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Valiant for Truth
By Patricia Edwards-Konic
Real joy. Real power. Real hope. The celebration of Easter resonates with
these realities—joy, power and hope.
Real joy is grounded in the reality that Christ came to this world and
changed it forever. When the worst the world could do—death on a
cross—became a fact, Christ overcame death and rose again. These two events,
the crucifixion and the resurrection, changed reality forever. “With the past forgiven,” writes Rebecca Manley Pippert, “and the future
opened with a cross-shaped hole blasted through the grave, the stress is on
the present as it stretches through the future into eternity.”
Real power. The very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same
power given to anyone who receives Christ into their heart. More than dying
to pay the penalty for our past sins, Christ was raised from death itself!
This same power of God is available to us to overcome temptations and bear
suffering in the present.
George Fox wrote in 1675, “Keep your testimony for the Cross of Christ,
which is the Power of God, by which the world is crucified to you and you to
the world.” (Epistle 318)
Real hope. Christians live by the hope of the resurrection. No matter what
happens, what obstacles we face or suffering inflicts us, we know that God
has the last word. We are admonished not to lose heart but to sing a new song of resurrection and hope—Christ has overcome the world! And “who is it
that overcomes the world? Only he or she who believes that Jesus is the Son
of God.” (see 1 John 5:1-5)
Salvation for our past sins. What joy!
Power to overcome temptation and suffering in the present. What power!
United to Christ in a living, vital way. What hope!
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COVER STORIES
8 The Healing Power of the Cross
Sheldon H. Clark
During this time of Lent, this article focus is on the Cross which not only brings salvation but also heals.
10 This is God Calling...
Ken Thames
How do you know if you are being called as a missionary? Ken Thames shares the journey that led him to answer the call to Belize.
12 Heroes in Disguise
Nancy K. Brown
Dean and Freeda Johnson answered God's call to help those in trouble. Since 1974, Friends Disaster Servie has been there after tragedy strikes.
14 100 Years in Cuba
Katie Terrell
Eva Terrell and her brother, Clayton, helped bring the Friends message to Cuba and build the Puerto Padre Friends Church. Clayton's granddaughter attended the 100th anniversary celebration and shares her thoughts.
FEATURES
4 Commitments
4 News from Friends United Meeting
9 Soul Food
Not Even Death
Sara Beth Terrell
16 Family Section
Love Stretches Across the Generations
Tom Mullen
Mushroom Hunting
Cathy Oakly Moore
18 News
22 Reader's Response
22 Peace Notes
23 Fox Pix
24 Reviews
26 Passages
28 Classifieds
29 Friends United Meeting Member Yearly Meetings
30 Meeting Directory
34 Booknotes
ON THE COVER
100 Years in Cuba
Puerto Padre Friends Church in Cuba celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding. Friends in Wilmington and New England Yearly Meetings joined Cuban Friends in a week-long celebration in January 2004. Photo by Marvin Hall, Wilmington, Ohio.
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