On this Saturday so many years ago, one man had entered into Paradise and one, we presume, was in hell.
The men crucified with Jesus, on either side of Him, reacted to the happenings of Good Friday very differently. One of them mocked and debased Jesus. The other one through some kind of epiphany told the mocker that they were justly being crucified whereas Jesus had done nothing wrong. He asked Jesus, "Remember me when you enter into your Kingdom." And Jesus said, "I tell you, on this day you will be with Me in Paradise." Isn't that powerful?
By asking Jesus to remember him in Jesus' Kingdom, he was really saying that he believed Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah. Who else would have such a Kingdom? And for a human being, it is this recognition, this acceptance of Jesus as the Christ that is conversion.
Now about hell. No one wants to talk about it. Some deny it exists. The Biblical description of hell is terrifying and frightening. There is the wailing and gnashing of teeth. There is unending fire. But for those who believe in Heaven, then because good and evil are opposed to one another, there must be a judgment place where evil goes.
Who doesn't struggle with the idea that people are condemned to such a place as hell? I have always felt so torn about it and sometimes I still am. I was checking out some websites on the internet one day about seven years ago, and found a website that deals with the visionaries of Medjujorge. One of the now grown children wrote about hell. If you believe what happened to these people as children, then you believe that they talked to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
One of the visionaries, I believe it was Mirjana, wrote about hell. Her testimony is absolutely moving and it spoke a complete and utter truth to me. She said that God does not send anyone to hell. People send themselves because they have completely rejected God in every way and want nothing to do with Him. They have rejected the Spirit; they have totally turned away from God and have spurned Him. And according to this visionary, they are hardened against God to such an extent that they even reject heaven.
This explanation freed me from thinking that God sent believers to hell just because of their sins. Because now I could understand clearly that those who deny God could not be part of God's Heaven. And yet, I feel sorrow for those who push God away. According to a friend of mine, this is the burden for the lost that believers bear. And it is this very sorrow that should keep me writing a post on this blog every single day that at least hints at the treasures that our God has waiting for us who love and serve Him. Wouldn't it be worth it if just one person turned toward God? Loving and serving God is not bondage; it is freedom.
Knowing that there is a God who loves us and sent His son to redeem us is truth, and those of us who know this truth are bound to share it. Living in a small town fanned the flames of my love for God, and living in a small town allowed me to meet people to whom God would surely say, "You are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven." Be not afraid to make a fool of yourself for God.
May each of you have a most blessesd Easter and hear the words of the apostles and the women, "He has risen."
Light of Christ
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
The Lessons of Good Friday
The first point is, why do we call it "Good Friday?"
I consulted the trusty internet and discovered that there is a bit of a mystery about this. Some thought that this phrase could have come from the German, Gute Freitag. Turns out the Germans don't call it Good Friday either; they refer to it as Sorrowful or Suffering Friday. Then there are the Danes. The Danish people refer to it as Long Friday.
Most Christians would say that Good Friday comes from the fact that Christ, by His Death, "showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing." So, good in this instance means holy, and in the Eastern churches Good Friday is referred to as Holy and Great Friday.
What other lessons are there?
May your long, sorrowful, suffering, holy and great Friday be meaningful.
I consulted the trusty internet and discovered that there is a bit of a mystery about this. Some thought that this phrase could have come from the German, Gute Freitag. Turns out the Germans don't call it Good Friday either; they refer to it as Sorrowful or Suffering Friday. Then there are the Danes. The Danish people refer to it as Long Friday.
Most Christians would say that Good Friday comes from the fact that Christ, by His Death, "showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing." So, good in this instance means holy, and in the Eastern churches Good Friday is referred to as Holy and Great Friday.
What other lessons are there?
- That true peace comes from true forgiveness. Jesus forgave everyone who harmed him and asked His father to forgive them while he was on the cross.
- That true love is shown by sacrifice. Giving rather than getting is a much higher purpose.
- That when we know what we are to do in life, we should get about it, and not worry what others are doing in that regard.
- That sorrow shows our humanity, and that those who mourn and are sorrowful will one day know what it is for Jesus to "wipe away every tear."
- That even the most hardened and crusted people can be shaken to their core when they come to believe in Jesus. (Roman Centurion)
- That because of Jesus, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- That even when it seems we can't go on, God will send help. (Simon, from Cyrene)
- That more than 2,000 years ago, God walked on this earth, and showed us that He is the way, the truth, and the life.
