The New Normal

 On October 1st Jenny went back to work teaching 2nd grade.  As a result, I am now watching after Sophia during the day.  She is continuing to work because God has yet to bring me to a place where I am payed full time in ministry.  So everyday my beautiful Sophia and I will get to spend time together.  

While I am overjoyed with this opportunity, I am saddened by the fact that Jenny is greatly missing our little beauty.  I am also overwhelmed at times with the realization of how much work it takes to me Mr. Mom.  I'm looking forward to getting my home desktop updated so that I can work from home.  Lugging this "little" lady to the office everyday is a bit of work.  I say little because just shy of a month ago at her 4 month appointment she weighed in at a whopping 18 lbs.  However, I would not trade a moment with her.  She teaches me new things on a daily basis.  

Her need to just be held by me at times, even though I am sitting right next to her, is unbelievable.  It reminds me that even though I know that my heavenly Father is always by my side, it is still comforting when I can feel His presence.  

Or it is like when I lay her down in her crib at night to go to sleep and all she has for light is a little glow sea horse and I stay standing by her crib until she falls asleep.  Likewise, there are times when darkness is all around us with very little light to guide our path.  It is easy to forget, and for some they don't even know, that our Father is standing in the dark with us ready to swoop in when we cry.

My little girl reminds me of the truths of our loving LORD & Savior all the time.  Even though this week will be a bit of a respite for me because Jenny is on fall break.  So I can get a lot of work done this week and even blog some.  I look forward to all the lessons that the Jesus has in store for me through my new teacher Sophia Joy Farris.  I couldn't ask for a better instructor! 

Out With The New & In With The Old

Often times we have a tendency to go after the newest thing, craze, or fad.  We believe that because it is new or runs on electricity that it has to be better than what came before.  However, when we do this often times we find that we have just as many issues, if not more, with the new as we did with the old.  While new inventions at times solve old problems they also create new ones.  Sometimes, the old is flat out better than the new.  That's why we have the saying, "they don't make 'em like they used to."

This can be true in the spiritual life as well.  We are always going after something new that we forget about what the saints before us did.  Now, I'm not saying what was done by our spiritual forefathers and mothers was always entirely correct or that it is without the need of being tweaked a bit.  However, there is a lot that we can learn from our past so that we don't, in an agonizing fashion, reinvent the spiritual wheel.

One such lesson that I recently learned this in is that of prayer.  I was introduced the concept of Ignatius of Loyola's examen a little over a month ago.  This examen is a way to pray.  Now I'm not saying that this is the only way to pray nor am I hoping on the Ignatius and Jesuit bandwagon.  What I am saying is that this man was taught by God a way of communicating with Him that should be given a chance in our lives.  I'm saying that I don't believe that the believer shouldn't get stuck in a prayer rut.  That this is just one of many different ways to pray that we all should incorporate on a rotating basis so as to avoid dead tradition and keep a vibrant relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Ignatius believed that we should spend time reflecting on the past 24 hours in prayer.  We should do it as follows:

1.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we look back on the past day.  Ask Him to let us see these events not with our eyes but with His.

2.  Where did we most fail as a follower of Christ that day.

3.  When did we most look like a follower of Christ.

4.  Lastly, ask the Spirit to show you what you need to do the next day to improve and be more like Him to those you encounter.

By dealing with the troubles and problems in our life we are able to leave them behind.  We are able to forget them and move forward to focusing on Christ.  We are in turn able to better focus on how we can improve our relationship with Him.

Now there are other great ways to focus our attention in prayer like Lectio Divina, A.C.T.S., the Lord's Prayer, Meditation, and many more.  I think what needs to happen is that we experiment with different ways of speaking with Christ.  We then need to make sure our relationship / conversations don't get in a rut by changing up how we discuss the issues of life with Him.  Try it more than once.  Give it a chance.  I bet you will see a great difference in your prayer life and closeness of your relationship with Jesus!

