Look at me! Lookatmelookatmelookatme! I am blogging! This is just going to be short, but I had a profound thought and wanted to share it with you...This is not about the Sabbath...I love it and I hope to get back to working on it soon, but this was just a little epiphany...
I have recently joined a group of people who are doing their own version of The Biggest Loser...a show that I have never watched...I am doing it too, just for something interesting to do while I am trying to lose some of my "We're moving" weight.
We also have a nice man who is fixing some things for us at our new house...named SuperJohn...
In both of these instances, I have noticed that my behavior is better than usual...I have been watching my eating more closely because of the accountability of the first group and been better about making sure the same stuff isn't always messy because of the second group.
Alos, in both instances, these people have no buy in with me...so I can't get pity or anything...either I do the right thing or I look stupid...simple as that.
Isn't that interesting;-)?
Back to work for me...thanks for checking in.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Pastor Emphasizes the Need for Theology
This from the news this week (April 16th) . Thought it was interesting...the reporter is Joy Rancatore.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)--Too many pastors have forsaken the proper handling of the Word of God, which should be central to their ministries, Bill Curtis told students at a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service.
Curtis, chairman of the North American Mission Board's trustees, noted the popularity of televangelists whose preaching is anything but expositional or exegetical.
"If we're to be careful handlers of the Word, we must let the Word speak," Curtis said April 11 with 2 Timothy 2:14-26 as his text.
Like many others, Curtis said he grew up listening to ministers who preached their own agendas and interpretations rather than the whole counsel of the Gospel. Such occurrences did not stop there, he said.
"I would go so far as to say that even in our own Southern Baptist Convention, I marvel at the number of sermons that masquerade as biblical exposition," Curtis, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Florence, S.C., told students.
A graduate of Southeastern, Curtis commended the institution's commitment to expositional preaching, and he reminded students that learning must go beyond the classroom.
"It is essential that we not just talk about it, that we not just read about it, but that we actually become equipped to do it," he said.
According to Curtis, three characteristics of a careful expositor are a commitment to biblical interpretation, a commitment to theological instruction and a commitment to moral integrity.
"It's not enough to just have all the head knowledge about exposition, the principles of hermeneutics, the 12 essential skills," Curtis said. "If we're to be careful handlers of the Word of God, if we're to be committed to authentic, biblical interpretation, we must exert the effort invest the work to become knowledgeable of how to rightly handle the truth.
"And then we have to develop the expertise to use the skills correctly. And, friend, listen. If God has called you to ministry, that is His expectation for you," Curtis said.
Because of the importance of theology in the church, Curtis said church members need to be taught theology but pastors must first study it themselves.
"As we handle the Word of God rightly, as we encounter the doctrines of the Word of God, it is incumbent upon us to teach them rightly," he said. "And my concern -- my fear in many ways -- is that we, as ministers, as followers of Christ, have lost sight of how significant our own understanding of theology is to this task to which God has called us as elders."
He compared the failure to rightly handle the Word of truth to the spread of gangrene.
"Our capacity to navigate the waters of theology is important because the poor handling of truth, the poor handling of theology, will allow truth literally to be eaten away by error," Curtis said. "And so we have a tremendous need, to not only develop our own theological understanding, but the wisdom of how to teach in a way that will grow the body, preserve it from disunity and protect it from error."
Curtis said a commitment to moral integrity is important because "it is the quality of our character that provides us with the capacity to teach rightly." In order to preserve good character, a pastor must flee from wickedness and pursue righteousness, he said.
"Just as we are diligent to invest our lives in the careful handling of the Word so that we might instruct the people of God rightly, so too we are to pursue with great passion the righteousness of God," Curtis said, urging students to pour themselves into their studies and make the careful handling of the Word of God the supreme goal of their ministries.
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)--Too many pastors have forsaken the proper handling of the Word of God, which should be central to their ministries, Bill Curtis told students at a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service.
