From Triumphal Entry to Empty Tomb: a Reflection on Holy Week
This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar. Choirs, orchestras, and bands across the world have rehearsed special music for months. Churches gear up to receive an influx of visitors. Pastors and priests set their hearts and minds on preparing sermons highlighting the highpoint of the Christian faith: Jesus of Nazareth’s death as the atonement for humanity’s sin and his resurrection on the third day.
Focusing on Unconditional Gratitude for the New Year
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is often used as a time to inventory the year that comes to an end. For many years, I have used this week to look back, rejoice in the year’s accomplishments, and acknowledge where changes need to happen before establishing goals for the new year. During this time, I also ask God to give me a word and a bible verse to focus on for the next 365 days.
Near-Death Experiences Validate God’s Character in Scriptures
In John Burke’s 2015 book, Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You, Burke analyzed over 100 fascinating stories of near-death experiences in light of what scriptures tell us about Heaven. The book hit the New York Bestselling list with over 1 million copies sold.