A C&C-style Easter message: Vaccine-science parody headlines meet First-Century martyr logic; war-weary believers shift from comfort to conquest; Resurrection hope surges in the shadow of hybrid war.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate this day. Personally, I don't and am one of those that doesn't believe people return from the dead other than in legends. It was a theme used in other spiritual legends along with the concept of virgin births so it's not something new. It also conveniently coincides with the spring equinox, which, I can witness and do believe in. Just like Christmas coincides with the winter solstice. Spring is a time of rebirth and I celebrate that. Who doesn't like seeing the first flowers of spring and the greening of everything once more? The rebirth of Spring, God's creation, is experienced by everyone of all faiths or of no faiths.
Thank you! Praying you have a beautiful spring and challenging you to challenge God. I did one spring in 1988 and He proved faithful to me. I simply spoke the words, “God IF you are real, and your son Jesus did die for me, then why would I not want that in my life. I know I have done wrong, so if you are there, I acknowledge my sins and wrongs and I ask for the gift of salvation offered through the death of your son Jesus.” God did bring those into my life to show me that that prayer was not in vain. I humbly ask you to center yourself and say something similar and then wait for God to show Himself to you. I cannot imagine my life without God and without the gift of forgiveness and grace and mercy. The world has always been beautiful and an exciting place to be, but now it is even more so. Regardless, thank you for kind words on the beauty of spring. I wish you all the best.
I wrestled with the "question" of who or what Jesus was - wrestled mightily. And prayed for an answer. I read books, even theological. No stone left unturned. Then, when all seemed lost, I was (I believe) directed to a scientific fact - the image on the Shroud of Turin. It is a real image and the linen cloth has been (finally) accurately dated to the 1st century A.D. The image is not of blood. There is real blood on the linen but it didn't create the image of a man on the shroud. The scientists scratched their heads. The only thing, they concluded, was that the image was created by a sudden, massive emission of light radiation. That did it for me.
Exactly, Carol - that is similar to my conversion experience (although I was raised in churches that preached the Gospel message regularly). I simply asked the Lord Jesus to forgive me of my rebellious nature and sinful thoughts and actions and to come into my heart, mind and soul...and HE DID. I immediately felt a HUGE BURDEN REMOVED from me - and it has NEVER RETURNED. I have strayed away from the 'narrow road' from time to time and He always lovingly brings me back to Him and His ways!
Hello dear Sharon. You remember me. You know how much I wrestled with The Question. Being a rational type I could not simply 'believe'. After months of study and struggle, God finally said, "OK, if you have to have proof of a rational manner, look at the Shroud of Turin". That did it.
And so Jehovah Jireh - our Creator gave you just what YOUR heart, mind and soul required in order to turn from "your way" TOWARD "His Perfect Way". The early Christians, you know, were termed, "followers of The Way"!!
Praise the Lord! Jesus told us, “All that the Father gives me WILL come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will NEVER cast out” ( caps mine to emphasize why I love this verse so much). John 6:37
But, history is full of His story. Jesus was raised from the dead. Over 500 people saw Him before He ascended into heaven. If that were not so, why would His disciples be martyred by refusing to deny their faith? Just wondering.
I guess in hindsight is as you said, first the twelve disciples were witness of all the miracles that Yashua has been performing as a physical lesson from His teachings, that night after dinner He Knows what is coming and what would be happening, they don’t.
For the next three days they going to deny that they ever knew Him or did work and feed the masses with him…simply they were confused and cowardly trying to make sense of what He has told them and they have witnessed so they run and hide.
After the Resurrection day, they see Him again and the transformation happened.
Now they are courageous and bold and they even tell their captors how they want to die….
Because now they know and understand that dead is just a transition to a new life out of this physical boundary and Time and space is just for a short period of time…..the transition, the resurrection is where your soul wonders and wants to live forever. Your choice is, where You want to expend it….
I humbly suggest you “ Choose Live “
Eternal life in The Light of The Creator of the Universe and the Creator of all that is Seen and Unseen”
Forgive them Father because they don’t know what are they doing or in other words they do not understand what are they missing.
Happy Easter and equinox, CC. You walk in faith similar to ours: the next breath will contain oxygen, and summer will follow spring. For us, the Holy Spirit is sufficient proof that Jesus lives. But there is plenty of historical and scientific evidence for anyone willing to give it a chance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7RhiqC4Nw
"Only in very recent times have scientists found a way to discolor linen strands as they are found in the Shroud of Turin, discolorations penetrating only to a tiny fraction of the width of a human hair. It was done with microbursts from high energy lasers. A burst of high energy''!
I highly recommend that YouTube and trust that in the Spirit, the discerning will test it against scripture and judge for themselves. I also believe the New Testament bears out that the apostles recognized and "translated" the "Abraham-Isaac story" to Jesus. I'm sure many of our scripture-literate friends here can cite evidence.
The Christian belief is like no other. Our Savior rose from the dead and is a Living God. His life, death, and resurrection are documented. His followers were all willing and died for their belief. They witnessed it first hand. I pray your heart is opened to accept His sacrifice for your sins and sets you free from lies and death in sin. This is the Christian faith. The work is finished on the cross and all you have to do is repent and believe. Blessings of life everlasting await your decision. Individually, we all must make that decision. I pray you do.
You don’t have to believe; God gives us free will. He’s polite. He’s there whether you believe Him or not. He’ll welcome you with open arms, but will never force Himself upon you or anyone.
However, to mock those of us who do believe & follow Him is uncalled for & rude. If you’re so confident in your non-belief I’d think you’d be above petty sarcasm & be cordial.
No one here has mocked your unbelief; comments have been respectful towards you while expressing genuine hope you’ll become a follower of Jesus one day.
Just so you know, we believers have all been where you are. I’ve spent many years in the “wilderness “. Stay curious, keep questioning, ask for His awakening, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. 🙏🏼☺️
Just when I had assumed you are a true pagan, you inserted that WORD before "creation". So even you are a believer, on one level or another. You didn't mention that the word "Easter" is of pagan origin.
