Three Quick Movie Reviews

Okay, so part of my postings here will be reviews of media forms; books and movies, most notably. I do this for a couple of reasons:

1) It serves as a sort of cultural education making you, the reader, more aware of the goings-on of our present day culture.

2) My offerings will serve either to warn you of the bad stuff or turn you on to the good stuff.

With that in mind, I saw three movies this past week:

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

If you have not seen either of the first two Underworld movies, the basic premise is that vampires and lycans, or, as they are more commonly known, werewolves, are at war with one another. This movie served as a prequel - effectively answering the big question: Why are the vampires and the werewolves hating on one another?

Personally, I found this installment to be the best of the three, but take this with a pinch of salt, for it is most certainly not a movie for children or those who cannot stand the sight of violence. The story is well-told, but the cinematics make it difficult to recommend.

Twilight

I finally broke down and saw this one. I had promised myself I wouldnt get sucked into the next teeny-bopper craze, but my friend Jason and I caved because it was the only movie showing during the time frame in which we were looking to watch one. If you arent aware, the movie is based off of a series of books by author Stephenie Meyer named Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.

The movie wasnt bad and comes with a PG-13 rating for mild violence and what is called "sensuality" by IMDB. Basically what that means is that there is a lot of tension between the two characters in the film that are romantically interested in one another. Too much for this guy.

The movie completely messed with the traditional vampire characteristics, and that bothered me. For instance: Vampire lore dictates that they cant be seen in mirrors and that is clearly not the case in the film. And according to mythos, they cant encounter sunlight without essentially turning to ash. In the movie, when they are exposed to direct sunlight, they dont burn...they dont even sizzle a little. Instead, they sparkle. Yeah, SPARKLE. As if they had been rubbed down in body glitter. Lame.

Some of the special effects were cheesy, too. Like blurring when the vampires jump or fall. Yeah, somehow vampires defy physics in such a way that gravity, itself, somehow exercises its forces on them more intensely - causing them to fall so fast they blur. Also lame.

The story wasnt bad - as I said: a little too creepily seductive. Best part of the film is watching the vampire family interact. Funny if you think about it. The part of Edward Cullin was played well by an unknown by the name of Robert Pattinson who made Edward extremely creepy and just enough unlikeable to give his character some dramatic depth.

Recommended? If you read the books, sure. Otherwise, pass.

I Love You, Man

I must preface this review with a very necessary warning: This movie is not for kids. Its rated R for a host of good reasons.

That aside, for what it is - an adult-oriented comedy - this movie is fantastic. It mixes outright humor with more subtle humor and keeps you laughing throughout. Basic premise is that a guy is going to get married and realizes that he doesnt have any male friends to fill out his side of the wedding party, so he starts going on "man-dates" to try and meet his potential Best Man. He inadvertently meets a guy by the name of Sydney, they hit it off, and onward goeth the plot.

Most of the humor in the movie is harmless, but when it does get into the PG-13/R range with the humor, it goes all in. Language is also an issue in it, with curse-words being uttered, it would be safe to guess, in every scene.

The movie did a great job of getting you to fall in love with the characters and making you pull for them 100%. When the times are good, you are happy. When they get a little rocky, you hope to see a quick return to the good times. You dont see that dynamic too often in comedies.

I dont hesitate to say that I believe this movie was made for my age range (the 18-25 range). Everyone will laugh during the film, but that doesnt mean it is a recommendation for all.

________________________________________________________________

I usually will talk about some sort of teachable moment from the movies I watch, as well, but opted out to keep things shorter this go around. I dont usually see three movies at a time! Oh, and if you are curious about a movie (whether it be for your sake or you are wondering whether or not to let your children go see it in the theaters), shoot me a line and I will scope things out for you and let you know.

Hasta.

This Is New...

I have officially arrived at SOTH now that I have access to authorship on the official SOTH blog. Thats right, folks: Mikeinaminute and SOTHBLOG have merged into one mega-blog that is guaranteed to blow your minds by way of the penmanship of not one, but two of your beloved staff!

I will be bringing a medley of miscellaneous misinformation to this URL. Actually, that is a lie. I only said "misinformation" to cap off the alliteration there. Most, if not all, of what I post here will be information about the world as I see it. There will be movie reviews, book reviews, rants, raves, randomness, and I guess I have to post some stuff about God here, too, huh? Okay, if you insist.

Consider this your warning. Tomorrow, Pandora's Box shall be opened, and as was so eloquently explicated by a guy named Saul from a movie that shall go un-named:

"Pandora doesnt go back into the box. He only comes out."

Spring

Yesterday I had to drive into downtown Douglasville and back. It was an absolutely beautiful day.

I risked UV damage to the crown of my head and opened the sunroof, all the way. I dropped the windows. You could just smell spring in the air.

