Burial and Resurrection

Romans 8:12-17 (Message)

So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent.

There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all.

The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.

It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"

God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.

And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

A couple of weeks ago, I went for a long hike around the town of Waynesville, North Carolina.

I was attending an annual clergy retreat at nearby Lake Junaluska. We had the afternoon off, and I found a do-it-yourself walking tour around the beautiful old town.

Toward the end of the 6 mile journey, I read the instructions, "turn left at ____ street, and enter through the main gates of Green Hill Cemetery."

Seriously? I wasn't expecting that.

What I found was pretty amazing. The historic Green Hill cemetery is filled to capacity and has been for some time. It rests on one of the highest points around the mountainous area of Waynesville. From the crest of the tallest hill, you could see the old town spread out below.

In the distance, in all directions, beautiful trees, sky and mountains filled the view. I was surrounded by a huge crowd of silent witnesses to the beauty God has made.

I was struck to see family after family, memorialized in granite. I read the story of Waynesville's founders, and confederate battle flags decorated the graves of scores of southern soldiers who died in the civil war.

But even in that beautiful, quiet place, I could hear the sounds of cars and trucks. The hustle and bustle of the living was calling for me to join them.

And so is Romans 8. We are called to an experience of burial and resurrection, here and now.

"The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life."

I didn't stay in the cemetery. It was a nice place to visit...but there are things to do, places to go.

"What's next Papa?"

Grace & Peace,

Adam

Wonderful

Lectionary Readings for this week (where we're heading together on the SOTHblog each morning)

Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (UMH 826)
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17 (25-27)

We'll start this morning with Psalm 104 (The Message)

What a wildly wonderful world, God!

You made it all, with Wisdom at your side,
made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

Oh, look—the deep, wide sea,
brimming with fish past counting,
sardines and sharks and salmon.

Ships plow those waters,
and Leviathan, your pet dragon, romps in them.

All the creatures look expectantly to you
to give them their meals on time.
You come, and they gather around;
you open your hand and they eat from it.

If you turned your back,
they'd die in a minute—
Take back your Spirit and they die,
revert to original mud;
Send out your Spirit and they spring to life—
the whole countryside in bloom and blossom.

The glory of God—let it last forever!
Let God enjoy his creation!
He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake,
points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt.

Oh, let me sing to God all my life long,
sing hymns to my God as long as I live!

Oh, let my song please him;
I'm so pleased to be singing to God.

"He points a finger at the mountains and volcanoes erupt."

That's not really how it happens, is it?

We all learned in about 7th grade earth science (now I think they teach this in 3rd grade), that pressure builds up within a mountain because of geological forces and finally the lava explodes up into the air.

Don't get me wrong...I'm so thankful for science. It's saved my life many times. Virtually everything that I'll do today has been made easier, safer, and much more comfortable because of the scientific method and what human beings have been able to learn and achieve.

But there is a problem.

We may have lost our sense of wonder...and place.

Anybody out there have teenage kids?

I bet you know how smart they DON'T think you are.

They've managed to do a few things, to learn a few more new things...and then make the critical mistake of thinking they've got it all figured out. That, in fact, they know more than their parents.

I did it. You did it. We all did it. Of course, we were wrong.

I wonder if it's possible that humanity at this moment has a similar relationship to God?

Walk outside and take it all in. Find a tree, somewhere, and just really look at it. Study it closely. Understand all the processes that are at work in that tree, at that very moment.

We can describe the process of photosynthesis, but we can't really replicate it. We can manage the growth and hybridization of trees, but only God can make one.

We don't cause the sun to shine. Without rain, we know how difficult life can become.

Thousands of years after Psalm 104 was written...it's absolutely true: "if you turned your back, we'd die in a minute."

Folks, that means that today really is a gift.

"All the creatures look expectantly to you
to give them their meals on time.
You come, and they gather around;
you open your hand and they eat from it."

Amen.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

This vid is absolutely one of my favorites...what a great hymn of the church, and a brilliant example of how old and new can come together in a powerful way.

Unity

John 17:20-26 (The Message)

This is Jesus' prayer for the unity of his believers in John 17. As we do the work of being a church together, what would happen if we stopped and recited this prayer together, whenever we encounter difficulty or conflict?

This might be the ultimate conflict buster. Let's don't leave it on the shelf to collect dust when it can live and breathe and give us life.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

I'm praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.

The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.

Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they'll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.

Then they'll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you've sent me and loved them
In the same way you've loved me.

Father, I want those you gave me
To be with me, right where I am,
So they can see my glory, the splendor you gave me,

Having loved me
Long before there ever was a world.

