DAY 39 of my reading plan: 4 days to E-day

FOUR DAYS TO EASTER!
Wednesday, Nisan 13. April 1 in 33 A D. March 31 in 2010.

Reading for today:

Matthew 26:14-16
Mark 14:10-11
Luke 22:1-6


Jesus very likely went back to Bethany on Tuesday evening. He had taught in the temple...and later on the Mount of Olives with just 4 of his disciples.

He had silenced the religious leaders for the moment by asking them a question about John the Baptist in response to their question about his authority. It was a good tactic. I know that I don't have to enter every debate - that there is a difference between responding to sincere searching or defiant defenses - one being constructive, and one not. Jesus had already made His claims clear. Their hearts were not receptive and He knew it. In fact, their only purpose in asking the question was to add one more arrow to their quiver with which to pierce Him. They were out for blood.

Wednesday is a quiet day as far as Biblical records show. Jesus may have spent the day quietly with friends in Bethany, may have spent the day alone in quiet contemplation, or 'more of the same' - - talking to people who came out to Him on the Mount of Olives. We don't know. What we do know is that the prince of darkness was working overtime in his attempt to destroy the Prince of Peace. Today's readings make that very apparent.

We've known for several days that the Chief Priests and Pharisees were looking for a way to kill Jesus. In the accounts we've read they didn't plan to do it during the Feast of the Passover because there were just too many people in town, and they feared a riot...but all of the events over the recent days were just too much for them. Jesus enraged them by not quelling the worshipping crowds on Sunday when He rode into the city in a way that declared His status as Messiah. Jesus had the audacity to overturn the money-changers tables and drive out those who were selling doves. Jesus dared ask the Chief Priests and Pharisees a question instead of answering theirs when they asked by whose authority He did these things. Jesus was going to cause them to lose their political place if they didn't silence Him. It was all about self-preservation in their view. They didn't realize they, the religious, were being used as pawns in Satan's plan.

They were searching for a way - - and Judas, one of his 'devoted' followers provided them exactly what they wanted. They must have thought it was "God's will" when it worked out so ideally for them! Luke tells us: 'Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.'

This is a Lola 'bunny trail' - but I have tried to understand what Judas' line of thinking really was. Was he in it for the glory - - believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and wanted to ride his coattails to personal aggrandizement and position? Did he start out good - and then fail because of too much temptation in being the one who handled the money for the group? Did he recognize Jesus truly was the Messiah and feel Jesus needed a nudge to pull out all the stops and be the militant-victor-type many believed the Messiah would be? Did Satan somehow deceive him into 'taking things into His own hands' to help that happen - convincing him that the end justified the means? Was he just purely self-centered and a tad miffed that Jesus reprimanded him for saying the Oil of Nard Mary poured on Jesus' head should be sold and given to the poor. Did he think it unfair that he didn't have that money at his disposal? I don't know.... We do know he had an unhealthy greed for money.... Perhaps that alone was his Achilles' heel.

We know that those who wanted Jesus destroyed were delighted with the arrangement, and that their scheme involved Judas' giving Jesus to them when no crowds were present so they could do their dastardly deed in secret. Plotting pitiful perpetrators of unparalleled proportion.

Back at the ranch - meaning what was happening with Jesus and his followers - we just don't know. In Jewish tradition the evening began the day, so they could logically have begun their preparation for the Passover feast after 6 p m on Tuesday - on what we would still call Wednesday, but I'll stay 'western' and deal with that tomorrow....

What I do know is that Jesus' heart was full - and heavy. Full of love for us, and heavy for all that was soon to come...he couldn't know exactly what the pain would feel like - but he knew it was going to be horrific. He knew the events and the timing. He knew He would suffer intense agony. All for you. All for me. What amazing love.

DAY 38 of my reading plan: 5 days to E-day

FIVE DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:

Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree
Matthew 21:20-22
Mark 11:20-26

Jesus final day of public teaching; teaching in the temple; authority challenged.
Matthew 21:23-27; 21:28 - 23:39
Mark 11:27-33; 12:1-44
Luke 20:1-8; 20:9-21:4

Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24, 25
Luke 21:5-36

Jesus' final message on Tuesday:
Matthew 25:31-46

Tuesday, Nisan 12; In parallel time - it was March 31 then; and is March 30 now.

I discussed Jesus' teaching on the Mt of Olives on Day 13 - but this is actually when it occurred. There was just too much to cover on this one day - and even so, I am overwhelmed with all He covered in his final communication to the then-adoring masses and the increasingly-angry spiritual leaders of his fellow Jewish people.

If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer....yet we are also taught that is contingent on praying in God's will, getting our direction first from Him - then praying with the conviction of assurance of what He desires.

Mark 11:25 adds something Matthew does not - telling us that when we stand praying, if we hold anything against anyone, forgive - so that our Father in heaven may forgive us our sins.... Verse 26 is a footnote instead of being in the text of the NIV - and it states, ...if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your sins. It is a clear Biblical teaching - even included in the Lord's Prayer...'forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors'. I originally learned it as 'forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us' but I prefer the image of debtor. In either version of the prayer, the point is obvious. Want forgiveness? Grant forgiveness. And the lesson is repeated here with the same terms.

At this juncture I am extremely grateful that I covered some of this territory in earlier blogs. As of this point the masses are clueless about what will occur in just 3 days - as are the disciples. Jesus warned them well in advance - repeatedly, but their ears have heard the adulation of the crowds and that adulation crowds out any concerns that may try to surface. Still, with the focus of the Passover feast, they have committed time to be with Jesus, and he leaves them with repeated messages that will replay over and over in days soon to come....too soon....

For today he has taught in the temple and on the Mount of Olives. But the calm on the surface is deceiving.

Jesus is walking toward the cross and our salvation with purpose and intention. But all the while what impresses me so completely is that He keeps on keeping on - - just as He compels and encourages us to do.

I haven't had time to write today - and yesterday the time was brief and stolen. I had young grandkids here - - and my time was theirs - - but 'needing to write' in fulfillment of my commitment was on my mind multiple times; there was just no opportunity to extricate myself from being present and enjoying the gift and responsibility of time shared with them.

In yesterday's reading Jesus cursed a fig tree. Today he uses it as an object lesson for receiving answers to our prayers. I need time to grapple with this - to pray over it, and see what the Holy Spirit might reveal.... It will have to be saved for another day.

DAY 37: 6 days to E-day

SIX DAYS TO EASTER!

Monday, Nisan 11; or in Gregorian time: Monday, March 30 then.... (March 29 now)

Reading for today:

Matthew 21:10-17
Mark 11:12-19
Luke 19:45-48

So - blending the gospel accounts, it appears that as Jesus was walking back to Jerusalem from Bethany on Monday morning he cursed a fig tree that had no figs - but it wasn't even fig season.... I have to assume it was for the purpose of creating a teachable moment....

Bethany was a 2-mile walk from Jerusalem - a village nestled near the base of the Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem. Bethphage was along the route to Jerusalem, a very small village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is a long hill - not just a peak.... It helps me visualize to have more information.

Jesus destination in Jerusalem was the temple - but when he entered, he was infuriated because the profiteers had made it a den of robbers. Jews had come 'up' to Jerusalem from all over Israel as well as from other surrounding countries to celebrate the Passover. The poor and those who traveled long distances were dependent on purchasing the doves they would have to have for their sacrifice after they arrived in Jerusalem. They could only make those purchases with local coins, which necessitated there being money-changers - and the money-changers were short-changing the customers. Jesus tossed them all out. They were in business to line their own pockets, not to provide a fair-market-value service.

I don't believe this is an indictment on garage sales, bake sales, church auctions, and other appropriate fundraisers held in churches, as some have tried to make it. If they had had a 'helping service' that truly helped, offering a fair exchange, I do not believe it would have invoked Jesus' ire. His act is a model for what should elicit righteous indignation in us: inequities and abuses that deny rights, denigrate, and devour. His house is to be a house of prayer. He is to be the priority. Serving others in His name is to be the model.

Far more delightful to note today is what happened next: something we rarely pay attention to! While the money-changers were cleaning up the mess and trying to sort out whose was what, Jesus was at the temple healing people. Even the little children were caught up in the praises, shouting 'Hosanna to the Son of David." What a telling statement Matthew makes: 'When the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting (praise) in the temple area...they were indignant.'

Not just miffed - but filled with such animosity that their resolve to kill him was an obsession. Jesus didn't let their hatred deter Him - He continued healing and teaching. I need to pay attention to that model. No matter what tries to distract, I need to stay focused and not be deterred from pursuing the right priorities. May it be so....

Matthew tells us Jesus spent the night in Bethany again.

DAY 36 of my reading plan: PALM SUNDAY

SEVEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:

Matthew 21:1-11
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:28-44
John 12:12-19
Zechariah 9:9
Psalm 118:25-26

Matthew 21:17

We know exactly where Jesus was on this particular Sunday. He left Bethany, heading toward Bethphage - and ultimately to Jerusalem. On his way, he sent his disciples ahead to the small village of Bethphage to keep a divine appointment with a donkey's colt.

