Photo: D. Paul Graham, “The Cost of an Empty Cross”, Portugal circa 2017

“Monday 5 Things”™….. Risen Indeed …..

It was a weekend of photography and much needed relaxation and time together. Of counting our blessings and being thankful as we walked the beach in St. Simons. A brilliant flash of lightning woke me very early Easter Sunday morning. I quietly stepped out on the balcony of our room and for over two hours watched as the storm slowly moved over the ocean and meandered up the Georgian coast. Dazzling flashes of lightning illuminated the grounds of the resort, the whitecaps of waves, and backlit the dark and ominous clouds. The winds drove rain sideways and buffeted the palm trees. My body resonating with every concussive tonitruant of thunder. I have always marveled at thunderstorms; so much peace found in the midst of so much turbulence. And I began to thank God for the resurrection of Christ. This morning’s M5T reflects on Christ being risen indeed.

1. Death Defeated.

“Our Father. We have killed Him, and we will kill Him again, and our world will kill Him. And yet He is there. It is He who listens at the door. It is He who is coming. It is our Father who is about to be born. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Fredrick Beuchner, The Magnificent Defeat

2. Ultimate Love.

“No man ever loved like Jesus. He taught the blind to see and the dumb to speak. He died on the cross to save us. He bore our sins. And now God says, “Because He did, I can forgive you.”” ~ Reverend Billy Graham

3. A Sacrifice.

“The Cross of Jesus is the revelation of God’s judgment on sin. Never tolerate the idea of martyrdom about the Cross of Jesus Christ. The Cross was a superb triumph in which the foundations of hell were shaken. There is nothing more certain in time or eternity than what Jesus Christ did on the Cross: He switched the whole of the human race back into a right relationship with God. He made Redemption the basis of human life, that is, He made a way for every son of man to get into communion with God. The Cross did not happen to Jesus: He came on purpose for it. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”” ~ Oswald Chambers

4. Rise Up.

“Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, ‘Christ is risen,’ but ‘ I shall rise.'” ~ Phillips Brooks

5. Faith.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. ~ John 11:25-26

I am so very thankful for each of you. Here’s to a week of counting your personal blessings and reflecting on eternity.

© 2022 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 10 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T ™.  Each Monday, Paul shares his observations, thoughts and passions on people, life, and culture.

You can find M5T each Monday here on www.southmag.com and by friending D. Paul Graham on Facebook. Paul is a contributing photographer to South Magazine. His photographic work can also be found on Instagram @dpgraham and at  www.imageGRAHAM.com . Your feedback is always welcome. Email Paul at dpg@imagegraham.com