Righteous Father, the world has never known you,
But I have known you, and these disciples know
That you sent me on this mission.

I have made your very being known to them—
Who you are and what you do—

And continue to make it known,
So that your love for me
Might be in them

Exactly as I am in them.

-- Jesus

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Where charity and love are, God is there.

The Case for Christ

A very interesting film...Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ." Well worth the hour and eighteen minute time investment. Watch it when you have a chance to sit with it and think along with it...pretty good stuff, particularly the interviews with NT Wright.

Tomorrow -- we'll finish up the week with the passage from John 17 and I'll talk a bit about what's on tap for Sunday.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

Soon

From Revelation 22 (The Message)

"Yes, I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!

I'm bringing my payroll with me.

I'll pay all people in full for their life's work. I'm A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they'll walk through the gates to the City.

"I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches.

I'm the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star."

"Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride.
Whoever hears, echo, "Come!"
Is anyone thirsty? Come!
All who will, come and drink,
Drink freely of the Water of Life!

He who testifies to all these things says it again: "I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!"

Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

Can you remember a time when someone met a need for you? When have you been in need...a need that you could not meet for yourself?

How did it feel to experience that "grace?"

After all, when we receive a gift, and find that our needs are met when we didn't know how they would be, that's the very definition of grace.

And it's the nature of God towards his people.

This closing chapter of Revelation reminds us of the end of the story.

The apostle John was in his old age, exiled to the work colony of Patmos. He was powerless, and surrounded by powerless people who were being punished for their faith in Jesus.

John's revelation, in a nutshell?

It will all be worth it.

He hears the voice of Jesus: "I'm on my way, I'll be there soon. All who will, come and drink freely of the water of life!"

John actually knew that voice from his earlier life. He spent time with this man from Galilee who was the Messiah. He knew his voice, and heard it again in his heavenly vision.

How exciting would this have been for John? Can it be exciting for us to hear these words?

If you are tired...there is hope. There is one who is the beginning and the end, and he will take care of us all.

That's the good news that gives peace.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

For today, a glimpse into how pop rock envisions the end and what comes next:

Poking a little fun at ourselves...

My good friend Rev. Scott Parrish gets credit for finding this one...we shall not take ourselves too seriously...

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

THEO-logy, May 11, 2010

I dont think it is by accident that I read this particular sermon of my great-grandfather's today so close on the heels of the post on involved versus committed from earlier this week. He encapsulated this sermon in a single line near the end:

We cherish the last drops of these men's blood (here referring to the old saints, missionaries, martyrs, and reformers - including Jesus) but are careful not to shed a drop of our own.

We read of countless sacrifices made on behalf of or in the name of our God in the Bible:

• Abraham was called not only to leave his home but also to sacrifice his only son (Genesis 12:1-5 and Genesis 22:1-19 respectively)
• The disciples were told to leave everything they own...including their families (Luke 9:3, 59-62)
• Jesus gave all that He was (Do I really need to cite Scripture here...?)

When we read or are reminded of these sacrifices we're are awed by the willingness of those who gave everything; we rejoice in their obedience. We idolize them. But sometimes that's as far as it goes.

We cherish the last drops of these men's blood, but are careful not to shed a drop of our own.

How crazy is it that we are sometimes more willing to hear and apply morals and teachings of stories like "The Ant and the Grasshopper" or even "The Tortoise and the Hare" before we apply the lessons held within the pages of the very book we base our beliefs on?

Im definitely not preaching at you from on high, either. I am very withholding when it comes to God; more often than I care to admit. But as a wise man once said: "Knowing is half the battle." The other half? Taking what we've learned from the realm of theory into the realm of practice and application.

What will that look like in your life?

Handcrafted gods

Psalm 97 (The Message)

God rules: there's something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands—celebrate!

² Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him;
Right and justice anchor his rule.

³ Fire blazes out before him,
Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

⁴ His lightnings light up the world;
Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

⁵ The mountains take one look at God
And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord.

⁶ The heavens announce that he'll set everything right,
And everyone will see it happen—glorious!

^7-8 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry—
And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods!

On your knees, all you gods—worship him!
And Zion, you listen and take heart!

Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out:
God has done it all, has set everything right.

⁹ You, God, are High God of the cosmos,
Far, far higher than any of the gods.

¹⁰ God loves all who hate evil,
And those who love him he keeps safe,
Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.

¹¹ Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people,
Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

¹² So, God's people, shout praise to God,
Give thanks to our Holy God!

"All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry."

Good thing we don't build idols anymore...right?

Well, we do, of course.

And wow, they're pretty impressive these days. An ancient person couldn't have imagined computers, the power of the internet, HD television.