Zechariah prophesied this event 500 years before Jesus rode into Jerusalem from Bethphage. His prophecy was one of the reasons the Jewish people were looking for their Messiah. And by Jesus' fulfillment of that prophecy, He was visibly and boldly proclaiming that He was the One who was prophesied to come - and in that moment they believed that!

The crowd was comprised of those who had heard of the miracle of Lazarus' being raised from the dead. Their promised King had come. Their response was to wave palm branches, and lay their coats down as a sign of homage - and shout: "Hosanna! (Save us!) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Blessed is the King of Israel. Hosanna in the highest. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

He was lauded at his birth when the shepherds heard a myriad of angels sing - and now he is lauded again - this time by men.

I love Zechariah's prophecy: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt the foal of a donkey."

I love clue hunts. They had all the clues - and for a moment many believed, exalted Him, and gave Him the praise and honor He was due. But just as certainly as that opportunity was present, the Pharisees could think of nothing but destroying Him. Those who were the most religious were the most blind.

Unfortunately, they had a script of just what the Messiah was going to do as King - and Jesus didn't fit their script. Not then. That part is yet to be fulfilled.

They wanted Jesus to stop his disciples from declaring His praises, and Jesus replied, "I tell you, if they keep quiet the stones will cry out." The very earth agonized at what was to come and praise was a prerequisite.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem with his adoring entourage, he wept over the city. I can hear the grief in his voice as I read what Luke records him saying, "If you...had only known on this day what would bring you peace - - but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

WOW!

Mark tells us that Jesus went to the temple - but it was late, so he returned to Bethany with his 12 disciples. That makes me pay attention. It reminds me that Judas was with him, hearing all of the clamor - - and the discontent of the Pharisees....so close, yet so far....

It had been quite a day. Jesus' focus was on the purpose for which He was born. Satan had tempted him with political power after his 40 days in the desert just prior to his earthly ministry. We are not given any indication that He had any temptation here - but we do know he was fully human as well as fully God - and that he experienced all of the same emotions we do. Thankfully for us, his will was set to do the Father's will - but it sure could have been appealing to respond to the adulation and become the savior they wanted instead of the Savior they needed!

On the Jewish calendar the day was Nisan 10. History recounts that this was the day pilgrims presented their Passover lamb for inspection. The lamb had to be perfect: spotless, with no defect. They would live with the lamb in their careful care until they killed it to bear their sins just a few days hence.

Our Perfect Lamb presented himself as well that day. Jesus had waited to come up to Jerusalem until just the right time. He had stayed away, avoiding confrontation until precisely the right moment. Now the time had come. What John the Baptist proclaimed when he saw Jesus 3 years earlier was being fulfilled. When John saw Jesus coming toward him near Bethany where he was baptizing at the River Jordan, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Today in Jesus' journey we too proclaim, "Look, the Lamb of God...." The perfect Lamb.

Humor for today: More bulletin bloopers:

Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

The Rector will preach his final message after which the choir will sing, "Break forth into Joy."

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

At the evening service tonight the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

DAY 35: 8 days to E-day

EIGHT DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Luke 4:14 - 21
Isaiah 61:1-2

Our reading for today takes us back to the beginning of Jesus' ministry - but it confirms where we would have found Him on the last Sabbath before his death. ...on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom - and on this day, very likely in Bethany since he was there last night at a dinner in his honor.

That day approximately 3 years earlier, he was in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he had grown up. What he stood up to read that day, he has since achieved, and will soon fulfill the purpose for which He came. The words He read to them that day were from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, now familiar to us as Isaiah 61:1-2:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Out of respect for God's Word, He stood to read, then he handed the scroll back to the attendant and sat down. He had everyone's attention - and the first words He spoke to them were, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

What a journey. Three years that would change time, change history, change us. Talk about change! He is the change the world needs. He changes everything. Yes He can!

This specific Sabbath is not mentioned by any of the writers of the Gospels. It was not a public day for Jesus. He may have spent it with a few intimate friends. But there was nothing noteworthy to write about.

I'm quite certain that it was a day of preparation for him. He knew what tomorrow would bring - and he had to prepare just as intentionally to defer praise as he did to absorb sorrow.... He couldn't let anything deter Him from His true purpose. He had to look through the coming days with eternal eyes.

We know what was going on behind the scenes. The Religious leaders were plotting to kill him. What a reality check. They had discussed not doing it during the festival, fearing a riot. Just as Jerusalem was full of people on the night of His birth because of the census, Jerusalem was now full of people for The Feast of Unleavened Bread - The Passover Celebration.

Certainly on this final Sabbath, Jesus' eyes were 'toward Jerusalem.' Jesus was on 'bucket list' time. Our senses are heightened now to hear what He will say in His final opportunities to communicate as God incarnate - fully man.


Humor for today: More Bulletin Bloopers and Church Announcements:

Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.

During the absence of our pastor we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when Dr. F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

Day 34: 9 days to E-day

NINE DAYS TO EASTER; ONE WEEK TO CRUCIFIXION

Reading for today:
Matthew 26:6-13
Mark 14:3-9
John 11:55-57 and 12:1-11

Calculating time then and now:
The date then: Friday, March 27, 33 AD (if I accept Newton's research)
The date now: Friday, March 26, 2010 AD

John was the one of the disciples who was with Jesus during his time on earth, so I am going to use his statement that Jesus arrived 6 days before the Passover for setting this portion of my timeline. Matthew and Mark's accounts have led some to believe that Mary didn't anoint Jesus with the expensive oil of Nard until the next Tuesday - but I hardly see how that could be possible. I'm not a scholar - and we just don't know - but this is where I am dealing with that event - and I think it fits. It also puts us on a day-by-day linear path toward the cross.

We know from history that the whole 'Feast of Unleavened Bread' lasted a week. We know that Jesus waited until just the right time to go up to Jerusalem. His journey to Jerusalem takes him through Bethany where he just raised Lazarus from the dead about 2 months earlier. On this night, Jesus is being entertained at the home of Simon the Leper. The dinner is in Jesus' honor. I suspect Simon was a leper Jesus had healed. He wouldn't have been hosting dinner if he were still a leper - - but the moniker stuck....

We note that Lazarus is one of the guests at the meal - and that Jesus' dear friend Martha is there helping serve. But not Mary. Mary, in gratitude for all Jesus had done for her family, including raising her brother from the dead, has brought a very expensive jar of perfume, and as Jesus reclines at the table as was the custom in that day, she comes in and pours about a pint of the costly perfume onto his head. A pint is 2 cups. It would have soaked his hair and spilled down onto his clothing. John alone tells us that the woman was Mary. John alone tells us that the one who objected was Judas Iscariot.

Greedy Judas is infuriated at the waste of a year's earnings - money he says should have been spent helping the poor - and with what we know about him - lining his own pockets.... Jesus defends her, and asserts that what she has done will be told throughout time for as long as people tell His story....

The scent of the Nard wafted through Simon's home. Being so expensive, I doubt it washed off right away. It was a gift that lived on for awhile....

The large crowd of Jews that came that evening to see this Jesus, who raised Lazarus from the dead - and to see Lazarus who was raised - certainly would have smelled it. Another story. Another memory. Another detail.

And while all of this wonderful was occurring, John lets us know that the Chief Priests are making plans to kill not just Jesus, but Lazarus as well. Lazarus was a liability, for because of the miracle of Jesus' resurrecting him from the dead, many people were placing their faith in Jesus. All thorough criminals destroy the evidence.

It just amazes me that with so great a Savior performing such amazing miracles that they chose to pursue death instead of life - Eternal Life at that! What is sad is that it is the same today. In spite of all of the evidence that surrounds us, many do not see the Truth. Lord, in our walk, make blind eyes see!

Humor for today: More Bulletin Bloopers:

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married Friday evening in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.

DAY 33: 10 days to E-day

TEN DAYS TO EASTER

Reading for today:
PARABLES OF WARNING:

Parable of the fig tree
Matthew 24:32-33
Mark 13:28-29
Luke 21:29-31

Parable of the householder
Mark 13:34-36

Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30

Parable of the Ten Minas
Luke 19:11-38

I got up early because I thought I had to be at my kids' house early. The grandkids don't have school today or tomorrow, and I figured it would be nicer for the kids to have a chance to sleep in - so I offered to go there instead of have their folks wake them up early. So - before time to head off, I wanted to read my passages for the day, and enter my humor excerpt - - then I could fill in the center on their computer.

At 7:22 a m I received a call from a young man who greeted me, "Hello, Grandma." I said, "Who is this?" He said, "Your grandson." I said, "My grandson would have a name. What is yours?" "Guess," he said. I said, "No. You tell me." He said, "It's your grandson - your favorite grandson!" Again, I asked, "What is your name?" "Michael" he said. "Michael Cain."