May your long, sorrowful, suffering, holy and great Friday be meaningful.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Sunrise
If you haven't watched The Bible yet on television, the final segment will be on Easter Sunday. It has been worthwhile viewing this special event. Apparently, the response has been far more than Mark Burnette and Romy Downey ever expected. People are so hungry for God.
I was reflecting on the apostles and how their life must have been a total roller coaster. The ups -- people clamoring for Jesus, Jesus healing people, Jesus feeding the people, Jesus becoming known by more and more, people calling for Jesus to be their king.
They knew the private Jesus and they knew the public Jesus. They ate meals with Him, listened to His words meant especially for them, and they heard Him speak to the multitudes. His words were clear -- that he must die. And yet, they could not really grasp the whole of it, could they?
For when the downs came -- Judas betraying Jesus, Jesus being arrested, Peter denying Jesus, and Jesus being tortured -- they were laid low. They were afraid and hiding. A few of them witnessed His death, including Mary. But their ministry was in shambles, and they were afraid that their own end was next.
After Jesus gave His life and his followers were in hiding, only the women went to the tomb because they were obeying the customs which included anointing the body with special oils. It was a dark time for them, the darkest of days.
When the women returned and cried out that Jesus was gone, that He had risen from the death, they thought they were hysterical, but several of them checked the tomb for themselves. He was gone and He was risen. It was then that they remembered His words.
The very thing that Rome feared most had happened. The prophecies were fulfilled in their midst. The apostles saw Jesus again, even Thomas, and after Jesus went to His Father, they were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Today there are many who in a sense hide and are afraid, are in a dark place, are lonely and confused, and who do not know what is missing in their lives. The world's answer for joy and love is not Jesus' answer for joy and love.
Easter in a small town is more intimate. You know many of your fellow parishioners, and you know many who attend other churches. We have quite a few here in Canal Fulton. In a quiet place shaded with huge fir trees that overlooks the little town, there is a cemetery. In fact, you can easily see the spire of SS Philip & James from this place. Years ago, I went to a sunrise service there. Can you imagine the peace and the quiet of reverent souls gathering in a place like that?
So we prepare to remember that more than 2,000 years ago mankind's existence was changed. The sorrow of tomorrow will turn to joy, just as it did then.
I was reflecting on the apostles and how their life must have been a total roller coaster. The ups -- people clamoring for Jesus, Jesus healing people, Jesus feeding the people, Jesus becoming known by more and more, people calling for Jesus to be their king.
They knew the private Jesus and they knew the public Jesus. They ate meals with Him, listened to His words meant especially for them, and they heard Him speak to the multitudes. His words were clear -- that he must die. And yet, they could not really grasp the whole of it, could they?
For when the downs came -- Judas betraying Jesus, Jesus being arrested, Peter denying Jesus, and Jesus being tortured -- they were laid low. They were afraid and hiding. A few of them witnessed His death, including Mary. But their ministry was in shambles, and they were afraid that their own end was next.
After Jesus gave His life and his followers were in hiding, only the women went to the tomb because they were obeying the customs which included anointing the body with special oils. It was a dark time for them, the darkest of days.
When the women returned and cried out that Jesus was gone, that He had risen from the death, they thought they were hysterical, but several of them checked the tomb for themselves. He was gone and He was risen. It was then that they remembered His words.
The very thing that Rome feared most had happened. The prophecies were fulfilled in their midst. The apostles saw Jesus again, even Thomas, and after Jesus went to His Father, they were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Today there are many who in a sense hide and are afraid, are in a dark place, are lonely and confused, and who do not know what is missing in their lives. The world's answer for joy and love is not Jesus' answer for joy and love.
Easter in a small town is more intimate. You know many of your fellow parishioners, and you know many who attend other churches. We have quite a few here in Canal Fulton. In a quiet place shaded with huge fir trees that overlooks the little town, there is a cemetery. In fact, you can easily see the spire of SS Philip & James from this place. Years ago, I went to a sunrise service there. Can you imagine the peace and the quiet of reverent souls gathering in a place like that?
So we prepare to remember that more than 2,000 years ago mankind's existence was changed. The sorrow of tomorrow will turn to joy, just as it did then.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tomorrow is Holy Thursday
Wednesday morning of Holy Week. The Jewish people eat the Seder meal on Thursday night. I looked it up but couldn't find anything definitive on whether or not the Last Supper was a Seder meal or not.
At any rate, we know it was held in an upper room, something far more fancy than the apostles were used to. We know that someone must have allowed them to use it or perhaps the less expensive rooms were already in use. We know that the apostles were to look for a man carrying water. In one Bible study, we assumed that this was significant in a busy city filled with people because women usually carried the water. But I've read recently that it might have been signficant because a wealthy woman might have had a man servant to carry water. Many well-to-do women financially supported Jesus in those last three years of His life.
