Easter and Resurrection.... Just a few thoughts

So today is Tuesday. It's not just any Tuesday, but instead the Tuesday after Easter. The Tuesday after the day we celebrate the resurrection. As Christians we are a resurrection people. We are to celebrate the fact that the tomb is empty. Jesus was NO LONGER there. Jesus conquered death. It's a very beautiful story really. No one believed Him, no one trusted Him, no one knew what to really expect when He talked about His upcoming death. Whenever I hear the Easter story of the disciples and their coming to the tomb it always makes me think. It makes me think as to how this story affects me, and who I would have been in the story. The disciples were baffled as to how this could happen. They had no idea, how or why it did, even though time and time again Jesus told them what was going to happen. He told them everything that they would need to know. Literally, everything! But they didn't get it.

Mark 11:17-18 - " ¹⁷Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?"

We are a lot more like the disciples then we care to think. We are a lot like them. We have ears, but do not listen, we see the miracles of God, but refuse to understand. It gives me great hope that even the twelve closest followers of Jesus struggled. They saw and heard everything He was doing, and yet still struggled. But when it came to His resurrection and He came among them, then they believed. We are a resurrection people, the tomb was empty. The disciples were able to tell us that. Besides actually being there and seeing it for ourselves, we have the best view of it. Now we just have to believe in it.

It's been too long

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update this. Life seems to going at warp speed. Oh well. I have continued reading the Bible and I am really enjoying what I am reading. I am on Daniel and it is a fascinating book. The majority of it is end of the world prophecies and such. Life is going really well right now, I really have to much to complain about. Even if I did, it wouldn't do me much good to complain. We had our first deposit due for the mission trip this summer to Crownpoint, New Mexico. I think it is going to be an awesome trip where the students can explore God's creation and work for the Navajo people like they never have. We gave out Bibles at this past weeks Tuesday Bible Study and the students love them. I have never seen so many middle schoolers go crazy and study so much in their own bible. That's all for today.

<><,
Joel

How is it January already?

Well the obvious answer is, because last month was December, and that's how it goes. But really, time is flying. FLYING... Life is going really quickly and I don't know how to slow it down. Maybe it's not supposed to be slow, but who knows. The past couple nights that I have gotten into bed, I have read been reading the Bible, and going through some of the smaller books because they go quickly but there is so much interesting stuff in them. So far I have read, Philemon, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and James. That's 4 out of 66. Not too shabby. I need to read them out of my Bible and not Catherine's that is beside the bed. That way, I can highlight in it, and underline, and right side notes. I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but you know, if I am going to go back and read the notes and underlining it might be helpful if it's my Bible. I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions, but this year I have one. It is to be more responsible. Just in general. Hopefully I can work on that. Until next time, I am off to have some dinner.

<><.
Joel