I'm not a pagan nor Christian. I do believe that there is an underlying intelligence beyond anything that a human can grasp and that we are all a part of it and that as our consciousness expands, so does this all encompassing intelligence which experiences though it's creation. Frank Zappa had a song where he said if we are all dumb, then God must be dumb. Made me laugh. God is consciousness and everything (yes, I mean everything) is all a part of it. I don't buy any of the Christian myths. It is, to me, just tales for people to digest something that is not understandable. The idea that someone can die and therefore absolve everyone else from their sins(whatever that means) is, to me, absurd. I believe, if there was a person named Jesus, he was attempting to show people that they need to go within and they, too, can be as him. He wasn't a literal son of God but a son in the sense we are all children of(or part of) the same consciousness. He wasn't asking people to worship him but to "follow" him in the sense that YOU, too, can do and be just like him but it takes a raising of your consciousness. I think that the simple message is now entangled with a lot of ritual, mythology, misunderstanding and sometime, even silliness. But ALL paths lead to God so whatever floats a person's boat will get them there. I appreciate all the suggestions to me from others. As for Christianity, been there, done that and lots of other paths. Now I just follow my own and am quite content. There is no one way. We each find our own.
Oh yeah. I've been where you are coming from. It is quite reasonable. I still do not believe in Substitutionary Atonement. But I do believe that Jesus of Nazareth was an "ascended master" with control over his own being.
The *word* "easter" is of pagan origin, from the Germanic name of the month in which it's celebrated. But the observance itself began long before that, so at most it's an argument that we should stop calling it "easter". (And rename the days of the week while we're at it, since those are of pagan origin too.)
It is called "Resurrection Sunday" by those who know the extreme paganism of Easter. However, since Christ actually rose Saturday afternoon, according to the Bible, we should celebrate "Resurrection Sabbath" instead.
I don't think it's really clear precisely when it happened, other than "some time during saturday night", which by Jewish reckoning would be considered part of Sunday. In any case, Sunday is commemorated because that's when they found out the good news.
The bible says he was in the tomb 3 days and 3 nights just like Jonah was in the belly of the fish. Count back from Sun AM & you get Thurs AM. He died in the afternoon...so it probably was Wed afternoon because Thurs was the Sabbath they were preparing for. They celebrate Sun because they don't recognize the Sabbath and can't count backwards.
No, it was Friday afternoon. The "Wednesday" misunderstanding is based on a misconception of how ancient Jews counted days. Scripture speaks of being "three days" in the grave, but it also speaks of rising "on the third day", making clear that they are synonymous - he died on the first day, was in the grave during some or all of each of the first, second, and third days, and on the third day was alive again.
To put it in perspective -- what are the chances that practically all of the Christians throughout all of history have been wrong about this, but somehow modern people just managed to figure it out (in a way that conveniently fits the modern way of looking at the world)?
The reason we celebrate Jesus’s death and resurrection in the spring it happened during the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First fruits. These are the spring Feast’s God commanded to follow.
Dear Cousin, I may have said those same words at one time, even as a “cradle Catholic”, how could people return from the dead? Though I always believed, sometimes I’d question that faith. Then in my early 30s, with three young children, I had an emergency surgery where doctors told me later they thought they’d “lost me”. I think they did because I had a most faith-enlivening experience during the surgery. I heard a nurse near me say, “There are no vital signs.” I won’t go into the details of my ‘encounter’ with the Lord here, but he spoke to me with questions and my responses were just thoughts, not words. Then I was awakened roughly still on the operating table. I cried, mainly because I had refused my Saviour by claiming that my children needed me, I had to return. Thank God, He allowed me that extra chance. I’ve been truly blessed with three remarkable children and a devoted spouse. People can return from the dead, just as in my case. not into a promised Eternity. I do believe, however, that I will and can be there one day, just as Jesus arose triumphantly.
For independent, more recent proof of the resurrection, see the Urantia Book from the Urantia Foundation. It describes events in GREAT detail as they were witnessed by the angels that saw it ALL. It even describes how Christ's body was "removed" from the grave cloths without disturbing them...a good trick to be sure.
FWIW, the "spring equinox" thing is largely a coincidence; if there's a connection at all, it's only because the Jewish passover happened to fall in spring. Also, many of the other claims such as "other virgin births" are overblown; for example, some have claimed that Mithras was "born of a virgin" because he was said to have appeared out of a rock, and hey, technically a rock is a virgin, right? (I'm not even making this up.)
If anyone's interested, here's a debunking of one of this year's popular "easter is pagan" videos...
Dear Cousin, as I got to the end of these comments, I discovered a YouTube link in a post by Cynthia Eagan…about the Shroud of Turin. It’s remarkably clear and great. Please find time to watch it. It’s on Michael Knowles’s show.
I found this excerpt which is fitting for today and this community. This was written by R.J. Rushdoony, who is now in glory, whom I have followed for more than 40 years. In Childer's fashion, he gets directly to the point. We can all identify with his words, especially his closing prophetic words....................................................................
The Biblical faith concerning Jesus Christ involves and requires believing that He was raised from the dead in the same body which suffered crucifixion. Jesus Christ, by His resurrection, destroyed the power of sin and death. Moreover, He set forth His victory over the realms of both spirit and matter, conquering the enemy in every realm.
If Jesus Christ had only risen from the dead as a spirit, as a ghost, then His only victory and His only saving power would be limited to the world of the spirit. It would mean that He would be helpless to answer prayers concerning material things, because His power would extend only to things spiritual. It would mean that His people would be helpless against the powers of this world and without a law or a recourse in this world.
But, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, the lawgiver and supreme governor of all things, material and spiritual. Prayer is effectual because He is effectual. We can therefore say with the psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Ps. 46:1–2).
For this reason, from the days of the early church on, the Day of Resurrection has been a time of joy because it sets forth the certainty of our victory in and through Jesus Christ. St. Paul, in terms of this fact of the resurrection, could happily declare, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55).
