Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon him without tears, as he stands
before you the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily
for innocence, and red as the rose with the crimson of his own blood. As
we feel the sure and blessed healing which his stripes have wrought in us,
does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved
our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our
bosoms.
SPURGEON
Sunday, March 29, 2009
It was much better to have an inquest and then present Jesus to Pilate along with a list of formal
charges. That is why one of charges centered around Jesus’ comments about the destruction of the
Temple. If it seemed that Jesus was fomenting insurrection, then the Romans were much more likely to
act. If the matter had to do with Jewish law and theological issues within Judaism, the Romans would
not be interested. But the Romans were very concerned to keep the peace in Jerusalem with so many
people present. That meant arresting and executing zealots, and as well as any who disrupted the peace.5
So, it is important to keep both Jewish law and the local politics of this in mind, as these events unfold in
the last part of chapter 14. The Sanhedrin’s carefully arranged plan is coming to pass just as they had
hoped that it would. Jesus would be dead, Rome would get the blame, and it would all be over.
Kim Riddlebarger
charges. That is why one of charges centered around Jesus’ comments about the destruction of the
Temple. If it seemed that Jesus was fomenting insurrection, then the Romans were much more likely to
act. If the matter had to do with Jewish law and theological issues within Judaism, the Romans would
not be interested. But the Romans were very concerned to keep the peace in Jerusalem with so many
people present. That meant arresting and executing zealots, and as well as any who disrupted the peace.5
So, it is important to keep both Jewish law and the local politics of this in mind, as these events unfold in
the last part of chapter 14. The Sanhedrin’s carefully arranged plan is coming to pass just as they had
hoped that it would. Jesus would be dead, Rome would get the blame, and it would all be over.
Kim Riddlebarger
While Jesus was fervently praying and while his disciples were struggling
to keep awake, at the behest of the Sanhedrin, the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot, was leading a group of
armed men to that place where he knew that Jesus and his disciples would likely go. And so it was there
in Gethsemane that Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, alerting the armed men who had followed him that
this was the man they were seeking. After a brief fracas in which someone lost an ear, Jesus ordered all
fighting to stop. As he voluntarily surrendered to these armed men, his own disciples panicked and fled
into the darkness for safety. Despite their protests to the contrary, they had all fallen away, just as Jesus
predicted. Jesus was now all alone. Soon, he will be standing before Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest,
accused of blasphemy. After that, he will stand before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, accused of
sedition–claiming to be king. Jesus was now just hours away from the cross when he will experience utter humiliation–he who knew no sin will be rejected by the father when the guilt of our sin is reckoned to him.
--Kim Riddlebarger
to keep awake, at the behest of the Sanhedrin, the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot, was leading a group of
armed men to that place where he knew that Jesus and his disciples would likely go. And so it was there
in Gethsemane that Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, alerting the armed men who had followed him that
this was the man they were seeking. After a brief fracas in which someone lost an ear, Jesus ordered all
fighting to stop. As he voluntarily surrendered to these armed men, his own disciples panicked and fled
into the darkness for safety. Despite their protests to the contrary, they had all fallen away, just as Jesus
predicted. Jesus was now all alone. Soon, he will be standing before Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest,
accused of blasphemy. After that, he will stand before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, accused of
sedition–claiming to be king. Jesus was now just hours away from the cross when he will experience utter humiliation–he who knew no sin will be rejected by the father when the guilt of our sin is reckoned to him.
--Kim Riddlebarger
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Facility Progress
Tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of our capitol campaign, Journey of Faith.
Below you'll find some pics of the progress. 'Tis truly joyful thing to see.
Praise God with me... and hope for the ways He will use these facilities for His glory.
Below you'll find some pics of the progress. 'Tis truly joyful thing to see.
Praise God with me... and hope for the ways He will use these facilities for His glory.
Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion" begins like this..
Come, daughters, help me mourn!
Look!
At whom?
The Bridegroom! Look at him!
In what guise?
Like a lamb.
Come, daughters, help me mourn,
Look!
At what?
Look at his patience.
Look!
Where?
At our guilt.
Look at him carrying, out of love and grace,
wood for the cross himself.
Oh innocent Lamb of God,
slaughtered upon the upright of the cross,
at all times found patient,
although you were despised.
You have borne all sin,
else we would have to despair.
Have mercy on us, o Jesus!
Look!
At whom?
The Bridegroom! Look at him!
In what guise?
Like a lamb.
Come, daughters, help me mourn,
Look!
At what?
Look at his patience.
Look!
Where?
At our guilt.
Look at him carrying, out of love and grace,
wood for the cross himself.
Oh innocent Lamb of God,
slaughtered upon the upright of the cross,
at all times found patient,
although you were despised.
You have borne all sin,
else we would have to despair.
Have mercy on us, o Jesus!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
During thelast
meal, Jesus completely transformed the traditional Jewish Passover celebration, giving it an entirely new
theological meaning. In doing so, Jesus instituted the uniquely Christian sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
On this night everything was to change. Nothing would ever be the same again.
As the Passover celebration unfolded, Jesus indicated that he was the true Passover lamb, whose coming
death would save God’s people from their sins. Jesus went on to speak of his own broken body and shed
blood as the means through which God would establish a New Covenant with his people. When Jesus
spoke these words, he not only implied that Israel’s Passover had all along pointed ahead to this very
night, but when Jesus spoke about the cup of wine, he emphatically stated that this is “my blood” and that
his blood is to the “New Covenant,” what the blood of bulls and goats had been to the Old. These were
remarkable words. In effect, Jesus was declaring that the nation of Israel had come to the critical turning
point in its history.
meal, Jesus completely transformed the traditional Jewish Passover celebration, giving it an entirely new
theological meaning. In doing so, Jesus instituted the uniquely Christian sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
On this night everything was to change. Nothing would ever be the same again.
