Just think about the situation Christ’s disciples were in after He left them. Here was a group of peasants, powerless, up against the most powerful empire in the world. Possible prison time was the very least of their worries. They knew that torture and execution could be in their future if they refused to stop preaching the name of Jesus Christ.
But they couldn’t stop.
To a man, they kept talking about Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to anyone who would listen. None of them would deny or retract their story. Eventually, just as the authorities had threatened, most of them were executed for it. But still, all of them maintained to the very end that Jesus had risen from the dead—that they had seen Him, touched Him, talked with Him.
What would inspire men to suffer and die for a belief? Only one thing—the absolute certainty that their belief was true.
[…]
Which leads me inescapably to one conclusion: Jesus’ resurrection was not a lie.
Aaron and Shaun, the fellows behind Randomshirts.com—I have both the red and blue falcon, and want either of the Save the Jonah shirts—have launched Randomposters.com.
Really good-looking work, especially the montage posters. My favorite so far is Isaiah. (Part of that is, no doubt, because of the affinity I have for the song “The Word Stands Forever” by ’80s Christian rock band, Ruscha.)
I have no affiliation with Randomshirts/posters, other than as a happy customer.
Trent and I got together for lunch today. (Again, Trent, very sorry for my tardiness.)
Among the enlightened discussion of teenage concert-going and ’80s Christian rock, we determined we need to meet up for some frisbee golf, especially before it gets scorching hot before 8 AM.
Today is Resurrection Day. Today is nearly over. It’s taken me this long to come up with something to say about this day, the greatest day of the year. This is the day Christians celebrate something no other faith can claim: the resurrection of our Savior.
So I thought I would finish the day the same way I started it. One of my favorite albums is Don Francisco’s The Live Concert, which he closes with the song “He’s Alive”, sung from Peter’s perspective. This was the song that was running through my head as I showered this morning, getting ready for church. You can download a MP3 to listen along.
He’s Alive
The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away
And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ feet
But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told us where she’d been
She said they’ve moved Him in the night
None of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there
We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and the empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
How or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell
Something strange had happened there
But just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die
Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
‘Cause when at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn’t be the same
Suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room
Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
I fell down on my knees
And just clung to Him and cried
He raised me to my feet
As I looked into His eyes
Love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Dissappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d ever had
Just melted into peace
He’s alive! He’s alive!
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive! He’s alive!
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive! He’s alive!
He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s alive! He’s alive!
He’s alive!
Today we celebrated Resurrection Day, more commonly known as Easter. The difference is that every day is Easter. Every day is Resurrection Day, because our God is alive.
“He’s Alive” Copyright © 1977 Don Francisco / Rocky Mountain Ministries
I knew about Dress for Success, because my wife’s donated some of her business clothing to them before. Now, for men, there is Career Gear. If you have business suits still in good shape you no longer wear, consider donating them to these non-profits, and help low-income men and women move up the ladder. Who knows, you may see your suit again, on someone else!
[Originally posted at Retrophisch.]
So I’m watching last week’s episode of Scrubs, thanks to my DVR, and the song playing at the end sounds familiar. Did I just hear the words “Jesus” and “I worship you” in a prime time NBC sitcom? I know I know that song…
Thanks to the Internet, I found out what song it was: “All the Words” by Kutless . Which I have, because I have all of their albums. I knew I knew that song…
The American Bible Society doesn’t want to print New Testaments for the XXXchurch.com boys with the title on the cover “Jesus Loves Porn Stars”.
I’m very disappointed in the ABS’s response, calling the cover caption “misleading and inappropriate”. (Emphasis mine.)
Misleading and inappropriate? Maybe the American Bible Society prints a different version than the ones I read, but according to the Gospels in my Bible, Jesus tended to hang out with the looked-down-upon of ancient society: thieves, drunks, prostitutes, even tax collectors. (The words “the more things change, the more they stay the same” come to mind.)
I would hazard a guess that beneath the surface, a majority of those involved in the porn industry are unhappy people who have been hurt enormously in the past, and the only place they have been able to find acceptance and worth is by taking their clothes off and having sex in front of the camera. All of us need Christ, and that goes for porn stars, too. The American Bible Society would do well to note this.
I pray Mike and Craig will find a Bible publisher willing to stand up and print these potentially life-changing copies of God’s Word.