The world today, as it has moved from faith in God to faith in man, has moved from joy and confidence to fearfulness and darkness. Our material prosperity has not increased our joy, because, apart from the Christian victory, the joy of living drains out of a man. As St. John made clear, “[T]his is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4)...
“Jesus Christ, by His resurrection, destroyed the power of sin and death. Moreover, He set forth His victory over the realms of both spirit and matter, conquering the enemy in every realm.” Moreover, I would add that He was able to do this because He is God - the great I AM, existing in the perfect Triune being we call the Holy Trinity, and the Author of Creation - the Author of life itself. (See John ch. 1) My challenge to deniers is, you are living in a state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual awareness that allows you to contemplate your very existence, and its origins — why? If there is no God, if Jesus never lived, why is there anything at all?
Thank you Jesus for saving me all those years ago. My only regret is not surrendering to You sooner! Happy Resurrection Day C&C family!
And in typical Easter fashion since this is a Covid blog the lockdowns on Easter, whether they are 6000 years ago or 5 years ago, traditionally don’t work so well.
Jesus Christ-ignoring the worlds first stay at home order.
Welby. He damaged the Anglican Church in the UK so badly it's probably gone.
As a default Anglican who adores the KJV and the Book of Common Prayer (and Miles Coverdale's translation of the Psalms) this deeply saddens me, but has prompted me in my 70s to dive deep into Catholicism (been at Buckfast Abbey on retreat for Holy Week) and will also attend some Orthodox services. Fortunate enough to spend 6 weeks in the summer of '68 on a school trip, driving from Leningrad to Odessa. Attended a couple of services in Orthodox Cathedral and was, at the age of 16, much taken by the power of their services.
You have suffered much from this community over these last three years . I respect your position, although I do not share it. Thank you for your perseverance, and a Blessed Resurrection Day to you !
Benn The Troll has called for the exterminations of Christians more than anyone on this blog with his constant yammering for Russians (and Ukrainians) to suffer mass deaths as he advocates US weapons to pour into the conflict.
For him to come here on Easter with more of his bullshit is just insulting to all of us who call for peace.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and snuggle together." Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that." Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen,". Bobby - age 7
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend whom you hate." Nikka - age 6
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and he then wears it every day." Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
And the final one:
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
"Nothing, I just helped him cry."
There is much we can learn from little children. In fact, Jesus taught his followers to
be child-like – in sincerity, innocence, faith and trust, and even love. Let’s put aside
our sophistications, our desire for status and power, and humble ourselves like a little
child – for to such belongs the kingdom of God (Matthew 18:2-5; 19:4).
Indeed, children are unadulterated and understand the true essence of Love before life gets in the way. The source of Love at its purest they understand. Suffer the little children to come unto Me. I love that verse. May peace be with all of us thanks to our Jesus.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
---
Two perspectives:
BaBa and BeBe both had traveled through some tough terrain recently. Their shepherd had led them through a narrow mountain pass, into (and out of) a dark cave, and now they were in a field where wild beasts had roared in the distance.
“It’s been a horrible trip,” BaBa moaned. “Dangers and hardships everywhere. Did you see how I toppled on my back coming down that mountain pass? I’d never traveled such a steep slope.”
“But the shepherd picked you right up,” countered BeBe. “He led us safely every step. We didn’t know where we were going, but he did. And I’m sure he still does.”
“But did you hear that noise last night?” BaBa asked. “I thought for sure a wild animal would tear us apart.”
“I heard it,” replied BeBe, “and I was afraid at first. But then I looked over at the shepherd, and saw he had his weapon at the ready. He’s not going to let anything hurt us, BaBa. I, for one, am going to graze in peace.”
With that, BeBe started munching on a delicious clump of grass. But BaBa was not finished yet.
“Where do you think we’ll go next? What if it’s near a cliff? I’m soooooo scarred I’ll fall over a cliff.”
BeBe felt a momentary panic at the thought of a cliff, but then she remembered her shepherd. “If our shepherd can lead us through the dangers he has, I think we can trust him to keep us safe near a cliff,” she replied, returning to her munching. This pasture had such delicious grass!
BaBa, on the other hand, kept baaing about the distant animal noises she heard and how hard of a path she’d trod. She kept thinking about the hardships instead of the shepherd.
The most sacred laid down His life not because we deserved it, but because His love demanded it. Love held Jesus to the cross, not the nails. The cross was the bridge Jesus built to bring us back to God. He drank the bitter cup of wrath & pain so we could drink the cup of pure love & salvation. He carried the cross we deserved to carry, so we could receive the grace we didn’t deserve. His love was so deep, it reached down into his own torture & death to lift us into life.
Thank you for this. I sent a copy to my family - to those who have lost their way with God. On this Easter Sunday, as I thank God for my life and look at the brilliant sky, I want them to at least focus on love.
I once asked my daughter who was in high school how she knew I loved her… asked because I have said I love you to her and she responded I know. Her response still affects me… she said that I get up every morning with her and her brother and I kiss them good -bye on their way to school. She said that she didn’t know any other parents who did that.
I love the old hymns! This one I normally think of at Christmas, but it’s so appropriate for Resurrection Sunday as well. Such a beautiful melody too. Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you!!!
Thank you, Jeff, for rising up in the darkness and calling people out with your daily messages of hope and sanity!
I appreciated the sense of community in C&C despite the barrage of horrors since 2020. Thank you for sharing the love of God in the way that you do! He is glorious and eternally loving. His grace was sufficient in the worst of times, and sustains us today. His death and resurrection enables us to be with Him and we are forever grateful.
Bless you all and may this day be filled with joy and peace as we celebrate our Savior 🙏🏼
What a lovely surprise to see your Easter message in my inbox! Thank you! May God richly bless you and your family this Resurrection Sunday and throughout the year.
