The Resurrection, did it Really Happen?

Are you among those who don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead?  The apostle Paul said, If there is no resurrection, then Christ is not risen and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching and faith are in vain (useless or futile) and you are still in your sins (1 Cor. 15:13-14, 16-17).

The scriptures show plainly that Christ was raised from the dead. Matthew states that Jesus first of all appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Mat. 28:1-10). Mark states that Mary Magdalene was the one out of whom Jesus cast seven demons and that after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to her first. Then He appeared to two others and finally the remaining eleven disciples (Mark 15:47-16:14).

Luke states that Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and other women encountered two angels, who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead (Luke 24:1-10). The women then went to the eleven disciples, and others with them, and told them that Jesus was alive. But the disciples did not believe the women (Luke 24:9-11). Jesus met up with two believers, Cleopas and another who did not understand the resurrection (Luke 24:18). He rebuked them because of their unbelief (Luke 24:25-26). Jesus appeared to the eleven and other disciples, showing them that while He was glorified, He still had flesh and bone (Luke 24:36-40). He then ate fish and honeycomb in their sight (Luke 24:41-43).

John sates that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared first to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-17) and then to His disciples (John 20:19-20). Thomas was not with the others when Jesus appeared and would not believe their testimony. He wanted to examine the physical evidence, so Jesus appeared to him with the other disciples present. Jesus told Thomas to put his fingers into the holes in His hands and  his hands into Jesus’ side. After Thomas examined and felt the wounds of Jesus, he said, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Thank God for Thomas, who like a good lawyer, had to physically examine the evidence before he came to a logical conclusion (John 20:24-29). His testimony is more persuasive than his contemporaries. Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29). John goes on to say that “these things are written (the witnesses' testimonies) that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31).

Paul states that Jesus appeared to Peter and the disciples. Then to five hundred believers at one time. Then He was seen by James and all the apostles and finally by Paul (1 Cor. 15:5-8). Chuck Swindoll, Insight for Living, said that the five hundred witnesses were not delusional. Greg Albrecht of Plain Truth Radio, stated that Jesus' disciples were transformed from cowards to (valiant, my added description) martyrs. He said that no one would give their lives for a myth.

Without the resurrection Christ is not risen and if Christ is not risen then our preaching and faith are in vain (1 Cor. 15:13-14). But Christ is risen from the dead. That is what Easter pictures and what we have just seen from the testimonies of many witnesses.  

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Having a Love Affair.

Peter was adamant. He was so sure he was ready to die with Jesus. Yet he, as foretold by Jesus, denied Christ three times (Luke 22:33-34, 54-62).

Peter made the mistake that many of us make today. He thought he was able to love,  fulfill the requirements of the law, on his own strength. Jesus knows that no human being is able to fulfill the requirements of the law of love on their own strength. That is why He came and died and rose from the dead; that He might live His life of love within each and every one of us.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Three times Peter said he loved Jesus  (John 21:15-17). Our relationship with Jesus can be a academic experience, a religious exercise or a "love affair." Jesus wants the love affair. As a human being, Jesus is united with all of humanity. But He wants a deeper more intimate relationship with you and me. He really wants us to tell Him how much we love Him and desire Him to live within us. Invite Him today to live within you. Tell Him that you love Him more than anything or anyone. He is waiting to hear from you.

This is my Beloved Son, Hear Him Mat. 17:5

In the movie, “A Few Good Men, Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a navy lawyer played by Tom Cruise, is defending two marines who were accused of assaulting Private William Santiago. The assault leads to Santiago’s death.

The defense believes that Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private Louden Downey, the two accused of the assault, took part in self policing within the ranks; self policing that is referred to as “code red.” They believe the “code red” was ordered by Colonel Nathan Jessup, played by Jack Nicholson.

Lieutenant Kaffee has Colonel Jessup on the witness stand and in an attempt to obtain the facts, screams at Jessup, “I want the truth!” Jessup yells back, “You can’t handle the truth!” Kaffee traps Jessup when he catches him in a lie. Jessup had stated that his orders were always followed and that he gave the command that Santiago was to be protected. But he also stated that Santiago was in grave danger and needed to be transferred off the base. Jessup cornered with no way out, finally admits that he ordered the “code red.”http://youtu.be/t7EksvnO9hI?a

For many the gospel of Jesus Christ has been reduced to nothing more than a religious form of the marine’s “code red.”  With the popular teachings of, “Get right or get left,’ and “Turn or burn.”