As the Passover celebration unfolded, Jesus indicated that he was the true Passover lamb, whose coming
death would save God’s people from their sins. Jesus went on to speak of his own broken body and shed
blood as the means through which God would establish a New Covenant with his people. When Jesus
spoke these words, he not only implied that Israel’s Passover had all along pointed ahead to this very
night, but when Jesus spoke about the cup of wine, he emphatically stated that this is “my blood” and that
his blood is to the “New Covenant,” what the blood of bulls and goats had been to the Old. These were
remarkable words. In effect, Jesus was declaring that the nation of Israel had come to the critical turning
point in its history.
Where are we in Gospel of Mark? Last week....
It was a Passover celebration like none other. While presiding over the celebration of the most
significant Jewish feast, Jesus boldly declared that he was the Passover lamb who was soon to die to save his people from their sins. Jesus also stated and that the bread which he broke and then distributed to the disciples was “his body.” Jesus even declared that the wine in the cup was “my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." These words were shocking enough. But then in the middle of the Passover meal, Jesus declared that one of their very own–Judas Iscariot–had betrayed Jesus, an act which would soon lead to our Lord’s arrest. Although these dramatic events fulfilled a number of Old Testament prophecies–and Jesus himself had been predicting these things for sometime–the grim reality was finally setting in. The divinely-appointed hour everyone dreaded had finally come. It was now time for Jesus to lay down his life and drink the cup of wrath so that we might be forgiven of our sins. --Kim Riddlebarger
It was a Passover celebration like none other. While presiding over the celebration of the most
significant Jewish feast, Jesus boldly declared that he was the Passover lamb who was soon to die to save his people from their sins. Jesus also stated and that the bread which he broke and then distributed to the disciples was “his body.” Jesus even declared that the wine in the cup was “my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." These words were shocking enough. But then in the middle of the Passover meal, Jesus declared that one of their very own–Judas Iscariot–had betrayed Jesus, an act which would soon lead to our Lord’s arrest. Although these dramatic events fulfilled a number of Old Testament prophecies–and Jesus himself had been predicting these things for sometime–the grim reality was finally setting in. The divinely-appointed hour everyone dreaded had finally come. It was now time for Jesus to lay down his life and drink the cup of wrath so that we might be forgiven of our sins. --Kim Riddlebarger
Hair Envy?
Minutes ago I walked into the Tower Road library to do a little work before heading home.
As I take my seat I spot an African-American man who has tremendous dread-locks (sp?)... my eyes lingered longer than a glance. I suddenly thought, "Wonder what he thinks about this goofy white guy staring at him?"
SO...... i said, I'm gonna just say hey and tell him the truth:
"Hey man. Sorry I was staring. But you've got some awesome hair."
He smiled and said, "No problem, man."
He left a few minutes later. Maybe as I felt good about our interaction.... he grew more nervous the more he thought about it?
As I take my seat I spot an African-American man who has tremendous dread-locks (sp?)... my eyes lingered longer than a glance. I suddenly thought, "Wonder what he thinks about this goofy white guy staring at him?"
SO...... i said, I'm gonna just say hey and tell him the truth:
"Hey man. Sorry I was staring. But you've got some awesome hair."
He smiled and said, "No problem, man."
He left a few minutes later. Maybe as I felt good about our interaction.... he grew more nervous the more he thought about it?
“Was he flogged? It was done so that “by his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Was he condemned, though innocent? It was done so that we might be acquitted, though guilty. Did he wear a crown of thorns? It was done so that we might wear the crown of glory. Was he stripped of his clothes? It was done so that we might be clothed in everlasting righteousness. Was he mocked and reviled? It was done so that we might be honored and blessed. Was he reckoned a criminal, and counted among those who have done wrong? It was done so that we might be reckoned innocent, and declared free from all sin. Was he declared unable to save himself? It was so that he might be able to save others to the uttermost. Did he die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful death? It was done so that we might live forevermore, and be exalted to the highest glory.”
-JC Ryle
-JC Ryle
Monday, March 23, 2009
“Doing what Jesus did is different from bearing the fruit of Christ’s righteous life. In fact, the most important things that Jesus did cannot be duplicated. Because he fulfilled the law in our place, bore our curse, and was raised in glory to take his throne at the Father’s right hand, we can have a relationship with him-and with the Father-that is far more intimate than the relationship of a devotee to a guru, a student to a teacher, or a follower to a master. Following Christ is the consequence, not the alternative to or even means of union with Christ. Even when Scripture calls us to follow Christ’s example, the relationship between master and pupil is asymmetrical.”
- Michael Horton, What’s Wrong and Right About The Imitation of Christ
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Jesus Paid it All
"Payment God cannot twice demand—
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.”
- Augustus Toplady, “Faith Reviving”
My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour... John Newton
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.”
- Augustus Toplady, “Faith Reviving”
My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour... John Newton
this is not seeming so crazy anymore
picture, err, artist's rendering of our future facility at 1603 SW 122nd Street
Friday, March 20, 2009
William Edgar teaches at Westminster Seminary in Philly. I've always enjoyed his writing and "take" on life in Christ.
I'm interested to see that he is a part of this project that might be helpful
http://www.gospelandculture.org/
I'm interested to see that he is a part of this project that might be helpful
http://www.gospelandculture.org/
Finding Rest in Financial Chaos
this is from a recent issue of "By Faith Magazine", produced by The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
Most of us have had it with bad news about the economy. Turn on the TV and the hits keep coming: $7 trillion lost in shareholder value, 19 percent decrease in home values, household debt exceeds $14.5 trillion, unemployment hits 6.1 percent. Who’s eager for more?
