Facelift for the Lady

Well, I think the French will be mad about this one.

But if all mega churches spent their money in this way, I guarantee the world would be a better place.

Beat that eBay!

So I spent two smacks and a quarter for 9 books at a yard sale the other day. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

I got my fast pleasure reading: ludlum and seinfeld.

And I got my grueling pleasure reading: Hugo, Potok and Steinbeck.

another friend in the blogosphere

so i have a friend named Jordan.

one of those types that if you don't talk to him for 3 months it's exactly the same when you do talk to him. he's a good man.

he's joined the blogosphere and is journeying out to Mars Hill grad school in the NorthWest.

So check out his thoughts here.

It must not go out!

Leviticus 6. Priests instructed to not let the fire on the altar go out. The command is repeated within two verses.

For some reason, this verse has been banging around in my head ever since I read it 4 weeks ago.

Irreverence

"Irreverence is a most necessary ingredient of religion...Not to speak of its importance in philosophy. Irreverence is the only way left to us for testing our universe."

Spoken by Leto
Children of Dune
pg. 269

With my friends

So we (Aubrey and myself) went to DC to hang with longtime friends, Doug and Jon and their ladyfriends, Elizabeth and Jess. Jon's married to Jess, and Doug's getting married to Elizabeth. It's always great to connect, and we found a sweet middle location, 2 hours from both of us.

It's good to be with people who you don't have to perform for.

Thanks Dude

So the other day I was working and getting everything together for this huge event called Creation. And I had to get all these tents and things together, but you know what? I couldn't do it alone, at least not if I wanted to eat supper with my wife by 6. So, my good friend Dan helped me out.

Thanks Dan!

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 10

We come to the final chapter.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts again!

It's been a quality journey with you my friends.

My Last Two Weeks in pictures

Went to Aubrey's sister's graduation Party. Before which, Dad in Law had to tie Jeff's (Diana's boyfriend) tie,

During which bro-in law, Mark and I had a fun time with chocolate strawberries.
And then our summer intern, Melissa arrived.
And we had our annual tailgate party (welcoming the new 6th graders)
with plenty of good food

and what party would be complete without hot dog launching?

In addition to the funness, Aubrey and I had a scare with the baby, but thank God everything is OK. I felt a little like Abraham, wondering what God was going to do next, with the only available option being to trust Him with my child's life.

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 9

And now the thoughts on chapter 9.

You are great!

A Baby

...is on the way...

The big news!!! Aubrey is 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant.

We've had some scary moments, but acc. to the doctor we're doing well. We've had a couple ultrasounds, and we'll get the pics up soon. Right now the baby looks a little more like an alien, with a head the size of the rest of the body (also a little more like daddy...who has a large noggin).

So look for more updates!

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 8

I hope everybody had a dandy Memorial Day and such.

And now, thoughts on Chapter 8 of the book. Unfortunately I have misplaced my book in the past couple days, so I don't have it to reference it. But I will find it before the day is done and post the beloved comments.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

Good Conversations

here.

focusing on these questions:

What do we all have in common that keeps Christianity alive?
What does it mean to be a practicing community of faith?
What are the basics of Christian practice that we have forgotten?
How can we truly change the church to embrace our diversity and bridge our differences?

my friend brian pointed me here.

also friend from college just discovered on blogosphere. mr. swaim. good kid, he is.

More old language for ya

hit the maples: to bowl

cunctatious: addicted to delaying; prone to delay

jargoneer: a person who coins words in some field; a person who delights in using the particular language of some occupation or sport.

cow's thumb: done to a cow's thumb, done exactly.

trigamy: the act or state of having three wives or three husbands at the same time. In the ancient church this was only allowed to such as had no children by their former marriages.

juniority: the state of being junior

So I'd like to see some sentences from these bad boys...

stram: any sudden, loud and quick sound; so to stram the doors means to shut them with noise and violence. Hence, a bold and unexpected lie that greatly suprises the hearer is called a strammer, and hence also to strammer means to tell great and notorious lies.

Mario!

Why I love my wife

So Aubrey and I were lounging around this morning, me drinking chai, she drinking orange juice. We were laughing and such and she brought forth a story I had heard her tell before, but had forgotten...it's definitely worth a retelling here.

