“The earth trembled at dawn of Sunday, the first day of the week. But the three women walking to the tombs outside Jerusalem hardly noticed that. When they came in view of the tomb, they saw that the stone has already been rolled back. The entrance stood open, dark and yawning and… empty. ”

- from a children’s book

Ever had a dream die? Or felt the anguish of something you cared so for or believed in with all your heart… as it ended? We’ve all experienced that from one time or another.

Now, let me ask you this. Have you ever lost something so dear, only to realize it wasn’t gone? From death to life. From darkness to light. Hope lives on. Joy returns. Anguish evaporates. Love wins.

“… He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” (Matthew 27:60)

“the great sin of white north-american middle-class protestantism is shallow hopelessness, ‘cheap hope.’ we cannot be said to have a gospel because we refuse to know enough of the bad news to prepare our collective soul for the good. our insistence upon being and remaining positive and optomistic is what prevents us from exploring deeply the meaning of hope, biblically understood. we want to have easter sunday without good friday- or better, we desire a friday so ‘good’ that it is no longer for us a sybolic mode of identification with the suffering world.” [douglas j. hall, confessing the faith- 1998.]

Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out your blood.
Many times, I’ ve wonder at your gift of life
I’m in that place once again
Yes, I’m in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life

Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I’ll bow
But for now, I’ll marvel at Your saving grace
I’m full of praise once again
Oh I’m full of praise once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross, my friend

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

-Matt Redman “Once Again“ 

“Everything Glorious”

As we march towards Easter, remember who makes everything glorious. In death, He is glorious. In life, He is glorious. Thank you Jesus for your death and resurrection.