I

n the past couple of years conflict has reared its ugly head and torn at our church. Families have been torn apart, and so has the Lord's church. People who have been called to joy and glory are experiencing agony and shame. It doesn't have to be this way.

We have been compelled to confront these difficult questions: how can we make sense of the crises and suffering that comes our way? Isn’t God sovereign over everything? Isn't everything supposed to work for our ultimate good? Why then are we going through such grief?

This morning, listening to John Piper’s Boasting Only in the Cross message inspired me to consider my own life mission statement. By the way, if you are interested in seeing this YouTube video, it is on the main IAM member page. The life mission statement is an excellent tool for helping us to keep focused on what matters most.

This past Saturday, two Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on my door and I immediately started to tell them why I do not accept that religion. First, the founder, one Charles Taze Russell, was divorced by his wife for adultery and was unable to recite the Greek alphabet in court when asked to do so. His ignorance of the biblical languages did not deter him from coming up with his own translation of the Bible and his own unbiblical theology.

H

e has risen!

There has never been more significant events in the history of the world than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which some two billion Christians celebrate this day.

By the cross, Christ secured our forgiveness, conquered evil and unveiled the glory of God.

By his resurrection from the dead, his eternal victory was confirmed by the Father and proclaimed to the world.

He did all this because of his great love for us.

Bless his holy name!

He has risen indeed!

I received this email from a missionary friend. Let's pray for God's grace for Haiti:

D

uring this Christmas season, our family went to see the wonderful inspirational movie Invictus, about how Nelson Mandela led a racially divided South Africa toward reconciliation and unity through preserving, encouraging and inspiring the losing rugby team, the Springboks. The film has been nominated for three Golden Globe awards and has received critical and popular acclaim and is well worth seeing. It is especially of interest to leaders as it is a clinic on how to provide moral leadership by way of example.