Christ Has Risen !!!!

          Charles H. Spurgeon said:

"The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is one of the best attested facts on record. 

There were so many witnesses to behold it, that if we do in the least degree receive the credibility of men’s testimonies, we cannot and we dare not doubt that Jesus rose from the dead. 

It is all very easy for infidels to say that these persons were deceived, 

but it is equally foolish, for these persons could not every one of them have been so positively deceived as to say that they had seen this man, whom they knew to have been dead, afterwards alive; 

they could not all, surely, have agreed together to help on this imposture: 

if they did, it is the most marvellous thing we have on record, that not one of them ever broke faith with the others, but that the whole mass of them remained firm. 

We believe it to be quite impossible that so many rogues should have agreed for ever. 

They were men who had nothing to gain by it; 

they subjected themselves to persecution by affirming the very fact; they were ready to die for it, and did die for it. 

Five hundred or a thousand persons who had seen him at different times, declared that they did see him, and that he rose from the dead; the fact of his death having been attested beforehand. 

How, then, dare any man say that the Christian religion is not true, when we know for a certainty that Christ died and rose again from the dead? 

And knowing that, who shall deny the divinity of the Savior? Who shall say that he is not mighty to save? 

Our faith hath a solid basis, for it hath all these witnesses on which to rest, and the more sure witness of the Holy Spirit witnessing in our hearts."

Charles H. Spurgeon, vol. 2, Spurgeon's Sermons: Volume 2, electronic ed., Logos Library System; Spurgeon's Sermons (Albany, OR: Ages Software, 1998)., No 66 (exposition)

...

Wonderful Savior

We are in the midst of a very special time of the year.

This is the week when Christians around the world celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord God Jesus Christ.

Why did Jesus die?

I heard a radio program recently where a person said that Jesus was the leader of a cult and finally died as a form of 'Suicide by Cop' !!

Alas, that is NOT the reason He died and He most certainly was not the leader of a cult.

Jesus is God and the Son of God.

And as the Son of God, He died as our substitute to pay the death penalty which every human on earth from the beginning of time deserves because of sins which they have personally committed.

Jesus lived a sinless life while here on earth so He was qualified to pay this death penalty for anyone who will accept it.

The hymn to which we are linking today tells WHY Jesus did this -- which is

"Jesus has loved me, Wonderful Savior !!! 

HERE'S THE LINK

...

Was Jesus Crucified on Friday?

Doubtless you have been repeatedly told that Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

Hence, you are celebrating today as "Good Friday".

But, is that correct?

Was Jesus REALLY crucified on Friday?

Or was it on another day?

There are many thoughts on this topic.  

Some say Christ was Crucified on Wed., others say Thursday, and most say Friday.

They have various reasons and explanations for the day they affirm.

So, what is the correct day and does it matter?

The article to which we are linking today has very interesting insights which will likely make you think again about this.

HERE'S THE LINK

...

Parts 5 & 6 of the History Channel's "The Bible"

Thursday, March 21, we posted an overview of some of the many problems with the History Channel's TV Miniseries of "The Bible."

Today we found another article which delves into specifics of additional incorrect and misleading things in Parts 5 and 6 of this production.

If you are watching this Series, you will definitely want to be aware of these errors and problems.

If you are not watching, you still need to know.

So, without further ado, HERE'S THE LINK

...

Hard Boiled Eggs in Oven in a Muffin Pan ?

Recently we noticed that someone posted a picture on Facebook of Eggs in Muffin Pan compartments.

Hmmmm.

You will notice that is a Hmmmmmm and not a Yummm because we haven't tried this.

But apparently this is another way (or a new 'in' way) to make hard boiled eggs.

A friend of DIT also mentioned this as a 'wonderful' way to make hard boiled eggs and suggested that this method be posted as a DIT.

Being skeptical we searched the internet for the 'how to'.

Mostly we found hard boiled eggs in an oven not being done in the shell as the Facebook method and friend had indicated.

Indeed, most oven hard boiled eggs were made much differently and, to tell you the truth, looked much tastier.

And I still don't understand what the problem is with just boiling eggs in water on the stove for a few minutes.

But, just in case you want to try the 'oven baked in the shell' egg (which is supposedly 'tastier'), we did find a link for you to view.

However, be sure to read the comments by the others before trying this -- 

especially the comment about how you need to put a pinhole in the shell at the apex or it might explode in the oven or on you when you take it out.

Just between you, me, and the gatepost, and in order to save money (30 minutes in an oven can't be cheap compared to a few minutes in boiling water on the stove top), I think I will stick with the 'old fashioned' stovetop method.

But, if you want to try the oven method, HERE'S THE LINK.

....

Today is Passover

 As you know, this is a very special time of the year for both Jews and Christians.

And both groups have special things they do and think about on this day.

One of the 'special things' has to do with the the Afikomen and the Zeroa.

The what? you ask.

Well, the Jewish Sedar supper observed at passover incorporates the Afikomen and the Zeroa as part of the meal.

The interpretation of what these items mean differs with the two groups, the Jews and the Christians.

The Jews think of these as just two more items on the Passover table.

For Christians, these two items are 'pictures' which represent fulfilled prophecy.

To what am I referring?

Well, an article will explain this for you in more detail.  HERE'S THE LINK. 

...

Bees like Caffeine !!!

Recently we learned that some friends of DIT were studying about Bees.

But, I doubt that they have discovered that Bees like caffeine !

Furthermore, bees that ingest caffeine seem to be smarter in that they they get a "buzz" and a "memory boost".

No Kidding.