As I topped a hill, I approached a stand of amazing flowering cherry trees that flanked the road on its right. They looked like pale pink clouds, hovering close to the earth. It was an incredible site, almost transcendent, just for a fleeting moment.

At any other time of the year, I'd have blown by these trees without a second thought. Maybe even just a couple of days ago. In the summer, they're green and nondescript. In winter, they're just bare branches, fading into a massive sea of the same.

But yesterday...wow. A gaudy, garish, showy, unashamed, unabashed display of bloom-osity exploded on the roadside.

When did it happen?

Was there a moment when the tree switch flipped from "off" to "bloom?"

The real truth is that trees don't bloom in a single moment. They bloom bit by bit, day by day, until the undeniable truth of their presence can no longer be denied, even by the most heedless of us humans.

And that reminds me of something that Jesus once had to say:

Mark 4:26-29 (The Message)
Then Jesus said, "God's kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!

Imagine: Jesus is saying that the kingdom can be compared to a harvest that comes while we're not paying attention! Perhaps he's saying that it is a gift. It's not the work of our human hands. The Kingdom belongs to God, who chooses to share it with us, and its presence is a mystery that we cannot solve.

Pastors, churches, and faithful Jesus-followers spend a lot of time, sweat and energy worrying about "the kingdom." That's not bad, is it?

Shouldn't we work to "make disciples?" Shouldn't we give our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness to the effort of kingdom-building?

Of course.

But we should also remember that God's grace, like the flowers of springtime, is a gift from Him that we don't make for ourselves.

We are the beneficiaries of God's abundant love and goodness. It all depends on God, and surely not on us.

What a relief. And what a beautiful day this is.

Grace, Peace, and See you Sunday ---
Adam

Does God Love a Good Fool...Yes!

I've been having a great conversation the last couple of days with facebook friends about my upcoming sermon for this Sunday, and wanted to share via the blog, too.

Here are the scriptures...

John 2:13-22 (New International Version)

13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.

15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

18Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"

19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

20The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?"

21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

And...

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (New International Version)

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19For it is written:

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.


First thoughts...lots of news blurbs this week about the way that our society is growing more and more secular. At the same time, we're probably more highly educated on the whole than ever before.

What do we count as wisdom? What kinds of miracles do we want to see before we believe? What is Jesus' response to that? What does he show for proof, and how is God's foolishness better than human wisdom? And, how does he use the "foolish" to impart his wisdom? And, of course, the video above is a reminder of everybody's favorite literary "fool" (who is full of wisdom)...Forrest Gump.

Talk amongst yourselves...and let me know what you think!

My cousin Shana mentioned this great song by Nicole Nordeman, called "Fool For You,"


There are times when faith and common sense do not align,
when hardcore evidence of you is hard to find,
and I am silenced in the face of argumentative debate,
it's a long hill it's a lonely climb. Maybe it's true.

CHORUS:
Cause they want proof,
They want proof of all these mysteries I claim,
Cause only fools would want to chant a dead man's name.
I would be a fool for you all because you asked me to.
A simpleton who's seeming naive,
I do believe You came and made Yourself a fool for me.

I admit that in my darkest hours I've asked what if,
What if we created some kind of man made faith like this,
Out of good intention or emotional invention,
and after life is through there will be no You.

Cause they want proof of all these miracles I claim,
Cause only fools believe that men can walk on waves.
Maybe it's true.

Unaware of popularity,
and unconcerned with dignity,
You made me free.
That's proof enough for me.

I would be a fool for You,
Only if You asked me to,
A simpleton who's only thinking of,
The cause of love.

I will speak Jesus' name,
and if that makes me crazy,
they can call me crazed,
I'm happy to be seemingly naive,
I do believe You came and
made Yourself a fool for me.

Peace --- And see you this Sunday, Adam

A Trip to the West Bank

Israel is a land of tension.   The history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is long and complex, and it is much more than I can begin to take on here.   If you're interested in trying to gain some understanding, there are good articles and timelines to be found here.  

Many of you have heard of the "west bank" and Gaza when Israel is in the news.  The "West Bank" actually refers to a geographic region that begins with the west bank of the Jordan River.  Several ancient Biblical sites lie within this region, including all of Samaria, a large part of ancient Judea, and important locations like Jericho, Bethany, Bethlehem and Nazareth.  

We passed through checkpoints going in and out of these areas, but were very privileged to get to travel within the West Bank region (we did NOT go into Gaza, which is the heart of the current conflict within the region).  

The sites and people that we encountered in this area were truly wonderful.  I think that one of the misconceptions that I had about the Holy Land was that the area is populated primarily by Christians and Jews.  This is not the case.  There is a massive Islamic Arab presence in Jerusalem and throughout Israel, and especially in the west bank regions.  