We know that the meal included the typical unleavened bread, and that the apostles were served bread and wine later in the evening at the end.
The Passover itself for the Jewish people would have been yet another reminder of their former enslavement, and their current circumstances of being under the thumb of Rome. There would have been those who rallied against Roman rule.
The chaos, confusion, noise, and bedlam within Jerusalem must have been quite something. People, animals, sacrifices, food. And adding to the usual drama, the people have heard that Jesus is there. For some of them, this is wonderful news. They have heard of his miracles; they may have even heard him speak at some earlier time.
Life for us too is chaotic sometimes, filled with noise, confusion and bedlam. Jesus sought out solace and peace in the Garden of Olives, a place where olives were pressed for their precious oil. And He prayed that his Father might take away what was coming, if it was His will.
And so we too reflect during this time, as Easter gets closer. We reflect on our own decisions, and perhaps seek out some peace and solace of our own. How can we thank Jesus enough for what He did for us?
At any rate, we know it was held in an upper room, something far more fancy than the apostles were used to. We know that someone must have allowed them to use it or perhaps the less expensive rooms were already in use. We know that the apostles were to look for a man carrying water. In one Bible study, we assumed that this was significant in a busy city filled with people because women usually carried the water. But I've read recently that it might have been signficant because a wealthy woman might have had a man servant to carry water. Many well-to-do women financially supported Jesus in those last three years of His life.
We know that the meal included the typical unleavened bread, and that the apostles were served bread and wine later in the evening at the end.
The Passover itself for the Jewish people would have been yet another reminder of their former enslavement, and their current circumstances of being under the thumb of Rome. There would have been those who rallied against Roman rule.
The chaos, confusion, noise, and bedlam within Jerusalem must have been quite something. People, animals, sacrifices, food. And adding to the usual drama, the people have heard that Jesus is there. For some of them, this is wonderful news. They have heard of his miracles; they may have even heard him speak at some earlier time.
Life for us too is chaotic sometimes, filled with noise, confusion and bedlam. Jesus sought out solace and peace in the Garden of Olives, a place where olives were pressed for their precious oil. And He prayed that his Father might take away what was coming, if it was His will.
And so we too reflect during this time, as Easter gets closer. We reflect on our own decisions, and perhaps seek out some peace and solace of our own. How can we thank Jesus enough for what He did for us?
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Delegating
Hello everyone!!
So it's winter again in Ohio!! Robins are hanging around in the streets, like they usually do when it snows after their return. Isn't their ability to survive amazing?
The title of this morning's blog is, "Delegating."
The Pope called Argentina. He dialed directly to the little newspaper kiosk that delivered his paper each day in order to cancel his subscription. A boy answered and thought it was a joke. The Pope said, "Daniel, it's Cardinal Jorge." The boy finally realized who was on the other end and he cried. What a moment!
Delegating is considered one of the hallmarks of good leadership. Have someone else do things for you so you can do bigger things, I suppose it might be said. I worked for a woman who loved to delegate, because it made her feel bigger and more powerful. She lorded her power over the underlings she ruled. Her leadership style, although she delegated, was poor indeed. The office was dysfunctional and unhappy.
Then I worked for Dale, my boss for more than 17 years. He delegated too, but he did a lot of things for himself. He filed his own paperwork; he made his own plane reservations; he kept his own calendar. Apparently, his former administrative assistant had done many things for him, and then when she left, he couldn't find a thing and felt lost. He didn't want to go down that road again.
It was just fine with me. Filing has always been what I do worst. Plane reservations -- then if he gets a lousy seat or the flight is diverted, I'd feel responsible. Keep his calendar? Nope. He realized that he forgot things much less when he wrote it down himself. Believe me, what he did delegate kept me very, very busy.
The best of the "big shots" have learned that doing for yourself isn't such a bad thing. It keeps you in touch with people and situations that you would overlook. It keeps you humble. The Pope apparently is very humble, and around now he probably misses that little apartment and his morning paper and the phone calls from the parish priests in Argentina. But he must now serve a higher purpose.
Easter approaches fast. More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was preparing for his trip to Jerusalem, and his disciples were concerned about the timing. They would be in the city during the Jewish Passover, and there would be many pilgrims there. The agony for Jesus is just beginning.
Let us do for ourselves what we can, and let us appreciate and respect those who do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Let us serve.
So it's winter again in Ohio!! Robins are hanging around in the streets, like they usually do when it snows after their return. Isn't their ability to survive amazing?
