Wanna know who Jesus is? This young man will tell you in about 4 minutes..
Thanks to my friend, Star, for sharing this with me. It was the perfect reminder of who He is...
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
THIRSTY ON THE CROSS
Thirsty on the Cross
by Max Lucado
Jesus’ final act on earth was intended to win your trust.
This is the final act of Jesus’ life. In the concluding measure of his earthly composition, we hear the sounds of a thirsty man.
And through his thirst—through a sponge and a jar of cheap wine—he leaves a final appeal.
“You can trust me.”
Jesus. Lips cracked and mouth of cotton. Throat so dry he couldn’t swallow, and voice so hoarse he could scarcely speak. He is thirsty. To find the last time moisture touched these lips you need to rewind a dozen hours to the meal in the upper room. Since tasting that cup of wine, Jesus has been beaten, spat upon, bruised, and cut. He has been a cross-carrier and sin-bearer, and no liquid has salved his throat. He is thirsty.
Why doesn’t he do something about it? Couldn’t he? Did he not cause jugs of water to be jugs of wine? Did he not make a wall out of the Jordan River and two walls out of the Red Sea? Didn’t he, with one word, banish the rain and calm the waves? Doesn’t Scripture say that he “turned the desert into pools” (PSALM 107:35 NIV) and “the hard rock into springs” (PSALM 114:8 NIV)?
Did God not say, “I will pour water on him who is thirsty” (ISAIAH. 44:3NKJV)?
If so, why does Jesus endure thirst?
While we are asking this question, add a few more. Why did he grow weary in Samaria (John 4:6), disturbed in Nazareth (Mark 6:6), and angry in the Temple (John 2:15)? Why was he sleepy in the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38), sad at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and hungry in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2)?
Why? And why did he grow thirsty on the cross?
He didn’t have to suffer thirst. At least, not to the level he did. Six hours earlier he’d been offered drink, but he refused it.
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, buthe did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (Mark 15:22–24 NIV,italics mine)
Before the nail was pounded, a drink was offered. Mark says the wine was mixed with myrrh. Matthew described it as wine mixed with gall. Both myrrh and gall contain sedative properties that numb the senses. But Jesus refused them. He refused to be stupefied by the drugs, opting instead to feel the full force of his suffering.
Why? Why did he endure all these feelings? Because he knew you would feel them too.
He knew you would be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry. He knew you’d face pain. If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul … pain too sharp for any drug. He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands.
And because he understands, we can come to him.
NEW Gift Book! This story from:
This is Love - The Extraordinary Story of Jesus
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado
by Max Lucado
Jesus’ final act on earth was intended to win your trust.
This is the final act of Jesus’ life. In the concluding measure of his earthly composition, we hear the sounds of a thirsty man.
And through his thirst—through a sponge and a jar of cheap wine—he leaves a final appeal.
“You can trust me.”
Jesus. Lips cracked and mouth of cotton. Throat so dry he couldn’t swallow, and voice so hoarse he could scarcely speak. He is thirsty. To find the last time moisture touched these lips you need to rewind a dozen hours to the meal in the upper room. Since tasting that cup of wine, Jesus has been beaten, spat upon, bruised, and cut. He has been a cross-carrier and sin-bearer, and no liquid has salved his throat. He is thirsty.
Why doesn’t he do something about it? Couldn’t he? Did he not cause jugs of water to be jugs of wine? Did he not make a wall out of the Jordan River and two walls out of the Red Sea? Didn’t he, with one word, banish the rain and calm the waves? Doesn’t Scripture say that he “turned the desert into pools” (PSALM 107:35 NIV) and “the hard rock into springs” (PSALM 114:8 NIV)?
Did God not say, “I will pour water on him who is thirsty” (ISAIAH. 44:3NKJV)?
If so, why does Jesus endure thirst?
While we are asking this question, add a few more. Why did he grow weary in Samaria (John 4:6), disturbed in Nazareth (Mark 6:6), and angry in the Temple (John 2:15)? Why was he sleepy in the boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:38), sad at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and hungry in the wilderness (Matt. 4:2)?
Why? And why did he grow thirsty on the cross?
He didn’t have to suffer thirst. At least, not to the level he did. Six hours earlier he’d been offered drink, but he refused it.
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, buthe did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. (Mark 15:22–24 NIV,italics mine)
Before the nail was pounded, a drink was offered. Mark says the wine was mixed with myrrh. Matthew described it as wine mixed with gall. Both myrrh and gall contain sedative properties that numb the senses. But Jesus refused them. He refused to be stupefied by the drugs, opting instead to feel the full force of his suffering.