We received only the best hospitality and had a great experience.   That said, the feelings of tension and frustration were evident in many places.  We took the picture above just a couple of blocks away from the restaurant in Jericho where we ate lunch.  It was strange to have experienced the hospitality of the people, to then drive right past the local PLO office.  

I had just shared marjoram tea with some men in a little coffee shop, and the man running the store bundled up a big bunch of marjoram and gave it to me, saying, "a gift my friend, grown in Palestine."  For all I know, he's the chair of the local PLO.  It is a complicated world.  

Also in Jericho, Holly got to ride a camel.  She's a natural.  Speaking of camels, a man running a fruitstand on the street (where I bought some of the greatest dates in the world) said to me, "Is this your wife?  I give you 6,000 camels for her."    

I told him that he had mistaken me for a rich man, and that I couldn't afford to feed 6,000 camels.  He belly laughed.  

Again at Jericho, the "mount of temptation," local legend says that this is the mountain upon which Satan tested Jesus at the beginning of his ministry.  

Another sign, this time in Bethany, near Jerusalem.  A massive wall separates the West Bank from Israel, and people cannot cross back and forth.  Spouses and families have been cut off from one another.  

I want to be clear that this is NOT a Palestinian man throwing a rock in anger.  He's actually demonstrating a sling shot of the type used for many centuries in this part of the world.  They call it the "David" sling, referring to the famous battle with Goliath.  

He threw this rock an astonishing distance, over some buildings.  I have no idea where it may have landed.  The other amazing part of this story?  He's standing right in front of the tomb of Lazarus.  Yes, that Lazarus.  The one that Jesus brought back from the dead.  

I bought 3 slingshots...now I just need some wide open spaces to teach my boys how to throw with them.  

Armageddon

We're back in the USA!  It is very good to be home.  A short little 13 hour plane ride and we're back in Douglasville, GA.    My anti-jet lag strategy is to stay awake today, even though we'd just gotten nicely adjusted to Jerusalem time.  Right now it's about 6:45 there -- just finishing up dinner, but here it's not quite lunch time.  Our plane landed this morning at 6 am Atlanta time.  

So...everything is a little confused, but wow -- what a trip.  

OK -- time to catch up some pics that my connection wouldn't quite let me do while I was there...

These pics are of "Tel Megiddo," one of the oldest known civilizations in the world. Archaeologists know that there have been cities on this site, beginning about 8,000 years ago.  

Megiddo sits at a "crossroads of crossroads" in the ancient world, and it's the place that we know as "Armageddon" from Revelation 16: 

 ¹⁶Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

 ¹⁷The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 

¹⁸Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 

¹⁹The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. ²⁰Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 

²¹From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

The Hebrew, "Har Megiddo," (Mountain of Megiddo) becomes "Armageddon" as the name winds its way through New Testament Greek and into English.  

One of the many tensions of this Biblical land is the intense beauty of this place held against the story of final destruction connected to it in Revelation.  I always had images of Armageddon being fiery and ugly.  This place is green and beautiful.  It is peaceful.  It's a wonderful place to pray for peace.  

Bethlehem

Hello again everybody! We are still exhausted, but still having a wonderful time! Yesterday we went to Bethlehem, which means going through an Israeli checkpoint into Palestinian-controlled West Bank territory. The main attraction in Bethlehem, of course, is the Church of the Nativity, long venerated as the site of Jesus' birth. Above is a picture of Holly touching the "star of Bethlehem," the marker of the site, in a grotto (cave) below the sanctuary of the church.



The Church is controlled by Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian Christians. This is the Orthodox sanctuary, situated directly above the birth site. Let's just say their decorating taste isn't exactly Methodist. The chandeliers were given by Russian Czar Nicholas before the 1917 Russian revolution. This is the oldest continually operating church, founded in about the year 300 with worship taking place here ever since. Some of the original floors and structures still exist.




Above, an exterior corner of the Church of the Nativity


Rev. Jamie Jenkins talks to the group at the Shepherds' Field cave, just outside of Bethlehem. This cave is traditionally considered the site of the angelic appearance announcing Jesus' birth. We sang "Angels We Have Heard on High" here.

Just now...in this place...

Our tour guide Jimmy, speaking in the stone synagogue where Jesus grew up, and eventually proclaimed himself the messiah and was rejected.  

^{From Luke 4 (The Message)}

^16-21He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, 

   God's Spirit is on me; 
      he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to 
       the poor, 
   Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and 
      recovery of sight to the blind, 
   To set the burdened and battered free, 
      to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place."

 ²²All who were there, watching and listening, were surprised at how well he spoke. But they also said, "Isn't this Joseph's son, the one we've known since he was a youngster?"