It might be nice to take a vacation from the economy. Yet, it’s impossible to avoid – the market economy pervades our lives. In his book Charting the Course, Bruce Howard asks, “Did you have cereal for breakfast made with grain grown in North Dakota or Argentina? Coffee from Columbia? Sugar from Honduras? Orange juice from Florida? Did you put on clothes made from cotton grown in Texas but sewn in Thailand?” His point: the market economy is so intertwined in our daily lives; we couldn’t escape if we wanted to. Even Mikhail Gorbachev says, “The market is not an invention of capitalism. It has existed for centuries. It is an invention of civilization.”
If the economic marketplace is a fixture in our lives, how can we as Christians respond when it’s not working as we would like? When asked this question, even though he is a professor of business and economics at Wheaton College who holds both a PhD in economics and a Masters of administration in accountancy, Bruce Howard simply responds: “Well, Psalm 62 is pretty good.” As the financial markets offer us more ups and downs than Six Flags, and taxpayers foot the $700 billion tab for Wall Street wooziness, even to those with financial expertise Psalm 62 sounds pretty good:
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. …”
“Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.”
Reading the Scriptures is one thing. Applying them to our hearts and lives is another. How can we live out the truth that God is our fortress and not be shaken when we watch our retirement savings vaporize? When we lose a lucrative, previously stable job? When we experience the financial security we’ve worked so hard to create crumble like a stale cookie between our fingers? Economists, pastors, and other financially-savvy experts equip us with four-C’s for coping with the current financial crisis: caution, contentment, community, and compassion.
rest of article here
3 textual nuggets from Kim Riddlebarger
Passover Background
The Old Testament background for the annual Passover celebration is the account of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt on the night of the first Passover, as recounted in Exodus 12. Desiring to eat the Passover meal with his disciples (which by the way, was theirlast meal together after three years of very close fellowship and deep friendship–hence the designation “last supper”), Mark informs us in verse 17 that, “When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.”
Some background here should be helpful. The paschal liturgy was conducted by the head of the
household. The so-called Hillel Psalms (Psalms 113-118) were recited in various stages. The head of the household began the Passover celebration with a blessing, both upon the festival and on the first cup of wine. The meal was then brought in. It consisted of unleaven bread, bitter herbs, greens, stewed fruit and roast lamb. The bitter herbs recall the bitter nature of slavery in Egypt. The roast lamb was a reminder of God’s passing over the people who placed sacrificial blood on their doorposts. The oldest son, was then prompted to ask why this night was to be distinguished from all other nights. This was the point at which the head of the house then retold the Exodus/Passover story, in which praise was offered to God because of his gracious deliverance of his people from Egypt. A second cup of wine was consumed, before the head of the house took the unleaven bread, blessed it, broke it into pieces. He then distributed it to the others present who ate the bread, after dipping it in the bitter herbs. The entire lamb
was consumed, before a third cup of wine, and a final prayer of thanksgiving. This was followed by the singing of the final portion of the Hillel Psalms, before drinking the fourth cup of wine, which concluded the Passover. Mark will mention a number of these things in his account. –KR
Jesus’ Lament, Psalm 41 echoes
In verse 18, we read, “While they were reclining at the table eating, he said,`I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.’” This betrayal of Jesus must
be seen in the context of Psalm 41:9, a Psalm which echoes loudly throughout the events recounted by Mark in the first eleven verses of chapter 14. In Psalm 41:9, the Psalmist had written, “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me,” and since Jesus was the poor and righteous sufferer, he was fulfilling prophecy when he offered this lament. –KR
Jesus Drops Bomb in Liturgy Change
If Jesus had been following the traditional Paschal liturgy, after the meal had been served,
but before it was eaten, Jesus would have prayed in Aramaic, “this is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let everyone who hungers come and eat: let everyone who is needy come and eat the Passover meal.”7 But instead of repeating the traditional words, we read that “while they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, `Take it; this is my body.’” --KR
The Old Testament background for the annual Passover celebration is the account of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt on the night of the first Passover, as recounted in Exodus 12. Desiring to eat the Passover meal with his disciples (which by the way, was theirlast meal together after three years of very close fellowship and deep friendship–hence the designation “last supper”), Mark informs us in verse 17 that, “When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.”
Some background here should be helpful. The paschal liturgy was conducted by the head of the
household. The so-called Hillel Psalms (Psalms 113-118) were recited in various stages. The head of the household began the Passover celebration with a blessing, both upon the festival and on the first cup of wine. The meal was then brought in. It consisted of unleaven bread, bitter herbs, greens, stewed fruit and roast lamb. The bitter herbs recall the bitter nature of slavery in Egypt. The roast lamb was a reminder of God’s passing over the people who placed sacrificial blood on their doorposts. The oldest son, was then prompted to ask why this night was to be distinguished from all other nights. This was the point at which the head of the house then retold the Exodus/Passover story, in which praise was offered to God because of his gracious deliverance of his people from Egypt. A second cup of wine was consumed, before the head of the house took the unleaven bread, blessed it, broke it into pieces. He then distributed it to the others present who ate the bread, after dipping it in the bitter herbs. The entire lamb
was consumed, before a third cup of wine, and a final prayer of thanksgiving. This was followed by the singing of the final portion of the Hillel Psalms, before drinking the fourth cup of wine, which concluded the Passover. Mark will mention a number of these things in his account. –KR
Jesus’ Lament, Psalm 41 echoes
In verse 18, we read, “While they were reclining at the table eating, he said,`I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.’” This betrayal of Jesus must
be seen in the context of Psalm 41:9, a Psalm which echoes loudly throughout the events recounted by Mark in the first eleven verses of chapter 14. In Psalm 41:9, the Psalmist had written, “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me,” and since Jesus was the poor and righteous sufferer, he was fulfilling prophecy when he offered this lament. –KR
Jesus Drops Bomb in Liturgy Change
If Jesus had been following the traditional Paschal liturgy, after the meal had been served,
but before it was eaten, Jesus would have prayed in Aramaic, “this is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let everyone who hungers come and eat: let everyone who is needy come and eat the Passover meal.”7 But instead of repeating the traditional words, we read that “while they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, `Take it; this is my body.’” --KR
Where We are in Mark's Gospel
As we are spending 9 Sundays in the last week of Christ's life......the ground covered in Mark 11-16....this Sunday we come to:
--The Celebration & Utter Renovating of Passover
--Jesus' prediction of His disciples abandoning of Him
--Jesus wrestling with His calling in Gethsemane
-- His betrayal & arrest
I won't be able to talk about all that is in this rich chapter, Mark 14. So I'll post some nuggets that might not find there way into sermon.
