Dr. David Swanson | Psalm 136:1-3

When we encounter various trials, we sometimes doubt God's goodness, and the phrase we often hear: "God is good, all the time!" makes us internally wonder, "Is He?" Psalm 136 helps us answer that question with a better understanding of what "goodness" actually means.

Rev. Tanner Fox | Ezekiel 36:24-28
As we think about Mother's and the nurture they bring us – the emotional connections we have, that can often be something lost in faith. We become detached, cynical and lack any sense of real love for the Father. Contrary to 1 Peter 1:8.

Dr. Paul Gibson | Philippians 4:6-8
Research and simple observation tell us that we live in an age of increased anxiety. More directly, our own experiences show us that anxiety is not an abstract idea, but something that many of us wrestle with on a daily basis. For a few of us, anxiety is a debilitating struggle. Is an answer for our anxious struggle found in the providence of God? Is the “peace of God, which transcends all understanding” even obtainable in our anxiety-controlled lives? What if the antidote to anxiety is trusting in the providence of God? 

Continuing in a post-Easter vein, this is the moment of Jesus' transfiguration – a high point for Peter James and John, a high like Easter... but we do not live there. Maturity is coming down off the mountain and living faithfully in the mess.

Isaiah addresses the idea of "renown" or fame. We tend to want our own, as did Judah, but Isaiah says we are only to seek the renown of the Lord.

The Resurrection of Jesus reveals a power that is beyond our wildest imaginations. It is a power that redeems the world and transforms our relationship with the triune God. It's a power that creates and brings about new life. It is also a power that is evident and accessible to us even today. In Ephesians, Paul expresses his desire that the Church tap into this power - The Holy Spirit - and that we night truly come to know Jesus and live like never before!

Unlike most graves, especially the graves of heroic religious leaders (contemplation, reflection, peace), the grave of Jesus was one of such utter shock and surprise that people ran away in fear. This is the surprising, earth-shattering nature of Easter that we must rescue from the watered-down, simplified and symbolic stories told about it today.

The end of the discourse reveals the stunning prayer of Jesus for His disciples – and that includes us – His Church. The prayer of Jesus is tender and powerful and securing as we reflect on its contents.

We come to understand the heart of Jesus more deeply by listening to the conversation He has with His Father.

The disciples are confused. Jesus tells them he will be going to see the Father "in a little while." They don't know he is going to die but he goes on to tell them how it's going to work. There will be great sadness, sorry, and maybe even hopelessness. But the pain and sorrow of loss will give birth to the hope that will fill them with a joy that cannot be taken away. He uses the metaphor of a women's pregnancy bringing pain and sorrow, but the gift of life is the blessing on the far end. We will look at the sorrow of the story and the hope it gives birth to in Christ!