots were still cranking out mainstream hits. Bands like Incubus and Rage Against the Machine were at the forefront of what would soon be called the Nu Metal movement. And I was still faithfully rockin' that same green flannel shirt from middle school. Yep, those were the days...

The good memories are something that I revisit quite frequently at this point in my life. After all, I am in my 30s now, and I am getting a gray hair or two in the old beard. I even noticed the other day that I'm starting to make strange grunting noises when I sit down or stand up, like I'm in pain or something. What's up with that?!?! I also have a teenager living in my house, which never fails to take me back to all that teenage drama. My point is: it's fun to think about the fun stuff, but usually not so fun to relive the not-so-fun stuff.

For me, the not-so-fun side of high school was being the loner. Now I'm not talking about that super cool James Dean or even that Arthur Fonzarelli kind of loner/rebel. See, I was always the guy in high school who didn't really fit in with anyone; at least, I never felt like I did anyway.

It's funny because I don't tend to be that way anymore. Since I became a Christian in 2002, I feel like I've slowly become more confident in who I am. I don't tend to be so concerned about how other people perceive me, but rather try to understand that everyone has been created differently; that all we have control over is ourselves and how we choose to interact with the other 7 billion people on planet earth.

So, last night as I drove home from the game, I asked God to help me learn from what I was feeling. Why was I so uncomfortable and so bitter towards these strangers? What was it about this event that made me so judgmental towards people who I knew absolutely nothing about? It's funny because I didn't get a direct answer from God. All I can tell you is that I had a peace about what I was feeling. The sin within myself that had stunned me just a few hours prior had now been covered by the promise of my Savior. It was no more a part of my life than that hideous green flannel shirt my wife threw out years ago.

Intersection of Faith and Life

The difficult things in life, past, present of future, all pale in comparison to the joy we have found in Jesus Christ. In Philipians 4:11-13, Paul said, "...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Today, my hope is that, no matter how good or bad our circumstance is, that we choose to focus on the strength that is available to us in Christ.

For Further Reading

Philipians 3 & 4

[Judy Harder]

Sand and Stone
by Ryan Duncan, Editor at TheFish.com

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Psalm 89:14

There are a lot of things I like about living in Richmond, Virginia. The city is interesting, the people are nice, and there are plenty of things to see if you take the time to look around. Even the winters aren't that bad. Growing up in Chicago I'm used to mounds of snow, sheering wind, and escaping wolves while traversing the snowdrifts, so the mild Richmond weather has been pretty underwhelming. Still, when I stepped outside one March and was hit by a green wave of summer, I couldn't help scrapping all my earlier plans to spend the day outdoors.   

I made my way to the James River and burned a few hours roaming the local jogging trails. At one point the trail passed by a low alcove near the water and, on a whim, I decided to climb down for a better look. Halfway down I realized I was in trouble. The hill was made of sand, and no matter how much I tried I couldn't get a solid footing. I ended up stumbling my way down the hill, certain my next step would end in a broken neck and it wasn't until I managed to jump on top of a large rock that I was finally able to steady myself.

As I stood there, dusting myself off, I couldn't help but remember Christ's words about spiritual foundations.     

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. – Matthew 7:24-29   

It's easy to say you don't need Christ when life is good and the weather is sunny. But when the storms of life happen, if you don't have God you won't have anything to cling to. There will be days when trials and tribulations beat down on you like wind and rain, but as long as you stand on Christ's promise there is hope of weathering the storm. So stand firm and stay strong, because eventually the skies will clear and you'll know Christ is with you.         

Intersecting Faith and Life

What kind of foundation are you building your life on?

Further Reading

Isaiah 28     

[Judy Harder]

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus           
Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
Words & Music: Helen H. Lemmel (1922)

I've really been struggling with the whole "in and not of" concept recently. And if you need a refresher on that, let's take a quick look at some source material found in Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For more inspiration, you could also look to John 15:18-19:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

Perhaps this "in and not of" struggle I feel is due to age. Or perhaps it becomes more apparent to me the closer I am in my walk with the Lord. I have seasons (years, even) when I feel far away from the Father and find myself more focused on the things of earth (possessions, entertainment, fame, fortune, relationships . . . you name it!). In fact, last year was one of those seasons, but this year I have been experiencing a time when I am once again really hungering and thirsting for anything to do with God's Word.

