Quote of Note #217: Our Own Resurrection

"Thou wilt come to raise my body from the dust, and re-unite it to my soul, by a wonderful work of infinite power and love, greater than that which bounds the ocean's waters, ebbs and flows the tides, keeps the stars in their courses, and gives life to all creatures." A. Bennett

Bible Note #59: The Delight of Feasting on God’s Presence

“Take delight in the Lord,    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37:4 (NIV) The idea of “taking delight” or pleasure in the Lord is one that we modern Western Christians have a tendency to spiritualize in a way that, I think, David and ancient Israelites did not.  We want this … Continue reading Bible Note #59: The Delight of Feasting on God’s Presence

Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory

Here’s a truth that is very dear to me.  When Jesus went to the cross, he did not merely take my guilt with him.  He took my sin.  He died not merely to gain forgiveness for me but to set me free from the power of sin.  In his resurrection from death, he demonstrated not … Continue reading Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory

Pastor Note #128: The Resurrection–A Devotional

Introduction:If saving non-material human souls is all that matters, what is the point of the bodily resurrection of Jesus?  If the goal of the Christian faith is to get souls into heaven, then the bodily resurrection of Jesus is irrelevant and unnecessary.  And yet, there can be little doubt that the New Testament writers were … Continue reading Pastor Note #128: The Resurrection–A Devotional

Quote of Note #140: My Resurrection

Lilac buds; photo by GAC "Thou wilt come to raise my body from the dust, and re-unite it to my soul, by a wonderful work of infinite power and love, greater than that which bounds the ocean's waters, ebbs and flows the tides, keeps the stars in their courses, and gives life to all creatures." … Continue reading Quote of Note #140: My Resurrection

Quote of Note #118: The Truth of the Resurrection

photo by GAC "I contend that the historicity [of the Gospels] does matter, and I do not see why we, who live nearly two thousand years later, should call into question an Event for which there were many eye-witnesses still living at the time when most of the New Testament was written. It is no … Continue reading Quote of Note #118: The Truth of the Resurrection

Bible Note #47: Mary Magdalene–A Holy Week Meditation

Mary Magdalene—A Narrative Meditation In an earlier time, the anguish and grief that she had endured on that Friday and Saturday would have unhinged her.  Yet in the midst of this agony, she discovered that the Teacher had so healed and restored her that even this crushing sorrow could not undo his work. photo by … Continue reading Bible Note #47: Mary Magdalene–A Holy Week Meditation

Quote of Note #117: Raising Dead People

Cemetery scenes; photo by GAC "Christ was sent not to mend wounded people or wake sleepy people or advise confused people or inspire bored people but to raise dead people." Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020, page 175.

Pastor Note #95: A Declaration of Easter

A Declaration of Easter At Christmas we sing a song with these words: No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found. The resurrection of Jesus is the first expression of the fulfillment … Continue reading Pastor Note #95: A Declaration of Easter

Pastor Note #69: Death and the Victory of Christ

DEATH AND THE VICTORY OF CHRIST: Living and Dying Well You are going to die.  So am I.  This is a fundamental and unavoidable truth for all human beings, and how we deal with that great truth can have a profound impact on how well we live and on how well we die.  Sadly, many … Continue reading Pastor Note #69: Death and the Victory of Christ