Power!

I want to thank everyone for your prayers and concern for me, my family, our area, our city and our state. For your text messages, calls, emails, relayed messages, and offers of hot showers and the luxury of power. We are okay, grateful, humbled and blessed.
~ ~ ~
I spent Wednesday morning in the church basement with a handful of Bible Study girls. Knowing nothing except school was to get out early and the worst was still to come, we prayed for what we all would face later in the day. I left there in total peace. It has been a testimony to me what pre-prayer can do. Through wave upon wave of storm (we had hail three times), I continued to think back on those earlier prayers and the peace that passes all understanding never left me. After the last storm was over, we knew we had been spared... and grim reality the next morning proved us right. Our area was one of the hardest hit.

The next morning I woke up at 5:30. It should have been pitch black dark but there was a eerie light that got my attention. Looking out the window I saw a law enforcement vehicle in my driveway with blue lights blinking warning. I threw on sweats and rain boots over my pajamas and walked outside to investigate. Trees had fallen, lines were down, and utility poles were hovering dangerously close to falling. The deputy told me that we were expecting a power loss for 5-7 days. Now they are saying it is more like 10.

Here's what I'm thinking...
I hardly know how to live without power. Electric power. I forgot my home phones have to be plugeed in to their chargers. I have been shocked at what I've missed most - first, my hairdryer, then coffee maker and vacuum cleaner. I never thought I'd be so grateful for a generator, but I forgot they run on gas. I never thought loss of power could result in a dusk-to-dawn curfew. I never thought I'd be so grateful for my Kindle and battery operated book light.

And here's what else I'm thinking...
God's power just trumped man's. He showed us how powerful His power is and how flimsy is ours. And this...

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3: 20-21

I have God's power at work within me and I rarely give it a thought. I am frustrated over frizzy hair, but not grieved over the dormant, rarely-if-ever tapped power of God residing within me. I've got it all backwards. You? I want to hear your 'power' stories. Bless you all and please continue to pray for those with devastating losses.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6: 10

Francis Chan

A few weeks ago in Bible Study we were shown this video clip as an illustration and we are all still talking about it. I am passing it on - not that it depicts you, but at the moment it is me to a tee.

Here you go... Francis Chan at his best!

Easter Sunday

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Mark 16: 1-8

Still afraid, still confused, they did go tell the disciples who were in hiding, mourning and weeping. The message must have been repeated exactly because it is believed that Mark wrote his gospel as dictated by Peter. Peter remembered this sentence, "Go, tell his disciples and Peter". I would have too. The Contemporary English Translation says, "Now go and tell his disciples, and especially Peter, that he will go ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."

How many times after a death have we wished for one more time together, one more phone call, just one more minute to clear up last words that were not at all what we wanted to say. Can you imagine how Peter must have been feeling? The guilt, the anguish, the shame. And now Jesus singles him out; He especially wanted to see Peter. I believe Peter couldn't get to Galilee fast enough.

He's alive! Time for second chances, time for more conversations, time to ask questions, time to worship Him. Especially Peter... and especially you and especially me. In the face of all our sins, our guilt and shame, He singles us out and especially wants to meet with us. To forgive us, turn us around, clear up the confusion, love us, lead us. He's alive!

Holy Week: Saturday

Peter, John, James, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, Mary Magdelene, Simon the Leper, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate's wife... what was everybody doing? What was everybody thinking?

If there ever was a day of confusion this had to be it. I do not believe we can understand confusion like this. What were the disciples thinking? They couldn't think. They were in shock. Their brains would not work. They were living in hiding, trying to figure out what to do. Jesus was dead. Judas was dead. What just happened?

They were living in pure shock and quaking fear. They were expecting at any moment soldiers would beat down the doors and they would be next. They were grieved beyond measure. They were exhausted. At some point, each one probably had a complete breakdown whether private or public. Heaving, gut-wrenching sobs poured out from love and blame and conviction and love and shame and denial and love.

Were they remembering his words? No, they weren't remembering anything at all. Were they hopeful for his return? No, it never entered their minds. All hope was gone.

Complete confusion, lack of hope, no plan, and utter sorrow.

Holy Week: Friday

Ecce Homo, BEHOLD THE MAN
Antonio Ciseri, 1871
Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Florence

All night long Jesus had been before Annas, Caiphas, the Sanhedrin. In the early morning he was brought for his third trial before Pilate.

“Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him." John 18: 35-38

If anyone ever asks you why Jesus came, now you know the answer. If anyone ever asks you what truth is, now you know. Truth is a Person. Jesus Christ, the Truth of God.

Pilate was dogged by the Jews and swayed by the crowd. Interestingly enough, he was warned by his wife, who by the way, is depicted in the right foreground of Ciseri's painting. She had come into the Praetorium to see if her husband heeded her warning and been fair to the just man.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. Matt 27: 19-20
She is beginning to slowly withdraw, leaning on her servant for support, knowing that the scene in front of her was all wrong. An innocent man beaten and tortured, wrongly sentenced to die.

But it was not all wrong. It was all Right. All His Righteousness for all my filthy rags. The Truth of God.

Holy Week: Thursday

Maundy Thursday. Passover. All day a day of preparation. House secured - it is believed they met at Mark's parents house. Table set - wine, vinegar, bitter herbs. Feast prepared. The Jewish day began at sundown. Joining together around 6:00pm. Disciples only. The Twelve with the Master.

Did they sigh with relief? They had made it to Passover. No arrests. No one hurt. They sang Psalm 113 and 114.

They argued. He washed their feet. Their smelly, dusty, calloused, men-sized feet. They were uncomfortable and resisted. They had no idea what else he was going to do for them. This day is also called the Thursday of Mysteries.