They would have bowed down and worshiped in the presence of a TV, I imagine.

Silly ancients. ...right?

What can I do and where can I go that can really help me experience the power of the one true God?

Wherever that place is for you --- it's probably not in front of the tv or computer (unless you're reading the sothblog, of course).

The problem of idolatry is that it's the easy way out. It exchanges the awesome God of Zion for something handcrafted that we can handle for ourselves.

But the easy way is definitely not the best way.

Today I'll think about the gods that I've created and see what I can do to lay them at the feet of the only God that matters.

Dangerous

This week's daily lectionary blog posts are back!

Thanks for hanging in there with me, I've had a bit of a challenging travel schedule the last couple of weeks, but we should be getting back on track.

We'll look at one lectionary passage Monday through Thursday this week, and on Friday I'll write a few thoughts about this coming Sunday's sermon in the series, "To Save a Family."

Monday: Acts 16:16-34

Tuesday: Psalm 97

Wednesday: Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21;

Thursday: John 17:20-26

Acts 16:16-34 (A long story, but one well worth investing a few minutes) from The Message:

^16-18One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us.

She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her.

She started following Paul around, calling everyone's attention to us by yelling out, "These men are working for the Most High God. They're laying out the road of salvation for you!"

She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, "Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!"

And it was gone, just like that.

^19-22When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order."

By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

^22-24The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas's clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating.

After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape.

He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

^25-26Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God.

The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

^27-28Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges.

Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: "Don't do that! We're all still here! Nobody's run away!"

^29-31The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?"

They said, "Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!"

^32-34They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part.

They never did get to bed that night.

The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn't wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family.

There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal.

It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration.

I find that these days, lots of traditional, "mainline" church folks spend their time bemoaning the coarsening of our culture and the decline of attendance at their worship services.

I can fall into that trap, too.

Then, I read a passage like this one in Acts 16.

We have nothing to moan about. Except, perhaps, the loss of power and strength that the early disciples experienced. Their witness was palpable and people were drawn to the unique message they lived out.

Paul and Silas suffer at the hands of "the world" in today's reading.

Why?

Because "these men are dangerous Jewish agitators, subverting our Roman law and order."

Could that possibly be said of any of us who are part of institutional, American Christianity today?

It was said of the civil rights leaders in the 1950's and 60's. It was said of the reformers of the 1500's.

Do we spend more time today trying to enforce "Roman" rule in our society today, or is some part of following Jesus supposed to be inherently subversive to the world's practices and values?

What part of our faith is risky enough to allow God to act in powerful, public ways? When are we ever in enough trouble for following Jesus that we might need him to come to our rescue?

Risk. Rejection. Power. Witness. What could these Acts 16 attributes have to do with our life as Jesus-followers today?

Grace & Peace,

Adam

Involved vs. Committed

Recently I "won" a copy of Shannon O'Dell's new book entitled Transforming Church in Rural America from Tim Stevens of Granger Community Church. Tim worked a deal with the book's publisher, New Leaf Press, that allowed him to tweet a link that scored a free copy of the book to the first one hundred visitors. Score.

As I was reading my way through the first three chapters today, I came upon a phrase that hit me so hard I had to put the book down and reflect for a few minutes. O'Dell is outlining a candidate sermon he gave while interviewing at a church for the senior pastor position and he says:

"I shared why I thought the church is passionless today, because so many are involved with Christ but not committed to Him."

Man, that is a powerful statement! How often do we treat our relationship with God as a Wednesday and/or Sunday tryst? If that didn't sting, how about this one: How often do we give Him an hour of everyday...but that's it...JUST an hour? We set aside time for Him, sure, but we LIMIT our involvement with Him to that time.; Our relationship with Him is a lot less evident when it isn't our quiet time.

God doesn't ask us for involvement; He asks us for commitment. Jesus said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30). What is left of us when we give all He demands in this verse?

We, like Peter, are supposed to grab our coats when we jump out of the boat after Jesus! Fully prepared and fully committed to not turn back, we jump albeit awkwardly into the life He has called us to: A life of death to ourselves and rebirth in Him. A whole-self decision.

Let us commit to Christ as He has committed Himself to the church: As a groom commits to His bride - wholly and unconditionally. God doesn't want to be limited to "Lord of the Bible Studies" or "Lord of the Church." He wants to be Lord of our lives with dominion and influence over all that we are and all that we have and all that we do.

Quit being involved with Jesus. Commit your life to Him as He willingly committed His life to you. Don't make me quote Revelation 3:16 on you!

- Mike

Sheep

John 10:22-27 NIV

²²Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem.

