What does Good Friday, illness Easter and Resurrection Day mean to you? Do you have questions about the resurrection? We hope these articles and videos will help you gain a better understanding.
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Is Christ Alive in Our Lives: An Easter Reflection
I have often been guilty of falling back on God rather than referring to an active, diagnosis living relationship with Christ. This conversation with my friend got me to thinking—have we become so “politically correct” that even amongst ourselves as Christians, we find it is easier to talk about “God” rather than “Jesus”?
The Empty Cross, The Empty Tomb
Although we talk about the death of Jesus often, for some reason we have tended to only mention the resurrection at Easter time. Christians sometimes even say Jesus died to save us without mentioning that he also rose for our salvation. It’s time to redress the balance a bit and talk more about Jesus’ death and resurrection. For Christians all over the world, every Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. We meet each week, among other things, in order to celebrate the glorious, wondrous fact that Jesus rose from the dead…
When considering if Christianity is true, it all boils down to whether Jesus rose from the dead.
And as we approach Easter—the central foundation of our Christian faith… the day that Christ rose from the dead… the day that we celebrate the LIVING Christ—shouldn’t it be a day that we confirm Christ living in US? On this Holy Day, I think it is important to ask ourselves, “Are we keeping Christ alive in our lives?”
The Inspiring Message of the Resurrection
The Easter story is a message of hope. Yet many people celebrate this holiday with only chocolate bunnies and egg hunts because they do not know its real purpose.
Don’t let the true message of Easter pass you up. Take time this week to reflect on the amazing events of the Lord’s death and resurrection!
The Resurrection and the Secular Mind
In the greatest question of life, the question of Jesus Christ and your relation to him, there are only two possible answers. Either you believe him for who he is or you reject him and his claims. Yes or no. Life or death. You believe or you don’t. There is no middle ground. Whatever else this day may be, Easter will not really be Easter for you until you take your stand with Jesus Christ….
Everyday Easter
The author’s “spiritual experience” in the Garden of Gethsemane wasn’t what she expected…
I sat in the garden waiting for a “spiritual experience” and listened to life go on around me. I walked away remembering that the power of Easter is that its hope permeates all of life. Ours is the kind of world that needs Jesus, and it’s the kind of world Easter was designed to redeem. We spend one day a year affirming and celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection—and even then we get distracted by colorful eggs, pretty baskets and bonnets, and ham. Thank God that he loves us with Easter-level love every day.
Caught between the Easter Bunny and the Empty Grave
Reducing Easter to a purely spiritual celebration is almost as problematic as reducing it to a consumer smorgasbord.
Is it necessary to believe in the resurrection of Jesus to be saved?
An interesting blog post on an important topic.
Tags: Calvary, cross, crucifixion, Easter, forgiveness, Jesus, Resurrection, Resurrection Day
We asked our community on Facebook what they find helps them prepare for Easter and reminds them of the price Christ paid for our sins and his resurrection. We also wanted to know if they watch it by themselves, approved
with family or do they make an event out of it with friends. Here are the suggestions from other Authentic Christian Living members and links to the movies in our store.
As Christians, many of us practice a variety of traditions in order to prepare our hearts for Good Friday and Easter. One common method today is watching a movie. What movie do you find to be the most meaningful for Good Friday and Easter?
Here are the movies suggestions from the community (thank you to everyone that contributed):
- The Passion of Christ
- Suggested by Sivi from Lafayette, Cathy Valencia from Chambersburg, Samantha from Huntsville, Cheryl from Houston, Dave from San Diego, Laura from Chicago, Dennis from Pinckney, Michele from Chicago and Jacque from Conroe
- The Ten Commandments
- Suggested byStephanie from Urbana and Sandy from Miamisburg
- The Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled
- Suggested by Terri
- Ben Hur
- Suggested by Steve from Salt Lake City and Charles from Philadelphia,
- The Gospel of John
- Suggested by Janet from Euclid
- The Robe
- Suggested by Pam
- Jesus of Nazareth
- Suggested by Elaine from Shreveport
- The Greatest Story Ever Told
- Suggested by Stacy from Auburn (IL), Connie
 You can find these movies at many stores in your town or in our store (click here for the movies).