He instituted the Lord's Supper. And gave new commandments. The word 'Maundy', derived from the Latin word 'mandatum', means "commandment" and refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another, and to remember his sacrifice.

They left between 9:00 and 10:30pm and he told them they would all fall away. But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. Matt 26: 35

Jesus took Peter, John and James with him to Gethsemane. He told them he was sorrowful to the point of death. He went a little further to pray and they fell asleep. Anguish. Drops of blood. He was facing the horror of crucifixion, but even more than that, taking the cup of God's wrath. The full cup. Drinking it to the dregs. Becoming sin.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. II Cor. 5: 21

Couldn't you keep watch for one hour? One of Jesus' penetrating questions. To us. Can't we pray for one hour? Can't we sacrifice sleep for one hour? Can't we give one hour of service? Can't we go outside our comfort zone for one hour? One hour. That is all he asked of them that night. Can we find one hour today?

Off in the distance torches could be seen. They were coming to arrest him. It was about midnight.

Holy Week: Wednesday

The silent day. The gospels are quiet. No known facts. It is speculated Jesus spent the day near Bethany with close friends - a quiet day of rest and prayer.

Did he sleep late? Did he go back to the Mount of Olives and gaze at Jerusalem one last time? Where did he have dinner that night? What were his last conversations with Mary, Martha and Lazarus? Was this the day he sent a few disciples off to begin making preparaions for Passover? Was this the day Judas snuck away to meet with members of the Sanhedrin? Who did Jesus hug today or heal today? Who did he kiss today? Did he cry today?

Today I'm fasting from words and having a quieted heart day. Not that I won't have conversations, but I'm going to think about my words and not be so full of nothingness. I'm going to pray more and prepare myself for the coming days.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30: 15

I do not want to be the one to whom Jesus says, 'you would have none of it'. I want every bit of what He chooses to give me today.

Holy Week: Tuesday

Tuesday - a hard day. This was the last day of Jesus public ministry and his last day in the temple. He arrived early in Jerusalem and did not return to Bethany until late at night. This was the day Jesus voiced his hardest teachings. I wonder if, to buffer Tuesday, it is one of the reasons Jesus needed a good night at Bethany. I am camped out today in the seriousness, the authority, the weight, the conviction, of Jesus' words.

Surely he must have been tired of explaining his authority. Tuesday the chief priests met him walking into the temple, throwing questions at him to trap him in his words. They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” Mark 11: 27-29

Surely he must have been tired of speaking in parables. Tuesday was the day he told three most serious parables - the parable of the two sons, the parable of the tenants, and the parable of the wedding banquet. “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.” Matthew 21: 35-41

Surely he must have been tired of battling worldly authority. Tuesday was the day Jesus delivered one of his most quoted verses of our day. "Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Matthew 22: 17-22

On the way home from Jerusalem, Jesus stopped at the Mount of Olives and, overlooking the Temple, he gave the Olivet Discourse - explaining about the soon coming destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem due to rejection of the Messiah (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21). Full of the Holy Spirit, The Word spoke last words. Some at the Temple, but most to his disciples. He knew what he needed to say, what needed to be emphasized, what points he needed to drive home. Careful and measured, every word was foundational, pivotal, piercing.

Holy Week: Monday

I love to visualize every single day during Holy Week. Where did Jesus stay? Who did he talk to? What gave him comfort? What was on the mind of the Holy One? What did he deem important during his last earthly hours? This Holy Week, each day, walk with me through a portion of his day.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12: 1-2

Jesus and his disciples had traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem. They traveled through Jericho where Jesus met with Zaccheus. On Friday, one week prior to his crucifixion, Jesus came to Bethany, a small town 2 miles from Jerusalem. It is believed he stayed the weekend through Wednesday night in the home of dear friends, Lazarus, and his sisters, Martha and Mary. This family supported him financially, but more importantly, they made their home his whenever he was in the area. He loved them; they loved him.

On Monday Jesus left Bethany and walked to Jerusalem. On the way he cursed a fig tree that bore no fruit, only leaves. He found the moneychangers had set up their tables again in the temple. He overturned their tables and threw them out. On his return to Bethany his followers noticed the fig tree had completely withered.

He came back to Bethany to be in the company of close friends. This is my thought for the day. Close friends... Lazarus, Martha and Mary. We know this family fairly well. And we know our own Lazarus', Marthas' and Marys'. Friends who share our faith. Friends we cry with. Friends who are God given. Friends who carry us before and after our darkest days. The friend whose home is home away from home, and lets you drag in at any time of day, in any condition. The friend who feeds you, nourishes you, and puts you back on the road the next morning. Close friends of Bethany. I love thinking of each one. One of the dearest, simplest, most profound comforts of God for His Son during his last week.

Radical

My weekly Bible Study group, whom I affectionately call The Wednesday Girls, are ending our year with the study of David Platt's Radical. This has been some kind of year for us. In the fall we watched and discussed The Truth Project; in the winter we launched into the study of Amos. God has called us, collectively and individually, to a new way of thinking. Less about us and more about Him. And if our boats had not been rocked hard enough, David Platt has us in the spiritual high seas. We are discussing the hardest biblical passages and contemplating decisions that a year ago would have been foreign to our minds and hearts. I cannot wait to find out where God is taking us... and I mean globally.

Here is a clip. I know David Platt looks like a teenager (I hear he is 31), but his wisdom is well beyond his years. I believe God has solidly planted him for such a time as this.



I highly recommend the book and the study. Be prepared...God may have something radical to say to you.

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