Why our churches went along with the Covid Mandates , I’ll never know - At out Mega church we have a parking lot large enough to fill , but our leaders were not courageous enough - I appreciate the pastor in California and Texas (?) that stayed open
CO Governor Polis whined as he excuse-followed Tri-County Health in shutting down "his" STATE. Denver Mayor Hankook closed liquor stores for about 2-3 hours then rescinded that part, later he told us to stay home during holidays as he took off for MS or wherever to visit family
Materialism is the True god of America they proclaimed, only Consumerism and the rejection of dangerous Faith in God Gatherings can save us from a deadly novel virus that Naturally sprang forth to attack the cancer of humanity, they taught.
My parish priest, Father Alex, chastised the unvaccinated and called us selfish in his sermons. He was just reading the Vatican guidance, I know, but I still felt it quite a betrayal. Attended the Vigil last night at another parish, my new parish, and was filled with such relief/hope/promise - and I forgave Father Alex for his weakness and lack of courage.
I’m happy you found a devout Parish. I, too, am thrilled to attend a Church filled with not one, but two holy priests who truly love Our Lord and proclaim their Catholic faith each and every day. Holy Week services brought me to tears.
They were shamed, bought off or threatened. Episcopal church i was in the "FINAL Sunday" had under 10 people.... so WTF??? but the Bishop or whatever in CO sent out the decree to close no matter---SATANISM won that round. I said do mini services of 10 at a time if you really believe that God and Christ and Church have any value at all, while you Respect the Civil (UNGODLY) Authorities!...but the DIVISION between Good and Evil is a Stark line, a chasm and few were those who went the narrow path while MANY were they who chose the broad road that leads to Destruction. So while some met outdoors or roped off every other aisle of pews, and Zoomed the services devoid of congregations, the snitchers were there observing and dutifully ready to turn them in should their Quisling Virtue deem violations too great.
There is no final rest here. But, there are moments and seasons of solace and faith turned to sight. Today is one of those moments, let's hope we are also in one of those rare seasons.
"Bidened up"!! That phrase is absolutely hilarious and I can actually use it at work without getting fired (as opposed to saying I effed up something, which I only say behind the scenes with coworkers saying the same). I am totally stealing it!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
We need to constantly buckle-up against the crazy left Obama/Biden followers, they completely effed up our country, or Bidened-up as Jeff says! Thank you for pointing that out to me, it went over my head!
Third day came and angels rejoiced
As the Savior breathed again
For grave could not hold the glorious One
Heaven’s victor over death and sin.
Hallelujah to the risen One
Whose death paid my penalty
And whose resurrection enables me
To live eternally.
- Janice Powell
This is part of a longer poem you can read here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/wordsbeyondme/p/good-friday?r=15f8sw&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Hallelujah, He is risen!
He is Risen INDEED! Just as He said! Hallelujah!
He is risen INDEED!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing and showing the light every day
Ah! the author herself.
👋🏻
Empty tomb.... Disproven by no one who tried...
He is risen indeed!!!
Happy Easter to all who celebrate this day. Personally, I don't and am one of those that doesn't believe people return from the dead other than in legends. It was a theme used in other spiritual legends along with the concept of virgin births so it's not something new. It also conveniently coincides with the spring equinox, which, I can witness and do believe in. Just like Christmas coincides with the winter solstice. Spring is a time of rebirth and I celebrate that. Who doesn't like seeing the first flowers of spring and the greening of everything once more? The rebirth of Spring, God's creation, is experienced by everyone of all faiths or of no faiths.
Thank you! Praying you have a beautiful spring and challenging you to challenge God. I did one spring in 1988 and He proved faithful to me. I simply spoke the words, “God IF you are real, and your son Jesus did die for me, then why would I not want that in my life. I know I have done wrong, so if you are there, I acknowledge my sins and wrongs and I ask for the gift of salvation offered through the death of your son Jesus.” God did bring those into my life to show me that that prayer was not in vain. I humbly ask you to center yourself and say something similar and then wait for God to show Himself to you. I cannot imagine my life without God and without the gift of forgiveness and grace and mercy. The world has always been beautiful and an exciting place to be, but now it is even more so. Regardless, thank you for kind words on the beauty of spring. I wish you all the best.
I wrestled with the "question" of who or what Jesus was - wrestled mightily. And prayed for an answer. I read books, even theological. No stone left unturned. Then, when all seemed lost, I was (I believe) directed to a scientific fact - the image on the Shroud of Turin. It is a real image and the linen cloth has been (finally) accurately dated to the 1st century A.D. The image is not of blood. There is real blood on the linen but it didn't create the image of a man on the shroud. The scientists scratched their heads. The only thing, they concluded, was that the image was created by a sudden, massive emission of light radiation. That did it for me.
Exactly, Carol - that is similar to my conversion experience (although I was raised in churches that preached the Gospel message regularly). I simply asked the Lord Jesus to forgive me of my rebellious nature and sinful thoughts and actions and to come into my heart, mind and soul...and HE DID. I immediately felt a HUGE BURDEN REMOVED from me - and it has NEVER RETURNED. I have strayed away from the 'narrow road' from time to time and He always lovingly brings me back to Him and His ways!
MAY YESHUA BE PRIASED FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!
Hello dear Sharon. You remember me. You know how much I wrestled with The Question. Being a rational type I could not simply 'believe'. After months of study and struggle, God finally said, "OK, if you have to have proof of a rational manner, look at the Shroud of Turin". That did it.
And so Jehovah Jireh - our Creator gave you just what YOUR heart, mind and soul required in order to turn from "your way" TOWARD "His Perfect Way". The early Christians, you know, were termed, "followers of The Way"!!
Praise the Lord! Jesus told us, “All that the Father gives me WILL come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will NEVER cast out” ( caps mine to emphasize why I love this verse so much). John 6:37
SAVED to the uttermost - never to be "lost" again!
FGB3, hope you can can see what this link illustrates but it pretty much says it all:
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3f/07/ba/3f07ba78ec7673ab80d58c30e1b8fa0d.jpg
Quite a beautiful testimony.