It seems that the memory is enhanced in a bee that has ingested caffeine.

Who would have thought?

To read this brief but really amazing article HERE'S THE LINK

...

"Redeemed !"

It is Sunday and many of you will soon be off to Church or perhaps you have already returned and are now checking DIT.

Perhaps you did not have a hymn at your church since, as we have mentioned before, hymns have fallen out of favor at churches.

So, to offset the sadness you may be experiencing if you did not sing any Hymns today, we found one with which you can do a 'sing-a-long'.

It is titled "Redeemed" and is a Fannie J. Crosby Hymn.

Who is Fannie Crosby you ask?

Well, she lived from 1820-1915, became blind while an infant, and was a very prolific song writer.

She wrote during the days of the Gospel Hymns and wrote approximately 6,000 (yes, you read that correctly) Hymns.

"Redeemed" is one of the best remembered in the 21st Century.

To hear  and/or  sing along with this 1 minute 58 seconds video of "Redeemed", HERE'S THE LINK

...

"Why does the Universe look so old?"

This is the title of an excerpt of a speech and article by Dr. Al. Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

It discusses the topic of the age of the Universe and points out "The Theological Costs of Old-EarthThinking"

This is a scholarly and profound article but not difficult to understand and is an easy read.

I think you will find this very interesting.

Those of you with Bible Study Groups or Sunday School Classes might want to print this out and discuss it with your group.

HERE'S THE LINK

...

Church in the Not Too Distant Future?

 We have mentioned several times that things are really changing in Churches.

There are changes in the music, the seating, the attire of the pastors and leaders, the even more casual attire of the congregation, the buildings, ---

Even the names of the Church buildings and site have changed. 

No longer do folks refer to "The Church" or the "Church Grounds".  Now it is a "Campus".

We could go on but you get the idea.

If all this 'change' keeps up, then what will the Church Service be like in the not too distant future?

An interesting email written by an anonymous person was sent to us by a friend of DIT.

This email depicts what may soon be on the horizon.

Intended to be a spoof, it does bear some thought.

HERE'S THE LINK

...

The Bible Miniseries on TV

Several folks have contacted us at DIT with questions about the Bible Miniseries.

This is the 5 week TV Miniseries being shown for 2 hours each Sunday night on the History Channel.

Specifically, they are concerned about errors, deletions, and other problems they have detected while watching the TV Bible Miniseries.

Problems? 

Yes, indeed there are problems with this production.

What kinds of problems? you ask.

Well, we found an article that pretty well summarizes some of the biggest ones.

One of the most significant (which is mentioned near the end of the article) is what the Miniseries declares to be the purpose of Paul's mission on earth.

The miniseries says that the purpose was so that he may "change the world in (Jesus') name".

Change the world?  NO !

"The mission of the apostles, and of Christians throughout the ages, is to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins and salvation through Jesus Christ (Luke 24:47) …"

This is a must read article whether you are watching the series or not.

It is titled: "The Word Made … For Television?" Note: You will have to scroll down a couple of inches on the page to find the article.

HERE'S THE LINK

...

Today is the First Day of Spring !

Spring at last.

Yes, spring officially begins today.

Flowers are blooming. Trees are budding. Grass is Growing.

The sky is blue and the birds are back.

Yesterday the moon was in Perigee.  Did you see it?  It was beautiful here.

No click though link today.  Instead just go outside and enjoy the arrival of Spring!

...

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee --Which are you?

Recently a Friend of DIT posted this as an entry on FaceBook.

We thought it was so interesting, wise, and helpful that you might want to read it also.

What is it?

Well, bottom line, it is some very wise advice from a Grandmother to one of her grandchildren.

Perhaps you will 'identify' as a carrot, egg, or coffee.

What does this mean?

Well, to find out, HERE'S THE LINK

...

Piano Lessons with Chonda Pierce

Yesterday we introduced you to Chonda Pierce and mentioned that she is a funny funny comedian.

That previous talk was 'serious'; today she will be 'funny'.

This particular video tells of her Piano Lessons as a child and where they led her as a college student.

She says in other videos that her father was a pastor and her mother the Church Pianist 

and she adds that she was raised a Nazarene, married a Southern Baptist, and now goes to a Pentecostal church.  

With that by way of background, you will better understand the humor in these Piano Lessons and the comments she makes about her herself and her mother. 

To listen to this 9 minute video, well really it is 8 minutes 59 seconds but you get the idea 

HERE'S THE LINK

...

"Anna" by Chonda Pierce

You have probably heard of Chonda Pierce. 

She is a Christian Comedian.

We have posted some of her hilarious comic performances previously on DIT.

But, her talk today tells the story of a person named Anna who witnessed to a young couple who had moved into a house across the street and the fruit that it produced.

The video is from an old Bill Gaither Sing along and is not of very good quality but the message is powerful.

Get out your kleenex.  HERE'S THE LINK

...

William Cowper -- Hymn writer

Awhile back several of us were discussing Hymns.

Hymns? the young folk ask, What are Hymns?

It seems that young folks and even many middle age folks don't know about Hymns and many of those who do often say they don't like or understand them.

Hmmm.

So what does this have to do with William Cowper?

Well, he was a writer of many of the old Hymns, one of the most famous of which is titled "There is a Fountain filled with blood".

Recently an article was posted that relates the life story of William Cowper.

It was so interesting that we thought you would like to also read it.  HERE'S THE LINK

And to hear "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood", as it would 'sound' in the 'old days' (i.e. until about 1970 or so) before Hymns fell out of favor, then HERE'S THE LINK

...