As the lyrics in the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" suggest, the things of this earth have "grown strangely dim" to me in the past few months as I've found myself fully engaged in my study of the Old Testament. I've just finished reading the book of Judges, and I couldn't help but compare myself to the Israelites and their very frustrating ongoing cycle: rebellion, consequences, repentance and then restoration.

Time and again the Israelites were warned about the Canaanites (among other bad influences) and directed to destroy anything to do with their false worship. But the Israelites were lax, they became lukewarm and the cancer of paganism spread and kept leading them to compromise, disobedience and spiritual death.

Each day as I read through Judges, I asked the Lord why he had included these stories in his Word and what I was supposed to learn from them. And each day as I applied what I was reading to my own life (and marveled at how relevant these stories still are), my eyes were opened to the cancer in my own life—and the many ways I am compromising, disobeying and dying instead of thriving in my spiritual growth.

If anything was the most sobering for me while reading, it was the last verse in the entire book: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" (Judg. 21:25).

That's not just Old Testament times, is it? That's today, when everyone is worshipping anything and everything but God. And the result is rampant immorality, perversion, brutality, injustice and bold abandonment of the Truth found in God's Word.

But this verse also points to the hope of a wake-up call—revival was needed back then in Israel as sure as it is needed today in our world, starting with the body of Christ. Yes, even we believers in the twenty-first century have all turned our own ways, as there is so much fracturing and splintering going on within the Church.

But God is big enough to unify us and restore us if we will turn our eyes to him. Let's purpose today to do that. And may spiritual revival start with you and me.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Where or on what are your eyes turned today? Is it time to cut out what is a "cancer" in your life or is prohibiting you from growing closer to the Father? Think about how you spend your money, what you watch, who you hang out with or what you're passionate about today. Do they point you toward or away from your heavenly Father? If you're ready, God will show you just what to do.

Further Reading:

2 Chron. 7:14

James 4:10

1 John 2:15-17

[Judy Harder]

Be Yourself
Stephen Sanders, Salem Web Network Audio/Video Editor



Have you ever had someone tell you to, "Just be yourself and everything will work out"?  It sounds so simple doesn't it?  "Be Yourself."  What does that even mean? After all, if we could simply "be ourselves," then wouldn't the world that surrounds us be a lot different?

I often wonder what friendships would be like if we could simply be who we are inside; to not feel so much pressure to be less or more of an individual than we think we are supposed to be.  One thing I've begun to focus on in recent months is being the same person everywhere I am no matter who I'm around; but that's a lot easier said that done.



Don't get me wrong.  I realize that none of us are exempt to sin. 1 John 1:8-10 says this: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."



Can you see how not dealing with sin appropriately keeps us from being ourselves?  Behavior like this causes us to trick ourselves into thinking we are someone who we really aren't. When we ignore or hide sin, it breeds all kinds of issues, not only in us, but also in the body of Christ.



So how should sin be handled?  How can you "be yourself?"  Well, here are 3 things that will certainly get us going in the right direction: Confession, confrontation and forgiveness.

We all know that we are supposed to confess our sins to God, but what about confessing our sins to one another?  Where does that fit into the picture?  The answer lies within James 5:16, which instructs us to, "...confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."  Why isn't the confession of sins more of a focus in the church today?  Shouldn't we be doing this every chance we get if it results in "healing and righteousness?"

Secondly, there is confrontation.  Jesus says in Matthew 18:15-17 that, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.  But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church..." Notice that this scenario starts with someone taking the initiative to point out the sin.  Also notice that this person risks not only putting his friend in an uncomfortable situation, but also being humiliated in front of others if he is wrong about his assessment. It's easy to see why the church struggles with this; it's not a simple solution. 

