When Jesus, the Messiah, prophesied a number of times that He would rise from the dead, many either misunderstood, or disbelieved Him. When Jesus, the Messiah, rose from the dead on the third day, it became a little more difficult to misunderstand.

His rising defeated an entire Roman Guard, which Governor Pilate placed at his tomb to guard it from outside interference.  But the power was inside -- God's power of life and life eternal burst open the tomb from the inside as Jesus rose, glorious Prince of Life.  More than overpowering a mere contingent of Roman soldiers, Jesus' rising from the dead defeated the devil and his eternal death-grip on humanity.

There are two things more powerful than

Hop on I 83 to the Druid Hill Park-Zoo Exit, turn right into the Park's main gate, bear to the right at two stop signs until you reach Red Road and Shop Road, and you will see St. Paul's Cemetery.  As you peer through the wrought iron gates, prepare to be amazed.  St. Paul's Cemetery, circa 1854, is being restored.  If the last time you volunteered to do cemetery work the grass was knee high, it is now being cut and weed-whacked on a regular basis.  If the last time you were working with other volunteers in the graveyard and caught the worst case of poison ivy ever, fear not the "nasty" ivy is all but gone.  If the last time you were riding through Druid Hill Park, stumbled on our cemetery, and saw dead trees resting on a broken fence, and large numbers of tombstones knocked over, you will be glad to know the fence is fixed, weak and dead trees have been removed, and several tombstones have been righted. (There are a lot more to go.)

Fortunately, there are people in Martini's congregation and in sister congregations that have stayed the course to restore  this "God's Acre" to its former Victorian glory.  Fortunately, there are folks in Baltimore and elsewhere who have contributed money to the restoration fund or purchase the booklet  "The History of St. Paul's Cemetery in Druid Hill Park".  Fortunately, the "Friends of Druid Hill,Park" and City Park employees saw the need to bring this German cemetery back from its ruined state and have helped partner with this cause. 

If you really want to see the improving St. Paul's Cemetery, and get back into the"game", come out to the cemetery September 10 at 9AM and join with those who will be there for the last work day for this year.   Get a little sweaty, use some muscles that haven't been used in a while, bring your cameras, and check out St. Paul's Cemetery.