Banjos & Steel Guitars

Usually I like to use this blog to discuss topics of a theological / spiritual nature.  Things that directly relate to my and hopefully your relationship with Jesus.  Well this doesn't have to do with our relationship with Jesus but that doesn't mean that this isn't a spiritual post.

What I want to talk about is music.  I love listening to music.  If someone were to ask me if I collected anything I guess that I would have to answer mp3's.  I love to listen to all kinds of genres of music.  With that said I do have a favorite(s) and if you know me at all or can infer by the title of this album it would be country & bluegrass music.  Especially within the last couple years I have fallen in love with the sound of the banjo.  The documentary "Give Me The Banjo" helped to cement that love (It's on Netflix streaming).  When it picked it has the ability to arouse a plethora of emotions instantaneously.  This is especially true if lyrics accompany it that praise our Lord Jesus Christ or call out to him with yearning for salvation.  But even without lyrics this music just causes me to relax.  It helps me to feel at peace.  The world feels a little slower.  Don't believe me listen to the song below by Steve Martins band.

Music has the ability to transport the soul.  It has the ability to make you smile, laugh, cry, pause, or all of the above in just one song.  Music is powerful.  For me while I enjoy rock, rap, hip-hop, big band, jazz, classical, swing, vocal, nothing moves me like bluegrass & country.  Eventually I hope to learn how to play the banjo whenever I have money to get one.  I plan on using it like I use my saxaphone to bring me to a place spiritually with Christ alone in my office.  I would use it like my sax just to enjoy the music that it can create.  Because after all, the Father invented music.

And if that's not enough for you, even people like David Crowder see the value of bluegrass music in moving the soul towards praising God.  Check out the song below "Jesus, Lead Me to Your Healing Waters."

The Story

For the past few weeks I've been leading the youth through The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People.  At first I chose this as the curriculum of choice for three primary reasons.

1.  It would give the kids a chronological look at the major events in Biblical History.
2.  It would show how God has worked in the lives of people in history and how He is similarly working in our lives today.
3.  By reading one chapter a week in novel format of the NIV they would, after 31 weeks, be in the habit of reading their Bible on their own at home.

However, as I began to read The Story it started to affect me not just as a teacher preparing a lesson, but in a deeper way as if reading some of these stories for the first time.  It has been refreshing to read God's word in this format.  And if that wasn't enough this story came with a soundtrack!  Each song focuses on a specific character(s) from chapters in the book.  The lyrics themselves focus on the emotions that these people must have been going through as they faced as the situations that they had to deal with.  Themes of guilt, doubt, abandonment and much more.  Music really hits a chord with me (pun intended).  It helps me to empathize with the characters that I am reading about.  It reminds me that these people weren't just automatons or amazing people that never wavered in their faith.  It helps me to remember that they are human, fallen, and redeemed by grace just like me.

So if you have tried to read the Bible before and you couldn't get through much or you are like me and many others and just need a fresh approach to God's word, than I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this book and start reading!  Get lost in God's story because it is the greatest story that you will ever read!!!

You can get a copy at both Berean & Family Christian book stores.  It is also available for both the Nook & the Kindle.

Link:...The Story on Amazon.com

Statue of Liberty Part 2

I think that it is easy to forget what the Statue of Liberty stands for.  While many know that it / Ellis Island was the gateway to America for a long time, many have either forgotten or never been taught what is enscribed at the base of the statue.  It states,



"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."


This sounds very similar to what Christ told us.  He told us to go out into the streets and tell the poor and homeless about Him.  We are to seek out those who are hurt and disabled.  We are to seek out the social outcast.  Those whom society has turned a blind eye to.  This is the reason why I believe in organizations such as the Phoenix Rescue Mission, Joni & Friends, and the Crisis Pregnancy Center.  These para-church organizations specifically target the people that Jesus said to go out and invite the banquet.  They are the people that know that they are in need of the promised land.  They are willing to take to walk out in faith hoping for the unseen because they have nothing left to lose.  So I would like to encourage you to learn more about one of these organizations by clicking on a link below.  Also, I again would like to remind you to thank Jesus this Independence Day for the freedom and liberty that He has given through the cross and to tell someone else about this freedom.

http://phoenixrescuemission.org/   


http://www.joniandfriends.org/


http://www.choicesaz.org/

The Cross Is My Statue Of Liberty...

