This is a testimony we shared on Easter Sunday at Lord of Life to begin the One Month to Live Challenge.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Staff Bowling
We started the One Month to Live Challenge at Lord of Life this week. Our staff kicked it off in style by going bowling today. Bob Fredericksen is retiring from our staff and we wanted to do something fun.We were a sad bunch (that is all except Billy Croft who showed up with his own ball and rolled a 230), but we had a good time. And it was a great way to celebrate after a busy few weeks leading up to Easter. Everyone had been working hard, and it was good to take a little break.
Barbara and I also brought Abby. It was her first time bowling.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Weekend in Review
I'm tired! But it is a good tired. We participated in three Easter Egg Hunts. One at church, one at home, and one at Grandma's and Grandpa's. Abby has enough candy to last her for some time.We hosted Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday worship at Lord of Life. All the services were very moving. We had a full house this morning. Set up every single chair that we possibly could in the Family Life Center. Started the One Month to Live Challenge.
I have put so much energy over the last few weeks getting ready for Easter, I am going to need to take some pray and access where to divert my energy the next couple of weeks.
God is so good. His love is amazing. Thank you, thank you! Jesus is Risen.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Cross
I write to you this weekly email as I scurry about making preparations for our upcoming Holy Week services. Just a reminder - Maundy Thursday and Friday Worships are at 7pm on their respective nights. And Easter Sunday is at 8:30 and 10am. We are encouraging as many members as able to attend the 8:30am worship as we are expecting a full house at 10am and want to make sure to have enough room for our guests. I am looking forward to seeing God at work in wondrous ways this week.
Throughout the week, we remember Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross. The cross is a common symbol of our faith. We display it prominently in our church. Many of us adorn ourselves with it as jewelry. We wear it on t-shirts. We proudly display it on our Bibles and in our homes. There are very few places we can go and not be confronted with this symbol of life. We see it in the sacred and the secular. We see in nature and creation.
We see it so often, that sometimes it is easy to forget what the cross was all about. The cross for Jesus was much more than logo used to identify the organization he would start called the Church. The cross for Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice he would make for those he loves.
Crucifixion was used by the Roman Empire and was reserved for non-citizens and violent offenders. Crucifixion would be used against a Roman citizen only in cases of high treason and desertion during times of war. It was largely recognized as the most painful and disgraceful form of capital punishment in a time when no form of capital punishment was not designed to be quick or humane. Crucifixions were public events to serve as a deterrent for others. They would often take place outside the city walls along a well traveled road for all to see. It would have been common for the charge against the guilty party to be written out and nailed to the cross above their head.
Victims would often be scourged and tortured prior to the crucifixion. The crucifixion could take place on a single vertical stake or on a vertical stake with a crossbeam near or on its top. Blocks where sometimes attached to serve as a seat or as a footrest to draw out the torturous pain for up to three days. Without the rests underneath, the victim would be held up solely by their arms which would be attached by nails or rope. This could prohibit the victim from breathing and would block circulation. Victims would die from a combination of suffocation and heart failure. This was why the soldiers intended to break Jesus' legs, to hasten death, before the onset of the Sabbath.
After a victim had died, their bodies would often remain on the cross for days as they rotted away and became food for scavenger birds. Eventually the body would be taken down and thrown in the garbage dump. In Jerusalem, this would have been the Hinom Valley, also know as "Ghenna." It was the valley of fire where the garbage was burned. Jesus used this imagery to describe hell.
In Deuteronomy 21:23 we are told that "anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse." Jesus became cursed by God so that we could be blessed by God. It is the great exchange. In it we discover the forgiveness of sins. It is our ticket out of hell to heaven. The cross is no small thing and for that we worship him and give him our thanks and praise.
Throughout the week, we remember Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross. The cross is a common symbol of our faith. We display it prominently in our church. Many of us adorn ourselves with it as jewelry. We wear it on t-shirts. We proudly display it on our Bibles and in our homes. There are very few places we can go and not be confronted with this symbol of life. We see it in the sacred and the secular. We see in nature and creation.
We see it so often, that sometimes it is easy to forget what the cross was all about. The cross for Jesus was much more than logo used to identify the organization he would start called the Church. The cross for Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice he would make for those he loves.
Crucifixion was used by the Roman Empire and was reserved for non-citizens and violent offenders. Crucifixion would be used against a Roman citizen only in cases of high treason and desertion during times of war. It was largely recognized as the most painful and disgraceful form of capital punishment in a time when no form of capital punishment was not designed to be quick or humane. Crucifixions were public events to serve as a deterrent for others. They would often take place outside the city walls along a well traveled road for all to see. It would have been common for the charge against the guilty party to be written out and nailed to the cross above their head.
Victims would often be scourged and tortured prior to the crucifixion. The crucifixion could take place on a single vertical stake or on a vertical stake with a crossbeam near or on its top. Blocks where sometimes attached to serve as a seat or as a footrest to draw out the torturous pain for up to three days. Without the rests underneath, the victim would be held up solely by their arms which would be attached by nails or rope. This could prohibit the victim from breathing and would block circulation. Victims would die from a combination of suffocation and heart failure. This was why the soldiers intended to break Jesus' legs, to hasten death, before the onset of the Sabbath.
After a victim had died, their bodies would often remain on the cross for days as they rotted away and became food for scavenger birds. Eventually the body would be taken down and thrown in the garbage dump. In Jerusalem, this would have been the Hinom Valley, also know as "Ghenna." It was the valley of fire where the garbage was burned. Jesus used this imagery to describe hell.