Curtis, chairman of the North American Mission Board's trustees, noted the popularity of televangelists whose preaching is anything but expositional or exegetical.
"If we're to be careful handlers of the Word, we must let the Word speak," Curtis said April 11 with 2 Timothy 2:14-26 as his text.
Like many others, Curtis said he grew up listening to ministers who preached their own agendas and interpretations rather than the whole counsel of the Gospel. Such occurrences did not stop there, he said.
"I would go so far as to say that even in our own Southern Baptist Convention, I marvel at the number of sermons that masquerade as biblical exposition," Curtis, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Florence, S.C., told students.
A graduate of Southeastern, Curtis commended the institution's commitment to expositional preaching, and he reminded students that learning must go beyond the classroom.
"It is essential that we not just talk about it, that we not just read about it, but that we actually become equipped to do it," he said.
According to Curtis, three characteristics of a careful expositor are a commitment to biblical interpretation, a commitment to theological instruction and a commitment to moral integrity.
"It's not enough to just have all the head knowledge about exposition, the principles of hermeneutics, the 12 essential skills," Curtis said. "If we're to be careful handlers of the Word of God, if we're to be committed to authentic, biblical interpretation, we must exert the effort invest the work to become knowledgeable of how to rightly handle the truth.
"And then we have to develop the expertise to use the skills correctly. And, friend, listen. If God has called you to ministry, that is His expectation for you," Curtis said.
Because of the importance of theology in the church, Curtis said church members need to be taught theology but pastors must first study it themselves.
"As we handle the Word of God rightly, as we encounter the doctrines of the Word of God, it is incumbent upon us to teach them rightly," he said. "And my concern -- my fear in many ways -- is that we, as ministers, as followers of Christ, have lost sight of how significant our own understanding of theology is to this task to which God has called us as elders."
He compared the failure to rightly handle the Word of truth to the spread of gangrene.
"Our capacity to navigate the waters of theology is important because the poor handling of truth, the poor handling of theology, will allow truth literally to be eaten away by error," Curtis said. "And so we have a tremendous need, to not only develop our own theological understanding, but the wisdom of how to teach in a way that will grow the body, preserve it from disunity and protect it from error."
Curtis said a commitment to moral integrity is important because "it is the quality of our character that provides us with the capacity to teach rightly." In order to preserve good character, a pastor must flee from wickedness and pursue righteousness, he said.
"Just as we are diligent to invest our lives in the careful handling of the Word so that we might instruct the people of God rightly, so too we are to pursue with great passion the righteousness of God," Curtis said, urging students to pour themselves into their studies and make the careful handling of the Word of God the supreme goal of their ministries.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Back to Sabbath
Well, the Lent season was great, Passover was great, Easter was wonderful, and now we are finally able to be back to "real life".
We will be moving in a few weeks, so now the idea of simply getting weekly jobs done so that I can enjoy the Sabbath, the idea of organizing things here in our present home so I can enjoy the Sabbath...that is now on hold...Not that I won't still be endeavoring to set Sunday aside, but I kind of felt like I was getting a handle on the previous plan...:-) and now it is much more far reaching.
I don't know know why the timing for this has worked out the way it has...maybe God knew I was going to hit a comfortable spot and then kind of stop in the ultimate goal of getting a handle on our home, which I do think is very important for my long term satisfaction.
So now, the goals, revised :-), are
1. Get everything ready on Saturday (or before) so that I can not have stressful or distracting things happening on Sunday.
Simple breakfast plan
Relaxing lunch plan
Dishwasher unloaded Saturday night
Lunches made as much as possible on Saturday for the buffaloes on Monday
House at the bare minimum of straight on Saturday so I am not looking at a mess on Sunday
2. As we are packing, trying to get rid of those things that we don't need and that are in our way, so that we only have things that we need and love.
A plan of the packing
Daily goals
3. Priorities
Time with the kids
Time for me
Time with Mr. Buffalo
A weekly plan of events so that I don't forget things and have a last minute crisis from the week.
