Come with me by yourselves to quiet place... Mark 6:31

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Way of the Cross, Stations 7, 8 & 9

7. Jesus takes up his cross
Read John 19: 6, 15-17
Only in John does it say that Jesus carried his own cross. Yes, he started out that way, but collapses.

8. Jesus is helped by Simon to carry his cross
Read Mark 15: 21
Matthew says forced to carry the cross. Mark says, forced. Luke says they seized Simon from Cyrene, on his way in from the country, put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. Point one: Simon was unsuspecting and possibly unwilling. Point two: Did you notice the one word Luke uses... made him carry it behind Jesus. I cannot quit thinking about this: What must Simon have seen walking behind Jesus as compared to what Pilate missed standing in front of Him. Good manna for today - feast on it, my dear friends. Last point: Simon must have gone home with a monumental witness. It is believed from Romans 16: 13 that his two sons, Rufus and Alexander, were staunch members of the early church, and his wife ministered to Paul.

9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Read Luke 23: 27-31
Only in Luke is it mentioned that Jesus turns to the grieving women following Him and speaks of the fate of Jerusalem. Here's one meaning of what He said: If God did not spare His innocent son (green wood), how much worse will it be when He allows the Romans to unleash His wrath upon a sinful nation (dry wood)? (ESV Study Notes)
In 70AD the temple was completely destroyed by raiding legions under Titus. Not one stone was left upon another.

References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Girl Trip - Phoenix

The minute I got out of the airport I noticed the difference. The air. It was as light as a feather. Then the mountains. Rock mountains. Springing up out of flat desert. Then the desert. Scrub brush, faded colors, arid, dry, but alive. The Southwest. A great setting, great girl trip, great friends, great fun, even a divine appointment. the famed restaurant we never made it in
Friday night escapade hiking Pinnacle Point we thought we were in shape... not!
silly Sarah
shrimp tacos
at The Mission, Scottsdale looking for celebrities yes, we went to dry bar
a good time had by all - I miss us!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Way of the Cross, Stations 4, 5, & 6

4. Jesus is denied by Peter
Read Matthew 26: 69-71 and don't miss Luke 22: 61
There is no way for us to deny Peter's denial. It was a full vehement denial only hours after a full exclamation of loyalty. How easily we fall.
How did Jesus 'look' at Peter? He was able to set his very eyes on the rock amongst his disciples because he was being led across the courtyard from Annas' quarters to Caiaphas. Jesus must have passed within yards of Peter when the rooster began to crow. The rock of a man was completely undone.

5. Jesus us judged by Pilate
Read Mark 15: 1-5, 15 and the full account in Luke 23
The Roman trials:
1st trial - with Pilate
2nd trial - with Herod
3rd trial - again with Pilate and before the people
To Pilate, Jesus says, "It is as you say". To Herod Jesus says nothing at all. Again with Pilate, Jesus says...
Why did Jesus come to earth? He tells us clearly. We must all read and commit to memory John 18: 37-38. He came to testify to the truth. The Truth came to reveal truth. Pilate flippantly answers, "What is truth?"
Oh, dear Jesus, have mercy on us.

6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns
Read John 19: 1-3
Pilate sent Jesus to be flogged in hopes that the scourging would satisfy the people. It didn't. No one was kind to Him, no one defended Him, no one was for Him.
Dear God, Open our eyes. Help us to see what Pilate failed to see. Amen.

References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The Way of the Cross, Stations 1, 2 & 3

If you have been looking for a simple devotional these few weeks leading to Easter, feel free to join me on the blog and explore the fourteen 'stations', or the Way of the Cross. Anytime you and I draw near to the cross, we are in close proximity to the very heart of our God and our Savior.

1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Read Matthew 26: 36-41
Don't miss the additional information in Luke 22: 39-44
Gethsemane means 'oil press' and it is believed that Jesus and his disciples frequented Gethsemane often. This late night visit is different and is referred to as the 'dark night of the soul'. The place where there is no place to go, but God.
Do you believe this to be Christ's weakest moment? Why or why not?
What has been the time in your life when there was no place to go but God?
Jesus was in deep anguish during this visit to Gethsemane, but he left focused, resilient, and committed to the cross. What was it that strengthened Him?

2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested
Read Mark 14: 43-46 and John 18: 1-9
A rough battalion of soldiers step back and all fall to the ground when Jesus says, "I am he".
Why? What biblical significance of "I AM" can you think of?

3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
Read Luke 22: 66-71
There were three religious trials and three Roman trials. Six trials in all. It is helpful to put the facts in some kind of order. Use your devotional time at this 'station' to set the stage for all six trials.
Time of day - before daylight, continuing into daylight
Place - High Priest's quarters and the courtyard outside
High Priest Annas - actually the former High Priest, and the father-in-law of Caiaphas
Caiaphas - the ruling High Priest that year
Jesus - bound
The religious trials:
1st trial - with Annas
2nd trial - with Caiaphas
3rd trail - the Sanhedrin was called in to meet and vote
Ken Gire says, the first had to strike the Savior was a religious hand.

