As a Bible geek, I’m also a Bible movie geek. Movies have the power to bring written story to life in living color. In a visual culture this is an especially important medium for introducing people to the story and claims of the Bible. So, I’m definitely hoping Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s latest work A.D. The … More Why the A.D. Series is ‘Must See TV’
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31) Why was it necessary for Jesus to suffer in order for our sins … More Why must He suffer for our sins?
Here’s a glimpse of our wonderful celebration of our first Easter in our new building!
[Following the Resurrection] “When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?” Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. But when the Holy … More HE IS RISEN!! Now what? (Acts 1:6-12)
I’m enjoying these meditations by Ken Gardiner found here. “And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.” (Matt. 27:36) HIM THERE! Who put him there? To answer that literally, we must say, “The soldiers”; the army of occupation. Technically they were Romans, and the centurion in charge would most probably indeed have come from … More At the Foot of the Cross 3 (K. Gardiner)
We spent a beautiful evening at The Depot at the Mound Beach gathered by candlelight at the foot of the cross meditating on the passion story. About 25 people showed up for our journey to the cross. We read, reflected and prayed through the passion story, sang a couple hymns, and marveled at the spectacular … More Good Friday @ The Beach
Jelly Bean Prayer Red is for the blood He gave, Green is for the grass he made. Yellow is for the sun so bright, Orange is for the edge of night. Black is for the sins we made, White is for the grace he gave. Purple is for his hour of sorrow. Pink is for … More Jelly Bean Easter Prayer
I’m enjoying these meditations by Ken Gardiner found here. “And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.” (Matt. 27:36) HIM THERE! Him! As we think of him, let us try to picture for a moment, how he would seem to them – the ones with whom he’d shared himself. You see, for us, our … More At the Foot of the Cross 2 (K. Gardiner)
Eden was the Garden of Futility — of broken dreams, of shattered relationships, of the first Adam’s rebellion, and the image of God being marred by sin and disobedience. The Garden of Gethsemane was the Garden Decision — of sacrifice, of abandonment and suffering, of temptation resisted, where the Last Adam chose God’s will over … More The Garden of New Creation
I’m enjoying these meditations by Ken Gardiner found here. “And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.” (Matt. 27:36) HIM THERE! Words are strange things; for their size they carry so much meaning, especially when they are put together, as in the present case:- HIM THERE! Why, there isn’t even a verb, … More At the Foot of the Cross 1 (K. Gardiner)
How slow the moments must have seemed, there in the garden, among the olive trees that moonlit night, as the trees uplifted their branches in the dappled light and shadow like arms uplifted in prayer. Only they managed to stay and watch with you. The garden grew quiet as your followers fell asleep one by … More Gethsemane 2: A Meditation
In one garden, the lie was chosen over the will of God, and nature groaned under the curse and the grief and the countless tears of mankind that followed. In one garden, quietly, one full moon night the will of God was chosen over the lie and nature knew the promise of healing that would … More Gethsemane 1: Two Gardens
Good Friday is one of my favorite, most moving evenings of the year. It is the holiest of nights, the most somber of times, the pinnacle of human reflection of the gravity of humanity’s sin problem and the depths of God’s love ing provide a way to freedom. For several years I have tried to … More Gethsemane: A Journey to the Cross
Ok, here’s a good discussion starter. I had coffee with a dear pastor friend of mine who was NOT happy about the way some churches are choosing to celebrate Easter. Many churches have decided a great way to celebrate Easter is by spending thousands of dollars on renting a helicopter and dropping thousands of plastic … More God so loved the world that He….dropped plastic eggs from a helicopter?
Joel Hanson, formerly of PFR, leads worship at Church of the Open Door (my second church home). He recorded this song some years back with the angelic Sara Groves. It has always had a way of moving me to tears of joy — and I don’t get misty too easily. The meaning is even more … More Travelin’ Light Because of Christ
Kingdom Harbor 