One of the most amazing things from today's sites...and this just scratches the surface of the many places we've been today...

We got to sit in the exact synagogue where this scripture reading took place.  

This was truly incredible.  

Archaeologists are 100% certain that the tiny village of Nazareth (about 150 people in Jesus' day, now 150,000) only had one synagogue.  There's no way that it would have had more than one.  

The synagogue site is well-known in Nazareth, and has been well-preserved and carefully restored.  It sits at the end of a long street market, tucked discreetly (I never would have known it was there) under an over-hang.  A tiny sign says, "synagogue," and worship still takes place there today.  

The stones are the same as in Jesus' time.  It's the same floors, walls, ceiling.  All hand-hewn rough limestone.  It is the place where Jesus returned during his ministry in Galilee and read the scroll of Isaiah 61.  It is the place where he declared himself the messiah.  It is the room we sat in today, and that is incredible.  We sang a hymn there, read this scipture and could feel the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Down to the River...

We went to what is known at the "Yardenit" baptismal site.  I know it sounds impossible, but this was the only slight disappointment of the trip so far.  The site is amazingly commercial.  Several gift shops have been built, there's a full-service restaurant, any and everything is for sale and the coffee/snack shop serves Heineken in case you need a brew while you watch your loved one get baptized.  

All that said, it is still the very same river in which John baptized Jesus, and in which Naaman the leper of the Old Testament was made clean.   Probably neither of those things happened at this part of the Jordan, but it's the place that we had access to the river from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee.  Hey, I got a great picture for my office.  

A Quiet Place

Scripture makes many references to Jesus getting away from the crowds during his Galilean ministry.  While there are several caves around the lake...this one does truly stand out.  

Local legend says that this is the cave to which the Gospels refer.  

I can't say for sure that Jesus ever prayed in this cave.  But we scaled the rocky, steep trail and sat there ourselves.  The feeling is amazing, and the surroundings are surely of the sort that Jesus experienced in his times of quiet prayer.  The cave faces the Galilee, with an incredible view.  

Do You Love Me...

Inside the Church, the Rock where Christ stood is exposed before the altar.  "Mensa Christi" means, "meal of Christ," referring to the fish breakfast that Jesus and the disciples cooked on the beach at this place, recorded in John 21.  

-----------------------

One of my most favorite scripture passages has been John 21 for many, many years.  The resurrected Jesus is on the banks of the Sea of Galilee.  He calls to the disciples..."children, do you have any fish?"  They put nets in on the other side on his order, and then Peter recognizes him.  

Three times, Jesus asks him, "do you love me..." and Peter is redeemed.  What a place of redemption.  

The "Primacy of Peter" is a small Roman Catholic church built on the site where it is believed the resurrected Christ stood and called to the disciples.  Its foundation is a large rock that looks out to the water.  

Some call this the "Christian Wailing Wall," as every nook and cranny in that rock was stuffed with scribbled prayers.  It is a place of redemption, and it is very, very powerful.  

Blessed are the...

Mount of the Beatitudes, site of Sermon on the Mount

 

One of the highlights for me personally, was that I got to read the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, at the location where it's believed that Jesus first preached them.    We are taking turns doing Biblical readings at each site, and this one happened to be mine.  

It makes so much more sense now...

The setting is lush and green, and the hillside truly does form a kind of natural amphitheatre.  The Sea of Galilee (which sits basically in a hole, 600+ feet below sea level, surrounded by mountains) is the backdrop.  

Jesus had moved from Nazareth and set up "headquarters" in Capernaum, a town of about 1500 on the Sea of Galilee where Peter and other disciples lived.  I now understand when the Bible says that "news of him spread quickly throughout the countryside..."   Imagine how news spreads through our small towns today, and in that time and place, all they really had to talk about was each other.  

Our wonderful guide Jimmy introduced the Mount of the Beatitudes by saying, "Jesus didn't come to the rich or the powerful.  He came to his people.  He went down to that water, and he was among the fisherman.  He was a builder himself.  He went to the poor and those who didn't have a chance.  He cared about them.  He went to the Gentile side of this lake and ministered in the Decapolis, and no one would do that!" 

Jimmy went on to say, "Do we talk about Jesus being in Tiberias, the town we're staying in?  No!  Do you know why?  Because it was a resort town for the rich 2,000 years ago, just like it is today.  That's not where Jesus was going to spend his time."  

That being the case...from the point of Jimmy, a 60+ year old, 3rd generation Palestinian Christian living in Israel...makes this reading come alive.  

From Matthew 4 and 5 (The Message)  

When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills...

From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God's kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God's government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the "Ten Towns" across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.

