celebrating the miracle
Happy Easter!
The Church generally celebrates Holy Week (i.e. the week leading up to Easter) and then Easter from Easter Sunday (April 5th this year) until Pentecost (Sunday, May 24th 2026). But do come back to this playlist anytime throughout the year. Keep reading, and we’ll explain why.
JESUS | by Logan Nakyanzi Pollard | March 29, 2026/updated
We celebrate: Not because it’s spring.
But because this is the promise of the Resurrection.
arise shine
We’re doing an Easter party music mix! Listen daily from March 29-April 5, 2026.
It’s Holy Week people!
And you know what that means— it’s time for another praise music celebration!
Song number one in our playlist is below. Come back each day through Easter Sunday!
Why a playlist?
Because I love the Easter season and what Jesus did for us, as it encapsulates the hope of new life, and the promise of God’s self-sacrificing and unending love for all of creation. Also, I love how it serves as a metaphor for how God works everything out and for our good and His glory.
Also, when we praise, we raise our consciousness (above our human minds). It’s also a mechanism to thank God, which in turn is a feedback loop to raise our state of being. So, don’t experience these songs passively: the invitation is to JOIN THE PARTY!
Here’s day one: What A God || Joy || IBC LIVE 2025
Monday: Bye Fear – Elle Limebear
We discuss Limbear and share (2) other beautiful songs of hers in the March issue of The Journal, here.
In Bye Fear, Limebear is referencing a number of Christian concepts, including the fact that:
Perfect love casts out all fear.
1 John 4:18
… and secondly that, as Paul writes in Romans 8, we are the children of God (a consequence of Jesus’ work on The Cross and the fact that we believe Him.) You may read the full chapter from Romans 8 (below) for more context.
It should be noted, if this is new material for you, that the fear Limebear is expelling is more a reference to the spiritual bondage people innately feel because of sin, i.e. all of the psychological baggage people carry, etc. And as she lets the fear go, she embraces the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance)— some of which she mentions out in the song.
Also, the “law” that Paul is referring to below is the spiritual law that original sin causes death; it is not the worldly sense of say, law & order. Order and respect for the law are foundational to God, while chaos is demonic.
For more context, here’s Romans 8, full chapter:
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tuesday: Owe You Praise (Chandler Moore) [Extended Version] | Elevation Worship and Banner (feat. Vernon Byrn) | Todd Galberth
Weds: Consider Him – Bethel Music, David Funk
Thursday: Psalm 34 || The Church Is Alive || IBC LIVE 2024
Psalm 34 is shared (below). Fyi – Bible tradition tells us that the psalms are actually songs, so I love how the students are continuing this tradition . . . also, interesting to note that this psalm— Psalm 34— (from what is referred to as the Old Testament, aka before Jesus’ human birth) references the Crucifixion many hundreds of years before the human birth of Jesus (in the New Testament).
The ad-lib during the song of ‘not letting the rocks cry out,’ refers to a phrase in the Bible (Luke 19:40) attributed to Jesus, who says even the rocks will cry out in praise of God, even if people fail to do so.
The chapter from Luke (shared below) is referenced frequently during Holy Week, as it describes events that took place during the last week of Jesus’ human life. You can read the events from different perspectives of each of the Apostles, and this gives an important texture to the story.
Additionally— as we spoke about the presaging of Jesus’ Crucifixion (in Pslam 34) and speaking of foreshadowing, it is commonly understood that Jesus references the destruction of the Temple, that what would actually later occur when the city is sacked by Rome in 70 AD.
Psalm 34, full chapter:
34 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Luke 19:40
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
{Many Bibles put actual quotes from Jesus in red, I often do this, but it’s not always possible because of some formatting limitations on this website. Equally, as Jesus is also the Word of God, in a sense, every word of the Bible is also His. So it is a distinction— but not one to get too caught up in for the purposes of our discussions. The simplest way to put this is: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost are all one (the Trinity) and the Bible is the divine Word of God, authored by God working through human beings.}
Luke 19, full chapter:
19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Good Friday: Oh The Cross (Live) Black Voices Movement · Circuit Rider Music · Alvin Muthoka · Lindy Cofer
Today we reflect on the anniversary of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. I was thinking about trauma and I was seeing Jesus (Himself) on the Cross looking off into the horizon, and I realized He was looking at us, while He was up there. So, He isn’t thinking about what was done to Him that day or any day going forward— because He’s not dwelling in the suffering: It is finished. He did it.
He instead is thinking about the gift He has given to us: that YOU today can live because of what He willingly gave up.
I say this so that you don’t miss the point of all this: If you are unwell, if you are in pain, if you need help in any way: TODAY: ask Jesus to help you. Well, if you say: I’m fine! Everything’s great!— pray for peace and reconciliation in your home, your family, your community, in the world. Pray for the healing of others. And everyone: give God thanks for all you have. Be a beacon of peace and serenity for others, and not strife.