So, probably more later, but that is the new plan for now.
We will be moving in a few weeks, so now the idea of simply getting weekly jobs done so that I can enjoy the Sabbath, the idea of organizing things here in our present home so I can enjoy the Sabbath...that is now on hold...Not that I won't still be endeavoring to set Sunday aside, but I kind of felt like I was getting a handle on the previous plan...:-) and now it is much more far reaching.
I don't know know why the timing for this has worked out the way it has...maybe God knew I was going to hit a comfortable spot and then kind of stop in the ultimate goal of getting a handle on our home, which I do think is very important for my long term satisfaction.
So now, the goals, revised :-), are
1. Get everything ready on Saturday (or before) so that I can not have stressful or distracting things happening on Sunday.
Simple breakfast plan
Relaxing lunch plan
Dishwasher unloaded Saturday night
Lunches made as much as possible on Saturday for the buffaloes on Monday
House at the bare minimum of straight on Saturday so I am not looking at a mess on Sunday
2. As we are packing, trying to get rid of those things that we don't need and that are in our way, so that we only have things that we need and love.
A plan of the packing
Daily goals
3. Priorities
Time with the kids
Time for me
Time with Mr. Buffalo
A weekly plan of events so that I don't forget things and have a last minute crisis from the week.
So, probably more later, but that is the new plan for now.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
lent+three...holy saturday
I am pretty happy with what we do every year for Good Friday...and our Easter remembrance is good, but Saturday....Holy Saturday, as it is called in some fellowships...has been more of a challenge. It seems that there should be something to keep the focus between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
I did some research a few years back to see if there was anything already out there....This was what we wound up using. We do this reading before the little buffaloes go to bed. I did not write this poem...I don't know who did. If you know, let me know.
Yesterday I was crucified with Christ
Tomorrow I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I died with Him,
Tomorrow I am made alive with Him.
Yesterday I was buried with Him,
Tomorrow I am raised with Him.
Let us become like Christ,
Since Christ became like us.
Let us become holy for His sake,
Since for us He became man.
He assumed the worse,
That He might give us the better.
He became poor,
that by His poverty, we might become rich.
He accepted the form of a servant,
To win us back our freedom.
He came down
that we might be lifted up.
He was tempted,
that through Him, we might conquer.
He was dishonored,
that He might bring us to a place of honor.
He died,
that He might save us.
He ascended,
that He might draw us to Himself,
Who lie helpless,
having fallen into sin.
Let us give all,
offer all,
to Him
who gave Himself;
As a ransom
and reconciliation
for us.
I did some research a few years back to see if there was anything already out there....This was what we wound up using. We do this reading before the little buffaloes go to bed. I did not write this poem...I don't know who did. If you know, let me know.
Yesterday I was crucified with Christ
Tomorrow I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I died with Him,
Tomorrow I am made alive with Him.
Yesterday I was buried with Him,
Tomorrow I am raised with Him.
Let us become like Christ,
Since Christ became like us.
Let us become holy for His sake,
Since for us He became man.
He assumed the worse,
That He might give us the better.
He became poor,
that by His poverty, we might become rich.
He accepted the form of a servant,
To win us back our freedom.
He came down
that we might be lifted up.
He was tempted,
that through Him, we might conquer.
He was dishonored,
that He might bring us to a place of honor.
He died,
that He might save us.
He ascended,
that He might draw us to Himself,
Who lie helpless,
having fallen into sin.
Let us give all,
offer all,
to Him
who gave Himself;
As a ransom
and reconciliation
for us.
Friday, April 6, 2007
lent+two Good Friday
Services abound for Good Friday, but we do this one at home.
We use the Easter Cookie Recipe that you can find many places on the internet
Easter Story Cookies
1 cup sugar
1c whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites (room temp)
pinch salt
zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape (duct tape or masking)
Bible (or just this format)
and some of the coloring pictures from this site...I think it is actually a PDF file. (the site address is www.christiancoloring.com/cmpdf2006/stations/stations_booklet.pdf.