References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The Way of the Cross

My Sunday School class is studying The Way of the Cross during Lent. I don't think I have ever studied the road to the cross quite like this. Here's a little background. In later posts I will give the readings and a related question to ponder as we approach Easter.

Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply, The Way) is a series of artistic representations, very often sculptural, depicting Christ carrying the cross to his crucifixion in his final hours. The vast majority of Roman Catholic churches now contain such a series, typically placed at intervals along the side walls of the nave. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St. Francis of Assisi and extended throughout the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period.

Originally fourteen 'stations' were adopted: 1.Jesus is condemned to death; 2.Jesus accepts the cross; 3.Jesus falls the first time; 4.Jesus meets His Mother; 5.Simon of Cyrene carries the cross; 6.Veronica wipes the face of Jesus; 7.Jesus falls the second time; 8.Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem; 9.Jesus falls the third time; 10.Jesus is stripped of His garments; 11.Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross; 12.Jesus dies on the cross; 13.Jesus' body is removed from the cross; 14.Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.

Of the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross, only eight have clear scriptural foundation. Stations 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 are not specifically attested to in the gospels. To provide a version of this devotion more closely aligned with the biblical accounts, Pope John Paul II introduced a new form of devotion, called the Scriptural Way of the Cross on Good Friday 1991. (Wikipedia)

These are the fourteen we are studying: 1.Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; 2.Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested; 3.Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin; 4.Jesus is denied by Peter; 5.Jesus is judged by Pilate; 6.Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns; 7.Jesus takes up His cross; 8.Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross; 9.Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem; 10.Jesus is crucified; 11.Jesus promises His kingdom to the repentant thief; 12.Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other; 13.Jesus dies on the cross; 14.Jesus is laid in the tomb.

I will be back soon with the readings and brief commentary.
Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him, and say, "Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and given me what is yours. You have become what you were not so that I might become what I was not." Martin Luther

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Hudson Alpha Double Helix Run

Attention all you runners, walkers, fitness fiends... and moms of runners, walkers, and fitness fiends, Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology is sponsoring a 5K and 1-mile Twilight Run on Tuesday, April 10, 5:30 PM. What better to do on a nice spring afternoon!

The Double Helix Dash is for serious runners as well as those just wanting to get out, get healthier, and experience a run through Research Park. The run begins at Genome Way, does a u-turn at Explorer, and ends back at Genome Way's entrance to McMillian Park. Awards will be given to the top male and female runners in eight age categories. Here is the registration form.

Spread the word! I will see you there and have some water for you at one of the stations.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Studio Hours

Beginning Monday, March 12, I will keep studio hours every Monday, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. My studio is located at Matheny Goldmon Architect offices, 108 Woodson Street, Huntsville 35801. I love visitors, so come by and see what is on my easel. No telling. I am so easy to find - Woodson is that little street just past the Post Office on Clinton, and runs by the railroad tracks over to Holmes. Pull into the Matheny Goldmon parking lot and you will see a blue awning marked entrance. It would be best to call 256.503.9389 before you come just to make sure my schedule has not gone bonkers, and so I can alert the receptionist. Come see me!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Tailored for Education in the News

Megan Kelly and Jess Roy, founders of Tailored for Education

People are beginning to hear! And give! You may remember my posts in December about Megan and her missions venture giving uniforms to the needy children in Haiti. Their story has now been picked up by Huff Post's Internet Blog and here it is...

Give a Uniform, Change a Life
By Katy Kelleher

Here in America, school uniforms are viewed as something of an anachronism. Most schools no longer require uniforms, and the ones that do often come with a hefty price tag. However, things are a little different in places like Tanzania and Haiti, where uniforms are required even at public schools, and children who can't afford uniforms can be severely punished, which only discourages attendance.

Fortunately, there is a solution from this problem -- though it comes from a rather surprising sector. Last year, Megan Kelly and Jessica Roy, two Boston-based ladies who work in finance, were alerted to the issue by a friend. Neither was previously aware of the uniform problem, but once they began researching it, they realized that there was a need, one that no nonprofits currently met. They decided to start their own organization, and thus Tailored for Education was born.

We were able to talk to Jess and Megan a bit about their amazing project. Below, they discuss the genesis of the idea, give advice to any philanthropically-minded individuals, and shed a little light on the significance of a new uniform.

How did you end up starting a nonprofit?
Megan: I had a group of girlfriends over for dinner, and one of my friends had volunteered at an orphanage in Tanzania a couple years ago. We were talking about her experience, and she casually mentioned that to provide a school uniform for a child in Tanzania only cost $17. The next day, I went into work and started researching it. I went to Catholic school myself, so I grew up wearing uniforms, but I never thought that the lack of uniforms would be a major problem. I found that there were no nonprofits that addressed the issue. We didn't find anything that was dedicated just to providing uniforms, so we decided to do something about it.

Can you guys tell us a bit more about why uniforms are so essential? Can the kids go to school without uniforms?
Megan: We hear different stories. In some cases, the teacher will let it slide if the colors are similar. But we've also heard stories from Ghana where the children who don't wear uniforms are whipped every day -- but they still go to school, which I think is so amazing. It's definitely one of the barriers that keep kids from going to school. From everything we've learned, school uniforms have deep cultural roots. They also put all the kids on the same playing field; some of these kids don't have clothes to wear around, and it makes it so no one has to know that they're the poor kid in the class.