I responded, "Well, Michael, I'm not going to play your game. You're undoubtedly going to ask me for money that you aren't going to get. My sister-in-law was burned by that scam."

He replied, "Have a nice day."

I responded, "You, too."

I know my grandkids voices - and names - and he wasn't one of them....

Al got the 'Hello Grandpa' call yesterday. That kid said his name was Blake.... I guess they figure if they guess names long enough eventually they'll hit on one that is right!

When I created this reading list I didn't double check it or I'd have realized today's suggested reading is redundant. But - when I got to Matthew's account of the Parable of the Talents, it cross-referenced Luke's account of the Minas. That was not on my reading list at all - and whoever suggested the readings that I excerpted didn't have these accounts cross-referenced as so many of the other readings have been....

In Luke's account, Jesus has just been in Jericho where he healed poor blind Bartimaeus and 'spiritually healed' wealthy Zaccheus. We know he is on his way to Jerusalem - to fulfill the culminating act of his life on earth, the purpose for which He came. His last words to Zaccheus were: "...for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

What was lost was a right relationship to God. The first Adam, assisted by his wife, severed that right relationship, and Yeshua, the second Adam, came to restore it.

But before His eternal act of Grace was carried out, he warns those who have ears to hear through the telling of several parables: Watch! Be alert! Pay attention!

The reason I knew to be alert to a scam that started "Hi, Grandma" was because my sister-in-law fell for it, and asked, "Brian, is that you?" She provided the name, and her caller used it to deceive her into thinking he was in trouble and needed financial rescue. Her willingness to tell us her story made us alert - and about a year later we got the first call of that sort. My message to others is "Watch! Be alert! Pay attention!"

How much more to watch, be alert and pay attention to the forewarnings of God's Word. These warnings were so important to Jesus that he took special care in making certain they were among the last messages He would share - knowing it is the last thing heard that we remember.

The thing that leaps out at me the most is Luke 19:11, where Luke reports...'the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. I talked yesterday about the disciples' script. It was a script indelibly imprinted on the general populace - well, at least those looking for the Messiah.

His parable provides the model for their future - they just don't know that yet. Matthew and Luke relate very different accounts of the story - and perhaps some of that is because of the transition of translations through the years - but the message is the same. The one who was going away left responsibilities to his servants. His servants will be called to give an account of what they did with the areas of responsibility He entrusted. To whom much is given, much will be required. We, too, will have to give an account of how we used the talents, Minas and gifts that He has bestowed on us.

Salvation is a gift - but we are saved to do good works. It is important to be very clear: good works won't save us - but they are what we do out of love in response to His love. We are each called to different things - but we are called. As with life, some people live up to their potential - and some don't. In Matthew's account, each of the servants was given a different amount - and each doubled what they started with - except the one who did nothing.

In Luke's account, the math doesn't add up - but the point is clear. The first one achieved amazing success in investing and was rewarded handsomely; the second servant was awarded according to what he accomplished; and the third servant who did nothing was stripped of his mina - and it was given to the one who had the most.

All I know is these passages provide me a mirror - and I need to watch, be alert, pay attention!


Humor for the day:

Announcement in a church bulletin for a national Prayer & Fasting Conference:
The cost for the Prayer & Fasting Conference includes meals.

Rummage Sale Announcement:
"Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."

DAY 32: 11 days to E-day

ELEVEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Luke 21:7-38
Luke's record of Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Olives

My heart is heavy this morning. As I lay awake earlier longing for more sleep my brain wouldn't allow me to sink back into slumber. The weight of what Jesus was experiencing +-1977 years ago is living with me. In truth, I find it hard to add my bit of humor at the end of each day's entry. I have never walked this journey so specifically with Him, leading me to his death and resurrection. Oh, sure, there have been moments in other years that had such an impact that my heart was crushed beneath the weight - but this year it is a daily walk - and I feel like I am on a tightwire between the daily reality of trying to maintain living with joy in my salvation, and the crushing weight of what Jesus was experiencing.

A few weeks ago - just after I started this spiritual journey & blogging about it - I did some research online trying to find out what history discloses about a proposed date for Jesus' death. The internet is really amazing for doing research!

Sir Isaac Newton, who lived 1643 - 1747 was one of the greatest scientists who ever lived - and he was passionate about studying the Bible. His careful research in his era led him to the conclusion that Jesus died April 3, 33 A D. If that conclusion is true, it would mean that this year is as close to a mirror image of dates as I could hope for in my parallel journey. Whether or not that is fact, it resonates for my spiritual journey, and somehow makes me more poignantly aware each day how compelling the journey for Jesus was. Well - at least it gives me more of a glimpse. In reality, I couldn't handle the full weight of what He felt. Just the glimpse is crushing. April 3 has additional significance for me that also adds weight to this journey this year. I plan to share that on the actual day....

As for the disciples, they really are trying to understand - but it is so hard. Their script for what they thought Messiah was going to do had Him riding in as the champion on the white horse, vanquishing foes, ridding them of Roman rule, becoming a powerful political leader while simultaneously bringing the kingdom of God to earth. And what does their Messiah tell them? Not what their ears are aching to hear, certainly! He tells them, in fact, that things are going to get bad - and then get worse. Again, we have the layers - and there is no distinct delineation between what would happen to Jerusalem in 70 AD and what was predicted to happen at the end of time.

All three of the Synoptic Gospels faithfully record Jesus' description of what must be before the end: wars, revolutions, nation rising against nation, signs in the skies, tossing of the sea, earthquakes, famines, pestilences. Deceivers, adversaries, betrayers (even family). Wrath against the Jewish people.

Certainly all of it has happened and the signs of our times seem to be propelling us at warp speed to the end. This year? 20 years? 50 years? When? We don't know. But we know what Jesus promises - at every level - is true. Then - and now.

What I do want to highlight briefly today is the positive that comes out of persecution. Verse 13 says, "This will result in your being witnesses...." That means being faithful in spite of circumstances. Telling the good news no matter how bad things get. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Jesus is already forewarning them about the scattering that will result from persecution. But - as they run from their enemies, they will also share the truth of the gospel. Beauty from ashes.

Humor for today:

From Bulletin Bloopers (actual notices collected from actual bulletins):
The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on Water"
The sermon this evening: "Searching for Jesus"

DAY 31: 12 days to E-day

TWELVE DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Mark 13:3-37
Mark's Report of the Message from the Mount of Olives; i.e., the Olivet Discourse.

I am amused to write that, actually. I can't imagine Jesus using that pompous of language. His audience was his friends - his disciples. They were completing 3 years of being with him - not every single day - but a LOT. The contrast just hits me this morning. Of course, I learned fairly young that I don't think like other people do - - and I don't mind that. In fact, I find differences and diversity in approach and style fascinating, and don't seek mirror images of myself as friends. Even my one friend who thinks more like me than anyone I've ever met is still very different from me. I like the unique in individuals. When my youngest was 3 or 4, she came in from play one day and said proudly, "I'm U-nook, aren't I?" I affirmed that she was so unique that she had to create her own word for it...u-nook!

In fact, today is my youngest daughter's half-birthday. Her sisters had birthdays only a week apart in April, and when she was 2 or 3, it was really hard for her to wait for her September birthday. She didn't understand why her sissies got to have birthdays that were close - and she didn't - so to solve the problem of her having to wait so long for hers, I created a half birthday celebration. I baked a cake, cut it in half - and only decorated half of it. Gave her a card cut in half. I thought it was very clever. The first year I introduced it, she cried. I had ruined the cake and cut up her card. But then it caught on and became much anticipated. She is 33 1/2 today - and I remembered, so Al and I called her and sang "Happy half birthday to you...."

My earliest thoughts today were simple, pure praise for Who God is. I love those moments, embraced in the simplicity of praise. I wanted to stay there - not even get out of bed to begin the day - but with a prayer that He would guide this day, I got up. While I was making the bed I saw something move outside the window - and looked out to see two beautiful robins. My response was that tears sprung to my eyes in tender memory. I love robins. Crocuses and robins speak Spring. Spring is a tender time in my life. I'll share more of that on April 3. My entire being is focused on Easter - but there are some huge boulders in the path before the journey reaches E-day.

Mark tells us which disciples were present with Jesus on the Mt of Olives: Peter, James, John and Andrew. Just as in Matthew's account, the disciples are warned about what is to come. It must have been really confusing to them. The faithful among the Jewish people had been anticipating the arrival of their promised Messiah for centuries. They believed Jesus to be that Messiah. But what they believed about Messiah didn't mesh with what He was telling them.

He talks about the days of distress that will face His followers, and says that for the sake of the elect whom God has chosen, God has shortened them. He warns of false Messiahs who will appear and perform signs and miracles - - to deceive the elect if that were possible. He warns them - and by extension, us - to be on their guard. He has told them ahead of time exactly what to expect. Heaven and earth will pass away - but His words will never pass away. And at the end of the record, He declares, "Watch!"