Lastly, we have forgiveness.  After discussing confrontation and confession, doesn't forgiveness make a lot more sense now?  There is a very good reason why Jesus instructed us to forgive, "seventy times seven times " in Matthew 18:22.  Jesus knew we were going to be surrounded by sinful people because we live in a sinful world.  Rather than avoiding it, we need to be brave enough to be the one who chooses to forgive sin unconditionally and infinitely.  Our reaction to sin determines the impact it is able to have on us.  Who knows?  Our reaction may even be so powerful that it may stop that sin in its tracks before it affects others too!



Intersecting Faith and Life: 

I'm totally convinced that this is how we should be handling sin.  And since sin is "at enmity with God" then shouldn't we be doing everything we can to remove it from the bride of Christ?  Shouldn't this be a primary focus in our lives rather than striving for what we can gain in life?  Jesus is waiting for a bride with no blemishes.



Today, just take about 15 minutes and ask God this simple question: "God, how is the sin in my life keeping me from being who you have created me to be?"

Further Reading

1 John 1
Matthew 18
James 5

[Judy Harder]

March 30, 2012

The Call to Martyrdom
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16: 24

St Maximilian Kolbe once wrote, "Beyond armies of occupation and the hecatombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?"

Maximilian Kolbe has long been one of my favorite Christian heroes. A wild-child-turned-convert, he was a Polish priest during the dark days of World War II.  He dedicated his life to boldly proclaiming Christ, traveling as far as Japan in spite of knowing very little Japanese. Ultimately, he found himself at Auschwitz, ministering to fellow prisoners. He died after offering his life in place of another prisoner who had a wife and children. That prisoner – a "nobody" by the world's standards -- went on to be reunited with his many children after the war. Kolbe's life is one of many amazing examples of Christians imitating Christ to the point of quite literally following Him to the Cross.

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. This feast day marks the solemn beginning of Holy Week. For our Palm Sunday service, our two pastors and deacon wear red robes – red being the liturgical color of martyrdom. The color is all too appropriate.

Often, when we think of martyrdom we think of dramatic and bloody deaths like the early Christians endured in the Coliseum or the horrors Kolbe faced in that concentration camp. These "red martyrdoms," while inspirational, seem reserved for a select few in far away countries.

Yet, in reflecting on Christ's sufferings this year, I've been pondering our own call as Christians to "take up our crosses" and follow in Christ's footsteps.  In many ways, martyrdom isn't reserved for a few Christians in far away countries. There is a second kind of martyrdom to which all Christians are called, sometimes referred to as "white martyrdom."

White martyrdom is the subtle, but profoundly important "death to self" believers must embrace on a daily basis. It is a call to surrender all to the Lord, to be willing to sacrifice personal pleasures or temporary desires for a greater good. "White martyrdom" is the housewife who shelves her master's degree to stay home with her little ones. It's the husband who does household chores after a long day of work to give his wife a much-needed time to herself. It's the college student who stays chaste in the face of temptation, only to be "rewarded" by the ridicule of his buddies. It's the colleague who puts in extra hours, but never gets extra credit. White martyrdom is the stuff that builds character, the stuff that strengthens "spiritual muscles" – and its rewards may or may not come in this lifetime. Yet God does not fail to treasure each and every thing we do for Him - no matter how hidden or small.

Kolbe's death illustrates an important connection between white and red martyrdom. He was known for personal integrity, for living a life that daily revealed love for his Savior in every little action – long before he was faced with time at Auschwitz. Believers like Kolbe understand that life cannot be compartmentalized. We cannot act saintly one hour, devilishly the next, and say at the end of the day, "Well, on average I am a pretty good person."

No doubt, a life of small, daily moments of "choosing Christ," of constant conversion and submission to the Lord, paved the way for Kolbe and countless other heroes of the faith to choose Christ when it mattered most.

Of course, a life of "white martyrdom" may not sound very appealing to you. I've always marveled at my friends who thought Christianity to be a crutch – I think my pre-Christian days were easier! But the longer I walk the Christian walk, the more I realize how true glory cannot be separated from some measure of suffering – how Easter cannot be divorced from Good Friday.

Further Reading:

Philipians 2: 6 – 11
15 Ways to Observe Holy Week with Your Family

[Judy Harder]

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?

That there is life, and...
how it came about that there might never be death, but...
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]

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