I must confess to you, yesterday wore me out, physically. But spiritually, I am still excited about Easter.
Christ Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!
It is a miracle of Easter. The cross no longer holds Jesus. The tomb is empty. All of this is "part" of the Easter miracle. But these are only ways in which the Easter miracle takes place. The Easter miracle is changed hearts that lead to changed lives. Changed hearts can only be a miracle straight from God. It is why Jesus came. It is why Jesus died. It is why Jesus arose. It is why I preach.
Easter did not come and go yesterday. Easter people know that the miracle continues. It continues through you and through me as Christ uses us to tell others about the miracle.
Lord, let it begin with Jerry!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, April 6
Maundy Thursday service at GC is always special to me. The unique thing about this service is that there is no preaching. The message comes strictly from the Scriptures. We read the 20th chapter of Matthew.
Maundy Thursday is so named because the word maundy is an early Greek word from which we get our English word commandment, or mandate. It was on that special Thursday evening that Jesus gave his disciples a new mandate. He commanded them to love one another the same way that He loved them. Jesus gives that same mandate to us even today. We are to love one another in the same way that He loves us. If we pay attention, during the Maundy Thursday service, we get a stark realization of just how much Jesus loved us.
Let me suggest that you find a quiet place sometime today on this Good Friday. Read the 20th chapter of Matthew again, letting the words sink into your heart. When you finally realize how much Jesus loves you, consider whether you have kept the commandment to love others in that same way.
Lord, let it begin with Jerry.
Maundy Thursday is so named because the word maundy is an early Greek word from which we get our English word commandment, or mandate. It was on that special Thursday evening that Jesus gave his disciples a new mandate. He commanded them to love one another the same way that He loved them. Jesus gives that same mandate to us even today. We are to love one another in the same way that He loves us. If we pay attention, during the Maundy Thursday service, we get a stark realization of just how much Jesus loved us.
Let me suggest that you find a quiet place sometime today on this Good Friday. Read the 20th chapter of Matthew again, letting the words sink into your heart. When you finally realize how much Jesus loves you, consider whether you have kept the commandment to love others in that same way.
Lord, let it begin with Jerry.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wednesday, April 4
Yesterday I mowed my lawn. For most folks that is not a big deal. But for me, it is a huge deal. There was a time when I could not do that. My brother Ronnie has been taking care of those sorts of things for me, like working in my yard and cleaning out the gutters. He is a special brother, for sure, and I love him and thank God for him.
But you might be able to understand why I am excited to report that I can do some things like this myself. I was on the lawn mower and thanking God for the day, for the sunshine, for the grass, for my home, for my life, for my brother, for my friends, and for my . . . well the prayer went on for just as long as I was out in the yard. Ronnie is still helping me with the trimming. But I will soon gain enough strength to do that also. (and I am sure he will be glad when I do)
Have you ever thanked God for yardwork? I don't think that I ever have in the past. What else do I need to thank Him for? What else do you need to thank Him for?
But you might be able to understand why I am excited to report that I can do some things like this myself. I was on the lawn mower and thanking God for the day, for the sunshine, for the grass, for my home, for my life, for my brother, for my friends, and for my . . . well the prayer went on for just as long as I was out in the yard. Ronnie is still helping me with the trimming. But I will soon gain enough strength to do that also. (and I am sure he will be glad when I do)
Have you ever thanked God for yardwork? I don't think that I ever have in the past. What else do I need to thank Him for? What else do you need to thank Him for?
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tuesday, April 3
Thank you for your prayers. Physically, I am having a good week so far. I am feeling stronger each day, I think.
I love Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). And I am always amazed at the many ways in which Christians celebrate this week. We attended "Dance for Christ" on Sunday. These young people celebrated the life of Christ through the expression of dance. I am so impressed with the passion that these young people have for this project. And surely these folks must be worn out from all of the hard work. My hat is off to Miss Crystal, Lynsey, MaryElla, Lisa, Reagan, and everyone involved. Other Christians celebrate Holy week through drama or cantata.
There is one thing that makes all of these vehicles for worship so powerful. It is the message behind the media. How powerful is the fact that God sent his only Son, Jesus to take our sins to the cross so that we could be forgiven, and then raised Him from the dead so that we could have eternal life?
It is all about Him!
I love Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter). And I am always amazed at the many ways in which Christians celebrate this week. We attended "Dance for Christ" on Sunday. These young people celebrated the life of Christ through the expression of dance. I am so impressed with the passion that these young people have for this project. And surely these folks must be worn out from all of the hard work. My hat is off to Miss Crystal, Lynsey, MaryElla, Lisa, Reagan, and everyone involved. Other Christians celebrate Holy week through drama or cantata.
There is one thing that makes all of these vehicles for worship so powerful. It is the message behind the media. How powerful is the fact that God sent his only Son, Jesus to take our sins to the cross so that we could be forgiven, and then raised Him from the dead so that we could have eternal life?
It is all about Him!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday, April 2
This will be the busiest week for me since before I got sick. I am preparing for three services, Maundy Thursday, Sunrise Service, and Easter Morning worship this week. I am also officiating the wedding of Scott and Kelly on Saturday. I know that the Lord will give me strength to do whatever He wants me to do. An extra prayer from you would be appreciated.
Especially on Mondays, some folks wake up with the words, "good morning Lord." Some folks wake up with the words, "good Lord, it's morning." I hope that you are one of those who wake up talking to the LORD. He is always there, waiting for you to talk to Him.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday. In a nutshell, people stood beside the road, laying palms and their coats on the road as a symbol of their anticipation of the coming King. When he arrived, the people shouted "Hosanna," which means "Lord, save us."
The King has arrived. He is here! His name is Jesus! He is waiting for you to talk to Him. And I am thinking that the words, "Lord, save me," would be just fine with Him.
Have you talked to HIM today?
Especially on Mondays, some folks wake up with the words, "good morning Lord." Some folks wake up with the words, "good Lord, it's morning." I hope that you are one of those who wake up talking to the LORD. He is always there, waiting for you to talk to Him.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday. In a nutshell, people stood beside the road, laying palms and their coats on the road as a symbol of their anticipation of the coming King. When he arrived, the people shouted "Hosanna," which means "Lord, save us."
The King has arrived. He is here! His name is Jesus! He is waiting for you to talk to Him. And I am thinking that the words, "Lord, save me," would be just fine with Him.
Have you talked to HIM today?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)