“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? …In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:31,37

Wednesday evening our church, Howard Memorial, completed the five-week “Lenten Lecture Series” I have been privileged to speak at. I have to say, the responsibility was both daunting and stimulating at the same time. But I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to share so extensively and in such depth.

For me, and this is always the case, it was another case of “to teach is to learn.” Even though I wrote the book the series was based on.

Cindy Brittain asked me a great question at the end. “If I had the chance to update the book, would I change anything?” (I’m paraphrasing from memory.)

My answer was, essentially, that I am constantly learning and reforming and understanding more and engaging with the scriptures and following Jesus and being guided by the Spirit… so I imagine I would change some ideas and absolutely some of the phrasing. I said that this is why I enjoy writing a blog – because what I say here (day to day) has more immediacy and fits in to life at this exact moment.

But I was wrong!

Thinking more about my answer, however, I am offering a different one today! I think I would leave the book intact, as is, because it is not only a really good book, it is a complete work from that place in my life, a time-capsule of sorts. The work speaks authentically from circa 2011. Artists do not go back and change paintings as their styles evolve, musicians do not rewrite their early songs….

Instead, I would write an entire new book! I would study and I would pray and I would come up with a direction – a thread that runs through the Easter story – and I would start from scratch.

Because – and this is the point of Reaching Toward Easter – we are on this journey and my view is different today.

If you want to hear this week’s presentation, I have cued the clip below to begin with the opening song, Be Thou My Vision. Peace and love – DEREK