From the Pastor’s Desk

Dear Friends,

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! We say these words at Easter but do we really believe these words? Do we really believe that God brings about new life after death? Or do we believe that death, destruction, and violence is the final word?

I am going to challenge you over these next few weeks to believe in these words and to look for signs of this in the world. What does it look like for a mother of young children to begin each day by looking for signs of new life? What does it look like for a dad with teenagers to begin the day by looking for signs of new life? What does it look like for someone who is facing hardships or tragedy to begin the day by looking for signs of new life? If we approach our life’s experiences by looking for new life then I bet we will see it. When you watch TV or surf the internet, or read publications, do you see death or new life in what you are seeing or reading? If what you watch gives witness more to death, violence, or negative images than to new life then you may want to read or watch something different.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! If we look for this then I bet we will find it.

Peace, Sam

Devotional: Read Isaiah 25:6-9

This text is a description of the eschatological banquet. “Eschatological” is a word which describes the end of the age. This image is common in early Jewish and Christian writings.

Usually when people talk about eschatology they use images of fear and terror. We hear about all of the bad things that will happen to non-Christians so we are scared into belief. But did you pay attention to the feelings described in this passage? In Isaiah’s passage about the end times he writes about how the Lord will make a great feast for all peoples. Isaiah writes about God destroying a shroud that has been cast over the peoples. Isaiah shares images of God’s protection over all nations. Isaiah shares images of God wiping away tears and people’s disgrace being removed.

• So how would we talk about the future if we used Isaiah’s images?
• How would we relate to others under Isaiah’s images?
• What is our Christian witness if we base it on Isaiah’s words?