Atheist non-believers studied the Shroud of Turin and changed their view. Perhaps this podcast can shed light on the subject.
https://youtu.be/3XfbQH7kK2Y?si=oJRgA_EwxLp7-kGV
How did this god reveal itself to you?
But, history is full of His story. Jesus was raised from the dead. Over 500 people saw Him before He ascended into heaven. If that were not so, why would His disciples be martyred by refusing to deny their faith? Just wondering.
I guess in hindsight is as you said, first the twelve disciples were witness of all the miracles that Yashua has been performing as a physical lesson from His teachings, that night after dinner He Knows what is coming and what would be happening, they don’t.
For the next three days they going to deny that they ever knew Him or did work and feed the masses with him…simply they were confused and cowardly trying to make sense of what He has told them and they have witnessed so they run and hide.
After the Resurrection day, they see Him again and the transformation happened.
Now they are courageous and bold and they even tell their captors how they want to die….
Because now they know and understand that dead is just a transition to a new life out of this physical boundary and Time and space is just for a short period of time…..the transition, the resurrection is where your soul wonders and wants to live forever. Your choice is, where You want to expend it….
I humbly suggest you “ Choose Live “
Eternal life in The Light of The Creator of the Universe and the Creator of all that is Seen and Unseen”
Forgive them Father because they don’t know what are they doing or in other words they do not understand what are they missing.
Ha Lel Lu YAH!!!
Happy Easter and equinox, CC. You walk in faith similar to ours: the next breath will contain oxygen, and summer will follow spring. For us, the Holy Spirit is sufficient proof that Jesus lives. But there is plenty of historical and scientific evidence for anyone willing to give it a chance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7RhiqC4Nw
I wouldn't recommend that YouTube. The Christians could have taken the Abraham-Isaac story and translated it to Jesus. The Jesus story is not conclusive. I've written above what did it for me. The Shroud. https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2022/04/15/evidence-for-jesus-shroud-of-turin/
"Only in very recent times have scientists found a way to discolor linen strands as they are found in the Shroud of Turin, discolorations penetrating only to a tiny fraction of the width of a human hair. It was done with microbursts from high energy lasers. A burst of high energy''!
As in “I am the light of the world”?
Eimi ton phos tou kosmou. (don't have Greek on this laptop, but I say those words with frequency)
I highly recommend that YouTube and trust that in the Spirit, the discerning will test it against scripture and judge for themselves. I also believe the New Testament bears out that the apostles recognized and "translated" the "Abraham-Isaac story" to Jesus. I'm sure many of our scripture-literate friends here can cite evidence.
This is better.
Jesus Did Not Bodily Rise From the Dead Dan Barker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hq5CgBvbGM
The Christian belief is like no other. Our Savior rose from the dead and is a Living God. His life, death, and resurrection are documented. His followers were all willing and died for their belief. They witnessed it first hand. I pray your heart is opened to accept His sacrifice for your sins and sets you free from lies and death in sin. This is the Christian faith. The work is finished on the cross and all you have to do is repent and believe. Blessings of life everlasting await your decision. Individually, we all must make that decision. I pray you do.
So do I.
I know that the Flying Spaghetti Monster boiled for our sins,
may the sauce be upon him, forever and ever. R'amen.
I can feel the touch of his noodley appendages every day.
You don’t have to believe; God gives us free will. He’s polite. He’s there whether you believe Him or not. He’ll welcome you with open arms, but will never force Himself upon you or anyone.
However, to mock those of us who do believe & follow Him is uncalled for & rude. If you’re so confident in your non-belief I’d think you’d be above petty sarcasm & be cordial.
No one here has mocked your unbelief; comments have been respectful towards you while expressing genuine hope you’ll become a follower of Jesus one day.
You don't have to believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster,
but you can't prove he is not real. There are many different
religions and humans have worshipped thousands of different
gods since antiquity. Which one is the right god for you depends
entirely on the time and place where you were born and raised.
There is nothing that makes Christianity a more valid belief system
than Pastafarianism or any other religion.
Just so you know, we believers have all been where you are. I’ve spent many years in the “wilderness “. Stay curious, keep questioning, ask for His awakening, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. 🙏🏼☺️
For a unique perspective with historical evidence, if interested, watch ‘Risen’ with Joseph Fiennes. Incredibly well done movie depiction.
Just when I had assumed you are a true pagan, you inserted that WORD before "creation". So even you are a believer, on one level or another. You didn't mention that the word "Easter" is of pagan origin.
I'm not a pagan nor Christian. I do believe that there is an underlying intelligence beyond anything that a human can grasp and that we are all a part of it and that as our consciousness expands, so does this all encompassing intelligence which experiences though it's creation. Frank Zappa had a song where he said if we are all dumb, then God must be dumb. Made me laugh. God is consciousness and everything (yes, I mean everything) is all a part of it. I don't buy any of the Christian myths. It is, to me, just tales for people to digest something that is not understandable. The idea that someone can die and therefore absolve everyone else from their sins(whatever that means) is, to me, absurd. I believe, if there was a person named Jesus, he was attempting to show people that they need to go within and they, too, can be as him. He wasn't a literal son of God but a son in the sense we are all children of(or part of) the same consciousness. He wasn't asking people to worship him but to "follow" him in the sense that YOU, too, can do and be just like him but it takes a raising of your consciousness. I think that the simple message is now entangled with a lot of ritual, mythology, misunderstanding and sometime, even silliness. But ALL paths lead to God so whatever floats a person's boat will get them there. I appreciate all the suggestions to me from others. As for Christianity, been there, done that and lots of other paths. Now I just follow my own and am quite content. There is no one way. We each find our own.
Oh yeah. I've been where you are coming from. It is quite reasonable. I still do not believe in Substitutionary Atonement. But I do believe that Jesus of Nazareth was an "ascended master" with control over his own being.
The *word* "easter" is of pagan origin, from the Germanic name of the month in which it's celebrated. But the observance itself began long before that, so at most it's an argument that we should stop calling it "easter". (And rename the days of the week while we're at it, since those are of pagan origin too.)
