Stop. Before you say that, or do that, or tweet that about your fellow Christian, remember you have the same father, and your foremost allegiance is to the same kingdom. Now carry on.

What would change if you believed the truest thing about you is that you are made in the image of God? That ALL humans are? A lot would change. We’re banking on it.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave, and lands the first blow in his battle with death. The knockout punch will come soon after when he himself rises. Nothing will ever be the same.

We so often forget that Jesus entering our pain is often part of the good news. We don't just have permission to grieve, we are called to.

Sometimes God waits until all earthly hope is gone to do his thing, so there is no confusion who is working. Jesus' question to Martha is the same question he poses to you: "Do you believe?" Make sure you're not holding back your "yes".

If resurrection is true...if it’s really possible...if life can spring forth where only death has been...everything changes.

Plenty of things will come against you in this life hoping to separate you from the God who loves you. None of them will succeed. Your shepherd, your father is too strong for that.

We are constantly overwhelmed by all kinds of voices. Thankfully, Jesus is eager to silence the voices that are not from him, and reveal himself as the one who can lead, feed, protect, and save us.

Righteousness. Justice. Kindness.

They might be all you need to know.

Jesus didn’t simply settle for physical healing for the blind man, he pursued him for his spiritual healing too. These verses show us that Jesus has a perfect record of finding the people he goes looking for and begs us to see ourselves in the story.