Once when Aubrey was like 5, her parents wanted to take her to the circus. So they told her, "Aubrey, we're going to take you to the Greatest Show on Earth!"

Her eyes got wide. And her mouth dropped open.

"Do you know what the greatest show on earth is?" they asked her.

"Of course," she said. "It's when Jesus got put on the cross for our sins."

"Oh," said her mother thoughtfully. "Then do you know what the second greatest show on earth is?"

I think this story shows, while slightly cheesy, how well her parents had impressed upon her the story and love of God. It just oozed out of her.

And that's one of the reasons I love her.

Why Middle School Ministry is so great

Even though I was hired to be a middle school pastor when I first came to my church, I sometimes have doubts about the ministry and my role in it. The doubts have mostly to do with my lack of patience at times, than anything else. But recently I've had an upsurge (if that's a word) of passion for that area of ministry...and two stories surfaced last night that add to why I think middle school ministry is so great.

Question #1
We have a student, who I will call "micheal", who has a bad family history. Used to live in Florida, now living with grandparents here. Sometimes he is a little hard to control. Dad's not reliable (hard to be when you're in jail). So, the other night, at the beginning of our regular time micheal comes in with a most serious look on his face and says, "Josh, I need to talk to you sometime tonight." Since we were getting ready to start, I said we'd need to chat afterwards. We did all the stuff middle school ministry is so great at, stupid games, praying for each other, object lesson and discussion. Afterward, I had forgotten about micheal, and he came up to me...

So, we went to the side of things where we wouldn't be interupted by bouncing balls or frolicking girls. He looks at me imploringly and then looks to his right and left and back to me. "Where did God come from, Josh?"

here this whole time I thought he was going to talk to me about something going on at home, something about him having to be with his dad or something. I have never been asked this question with such earnestness and honesty. it had always been posed to me as some smart aleck response or some theoretical question in philosophy class. But here it was, being posed to me by an honest scrawny middle schooler, like his life depended on it.

Question #2 and 3
This story comes from Aubrey's group, where they were discussing Romans 12:1, which talks about offering your life as a living sacrifice to God. We were trying to talk about how God changes us and how we have to offer ourselves to him in order for that to happen. But in the middle of the discussion the kid asks, "So, does this mean I am supposed to commit suicide for God?"

"Well, no..." says Aubrey. "that's not exactly what the writer is trying to say. but it's kind of that way. we must kill the old self in order for God to bring out his newness in us."

"Why was the Bible written so we can't understand it?"

Ah, how I love the earnestness of middle school students and how I love how they take things literally and ask honest and unguarded questions.

Movie Consumption Weekend

So Aubrey and I had quite a relaxing weekend. In the relaxation we partook in three movies (all rented), which is quite a feat for us.

Friday Night: Munich

Wow. Powerful look at the toll that terrorism takes on all sides of the equation. If you're gonna watch this, I recommend that you watch Paradise Now as well. And the story is told well.

Saturday Night: Everything is Illuminated

Aubrey and I laughed and cried our hearts out in this one. Not funny like Dumb and Dumber or Black Sheep and not sappy like the Wedding Planner, but a witty account of cultures colliding. Let's put it this way, one of the main characters is a Ukranian who loves Micheal Jackson and is an English translator for an American Jew looking for a woman who saved his grandfather's life.

Sunday Afternoon: Corpse Bride

This was mostly pleasurable...all of it is clay animation, which is quite impressive. And there is some witty banter in this as well. Slightly dark, but showing that there is light even in the darkest places.

Graduation Celebrations!

Aubrey Kleinfeld now may be referred to as "Aubrey Kleinfeld, MS".

Aubrey graduated from Shippensburg University this weekend. I'm so proud of her for all she's done. She gets the best reviews from her professors and clients...and her husband.

Her parents and our good friends, Nate and Andrea came up for the day and celebrated with us!

Now for the doctorate...

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 7

And now, chapter 7. We get to see what happens to the people after they have decided to follow Christ as a community.

It's a long chapter and well worth the read. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!

Brian Mclaren on the Code

Here's a good article/interview with Mclaren's thoughts on the upcoming film, Da Vinci Code.

I really like this question that he poses: "We need to ask ourselves why the vision of Jesus hinted at in Dan Brown's book is more interesting, attractive, and intriguing to these people than the standard vision of Jesus they hear about in church."