It is called "Resurrection Sunday" by those who know the extreme paganism of Easter. However, since Christ actually rose Saturday afternoon, according to the Bible, we should celebrate "Resurrection Sabbath" instead.
I don't think it's really clear precisely when it happened, other than "some time during saturday night", which by Jewish reckoning would be considered part of Sunday. In any case, Sunday is commemorated because that's when they found out the good news.
The bible says he was in the tomb 3 days and 3 nights just like Jonah was in the belly of the fish. Count back from Sun AM & you get Thurs AM. He died in the afternoon...so it probably was Wed afternoon because Thurs was the Sabbath they were preparing for. They celebrate Sun because they don't recognize the Sabbath and can't count backwards.
No, it was Friday afternoon. The "Wednesday" misunderstanding is based on a misconception of how ancient Jews counted days. Scripture speaks of being "three days" in the grave, but it also speaks of rising "on the third day", making clear that they are synonymous - he died on the first day, was in the grave during some or all of each of the first, second, and third days, and on the third day was alive again.
To put it in perspective -- what are the chances that practically all of the Christians throughout all of history have been wrong about this, but somehow modern people just managed to figure it out (in a way that conveniently fits the modern way of looking at the world)?
The reason we celebrate Jesus’s death and resurrection in the spring it happened during the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First fruits. These are the spring Feast’s God commanded to follow.
Dear Cousin, I may have said those same words at one time, even as a “cradle Catholic”, how could people return from the dead? Though I always believed, sometimes I’d question that faith. Then in my early 30s, with three young children, I had an emergency surgery where doctors told me later they thought they’d “lost me”. I think they did because I had a most faith-enlivening experience during the surgery. I heard a nurse near me say, “There are no vital signs.” I won’t go into the details of my ‘encounter’ with the Lord here, but he spoke to me with questions and my responses were just thoughts, not words. Then I was awakened roughly still on the operating table. I cried, mainly because I had refused my Saviour by claiming that my children needed me, I had to return. Thank God, He allowed me that extra chance. I’ve been truly blessed with three remarkable children and a devoted spouse. People can return from the dead, just as in my case. not into a promised Eternity. I do believe, however, that I will and can be there one day, just as Jesus arose triumphantly.
I am with you 💯%
You are witness to miracles every day (pay attention!)
That something came from nothing.
Life
Consciousness
No?
For independent, more recent proof of the resurrection, see the Urantia Book from the Urantia Foundation. It describes events in GREAT detail as they were witnessed by the angels that saw it ALL. It even describes how Christ's body was "removed" from the grave cloths without disturbing them...a good trick to be sure.
FWIW, the "spring equinox" thing is largely a coincidence; if there's a connection at all, it's only because the Jewish passover happened to fall in spring. Also, many of the other claims such as "other virgin births" are overblown; for example, some have claimed that Mithras was "born of a virgin" because he was said to have appeared out of a rock, and hey, technically a rock is a virgin, right? (I'm not even making this up.)
If anyone's interested, here's a debunking of one of this year's popular "easter is pagan" videos...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-5U2VtMdIM
Did you have a chocolate bunny and eggs in your 'Easter' basket?
lol no. I hate the commercial greedy exploitation of what should be a religious holiday.
(But the eggs thing is more related to fasting during lent and boiling the eggs they didn't eat so they'd last longer, than it is to anything pagan.)
Dear Cousin, as I got to the end of these comments, I discovered a YouTube link in a post by Cynthia Eagan…about the Shroud of Turin. It’s remarkably clear and great. Please find time to watch it. It’s on Michael Knowles’s show.
Just like Christmas has nothing to do with a baby Jesus,
it is really about a celebration of the Winter Solstice.
Easter is about the coming of Spring, hence the rabbits and eggs.
There is no evidence that zombies rose from their graves and danced
around two thousand years ago.
https://youtu.be/4hq5CgBvbGM?si=q5ddAfir6bG59hmv
The Pagan History of Easter: From Ēostre to the Easter Bunny
https://www.dannydutch.com/post/the-pagan-history-of-easter-what-it-was-before-christianity-arrived
"The Resurrection"
I found this excerpt which is fitting for today and this community. This was written by R.J. Rushdoony, who is now in glory, whom I have followed for more than 40 years. In Childer's fashion, he gets directly to the point. We can all identify with his words, especially his closing prophetic words....................................................................
The Biblical faith concerning Jesus Christ involves and requires believing that He was raised from the dead in the same body which suffered crucifixion. Jesus Christ, by His resurrection, destroyed the power of sin and death. Moreover, He set forth His victory over the realms of both spirit and matter, conquering the enemy in every realm.
If Jesus Christ had only risen from the dead as a spirit, as a ghost, then His only victory and His only saving power would be limited to the world of the spirit. It would mean that He would be helpless to answer prayers concerning material things, because His power would extend only to things spiritual. It would mean that His people would be helpless against the powers of this world and without a law or a recourse in this world.
But, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He is Lord over all lords, King over all kings, the lawgiver and supreme governor of all things, material and spiritual. Prayer is effectual because He is effectual. We can therefore say with the psalmist: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Ps. 46:1–2).
For this reason, from the days of the early church on, the Day of Resurrection has been a time of joy because it sets forth the certainty of our victory in and through Jesus Christ. St. Paul, in terms of this fact of the resurrection, could happily declare, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55).
The world today, as it has moved from faith in God to faith in man, has moved from joy and confidence to fearfulness and darkness. Our material prosperity has not increased our joy, because, apart from the Christian victory, the joy of living drains out of a man. As St. John made clear, “[T]his is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4)...
“Jesus Christ, by His resurrection, destroyed the power of sin and death. Moreover, He set forth His victory over the realms of both spirit and matter, conquering the enemy in every realm.” Moreover, I would add that He was able to do this because He is God - the great I AM, existing in the perfect Triune being we call the Holy Trinity, and the Author of Creation - the Author of life itself. (See John ch. 1) My challenge to deniers is, you are living in a state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual awareness that allows you to contemplate your very existence, and its origins — why? If there is no God, if Jesus never lived, why is there anything at all?
