Good Friday

I woke early, already thinking at this time of the day what has happened to Jesus. All while I slept, He was fervently on His knees in the Garden, He was arrested, and at this hour He is being brutally beaten and mocked.
Before we went to bed last night, Kendall set our alarm to wake to the song "Garden" by Need To Breathe. It was the absolute best way to wake my thoughts on the events of what occurred this day over 2,000 years ago. The song is written as though Jesus Himself is singing from within the Garden of Gethsemane. He sings,
"Won't you take this cup from Me, cause fear has stolen all my sleep,
if tomorrow brings my death, I pray You'll save their souls with it."
"May the songs I sing bring joy to You, may the words I say confess my love, may the notes I choose be your favorite tune....and Father let my heart be after You."
Listen/watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li8aiGtNyZo
I too pray, "Father, let MY heart be after You."

Years ago Kendall and I had the opportunity to hear Anthony Campolo speak and address us with his sermon "It's Friday.....but Sunday's coming!"  Though today is a remembrance that bears with it great sorrow on this good Friday, we cannot remain sorrowful but rather joyful as Sunday is coming and our Mighty God will rise victorious over sin and death.
Below are the lines of Campolo's brief but impactful Good Friday speech. Imagine Tony starting quietly and then rocking back and forth, then louder and louder and louder in culmination of the joyful event, that thunderous sound of a boulder rolling away from a tomb.
Let your mind meditate on these things today. Do not be sad but joyful for it is Friday....but Sunday IS coming!!

“It’s Friday… Jesus was nailed dead on a cross.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… Mary’s crying her eyes out ‘cause her Jesus is dead.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… The disciples are running around like sheep without a shepherd.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… Pilate’s strutting around washing his hands ‘cause he thinks he’s got all the power and victory.

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… People are saying “as things have been so they shall be – you can’t change anything in this world.”

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… Satan’s doing a jig saying, “I control the whole world.”

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Friday… The temple veil ripped from top to bottom -the earth shook- the rocks split and tombs opened. The centurion screamed in fear, “Truly, He is the Son of God!”

But it’s only Friday; Sunday is coming!

It’s Sunday- “The angel, like dazzling lightening, rolled the stone away exclaiming,
“He is not here! He is risen!   

It’s Sunday! It’s Sunday! It is Sunday!”    - Dr. Anthony Campolo

Pray For Your Husband

Recently I was linked to a blog with a list of reasons why the wives who were polled respect their husbands. I thought it would be interesting for you to read through and consider your own husband's strengths. As you read through this list, don't use it as an instrument against which to measure how respect worthy your husband is, rather see your husband in the list. Ask yourself today, what are the top reasons I respect my man. In followup, please share those thoughts and affirmations with your husband. You'd be surprised how one piece of affirmation from you, his best friend, can put the wind back into his sails.
         "Father, thank you for my husband. Wash me with the water of your Word that I may respect him in all seasons to praise of your glory. In Jesus name, Amen."

1. He carries the responsibilities in our daily life
2. He sacrifices so much to make our lives work
3. He supports our family
4. He is hard working
5. He is God fearing
6. He is selfless
7. He neglects himself and his needs to ensure I am ok
8. He is trustworthy
9. He has self control
10. he helps anyone in need
11. He Protects me and our family
12. He helps me see the good in everything
13. He makes his relationship with God priority
14. He is a role model to our kids
15. He shows the boys how to be Godly men
16. He stands for what he believes in
17. His Christ-likeness
18. He does the right thing even when it’s not the popular thing
19. He goes above and beyond what is expected of him
20. He loves me for who I am and helps me be a better person
21. His commitment to our family
22. He loves me unconditionally
23. He defends our marriage to his family
24. He treats me with a kind and patient heart
25. He loves God more than he loves me.
26. He is always following his call
27. He is driven
28. He has goals and ambitions
29. He stayed by my side when no one else would
30. He makes the choice for our family to go to church
31. He is a true man of a God
32. He has integrity
33. He is a great leader to our family
34. He works hard to support us and I have never once heard Him complain about going to work
35. His giving attitude
36. He spends quality time with our kids
37. He is patient
38. He is a man of his word
39. He is always in His Bible learning about God
40. He is not afraid of admitting his mistakes and changing his life according to God’s Plan

To My Salty Friend

A while back I posted a series on being the Salt and Light of the earth and asked for submissions of examples of how your family lives as salt and light.  My dear friend Sarah sent a great example I would like to share with you all.

"Our family has really adopted the neighbors that live on our court.  There are 15 houses and almost all need God deeply.  We try to keep an open home with kids always over to swim in the summer and a few events during the year where we invite our Christian friends and then our whole court.  Yesterday night we invited everyone over for a Movie and Mingle night.  We set up chairs and blankets in the garage and used a projector to show Charlie Brown Christmas which is fun, but still tells the true meaning of Christmas.  Then we had a fire pit outside on the driveway with all the smore fixins.  There were multiple kids out playing basketball at the edge of the street and the house was also open with toys, food, Christmas music and friends all around.  We provided hot cocoa, apple cider and some fun treats then asked anyone who wanted to, to bring something to share.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship and an opportunity for our neighbors to feel God's love through us.  We also used a bunch of Christmas cards (I save all the ones with lovely pictures of Jesus) and we hung them on the wall right over all the food - Christ front and center.  There were probably about 40 people who came to celebrate Jesus - good times."

--So clearly Sarah is not living in the deep freeze of Minnesota, but her family's example is exemplary and reproducible nonetheless. Sometimes we over think how to be Jesus to others and we overlook those living around us. Great job Sarah! So proud of you guys! Keep up the good work friend. Thanks for the example and encouragement for all of us.