^1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

 ³"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

 ⁴"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

 ⁵"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

 ⁶"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

 ⁷"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

 ⁸"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

 ⁹"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

 ¹⁰"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

 ^11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Tiberias: Road from Cana to Capernaum

This is a view of the first place that we stopped, walked and and experienced in Israel.  

It is an old Roman road, used at the time of Jesus, that stretches from Cana to Capernaum, through the Galilee.  Jesus would have walked this very path, many times.  

Several things are striking:  1 -- The sheer rock cliffs that line this part of the route are incredible and pictures do not do them justice.  2 -  Ancient Galileans were TOUGH.  Walking being their primary transportation method.  Wow.  These are some incredible hills and distances. 3- This valley is called the "valley of doves" because it was used to raise doves for sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem.  They would nest in the high rocky outcroppings.   

An incredible and beautiful place --- a good symbol of the Galilean landscape, deeply beautiful and also difficult and unforgiving.  

Backstory on today --- Friday -- Galilee and Jerusalem

Alright everybody!  Day 2 of touring is over --- I know we've been gone longer than that, having left on Tuesday night, but we arrived after dark on Wednesday, Israel time.  I have now toured yesterday and today.  

Really, there aren't words to describe everything we've seen, touched and experienced.  With time, we'll be more able to take it in.  But, on the other hand, our first impressions will never be more fresh than they are right now.  

All that said --- here's my thought --- I'm going to try to somehow keep things relatively brief, and maybe post a few of the very best pics, with descriptions, from each day.   What an incredible place.  Even as I write this, I'm still coming off of the experience of walking with a few of our group through the old city of Jerusalem, right after dinner.  We did travel as a group (about 12 of us), and we walked part of the Via Dolorosa (the path that Christ walked while carrying the cross), and ended at the Wailing Wall, the western wall of the Temple that was destroyed in 70 A.D.  

Tonight is Sabbath, and so things were virtually deserted and we had easy access.  I could go on and on about that experience of prayer.  These were the foundation stones of the temple in Jesus' time, and we were able to touch them, to see the thousands of prayers that have been written and jammed into the cracks and crevices, and pray.  Even though I was by myself in that spot (Holly was on the other side of a divided area --- women and men aren't allowed to approach the wall together) it was an incredible experience of "communal" prayer.  When you pray at the wall, you definitely do not pray alone.  You do it with millions and millions of others who have poured out their hearts to God in that place.  

OK --- pics.  

Sea of Galilee

Hello from Israel!!  What beautiful words to write...

When we landed in Tel Aviv and boarded our tour bus, we met "Jimmy," who is serving as our tour guide.  He's a 40 year veteran of Holy Land tours, and he is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about the life, times and places of Jesus.  

His first words to us were beautiful..."welcome home."  He said, "this is your home because it is the home of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  It is your home."  

And, above is the view from the terrace of our hotel room.  Not kidding.  It really is.  

We are staying in Tiberias, on the Sea of Galilee in the norther part of Israel.  We open the glass door to our terrace and can sit and look at the Sea of Galilee.  This pic was taken early this morning just after sunrise.  

We have had an incredible day.  We've been to the Cana-to-Capernaum Roman road that Jesus would have walked in his time.  We've been on a boat in the Sea of Galilee.  We've been to the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount and I got to read the Beatitudes for the group.  We've seen an ancient fishing boat from Jesus' time, discovered 20 years ago in Galilee.  We've eaten "St. Peter's fish" at a local restaurant.  We sat in the cave that is traditionally considered the place where Jesus would go by himself to pray and rest from the crowds that followed him.  We have been to the site of John 21, where the resurrected Jesus forgave Peter 3 times and told him to, "feed my sheep."  We've put out hands in the Jordan River and remembered our baptism.  

Wow.  What a day.  

I'm going to try to post some more pics, though it's very slow going and not sure how the internet connection will hold from one moment to the next.  It should get better once we get to Jerusalem tomorrow.  

We are very happy.  We are exhausted.  Thanks so much for your prayers, we feel them.  Talk to you soon!  Adam and Holly 

Leaving Home

Hello SOTHbloggers --- and thanks again for your keeping tabs of Holly and me, and following along on our holy land excursion.  

This is departure day --- and anytime you get ready to leave home and take a big trip, it can make you a little reflective on the great blessings that we enjoy and take for granted everyday.  

Listening to some music early this morning I heard Neil Young's, "I am a Child," and of course it put me in mind of my 3 boys.    Without a doubt, leaving them to go on the trip is the hardest part for us.  

But, they are in wonderful hands with loving grandparents who will care for them and the support of a couple hundred of our closest SOTH friends and family.  

So...a little devotional moment through pop music this morning:  for all of you who are parents...or who have a role in the life of a child --- some good stuff from Neil Young, back in the Buffalo Springfield days.  