It was winter, ²³and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade.

²⁴The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

²⁵Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe.

The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, ²⁶but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

²⁷My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep is something special.

Sheep really do come to learn their shepherd's voice, and they'll only follow him.

Jesus implies (or pretty plainly states) in this passage that those who questioned him for miracles and knowledge couldn't perceive what he'd already done because they weren't of his fold.

Their hearts weren't ready to receive what God was doing, right in their midst.

God's plan just outstripped their spiritual imaginations.

What about us?

What could we be missing right now because we believe we know what God will or won't do?

The plain truth is...we don't know. We need to be sheep and learn to listen if we'd like to know more.

At least that appears to be the implication.

Grace, Peace, and Baaaaah,

Adam

Lamb

Revelation 7:13-17 (NIV)

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

¹⁴I answered, "Sir, you know."

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

¹⁶Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.

¹⁷For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

The Book of Revelation often seems to frighten or fascinate 21st century Americans.

Makes sense to me. It's both frightening and fascinating at times.

But on the whole, I think there's another attribute that's too often overlooked.

I think it's meant to be comforting.

In this vision from Revelation 7, John witnesses those who have suffered for their faith, in the "great tribulation."

When John received Revelation, he was himself suffering in exile on the island of Patmos.

There is good news.

Revelation is not to be feared, unless we've just got too much to lose in this life.

The wonderful news for those who suffer for their faith, or who experience pain and struggle (and that's all of us at one time or another, right?), is that God will ultimately, and always, care for them.

Revelation 7:17 is nothing short of a beautiful fulfillment of the 23rd Psalm we read yesterday:

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Grace and Peace,

Adam

Valley

Psalm 23 (KJV)

¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23 is the Gettysburg Address of scripture.

Well, actually I guess we should say that the Gettysburg Address was the Psalm 23 of political speeches.

So short, and so sweet, and so to the point. And, what a point it makes.

God is always with us.

He is our shepherd, tending us, protecting us, providing pastures in which we can be sustained.

This psalm has comforted millions and millions of people for thousands of years.

This is true, even though it doesn't say, "yea, he taketh me around the valley of the shadow of death, so that I do not set foot within it."

It says we go through. Through. Not around.

The Bible is such a wonderful reminder that God goes with us through it all, not around it.

Holly and I got to see that valley in person a couple of years ago.

We stood at a high outcropping of limestone above the Negev desert, outside of Jericho. Looking toward Jerusalem, we saw the scene, and the tiny path through that wilderness below. Today's picture is one that we took in that place.

There's so much more to say, but the Psalm says it all. Whatever you face today, you do not face it alone.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

Get Up

Lectionary readings for this week:

Acts 9:36-43

Psalm 23

Revelation 7:9-17

John 10:22-30

Acts 9:36-43 (NIV)

³⁶In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.

³⁷About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.

³⁸Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"

³⁹Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

⁴⁰Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up."

She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

⁴¹He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.

⁴²This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

⁴³Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

When I read this story, I'm immediately transported in my mind to a terrible, difficult, pastoral moment.

Years ago, I found myself at the side of a mother and father who had just learned that their son had been killed.

"Can't you bring him back?" she asked, in her grief-stricken delirium. "They did that in the Bible. You pray, and he comes back..."

My heart was broken.

I don't know why Peter could have that prayer answered, and I can't.

But I do know that I don't need to have the power of life and death in my own hands, either.

I don't know why Tabitha...why Joppa...why that place and time.

But I do know this from the story: the news of her restoration quickly spread throughout that city.

Can you imagine? I think news like that would really travel.

Tabitha was a good woman who loved the poor. The fledgling church was small and vulnerable. Her death hurt them deeply...perhaps without her leadership in that critical moment, they would have been pushed almost to extinction. God used her life to bring many, many others into the faith and to establish the church in that place.

News of resurrection still travels today.

I don't mean "just" physical resurrection...I mean the spiritual kind that we think is not nearly as exciting.

It is.

I have seen the power that happens when a believer stands in worship and shares their story of moving from spiritual death to life.

I have seen how God can build the body of believers through the undeniable proof of a changed life.

We definitely don't have all the answers.

But I can tell you that those grieving parents I stood with years ago went on to build their faith, to be loved by the church, and to become witnesses of God's powerful love that endures, even in the face of brokenness and death.

That's the power of resurrection.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

The Easter video we used in worship at SOTH, which does a great job of connecting Jesus' resurrection to the spiritual rebirth that God invites us to experience.