Why? Why did he endure all these feelings? Because he knew you would feel them too.
He knew you would be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be sleepy, grief-stricken, and hungry. He knew you’d face pain. If not the pain of the body, the pain of the soul … pain too sharp for any drug. He knew you’d face thirst. If not a thirst for water, at least a thirst for truth, and the truth we glean from the image of a thirsty Christ is—he understands.
And because he understands, we can come to him.
NEW Gift Book! This story from:
This is Love - The Extraordinary Story of Jesus
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado
Friday, April 15, 2011
Dance Your Shoes Off...
This is so cool... made me wish I was there... dancing my shoes off. What a great way to worship and praise the one who rose from the dead!! JESUS IS ALIVE!!!!!
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
HOP
What has been happening in the past month plus 3 days? Well, certainly not blogging. However, I won't bore you with that time span... we'll start fresh... again.
Masha and I went to see "Hop" last weekend with plans of taking Sammy and Lizzie this Friday but really found it not worth the time. What continually went through my head was that they never touched on anything real about Easter. This review does a good job of saying how I felt after leaving the theater. Read it here. Next we plan to try "Rio" and take the kids to see this G-rated animated movie. Maybe we'll have better luck with the parrots.
I love sports... and anyone who just sort of knows me probably realizes that. March Madness is one of my most favorite times of the year. I've watched so many basketball games in the past weeks and loved every minute of it. Unlike many of my male friends, I also enjoy the women's tournament. And if some of them would give it a try, so would they. I dare any of them to go up against Maya Moore or Shekina Strickland and come out unscathed. I would have liked to see the underdog Butler team win last night but it was not to be. And tonight's women's championship? I don't really have a favorite... my team is the Lady Vols and they were beat. The Lady Huskies lost in the Final Four and that was one of the sweetest games I've seen in a long time. Another favorite is Stanford and they lost in the Final Four, too. So tonight I'll be watching Texas A&M and Notre Dame. Being born in Texas maybe I should root for them... I'm sure Joshua B. would appreciate it.
Last night was my first Cardinal game of the season... and it was soooooo cold. And I really thought I was dressed for it.... turtleneck, long sleeve t-shirt, hoodie sweatshirt, coat, gloves, scarf, long underwear... and Masha even got me hand warmers. Then the only thing that was warm were my hands. :-) Not often do you see us bundled up like this for a Cardinal game...
And to remind you of the crazy weather in St. Louis? This picture was taken on Sammy's birthday - February 17... it would have been a much better day for a baseball game...
And allow me to go back about one more thing... an incredible surprise awaited me one night after a hockey game. I was expecting Chris... I was not expecting his sweet, sweet friend. :-)
That's it for now - work is calling my name. Perhaps it won't be so long before the next post. Perhaps I'll even take you along on the journey I'm considering starting.
Masha and I went to see "Hop" last weekend with plans of taking Sammy and Lizzie this Friday but really found it not worth the time. What continually went through my head was that they never touched on anything real about Easter. This review does a good job of saying how I felt after leaving the theater. Read it here. Next we plan to try "Rio" and take the kids to see this G-rated animated movie. Maybe we'll have better luck with the parrots.
I love sports... and anyone who just sort of knows me probably realizes that. March Madness is one of my most favorite times of the year. I've watched so many basketball games in the past weeks and loved every minute of it. Unlike many of my male friends, I also enjoy the women's tournament. And if some of them would give it a try, so would they. I dare any of them to go up against Maya Moore or Shekina Strickland and come out unscathed. I would have liked to see the underdog Butler team win last night but it was not to be. And tonight's women's championship? I don't really have a favorite... my team is the Lady Vols and they were beat. The Lady Huskies lost in the Final Four and that was one of the sweetest games I've seen in a long time. Another favorite is Stanford and they lost in the Final Four, too. So tonight I'll be watching Texas A&M and Notre Dame. Being born in Texas maybe I should root for them... I'm sure Joshua B. would appreciate it.
Last night was my first Cardinal game of the season... and it was soooooo cold. And I really thought I was dressed for it.... turtleneck, long sleeve t-shirt, hoodie sweatshirt, coat, gloves, scarf, long underwear... and Masha even got me hand warmers. Then the only thing that was warm were my hands. :-) Not often do you see us bundled up like this for a Cardinal game...