If it doesn't work, go to the main site and search for Stations of the Cross. We use pages 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Yes, it's the Stations of the Cross, but we don't do all the falling down pictures or the one with Veronica. The one of Jesus being nailed to the cross is very effective.
So here is our order for the home service tonight.
Good Friday “Service”
· Preheat oven to 300(this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)
Station 1 Jesus Is Condemned to Death
Pilate announced, "Here he is: the Man." 6When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!" Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."
7The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." 8When Pilate heard this, he became even more scared. 9He went back into the palace and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" Jesus gave no answer.
10Pilate said, "You won't talk? Don't you know that I have the authority to pardon you, and the authority to--crucify you?" 11Jesus said, "You haven't a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven. That's why the one who betrayed me to you has committed a far greater fault."
12At this, Pilate tried his best to pardon him, but the Jews shouted him down: …..Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?" The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar." 16Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified. They took Jesus away. John 18:5-12, 15-16
Has anyone ever said mean or hurtful things to you or about you? Think of how you felt. Maybe you were scared, hurt, or really angry.
It is really the bad things that we have done that You are being punished for, Jesus. Please forgive us for the bad things that we say and do to others, and help us to be more like You, by loving people even when they are unkind and always remembering that You paid for our sins on the cross.
Station 2 Jesus Takes His Cross
So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, 3and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face. John 19:1-3
· Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
He has been laughed at and spat upon. Now He must pick up the heavy cross and carry it while the crowd yells. He is so tired and sad, but no one cares.
We care that You were tired and hurting, Jesus. We are sorry that You were sad. We know that You didn’t want this to happen, but were obeying Your Heavenly Father. Help us to be more like You by not always having to have things our own way, but God’s way.
Station 3 Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross. Mark 15:21
The soldiers are in a hurry. They grab Simon of Cyrene out of the crowd to carry the cross and make Jesus go faster. Jesus was grateful to Simon for his help.
Help us to remember that carrying our crosses honors You. Also, help us to remember that it is OK to have help when we need it and that when we help others, we are doing it for You, Jesus, like Simon did.
Station 4 Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23:27-28
Jesus, You told the women of Jerusalem to weep for us. Even in Your pain, You remembered us. Thank You. Help us to remember to pray for others and not only think of ourselves.
Station 5 Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes
Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The 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!"
The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine:
· Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"
It is hard for us to share or give things away with a good attitude. Sometimes we even have bad feelings when we have to share things we don’t want to share. Jesus, even wounded, bleeding, roughly treated by the guards and mocked by the crowds. You did not have to do this, but You did it to pay the penalty for our sins. Help us to remember that You may ask us to do things that might be embarrassing sometimes for You and help us to do them willingly.
Station 6 Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, " Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Luke 23:33-34
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]” 43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
Is this the worst? The feet that carried the message of God's love and the hands that healed are pierced with nails as Jesus is nailed to the cross. More wounds, more pain and more humiliation for Jesus.
Jesus, they tried to stop Your hands and feet from doing Your Father's work by nailing You to a cross. You endured the pain of it for us, as You gave Your whole life for us. Help us to have a forgiving heart when others hurt us. Help us to think of others, like You did when You comforted the thief and made sure Your mother had someone to care for her. We thank You and we love You.
Station 7 Jesus Dies Upon the Cross
The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours-- 45a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. 46Jesus called loudly, " Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
· Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
The sword that Simeon prophesied has pierced Mary's heart.
This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, 35and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking." Luke 2:34-35
The hopes of the Apostles are crushed. The veil of the Temple, symbol of the old covenant of God, is torn in two as Jesus' death opens a New Covenant with God.
Jesus, You spoke lovingly to everyone gathered at the foot of Your cross. You knew the new life that Your death would made possible for those who accepted You as their Savior. Help us to always know when we should be telling someone about this wonderful thing that You did for us.
Station 8 Jesus Is Taken From the Cross
When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!"
