The Courier Journal as a lovely piece on Ben Witherington III concerning the tragic death of his daughter Christy entitled Faith & Works. The interview concludes this way: “God doesn’t promise you a rose garden,” said Witherington. In recent weeks, he has been teaching on the gospel of Mark and its many passages indicating Jesus’ followers would suffer as he did. Parents have no guarantee, he acknowledged, that they will see their children grow to full maturity. “We don’t know... Read more

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Messiah your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen. Read more

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!  Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?  Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! Are there any weary with fasting?  Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour,  let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour,  let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he... Read more

Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, gives his Easter address: Read more

Sorry for the low volume on blogging, but I’ve spent a large part of this Easter in Toowoomba on Easterfest. In fact, last night I went to a Michael W. Smith concert, he can sing some gospel, I just wish his “message” had a little more depth to it (sigh …). Any ways, here’s stuff you should consider clicking on: Brian Rosner (Moore Theological College, principal designate Ridley College) has a good piece in The Age Newspaper on Looking beyond... Read more

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Read more

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Read more

Today is Maundy Thursday. To those  unfamiliar with this name, “maundy” means “commandment” (Revised). Maundy Thursday brings the end of Lent and initiates the three great days of the Paschal celebration, referred to as the “Great Triduum”: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Paschal Vigil on Saturday night. Maundy Thursday gets its name from the commandment Jesus gave on the night it commemorates, the night of the Last Supper. During that meal with this disciples, according to the Gospel of John,... Read more

I want to announce what I think is the # 1 book for this Easter. It is: Ross Clifford & Philip Johnson The Cross is Not Enough: Living as Witnesses to the Resurrection Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2012. Available at Amazon.com I love the book’s provocative title! But it’s true, if Jesus died and stayed dead, his death could not atone, redeem, or justify. He’d be a great martyr, but an impotent savior. Too many Christians (and preachers !!) treat... Read more

Andrew Bolt, not the most biblically informed journalist, nevertheless, Bolt has published My Easter Message at the Herald Sun. Bolt gives a good “homily” on how the cultural trend of bashing Christians in the media and arts is sheer cowardice. I particularly like this quote: So when I see a Western artist mock Christ, I see an artist advertising not his courage but his cowardice – by not daring to mock what would threaten him more. He concludes with: We... Read more