"In 1916, Sam Born was given the keys to the city of San Francisco. It was an elaborate ceremony, full of pomp and celebration, and one often reserved for foreign dignitaries or national heroes. Born's lasting legacy, however, was the invention of a machine that mechanically inserted the sticks into lollipops.
One of the things we celebrate this Easter season is that a very different person, for a very different reason, was given a very different set of keys. In Revelation, John records a vision he has of Jesus Christ, who says, 'Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.' In reverent awe, John goes on to record that 'These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.' (Rev 1:17-18, 3:7, ESV).
Christ's resurrection is more than just the happy epilogue to the dark events of Good Friday. It is, rather, the means by which Jesus Christ openly triumphed over what is, for us, an unconquerable foe. His resurrection is the pledge and promise of what will one day be true for all of his people. He has opened even the grave itself, and 'what he opens no one can shut'.
Had Christ remained in the grave, our faith would be futile and sin and death would remain the final word (1 Corinthians 15:17). Yet they are not.
Christ's resurrection means that we cannot speak of Jesus in the past tense only, but must recognize that he is living and leading and guiding and protecting his people right now. Only the One who has authority over life and death and who sits at the right hand of the Father can be the One to lead us safely and securely through our days."
-Rev. Josh Brown, Pastor of Bellefield Presbyterian Church
Dominican Republic Student Testimony
Meet Ben Clifton, a junior Jazz studies and math education major at Pitt. I have known Ben since his high school days, and it has been a pleasure watching him grow in Christ. Fun fact: Ben is a professional musician (he is on Spotify), yet he is very humble about it. Read about his experience in the DR:
During spring break this semester I went with a group of college students from Bellefield Presbyterian Church to the Dominican Republic. I became aware of this trip from one of the CCO leaders in the Cornerstone Christian Fellowship that I am part of. Our group traveled to the city of Hato Mayor alongside college students from Penn State and Waynesburg University where we partnered with a local organization called Meeting God in Missions. During the week we travelled to various villages around the Hato Mayor area engaging in sports ministry (we happened to have to NFL players on the trip conveniently), medical clinics, VBS, prayer walks through evangelism, and hair washing.
On the first day of the trip I went on a construction project to a town called Village 50. This experience for me was very eye-opening to the reality of extreme poverty. One of the moments that I remember most clearly was when we passed out food to the kids and we didn't have enough for everybody. I was deeply saddened by the sight and I returned to the main compound where we were staying at, very mad and confused. Part of my anger was from my frustration of what I had seen. Another part of my anger was because of events that occurred in my life before the trip. In fact I almost didn't go on the trip. About a week before I was set to depart for the DR I was informed that my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and as I returned to the compound after the first day this was also in the back of my mind. I prayed to God that night voicing my anger and frustration. In my quiet time I kept thinking the same words over and over again: "Be Still and Know that I am God." That was a powerful experience for me and something really hit me that night. I think often in our lives we tend to put God in a box. I personally tend to lose sight of God and or don't see him when times get tough. Most often I think that God doesn't understand what I'm going through or that he doesn't care. But that night I realized that even though my grandfather has cancer and the people in Village 50 are in extreme poverty, God is still in control even when I didn't think I was making much of a difference in the world. Isn't that such an awesome truth to know that God is in control? I would argue that it makes life bearable sometimes.
Another highlight of the trip was the talks that I heard throughout the week by various Christian speakers. The main theme of the trip was the idea of putting our identity in Christ. This is something that I forget so often. As a student it is easy to put my identity in my academic work and how I compare to everyone else around me. It is also easy to put my identity in pride or the guilt and sin that I carry. However, if we are with Christ our identity should be solely with him. Nothing else matters. Even though schoolwork is important, one bad test grade doesn't determine my identity through self-worth. Speaking for myself, I fell into putting my identity into things that I shouldn't. Since this trip I really feel like God is in the process of bringing me back to him.
Financial Update
Moore News
The boys are ready for summer and much time outside after a long, cold winter. Benjamin and Joshua are starting their first season of organized sports: baseball. We are early in the season, but they seem to be enjoying their time spent learning about technique and teamwork. Asher enjoys coming along beside them and cheering them on with me and Emily.
We thank you all for your love and support, and pray that God blesses you richly!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