Very soon, they will need to draw on these memories and forewarnings. The weather forecast has been given, and it would be wise to pay attention.

"I tell you the truth," this passage declares, "this generation (or race) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." The word translated generation is just as often translated race. I prefer race. I don't ever hear any longer of the Perizites or Amorites, the Jebusites or the Hivites, the Hittites or the Zemarites; but I still hear of the Israelites. They are a race that has not passed away, and will not pass away until all these promises and prophecies have been fulfilled. Israel was and is God's chosen people. We, as Gentiles, are grafted in because of what Jesus Christ did for all of humanity on the cross - but Israel is at the very center of God's passion - and Jerusalem is the center of the world in God's point of view. We need to keep that reality clear. Even though His people (Israel) denied their Messiah, He loves them dearly and yearns to draw them to Him.

Humor for today:

His wife's graveside service had just barely finished when there was a huge bolt of lightning immediately followed by a massive clap of thunder that reverberated long and loud across the countryside.

The little old man looked over at his pastor and calmly stated, "Well, she's there."

DAY 30: 13 days to E-day

THIRTEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Matthew 24:3 - 25:46
The Olivet Discourse from Matthew

I cannot adequately express the difference it has made reading the record of Jesus' final weeks on earth through the filter of walking toward his crucifixion and impending death. When I was initially inspired to create a 40-day spiritual journey with that focus, I didn't realize how deeply it would impact me. In fact, that is why I had to change the ultimate focus to Easter and resurrection. The weight without the 'but there is more' was just too heavy. I needed hope dangled beyond the grave.

Jesus has taught many times - both to the disciples and to the masses, but in his final days in this teaching time on the Mt of Olives, it is the disciples who come to him privately and ask about his prophecy of the temple being destroyed. That question precipitates his 'teaching moment' and, as they sit around him on the mountainside, he tells them many things that are to come.

He forewarns them that many will come claiming to be Messiah - and not to be deceived.

A good warning. Many have been deceived. When I was on the trip to Israel, we went into Jordan to see the ancient city of Petra, and as the bus entered one city on our route, there was a very large sign that said, 'THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH. MOHAMMED IS HIS MESSENGER.' All who follow Allah and believe Mohammed have been deceived. It breaks my heart, because it comes close to me in people I love. Theirs is not the only false religion. They are not the only ones who have been deceived. Jesus warning on the Mt of Olives was +-1977 years ago - - long before the claims of Mohammed and many others who have followed. There were false Gods in Old Testament days as well. Satan provides lots of other diversions to try to keep people from accepting the One True GOD. They are all deceptions. My dilemma is in finding a way to dispel the darkness. Lead me, God, through the power of Your Holy Spirit. I love and do not want to offend - but I want eternal life with You for those I love! Peel away the layers and grant sight to the blind. Amen.

In this Matthew passage, Jesus talks both about the more imminent destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A D - and in a second layer, the end of the world - but he doesn't delineate specifically between them. It is in retrospect that we see the layers.

Matthew is the only one who records the story of the ten virgins - one of the examples given of the kingdom of heaven. Five wise. Five foolish. Five had the structure; the other five had both the structure and the truth to make the structure functional. It leaps out at me today that this reflects the church in its various distinctions as well as more definitively as individuals: those who only have the form, and those who are full of the 'oil' of the Holy Spirit. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" comes quickly to mind. This recognition pierces me. I want to reflect His light! I want to make a difference to those lost in darkness - and sometimes that darkness is as close as the decency of a 'too comfortable' Christianity that denies Jesus his rightful place. I will mull this over throughout the day, I am sure!

Matthew is also the only one of the Gospels that tells us the story of the Sheep and the Goats in chapter 25:31-46.

At the end of time (which many believe is very soon) Yeshua, the Son of Man, will sit on his throne and all the nations will be gathered before him - but when he separates, it will not be by nations, but by individuals. There will be people of every nation who believe in Him, accept Him as Savior and are told, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

In Jesus story, the righteous who stood before Him ask, "When?"

'The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." I pay attention to the reality that he is referring to other believers in this passage: coming alongside believers who are hurting, hungry, disheartened, alone, homeless, ill, imprisoned.

I believe it is a logical segue to accept this as a challenge to take help and HOPE to others suffering from the same deficits...but help without HOPE is inadequate. When I help it is in Jesus' Name, and I need to be clear about that calling. I have not always offered HOPE with help.

Anyone who just wants to only believe in a warm, fuzzy God needs to read this Sermon on the Mount - the teaching to the disciples on the Mount of Olives so close to Jesus' death. Important final messages. The sheep will be separated from the goats - his analogy of those divided to go to eternal life - or eternal punishment. The reality of a heaven and a hell. We love to think of the former - and forget the latter is a reality. We cannot rest securely in our Salvation and disregard impending terror for all who don't believe. We have a story to tell - in our going we are to disciple, to share his story, to share our stories of His grace and redeeming love. May it be so.

Reality for today:

Just before the father of an 8-year-old boy was deployed, he sat his son down to break the news to him.

"Son," he said, looking him squarely in the eye man-to-man, "I'm going to be going away for a long time. I'm going to Iraq."

"Why?" his son asked, "Don't you know there's a war going on over there?"

DAY 29: 14 days to E-day

FOURTEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Matthew 24:1-2
Mark 13:1-2
Luke 21:5-6

I am grateful for just a few verses today - but I note that what these few verses really introduce is the Olivet Discourse - Jesus last discourse of length before His death. That will be addressed tomorrow according to my reading plan.

What I note most poignantly is that the same Jesus who prophesied his own death and resurrection - multiple times - now predicts the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. We can't help but know what happens - no matter how hard I want to try to experience the journey as it occurred.

What Jesus predicts - for Himself and for the temple both come true. To Him, in very short order. To the temple in A D 70 - only 37 years after Jesus' death and resurrection, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem.

I've stood on Mt Scopus and looked down over the place where that temple once stood - and wept over Jerusalem for the pain and sorrow that was and that will be. The spot where the temple once stood has been usurped by 'The Dome of the Rock.' I have walked underground and touched the rock under where the temple stood. I have stood with the women and prayed in their designated section at the Western Wall, the only part of the temple left standing - and as close as Jews and visitors are allowed to get to the original temple grounds.

It is a site with incredible history leading back to Abraham, for it is where he went to 'sacrifice' Isaac - where God tested Abraham's obedience after promising him Isaac was the son through whom all the world would be blessed (because he would be the one through whom Jesus would ultimately be born.) 1000 years after Abraham, it was the site of the first temple - Solomon's temple - and after the destruction of that temple it was the site of the 2nd temple - the one that was last destroyed.

I have walked through the excavation where the stones from the temple are piled. They are gargantuan hewn stones. It is unfathomable how they worked the stones, and how they ever managed to raise them into place. They would have looked like 'forever' to the Jewish people living in what we now call 33 A D. It gives me pause.

I, too, can assume certain things are stable, reliable, absolute. Yet, the only reliable forecast for life is change - some good, some not. I am so grateful that no matter what those changes bring, I have Jesus - through the power of the Holy Spirit - to walk beside me.

Humor for today:

A pastor asked a little boy, "Son do you say your prayers every night?"

"Oh yes, Pastor. I do."

"And do you say your prayers in the morning, too?" The pastor inquired.

The little boy quickly replied, "No, Pastor, I don't. I'm not scared in the morning."

DAY 28: 15 days to E-day

FIFTEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
John 12:20-50

When I adopted my 'reading plan' I meshed a few different online resources, plus info on the final days of Jesus life from one of the charts in my Bible. It took all day one Saturday to do that. Now I am frustrated that too much is being shared too soon. I had a plan. I wanted it to be a logical, sequential journey toward the cross and beyond....walking in parallel time with what Jesus was walking and experiencing in +-33 AD. But I am in too far to change it now. With that as a disclaimer, I'll leap into the moment!

My first thoughts today were of Melanie and her struggle against the ravages of cancer. I want her to be healed. I have pleaded with God for that miracle. In my script her healing would honor Him and be a blessing beyond belief. That is true - but it is also true that for she and her husband to maintain their faithfulness to God no matter what the circumstances is also a huge testimony. I grapple with being torn between what I want and what might be. The song that pierced its way through my early morning thoughts was "This world is not my home; I'm just a-passing through...."

Then, when I came to my reading for today, of all things it is this: "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." It is a statement of relativity. We aren't supposed to actually 'hate' our life - - but in comparison to eternity, we have to have a proper perspective. This life is short no matter how long compared to eternity - and we need to have an eternal view for life here to make any sense at all. Life is fragile and transient and without any actual securities. Eternity is forever. For our eternal destiny to be secure is the most important pursuit of this life - - the only thing worth pursuing. Jesus life on earth was a mere 33 years. He knew what it felt like to face human death.