Check out the article at SoJourners Online Journal. You might have to give them your email, but it's worth the read.

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 6

And so begins the journey into chapter 6.

I think this book is getting better and better.

Let's see what you think!

Weekend

So this weekend was good and not good. Good in that it was full of activities, not good in that Aubrey was away on retreat.

Friday night, went to Rescue Mission, to serve with teens. Great time. Kids really serving the men and women at the mission.

Saturday, birthday party, soccer game, Saturday night church (where the Andrew Porter spoke).

Sunday, Aubrey returns home. We go to a party with her friends from Shippensburg. That turned out to be a great time. Was a little nervous, just because I didn't know any of them, but we connected well. Had a round of tetherball, which isn't the easiest game out there, but fun to watch. Actually got slammed in the face with the tetherball. how fun, with a bunch of peeps I didn't know.

Aubrey got great reviews from the weekend...she did a session at the retreat, and people told me and her that she was great. I think she's great.

Also, check out the most recent sermon by Rob Bell. Check out Enough Dirt for Your Mule.

Open

So, I go to Borders with some friends from the youth group every other Thursday. Always great conversations with these two guys...

Brought up being "open-minded". One guy is from a catholic background and the other guy is straight Nazbo. So, one friend is extremely open to new ideas and people from different backgrounds, but the Nazbo has a harder time. So we got into a discussion about listening to other people's ideas and worldviews...and my catholic friend is all about being open-minded, but hates people who aren't open-minded.

So we worked through the logic of open-mindedness, and how it falls short in being like Christ. Because open-mindedness is never truly open-minded to all things. There are always stops on it. There's always a limit.

But is there something that we don't have a limit to? What about love? When we look at the Text, we find that love is something that abounds, it's always available.

So if Jesus was giving a Sermon on the Mount today, I think he might say something like this..."You have heard it said, 'be open-minded to all ideas and people', but I tell you, be open-hearted to all people, because our God loves all people beyond their imagination."

Couple Things

So, Aubs and I had a bunch of friends over from her Messiah work place. So cool it was. Good food, good laughs.

Interesting that most of the people there are getting ready to transition into new jobs and new locations in the next year, except we were all in our mid to late 20's. You'd expect to be with a bunch of people in transition when in college...so it was an odd remembrance of the past...but I'm wondering if our age group is going to carry transition with it through the rest of life.

Today...been listening to Pagitt podcast. Interesting dialogue with Doug Pagitt and Bob DeWaay about the emergent church.

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 5

and now chapter 5.

Donovan really kicks it into gear for this one.

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

Thanks for all your thoughts.

You're Awesome

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 4

And we come to the fourth chapter.

I read this chapter in my car, while waiting at a friend's baby dedication party. I had the sunroof open and thus I got a weird sunburn line on my arm. Ah the perils of reading.

I think he closes some of the open ends he created in the last chapter, but opens some more for us to explore.

what do you all think?

Fun with Aged Vocab

So, for Christmas I got Aubrey a forgotten english calendar, which has a forgotten english word for every day of the year. Aubs and I have had a great time with it and have gotten many laughs.

So here are some of the words with their definitions.

pluvial: pertaining to rain; rainy

shumpgullion: a glutton

lunting: walking and smoking a pipe

novitious: newly invented

scroggins: an interjection used to express astonishment

The real challenge will be to use these somehow in a regular conversation, or to put them all in the same paragraph.

Day Off Fun

Well, I'm sitting at Messiah College, using their free wifi (with Aubrey's sign in info) and loving it.

I came up here to see a friend's (his name is Ross, and believe it or not, he's getting married to Rachel) science project presentation. He's a senior and he and some friends worked on a plane project, using a rotary engine (never used before in a plane) as the engine. Their intentions are to help to design a lightweight and easy to manage plane for mission work. Somebody else will design the body of the plane and the fueselage and things like that. They just designed and put together the engine components (including propellor). Anyway, they did an excellent job on all their stuff. Way to go, Ross.

I got to check out the NTS in service program. I'm interested in attending school while I'm still in ministry, but I don't feel I'm done here, so I'm checking out various degrees. I'm also slightly interested in the masters of spiritual formation from Northwest Nazarene. I'm unsure about the Naz bias, wanting something from a different perspective than what I've grown up with. But I've heard good things about both of these programs, so am wading through it.