THEO-logy, April 13, 2010

I sat down after my lunch to read one of my great-grandpa's sermons and blog about it. His sermons are usually type written on a single 8.5x11 sheet of paper that is folded in half so that he has four equal spaces to write. Today, I read exactly three-quarters of the front page of a sermon and had to put it down and jump online to share it. Im not going to add any of my own thoughts to this one. This message is so raw and thought provoking that I dont want to get in its way! Read it...more than once if you have or want to...and spend some time reflecting on the following words. Ask yourself how they apply to the church you attend today. Ask yourself how these words apply to you as an individual. Then ask yourself how you can be the catalyst for change in both.

(All emphasis is Theo's.)

E.M. Bounds said "Short, powerful, public prayers are the outcome of long secret intercession." Someone may ask "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" The answer: "Where He has always been - on the throne!" But where are the Elijah's of God?

Elijah was a man of prayer; a man of like passions as we are, but are we men of like prayer and passions as He?

Did you know that one praying person stands as a majority with God?

Today it seems God is bypassing men - Why? Not because they are too ignorant, but because they are too self-sufficient; our abilities are our handicaps, our talents are our stumbling blocks.

The church began with men in the upper room agonizing. Today it is meeting in the supper room organizing. It began in revival and today it carries on in ritual.

Good

It's Good Friday. This day is all about remembering and experiencing the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. That's exactly what we'll do, in a very powerful way, tonight in our worship at SOTH: 7PM in the Sanctuary.

But, today's reading looks ahead to Sunday. Remember that the crucifixion and the resurrection absolutely hang together. The first has no significant without the second. The second is not possible without the first.

That's enough from me...today, the scripture just needs to speak. And, I'll add a little more this Sunday. Come make worship with your SOTH family the essential part of Easter morning this year, we'll see you there!

John 20:1-18 (NIV)

¹Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

²So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

³So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. ⁴Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

⁵He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. ⁶Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, ⁷as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.

⁸Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

⁹(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

¹⁰Then the disciples went back to their homes, ¹¹but Mary stood outside the tomb crying.

As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him."

¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

First

I Corinthians 15:19-26

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

²⁰But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

²¹For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²²For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

²³But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

²⁴Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. ²⁵For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

²⁶The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

How exciting is the "first fruit?"

Well, that kind of depends whether you enjoy "growing your own."

For many of us today, "first fruit" means that something new showed up in the produce department at our grocery store. Everything is available year round, so we have lost track of the seasons, and we have no idea what kinds of fruits or vegetables are actually in season in our local community at any given time.

But...if you watch a seed unfurl into a tiny plant. If you see that plant turn sunshine, soil and rain into mature growth. If you look for the first yellow bloom on your tomatoes plants. If you see that tiny, green, embryonic eggplant or zucchini, or squash...and then watch it ripen on the vine into maturity...

Well, that's something to be celebrated.

The first homegrown tomato of summer. It deserves pause and celebration. It should be eaten with a degree of reverent appreciation.

The first fruit of all that is to come. It is a reminder of life, of God's goodness, and of a very important promise.

There is a plan for us. That plan is eternal life. It is resurrection.

Jesus is the first ripe fruit to be produced on that vine of God's goodness.

And Easter declares that much more is to come.

Grace & Peace,

Adam

Another of our Easter worship songs coming up this Sunday at SOTH: this will be a new one for our congregation but our youth love this one and it's been a great song for them. Give it a listen and come ready to sing this Sunday! Plus, I love the kid drawings that were put together to animate this one.

Rescue

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (The Message)

The hand of God has turned the tide!"

I didn't die. I lived!

And now I'm telling the world what God did.

God tested me, he pushed me hard,
but he didn't hand me over to Death.

Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates!
I'll walk right through and thank God!

Have you ever found yourself in a tight situation that you didn't think you could escape?

Many of us have never been in physical danger, at least not that we knew about.

But I can think of some pretty hair-raising experiences that I've had on the Atlanta freeway system. And I certainly can remember some really dumb things that I've done, miraculously escaping without getting what I probably deserved.

Maybe, if we try, we can remember what it feels like to really be "rescued." To be saved. To have a higher power come to our aid and make all the difference.

I know. We can seemingly point to situation after situation where nobody saved the day.

But the very fact that you're reading this, and that I'm writing it, speaks to a greater truth.

God has saved us. God is saving us. We are rescued, once and for all, and that is enough.

Faith in the resurrection story of Jesus means that we are miraculously and completely saved from the power of Death.

Yes, we will still experience an end of this physical life. But death will not hold us.

One day we will rise and walk through those gates to give thanks to God.

And we can choose to walk through the gate of this day, right now, and be thankful for whatever comes.

It's all a miracle.

Grace & Peace,

Adam