Wish I could play the song for you, but you know...copyrights, etc.  Go look it up and listen if you have time...Neil is an acquired taste, perhaps, but I love his stuff.  

Next post, from Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee!  

"I am a Child," Neil Young

I am a child, I'll last a while.
You can't conceive
of the pleasure in my smile.

You hold my hand,
rough up my hair,
It's lots of fun
to have you there.

God gave to you,
now, you give to me,
I'd like to know
what you learned.

The sky is blue
and so is the sea.
What is the color,
when black is burned?
What is the color?

You are a man, you understand.
You pick me up
and you lay me down again.

You make the rules,
you say what's fair,
It's lots of fun
to have you there.

God gave to you,
now, you give to me,
I'd like to know
what you learned.

The sky is blue
and so is the sea.
What is the color,
when black is burned?
What is the color?

I am a child, I'll last a while.
You can't conceive
of the pleasure in my smile.

Holy Land 2009

Welcome back to the SOTHBLOG everybody!

Holly and I are so excited and deep into preparations for our Holy Land trip next week. Thanks to each of you who had the vision and who decided to give to make this trip possible for us. Shepherd of the Hills, you are an incredible church, and we want to learn all that we can while we're there and share this trip with you in every way possible.

To that end, I'm posting our itinerary, and my goal is to post each day, sharing pics and experiences of all the Biblical sites that we'll be visiting.

Thanks again to all of you for being the church that you are. "Wheels up" from Atlanta on Tuesday night, direct to Tel Aviv!

Grace & Peace --- Adam and Holly

1. Day 1 - Depart the USA

   Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

2. Day 2 - Arrive in the Holy Land

   You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy dinner before you rest.

3. Day 3 - The Galilee

   View map

   With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4: 13, 23). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you’ll learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you’ll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). At the River Jordan you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal Site. With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4: 13, 23). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you’ll learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you’ll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You’ll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). At the River Jordan you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal Site.

4. Day 4 - Beit Shean, Nazareth, Megiddo and Caesarea

   Visit the ruins of Beit Shean which was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem. Visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2: 23). Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for Trial.

5. Day 5 - Jericho, Qumran, and Bethlehem

   View map

   Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2, 20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18 - 25; Luke 2: 1- 7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby you’ll view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2, 20). From Jericho, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Even today, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem twists for miles as it climbs from below sea level into the Judean mountains. Jesus traveled the nearby Roman road, the setting of His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-36). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. In Bethlehem, you’ll visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18 - 25; Luke 2: 1- 7). The church, which was constructed on the site, is the world’s oldest functioning church. Nearby you’ll view Shepherds’ Field where the Good News was first heard.

6. Day 6 - Jerusalem

   View map

   Visit the Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view from the south of Jerusalem, the Old City walls and the hill called Mount Moriah where Abraham was commanded by God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen. 22: 2, 4). View the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Gehenna. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1: 9 - 12). Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matt. 26: 36 - 44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt. 26: 57 - 65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12 - 26). View the site of King David’s Tomb.

7. Day 7 - Jerusalem and the Old City

   View map

   Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

8. Day 8 - Leisure Day with Optional Masada and Dead Sea Tour

   View map

   Explore on-your-own or visit Masada (additional charge), Herod’s mountaintop fortress which became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting, you’ll stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.siege ramp below. Time permitting, you’ll stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.

9. Day 9 - Jerusalem

   View map

   Travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place where the Virgin Mary visited Elisabeth (Luke 1: 26-40). Time permitting, you will visit Yad Vashem. Visit and worship at the Garden Tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Your afternoon is free for exploring.

10. Day 10 - Extension or Return

    Depart on an exciting extension or return to USA. (We'll be heading back to Atlanta!)
    

Witnesses

Luke 24:33-53 (The Message)

33-34 They didn't waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem.

They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: "It's really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!"

35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

36-41 While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you."

They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death.

He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this."

As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true.

41-43 He asked, "Do you have any food here?" They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.

44 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled."

45-49 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way.

He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem!

You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."

50-51 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven.

52-53 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.

Luke's Gospel ends in this most magnificent way.

Jesus, alive, and in the midst of his beloved disciples. His presence, and his final teaching of scripture, make ultimate sense of the events that have taken place.

He is Redemption embodied. He is Hope, fulfilled. He is Joy and Peace and Power.

Things have been made right in the most perfect way. He is alive.

Those three words have had so much power throughout time and place.

He is alive.

The one who gave himself up. The most heart-breaking story of sacrificial love ends with healed hearts, bursting with joy.

He is alive.

And now, the task for those who believe this truth? "You're the witnesses."

Witnesses can attest to the truth of what has taken place. Witnesses shed light, and bring reality into clear view. They help others make sense of the world.