The Passion of the Christ? How about others? Do you watch by yourself, with your family or do you invite friends over?
If you want proof that a Christian band can rock just as hard – or harder – than secular bands, viagra approved you can stop your search! Classic rock riffs, health swirling drums, monstrous hooks, and undeniably catchy choruses. They hint of old school progressive rock mixed in with modern alternative flourishes and touches of classical influence as swelling strings intersect with sonic adrenaline rushes. Add in their slower ballads and they are a band to appeal to a wide audience.
Skillet is a Grammy-nominated Christian hard rock band originally formed in Memphis, Tennessee. As of March 2010 they have sold 1.6 million albums worldwide. The song Hero was used in the publicizing of the first football game of the 2009 NFL season between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. The NFL on NBC continued using “Hero” as the background song for their game previews for the entire season, and it was later used during the World Series. The song “Monster” was used in the episode “Jason: The Pretty-Boy Bully” on MTV’s Bully Beatdown. “Monster” was the theme song for the WWE event WWE Hell in a Cell while the song “Hero” was the theme song for WWE Tribute to the Troops and Royal Rumble 2010,as well as both songs being included on the official soundtracks for the WWE video game WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010.
Music video for One Day Too Late
Music video for Whispers in the Dark
“I just love rock ballads and the old days of Motley Crue, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi,” says vocalist/bassist John Cooper . “They always help you remember where you were, what you were doing, and who you were dating. They represent more of the pop side of what we do, which might have been hinted at in other records, but was never fully realized or matured.”
Music video for Hero
Music video for Monster
Music video for Rebirthing
Skillet- The Older I Get (Acoustic)
Link to the official video from Atlantic
John speaking before Angels Fall Down. This was really encouraging to me, so I hope you find it encouraging as well.
John Cooper’s testimony at SonShine 2009
Skillet Interview John Cooper Awake Tour 2010
You’ve probably heard Skillet on the radio or tv, but what do you think about them? Have you ever seen them in concert?
Tags: band, ccm, christian music, Jen Ledger, John Cooper, Korey Cooper, live music, Monster, Music, music video, One Day to Late, Rebirthing, rock, Seth Morrison, skillet, testimony, video, Whispers in the Dark
Ashley carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. While they watched a beauty queen win pageant after pageant, women’s health she began to lose herself. “I didn’t know how to be normal. I didn’t know how to have a normal relationship with food.†How do you let go of control without losing control?…Her dilemma was never about image it was about control – the control of having a normal life. Stability. Balance. It was about security and at her lowest point she found just that.
Read more of Ashley’s story here.
Tags: eating disorder, Women
This was the plan for the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s Origina of Species.
Read more about the project at OriginIntoSchools.com and visit Living Waters, who put together the project.
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun. There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, page
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless — a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4: 7-10, 12
Does your three strand cord include the Jesus?
Listen to Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, clinic Running To Win, on the links below:
Getting Over It #1 of 3: Despite our best efforts, some people will refuse reconciliation, and hang on to their hurts until their knuckles turn white. Letting go of past injustice seems, for many, to be the ultimate insult. After all, those injustices give these people their reason to go on fighting. Today: a call for all who hold their hurts dear to give them up, and, be healed of their anger.
Getting Over It #2 of 3: Sometimes every instinct we have runs counter to what the Bible says to do. That’s especially true of reconciliation. When someone attacks us, we want to attack back. But the Bible says, “Bless those who persecute you: bless and do not curse.” Today: some hard lessons on resolving conflict, and helping ourselves and others get over past injustices.
Getting Over It #3 of 3: The human condition: we’re all born with a propensity to sin and a desire to seek revenge whenever we’re attacked. But vengeance is not something we have a right to. The Bible declares that “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” How do we adjust our instincts to agree with the scriptures? For some practical advice on letting go, please stay with us.