(I've been tremendously helped by chapters 4&5 of "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross)
The Cup
3 times he prays that it would pass.
"Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me." (Mark 14:36)
His Father, who utterly adores Him, says NO.
Then, after healing Malchus' ear, Jesus says, "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)
Death and the curse were in that cup,
Oh Christ, 'twas full for Thee;
But Thou hast drained the last dark dregs,
'Tis empty now for me.
--The Celebration & Utter Renovating of Passover
--Jesus' prediction of His disciples abandoning of Him
--Jesus wrestling with His calling in Gethsemane
-- His betrayal & arrest
I won't be able to talk about all that is in this rich chapter, Mark 14. So I'll post some nuggets that might not find there way into sermon.
(I've been tremendously helped by chapters 4&5 of "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross)
The Cup
3 times he prays that it would pass.
"Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me." (Mark 14:36)
His Father, who utterly adores Him, says NO.
Then, after healing Malchus' ear, Jesus says, "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11)
Death and the curse were in that cup,
Oh Christ, 'twas full for Thee;
But Thou hast drained the last dark dregs,
'Tis empty now for me.
Mark 14, Verses 51-52 have long been regarded as an eyewitness account. “A young man, wearing nothing but a
linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.”
That young man who ran naked into the dark leaving his night shirt behind is commonly believed to be
Mark himself. We do know from Acts 12:12, that Mark lived in Jerusalem at this time, and Christian
tradition held from the beginning that Mark actually lived in the home where Jesus ate the Passover meal.
As a curious young man, Mark followed Jesus and the disciples out to Gethsemane.
linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.”
That young man who ran naked into the dark leaving his night shirt behind is commonly believed to be
Mark himself. We do know from Acts 12:12, that Mark lived in Jerusalem at this time, and Christian
tradition held from the beginning that Mark actually lived in the home where Jesus ate the Passover meal.
As a curious young man, Mark followed Jesus and the disciples out to Gethsemane.
Kim Riddlebarger points out that in Mark 14:27-52 there are 3 main parties to the event of the arrest of Jesus:
1.) Sanhedrin 2.) Disciples 3.) Jesus
Note what KR says @ the disciples' actions:
Make no mistake about
it, we are just like the disciples. We may affirm a thousand times that we will never stumble or fall, but
each one of us will do exactly what the disciples did, unless the grace of God enables us to stand firm.
The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is very weak. Even though we are justified sinners, we remain
weak and sinful until we die or Christ comes back, whichever comes first. We are just like Peter, or
James, or John. Jesus commands us to be diligent, and we fall sleep. Jesus speaks to us through his
word, and our minds wander off into who knows were. Jesus communes with us through prayer, and we
lose focus and we fall asleep. Never, ever, overestimate yourselves.
1.) Sanhedrin 2.) Disciples 3.) Jesus
Note what KR says @ the disciples' actions:
Make no mistake about
it, we are just like the disciples. We may affirm a thousand times that we will never stumble or fall, but
each one of us will do exactly what the disciples did, unless the grace of God enables us to stand firm.
The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is very weak. Even though we are justified sinners, we remain
weak and sinful until we die or Christ comes back, whichever comes first. We are just like Peter, or
James, or John. Jesus commands us to be diligent, and we fall sleep. Jesus speaks to us through his
word, and our minds wander off into who knows were. Jesus communes with us through prayer, and we
lose focus and we fall asleep. Never, ever, overestimate yourselves.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Last Week of Christ's Life
Saturday - Day of Anointing
-Passover (John 11:55)
-Jesus was in Bethany near Jerusalem (Matt. 26:6; Mark 14:3; John 12:1)
-Jesus was anointed for burial (Matt. 26:12; Mark 14:8; John 12:7)
Sunday - Day of Triumph
-Jesus made the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-11, 14-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)
-Jesus spent the night in Bethany (Matt. 21:17)
Monday - Day of Authority
-Jesus returned to Jerusalem and cursed the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14)
-Jesus cleansed the Temple (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48)
Tuesday - Day of Challenge
-Jesus returned to Jerusalem and was challenged by the authorities (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8)
-The authorities tried to seize Jesus (Matt. 21:46; Mark 12:12; Luke 20:19)
-Jesus pronounced seven “woes” against the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-36)
-Jesus lamented over Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37-39)
-Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21)
-Judas planned to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6)
Wednesday - Day of Silence
Thursday - Day of Farewell
-Jesus partook of the Last Supper with His disciples on the first day of Unleavened Bread when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed (Matt. 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-38)
-Jesus delivered His farewell discourse (John 14-17)
-Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and was betrayed and arrested (Matt. 26:30-56; Mark 14:26-52; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-12)
-Jesus was put on trial before Annas (John 18:13-24)
-Jesus was put on trial before Caiaphas (the Jewish High Priest) and the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54; John 18:24)
-Jesus was denied by Peter (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-65; John 18:25-27)
Friday - Day of Suffering and Death
-In the morning, Jesus was again questioned by the Sanhedrin (Matt. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)
-Jesus was brought to the Roman governor, Pilate (Matt. 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38)
-Jesus was sent to Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)