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain with him. While Jesus was praying, they saw a vision of Moses, Elijah and Jesus glorified and talking about Jesus coming death on the cross. Suddenly a loud voice spoke out of a cloud saying, “This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him” (Mat. 17:5). The disciples fell on their faces in fear. But Jesus came over to them and said, “Do not be afraid.” The message from the Father is that the gospel is all about Jesus Christ, the Rock under our feet (Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6; Isa. 28:16), not the rock on top of our heads-a religious form of “code red” that would have you believe the rock is on top of us crushing us. No the Rock Jesus is our foundation in whom we live. The gospel is not about what we need to do for Jesus, but about what Jesus came to do for us.

Two people in the New Testament heard Jesus voice and understood the gospel perhaps better than any of their contemporaries; Mary and her brother Lazarus. Mary was commended by Jesus for choosing the “one thing” that would not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42). What was the one thing that Mary did? She sat at Jesus feet and heard his word. This is much more significant than you might think. Sitting at Jesus feet has to do with recognizing Jesus as her Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz (See Ruth 1-4) was only a type of the True Kinsman Redeemer. Boaz was able to provide all of Ruth’s provision for life. But Jesus is far greater than Boaz, in that Jesus is God in the flesh and He is the True Kinsman Redeemer not just for Mary, but for all of humanity. He is our provision for salvation-all that we need.

Jesus allowed Lazarus to die of illness so that he could show his power over death. Jesus reins over death-it’s under his feet. When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb (John 11), Lazarus had already been dead four days. He confirmed what he told Martha (John 11:25-26) that he was the Resurrection and the Life. Lazarus heard Jesus voice even though he was dead. Jesus voice is powerful enough to wake up the dead. Lazarus has not been recorded as saying one word in the scriptures, but the message that his life speaks is perhaps more powerful than any other (except for the life of Jesus) that we read about.

Mary and Lazarus show us why the Father said, “This is my Beloved Son, Hear Him.”

Help Nominate Ernie Hughes Into The WWE Fan Hall Of Fame

Recently I was having a conversation with my friend Clinton Tuck and I was told that my pal Ernie Hughes was a huge WWE wrestling fan.I wish I would have known this before he died. Nevertheless, it's never too late to recognize someone whom you respect and admire. So now I am nominating Ernie into the WWE Fan Hall of Fame. With your help, we can to do this. Use this link http://bit.ly/hT9LVU and fill in the information on WWE's website. You can copy and paste my letter into the comment section if you would like. I sent the letter below to Vincent McMahon on Tuesday, March 15.

Please share this information with everyone you know. Thanks for your help. I know Ernie would be thrilled.

Vincent K. McMahon, Chairman & CEO

WWE Corporate Headquarters

1241 E. Main Street

Stamford, CT 06902

Dear Mr. McMahon:

I am writing on behalf of my friend Ernie Hughes who died on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (Please see the enclosed story titled, “My Journey With Ernie" http://bit.ly/dZRV85). I would like to nominate Ernie Hughes to the WWE Fan Hall of Fame. Although I didn’t see such a title listed on your website, please consider creating one and making Ernie the first nominee.

Because of his disability Ernie spent most of his time in bed and the last eleven years of his life at Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Cadiz, Kentucky. However, when Friday night came along, he would “claw” his way out of bed after sleeping all day (he would actually have to be lifted out of his bed with a crane and lowered into his wheelchair) just so he could watch WWE. I don’t believe you could have had a more devoted fan.

I believe fans all around the world could relate to Ernie and his story could help you win the hearts of people whom you don’t already have as fans.

Jesus Loves And Respects Women

A twelve year old boy drew a picture of what he remembered about how his dad abused his mom. In the drawing his mother is lying on the floor and his dad is about to push a television set off the shelf on top of his mom. The boy is looking through a window and watching the abuse take place. His face is divided by a cross. He loves his mom and his dad and is confused about what to do.

The United States is called the land of the free and the home of the brave. Yet in the land of the free, every nine seconds a woman is abused by her partner (male and female). Jesus treated women with love and respect. There are many illustrations in the Bible that show that Jesus respected and loved women, but the one that demonstrates this most to me is the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11 NKJV).

In the story the religious leaders of Jesus’s day, brought a woman to Him that they said was caught in the very act of adultery. They said that Moses commanded that such women be stoned to death. They wanted to know what Jesus would do. But Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger and said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Those who heard Him were convicted by their conscience and left Jesus alone with the woman. Then Jesus said to the woman, “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” Jesus was left alone with the woman because He is the only One without sin (Rom. 3:23). He didn’t condemn the woman. In fact He went to the cross to shed His blood for her, for you, and for me. The cross represents freedom which every human being deserves.