 I have been a fan of the Gaither's since I was in High School and my Friend Caleb introduced me to them.  I primarily listen to the Gaither Vocal Band.  However, one album that I like of Bill & Gloria's is their compilation of other artists joining them titled Freedom Band.  There is one song in particular that has been on my mind as we approach the 4th of July.  The song is Statue of Liberty sung by Ivan Parker.  Please read the lyrics below and then continue reading.

The song reminds us of the amazing freedom that we have in this amazing country.  But, it also reminds us that we experience a greater freedom as citizens of the Kingdom of God.  Lately there has been a lot of hulla-ballo about the Supreme Court ruling about health care and the upcoming Presidential elections.  However, no matter where you stand on the politics of of this Kingdom, I pray that all who belong to the Kingdom of God will stand in unity for Christ.  For the freedom gained to be a citizen of that Kingdom came at a much greater cost.

Depending on when Christ comes the United States of America may fall.  But no matter what the Kingdom of God will stand forever.  So I challenge you to celebrate this Independence Day not just for the freedom which we receive in this great nation, but also for the freedom we experience in the Greatest Kingdom!

Statue of Liberty

In New York Harbor stands a lady

With a torch raised to the sky

And all who see her know she stands for

Liberty for you and me

I'm so glad to be called an American

To be named with the brave and the free

I will honor our flag and our trust in God

And the Statue of Liberty

On lonely Golgotha stood a cross

With my Lord raised to the sky

And all who kneel there live forever

As all the saints can testify

I'm so glad to be called a Christian

To be named with the ransomed and whole

As the Statue liberates the citizen

So the cross liberates the soul

Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty

It was there that my soul was set free

Unashamed I'll proclaim that a rugged cross

Is my Statue of Liberty

No lesson...That's O.K.

Recently I took the youth to Camp Impact.  There we had a great night where we played volleyball, a bunch of water games which included slip and slide kickball, ate a lot of food and had an overall good time.  However that wasn't everything that I had planned to do.  I had planned to teach a short devotional lesson to them while they were eating or just after.  Well, it wasn't until everyone had been picked up and I was about to leave after I had loaded everything in my car that I realized that I hadn't taught the lesson.

But, I wasn't that bummed that I forgot to do that.  The reason was that the night couldn't have been a bigger success.  I was reminded that sometimes we need to get together for the sole intent of enjoying one another's company.  Like anything in our lives we need balance.  Sometimes we just need to provide a safe environment for students to connect and have fun.  In doing this we do teach a valuable lesson.  The lesson is that they can have a good time where they can interact with other believers and enjoy one another's company without the assistance of drugs, sex, or alcohol. We will have plenty of other events this summer that have actual teaching time attached to them.

I'm currently looking forward to both a church wide movie night which will have a very brief challenge and to a youth only swim and study.  At the swim & study they will get an unspoken lesson again regarding modesty.  I have a rule that both girls and guys must wear shorts and a dark colored t-shirt in the pool.  Some may whine about it at first, but they quickly learn that they don't need to look 'sexy' to have fun swimming.

I guess this is all to say that in both church activities and in parenting it is about modeling how to live just as much as it is about having a great lesson.  You can't seperate the two.  If you do hypocrisy and double lives quickly follow.