Since Aubs if finishing up her Masters on May 13th, I figured it's about time I start figuring out what I'm going to do with my edumacation!

Also, since it is my day off, I explored the net and found www.orisinal.com, which comes loaded with tons of time wasting games you can play. Check it out if you want to waste some time.

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 3

So, here is the place you can put your thoughts for chapter 3.

Donovan carefully explores culture and Paul's missionary strategy...definitely some fodder for discussion.

You guys are great!

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 2

And we come to the second chapter of the book.

Here Donovan goes into the history of the Masai people, talking about their circumcision and cattle habits.

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on this chapter.

(If you weren't able to comment on the last chapter, feel free to follow up there.)

P.S. If you ever wondered, all cattle belongs to the Masai people and all goats belong to the Kleinfeld people.

I just checked out a great article by Dan Kimball who pastors at Vintage Faith Church.

Click to read it here.

It does a great job showing the difference between the "emerging church" and Emergent. (Hint, the first is more about methods, the second is more about theology)

Christianity Rediscovered Chapter 1

Wow, we've had great discussions so far. And it's only the beginning.

Thank you all for contributing, and thanks for keeping these things above board and in the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit that binds us and brings peace.

The first chapter gives Vincent's summary of the history of missionary work in Africa.

I'm interested in finding out everybody's take on what he has to say.

Reading Lord of the Rings again

I decided to dive back into the world of middle-earth. it's great to be surrounded by elves and dwarves and hobbits, those things we only find in our imagination.

a couple quotes i liked:

"Always after a defeat and a respite, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again."
Gandalf

"Don't adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story."
Bilbo

Spring is Breaking!

Well, I love the weather right now.

I love the cool mornings, requiring a light jacket, but permitting shorts.

I love the warm afternoon with the cool breeze from the morning.

I love the cool evenings, bringing back the jacket.

My friend Dave came and visited on Friday. That was really cool. He brought his guitar and played for my family (aubrey's family was visiting too). There is something about live music in your house that makes you come alive. I wish I could have him there all the time.

And even before the music, we had a great time catching up at Borders. There are people in this world that you can go for a long time without talking and when you finally do talk it's as if no time has passed. Dave is one of those people.

Christianity Rediscovered Intro!

Alright, friends, tomorrow marks the beginning of our adventures through the waters of Christianity Rediscovered.

Since the chapters are not that difficult to wade through, we'll be reading a new chapter every Tuesday and Friday.

So tomorrow we will start with thoughts and questions on the introduction.

This should be lots of fun!

Da Vinci Code

Some good thoughts on the upcoming movie and book by Dan Brown. While I enjoyed the book as fiction (really entertaining, actually), there is quite a bit of unfortunate theological implications. This site deals with some of those well.

Way of the Cross

So our teens put up the Way of the Cross for our church this week. A lot of work went into it and I'm super proud of all they've done. They created some great works of art and the atmosphere in the room is just great.

I've taken pictures of the different stations and put the devotions that go with them here on the site, so if you want to go through it yourself via the web, you can.

People have already started using the stations and are really getting a lot from it. Glad that the teens can serve in this way!

Way of the Cross: Station 1-Jesus is Condemned

Image
Jesus is Condemned
Scene from “The Passion of the Christ”

Prop
Basin of water

Scripture

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of."

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Mark 15:3-5

"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"

“Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"

Matthew 27:22-24

Reflections

The only innocent one in this scene is Jesus. The truth is, we are all guilty. No one is innocent. Christ is accused and condemned unjustly for things he wasn’t guilty of.

Pilate tried to wash away his guilt, tried to overlook his part in the death of Jesus. We all have sins in our lives that we try to overlook.

The Basin

Wash your hands with the water from the basin. Think about the sins in your life that you have tried to wash away on your own.

What would Jesus have you do with those sins?

As you wash your hands, ask Jesus to wash your heart with his love.

Prayer

Jesus, you were unjustly condemned and scorned. Pilate handed you over to be crucified, when the whole time you were innocent. Sometimes I try to escape my own sins. Sometimes I try to not take ownership for things that I should own. Forgive me. Wash me with your purity.