Jesus was about to become the kernel that fell into the ground so there could be a harvest of many seeds. We pray to be like Jesus, and then when things get tough we question why. When one of my dear friends lost her pastor-husband, one of the silver linings was that there were people who accepted Jesus the promised Messiah as their Savior because of his death. Beauty was born from the ashes. Often, it looks like Satan has won a battle - only to find that God redeems the sorrow and pain in some amazing way. The pain is still there - but God gives a peace that passes understanding, and the faithful still follow - no matter what the circumstances.

John quotes Jesus saying that his heart was troubled. He had to face the cruelty of the scourging and the cross before he could fulfill what He had come for . . . to be the sacrificial lamb who would take away the sins of the world. While He knew in advance He would be raised from the dead (literally raise Himself - for as God He had the power to lay down His life and the power to take it up again) he still was fully human and faced the dread of what was to happen between about midnight Thursday night and Friday afternoon. He faced His future with resolve, but we clearly see His struggle. It was not easy facing what He had to face - and He was God. When what we have to face is not easy, the wonderful confidence we have is that God walks with us through it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promise is that He would never leave us or forsake us. It isn't based on feeling. It's a fact of faith. We have that assurance from Him - and can hang onto that with confidence in spite of the ferocity of the storms we face.

One thing I note today in this passage is that when God's voice spoke, some of the people only heard thunder, while others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus tells them the voice was for them, not for him. Still, not everyone was receptive to hearing the voice.... When God speaks today it is the same. Not all hear.

I'm not ready for this passage yet. It is out of sequence. I'll leave my fragmented thoughts as written. I am blindsided by today's message being out of sequence. But - I realize that the issue is my being torn between the joy of the first day of Spring and another opportunity for 'new beginnings' and being thrust too soon into the realities of what Jesus (in linear time) will be experiencing in just another week.... Even in 'real time' it was on his mind. He has already predicted his death - - and resurrection - - 3 times. It is a reminder that I often struggle with the process of life in working toward the final result - - and it is a fresh reminder of how much Jesus understands in walking that journey alongside us. My challenges pale in comparison. He bore the pain of the whole world...and then left it up to us to choose whether or not to accept.... Yes, even 15 days before, His destination was on His mind....


Humor for today:

Some years ago before men joined their wives in the delivery room, a man was sitting in the waiting room of a hospital with a few other expectant dads, waiting for the happy news following delivery.

A nurse walked out and said to the man sitting on his left, "Congratulations, Mr. Smith. You're the father of twins!"

"How about that? I work for Doublemint Chewing Gum." With that the man got up and followed the nurse back to see his twins.

About an hour later, the nurse entered the waiting room and announced to Mr. Jones that his wife had just had triplets. Mr Jones was incredulous! "I work for 3M Company," he proclaimed. And he left, following the nurse.

The 4th man in the room turned very pale, then got up and started pacing the floor - and as he started to leave the room, the first man asked him what was wrong.

His reply: "I think I need a breath of fresh air. I work for 7-up."

In real life:

Yesterday included wonderful visits with various family and friends in various locations. Our last stop was our middle daughter's house. She told me a cute real-life story about her 3 year-old. Bryn knows that Jesus lives in her heart. This past week she turned her face toward her heart and said, "Hi, Jesus." Her Mommy said, "And what does Jesus say to you?" And Bryn, without missing a beat, said in her deepest mimic-male voice, "Hi Bryn."

DAY 27: 16 days to E-day

SIXTEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for Friday, March 19
Mark 12:41-44
Luke 21:1-4

What a contrast from what we read yesterday. Yesterday Jesus excoriated the teachers of the law and Pharisees, telling us how they put on a show of being religious but devour widow's houses....

And today he gives us a glimpse into giving all. Only he would have known that what the widow gave was all she had. The lesson in this isn't disparaging what the wealthy gave - but the contrast. In reality, if all she had left was a fraction of a penny, she wasn't going to live long on that anyway - but what this gift reflects is an attitude and a model for us. Truly all we have is the Lord's - a gift from His hand. We are stewards. Our resources - whatever they are - are to be at His disposal - or else we make them our security and our god. It is 'living on the edge' when we submit all to Him.

I awoke this morning before light crept onto the horizon - and my first thoughts were of a young couple and their 3 little children who just left Sunday to be missionaries to the Philippines. Gabe Bagtas was a pastor in the Philippines for 7 years. Crystal committed her life wholly to the Lord, and God's call led her to the Philippines. She and Gabe met, fell in love, and were married. Together they committed to live their lives at God's bidding - and that call led them to the U S for more training - and now back to the Philippines to fulfill the call.

I attended the fundraising event that they held at FAL February 5. Their bare bones budget required that they have +-$1200./month to live in the Philippines with their 3 kids - plus they needed funds to build a house - and because of termites, it was going to have to be a steel-frame structure, which would cost about $100,000. (if memory serves me correctly). They raised about $2,000 that night toward their house - and I asked Gabe very pointedly how much they had totally. His reply was $8,000 from his job at the mushroom farm, and the +-$2,000. donated at their fundraiser, for a total of +-$10,000. Then I asked him how much they received in pledges for monthly support. He told me the exact amount - and I don't remember precisely what it was but it was around $630./ month. There is a huge gap here, according to my math. To me they represent giving the widow's mite. They are giving all they have.

I am practical. I wouldn't have gone until the money was raised. The tug at their hearts was so strong that they felt compelled to go. I will keep my commitment to them for the portion of their maintenance I promised. I will pray for them. And I will pray for others to come alongside to help them help others.

We are saved by grace - but we are saved to do good works. True religion helps orphans and widows in their distress. True religion heals wounds and binds up the broken-hearted. True religion feeds the hungry and clothes the naked. Love is an action verb. Love responds to God's call - whether it is to go or to give. That's why I prefer Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27 over Matthew's quote. Both Mark and Luke challenge us to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. The strength part is the action. All the others are internal.

In my 38 years as a Presbyterian, one of the many things I loved was the charge given to us as we were commissioned each year to serve in our various capacities. Our charge and resulting promise was 'to serve with energy, imagination, intelligence and love.'

Jesus was doing precisely that. He is walking toward the cross - and beyond that toward Easter - - but the reality of what he will have to endure is on his mind. Giving all is on his mind. He could have focused on the reality that if the widow gave her all she would be going home to die. He didn't. He focused on the gift. The same is true for him. He could have focused on his death. He didn't. He focused on the gift and on Easter - his story didn't end with death, but with resurrection.... Ahhhhh....I keep getting ahead of the story.

Humor for today:

The company's boss was complaining in a staff meeting that he wasn't being shown proper respect. Later that morning he went to a local sign shop and bought a small sign that read "I'm the boss!" He took it back to his office and taped it to his office door.

Later, when he returned from lunch, he found a note taped to his sign. It stated, "Your wife called. She wants her sign back."

DAY 26: 17 days to E-day

SEVENTEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Matthew 23:1-39
Mark 12:38-40
Luke 20:45-47

The statements from Mark and Luke are concise - and practically identical. They do the 'Cliff's notes' version - - but Matthew was there. His story was not passed down. It is worth paying attention to the reality that John was also a dedicated disciple - and he doesn't record this indictment at all.... It is also notable to me that some manuscripts of 'original texts' from Matthew include the majority of the statement made by Mark and Luke - but it is not printed in Matthew as text, just as a footnote.

What is clear is that those who make a show of their 'religion' but don't demonstrate a right relationship with God by the way they treat others will be judged severely.

This is a 'house-cleaning' chapter in Matthew. Remember who he was before Jesus redeemed him - a tax collector. His former profession linked him to two worlds, and I believe it is for that reason he takes to heart all of the woes declared to the Pharisees and teachers of the law and carefully records them. It is a bit of the 'but for the grace of God, there go I....'

It is a hard chapter to read when I think of it in personal terms. I would be crushed to hear these words, but Jesus only has a short time on earth - and He is trying to get through to these 'leaders' who are pursuing Him trying to find something to kill Him for. In reality, the only people Jesus was ever hard on were 'spiritual leaders' who were religious phonies. These were men who professed to stand up for the teachings of the Torah - and for the laws passed down through oral tradition - lots of laws. They taught ethics - but didn't practice them, obviously. Their walk and their talk didn't line up. Jesus calls them out...not their followers, but them, personally. He was able to do that because He could look into their hearts.

They are beautiful china cups on the outside - and full of sludge and grime on the inside. They are the ones who 'speak for God' to their generation - and they are whitewashed caskets - - clean-looking on the outside, and dead inside. They do not represent God well. In fact, they don't represent God at all. Jesus words to them are brutal.

Jesus can say that. As I said, He looks at their hearts - and He looks at ours. What does He see? It's all about what is on the inside - not what people see on the outside.

I am wounded by the cruelty expressed by some who claim to be followers of Jesus. Just recently I saw a report on television of people holding placards who were declaring to grieving families that the deaths of their sons in the war was God's judgment. I was appalled. Jesus would never have done that.