1 + 1 = 1...or Jack + Jenny = Sophia

It's amazing how God has opened up my mind to different things now that He has blessed Jen & I with Sophia!  For instance, I've been reminded by Him that Sophia is the perfect illustration to point out Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Or, as I like to understand it 1 + 1 = 1.  If a husband and wife split than they are splitting their child in two.  Now many of you know that fact.  But, remember when there is turmoil in your relationship that there is inner turmoil in the heart of your child(ren).  For they see you fight and wonder what is wrong.  They want to experience peace and will do what it takes to find peace.  I believe that this is why some children take on the role of peace maker.  Because, if mom and dad aren't at peace than they can't have peace even if they don't fight in front of him/her.  A child can sense when mom & dad aren't happy with one another.  And the longer this goes on the worse it gets for the child.  That is part of the reason why I believe that God tells us, 

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:26–32, ESV)

Anger alone is not a sin.  It is how we express our anger that can lead to sin.  Especially fathers need to be on constant guard regarding how they express their anger to their wife and child(ren).  We need to be men that know how to build up.  It is easy to tear someone or something down.  But, it takes skill and patience to build up someone or something.  So I would like to encourage everyone, but especially fathers, to meditate on the final verse of this passage.  This is the key to saving not just the sacred relationship of husband & wife, but to having a home of peace and a child who is at peace knowing that mother and father are united.  That mother and father are one.  And as a result, that he/she is one.

One of the ways that I do this is that I sing hymns to Sophia.  I do this especially when she is fussy at 1 A.M. and I'm tired and all I want is a quiet baby and to fall asleep or when she decides to make the changing table into a slip and slide while trying to change her diaper. -- I find that when I sing these songs to her that it often soothes her.  Even when it doesn't help her much it calms my spirit and helps me to be at peace.  The lyrics refocus me on God and not the current situation.  For if I focus on God, He reminds me that this to shall pass and that I can find joy in any situation...even a slip and slide changing table.

Mothers, Jenny takes time when she is feeding Sophia to pray to God and just spend time with Him.  It is during these times that she takes advantage of to find strength in Him.  You can do it at almost any time.  The important thing is that you do it.  When she is resting we tell one another about the time we spend with God and in so encourage one another.  These are all different ways to fill your home with the Spirit of God and the peace which He offers us.  If you and I do this, then we won't have to worry about 1 + 1 = 1/2 & 1/2

  

 

If Only....It Strikes Everyone.

Almost everyone tells expecting and new parents that their lives will never be the same.  What they don't tell you is that you have to say goodbye to the life you have been living.  They don't tell you that you are going to have to mourn the loss of that life.  That you will no longer be able to live as you or your spouse are accustomed to living.  And you know what...it's perfectly alright to mourn the loss of this life.  Moreover, this is not the only time that this happens to a person.  This is probably one of the most dramatic of them, but it is not the only time.  As humans we are creatures of habit.  So anytime there is to be a major change in our lives we must prepare to say goodbye, at least for a little while, to a life that we found comfort in.

Now this may seem strange to think about because after all I wanted a child.  This little girl was as planned as can be and I would not give her up for the world.  In fact I would die for her in need be.  That is how much I love this little girl.  But, even when change is sought after we are never quite prepared for the cost of this change in our life.  In fact, we often get a case of the if only's almost as quickly as the desired change came.  If only she could hold her own head up.  If only she could talk.  If only......  This is why others are inclined to tell new parents to cherish every moment and stage of life.  The reason is that every stage of development brings new joys and new if only's.

The important thing is to find peace in your life no matter what is going on in it.  I was reminded by God about this when after a week and a half of having Sophia I got back into the habit of opening my Bible and reading other believers thoughts on the Christian life that I found peace again.  It was at that moment that I finally felt refreshed.  It was then that I stopped mourning for the life and freedom that I had before she came.  It was then that I experienced the peace of God.  I was reminded that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  He is the One that gave me the patience to be able to be calm at 1 A.M. when she is crying and I don't know what to do.

Now do the if only's try to resurface and distract me?  You bet they do.  But, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that if I don't find joy and peace in Him that I will never satisfy the if only's that will never cease.  So if you you are being troubled with by the if only I was done with High School or College, If Only we I was married, If Only we had a child, If Only we had a house, If Only I had a better job, If Only________.  Whatever it is it won't satisfy.  Turn to Christ and ask others to pray for you and to help you through this time.  Don't be afraid to open up to someone else.  It is how our relationships with one another and God grow.