Way of the Cross: Station 2-Jesus Takes up His Cross

Image
Jesus Bearing Cross
by Josh, 11th Grade Student

Prop
Cross

Scripture

Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.)

John 19:16b-17

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…

Hebrews 12:2

Reflections

What were Jesus’ thoughts as he walked through the busy streets? As he made eye contact with those he passed by?

After being beaten close to death, Jesus is made to carry the beams he would die on. How heavy that weight must have been.

In beginning this road with the cross, Jesus becomes one with everyone who has ever bled or been scorned or been unfairly punished. He becomes one with you and me. The very creator of the universe experiences the ultimate suffering.

Yet, somewhere in the middle of the pain there was joy. The joy was that he was bringing salvation to the entire the world.

The Cross

If you want, try to lift the cross. Feel the weight of it. Imagine having to carry this after being flogged almost to the point of death. This is what Christ did for you.

Prayer

Jesus, I don’t know how alone you felt as you carried the cross through the busy streets. I do know that it took a lot of courage and humility to bear that cross for the whole world. Thank you for your grace.

Jesus, as you experienced joy in the middle of pain, you give me hope in my suffering. Grant that I may know your joy which goes beyond the temporary and rests on the eternal.

Way of the Cross: Station 3-Simon Bears Jesus' Cross

Image
Simon Carrying Cross for Jesus

Sam-10th Grade Student

Scripture

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

Matthew 27:32

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23

Reflections

Simon might have thought that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but the truth is, he was exactly where Christ needed him.

It’s easy to think that Jesus could take care of everything by himself, but he needed Simon.

Just as Jesus allowed Simon to carry his cross, Jesus allows us to carry his cross. Jesus could clothe orphans, feed the hungry, build homes for the homeless by himself—but he doesn’t. He allows us to enter into the revolution of his kingdom by giving us the ability and guts to continue his way of love and peace and giving.


Question

Think through your own life of what crosses Christ might want you to bear for him.

Is there someone you know who needs encouragement or to accept Jesus into her life? Pray for them.

Prayer

Jesus, you were so physically weak that you needed Simon’s help to carry your cross. Open my eyes so that I may see what crosses you have put in my life.

Way of the Cross: Station 4-Jesus Meets Women of Israel

Image
Weeping Women of Israel

Prop
Basin of Tears

Scripture

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'

Luke 23:27-29

Reflections

The women were mourning for what Jesus was going through.

Jesus asks the women to redirect their mourning. He asks them to weep for themselves and their children, because the world is still broken with sin.

Jesus’ heart breaks over the sin in the world. For the ignored, for those who have lost their way, for the weary, for the orphans, for the forgotten.

Jesus desires that our hearts break over the things that his heart breaks for.

When our heart breaks like Jesus’ heart breaks, we are willing to go to any length to bring healing to the world

Basin of Tears

Rinse your face with the water in the basin. As the water runs down your face ask Jesus to show you his heart for the world. Ask him to change your heart so that what moves him moves you.

Prayer

Jesus, you told the women to weep for themselves and their children. Change my heart to weep for the things that you weep over. Cause me to weep for my sins and the sins of my family and friends. I pray this, because I want to participate with you in the changing of the world.

Way of the Cross: Station 5-Jesus is Stripped of his Garments

Prop
Garments and Dice

Scripture

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Luke 23:32-28

Reflection

Humility and grace are the trademarks of Jesus, and they are so evident in this section of his story. If there was ever a time to return an insult, this was it. Totally unwarranted insults, thick as sludge, were poured on him.

What Jesus did was priceless. But the guards, rebels, those passing by and the leaders of Israel failed to appreciate the greatness right in front of them.

The one who had the most serious message for the world was treated as a triviality, as a toy. He was stripped and ridiculed as the people he was dying for heaped abuse on him.

Dice

Roll the dice. Think about areas in your own life where you may not react with the same grace that Jesus reacted. Think about how you take for granted the priceless gift Christ has given you.

Prayer

Jesus, the message and hope that you bring is for my entire life. But often I treat what you have done as somewhat of a triviality, I don’t take you serious enough. I am like the soldiers sometimes. Jesus, help me take you seriously in my whole life.