And - I've seen a couple of video clips posted by one person on Facebook lambasting the leader of a church in Seattle - a church I checked out pretty carefully because of what was posted, and found it to be teaching accurate theology. I believe the statements of the FB posts are absolutely wrong - not only in what they are doing, but what they are saying. These 'protestors' stand outside the church and tell the congregants that they are going to hell - - and that their pastor is wrong. Their indictment spreads to all of Christianity, and though bits of what they say is true, much of what they say is not true - and how they say it is wrong. But how do I address my concerns to them, and not be guilty of the same thing? They come across as angry. I don't want to reflect the same trait.

We are told to speak the truth in love. I Corinthians 13 tells us what love is. Love would lead us to pray for those who despitefully use us. Sometimes love must also speak up - - but love is not spoken through castigations on a megaphone or bullhorn.

If we want to assess if the Spirit of God is in someone's life, we only have to remember the list of what will be portrayed. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience (longsuffering), goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. I find that is enough challenge for me to work on in my own life...and I believe our lives speak a lot more loudly than words.

So - since I am sensitive today for the Body of Christ - the church - which meets in buildings that we also refer to as 'church' I will just say, I am glad to be part of a body of believers - a segment of the church universal - - who call ourselves Christian (Christ-ones) and who sincerely try to honor God by living intentionally for Him in community. A church that knows it is people who are the church - even though the structure has been gifted with the same name. A church that has a ministry that reaches out locally, and reaches clear around the world. A church that is comprised of people who love and serve the Lord, who make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ. Some plant. Some water. Some harvest.

The reality is, I am out of my comfort zone often in the body of believers I worship with - but that's O K. Someone asked me recently what I like about my church, and my reply was "That they offer HOPE along with help." That hope is extended both locally and long distance. It is a clear hope in the reality of a Savior who cares.

Some in the body are further on the path toward whole and healthy; some are broken and being restored; but the Word of God is proclaimed, lives are touched, some are healed physically; the Holy Spirit's presence is evident. They (We) are by no means perfect - but what I see is a lot of love poured out: nurturing, caring for, reaching out. Some 'go' and some are called to support them - but we are all called to be His light to a hurting world, and our faithfulness touches others' lives.

No one lives to himself. When one part of the body hurts we all hurt. Those going through a horrible battle with cancer touch my life in their commitment and faithfulness to the Lord in the face of extreme challenge. Those who give up 'normal' life and go to foreign mission fields touch my life with their 'sold-out' commitment. Those who stay when they'd rather go because that is what God directed them to do touch my life. Those who take food to someone who needs it touch my life. Those who serve in the food bank touch my life. Those who serve the children, or keep the bathrooms clean, or type the weekly bulletin touch my life. We all have a part in the body wherever that body meets when it meets in Spirit and in Truth. God's body is huge - and universal - and there are many parts.

I hate to hear about one part of the body pouring lye on another part. It is ultimately self-destructive. There is so much hurt in the world to address. We are called to minister to the hurting, not hurt the helping. And - we don't have God's ability to look on the heart, so we have to be very, very careful about trying to step into His very capable shoes.

There is a little song I learned as a child that says: "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, don't mess with Mr. In-between." Positive encouragement. Positive reinforcement. And being very, very careful about trying to be someone's Holy Spirit.... When He does ask me to speak, it is done with fear and trembling...and very personally.

I love Jesus' compassion even after all he said. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing...." Just like a mother hen who will sacrifice her life for her chicks, sheltering them under her body to protect them from fire, soon He will demonstrate His love in the most palpable way. His analogy using a mother hen as his example is not lost on me.

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." Already Jesus is foretelling his Second Coming! Lord, come into our hearts in such a way that our segue to eternity will be seamless. Lord, there is so much to be done to turn men's hearts to you. Help me be faithful in my part of Your story. Help me to do to/for others what I would like to have done to/for me, to faithfully follow Your leading and be obedient to Your call on my life. Thank you for Your amazing love and grace.

Humor for today:

A Sunday School teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was robbed, beaten, and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would grasp the drama. Then she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"

One little girl finally broke the hushed silence. "I think I'd throw up."

DAY 25: 18 days to E-day

EIGHTEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Matthew 22:41-46
Mark 12:35-37
Luke 20:41-44

Today's passages are a reminder for me that the Gospels were first translated to Greek - then to English, and that those who translated these passages relied heavily on the Greek. At least that is the assumption I draw from their use of the reference to the promised Messiah as 'Christ.' Christos was the Greek word. I don't understand why the word used is not Messiah - or Meshiach.... It's a triviality - but Jesus was talking to Jews. Jews who knew that Messiah was to come...so logically, I presume His actual question referenced Messiah by the name they would identify with....

In this passage, He doesn't state His claim to the title, he just asks them whose Son the Messiah (the Christ) is. They are Scholars of the Pentateuch and the writings of the prophets from the written 'scriptures' - what we now refer to as 'The Old Testament.' There is no hesitation in their response. Messiah is the Son of David - - in other words, the promised Messiah will come from David's line.

Then Jesus asks them, 'How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord.'

He challenges them to think deeper than they have ever thought. They are stymied. He is setting the stage. Very soon He will live out the reality of being Messiah.

He is also providing future readers a reminder. We already know from His prior questions to Peter: "Who do people say that I am?" and "Who do you say that I am?" that Yeshua/ Ieoeos/ Yesu/ Isa/ Jesus is the Messiah/ Christos/ the Christ - the promised One. We know He is God/ YHWH/ Jehovah incarnate. The Great I Am; the One who was and is and is to come; LORD, The Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and The End. In this age of Grace I take Him too much for granted. He, the LORD of Glory, allows us to come to Him as Abba - Daddy.

He leads me into Truth - His Truth - and His Truth is revealed most clearly with His incarnation - His being willing to come into the world He created to redeem what was lost through the separation that occurred in the garden, when 'man' decided to take matters into his own hands instead of being obedient to God's one restriction - - and we've fought God ever since with defiance and independence - self sufficiency that says, "I can handle things on my own;" or even more insidiously, "I have a better way."

That 'better way' claimed by many has led to the creation of all false religions. To be a true religion, it must teach that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life - - the only way to God; and that Jesus is God in the flesh. All other religions are false - and the greatest 'lies' are the ones with the most truth mixed in. Satan is a liar, and he appears as an angel of light. He doesn't care what people believe - as long as they don't believe the Truth and the One who is Truth. Jesus is the complete representation of God. God Himself took on the form of man, and dwelled among us. Jesus was fully God and fully human. He was everything He claimed to be.

Many people - including false religions - will say that Jesus was a good man, or a prophet - but no more than that. Good men do not base the premise of their entire existence on a lie - - and if Jesus was not who He professed to be, then He was the greatest liar of all time. It hurts to even write that. Because HE IS TRUTH. It is Lucifer, the one who was created as a beautiful angel of God's making, who defied God, and became the Great Deceiver - the ultimate Liar and Father of Lies. What a horrible title.

Lucifer/ Satan goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He wants God's place. He will tolerate Atheism, but what he wants is worship - and one way he gets that worship is through false religions that do not place Jesus in His rightful place. It breaks my heart to see that deception - yet, I am not brave about sharing my faith, and sharing the Truth. I am far too aware of 'offending someone' or having them reject me along with the message, I suppose. Why else would I not tell those I love that Jesus loves them - and that He is the only Way to God?

We just had Missions week at church. There are people throughout the world that know accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior is a death sentence in the societies in which they live. Yet - when He is introduced to them, many hear the Truth and accept Him, knowing they will die for their faith. In reality - they probably would have been willing to die for the religion they left as well - so now that they know Truth, they recognize it as something truly worth dying for.

We live in such a different world in America. We don't have a clue what it is like to truly be persecuted. I pray we never have to find out - but I also know I need to be more faithful to pray for the persecuted church.

Very soon in our journey Jesus will pay the price to become Redeemer. And He wants to be our Lord - but we are the only ones who can give Him that place in our lives.

Humor for today:
A Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Johnny interrupted, "My Mommy looked back once when she was driving, and she turned into a telephone pole."

DAY 24: 19 days to E-day

NINETEEN DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for Tuesday, March 16:
Matthew 22:1-14 & 15-40
Mark 12:13-34
Luke 20:20-40

Matthew 22:1-14 is another of Jesus' messages to the religious leaders - but there is a definite application to us. God (the King) invites us to a wedding banquet as well. But, as was the custom 2000 years ago, He also provides the wedding garment we are to wear. That garment is accepting Jesus Christ as the one and only Savior, which is the one and only way to be accepted to the banquet. The message here and elsewhere is clear: some will insult the King by trying to come in their own clothing, by their own good deeds if you will....and they will be thrown out of the banquet. The invitation is to all, but the only ones who can enter the banquet hall are those who have chosen Jesus the Messiah as their Lord. His righteousness is imputed to us in that act of submission.