-Jesus was sent back to Pilate (Matt. 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:11-25; John 18:39-19:16)
-Jesus was crucified (Matt. 27:35-50; Mark 15:24-37; Luke 23:33-46; John 19:18-30)
-Jesus’ body was buried (Matt. 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-42)
Saturday - Day of Rest (Sabbath)
Sunday - Day of Vindication
-Jesus was resurrected
-Jesus appeared to many for 40 days after the resurrection and ascended to the Father
The Final Hours of Jesus: Jesus Obeys to The End
Thursday:
After sundown:
-Last Supper
-Garden
-Betrayal and Arrest
Nighttime:
-Arrested
-Annas
-Caiaphas
-Peter’s denial
Friday:
Early Morning:
-Sanhedrin
-Pilate
-Herod
-Back to Pilate
Noon:
-Nailed to a cross
Midafternoon:
-Jesus dies
Near Sundown:
-Buried
-Passover (John 11:55)
-Jesus was in Bethany near Jerusalem (Matt. 26:6; Mark 14:3; John 12:1)
-Jesus was anointed for burial (Matt. 26:12; Mark 14:8; John 12:7)
Sunday - Day of Triumph
-Jesus made the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-11, 14-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)
-Jesus spent the night in Bethany (Matt. 21:17)
Monday - Day of Authority
-Jesus returned to Jerusalem and cursed the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14)
-Jesus cleansed the Temple (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48)
Tuesday - Day of Challenge
-Jesus returned to Jerusalem and was challenged by the authorities (Matt. 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8)
-The authorities tried to seize Jesus (Matt. 21:46; Mark 12:12; Luke 20:19)
-Jesus pronounced seven “woes” against the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-36)
-Jesus lamented over Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37-39)
-Jesus delivered the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21)
-Judas planned to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6)
Wednesday - Day of Silence
Thursday - Day of Farewell
-Jesus partook of the Last Supper with His disciples on the first day of Unleavened Bread when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed (Matt. 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-38)
-Jesus delivered His farewell discourse (John 14-17)
-Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and was betrayed and arrested (Matt. 26:30-56; Mark 14:26-52; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-12)
-Jesus was put on trial before Annas (John 18:13-24)
-Jesus was put on trial before Caiaphas (the Jewish High Priest) and the Sanhedrin (Matt. 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:54; John 18:24)
-Jesus was denied by Peter (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-65; John 18:25-27)
Friday - Day of Suffering and Death
-In the morning, Jesus was again questioned by the Sanhedrin (Matt. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)
-Jesus was brought to the Roman governor, Pilate (Matt. 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38)
-Jesus was sent to Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12)
-Jesus was sent back to Pilate (Matt. 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:11-25; John 18:39-19:16)
-Jesus was crucified (Matt. 27:35-50; Mark 15:24-37; Luke 23:33-46; John 19:18-30)
-Jesus’ body was buried (Matt. 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-42)
Saturday - Day of Rest (Sabbath)
Sunday - Day of Vindication
-Jesus was resurrected
-Jesus appeared to many for 40 days after the resurrection and ascended to the Father
The Final Hours of Jesus: Jesus Obeys to The End
Thursday:
After sundown:
-Last Supper
-Garden
-Betrayal and Arrest
Nighttime:
-Arrested
-Annas
-Caiaphas
-Peter’s denial
Friday:
Early Morning:
-Sanhedrin
-Pilate
-Herod
-Back to Pilate
Noon:
-Nailed to a cross
Midafternoon:
-Jesus dies
Near Sundown:
-Buried
And during times of extraordinary
trials or uncertainty—which
certainly describes what many
are going through in this time of
economic upheaval, those disciplines
become even more critical.
This argues for making use of the
current season in which we find
ourselves, Lent. Historically this is
a time when Christians take stock
of their spiritual health in anticipation
of the celebration of
Easter. It is a time of self-examination,
repentance and self-denial
(hence the idea of ‘giving up
something for Lent’)—all of
which are great ways to identify
and repent of those things that have taken root in our lives as a
replacement for the hope we
have in Christ. So take time, as an
individual and as part of a community,
to examine your life and
access the power God has given
us in his Spirit.
Of course, there’s always the
danger that spiritual introspection
can make us more despondent,
which is why repentance and
self-denial must be done in light
of retelling ourselves the ‘old
story’ of Jesus’ birth, life, death
and resurrection. Peter wrote that
this living hope comes through
“the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). This
reminds us that Christian hope is
not a philosophy or a technique but the person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead
is the reason Christians believe
that Sartre’s hopelessness doesn’t
define reality; that injustice,
greed, disease and death will not
ultimately define us or the world.
Death has been swallowed up in
victory. When Jesus died, so did
death’s power over us. And when
he was resurrected, it infused the
whole creation with a living
hope. It is this old story of Jesus’
triumph that we must tell ourselves.
And to the degree that we
do, and find ourselves filled with
hope, we will naturally want to
tell the story to others. For only
in the story of Jesus will we find
what we ultimately seek—our
living hope. --David Bisgrove
trials or uncertainty—which
certainly describes what many
are going through in this time of
economic upheaval, those disciplines
become even more critical.
This argues for making use of the
current season in which we find
ourselves, Lent. Historically this is
a time when Christians take stock
of their spiritual health in anticipation
of the celebration of
Easter. It is a time of self-examination,
repentance and self-denial
(hence the idea of ‘giving up
something for Lent’)—all of
which are great ways to identify
and repent of those things that have taken root in our lives as a
replacement for the hope we
have in Christ. So take time, as an
individual and as part of a community,
to examine your life and
access the power God has given
us in his Spirit.