Jesus, when you were abused, you did not return insult for insult. That’s not easy for me to do. Help me to react with the same grace that you do. Plant your grace in me, and may it grow out in how I react to the people you have put around me.

Way of the Cross: Station 6-Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

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Nail in Hand Surrounded by Names
Nick-11th Grader

Prop
Bucket of Nails

Scripture

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there…
Luke 23:33a

Bucket of Nails

Grab a nail from the basket. Hold on to it as you think about the pain Jesus went through for you.

Reflections

Huge, sharp spikes are hammered through Jesus’ writes and feet—he almost loses consciousness with each swing of the hammer. Now he is raised up and the cross drops with a thud into a hold in the ground. Jesus’ weight hands on those spikes, and to breathe he has to pull himself up on the nails. A sponge with vinegar is stuck in his mouth, and soldiers below him gamble for his clothes, even as the blood, breath, and life drain from his body.

Prayer

O Jesus, dear Jesus, though you never sinned, you hang there on the cross. I should be there, not you. You hang there in my place. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

(Reflection and Prayer taken from Soul Shaper by Tony Jones)

Way of the Cross: Station 7-Jesus Dies on the Cross

Image
Pictures of those Jesus loves

Scripture
At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."

One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Mark 15:33-39

Reflections:

Jesus’ death was for the forgiveness for all people. Jesus was forsaken so that no one else would have to be. No one, absolutely no one, is outside the shadow of the cross.

But often it is easy to live as if God’s love is only extended to certain people. It easy to exclude people because of what they have done or because they are different from me. But Jesus’ death was for all.

No one can do anything to deserve forgiveness. But to Christ, everyone is worth it.

If Jesus offers forgiveness and new life to all the people in these pictures, that shows the bigness of his forgiveness.

Questions

Have I held back forgiveness from anybody?

Have I kept myself from forgiving others because I think they are unforgivable?

Have I embraced the greatness of his forgiveness for me?

Prayer

Jesus, your forgiveness goes beyond any normal forgiveness. What can I compare your grace to? All I know is that sometimes I don’t live like I am forgiven. Help me to forgive like you. Help me to live as a person with a future written by forgiveness.

Way of the Cross: Station 8-Jesus is Buried

Image
“It is finished” painting-Jess, 11th grader

Scripture

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Matthew 27:57-61

Reflections

At the very moment that Jesus was closest to his eternal glory, he seemed to be farthest from it. His body was placed in a stone-cold tomb, sealed with a massive rock, guarded by Roman soldiers.

Death is so very final.

Many of us have experienced the pain of death, or losing something or someone who has had a significant role in our lives.

Prayer

Give me the trust, O Christ, that your plans are higher than mine. For even when all seems lost, you’re still at work. Death is not the final word for you, Son of Life. We adore you, O Christ, we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

CR Book Discussion Begins April 18

We will officially start the conversation on Christianity Rediscovered on April 18...Some people are still waitin for their books to come to them in the mail, so we've been kind enough to wait for them.

So, here's how we're thinking of doing it. I'll create a post titled "Introduction Thoughts" or "Chapter One Thoughts" (all based on whatever section we're reading) and then we'll have a running commentary in the comments section.

Just make basic observations about the chapter and offer your interpretation...normal book reading stuff.

I'm looking forward to this...

Paradise Now

Aubrey and I went to see this movie with our friends Jeremy and Amy. Wow, what a great perspective. Two palestinian guys are recruited for a suicide bombing, but struggle with the idea, wondering if it is the best way for final peace. First movie I've seen that shows the Palestinian side of things, how they feel trapped by the Israeli's, how they feel like the victims with no power and how they want liberation.

Miroslav Volf writes: "the categories of oppression and liberation provide combat gear, not a pin-striped suit or dinner dress; they are good for fighting, but not for negotiating or celebrating--at least not until the oppressors have been conquered and the prisoners set free." (103 Exclusion and Embrace)

The Hotwheel for the Hulls

I found the sweetest van for my friend Brian and his family.

Check it out at the matchbox site.

It's a VW Micro-Bus.

The One Hotwheel Nobody Wanted

Seriously. Can there be an uglier vehicle?

I just searched the hotwheel site and found that they don't even sell these. I also searched the matchbox site and didn't find any there either.

I wonder if they designed 'em like this so nobody would be tempted to steal them?