Matthew and Mark both report the portion of the story I want to focus on for today. My posts get too long when I try to tackle every story! I like Mark's version best. A Pharisee comes to Jesus, and asks, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Mark reports Jesus' response as, "The most important one is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

In one simple forthright response, Jesus condensed the 10 commandments to two: Love God with all you are; and love others as much as you love yourself. Simple - and practically impossible without the Lord's help! I love that Mark adds strength. We are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind ... and strength. With passion, spiritual intention, intellect ... and energy. Mark's report of Jesus' statement doesn't leave us in the ethereal, it includes what we do - expending our energy to demonstrate our love.

Then he adds 'to love our neighbor' - and knowing that Jesus calls the despised Samaritan's relationship with the wounded Jew one of 'neighbor' we know this is not exclusive. It definitely goes beyond our comfort zone. We may have a neighbor in our neighborhood who challenges us in this area - but it is far more than that - our neighbor is the world. Our neighbor includes those who hate us and/or our country. I love deeply - love my family, love my friends, love many people in many relationships - - but what about the young man who murdered my husband's brother? Could I honestly say I love him? What about those who molest children? or do other heinous crimes?

What a relief it was to me to learn that this is not referring to warm, fuzzy love, but to doing the right thing. It is a love of action. It is taking care of the unlovely by providing for their needs in the kindest way possible. It is extending courtesy and grace. I don't have to rely on my emotions, but on my behavior and my actions as my demonstration of love. I know I can only achieve this through the power of the Holy Spirit - but love in this case is an action verb. We demonstrate God's love to the world. We learn to see through His eyes, and to be His hand extended offering HOPE!

Of course, Jesus does narrow the playing field to begin with - and clarifies that the Lord is one. God is not 'they.' I heard someone refer to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as 'they' recently - and it stunned me. While each of those are aspects of God, God is One.

When I was a girl the way it was explained to me was that God was like a family of 3 who all share the same last name. Wrong! Another person in church said God was like an egg: 3 parts - yolk, white and shell - but they all make up one egg. Still not a good example. The example I believe God inspired to me a couple of years ago was that of H2O - most familiarly known as the symbol for water. Water, ice and steam are all H2O - but they are in very different forms, and each form has its own purpose. God is One, whether He is in the form of Father, of Spirit, or of Son. It is a mystery just beyond our total grasp for now - we just have to accept it on faith....


Humor for today:

(Part 3 of Children's Bible in a Nutshell)

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of the New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn, too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats.

Jesus also had twelve opossums.

The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so terrible that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. The Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.

Anyway, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

The end....

DAY 23: 20 days to E-day

TWENTY DAYS TO EASTER

Reading for Monday, March 15:
Matthew 21:28-32 & 33-46
Mark 12:1-12
Luke 20:9-19

I have to be out of town for tomorrow - so need to write my entry early. In reality, I started with the humor section, and have returned to write the rest after getting home from 'Bite of Missions.'

I will pre-warn any readers that we are going out of sync in the Bible texts the next several days. Sunday March 14 began the countdown from 3 weeks until Easter....21 days....but we are going to excerpt some portions 'out of sequential' time to tackle some of the stories surrounding Jesus final days. Then when we get down to about 9 days and counting, we will catch up with Him again and follow what he did his final days on earth while He - fully God - walked clothed in the garment of humanity.

Jesus parable of the two sons is straightforward. No need for explanation. I want to be like the obedient son who followed through. Jesus was making it very clear to the elite Jews that they in essence promise to work for God - but never follow through - - and that it is the riff-raff of their society who are hearing the truth and accepting it.

The other parable for today is repeated in all three synoptic gospels. A man buys a field; gets it all prepared for production; then rents it out to farmer-tenants. And the familiar story unfolds. As soon as Jesus was done with the story, the religious leaders understood immediately that Jesus was talking about them. The field is symbolic for their own country - and the multiple servants that were sent were all of the prophets who had come before. Now, at last, the Master of the land sends his own son - and the tenants conspire to kill him. Tney understand what he is saying - but rather than consider whether he might actually be the promised Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God...they seethe with anger and look for a way to arrest him. He is laying the foundation for what is to come - and providing a framework for those who come to believe to see that He was who He claimed to be.

But - even though He was fully God, the rejection hurt. He experienced the same pain we do - but even more intensely than we feel it - - for in all of our troubled times, we have one who walks with us through the storm. When we fall at His feet - - and fall on Him, the Stone the builder's rejected, we will be broken - - but in a good way. And He takes the clay of our lives, remolds it and makes a vessel He can use for His glory. Like the line in the movie 'Dances With Wolves:' good trade.


HUMOR FOR TODAY:

The Children's Bible in a Nutshell, continued (Part 2)
(This was purportedly written by a child who was asked to write a book report on the entire Bible.)

[The last post has part 1]

After Noah came Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.

Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name is Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharoah's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels and no cable.

God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them his Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance or covet your neighbor's stuff. Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother.

One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.

After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.

After Solomon there were some Major League prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore.

There were also some Minor League prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them.

[Part 3 next time....]

DAY 22: 21 days to E-day

TWENTY-ONE DAYS TO EASTER

Reading for today: (Sunday, March 14)

John 11:45 - 54

Jesus went about doing good: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, casting out demons, restoring relationships, bringing hope, teaching, loving, being present - and for all those crimes, culminating with his unforgivable good in raising Lazarus from the dead, He who knew no sin became a liability to the political balance of the day - enough so that he was targeted for termination.

I mean, really....doesn't it sound preposterous? All he had ever done was good. The only castigations ever uttered from his lips were against those who pompously paraded their phony religiosity - and it is this collection of religious leaders who unite behind one cause: to do away with the one individual who is upsetting the balance of things as they were. Their fear is a political one. But what a horrible trade-off.

Verse 48 reports their fear: "If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." All they cared about was their position. They had no vision - and, even though they were the supposed spiritual leaders, they had no grasp of the many prophecies foretelling their Messiah. Yet, they were acting out their 'scripted' roles in perfect rhythm.

For Jesus at this juncture, it is 'time to get out of Dodge' and John tells us he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim.

From this passage, we know that in the last couple of months of Jesus' life, he stayed away from Jerusalem. We know from earlier reading that he spent some time in Capernaum. We know he was 'beyond the Jordan.' We know he was in Jericho. We know from this passage that he was in Ephraim. He stayed away because of timing. He had a keen sense of God's will - and also knew precisely when the drama had to play out to fit into prophecy, and to fulfill God's perfect plan.

In real time, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead about 2 months before his own death - so we are stepping back in time just a bit to focus on the plot to kill him . . . but it deserves our careful consideration, and helps confirm where he was during these weeks before he came back to 'face the music.'

I have a children's musical God gave me. It is at the top of my 'bucket list' for completing - - but one delay after another keeps it from being ready for publication. Even the first edition which was performed April 2008 - the Westminster Edition - is incomplete for being ready to be published, in spite of many promises. I get discouraged and frustrated - and begin to doubt whether I was wrong when I heard God directing me to follow through on it....and then I come to this reminder, and I realize it is absolutely imperative to listen carefully for God's timing and what He is doing in this process. While I need to pursue it, I also need to submit the opening of doors to His hand. My plan would have had it done a long time ago...and I have pursued getting it finished pretty intently for the past couple of years. So - I have to submit the timing to God...keep asking, keep pursuing, but not losing faith in His timing. Unlike Jesus I do not have the ability to see ahead to know what the purpose is in God's timing - - but I do know I can trust it. It's an ah-hah moment!

Humor for today:

THE CHILDREN'S BIBLE IN A NUTSHELL

In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness and some gas.

The Bible says, "The Lord thy God is one," but I think he must be older than that.

Anyway, God said, "Give me a light!" and someone did.

Then God made the world

He split Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden.... I'm not sure what they were driven in, though, because they didn't have cars.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.

Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.

One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.

to be continued....

DAY 21: 22 days to E-day

TWENTY-TWO DAYS TO EASTER

When I originally committed to doing a blog as a spiritual journey for Lent, I counted 40 actual days leading me to 'Good' Friday (good for us, not for Him), Sunday included. Then midstream I decided it's about Easter - not about death. Anyone can die for a cause. The real event is Easter - - that's the reason we believe! So - I started this countdown to E-day.... I thought an explanation might be in order!

Readings for today:
Matthew 20:29-34
Mark 10:46-52
Luke 18:35-43
Luke 19:1-10

Luke is the only one who bothers to tell us about Zaccheus, yet this is one of the most familiar stories from my childhood. We sang about him frequently in Sunday School: "Zaccheus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a Sycamore tree the Savior for to see; and as Jesus passed that way he looked up in the tree and he said, 'Zaccheus! You come down, for I'm going to your house to eat. I'm going to set you free.' " Zaccheus believed and obeyed. Jesus did what He promised. Happy ending. I like happy endings.