The title of this morning's blog is, "Delegating."
The Pope called Argentina. He dialed directly to the little newspaper kiosk that delivered his paper each day in order to cancel his subscription. A boy answered and thought it was a joke. The Pope said, "Daniel, it's Cardinal Jorge." The boy finally realized who was on the other end and he cried. What a moment!
Delegating is considered one of the hallmarks of good leadership. Have someone else do things for you so you can do bigger things, I suppose it might be said. I worked for a woman who loved to delegate, because it made her feel bigger and more powerful. She lorded her power over the underlings she ruled. Her leadership style, although she delegated, was poor indeed. The office was dysfunctional and unhappy.
Then I worked for Dale, my boss for more than 17 years. He delegated too, but he did a lot of things for himself. He filed his own paperwork; he made his own plane reservations; he kept his own calendar. Apparently, his former administrative assistant had done many things for him, and then when she left, he couldn't find a thing and felt lost. He didn't want to go down that road again.
It was just fine with me. Filing has always been what I do worst. Plane reservations -- then if he gets a lousy seat or the flight is diverted, I'd feel responsible. Keep his calendar? Nope. He realized that he forgot things much less when he wrote it down himself. Believe me, what he did delegate kept me very, very busy.
The best of the "big shots" have learned that doing for yourself isn't such a bad thing. It keeps you in touch with people and situations that you would overlook. It keeps you humble. The Pope apparently is very humble, and around now he probably misses that little apartment and his morning paper and the phone calls from the parish priests in Argentina. But he must now serve a higher purpose.
Easter approaches fast. More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was preparing for his trip to Jerusalem, and his disciples were concerned about the timing. They would be in the city during the Jewish Passover, and there would be many pilgrims there. The agony for Jesus is just beginning.
Let us do for ourselves what we can, and let us appreciate and respect those who do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Let us serve.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Spaghetti
Well, today is the day for the Easter egg hunt here, and possibly five of the seven grandchildren coming to visit. So, there is much to do.
I'll keep this very short today. Bet you have a ton of stuff to do yourself for Easter, and I bet maybe not too many access this blog today.
If you get the chance, go to the Fox website and sign the statement that you would like the Amazing Race producers to apologize for their horrible episode featuring a downed rusted B-52 in Vietnam and for having the contestants sing anti-American songs that were used during the war in that country more than 40 years ago.
You know the old saying, we're doomed to repeat history if we don't know it? There are many, many Americans who still carry the scars of that war. It should not be a surprise that the communists in that country like to make up their own stories of how the war went. We had a graduate assistant in our department at UA about 12 years ago. He came from Vietnam. As time went by and I got to know him better, I craved some first hand information about Vietnam and sought him out for his take on things. He was very, very candid and took the time to answer my many questions. One thing he said was that they were using the Ho Chi Ming trail as tourist stops, and people toured the tunnels where the enemy had hidden in Cu Chi. Even he knew that they were spinning lies about the war. Many former soldiers who served there have returned to Vietnam and have undoubtedly experienced some of this.
Where has the media been in telling this story? How the communists are still flaunting our pull-out as their "victory." How propaganda is still rampant, and people who don't know any better are sucked into it, in order for those in power to feel even more powerful.
Check it out if you get the chance. CBS needs to apologize for this one. It's outrageous.
Take care, and have a great day today. See you Tuesday.
I'll keep this very short today. Bet you have a ton of stuff to do yourself for Easter, and I bet maybe not too many access this blog today.
If you get the chance, go to the Fox website and sign the statement that you would like the Amazing Race producers to apologize for their horrible episode featuring a downed rusted B-52 in Vietnam and for having the contestants sing anti-American songs that were used during the war in that country more than 40 years ago.
You know the old saying, we're doomed to repeat history if we don't know it? There are many, many Americans who still carry the scars of that war. It should not be a surprise that the communists in that country like to make up their own stories of how the war went. We had a graduate assistant in our department at UA about 12 years ago. He came from Vietnam. As time went by and I got to know him better, I craved some first hand information about Vietnam and sought him out for his take on things. He was very, very candid and took the time to answer my many questions. One thing he said was that they were using the Ho Chi Ming trail as tourist stops, and people toured the tunnels where the enemy had hidden in Cu Chi. Even he knew that they were spinning lies about the war. Many former soldiers who served there have returned to Vietnam and have undoubtedly experienced some of this.
Where has the media been in telling this story? How the communists are still flaunting our pull-out as their "victory." How propaganda is still rampant, and people who don't know any better are sucked into it, in order for those in power to feel even more powerful.
