For too many of us, our past trauma, pain, and shame keep us from the freedom God seeks for our lives. In this week's episode, Jesus meets seven of his friends and provides for them in ways they could never expect. One of them even experiences the redemption of his deepest shame.

Hardship and suffering are to be avoided! The human survival instinct is a hard one to transform. Peter tells us how Jesus was able to face suffering in a transformational way. This way of suffering is a long game in which we realize that pointing our life toward God in the good AND the bad will make all the difference.

On the very first Easter Sunday Jesus made many appearances. Two followers of Jesus were returning home after the stunning events surrounding Jesus' death. As they make their way, Jesus appears and opens their hearts and minds to a new way of experiencing him. it is not just an experience of the head; it is one of the heart, too.

Is being called a "Doubting Thomas" really fair? When Jesus first appears to the disciples, Thomas is not there. All he asks is to be included the same way his friends had been included. Doubt is an important and healthy posture for us. Doubt gives faith a chance to do its best work!

Belief and faith are mysterious things. They grow and evolve in each of us as human beings. We can often mistake a "breakthrough" as a conclusion. The opposite is quite true. Breakthroughs of faith will lead us into new seasons of growth. Those who were witnesses to Jesus' resurrection clearly share this dynamic growth on that first Easter morning.