Of course, there’s always the
danger that spiritual introspection
can make us more despondent,
which is why repentance and
self-denial must be done in light
of retelling ourselves the ‘old
story’ of Jesus’ birth, life, death
and resurrection. Peter wrote that
this living hope comes through
“the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). This
reminds us that Christian hope is
not a philosophy or a technique but the person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead
is the reason Christians believe
that Sartre’s hopelessness doesn’t
define reality; that injustice,
greed, disease and death will not
ultimately define us or the world.
Death has been swallowed up in
victory. When Jesus died, so did
death’s power over us. And when
he was resurrected, it infused the
whole creation with a living
hope. It is this old story of Jesus’
triumph that we must tell ourselves.
And to the degree that we
do, and find ourselves filled with
hope, we will naturally want to
tell the story to others. For only
in the story of Jesus will we find
what we ultimately seek—our
living hope. --David Bisgrove
Saturday, March 14, 2009
And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. --Mark 13:10
I'm pretty sure that what Jesus is talking about here has already happened. Sam Storms gives a good treatment here...
Oh by the way, there are other texts that propel us to continually seek out panta ta ethne (all people groups).
I'm pretty sure that what Jesus is talking about here has already happened. Sam Storms gives a good treatment here...
Oh by the way, there are other texts that propel us to continually seek out panta ta ethne (all people groups).
The Return of Jesus Christ
quite simple what Mark 13 teaches...
How then shall we live?
2 things you can be sure about:
1.) It will happen.
2.) No way to predict when.
How then shall we live?
CS Lewis:What is important is not that we should always fear (or hope) about the End but that we should always remember, always take it into account. An analogy may here help. A man of seventy need not be always feeling (much less talking) about his approaching death: but a wise man of seventy should always take it into account. He would be foolish to embark on schemes which presuppose twenty more years of life: be would be criminally foolish not to make—indeed, not to have made long since—his will. Now, what death is to each man, the Second Coming is to the whole human race. We all believe, I suppose, that a man should “sit loose” to his own individual life, should remember how short, precarious, temporary, and provisional a thing it is; should never give all his heart to anything which will end when his life ends. What modern Christians find it harder to remember is that the whole life of humanity in this world is also precarious, temporary, provisional.
This comes from Volf’s Exclusion and Embrace:
My thesis is that the practice of non-violence requires a belief in divine vengeance…My thesis will be unpopular with man in the West…But imagine speaking to people (as I have) whose cities and villages have been first plundered, then burned, and leveled to the ground, whose daughters and sisters have been raped, whose fathers and brothers have had their throats slit…Your point to them–we should not retaliate?
Why not? I say–the only means of prohibiting violence by us is to insist that violence is only legitimate when it comes from God…Violence thrives today, secretly nourished by the belief that God refuses to take the sword…It takes the quiet of a suburb for the birth of the thesis that human nonviolence is a result of a God who refuses to judge. In a scorched land–soaked in the blood of the innocent, the idea will invariably die, like other pleasant captivities of the liberal mind…if God were NOT angry at injustice and deception and did NOT make a final end of violence, that God would not be worthy of our worship.
--
My thesis is that the practice of non-violence requires a belief in divine vengeance…My thesis will be unpopular with man in the West…But imagine speaking to people (as I have) whose cities and villages have been first plundered, then burned, and leveled to the ground, whose daughters and sisters have been raped, whose fathers and brothers have had their throats slit…Your point to them–we should not retaliate?
Why not? I say–the only means of prohibiting violence by us is to insist that violence is only legitimate when it comes from God…Violence thrives today, secretly nourished by the belief that God refuses to take the sword…It takes the quiet of a suburb for the birth of the thesis that human nonviolence is a result of a God who refuses to judge. In a scorched land–soaked in the blood of the innocent, the idea will invariably die, like other pleasant captivities of the liberal mind…if God were NOT angry at injustice and deception and did NOT make a final end of violence, that God would not be worthy of our worship.
--
Miroslav Volf (Born in Osijek, Croatia - 1956), is an influential Christian theologian and currently the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale University Divinity School and Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. He has been a member in both the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Evangelical Church in Croatia. He is widely known for his works on systematic theology, ethics, conflict resolution, and peace-making. Recently he contributed the essay, "Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Justice" to a new text on the atonement, Stricken by God? Nonviolent Identification and the Victory of Christ.
He studied at Evangelical-Theological Faculty, Zagreb (B.A), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A) in Pasadena, California, and University of Tübingen (Dr. Theol., Dr. Theol. habil.), where he studied under Jürgen Moltmann.
His book Exclusion and Embrace, was selected as among the 100 best religious books of the 20th Century by Christianity Today.
Schaeffer's "Tape Recorder" Thought Experiment
Dr. Francis Schaeffer quoted a portion of the apostle Paul's letter to the Romans: "Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others? You have no excuse at all, whoever you are. For when you judge others, but do the same things that they do, you condemn yourself. We know that God is right when He judges the people who do such things as these. But you, my friend, do these very things yourself for which you pass judgment on others! Do you think you will escape God's judgment?"
Schaeffer then explained the passage with the following illustration: Imagine that each baby is born into the world with an invisible tape recorder hung around his neck. Imagine further that these are very special recorders that record only when moral judgments are made. Aesthetic judgments such as "This is beautiful" are not recorded. But whenever a person makes such a statement as "She's such a gossip," or "He's so lazy," the recorder turns on, records the statement and turns off. Many times each day the recorder operates, as the person makes moral judgments about those around him, recording dozens of judgments each week, hundreds every year and thousands in a lifetime.