Today is a day of happy endings in our reading. But in their real world, Zaccheus' role as tax collector - - not just tax collector - - but chief tax collector - - meant he was a Jew employed by the Romans to bilk his own people out of their hard-earned money. As long as the Romans got their required amount, the tax collector could add whatever amount he wanted to that for his own gain. Talk about riders and pork projects! Men who accepted that kind of filthy job were greedy and not the kind of guys you'd want to be related to.

If you are concerned - as I am - for how high taxes will go here with the current trend toward leveling the playing field with Socialism, you can begin to understand some of the fears about Roman rule. (Except that they didn't have a welfare state benefiting the Jews at all in mind, so there was no underlying supposed intended good for 'all the people.') The Jews who were employed by the Romans as tax collectors were despised by their fellow Jews - so when they accused Jesus this time of eating with a sinner - that was practically a compliment in comparison to what might be stated.

Zaccheus, short in stature, wanted to see Jesus so badly that he climbed a tree just to get a glimpse. I wonder what hope he held...but whatever it was, he got more than he could ever have asked or imagined. Jesus met him at the level of his need. When Zaccheus promised to give half his possessions to the poor and pay back four times what he had taken, he was undoubtedly giving up everything - trading his wealth for a clear conscience and full heart. I really do love this story.

Our other story today is one of those prime examples of the proof that the Bible is true. We are gifted with 3 versions of the story. Was it going into town or going out of town? Was it one blind beggar - or two? The collective memory on this one is a little like hearing different perspectives of an accident - - but the reason it adds to the proof that the point of the Bible is true is that if the Bible was just an intentional concoction by multiple authors to deceive - they would have done a better job of lining up their stories. But - they all share the one thing that leaps out most to me: Jesus question - - "What do you want me to do for you?" It seems that the answer to that question would be obvious. He was blind! But, Jesus looks on the heart. Blindness wasn't the only issue. The blind weren't just inconvenienced by blindness - they were defined by it.

He asks us that as well. "What do you want me to do for you?" I, for one, intend to answer that question! Lord, there are some things I want today - desperately want. Let me tell you...." And like the formerly blind in the story....I will follow!

Humor for the day:

A man was walking along the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and came upon a very interesting old bottle. He picked it up, pulled out the stopper - - and out came a genie. The genie told him, "I have been stoppered in that bottle for a thousand years. For releasing me, I will give you anything you ask.

The man, who was terrified of flying, had always longed to see Hawaii, so he said, "I'd like to have a bridge that goes from here to Hawaii."

The genie looked at him in disbelief and said, "That's a really hard one. Can't you think of something else?"

The guy thought for awhile, then said, "O K - I'd like to understand my wife."

To which the genie immediately replied, "How many lanes did you want that bridge? Four, six or eight?"

DAY 20: 23 days to E-day

TWENTY-THREE DAYS TO EASTER!

Reading for today:
Matthew 20:17-28
Mark 10:32-45
Luke 18:31-34

An early bunny trail: In Israel - no matter where you are traveling from, you always go 'up to Jerusalem.' In our Western minds, we always think 'up' is north - at least I do. I go up to Seattle, down to Portland.... That phrase is still used today. I noted that when I was in Israel. So, even though the route Jesus and his followers journeyed was primarily south - and then across....they were headed 'up to Jerusalem.' (I love little tidbits of trivia.)

Jesus' destination is definitely on his mind. Now, in reality, I don't know the exact timeline. I could easily be off by several days for this portion of the journey to the cross and to Easter. Only the last 9 days or so are pretty explicit - but he did have to get from Capernaum to Jerusalem. We know he was 'across the Jordan' on that journey - and some of the other specific locations he will travel through. Just want to confirm this timeline is general, not specific...yet.

In today's reading Jesus tells his followers the 3rd time that he is going to die and be raised again - but he is far more specific with what that is going to entail. Mark tells us Jesus will be betrayed and then the Jewish religious will condemn Jesus to death and turn him over to the gentiles, who will mock him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. Dr. Luke adds 'insult.' Matthew is specific in telling us Jesus will be crucified.

Luke is the only who explains that the disciples didn't understand any of this - that the meaning was hidden from them, and they didn't know what he was talking about.

Right after that pronouncement, Mrs. Zebedee, the mother of the 'Sons of Thunder' - as Jesus called them, took her sons to Jesus and asked for him to place her sons in roles of esteem in his kingdom. I grant you the timing is terrible, and it is pretty obvious she didn't hear any better than her boys or the other disciples how the reality of Jesus' true Kingdom was going to play out. It seems incredibly selfish and self-serving - but in contrast to that reality of human nature, Jesus teaches one of the most salient principles of Christianity and of being Kingdom-dwellers: "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." In the world's reckoning some people are elevated to positions where 'getting their hands dirty' would be unheard of. Not so in God's kingdom. Willingly serving - no matter how seemingly unsavory or trivial the task - is the true CEO position in God's kingdom.

I know people can self-elevate or allow themselves to be put on pedestals by others - and it is a temptation all Christian 'leaders' have to resist at some point or other along the journey. It is so common that I pay attention to the tender moments when I see that is not true. Last summer when I saw my pastor as he came upon a crying child at VBS, comfort the little lad, then take him by the hand and stay with him until he was no longer fearful, it touched me. When another of our pastors used his home for a fundraiser garage sale for a man who was dying, it touched me.

When I see people who are the 'pillars of the church' be hands-on and minister at the level of whatever the need is, from fish ministry to caring for folks through our food bank; from helping with a garage sale or washing dishes or doing manual labor on clean-up day, it touches me. When I see people go - and do - and love in Jesus name, it touches me. There is no hierarchy of 'too good to do' any job that needs to be done in Kingdom living. Lines are blurred. People are blessed. Jesus is glorified.

He is our model. "...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." The Lord of Glory - God Almighty - took on human flesh - became fully man as well as fully God, then humbled himself to....oh, yes - - I keep getting ahead of the story.

Humor for the day:

"Mama'" a little girl cried out excitedly as she came home after going to Sunday School, "I learned God's other name today."

"God's other name?" the mother inquired.

"Yes, it's Andy." She proclaimed. "We even sang a song about him: Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am his own."

HEAD'S UP:
This Sunday (March 14) time changes! Spring ahead!

DAY 19: 24 days to E-day

TWENTY-FOUR DAYS TO EASTER

Reading for today:
Matthew 20:1-16

My original research in creating my reading list has some flaws, I find. I thought it had used all of Matthew in the process - which is important to me - but find it skipped this story. So I will insert it for today, and do some readjusting....

Life is so like that. Plan. Adapt. Readjust. But no matter what it brings, we live with HOPE! The past few days my heart has been extremely heavy - yet punctuated with intermittent moments of joy: receiving a book from a friend who just published her first volume of children's poetry - with her own drawings as the illustrations; and reconnecting with a childhood friend and a flood of wonderful associated memories.

My redirected reading for today brings me to Jesus' story of the workers in the vineyard. It is simple and straightforward, and needs no explanation, but its message is one we should not miss, and it has implications for far more than is stated.

Bottom line: some accept Jesus very young. Their gift: eternal life. Some come to Him as adults. Their gift: eternal life. Some will squeak into eternity accepting Jesus with their last breath. Their gift: eternal life.

The application filters down even to life on earth: God blesses some people with a lot; some with a little; some to be blessed by others through whom His blessings are to flow. (And some people 'bless' themselves and end up in terrible debt and then wonder why God let it happen.)

In another aspect: He gives 10 talents to some, 5 talents to another, 3 talents to yet another, and only 1 to some.

The foundational message is that He is God and we are not. We are not to compare, but to thank Him for His provision, and His faithfulness to keep His Word to us.

I once reported to my husband that there was a man who had a reputation for being unfaithful to his wife - and not long before he died, he accepted Jesus as his Savior and started attending church. I was thrilled at God's forgiveness! My husband didn't think it was fair. He didn't think the man should be forgiven. He has been 'good' and has 'done the right thing' his whole life. It is hard to be practically perfect and see your need for a Savior. He doesn't believe it is fair for murderers or rapists or anyone else who has done awful things to have a chance for forgiveness. The truth is: forgiveness isn't fair. That's why it is so amazing.

Often looking back on my childhood, I think of myself as more perfect than I probably actually was - but then I messed up - and for all of the sins I committed during that 2 years of time away from God, He forgave. He paid the price. He took away the guilt of my sin. And - He has been able to redeem all of it by my being able to be more understanding and compassionate...yet called to speak the truth in love.


Humor for the day:

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to touch - and never to ask her about.

For all these years he had honored that, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man came across the box - and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed it was time he should know what was in the box. When he opened it he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.

His wife explained, "When we were to be married, my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was never to argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved he had to fight back the tears. Only 2 precious dolls were in the box, so obviously she had only been angry with him 2 times in all of those years of living and loving.

"Honey," he said, "That explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she replied, "that's the money I made from selling the dolls."