Know for those who need help: Jesus is faithful and true: if you earnestly ask for His help, He will answer: maybe not instantly (but sometimes yes, instantly)— but He will heal you. You can pray any day that there is no illness in your body. But today: you might reflect on the stripes (or wounds) of Jesus: and know that by His wounds you are healed.
I hope this blesses you. Be grateful.
FYI: this is an Old Testament verse, and in it— Isaiah is telling us about Jesus ahead of the event of His human life, mission, death and resurrection, and it’s one of the reasons why we can pray as I’ve said:
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Saturday: Hyssop: The Humble Plant God Used at the Cross
Easter Sunday!: Our Lord is Risen. The Lord is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!
Hi Everyone- if you’re reading this on Saturday evening (which is Easter Sunday in Jerusalem) tune in to the church services discussing the Holy Fire, which by church tradition descends on Jerusalem every year. I only learned about this last year (despite being a life-long Christian!) and it’s a beautiful phenomenon where a fire (which we think is the animating fire that brought Jesus back to life, miracle one) appears in the place where He was buried— except this fire does not burn or hurt people (another one of its miracles). Last year, when I saw this ceremony— I experienced a healing in my body— which is entirely consistent with the work of Jesus: healing. So tune in. God-willing there will be a broadcast, and you’ll be able to see it live, but even if you can’t— there is no distance in space/time between you and God. You can watch a service from 10 years ago and still experience a miracle. God is so Good!
fyi- Reportedly, Jesus rose from the dead roughly at 5:34 am local time, about 2000 years ago on April 5th (same date as this Sunday).
I’ll post a video if one becomes available later this week. In the meantime, just google “Holy Fire” and “2026” if you see this in time. — update: As of Easter Sunday: it looks like no video was made available of this, this year, which is perhaps fitting, as perhaps God wants us to focus our attention on the fact that He’s no longer in that grave, and that His Holy Spirit lives in us.
update, April 11:
It’s Easter Saturday in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition and here’s some wonderful news: The Holy Fire celebration happened today! In other words: Easter is celebrated on Sunday (the 12) this year and the fire arrived Saturday (the 11th). God made a way, as He always does.
Enjoy Easter Sunday! Our Lord is Risen. The Lord is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!
There are now many clips online, I’ve posted this one (below) from Greek City Times, scroll to 2:24, if you can’t wait.
The songs for Easter Sunday are:
God Of The Impossible | Circuit Rider Music, Ethan Mizell and Marvelous (Lion Of Judah) | Circuit Rider Music
And again, I say Rejoice:
The Lord is risen.
The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
It is finished. It is done! Thank you, Jesus.
and p.s. – if you liked this mix, check out:
Help! I don’t know anything about Christianity…
Traditionally, the Easter holiday lasts 50 days (from Easter Sunday to Pentecost). And is preceded in the church calendar (regardless of denomination) by Lent (and Holy Week, which takes place during its last week— the week leading up to when Jesus was crucified).
That said, I’m not mentioning this to encourage you to adhere to traditions and rites as an end in and of themselves— but rather, to keep in mind the gift of Jesus every day of our lives. We are not justified (made right with God) by how well we ‘perform.’ Rather, we receive atonement by our faith in Jesus. Read Paul’s letter to the Romans, for more on this.
The Easter holiday exemplifies our Christian walk, and the message of renewal by faith in Jesus every day, which is why you can come back to this playlist anytime of the year.
I’m confused about the symbolism and metaphors in the songs…
Here’s a short guide:
Firstly, a note about “love”: the love expressed in these songs is not romantic love, or what the Greeks referred to as eros; it is devotional, expressing a deep appreciation for the self-sacrificing love of God (what the Greeks called agape) combined with awe at His kindness, majesty, goodness, provision— being the great I AM in their lives.
Secondly, Christianity is in the same family tree as Judaism, and we both acknowledge that sin causes death. Sin therefore must be atoned for. Symbolically this would take place with a lamb’s sacrifice. The Passover commemorates the miracle of exactly this: The blood of a lamb over the doors of those who put it there were spared. As Christians, conceptually, we see Jesus as this same lamb. He takes away not only our own personal sins, but those of the whole world. Easter is the celebration of his willing sacrifice to do this for us.
Thus, the blood refers to this blood that saved/es our lives. The lamb refers to Jesus. Calvary (the latin translation of Golgotha, or ‘the place of the skull’) is where He died.
After Jesus was crucified, He came back to life. This miracle of coming back to life after being tortured, killed, then dead and buried 3 days is what Christians mean when we say He conquered death. He has given us this same power (through The Holy Spirit) to come back to life— metaphorically and literally.
But more on that another day.
Have a favorite song? Subscribe and you may like, share and post comments via our ‘hello again’ newsletter and the comments section— dated: March 29, 2026.
Join the conversation.