Then the scene shifts, and we suddenly see all the people of the world standing before God at the end of time. "God, it's not fair for You to judge me," say some. "I didn't know about Christ. "No one taught me the Ten Commandments, and I never read the Sermon on the Mount."
Then God speaks. "Very well. Since you claim not to know My laws, I will set aside My perfect standard of righteousness. Instead I will judge you on this." And as He pushes the button on the recorder, the person listens with growing horror as his own voice pours forth a stream of condemnation toward those around him..."She shouldn't be doing this." "He was wrong in that"-thousands upon thousands of moral judgments.
When the tape ends, God says, "This will be the basis of My judgment: how well have you kept the moral standards you proved that you understood by constantly applying them to those around you. Here you accused someone of lying, yet have you ever stretched the truth? You were angry at that fellow for being selfish, yet have you ever put your own interests above someone else's needs?" And every person will be silent. For no one has consistently lived up to the standard he demands of others.
As I studied Schaeffer's illustration, I realized that one of the well-known sayings of Jesus I had previously dismissed as "nice advice" was in reality an awesome warning: "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What is abomination that causes desolation?
in verse 14, He talks about an ‘abomination that causes desolation.’ It’s a figure of speech; it comes out of Daniel 9 and Daniel 11 and Daniel 12, and it’s used in First Maccabees as a reference to Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian general who outraged the Jews at about 160 BC., who went into the temple precincts, erected an altar for Zeus and offered burnt offerings in the temple, and brought about the so-called Maccabean Revolt under Judas Maccabeus, the plot of many an oratorio and opera. And it was, actually, the only time from the time of Nebuchadnezzar to the formation of the state of Israel in 1948, it was the only brief period when Israel was autonomous, when it had its own government and control. --derek thomas
BackGround on the temple
Mark 13 is all about the temple, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and the parousia of Jesus Christ at the end of the age. THAT is our topic for Sunday. Gonna post much about these topics because Sunday will be skating over the text, focusing on the big 3 ideas of chapter 13.
from Derek Thomas:
This is the second temple; this is the Herodian temple, the temple that had begun to be rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, and Nehemiah...And then in 19 B.C., Herod the Great, for all kinds of reasons, began a construction project that was to last much, much longer than our construction project is going to last. It began in 19 B.C. and actually was still going on in 64 A.D., and of course the temple would be destroyed in 70 A.D., some six years after it had been completed. Most of the construction had been completed around 9 B.C. It took about ten years to do most of the expansion work, and it was a colossal project. Josephus tells us that some of the stones, the foundation stones of the retaining wall, were 42 feet by 11 feet by 14 feet, and each one weighing over a million pounds. And that’s just the retaining wall! We’ve not discovered any of those stones, and Josephus did have a tendency to exaggerate, so it may not be that accurate. But certainly, if you go to excavations of Wilson’s Porch and look down, you can see gigantic foundation stones, and then as you would have gone up into the esplanade of the temple there were columns, Corinthian columns that it is said would take three grown men arm in arm to circumnavigate those columns. It was a magnificent sight. There was no temple like it in all the world for its sheer magnificence.
from Derek Thomas:
This is the second temple; this is the Herodian temple, the temple that had begun to be rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, and Nehemiah...And then in 19 B.C., Herod the Great, for all kinds of reasons, began a construction project that was to last much, much longer than our construction project is going to last. It began in 19 B.C. and actually was still going on in 64 A.D., and of course the temple would be destroyed in 70 A.D., some six years after it had been completed. Most of the construction had been completed around 9 B.C. It took about ten years to do most of the expansion work, and it was a colossal project. Josephus tells us that some of the stones, the foundation stones of the retaining wall, were 42 feet by 11 feet by 14 feet, and each one weighing over a million pounds. And that’s just the retaining wall! We’ve not discovered any of those stones, and Josephus did have a tendency to exaggerate, so it may not be that accurate. But certainly, if you go to excavations of Wilson’s Porch and look down, you can see gigantic foundation stones, and then as you would have gone up into the esplanade of the temple there were columns, Corinthian columns that it is said would take three grown men arm in arm to circumnavigate those columns. It was a magnificent sight. There was no temple like it in all the world for its sheer magnificence.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
sacraments...baptism
Sacraments:
Q. What are sacraments?
A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them He might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put His seal on that promise. And this is God’s gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ’s one sacrifice finished on the cross.
Q. Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
A. Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy
sacraments He assures us that our entire salvation rests on Christ’s one sacrifice for us on the cross.
(from Heidelberg Catechism; 1536, #66 and #67)
Infant Baptism Explanations:
--Why I Changed My Mind, a letter to my daughter
-- Francis Schaeffer's helpful little paper
Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,
not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;
but also to be unto him
- a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,
- of his ingrafting into Christ,
- of regeneration,
- of remission of sins,
and
- of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.
This sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.
For a contrasting view:
see Spurgeon's "Children Brought to Christ, Not the Font" (awesome title)
and Fred Malone's journey from baptizing babies to NOT
Q. What are sacraments?
A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them He might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put His seal on that promise. And this is God’s gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ’s one sacrifice finished on the cross.
Q. Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
A. Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy
sacraments He assures us that our entire salvation rests on Christ’s one sacrifice for us on the cross.
(from Heidelberg Catechism; 1536, #66 and #67)
Infant Baptism Explanations:
--Why I Changed My Mind, a letter to my daughter
-- Francis Schaeffer's helpful little paper
Baptism is a sacrament of the new testament, ordained by Jesus Christ,
not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church;
but also to be unto him
- a sign and seal of the covenant of grace,
- of his ingrafting into Christ,
- of regeneration,
- of remission of sins,
and
- of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life.