PENTECOST: Or the Forgotten Christian Holiday

Francis Chan's book Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit has helped me to put together many of my thoughts concerning the Holy Spirit in the Church today.  Many people don't really understand the Holy Spirit at all.  They don't understand much if anything that He promises to the those who believe in Christ.  Then there are those who think, as Chan states, "I've got Jesus...why do I need the Spirit?"  The answer is found in Jesus words where He tells His disciples, "It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)

So why so much talk about the Holy Spirit all of a sudden?  The reason is that this Sunday is the one day a year that we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.  We celebrate the power that He gives us to live for Christ and to cope with a world that rejects Him.  The traditional color for this holiday is red symbolizing how he came and rested on the disciples in the upper room like tongues of fire.  So if you want wear red with me on Sunday.

In the mean time I would like to encourage you to read John 16:5-16 and Acts 2.  If you don't know much about the Holy Spirit I would encourage you to pick up a copy of Francis Chan's book that I mentioned above.  It is great for those who know nothing of Him as well as those who have received a Master of Divinity.  Lastly, there is a poem below about the Holy Spirit...that is for those of you like me who enjoy reading poetry.


Hymn to the Holy Spirit
     by Richard Wilton

   Come, Holy Dove,
Descend on silent pinion,
Brood o'er my sinful soul with patient love,
Till all my being owns thy mild dominion.

   Round yon sad Tree
With frequent circles hover,
That in my glorious Surety I may see
Grace to redeem and righteousness to cover.

   On wings of peace
Bring from that precious altar
The blood which bids the storms of conscience cease,
And blots out all the debt of the defaulter.

   Spirit of grace,
Reveal in my my Savior,
That I may gaze upon his mirrored face,
Till I reflect it in my whole behavior.

   Oh, let me hear
Thy soft, low voice controlling
My devious steps with intimations clear,
With comforts manifold my heart consoling.

   Let that sweet sound
To holy deeds allure me,
With heavenly echoes make my spirit bound,
And of my home in paradise assure me.

   Come, Holy Dove,
Guide me to yon bright portal,
Where I shall see the Savior whom I love,
And enter on the joys which are immortal.

Grace Overflowing

***Warning, there is some race related language in this post, but it is used to make a point***

As you may already know, this Saturday, May 5th West Greenway Bible Church will be showing The Grace Card at 6:00 PM.  This is a movie that will hit you hard in regards to your relationships with other people.  It is a movie that will challenge the way that you look at other people.  

As you may have guessed the title is a play on words.  The movie challenges us to play the 'grace card' instead of the 'race card'.  You may be thinking to yourself, "I'm not racist" and or "I don't know anyone who is racist'.  The reason for this is that in Phoenix you will primarily hear the word nigger only in rap songs or kids trying to act like gangsters.  But, that doesn't mean that you don't know someone that acts differently to those with darker skin tones than his or her own.  What about when someone uses the slurs wetback, spic, gringo, cracker?  Are those less hateful?  Or, what about when you see some Hispanic men standing outside a Home Depot looking for work?  Do you automatically think illegal?  When the topic of immigration is brought up what does the heart of your speech sound like?  What about those you converse with?  Even if you don't speak hatred, are you willing to take a stand against it when family or friends speak out in hatred?  The Grace Card is just as relevant here as it is in Mississippi, if not more.

This movie will challenge you to look deep inside yourself.  Remember, Jesus said that it is not what goes into a man's mouth, but what comes out of it that makes him unclean (Mat. 15:17-20).  Or remember that Jesus said during the Sermon on the Mount that those who speak with hatred to others are guilty of murder in their heart.  Let us not forget that anger is a poison.  It can only be sucked out by the power of GRACE and FORGIVENESS.  All are created in the image of God and Christ came to save all.  So, come see the movie and learn to both give and receive THE GRACE CARD.

And Remember:

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world

Red and yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world

Urgent Prayer Request

Hello friends:

Back on November 2nd I wrote a post entitled "Silence Is Not Always Golden."  (http://jackafarris.blogspot.com/2011/11/silence-is-not-always-golden.html)  

In it I mentioned a brother and friend in Christ Obadiah.  Well he is having some major issues right now.  I would like to ask you to be praying for him.  Pray that God give him the guidance, support, and courage that he needs to get through this time.  Also, please pray for his family that they may know the peace that God gives during this tumultuous time.  Lastly, please pray that doctors can figure out what is causing the problems.  

