One of the comments on this YouTube page:
“This song, cranked up as loud as possible, is how my family has woken up at daybreak every Easter Sunday morning for the past 14 years.”
How cool is that! I think I’ll institute that this year!
O Gracious Savior,
On this day when You died so long ago for my past, present, and future sins, my heart is thankful, humbled, and in awe. On my “best” day, I am unworthy of such kindness; yet You, who were sinless and perfect, paid the price I should have paid – out of Your love for filthy and imperfect me.
What can I give You in response to such love? What is sufficient to show my gratitude? The greatest I have to offer is me…everything…all of me. So kind Savior, I lay myself at Your feet – broken and filthy – but perfect in Your kind eyes. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You – for You alone are worthy of my praise and undying affection in response to Your great love.
“Thank You” seems such an inadequate phrase for such unconditional, pure, holy, and (some would say) crazy love…but THANK YOU.
dennis
x
Remembering the Future…that seems like an odd and confusing statement. But it is exactly what those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior can say about today.
Today is known by several names: Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, or Great and Holy Thursday. It is the day that four things took place in the final days of Christ’s life on earth: the washing of the Disciples’ feet by Jesus, the creation of Communion at the Last Supper, the agony of Jesus in the garden, and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.
Focusing on the second:
In Matthew 26:26-29, we read:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Christ initiated an aspect of worship for the Disciples (and for us) to remember His death – then promised that we would someday feast again with Him.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul writes:
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Paul reminded the Corinthian church that observing Communion was a remembrance that would someday end when Christ returns.
In Revelation 19:9, John writes:
Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
John writes in Revelation about the wedding feast to come with Christ and His bride (the church).
Communion. The Lord’s Table. Whatever you call this Christ-ordained act of worship – it is a time to remember the future to come.
Maranatha!
Confession time. I admit it – I watched the recent ABC series True Beauty. I guess I could call it “research on the human condition”; but really I just was just intrigued – and at times saddened – by how people act when no one is looking. Honestly, some self-examination is probably needed here also!
If you are not familiar with the show (or won’t admit it), here is the show’s description from the ABC website:
The series will determine the True Beauty of six stunning females and four handsome males who will live together in a spectacular Los Angeles mansion as they undergo a series of challenges to determine who is truly the most beautiful.
The gorgeous contestants assume they’re being judged solely on their outer appearance. They’re only half right; outer beauty is one component the judges are looking for, but contestants are also being evaluated — unbeknownst to them — for their INNER beauty as well when they’re put through scenarios and situations that require them to make moral decisions.
I will spare you the details on the show (actually you can “research” it for yourself on ABC’s website.) Most episodes were pretty sad in showing how people acted (although there was some good behavior exhibited.) I’m not completely judging, since basically we are all the same – albeit in varying degrees – and nobody’s perfect except for GOD. Honestly, I’m probably just as guilty of the vanity, selfishness, etc. that was exhibited by the show’s contestants.
The bottom line is that in addition to being a GUT CHECK for me (my heart and my actions), the show really reminded me of what true beauty is – or actually WHO true beauty is: Jesus Christ. His beautiful love for us was and is shown in SO many ways (the biggest of which was His death on the cross for you and for me). In truth, I only truly see but a glimpse of it through my sin-clouded vision (O to Grace how great a debtor…am I).
The little that I am blessed enough to see makes me want to cry out in praise:
x
“AWESOME GOD AND GRACIOUS SAVIOR,
YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!”
Last week, much was made about First Lady Michelle Obama’s “breach of protocol” when she touched Queen Elizabeth II. Without going in to the varying opinions of the actual event (there are those who say “eh, it’s no big deal” and some who are disparaging Mrs. Obama), it actually caused me to think about another Royal who is perfectly fine with being approached by anyone…without commanding genuflection:
Jesus Christ – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His Coronation:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11
Our Invitation:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. -Ephesians 3:12
Especially with this week being what is commonly called Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday) and Easter next Sunday, I am humbled and rejoice in the fact that through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, you and I (as followers of Christ) have free and unlimited access at anytime and any place of our choosing to the Sovereign, Almighty, and Glorious God of the universe!
He is the God who came close (John 3:16-17, Philippians 2:6-11)…and longs for closeness with us (through a personal relationship…not just empty, ritualistic religion). May we savor and cherish that approachability this week as we remember the events that purposely took place so long ago.
Hallelujah!
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me
Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so
Many of us learned that song when we were young. We know God loves us, but do we KNOW it…grasp its deep and intense truth?
God loves us with a perfect and profound love that is honestly hard for us to fully comprehend. We can read about it, watch it in a movie about His life, but to fully understand is difficult – we are humans…He is God. We really must simply accept His love for what it is – a gift undeserved, immeasurable, and quite simply amazing.
Just think of it – the creator of the entire universe LOVES YOU AND ME! HE LOVES US!
As we celebrate Holy Week and ultimately Easter, I pray we each personalize it:
For God so loved [insert your name here] that he gave His one and only Son, that if [insert your name here] believes in Him he shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn [insert your name here], but to save [insert your name here] through Him. – John 3:16-17
Again: The creator of the entire universe LOVES YOU AND ME! HE LOVES US!
I love the way the Andrew Peterson song below says that God loves me as I am, as I was, and as I will be – really meaning that God’s love for us always existed and will never end. No matter how distorted my view of His love is (based on my limited, human knowledge and understanding of love), the fact is that God’s love is so much more deeper and stronger than I can even come close to comprehending. Its perfect love. Something that we really cannot give and truly can only receive from the One who is perfect: Christ.