No one should be oppressed or held captive. Jesus came to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18).

If you are being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused, call this number for help: In Clarksville, Tennessee 931-552-6900 otherwise call 1-866-592-6900. Someone from SafeHouse will help you. SafeHouse is a program of United Methodist Urban Ministries. 

One of the Happiest Days of My Life.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times over the past eight years I just wanted to die. I entered the valley of the shadow of death and each time I met Jesus there he carried me out. He wouldn’t leave me in that place of darkness and despair.

I spent a long time in the valley back in 2001 after witnessing the 911 attacks on New York City from a highrise office building a mile or so from ground zero. Although I wanted to reach out and stop the pending death and destruction, I was helpless to prevent it from happening.

A year later I was told I had cancer. I took pride in my health and having some serious illness was the furthest thing from my mind. I prayed all the time and I read and studied the Bible every chance I got. I wrote my prayers and scriptures in a notebook that later became my journal. Upon reading and studying Psalm 91, I “heard” the Lord speak to my heart and say, “I will sheild you with my wings, I will shelter you with my feathers.” The diagnosis was miraculously changed shortly thereafter. However, the pain that I experienced grew more intense with each passing day and I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit of Greenwich Hospital (Connecticut). I had to have surgery to remove the diseased portion of my intestine. All was thought to have gone well, but three days later, I lost consciousness. I spent the next two months fighting for my life. I remember very little from those two months. But I was told that I was very near death for a good part of that time, and even had to be resuscitated. My wife used my journal to encourage those who were my caretakers. I kept writing in my journal for encouragement and inspiration.

I didn’t think my life could get any worse, however in 2004 I got separated and then divorced. I turned again to my journal; reading, writing and editing. I started visiting those who were sick at local hospitals and nursing homes. I told them how Jesus met me in the dark place and wouldn’t leave me there. The more I told my story, the more I was inspired to go forward. I continued to write and thought that my story might encourage others who had little or no hope.

Today after many years and many revisions, I have completed my story. It’s called, “Touched By The Hand Of God.” I published it as an independent author on Smashwords. You can read a portion of the book for free. Follow this link or paste it in your browser  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/39345

Thanks to Smashwords proprietary software the book can be downloaded in many different formats. I personally prefer the Mobi format which is used by Amazon Kindle. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the free Kindle for PC software by clicking this link http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311

Another good ebook format is EPUB. It’s used on Apple devices. If you want to download the software for use on your computer, click this link http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/

I appreciate your feedback.

Joe Radosti

Lessons Learned From Making Pizza

My dad has been making pizza for about 66 years. He learned what has become the Radosti family recipe from his mom, my grandmother who was born in Calabria, Italy. I watched dad make pizza for many years and learned how to make it myself a couple of years ago. Now my brother John is also learning how to make it. While I was visiting New York recently, together John and I made pizza. We have a tradition in our family to make pizza during the Christmas holiday season. I heated up about sixteen ounces of water and when the temperature was just right, added the yeast with a small amount of sugar. I mixed it with my hand until it was silky smooth. John rubbed a little olive oil in the inside of a very large pot. He then added the flour to the pot and I added some of the water mixed with yeast. Then John began to knead the dough with his hand. I added more of the water mixture and after some time the dough became more uniform. It had many rifts and cracks, so I added more water and John continued to knead the mixture with his hands. It became sticky and it was harder for John to mix so I added some more flour to dry it out and then some olive oil. Within minutes the dough had become consistent. It was now one big lump. We then covered it with a lid and my mom took it into the bedroom and covered the entire pot with a blanket.

The body of Christ is a lot like a lump of dough. In Christ we are one lump. Our identity is in Christ the living bread which came down from heaven (John 6:33-51).When we all work together we are like one lump of dough, uniform throughout. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget that our identity is in him and we end up like the pizza dough that is not yet consistent with cracks and rifts caused by comparing one another, jealousy, envy and showmanship. To get to that uniform lump of dough it takes the right amount of water, flour and oil. And for the body of Christ to be uniform it takes Christ living within us by the Holy Spirit. The love of Christ is what makes us uniform. We need to lose our identity in him. Our identity isn't in our denomination, nor is it in our talents or gifts or anything else. It's in Christ alone the Living Bread which came down from heaven to give life to the world.