He Is Risen!!

Ash, Caleb and I went to see 'Love According to John" at the Jubilee Auditorium last night. I was Caleb's first theatre experience!



The passion play is put on by Alberta Lyric Theatre. They do a fantastic job, really bringing to life the gospel of John. Congrats to them, and thanks for bringing us closer to our Creator, and a greater understanding of our need and His sacrifice.




I found this short reflection on the resurrection on Randy Alcorn's blog:

"Make no mistake: if he rose at all it was as His body; if the cells' dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church will fail. Let us not mock God with metaphor, analogy, sidestepping transcendence; making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages; let us walk through the door."
- John Updike, as quoted by Randy Alcorn on his blog.

As over 500 witnessed firsthand, and countless millions since by His indwelling presence, may we say with confidence with them this Easter: "He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!"

Ash Wednesday - beginning of Lent

Today marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting, reflection and preparation for the death and resurrection of Christ. Here's a brief explanation from catholic.org:

Lent is about conversion, turning our lives more completely over to Christ and his way of life. That always involves giving up sin in some form. The goal is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever. Conversion means leaving behind an old way of living and acting in order to embrace new life in Christ. For catechumens, Lent is a period intended to bring their initial conversion to completion.

Being brought up in a baptist/protestant tradition, we didn't celebrate lent. I didn't really know what it was until my late teens. Now I see it as a valuable exercise in examining one's life and removing or giving up things that prevent us from knowing Christ more fully... giving up a worldly habit and instead using that time to focus on Christ. Easier said than done, but still a useful practice, any time of year.

So what will I give up this year? Useless TV viewing and Internet usage. (some TV is useful... can we say UEFA Champions League Soccer?). That should save me at least an hour or so each day... more time to reflect, read, pray. Draw near. Lent.

What will you give up?