That is the call. We are witnesses to what God has done...witnesses to what God is doing and can yet do in our own lives.

Because "he is alive," all things are possible. Joy. Hope. Peace. Power.

"They returned to Jerusalem praising God and bursting with Joy. Yes!"

Father God we thank you for this journey through the words of your witnesses. We are so removed by history from that first resurrection appearance. But we can know Jesus as alive and present in our hearts and world. May we see, and then become witnesses to all that you have done.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Road

Luke 24:13-32 (The Message)

13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem.

They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them.

But they were not able to recognize who he was.

17-18 He asked, "What's this you're discussing so intently as you walk along?"

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend.

Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, "Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn't heard what's happened during the last few days?"

19-24 He said, "What has happened?"

They said, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened.

But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn't find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn't see Jesus."

25-27 Then he said to them, "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?"

Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed.

He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them.

And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him.

And then he disappeared.

32 Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"

Here we are, so near the very end of the Gospel of Luke...and we meet "Cleopas," and his unnamed friend for the first time.

They are walking on the road to Emmaus. They have been Jesus-followers. Their description of "our women" seems to indicate that they feel very connected to the disciples and the larger group that had looked to Jesus as their rabbi.

They are grieving. They feel lost and confused by the crucifixion and now the first reports of a missing body.

They meet a traveller on the road who is very different than most...and yet somehow intimately familiar.

He listens to their pain, and then begins setting them straight.

What a gift these two experience! Jesus, present with them, explaining all of the scriptures and prophecies that foretold his death and resurrection!

Of all the stories that Luke could choose to tell, he chooses this story of "Cleopas," and the Emmaus Road encounter.

No one knows why it was chosen, but I'm thankful that we have it.

So many times, we are confused pilgrims on the path. We know that something we just saw has deep, spiritual significance. We know that even though the things we sometimes see don't make sense...God is deeply involved in working his purposes.

The Holy Spirit...the presence of Christ...the scriptures and their message...these are the things that can make the pieces fall in place.

When we carefully, prayerfully look back at the years of our lives...or even just the events of yesterday...we too can have those beautiful moments when we say, "didn't we feel on fire...as he opened the scriptures for us?"

Like Cleopas and his companion...we may catch fleeting glimpses of Jesus in our midst...and they are enough to help us catch fire.

Father, we pray for your help today...and for an appearance of your presence that we can see, even if for just a moment. We pray that the veil would be somehow lifted, and that you would move us deeper in faith and hope.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Awestruck

Luke 24:1-12 (The Message)

1-3 At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared.

They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn't find the body of the Master Jesus.

4-8 They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this.

Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there.

The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship.

The men said, "Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?"

Then they remembered Jesus' words.

9-11 They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest.

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles, but the apostles didn't believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up.

12 But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that's all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head.

When last we left Luke...Jesus was being laid in the grave.

On Sunday morning, some of the women who had followed Jesus all the way to the cross followed him further still. They went to that tomb for the difficult but important work of caring for his body.

What they found (or didn't find) changed the world forever.

Luke's account is wonderfully sparse and lean. He tells us only what we need to know...the minimum that moves the story along.

His style has a wonderful way of communicating what the disciples must have felt. Confusion. Bewilderment. They are "puzzled," and left wiht shaking heads.

After all...how can this be?

Just a few days ago I found myself praying in earnest that God would answer a specific prayer. Before the day was out, I had seen it answered, in an amazing and complete way.

I found that my reaction was to be thankful...to praise God...but I'll admit to feeling at least a little puzzled...bewildered...head-shakingly so.

Was that really God, or just my imagination, or just the power of positive thinking?

The resurrection is our answer. God's ways are puzzling. They cause head shaking. And God's ways are always and forever wonderful. Yes, God does act. God does amazing things. In him all things are possible.

Will we dare to be awestruck...and to believe?

Father God, we give you all praise and glory for the wonderful, mind-bending, awe-inspiring resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are told that because he lives, we will live also. Our hope rests in him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomb

Luke 23:50-56 (The Message)

50-54 There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character.

He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council.

His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea.

He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God.

He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin.

55-56 The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed along. They saw the tomb where Jesus' body was placed.

Then they went back to prepare burial spices and perfumes.

They rested quietly on the Sabbath, as commanded.

"What do we do now?"

The teen driver was ashen. He looked at me through his passenger window. His question hung in the air.

I was confused. In fact, I was angry.

As I made my way down Anneewakee Road, not a quarter mile from Shepherd of the Hills, this kid had decided to just stand on his brakes.

It had taken all I had not to rear-end him. I swerved my Jeep into the ditch, after locking the brakes, and came skidding to a halt beside him.