Jess: It also gives a huge sense of pride. To be able to wear something that is new, something that is your own -- it makes you stand out. The kids that go to school are the kids who wear uniforms... We've heard some amazing stories from our partners about the impact of these clothes. After the earthquake in Haiti, we were told about kids coming out of the rubble and out of destruction in their freshly-pressed uniforms. The surrounding environment was a disaster, but they were able to look like nothing had happened. It gave everyone a sense of normalcy.

Megan: And I think this is something we can all identify with. I have to admit I've gone shopping on a Sunday to buy a dress for work on Monday -- it brightens my day a little bit. On a very vain level, I think everyone can identify with the desire to look good in something new, something that is yours. It makes you feel more confident.

What has been the most exciting part so far about working with Tailored for Education?
Jess: I think the best part is having it be ours. It is something we started ourselves, something we can take credit for. We can mold it into what we want it to be. We've also had a really eye-opening learning experience, thanks to all the people we've talked to and all the work we've done along the way. I, for one, didn't know that all of these amazing organizations existed. I had no idea how many people devoted their lives to philanthropic living. You just don't realize how many people are able to drop everything, pick up their lives, and devote all their time to helping other people. I also found that everybody in the nonprofit world is just so kind. Everyone is so open and friendly and willing to help -- and that's very different from certain aspects of the business world.

Megan: In addition to everything Jess said, I think it's really exciting when we're talking to someone and getting a new organization involved. It's great when we get the final number of uniforms that we can provide, when we see what change we can make. To be able to help these children, to give them something that they can wear to school with pride and that is just theirs, I think that's the most exciting part.

Jess: We had a call last week with an organization and it was our first call with them, and when we told them what we could contribute, you could just hear her smiling through the phone. For me, it was that moment. We could hear the whole office cheering and clapping. She said to us: "You have no idea how many children this is going to help, or how far it is going to go." That just makes your day.

Megan: Another thing I love is when we get $15 donations from strangers. It was one thing when my parents did it, or my grandparents donated. I was so grateful but I knew they were doing it because of me. When we started getting donations from strangers, we were so excited. A $20 donation from a stranger really does help, because the average cost of a uniform is $16 to $20. So when you see a donation like that, you know there is a total stranger out there who believes in what you are doing, and who really wants to help.

How can the average reader help with the cause?
Megan: I think that's one of the thing that sets up apart from other organizations, that a $15 donation can really make a difference for a child.

Jess: In addition, anything you can do to get the word out is amazing. Tweeting, posting about it on Facebook, sending it to friends and family... anything you can do to raise the word about the cause. We didn't know this was an issue last May, so just letting people know that this is a problem -- and one that they can easily help with --is a great start.

What would your advice be to someone who wanted to start a charitable project?
Jess: My advice would be that you need to work with other organizations. It's a much more efficient system if you build upon what others are doing. We have teamed up with many organizations who are working to rebuild schools or provide teacher training or school supplies. We can come in and compliment their efforts and provide the one thing that they're not. It's a really nice way to collaborate.

Megan: I think the other thing is to think about what aid means. Not only are we giving these children uniforms, but we're also having them made locally, which provides jobs for members of the community. We've been learning a lot about microfinance, and we've realized how important it is to help provide jobs and help the economy. The idea is not to constantly give to these developing nations -- it's to find a way to help them become sustainable.

Katy Kelleher is the Global Editor of Milkshake. For more good news, sign up for our daily emails at GetMilkshake.com, http://www.getmilkshake.com/.


Note to Megan and Jess: So very proud of you and love you both! Suzanne~

Friday, March 2, 2012

March - Repentance

We are in the season of Lent. Lent comes from the Latin word, Quaresma, meaning 'forty'. There are quite a few time periods of forty in the Bible: the duration of the flood rains for forty days and forty nights in Genesis; Moses' forty days on the mountain with God in Exodus; forty years spend in the wilderness; the forty day journey of Elijah as he fled Jezebel; Jonah's forty day preaching in Ninevah; and our Lord's forty days of temptation before He began His ministry. One other I just heard recently - forty hours Jesus spent in the tomb. It is not in the Bible but it is traditionally thought.

Many Christians celebrate Lent - the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Celebrate may not be the right word... or maybe it is. During the season of Lent, Christians are to examine their hearts and turn to God in humility and repentance. Some give up something during Lent to mark Christ's full surrender of Himself on the cross. Others add something to their lives such as a time of fasting each week or a specific prayer and study. The goal overall is to approach the cross each year with submission, a clean heart, deeper love for Christ, and hope.

Repentance is not just asking for forgiveness. It is a deep desire of the heart to return to God and an action that accompanies the desire of the heart. Peter said, The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Jesus spoke consistently of repentance to John in Revelation. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3: 3, 19

It is not too late to begin your celebration of Lent. I anticipate many blessings to follow.