Friday of Holy Week

John 18-19:42
Good Friday? What is good about Good Friday? Jesus was arrested, betrayed, deserted, denied, roughed up, publicly disgraced, slapped in the face, bound, kept awake all night, rights violated, due process violated, repeatedly questioned, lied about, misrepresented, misunderstood, sentenced to die, flogged nearly to his death, crown of thorns pressed into his head, mocked, belittled, forced to stand for hours, handed over to be crucified, forced to carry his cross through the streets, crucified, nails driven through hands and feet, mourned by his mother and closest friends, had a spear thrust through his side after he died, wrapped in grave clothes and placed in a tomb...
Good? Good for me, and you, and all humanity. But still, not good, unless you know about resurrection!!!!! Which hardly anybody expected. It seems even his disciples weren't expecting him to rise again. Scripture shows us that they were trying to figure out what just happened, even 3 days later (or more). When receiving the news that Jesus was alive, many couldn't quite bring themselves to believe! Grace!!!

Thursday of Holy Week

John 13:1-35
Maundy Thursday - Commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.
Jesus was eating a Jewish passover meal. A celebration of remembrance of what God had done in redeeming the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. And I believe it was also a fervent call for God to act again on their behalf, and redeem the people to freedom from the Romans.
And Jesus surprises them all by washing their feet! Everybody present is thrown off by this. They don't know what to do! It is recorded that Peter objects, but everybody else is silent.
How do we wash each others feet today? Some are uncomfortable with feet. Is hospitality equivalent to washing feet? And what is hospitality? It can be:
-talking to your neighbor
-borrowing things, and lending things out
-hosting a block party, or attending a barbecue
-sitting on the porch (yours or theirs)
-having a meal together
-giving or receiving a ride
This stuff can be messy, like feet...

Wednesday of Holy Week

John 13:21-32
Denial, rejection, betrayal. These are the worst that we do in friendship. And when it is done to us, we are devastated, most times we are blindsided. We don't see it coming. Truthfully, if we saw it coming, we would separate ourselves from the friendship first. Or if they mean the world to us, we would confront them to try to salvage the relationship.
Here we find Jesus knowing that Judas (the one who keeps the money, pays the bills, and even leans up against Jesus sharing a meal, one of the closest 12 friends and followers) will betray him to death! Yet, Jesus keeps him in close fellowship. Jesus shares food, conversation, friendship, and his life with this Judas.
And I believe that it truly hurt Jesus to know this! And yet he stayed engaged. This is love!

Tuesday of Holy Week

John 12:20-36
Jesus is in Jerusalem at a feast, and he knows his time here on earth with his disciples is about to end. Some Greeks (non-Jews?) came requesting to see Jesus. I am wondering if Jesus is in hiding. The request is given to Jesus, and Jesus begins to talk about being glorified. Well that to me involves Jesus being seen. But Jesus instead seems to be portraying the idea that he is going to die. Instead of doing something great and wonderful in the full view of all, to be seen, Jesus instead is going to "just die". And this is for his glory, and for his Father's glory?!
My mind says, "Who will get the glory if Jesus dies? The one who kills him?" Jesus seems to be saying that the glory will go to Jesus, God, those who die with him. Now, I wouldn't have come up with that... and neither did the disciples. And just for good measure, so that Jesus will be glorified, Jesus goes and hides himself from them...
One time somebody told me that following Jesus is just about common sense. I didn't buy it. It's about a Spiritual sense, only revealed by God through the Spirit.

Monday of Holy Week

John 12:1-11
Ominous, six days before the passover. Having just raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus' enemies want to kill him. Well actually, both "hims". They want to kill Jesus to remove the threat to their political/religious compromise with the Romans. They also want to kill Lazarus, for being raised back to life! It's not Lazarus' fault, but he is the evidence that Jesus can conquer death, and he is the reason that many Jews were believing in Jesus.
Then, there is Judas. Isn't there always a Judas? Am I not often Judas? "Look at the waste! We could have used the money for the poor!" Some times I'm the thief; the one who is dipping into the bag; the one who wants to steal from Jesus' glory, something for myself. I deserve it, don't I? Time marches on. Only a couple more days with Jesus, then he will be gone...

Wanted: Dead or Alive

Imagine finding this picture on a telephone pole in your town. You catch your breath, your heart skips a beat; especially if it's true!
What do you do know? Disappear? Get outta Dodge!

What if it's not true? How do you clear your name? Would people believe you? Would they put their reputations on the line to clear your name?

The truth is that guy is wanted! God wants him! The only other question is: Would God prefer him dead or alive? Romans 6:11 or Galatians 2:20

Pie

What else can I say? Ahhhhh:)

Wow! One of us is wrapped around the others finger...

1, 2, 3, 4

Someone who has 4 girls got us 4 shirts for our 4 girls and here are 4 pictures to prove it. 4 sure they are the cutest, great 4tune!

So, we've been having fun...

While Suzanne's parents were here, we put Grandpa to hard labor, and he produced this! With some little helpers:) And it works great (there is much sleeping). Thanks for visiting!