Check it out if you get the chance. CBS needs to apologize for this one. It's outrageous.
Take care, and have a great day today. See you Tuesday.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Game
I have a theory. People just love The Ohio State University, buy products with its logos, root for OSU in person or on TV, and many kids dream of going there one day.
This loyal following is there for a reason. Cleveland. We stalwart souls in the northeast Ohio region haven't really had much to cheer about. I don't pay one iota of attention to the Indians pre-season or otherwise because we've all gone down that path before. The new stadium drew record attendance for a number of years, but the Indians couldn't get to the top. And then they went to the bottom. Then there's the Cavs. It's always something. How about the Browns? Now we've lost Phil Dawson!!
New owners come and go, new players come and go, and new facilities come, but nothing much seems to change in Cleveland. The disappointment is so great for rabid sports fans that they turn to a place that produces winners -- OSU. They stoke their adrenalin and go to work on Monday still full of the taste of victory.
Last night I was really hoping Akron could go to the NCAA tournament, show their stuff, and make it through to the second round for the first time in their history. It just didn't happen. In fact, it was a train wreck. The final score was a disparaging 88-42. Someone will probably say today that it was the worst defeat in NCAA history since the playoffs started. Sure, there are reasons for what happened. Their point guard apparently sold marijuana and got caught with it. He hung around with another guy who did the same. Then two players came down with the flu on Wednesday afternoon. In some ways, it sounds like Cleveland, doesn't it?
It's tough to be a fan of Cleveland sports, and it's tough to be an Akron fan. Trust me, I know. You go to bed upset and sleep lousy. Then while you are awake during the night after sleeping lousy, you get mad at yourself for caring enough to sleep lousy. It's just a game!! But it does reflect life. Once you put your heart into something, you script a certain result. Don't we all do that to some extent? We want the team to fulfill something within ourselves that's hurt or missing.
And I do feel bad for the Zips team. They seem like a group of decent young men who worked hard towards a goal. Their record would have been 28-6 had it not be for losing their point guard right at the end.
The one thing I need to do is just remember this: we have a God who has put everything on the line for us. He gave it all. And unlike us, when it doesn't turn out right, he never quits. Isn't that something?
This weekend is Palm Sunday, Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem to the throngs of Jews who appeared to love him. Who could know that the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod Antipas would all play a part in moving him toward Calvary? That His own disciples would turn away from him? And that our sins were the underpinning of it all.
This loyal following is there for a reason. Cleveland. We stalwart souls in the northeast Ohio region haven't really had much to cheer about. I don't pay one iota of attention to the Indians pre-season or otherwise because we've all gone down that path before. The new stadium drew record attendance for a number of years, but the Indians couldn't get to the top. And then they went to the bottom. Then there's the Cavs. It's always something. How about the Browns? Now we've lost Phil Dawson!!
New owners come and go, new players come and go, and new facilities come, but nothing much seems to change in Cleveland. The disappointment is so great for rabid sports fans that they turn to a place that produces winners -- OSU. They stoke their adrenalin and go to work on Monday still full of the taste of victory.
Last night I was really hoping Akron could go to the NCAA tournament, show their stuff, and make it through to the second round for the first time in their history. It just didn't happen. In fact, it was a train wreck. The final score was a disparaging 88-42. Someone will probably say today that it was the worst defeat in NCAA history since the playoffs started. Sure, there are reasons for what happened. Their point guard apparently sold marijuana and got caught with it. He hung around with another guy who did the same. Then two players came down with the flu on Wednesday afternoon. In some ways, it sounds like Cleveland, doesn't it?
It's tough to be a fan of Cleveland sports, and it's tough to be an Akron fan. Trust me, I know. You go to bed upset and sleep lousy. Then while you are awake during the night after sleeping lousy, you get mad at yourself for caring enough to sleep lousy. It's just a game!! But it does reflect life. Once you put your heart into something, you script a certain result. Don't we all do that to some extent? We want the team to fulfill something within ourselves that's hurt or missing.
And I do feel bad for the Zips team. They seem like a group of decent young men who worked hard towards a goal. Their record would have been 28-6 had it not be for losing their point guard right at the end.
The one thing I need to do is just remember this: we have a God who has put everything on the line for us. He gave it all. And unlike us, when it doesn't turn out right, he never quits. Isn't that something?
This weekend is Palm Sunday, Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem to the throngs of Jews who appeared to love him. Who could know that the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod Antipas would all play a part in moving him toward Calvary? That His own disciples would turn away from him? And that our sins were the underpinning of it all.
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