Thanks for praying!

The Resurrection & Ascension of Christ.

Sir Isaac Watts is a talented writer.  Now some of you may be thinking that my grammar is a bit off.  I used the present tense for a man who has been dead for quite some time.  However, while his body died here on earth he is alive and well with Christ!  As are all those who have put their faith in Jesus before us!  He has written many a hymn that is still used in worship in congregations to this day.  He wrote so many hymns that there are more than enough to sing a different hymn of his every day of the year and not run out.  However, he is probably best known for classics such as Joy to the World and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  However, there is another hymn that I would like to turn your attention to today.  It is one that I believe is worthy of more attention than it receives.  It speaks to the triumph of Jesus over death.  Even more it ends with praising Him as the King of Life!  I guess the only other thing I have to say is...HE IS RISEN!!!

The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ by Sir Isaac Watts

    Hosannah to the Prince of light,

      That clothed himself in clay,

    Entered the iron gates of death,

      And tore the bars away.

    Death is no more the king of dread,

      Since our Immanuel rose;

    He took the tyrant’s sting away,

      And spoiled our hellish foes.

    See how the Conqueror mounts aloft,

      And to his Father flies,

    With scars of honor in his flesh

      And triumph in his eyes.

    There our exalted Savior reigns,

      And scatters blessings down;

    Our Jesus fills the middle seat

      Of the celestial throne.

    [Raise your devotion, mortal tongues,

      To reach his blest abode;

    Sweet be the accents of your songs

      To our incarnate God.

    Bright angels, strike your loudest strings,

      Your sweetest voices raise

    Let heav’n and all created things

      Sound our Immanuel’s praise.]

Holy Saturday

This is a day of waiting.  This is day that the disciples awoke to a changed world.  He was dead.  They had to be thinking things like, "I must still be dreaming...It was only a few days ago that the people were praising Him...What are we to do...I feel so helpless...He brought others back to life, but could he truly bring Himself back?"

This is a day to remember the sacrifice.  It is a day to remember that there is nothing that we can do to bring Christ back.  We are truly helpless without Him.  It is a time to remember that with Him anything is possible...even victory over death!

Easter Saturday by Elizabeth Rooney

A curiously empty day, 

As if the world's life

Had gone underground.

The April sun

Warming dry grass

Makes pale spring promises

But nothing comes to pass.

Anger Relaxes into despair

As we remember our helplessness, 

Remember him hanging there.

We have purchased the spices

But they must wait for tomorrow.

We shall keep today

For emptiness and sorrow.

A Very Confusing Day

Good Friday is genuinely a confusing time emotionally.  Imagine though for the moment that this was not the same kind of confusion Jesus' followers knew.  They knew grief, anger, and for Peter self hatred probably.  This was because they did not realize the possibility of what would happen on Sunday.  They only knew that He was very much dead.  The picture to the right is another station for prayer from the prayer garden Canaan in the Desert.  It is a carving of His followers preparing His body for burial.  For what they thought was the end.

However, for us it is confusing because we know both rejoicing and great sorrow.  Rejoicing because we now know that through Christ's death and Resurrection that He has put an end to the reign of sin and death.  Sorrow because it is our sin that put Him there.  The poem below tries to capture this confusing emotional state.  I believe that it projects a balance that we must have this day.  For without both tears of grief and joy it truly would not be Good Friday!

Good Friday by Anonymous

O heart, be lifted up; O heart be gay,

Because the Light was lifted up today–

Was lifted on the Rood, but did not die,

To shine eternally for such as I.

O heart, rejoice with all your humble might

That God did kindle in the world this Light

Which stretching on the Cross could not prevent

From shining with continuous intent.

Why weep, O heart, this day? Why grieve you so?

