Walking In, With, and Toward Wonder!

 The Church, the fellowship of those who follow Jesus, is so much more than just another human organization. It is formed by God through the living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word, the Bible, to bring reconciliation and restoration to people in their individual lives and in their life together! All who name the Name of Jesus are on a journey together. This is a journey of becoming what God has designed us to be from before the creation of the world. We are blessed and gifted through Jesus to display the awesome power of God in a group of humble people who receive God's grace, live by God's grace, share God's grace, and offer God's grace!

Evidence In The Text

 The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation for believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Of course, the question is how can we trust that this event really happened? However, a look at the scriptures with an open mind and open eyes reveals that believing Christ is risen from the dead is a very reasonable conclusion. Of course, proof is not in the reasoned consideration of the evidence, but in the openness to encountering the risen Lord here and now where we are. Jesus is not simply a logical end to a curious inquiry, no matter how interesting and fascinating such a quest may be. He is the one who brings us into an experience of God that transforms our lives and through us transforms the world.

Either/Or

 Jesus doesn't speak or act in a way that doesn't call for response on our part. His claims to be the fulfillment of all history and the embodiment of the Presence of God demand that we either accept them as true and then commit ourselves to his rule and ways in our lives, or we reject his claims and dismiss him as a delusional but at best a well-intentioned charlatan. There is no room to admire him as a just a wise religious teacher. So, either we can escort him to the periphery of our lives and consider him an interesting curiosity -- or we must make our lives entirely about him and seek to follow him as our Lord and Savior.

More Than A Myth

 The story of the Israelites in Egypt and their deliverance by God from slavery is the foundational narrative for both Judaism and Christianity. The Exodus account gives us our understanding of who God is and God's work of redemption. Jesus uses it as the framework for his teaching, his identity as God's Son, and it informs us in how we are to understand his sacrifice for us on the Cross. As the apostle Paul declares, "For Christ, our Passover lamb. has been sacrificed." Therefore, it is important for our faith that this story be based in actual historical events. Many scholars (and misinformed followers of these scholars) dispute there being any historical basis at all. It is my contention, along with many others of impeccable credibility, that there is solid archeological evidence for the biblical narrative. It is a terrific truth and not a tall tale!