Thank you Jesus for saving me all those years ago. My only regret is not surrendering to You sooner! Happy Resurrection Day C&C family!
Taken from A Word In Season: Daily Messages on the Faith for All of Life, Volume 2, pp. 23-24
https://chalcedonstore.com/products/word-in-season-set
Amen and Amen 🙏
Thank you Janice
Happy Easter Jeff, he is risen!
And in typical Easter fashion since this is a Covid blog the lockdowns on Easter, whether they are 6000 years ago or 5 years ago, traditionally don’t work so well.
Jesus Christ-ignoring the worlds first stay at home order.
Your last line was perfection! Thank you Benjamin! Peace be with you. He has Risen.
He is risen, indeed.
How ironic that so many religious leaders did not defy the lockdown orders or the vaccine mandates.
Thinking of one in particular...Francis Collins
Welby. He damaged the Anglican Church in the UK so badly it's probably gone.
As a default Anglican who adores the KJV and the Book of Common Prayer (and Miles Coverdale's translation of the Psalms) this deeply saddens me, but has prompted me in my 70s to dive deep into Catholicism (been at Buckfast Abbey on retreat for Holy Week) and will also attend some Orthodox services. Fortunate enough to spend 6 weeks in the summer of '68 on a school trip, driving from Leningrad to Odessa. Attended a couple of services in Orthodox Cathedral and was, at the age of 16, much taken by the power of their services.
Pope Francis immediately comes to mind. The leader of the Catholic Church put man before God. I pray he asked for forgiveness. God rest his soul.
I love that!!!!!!! Perfect.
You have suffered much from this community over these last three years . I respect your position, although I do not share it. Thank you for your perseverance, and a Blessed Resurrection Day to you !
Yikes.
Benn The Troll has called for the exterminations of Christians more than anyone on this blog with his constant yammering for Russians (and Ukrainians) to suffer mass deaths as he advocates US weapons to pour into the conflict.
For him to come here on Easter with more of his bullshit is just insulting to all of us who call for peace.
What love is from the mouths of Children:
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and snuggle together." Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that." Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen,". Bobby - age 7
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend whom you hate." Nikka - age 6
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and he then wears it every day." Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
And the final one:
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
"Nothing, I just helped him cry."
There is much we can learn from little children. In fact, Jesus taught his followers to
be child-like – in sincerity, innocence, faith and trust, and even love. Let’s put aside
our sophistications, our desire for status and power, and humble ourselves like a little
child – for to such belongs the kingdom of God (Matthew 18:2-5; 19:4).
Source: https://universal-spirituality.net/divine-plan-of-salvation/love-in-action/
Indeed, children are unadulterated and understand the true essence of Love before life gets in the way. The source of Love at its purest they understand. Suffer the little children to come unto Me. I love that verse. May peace be with all of us thanks to our Jesus.
That is the innocence that we will have again someday.
Fear Not: God the Father is in Charge...
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
---
Two perspectives:
BaBa and BeBe both had traveled through some tough terrain recently. Their shepherd had led them through a narrow mountain pass, into (and out of) a dark cave, and now they were in a field where wild beasts had roared in the distance.
“It’s been a horrible trip,” BaBa moaned. “Dangers and hardships everywhere. Did you see how I toppled on my back coming down that mountain pass? I’d never traveled such a steep slope.”
“But the shepherd picked you right up,” countered BeBe. “He led us safely every step. We didn’t know where we were going, but he did. And I’m sure he still does.”
“But did you hear that noise last night?” BaBa asked. “I thought for sure a wild animal would tear us apart.”
“I heard it,” replied BeBe, “and I was afraid at first. But then I looked over at the shepherd, and saw he had his weapon at the ready. He’s not going to let anything hurt us, BaBa. I, for one, am going to graze in peace.”
With that, BeBe started munching on a delicious clump of grass. But BaBa was not finished yet.
“Where do you think we’ll go next? What if it’s near a cliff? I’m soooooo scarred I’ll fall over a cliff.”
BeBe felt a momentary panic at the thought of a cliff, but then she remembered her shepherd. “If our shepherd can lead us through the dangers he has, I think we can trust him to keep us safe near a cliff,” she replied, returning to her munching. This pasture had such delicious grass!
BaBa, on the other hand, kept baaing about the distant animal noises she heard and how hard of a path she’d trod. She kept thinking about the hardships instead of the shepherd.
The most sacred laid down His life not because we deserved it, but because His love demanded it. Love held Jesus to the cross, not the nails. The cross was the bridge Jesus built to bring us back to God. He drank the bitter cup of wrath & pain so we could drink the cup of pure love & salvation. He carried the cross we deserved to carry, so we could receive the grace we didn’t deserve. His love was so deep, it reached down into his own torture & death to lift us into life.
Ok TT, now I am crying. What indescribable Love.
I love the reference that 'love held Jesus to the cross.'
aaaww, Geez Tri-T.
I did not need to attend church this morning, just read Father Goodrich and Father Tri-T's sermons.
thank you. . . both!
What a beautiful description of the crucifixtion. Thank you TT
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, you give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God!
-Cory Asbury
So beautiful. Thank you, T.
Best wishes and love to you on this most blessed of days.
This is truly beautiful…thank you!
"The cross was the bridge Jesus built to bring us back to God".
No the Father did that not the Son.
“Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
A 4 year old knows and said that.
That last one got me :)
I'm just helping him cry❤️💔😍
Me too 🥲
Leo Buscaglia..such a wise man. His books are wonderful
It’s been a long time since I thought about him.
yeah, me too.
It must be 20+ years ago we saw his films at church.. .
Many of his speeches are on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/x7WsfAFmE8g?si=xLysW3UZMLPkUeuy
Thank you for this. I sent a copy to my family - to those who have lost their way with God. On this Easter Sunday, as I thank God for my life and look at the brilliant sky, I want them to at least focus on love.