Meditate on these lyrics, reflect on how much God loves you, and really personalize this coming week – from Palm Sunday, through each day, to Good Friday, and ultimately to Easter Sunday. Everything Christ went through was out of love for you and for me. Simply amazing.
So, March 28th at 8:30 PM was “Earth Hour” around the world. It was an event whose purpose was to urge world leaders to take action to fight global warming. A noble cause, but:
I firmly believe that God calls us to NOT be GREEN! Honest…it’s in the Bible – I have a verse!!
Now that I have your attention – let me explain!
A little over a year ago, I first heard Chris Tomlin’s God of This City and immediately liked it. As I tried to find the guitar music (it wasn’t out as it was so new), I discovered that the song was actually written and originally recorded by an Irish worship band called Bluetree. One internet search led to another and I found the music AND the Band’s CD. Ah – another little known artist to listen to…and enjoy!
Fast forward to March 2009 and Bluetree has re-released their CD – sporting a new cover and title (the original title was “Greater Things”). Well, it’s back on my iPhone (proudly sporting my original cover and title!) and I highly recommend giving it a listen.
Bluetree’s website is: http://www.givmusic.com/bluetree/ The story behind God of this City is pretty cool! [Their version of the song is quite different than Tomlin’s – I like both.]
“Dennis, alright already! Get to the part about God not wanting us to be GREEN!”
WELL…It’s all in a name…and a great song! An article I read on Bluetree said that their band name comes from their belief that we (as Christians) are called to stand out in the forest of people – just as a BLUE TREE would in a forest of GREEN trees. Pretty creative and profound as band names go!
Thus, “God Doesn’t Want Us to be Green!” We are to stand out just as Christ did!
Check it out:
I love how the Bluetree song below talks not only about BEING a “blue tree”, but also about having an IMPACT as a “blue tree”. We are to be gathered and scattered Christ Worshippers (probably another good post topic)!
BTW, Karen and I DO recycle! I don’t recall what we were doing at 8:30 on the 28th, but hopefully it was earth-friendly!
Coronary. Sounds scary, huh? We typically associate that word with a heart attack or the like. I repeat: scary. I had my own experience this year (not a heart attack…just a funky heartbeat) – so I can confirm it is scary.
Coronary does pertain to the human heart…but for a minute, look beyond the physical organ in our chest. I stumbled upon an older blog post by pastor and author John Piper (www.desiringgod.com) last week and it has stayed with me since…convicting me.
In it, he is calling his church to be “coronary, not adrenal.” The post was related to National Sanctity of Human Life Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Piper’s challenge to his congregation to be “coronary” in the causes of racial harmony and human life. You can read his blog entry for yourself (the link posted below), but there are some HUGE take-aways beyond the two main (and important) causes that are his focus.
He contrasts adrenal and coronary saying that adrenaline gets us through, but our heart keeps us going and really reflects our true intentions. It’s like what Christ said to the Pharisees in Matthew 12:34, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our outward actions (adrenal) often betray our true heart actions (coronary.)
Like Piper, I often find myself glad for adrenaline. Sadly though, I catch myself often operating in the adrenal mode in relation to situations, issues, or even just life. Sure if my “rights” are violated or someone “messes” with my family or friends, I can get “coronary”, but for things that don’t impact my comfort or those I care about… Let’s just say, I can really improve here. Quite honestly, I don’t think I am alone here. I think many of us can improve in this area related to life in general, social issues, our relationship with God…so many areas.
Piper also provides a great real life example of coronary living through his reference to William Wilberforce – a member of the House of Commons who fought against slavery in England in the late 1700s. What a great quote and way of living: “[May God] enable me to have a single eye and a simple heart, desiring to please God, to do good to my fellow creatures and to testify my gratitude to my adorable Redeemer.”
So I was driving home this past Sunday night from a great time of fellowship, worship, and Communion our church had at Mission Springs Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains…and guess what, I got stuck in traffic on Highway 17. What to do (ok, so I had to drive!) – rather, what to listen to? BTW, my wife had to stay home – she pulled a muscle in her back the day before 😦
Alone in the car (my choices are expanded…my wife and I appreciate different kinds of music at times), dark outside (so no one can really SEE me singing at the top of my lungs)…hmmm – sounds like a good time for a David Crowder Band session – their Remedy Club Tour CD to be specific. [Shout out to my fellow Crowderians Ben, Joel, and Pat]
There are so many favorites on this CD, but tonight I keyed on one song: Foreverandever Etc. Certainly the “moment of corporate whistling” and the shout out to the 80’s (A-Team, Bon Jovi, leg warmers?, and Super Mario) are great (and fun!); but the lyrics are profound (yes, David Crowder and “profound” in the same sentence!)
Profound because of two things: God’s love and the thought of “FOREVER”.
God’s Love
Not a long description here, just consider God’s love for YOU/me in light of the definitions from two key words in the song:
“Forever”
Having just left a great time of worshiping God with my church family, the thought of spending FOREVER with them “at [Christ’s] feet” was overwhelming. As much as we tried to express our love and adoration for God in that room, to think that one day we will sing before Jesus and see Him smile – well, what can I say. [Hey, I’m sure there will even be corporate whistling!]
Anyway…‘nuff said!
BTW, in my senior picture, my hair looked somewhat akin to David’s… No beard though!
DENNARR(dot)COM 