Christ Has Been Raised From the Dead

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 

Jesus has been raised from the dead.

Raising those who have fallen asleep.

Since death came through Adam, the resurrection of the dead also came through one man, Jesus.

As in Adam we die, so in Christ we will be made alive.

And we will live with Him in heaven.

Praise the Lord!

The Resurrection of the Dead Comes Through a Man

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Jesus has been raised from the dead.

He is now alive!

Death came through a man, Adam.

And the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man, Jesus.

Christ is God's son.

Through Him all will be made alive.

Praise the Lord! 

All Have Sinned and Fall Short

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. — Romans 3:23-24 

God created us but in Adam we all sinned.

As a result, we've all missed the mark, and we all fall short of God's glory.

We are freely justified by His grace.

And Jesus Christ died to redeem us by His blood.

I am loved and redeemed!

Amazing grace.

He Has Given Us a New Birth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. — 1 Peter 1:3 

Praise be to God!

He loves and cares for me and my family. 

Just 20 days ago I was in the hospital with pneumonia.

Today I feel almost back to normal - my breath support isn't completely back.

And I'm getting stronger each day.

In God's great mercy He has given me new birth into a living hope.

Through the resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ from the dead.

Praise God!

He Has Given Us New Birth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  — 1 Peter 1:3 

Last week Abby and I went to the zoo.

We saw several baby animals.

And we saw lots of active animals.

Here's the new baby giraffe.

He was just four weeks old.

He was enjoying being with the other giraffes as they were eating.

We also saw a baby hippo swimming with his mom.

A fun mother-daughter day to see the animal families.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. — John 11:24

This time of year we celebrate Jesus' birth.

But we also reflect on His life.

And we thank Him for dying on the cross for our sins.

The word, Christmas, contains the word Christ, our Savior.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing!

In Christ All Will Be Alive

For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-21

Today I got word that the candidate for our job, accepted my offer!

Praise God for His goodness and provision.

I think this is a record for the company, to have filled the position less than two weeks after our previous person left.

Of course, she won't be able to start until May 10, which will put it at 30 days.

To God be the glory for sending just the right person our way.

And we will have another opening in our department in the next few weeks, so we are continuing the interview process.

Fortunately, I will most likely not have to supervise that person.

Four writers is plenty for me right now.

Christ Has Been Raised

But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. — 1 Corinthians 15:20-21

Our friend Melanie's dad passed away earlier this month.

He told the family he was ready to see his Lord.

Fortunately, Mel had been back to visit him several times over the past year.

They will have a memorial celebration for him in July.

And the family will fly back to Iowa at that time.

Today They were all worshiping at church together.

In Christ we all will be made alive.

Praise God!

I Want to Know Christ

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. — Philippians 3:10

I want to know the power of Christ's resurrection.

To become like Him in His life as well as in His death.

I press onward, in hopes of attaining the resurrection from the dead.

Today Abby I went swimming at the Y.

The air was actually chilly when the sun went behind the clouds, but the water was warm.

Very refreshing!

We also heard today that a young friend of ours has just been diagnosed with breast cancer - a 5 mm lump.

Our prayers are with her and her family during this difficult time, as she waits to meet with her oncologist.

We pray for her healing and strength.

May God surround her with His great love.

New Birth Into a Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. — 1 Peter 1:3

Today is Friday the 13th.

For me, those dates are usually blessed rather than unlucky.

Next week we will celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the luck 'o the Irish.

Kirk has ancestors from Ireland. 

This month we can search for them for free on Ancestry.com.

Our friend Laurie has her birthday on St. Patrick's Day.

Jesus, the Life

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. — John 11:25

During this advent season, we await the coming of Jesus. Advent means coming.

But we are also reminded that He gave His life for us on the cross.

And He rose again and now lives in heaven with His Father, God.

Jesus is the resurrection.

He is alive, and we, too, can have eternal life, thanks to  His sacrifice.

When we believe in Him, we will live even though we die.

What a wonderful message that is to hear.

My Heart Rejoices

I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me. — Psalm 13:5-6

My Bible study book has a great quote, "The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that the worst day is not the last day."

Even my most agonizing loss, my worst day, will be cast in the light of shalam — redeemed and restored as all things are made new.

Jesus' death and resurrection redeems, renews, restores, and revives me.

So I can tell my past hurts and worries that they are not the boss of me.

God will shalam — literally He will help me make peace with my past and the hard days of my present.

Thank goodness.

My heart rejoices in God's salvation.

He Has Risen, Just As He Said

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. — Matthew 28:6

First Presbyterian Church Westminster Choir

Today we'll attend church and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. At the end of the second service, we'll sing the Hallelujah Chorus in praise.

Anyone who wants to sing with us will be invited to join us in the choir loft and sing along.

What a wonderful way to focus on Jesus' resurrection and the fact that he now lives in heaven, seated on the right hand of God.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.