Out of the mouths of babes...
I wish I wrote all the funny things kids said over the years of teaching elementary.
Love this!! Such sweetness!! ❤️
So beautiful it made me cry. Thank you Tri torch
That is just great Tri-T!
Good ole Leo Buscaglia-- Mister Love himself. A great man to quote. thank you.
Beautiful words from the mouth of babes. Loved reading their definition of love.
I once asked my daughter who was in high school how she knew I loved her… asked because I have said I love you to her and she responded I know. Her response still affects me… she said that I get up every morning with her and her brother and I kiss them good -bye on their way to school. She said that she didn’t know any other parents who did that.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings...
Love this!! Thank you💕!
Thanks Tritorch, now I’m crying over the sweetness and innocence of how children define Love ❤️
What a wonderful surprise this morning! Happy Easter to you and your family, Jeff, and to all my fellow C&C readers.
He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Thank you Charles Wesley!!!
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy pow’r to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Thank you CC. Beautiful to read on this Easter morning.
🎼🎶A-le-lu-jah‼️ 🎶
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne. - Charles Wesley, 1744
I love the old hymns! This one I normally think of at Christmas, but it’s so appropriate for Resurrection Sunday as well. Such a beautiful melody too. Thank you and may the Lord richly bless you!!!
I woke up this morning singing this song in my head! Glorious! Thanks for all the verses.
We opened our church service with this song today! Such powerful lyrics!!
I thank God every day for the return of my faith. I have never felt more hopeful. Truly with God all things are possible!
Amen! I went to my first church service in 40 years on Good Friday. ✝️❤️. Happy Easter.
Praise God for that!!! 🙌
Hallelujah and amen!!
Jacqueline, John 6:37! Praise the Lord!!!
Thank you Jeff for a lovely Easter surprise edition! Happy Resurrection Sunday everyone! He is Risen!
He is Risen INDEED! just as He said! All Glory to God Alone!
He has risen indeed!!! 🙌
Thank you, Jeff, for rising up in the darkness and calling people out with your daily messages of hope and sanity!
I appreciated the sense of community in C&C despite the barrage of horrors since 2020. Thank you for sharing the love of God in the way that you do! He is glorious and eternally loving. His grace was sufficient in the worst of times, and sustains us today. His death and resurrection enables us to be with Him and we are forever grateful.
Bless you all and may this day be filled with joy and peace as we celebrate our Savior 🙏🏼
He is Risen!! Happy Easter C & C Army! May the Lord bless each and every one of you and your families!
Happy Easter Childers family and to the C&C army as well.
Happy Easter Jeff to you and your family. What a lovely surprise to receive this post on Easter Sunday. Thank you.
What a lovely surprise to see your Easter message in my inbox! Thank you! May God richly bless you and your family this Resurrection Sunday and throughout the year.
Why our churches went along with the Covid Mandates , I’ll never know - At out Mega church we have a parking lot large enough to fill , but our leaders were not courageous enough - I appreciate the pastor in California and Texas (?) that stayed open
Closing churches and keeping big box stores open.
All you need to know.
Deliberate attempt to demoralize everyone.
CO Governor Polis whined as he excuse-followed Tri-County Health in shutting down "his" STATE. Denver Mayor Hankook closed liquor stores for about 2-3 hours then rescinded that part, later he told us to stay home during holidays as he took off for MS or wherever to visit family
and liquor stores.
And abortion clinics and marijuana dispensaries 🙄
Not to mention the liquor stores and strip clubs! Just vile!
Mrs. "the Knife"
Materialism is the True god of America they proclaimed, only Consumerism and the rejection of dangerous Faith in God Gatherings can save us from a deadly novel virus that Naturally sprang forth to attack the cancer of humanity, they taught.
And Christians should have fought back.
Next time let's not roll over.
There will be a next time...
So appreciate you, Kathleen
Thank you.
My parish priest, Father Alex, chastised the unvaccinated and called us selfish in his sermons. He was just reading the Vatican guidance, I know, but I still felt it quite a betrayal. Attended the Vigil last night at another parish, my new parish, and was filled with such relief/hope/promise - and I forgave Father Alex for his weakness and lack of courage.
I’m happy you found a devout Parish. I, too, am thrilled to attend a Church filled with not one, but two holy priests who truly love Our Lord and proclaim their Catholic faith each and every day. Holy Week services brought me to tears.
he was "just following orders"
Our church met on the lawn…. We never stopped worshipping even in the rain!
Glorious!
They were shamed, bought off or threatened. Episcopal church i was in the "FINAL Sunday" had under 10 people.... so WTF??? but the Bishop or whatever in CO sent out the decree to close no matter---SATANISM won that round. I said do mini services of 10 at a time if you really believe that God and Christ and Church have any value at all, while you Respect the Civil (UNGODLY) Authorities!...but the DIVISION between Good and Evil is a Stark line, a chasm and few were those who went the narrow path while MANY were they who chose the broad road that leads to Destruction. So while some met outdoors or roped off every other aisle of pews, and Zoomed the services devoid of congregations, the snitchers were there observing and dutifully ready to turn them in should their Quisling Virtue deem violations too great.
Doesn't seem wise to follow anyone who doesn't walk their talk.
There is no final rest here. But, there are moments and seasons of solace and faith turned to sight. Today is one of those moments, let's hope we are also in one of those rare seasons.
Happy Resurrection day and May God bestow His gracious Blessings on all of us. 🙏🙏🙏
"Bidened up"!! That phrase is absolutely hilarious and I can actually use it at work without getting fired (as opposed to saying I effed up something, which I only say behind the scenes with coworkers saying the same). I am totally stealing it!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Happy Easter!
We need to constantly buckle-up against the crazy left Obama/Biden followers, they completely effed up our country, or Bidened-up as Jeff says! Thank you for pointing that out to me, it went over my head!
"Trickle-down Biden Brain" effects the entire nation after the CoVid/Vaxx attacks