Pray For Your Husband

Every man needs a Paul in his life, and every man will need to be a Paul to someone else. I am talking about the importance of relationships that mirror Paul & Timothy (New Testament) in our husband's life. Every man needs to be both a Timothy and a Paul. How?
1. Your husband is a Timothy when he is learning from a "Paul," a more mature man in the faith. I used to think that a mentor relationship meant you hunt someone down, ask them to be a mentor, meet on a regular basis, etc. I mean it can be but it is more. Our husbands need to observe men around them who consistently emulate Christ in all they do. Through prayer, this is the type of man your husband can use as a tangible example of Christ on earth (ie--an example of how to be a good dad/husband, how to be honest and successful, how to stand for the Truth, how to be Jesus consistently to the world). This occurs continually over a lifetime as our husband identifies the Paul in his life and watches him and goes to him for questions and is physically led by example through an open Bible.
2. Your husband is a Paul when he is a leader to another brother in Christ. It is important that our husband not to be a consumer who is constantly being served without giving of himself. Every man at every stage can come along side another and pray with him/for him/model Christ to him.

Holy God,
Thank you for my husband.  God, I pray that you will raise up within him a passion for your Truth that is unquenchable. Show him a man that lives for You with his whole heart. May this man be more mature in the faith. May he display how to live as Christ as a husband, a dad, an employee/employer, etc. May my husband receive solid biblical instruction and advice from this man.In turn, may my husband grow, not to be more like this man, but more like You Jesus, more into your likeness.
God, as my husband grows, I pray that another man would be taking notice. I pray that to this man younger in the faith my husband would be a living example of Jesus. May my husband physically open the Your Word allowing You to lead this man.
Thank You my Lord that you never planned for us to go through life alone.
Thank You for others in the faith who have gone before us and can help us.
Thank You that your Spirit empowers us to help others.
Thank You Holy Spirit of the living God that You are ever with us, ever with my husband.
You are real and I love You and believe in You and Your power at work in this world.
Amen.

Stay salty, the final installment

PROPERTIES OF SALT (cont).
4. Salt has value.
We can't live without salt. Too little and our body's sensitive electrolyte system becomes imbalanced.
In New Testament times, salt was used as currency. It's actually how the Roman soldiers were paid, in salt.  At that time, salt was collected from the Dead Sea. The salt was crystallized together with other minerals that had to be extracted. Salt remained and the leftover minerals formed a white residue that was not useful and was thrown onto the road and trampled under feet. This is what Jesus refers to in the later part of verse 13.
Matthew 5: 13b "But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
How about you? Are you a useful witness for Christ or worthless--selfishly living for yourself or selfishly doing good to be seen or to receive a false sense of higher standing with God?

5. Salt dissolves.
Just as salt is not meant to remain in the salt shaker, so as Christians we are not meant to live in selfish seclusion in a life without service to our king. As the salt of the earth, we are meant to be used up in furthering God's kingdom (preserving the lives of others).
If we consider our own life and the mess we are and where God has taken us, is it not so breathtaking that God would choose to use us. I feel I am an unworthy candidate of the grace of God, but then again, if I was worthy grace would have no value.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. I was blind, but now I see.
*The abundant life involves the thrill of risk. Let's get back on mission with God!

**Write me and let me know some of the ways you/your family are taking risks for the kingdom. I will publish them on my blog (first names only) so we can all receive encouragement and insight together on how the body of Christ around us is living for Him in this day and age.

Stay Salty, part deux y three

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.


PROPERTIES of SALT
2. Salt makes us thirsty.
Ask yourself this, do others see evidence of something they crave in me?  The way I live my life should make others thirsty for Christ.

3. Salt is Common
We don't need to be the smartest or most talented person alive. The point is we belong to Christ and have purpose in Him. (See I Corinthians 1).
Draw attention to Christ not yourself.
Matt Chandler is a pastor Kendall and I enjoy following on podcasts. He says, "God is not glorified in my awesomeness."  Totally true, neither are God or others impressed because we think we are "all that." Common and humble do not equate to weakness though for when we are weak God's greatness is seen through us and we are mightily strong in Him.


Be watching for the fourth and fifth properties of salt to be posted soon.
*Principles taken from the study of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7, women's Bible study, the Village Church, Texas).

Stay Salty

Notes from my Bible study

This week I will be posting things I have been learning from my Bible study. Over the course of the week I will share five properties of salt...five ways you can remain an effective witness for Christ.

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."

Have you ever wondered why Jesus would refer to believers as salt? I mean He could have chosen a multitude of other substances. Below are some unique properties of salt that make Christ's analogy more clear to us.

PROPERTIES OF SALT

1. Preservative
As a preservative, salt helps to prevent decay/spoiling of food.  If we reason from the analogy that believers are salt and the world is meat, then it makes sense that believers resist the spread of sin throughout the world. 
It is also important to note that salt MUST have contact (even be rubbed in) with meat to fulfill its purpose.  Even when the salt is rubbed into the meat it is very easy to tell the difference between the meat and the salt.
As Christians there are two unhealthy extremes to be applied here. One, we stay within our Christian bubble and have little to no contact with the world OR two, some Christians want to look as much like the world as possible. Both are WRONG. An example my Bible study teacher gave is tofu, it wants to look/act like meat but it isn't even close. 
When we fall into either of these two extremes, we (as the salt of the world) are not preserving anything. We are losing our effectiveness as salt in the world around us.

Only when the Church is different will it attract the world (though it may hate the Church's message at first).

Read the book of Jude (yes, all one chapter of it) and you will find that we are charged with the responsibility of contending for the Truth. 

Challenge: Pray and ask God to reveal to your heart if you are living in one of the two extremes. Are you preserving His Truth or have you become ineffective? 
Stay salty my friends.