If all the glory of the Light had lost its glow

Would the sun shine or earth put on her best—

Her flower-entangled and embroidered vest?

Look up, O heart; and then, O heart, kneel down

In humble adoration: give no crown

Nor golden diadem to your fair Lord,

But offer love and beauty by your word…

The everlasting fire of love, O heart,

Has blazed in you and it will not depart.

Wherefore, O heart, exult and praises sing:

Lift up your voice and make the echoes ring…

O heart, rise up: O heart be lifted high.

Rejoice; for Light was slain today, yet did not die.

Maundy Thursday

Say what!?  If you don't come from a high church or liturgical background you are probably thinking what in the world is Maundy Thursday?  It is the day that traditionally the church remembers the Last Supper and His time with His disciples on the Mount of Olives before His arrest during Holy Week.  This was the last time that He sat and taught His disciples.  This was the time that He used to prepare Himself for the cross.  So I would ask you to spend Thursday, as Jesus did, preparing for the cross which comes Friday.  I leave you with two poems to meditate on.

A Psalm for Maundy Thursday by Joseph Bayly

Tonight 

Lord Jesus Christ

You sat at supper

with your friends.

It was a simple meal

that final one

of lamb

unleavened bread

and wine.

Afterward

You went out to die.

How many other meals you shared

beside the lake

fried fish and toasted bread

at Simon's banquet hall a feast

at Lazarus' home in Bethany

the meal that Martha cooked

on mountain slope

where you fed the hungry crowd

at close of tiring day.

Please sit with us tonight

at our small meal

of soup  and rolls and tea.

Then go with us

to feast of bread and wine

that you provide

because afterward

you went out to die.

A Ballad of Trees and the Master  by Sidney Lanier

Into the woods my Master went,
Clean forspent, forspent.

Into the woods my Master came,

Forspent with love and shame.

But the olives they were not blind to him,

The little grey leaves were kind to him:

The thorn trees had a mind to him

When into the woods he came.

Out of the woods my Master went,
And he was well content.

Out of the woods my Master came,

Content with death and shame.

When death and shame would woo him last,

From under the trees they drew him last;

'Twas on a tree they slew him last

When out of the woods he came.

April Fools!!!

My bodacious beautiful bride, as many know, is a second grade teacher.  As a result, she is very happy that this year April Fools day does not fall on a weekday.  Otherwise, she would have to deal with the constant, "Your shoes untied...April fools!"  However, this year April Fools day collides with another holiday that is not as well known.  That day is Palm Sunday.  It begins what is known as Holy week.  It is the day Jesus made his 'Triumphant Entry' into Jerusalem.  It is the day that throngs of people lined the streets shouting praise to Jesus.  Lining the road with clothing and palm branches.  However, it is as if they just waited for the punch line...waiting to say APRIL FOOLS!...waiting to say CRUCIFY HIM!!!

All the while though, Christ knew the punchline was coming.  He wasn't going to fall for it.  How fickle we are.  I can't help but wonder...would I have been part of the group telling the horrible joke if I had lived at that time.  I wonder am I guilty of the same joke today...praising Him one day, and rejecting Him the next.  I pray with all my heart that I never am part of such a horrid and crude joke against my LORD.  In the meantime, I want to give you a poem to consider as we approach Palm Sunday.  I hope you reflect on this and that it helps prepare you for Sunday.

Ride on! by Henry Hart Milman

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

Hark, all the tribes hosanna cry;

Thy humble beast pursues his road

With palms and scattered garments strowed.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

O Christ, thy triumphs now begin

O'er captive death and conquered sin.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

The winged squadrons of the sky

Look down with sad and wondering eyes

To see the approaching sacrifice.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh;

The Father on his sapphire throne

Expects his own anointed Son.

Ride on! Ride on in majesty!

In lowly pomp ride on to die;

Bow thy meek head to mortal pain,

Then take, O God, thy power, and reign.

What Will You Do with Jesus?