This sacrament is, by Christ's own appointment, to be continued in His Church until the end of the world.
For a contrasting view:
see Spurgeon's "Children Brought to Christ, Not the Font" (awesome title)
and Fred Malone's journey from baptizing babies to NOT
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Quotes from Conference
You wouldn't be so suprised at your sin if you didn't have such a high opinion of yourself. --Steve Brown
Grace is the cure for both pride and despair.
--Bryan Chapell
Grace is the cure for both pride and despair.
--Bryan Chapell
Friday, March 06, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Not the God of the Dead but the Living
“However glorious is the transformation of the people of God at death and however much they may be disposed to say with the apostle that to depart and to be with Christ is far better, this is not their glorification. It is not the goal of the believer’s hope and expectation.
The redemption which Christ has secured for his people is redemption not only from sin but also from all its consequences. Death is the wages of sin and the death of believers does not deliver them from death. The last enemy, death, has not yet been destroyed; it has not yet been swallowed up in victory. Hence glorification has in view the destruction of death itself.
God is not the God of the dead but of the living and therefore nothing short of resurrection to the full enjoyment of God can constitute the glory to which the living God will lead his redeemed.”
—John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1955), 147
Humor Me
couple o' quotes from a
A helpful review of No Line on The Horizon
Yet what qualifies this album as thoroughly Christian is not so much its pervasive biblical/theological images as its overarching eschatological vision.
A helpful review of No Line on The Horizon
Yet what qualifies this album as thoroughly Christian is not so much its pervasive biblical/theological images as its overarching eschatological vision.
U2's music has long occupied the tension between the present experience of what lasts -- "all that you can't leave behind" -- and the present absence of its full realization -- "I still haven't found what I'm looking for."
The basic message of No Line is that earth is not yet heaven, and therefore the album summons us to "Get On Your Boots" and work toward the day when things will fully be on earth as they are in heaven -- when heaven and earth will be indistinguishable, and there will at last be no line on the horizon.
Moving in that direction requires the triumph "of vision over visibility" ("Moment of Surrender")...
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The theme of a Davidic king arriving to deliver Israel from her enemies is prominent throughout the Old
Testament. In 2 Samuel 7:11-16, Nathan prophesied about David, “`'The LORD declares to you that the
LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I
will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his
kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his
kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with
the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took
it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever
before me; your throne will be established forever.’” The same thing is discussed in Isaiah 9:2-7; 11:1-9;
Jeremiah 23:5 ff. and a host of other passages throughout Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and Amos
Testament. In 2 Samuel 7:11-16, Nathan prophesied about David, “`'The LORD declares to you that the
LORD himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I
will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his
kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his
kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with
the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took
it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever
before me; your throne will be established forever.’” The same thing is discussed in Isaiah 9:2-7; 11:1-9;
Jeremiah 23:5 ff. and a host of other passages throughout Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and Amos
He Knows You
“What matters supremely is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it–the fact that he knows me. I am graven on the palms of his hands. I am never out of his mind.
All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is not a moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters.
This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort–the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates–in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.”
- J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 41-42
All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is not a moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters.
This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort–the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates–in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.”
- J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 41-42
Magnificent
from the web:
I expect this video may be gone quickly, but I wanted to make a stagecraft comment on U2's "Magnificent" from Letterman last night. Those who have been following reviews and discussion will have noted that a lot of hearers seem to be taking "I was born to sing for you...to lift you up" as an insufferably arrogant phrase directed at U2's audience; it has come in for a lot of criticism. In light of that, it is almost funny to see, as this moment arrives in the song, the visual Bono chooses (starting at about 2:45). He begins with a standard wide-armed orans position, but immediately shifts that into an awkward-looking, aggressively vertical orans with both arms parallel all the way over his head, and just holds it. (The text is directed up, folks. Not horizontally. Up. Is this clear enough for you?)
On the liner notes Bono says:
While writing this song, I was thinking about the kind of lyric Cole Porter would sing, but I was also thinking about the Magnificat. Bach does a good one.... (sings the tune and laughs). This one is about two lovers holding on to each other and trying to turn their life into worship. Not of each other, but of being alive, of God....of spirit.
I expect this video may be gone quickly, but I wanted to make a stagecraft comment on U2's "Magnificent" from Letterman last night. Those who have been following reviews and discussion will have noted that a lot of hearers seem to be taking "I was born to sing for you...to lift you up" as an insufferably arrogant phrase directed at U2's audience; it has come in for a lot of criticism. In light of that, it is almost funny to see, as this moment arrives in the song, the visual Bono chooses (starting at about 2:45). He begins with a standard wide-armed orans position, but immediately shifts that into an awkward-looking, aggressively vertical orans with both arms parallel all the way over his head, and just holds it. (The text is directed up, folks. Not horizontally. Up. Is this clear enough for you?)
On the liner notes Bono says:
While writing this song, I was thinking about the kind of lyric Cole Porter would sing, but I was also thinking about the Magnificat. Bach does a good one.... (sings the tune and laughs). This one is about two lovers holding on to each other and trying to turn their life into worship. Not of each other, but of being alive, of God....of spirit.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Men's Roadtrip
An email is going out this morning with tons of detail.
NOT to light to jump on board!
email
rpendley AT christcommunitychurch DOT com
How much?
Registration --nada
hotel room -- 50
food -- 20-40
There are groups leaving at
-- 9:30 from church office
-- 1:00 from UF area
-- 5:30 from ToBeAnnounced
NOT to light to jump on board!
rpendley AT christcommunitychurch DOT com
How much?
Registration --nada
hotel room -- 50
food -- 20-40
There are groups leaving at
-- 9:30 from church office
-- 1:00 from UF area
-- 5:30 from ToBeAnnounced
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