And to remind you of the crazy weather in St. Louis? This picture was taken on Sammy's birthday - February 17... it would have been a much better day for a baseball game...
And allow me to go back about one more thing... an incredible surprise awaited me one night after a hockey game. I was expecting Chris... I was not expecting his sweet, sweet friend. :-)
That's it for now - work is calling my name. Perhaps it won't be so long before the next post. Perhaps I'll even take you along on the journey I'm considering starting.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
BIG APPLE ADVENTURE
Recruiting has begun for the Big Apple Adventure, VBS 2011!! Check out the video and then decide where you'll be volunteering. You can sign up online at www.parkwaybaptist.net/children. Go to the bottom of the page and click on the VBS link to sign up you and your child for VBS.
Big Apple Adventure Leader Recruitment Video from LifeWay VBS on Vimeo.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
I'm trying to take the time to read more blogs - things that would be relevant to children's ministry and to my own personal walk with Christ. I began to follow, on Twitter, Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in North Carolina... a young man with a passion for those who don't know Christ and God is truly blessing the efforts of him and Elevation Church. This morning's post really struck a chord with me... read it here.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
WHATEVER...
I don't do New Year's Resolutions - I tried it and I end up feeling guilty... lose weight (which I need to do) and then 2 months later I'm depressed because I've lost only 2 pounds... read the Bible EVERY day and then I miss a day and feel like I've failed... get everywhere on time - not a morning person so not gonna happen. Then I read a blog recently and this person chose one word. I thought that surely I could do that - choose a word for the year - but God was giving me NOTHING!! I was busy dwelling on circumstances that had made me unhappy - actually had made me downright mad - and seeing things as impossible... or hopeless. And then God gave me a word - WHATEVER! Not like the kids say it with the emphasis on whatEVer but as in "whatever it takes". Bear with me here...
As 4 of us traveled to Nashville this past Thursday for a VBS Preview event, we listened to this year's VBS music - and I admitted I wasn't too crazy about it but hoped it would grow on me. And it has... and the words hold so much truth... "by faith I love; by faith I come; by faith I will trust in the name of Jesus; by faith I believe in things I can not see; by faith I cling to the hope that Jesus gives me..."; "I love You more than anything... but that's not enough... I want to love You more..."; and as a rap - "God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life... why don't you?" And probably my favorite: "Jesus, I will do WHATEVER it takes to bring glory to your name... He said go, so I will go; He said tell, so I will tell..." And that's how God brought me to the word - actually 3 words - "whatever it takes".
Jeff Slaughter said it best... and I don't have his exact words but... One of the VBS songs is a rap and he figured some folks would have a problem with that but he said that God gives us music and many in the world have perverted it but why can't we take that music and turn it to Him and for His glory. It's what the kids are listening to so let's give them positive lyrics and godly words in a way they will listen to it... "whatever it takes"...
Enjoy Jeff's "By Faith" video using New York City as the backdrop...
So as I look at what God has for our KidZONE Children's Ministry at PBC... at what God has for the ones I love in my family... at what God has for me personally... my prayer is that I will do "whatever it takes" to bring glory to His name.
Click here for more samples of this year's VBS "Big Apple Adventure" music.
As 4 of us traveled to Nashville this past Thursday for a VBS Preview event, we listened to this year's VBS music - and I admitted I wasn't too crazy about it but hoped it would grow on me. And it has... and the words hold so much truth... "by faith I love; by faith I come; by faith I will trust in the name of Jesus; by faith I believe in things I can not see; by faith I cling to the hope that Jesus gives me..."; "I love You more than anything... but that's not enough... I want to love You more..."; and as a rap - "God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life... why don't you?" And probably my favorite: "Jesus, I will do WHATEVER it takes to bring glory to your name... He said go, so I will go; He said tell, so I will tell..." And that's how God brought me to the word - actually 3 words - "whatever it takes".
Jeff Slaughter said it best... and I don't have his exact words but... One of the VBS songs is a rap and he figured some folks would have a problem with that but he said that God gives us music and many in the world have perverted it but why can't we take that music and turn it to Him and for His glory. It's what the kids are listening to so let's give them positive lyrics and godly words in a way they will listen to it... "whatever it takes"...
Enjoy Jeff's "By Faith" video using New York City as the backdrop...
So as I look at what God has for our KidZONE Children's Ministry at PBC... at what God has for the ones I love in my family... at what God has for me personally... my prayer is that I will do "whatever it takes" to bring glory to His name.
Click here for more samples of this year's VBS "Big Apple Adventure" music.
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