In Deuteronomy 21:23 we are told that "anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse." Jesus became cursed by God so that we could be blessed by God. It is the great exchange. In it we discover the forgiveness of sins. It is our ticket out of hell to heaven. The cross is no small thing and for that we worship him and give him our thanks and praise.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Weekend in Review
Tomorrow is opening day for baseball and it is snowing outside. This is two Sundays in a row that it has snowed. I'm not liking this. We are in April, it is time for some warmer weather.Fortunately, I did get to play a little baseball with Abby this weekend. She can really hit the ball. Check out the picture. The ball went flying over my head and hit the fence. Almost a home run.
Saturday was Men of God. Good discussion on the body of Christ and it's significance for us today. It is amazing when you just read the text of the Passion and just write down all that Jesus endured beyond the crucifixion. You think about the insults. You think about him being slapped. You think about the sleep deprivation. You think about the scourging. You think about the thirst. You think about the crown of thorns. How can we be so indifferent in light of all that he did.
This morning at Lord of Life we celebrated Palm Sunday. Dr. Harry Wendt of Crossways International shared the message. We had our children singing to open the worship. It was a great way to enter into Holy Week.
Then, tonight was probably the most powerful part of the weekend. We hosted a Seder Dinner at Lord of Life. In one word: Incredible! It was so fascinating to take part in this meal similar to the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples. I imagine that almost every person who attended this evening will experience the Lord's Supper in a whole new way the next time that they receive it.
This coming week is Holy Week. I am looking forward to this time of reflection, repentance, worship, and ultimately - Celebration!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Audible, Amazon, Ipod, and the US Postal Service
A few years back I had an account with audible.com. If you are not familiar with audible, it is a great thing. It is an online audio book store. Their prices are typically cheaper than traditional audio books. When used audible before, I would download the books to my Palm Pilot and would listen to them while I worked out at the gym.Well, I no longer have a device that plays audible books (other than my computer). I no longer have a gym membership either. We have an elliptical trainer in our basement that I use three times a week. I usually watch TV while using it.
But this last week, I saw a great deal on Amazon: sign up for an audible.com membership and get $100 off of an Mp3 player. It was too good of a deal to pass up. Being the Mac fanboy that I am, I ordered my first Ipod. A Yellow Ipod Nano to be exact. Final cost $33. Not bad!
Yesterday, I went online to see when the package would be here. The tracking identified that the package started on March 30 in Kentucky. It then arrived at Forest Park, IL on April 1. As of last night it then arrived in Memphis, TN.
Ok, something doesn't make sense here. Now, I don't work for the post office, but that seems like an inefficient route to use to deliver the package considering Forest Park is maybe 40 miles or so from here if even that. Whereas Memphis, TN is hundreds of miles.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Hope in the present time
Easter is just over one week away. I am joyfully anticipating this time of celebration. I am looking forward to the party. It's going to be a great time. God's Word tell us: For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4
Because he lives we have eternal life and we have hope. Yet, many of us are not as hopeful as we were last Easter. It has been a difficult year and many of us may be looking towards the future with doom and gloom. Maybe you are feeling like the resurrection is not enough. Maybe you are thinking: "Sure the resurrection is great. I am glad I have the promise of eternal life, but what about the here and the now."
Here are some thoughts from the Scriptures about building hope in the present time:
1) Put God first, above every other priority. When we put him first, he will take care of the rest. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
2) Ask him. He is in the business of answering our prayers. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8
3) Believe in Him. Believe that in Jesus we have more than enough. Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35
4) Know that there is scarcity when it comes to the treasures of this this world, but there is an abundance when it comes to the treasures of heaven. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 and "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
5) Learn from others. The Bible shares many stories of people who in difficult situations put their trust in God and saw him come through. Think about David (going up against Goliath), Elijah (faced persecution and famine), Daniel (feed to the lions), the Apostle Paul (arrested and shipwrecked).
6) Be in the business of giving hope. Turn the table on the devil. Don't let him get a foothold. Even if you are personally feeling down, commit to bringing a little bit of light into someone else's life. When you do so, you will discover that God will work in amazing ways to provide the hope and everything else you need. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Because he lives we have eternal life and we have hope. Yet, many of us are not as hopeful as we were last Easter. It has been a difficult year and many of us may be looking towards the future with doom and gloom. Maybe you are feeling like the resurrection is not enough. Maybe you are thinking: "Sure the resurrection is great. I am glad I have the promise of eternal life, but what about the here and the now."
Here are some thoughts from the Scriptures about building hope in the present time:
1) Put God first, above every other priority. When we put him first, he will take care of the rest. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
2) Ask him. He is in the business of answering our prayers. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-8
3) Believe in Him. Believe that in Jesus we have more than enough. Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35
4) Know that there is scarcity when it comes to the treasures of this this world, but there is an abundance when it comes to the treasures of heaven. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 and "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
5) Learn from others. The Bible shares many stories of people who in difficult situations put their trust in God and saw him come through. Think about David (going up against Goliath), Elijah (faced persecution and famine), Daniel (feed to the lions), the Apostle Paul (arrested and shipwrecked).
6) Be in the business of giving hope. Turn the table on the devil. Don't let him get a foothold. Even if you are personally feeling down, commit to bringing a little bit of light into someone else's life. When you do so, you will discover that God will work in amazing ways to provide the hope and everything else you need. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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