A. B. Simpson asks a very important question.  The question is simple, yet profound.  It is one that everyone must answer.  Those who say differently answer all the same.  The question is, "What will you do with Jesus?"  So if you have not accepted Him as Savior I challenge you to do so.  If you you have accepted Him as Savior, then I ask what keeps you from accepting His as LORD and King?  However, no matter where you stand right now regarding this question, read the poem and contemplate what kind of relationship you have with Jesus and decide today what you will do with Him.  Everything hangs in the balance.  If you need a different place to go during this season of lent I recommend going to the prayer garden at Canaan in the Desert (http://www.canaaninthedesert.com/).  It is a wonderful place for prayer and is where the picture was taken.

What Will You Do with Jesus?

Jesus is Standing in Pilate's hall,

Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;

Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call?

What will you do with Jesus?

What will you do with Jesus?

Neutral you cannot be;

Some day your heart will be asking,

"What will He do with me?"

Jesus is standing on trial still,

You can be false to Him if you will,

You can be faithful through good or ill:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you evade him as Pilate tried?

Or will you choose Him, whate'er betide?

Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:

What will you do with Jesus?

Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?

Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,

Daring for Jesus to live or die?

What will you do with Jesus?

"Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!

Jesus, I'll follow Thee all the way,

Gladly obeying Thee!" will you say:

"This I will do with Jesus!"

Poetry...A Neglected Art Form

Poetry is an amazing way to convey thought and emotion in a way that touches the soul like no other.  The primary genre in the Old Testament is poetry.  It affects greatly, yet it is surprisingly overlooked.  For example, the portrait on the right is of the Christian poet John Donne.  However, many do not even know of this great man or others like him.  So as we approach Holy Week I would like to inspire every so often with a poem by a great Christian poet.  As you can guess, below is a poem written by John Donne.  I would really like to discuss these poems with anyone interested.  We can do this through comments below, facebook, phone, or meeting over some coffee.  Also, if you have a poem that you believe would be appropriate please send it to me!  So without further ado...

Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee do go,

Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;

And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well,

And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

A New Year...A New Focus

 December 25th seems like it was quite a while ago.  The decorations have been put away, the cards have been taken off of our wall, and the spring semester for Jenny is in full swing.  But I would like to reflect upon two gifts I received that day.  They were from my brother-in-law David and his wife Kathrine.  One I had asked for and one I had not.  Kathrine had bought me the book, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan.  David saw the book and thought, "He didn't even ask for this.  We should get him something that he asked for."  So he went and got me rap/hip-hop artist LeCrae's albums Overdose & Rehab.  Well it turns out that they were both excellent choices! The LeCrae albums + DVD have served in lessons for the youth.

However, this book is now serving me in a very unexpected way.  I just finished reading it after starting it last week.  This is partly because it is an excellent book and partly because I now have a comfy couch in my office to sit on and read.  This book came at the perfect time.  I had been trying to figure out what God would have me focus on this year.  That's when it hit me.  God was using Kathrine to tell me what He wanted me to focus on.  I had not asked for this book, yet here it was lying on my desk.  So I began to read.  At first it was o.k.  Then once I started chapter 2 today I could not stop until I had finished it today.  

You may now be wondering what was so amazing about this book.  The answer to that is everything and nothing.  Everything in that it was exactly what I needed to hear right now.  Nothing in that I had heard almost all of the content in the book before.  However, the title was right on when referring to Holy Spirit as Forgotten God.  He has been forgotten or at the very least, as in my case, been neglected.  So this is the year of the Holy Spirit for both my personal relationship with God and the ministry He has set before me at West Greenway Bible Church.  It will begin in earnest tomorrow morning when I go on a personal retreat out to Dreamy Draw Park to reconnect with Holy Spirit and refresh my soul for an exciting year of glorifying our Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ!

So if you don't know much about the Holy Spirit or if you have been neglecting Him than I would encourage you to pick up a copy of this book.  I believe that no matter what level of understanding, regarding the Spirit, you have this book can be helpful to you.

Post Script:  Thank you Kathrine for letting Holy Spirit guide you in getting this book for me!  And you too David for the LeCrae music!