Do you agree with this? How does this affect your view of the world?
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Dr. Lutzer is the Senior Pastor at The Moody Church (1635 N. LaSalle • Chicago, Illinois).
Tags: anger, divorce, forgiveness, hatred, reconciliation, support, unforgiveness, Vengeance
Oftentimes, purchase we desire to follow the Lord’s ways, ask but we insist on doing it by our own means. Experience, talent, motivation, willingness, training, clear directives–we might have it all. But even if we do, those things aren’t enough. We need the Holy Spirit. Why? Because God desires us to do His work, His way. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spiritâ€
The Wrong Way
Sadly, there are many wrong approaches to the Christian life—approaches that neglect the Spirit and yet often pass for the right way:
- The Flesh Approach: …It may look impressive on the surface but lacks the power to produce lasting change in this world or in the heart of the person laboring…
- The “Praying About It†Approach
- The Desperation Approach
- The “Let Go and Let God†Approach
The Right Way = His Way
Read the full article by clicking here.
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Need help in knowing God’s Will, please see our article How to Hear God’s Voice.
Tags: choices, christian life, decisions
Listen to Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, website Running To Win, stomatology discuss how the world’s view on marriage, drugs divorce and sexual behavior seen on prime-time TV and in the media affects our lives. Is the Bible still applicable, and how would our lives change if we followed a different path than what the current culture says is right.
- Sexual Freedom: The Poisoned Oasis #1 of 4
- Sexual Freedom: The Poisoned Oasis #2 of 4
- Sexual Freedom: The Poisoned Oasis #3 of 4
- Sexual Freedom: The Poisoned Oasis #4 of 4
Watch prime-time TV for two hours. You’ll conclude that extramarital sex and divorce are choices we can freely make……
…….yes, we’re free all right…free to ruin our lives and ruin the lives of others. The sexual revolution has a dark side…and we’d better count the cost. Today: we’ll take a frank look at freedom run amok…even among Christians.
God intended marriage to be permanent. But our culture says marriages can be broken when a better deal comes along……
…….however, that better deal carries with it some heavy baggage: the psychological burden of multiple sexual bonds, and the fragmented families left behind. Today: more on the sexual revolution’s dark side, and why God’s design for marriage is the only one that works.
If we could see the scars we’ll bear when we break God’s laws on sexual behavior, we’d never break them in the first place……
…….God designed our greatest sexual fulfillment to be in a covenant marriage relationship, not in a succession of one-night stands. Casual sex leaves behind some not-so-casual memories…memories that create bondage. Today: the myth of sexual freedom.
No one involved in sexual promiscuity really wants to be there. They are trapped, looking desperately for a way out….
It’s said that all of Satan’s apples have worms…and too many Christians have bitten into casual sex. But God has given us a way out of the lifestyle of so-called sexual freedom. Today: words of hope from the Bible for those caught in the web of sexual sin.
Do you agree with this? How does this affect your view of the world? How has following the culture affected you or your friends?
Tags: abstinence, christian living, covenant marriage, culture, divorce, erwin lutzer, extramarital sex, Marriage, media, Movies, promiscuity, sex, sexual behavior, sexual freedom, sexual sin, sin, Singles, television, tv
 Perhaps your marriage is teetering on the edge of brokenness, abortion but deep down you still hold a sliver of hope that your marriage can be made whole again. With them, stuff and with you, info  the process of reconciling years of hurt requires careful consideration. Solomon says, “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider.” (Eccl. 7:14) But, what should you consider when entering such uncertain territory? Here are a few suggestions:
Are you overreacting to times of trouble?
Have you sought out expert advice on your problem?
Have you been careful to fully forgive past problems?
Have you both made amends for past wounds?
Have you remembered that there are no perfect relationships?
Read the article  Can ‘Irreconcilable Differences’ be Reconciled? for more details on the suggestions and to read the story of Jack and Barbara. Jack and Barbara were happily married,once upon a time. However, their seven year marriage spiraled inexorably downward until they changed how they were trying.
