Happy May, all! Recently I've been thinking about just how stunning the reality of salvation truly is. Ephesians 1:7–10 describes it this way: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and . . .

He is risen, indeed! What an incredible truth to have been especially reminded of this past weekend. And what an even more incredible reality to live in daily! The reality of our hope in Christ colors the entirety of our lives. Recently, I was thinking about the way it affects our current grief. Several of you know that my dad is in the end stages of Huntington's Disease. As our family watches his earthly life slip away, our grief persists. Even though we have joy that he will be with the Lord, we mourn the realities of living in a fallen world. . . .

Are you waiting on the Lord? With Easter around the corner, I'm struck by the timing of God. God promised a Messiah in Genesis 3, but it was thousands of years until Jesus came—"when the fullness of time had come" (Galatians 4:4). And even then, He did not begin His public ministry until thirty years after His birth. And then it wasn't what the people expected. Jesus died and was buried. All looked lost … but, on the third day, when the time was right, He rose again! Victory! Salvation! A new covenant ushered in. Realization of the promises . . .

Happy February all! With Valentine's Day there often seems to be a special focus on love this month. The love shared between couples, among family members, and among friends is truly worth celebrating. Human relationship, even with all its challenges, is such a gift. I love the way we see God's image and His character reflected in one another, and the ways we can help spur one another on to growth. Yet even the best of human love is but a small reflection of the perfect and unfailing agape love of our great God. How amazing that He loves us so . . .