"What do we do now?" he said, through his open window and into mine.

Then I saw what he meant.

He had hit a small dog. The dog was gone.

There just wasn't much that we "could do now."

And yet, there was.

I turned my emergency blinkers on, and told him to get off the road and pull in front of me. I was in "pastor" mode. The dog wasn't the only victim of the accident.

An elderly lady stood beside her mailbox, crying. The little dog was hers, and had run out into the road as she went to get her mail.

Sometimes, life just turns on a dime. You can never expect it. You're never ready.

It leaves you asking, "what do we do now?"

For me, these last verses of Luke 23 leave us with one of those questions.

The "worst" has happened. Death has come. Jesus hangs upon the cross.

"What do we do now?"

We do the best we can.

Thank God for folks like Joseph of Arimethea. He intercedes in a way that none of Jesus' disciples had the power to do. And he uses that power because he "lived in expectation."

Because of him, a proper burial can take place. And so, they all do what they can.

So did we. We helped this stranger bury her beloved pet. We listened to her cry.

After we did those things, the young man asked me again. "What do we do?"

"Now, we leave," I said. And so did those who gathered at the cross. So do those who gather at gravesides anywhere and everywhere today.

It's not very fulfilling to just go home. It seems that more should be done. But in the waiting...those closest to Jesus drew closer to the resurrection.

We can do what we can...then we can wait...and we can know that there is hope that will be yet fulfilled.

Father, when our hearts are broken and we face the reality of death, we pray that you would give us the strength to do what we can, and to wait in faithful expectation of your power. May we remember the example of Joseph, and never lose hope in what may yet be.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Friday

Luke 23:44-49 (The Message)

44-46 By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout.

The Temple curtain split right down the middle.

Jesus called loudly, "Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last.

47 When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!"

48-49 All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home.

Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil.

Every single year, there is one moment in worship that stands out as unique from all the others.

On the Friday before Easter, worshipers all over the world gather together to remember the death of Jesus Christ.

The same is true at Shepherd of the Hills. We sing songs, we listen to the story of his arrest, trial and crucifixion from scripture. Sometimes there is a sermon, sometimes there are various other acts of worship.

But the end of that service is always the same. It is unlike any other ending, any other moment of worship throughout the whole year.

We extinguish the candles. We cover our altar table in black cloth. We are silent.

And then we leave. We just leave. It is the strangest feeling in the world to just walk out, lock up, get in a car and drive home. That's it.

That moment is a re-creation of the moment experienced by all those who were present at the Cross that day.

The skies darkened. The curtain was torn. The Roman soldier proclaimed the truth.

And then everyone left, in silence. Those closest to him stayed behind and kept vigil. But there was a real darkness...a real loss...a real grief in that place.

It's disconcerting to leave church in the silent darkness. It is strange to hear that last chord left unresolved.

Thank God for the good news of resurrection.

Without it, our own lives, for all time, would be left with the heaviness of grief and the silence of loss. Without that hope, we would live in the midst of that strange, twilight, uncomfortable silence...we would walk away, heads down, into a real sort of hopelessness.

That is the nature of this moment in Luke. Friday. But Sunday is coming.

Father God, we give thanks for the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. May we always be willing to enter fully into Friday. Help us not to look away, but to know that only Friday's darkness makes the bright light of Easter Sunday possible.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Thief

Luke 23:34-43 (The Message)

34-35 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."

Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, "He saved others. Let's see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!"

36-37 The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: "So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"

38 Printed over him was a sign: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: "Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!"

40-41 But the other one made him shut up: "Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this."

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom."

43 He said, "Don't worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise."

Some people really seem to resent the idea of "deathbed" conversions.

Can it really "count" if a person throws themselves on the grace of God at the last minute, after a lifetime spent out of relationship?

Thank God...yes.

In fact, in a sense, I'm not sure there's really any other kind of true conversion at all.

If we are to live with Christ, we're going to have to die...one way or another.

What I mean is, at the heart of the Christian faith, following Jesus is about relinquishment. It is about humility. It is about renouncing our pride and ego, admitting and fully and embracing our need for a savior.

Most of us can't do that in the "good" times. Often, there is a need for a kind of spiritual "bottom," from which the seeds of our faith can grow and develop in the full light of God's strength.

Really, that's what it's all about. God's strength. 100%. Not ours, in any way.

Do you know who may have understood that better than almost any other individual we will ever read about in scripture?

The thief who hung, crucified, beside Jesus.

He makes his deathbed conversion.

And Jesus' response?

Welcome to the Kingdom. Today you will be with me in paradise.

Here's to "deathbed" conversions for us all.

Father God, we pray that our old selves could die away, that you would crucify our wounded egos and allow us to live new lives, fully dependent upon your strength alone.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.