48All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home.
· Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
· Add 1c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! John 3:16-17
Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (12 to15 minutes. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
50There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. 51He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. 52He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-52
Now, all that is left is to take Jesus' body down from the cross. All the gentleness, reverence and love that those who loved Jesus wanted to give Him through this terrible day is possible now.
Jesus, with our prayers, we join in taking Your body down from the cross. We touch You; take the nails out, wash your wounds, take off the crown of thorns, with love and sorrow. We are sad, like the disciples and the women who were there, because this was a terrible thing to happen. Help us always to remember that this gift that You gave us was hard for You to do.
Station 9 Jesus Is Laid In the Tomb
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Taking him down, (Joseph) wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. 54It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin. Luke 23:53-54
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Even in this time of sorrow, there is help. Joseph of Arimathea arranges for Jesus to be buried in a nearby tomb. His body is wrapped in clothes and sealed away. Everyone walk away, weeping.
Jesus, we have all had to say goodbye to someone, whether for a long or short time. Saying goodbye makes us sad. Thank You that You can always be with us, because of dying on the cross for our sins.
62After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. 63They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, "After three days I will be raised.' 64We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, "He's risen from the dead.' Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first."
65Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can." 66So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards. Matthew 27:62-66
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Leave until Sunday morning...
We use the Easter Cookie Recipe that you can find many places on the internet
Easter Story Cookies
1 cup sugar
1c whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites (room temp)
pinch salt
zipper bag
wooden spoon
tape (duct tape or masking)
Bible (or just this format)
and some of the coloring pictures from this site...I think it is actually a PDF file. (the site address is www.christiancoloring.com/cmpdf2006/stations/stations_booklet.pdf.
If it doesn't work, go to the main site and search for Stations of the Cross. We use pages 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Yes, it's the Stations of the Cross, but we don't do all the falling down pictures or the one with Veronica. The one of Jesus being nailed to the cross is very effective.
So here is our order for the home service tonight.
Good Friday “Service”
· Preheat oven to 300(this is important-don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)
Station 1 Jesus Is Condemned to Death
Pilate announced, "Here he is: the Man." 6When the high priests and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!" Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."
7The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God." 8When Pilate heard this, he became even more scared. 9He went back into the palace and said to Jesus, "Where did you come from?" Jesus gave no answer.
10Pilate said, "You won't talk? Don't you know that I have the authority to pardon you, and the authority to--crucify you?" 11Jesus said, "You haven't a shred of authority over me except what has been given you from heaven. That's why the one who betrayed me to you has committed a far greater fault."
12At this, Pilate tried his best to pardon him, but the Jews shouted him down: …..Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?" The high priests answered, "We have no king except Caesar." 16Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified. They took Jesus away. John 18:5-12, 15-16
Has anyone ever said mean or hurtful things to you or about you? Think of how you felt. Maybe you were scared, hurt, or really angry.
It is really the bad things that we have done that You are being punished for, Jesus. Please forgive us for the bad things that we say and do to others, and help us to be more like You, by loving people even when they are unkind and always remembering that You paid for our sins on the cross.
Station 2 Jesus Takes His Cross
So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, 3and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face. John 19:1-3
· Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
He has been laughed at and spat upon. Now He must pick up the heavy cross and carry it while the crowd yells. He is so tired and sad, but no one cares.
We care that You were tired and hurting, Jesus. We are sorry that You were sad. We know that You didn’t want this to happen, but were obeying Your Heavenly Father. Help us to be more like You by not always having to have things our own way, but God’s way.
Station 3 Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross. Mark 15:21
The soldiers are in a hurry. They grab Simon of Cyrene out of the crowd to carry the cross and make Jesus go faster. Jesus was grateful to Simon for his help.
Help us to remember that carrying our crosses honors You. Also, help us to remember that it is OK to have help when we need it and that when we help others, we are doing it for You, Jesus, like Simon did.
Station 4 Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. 28At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23:27-28
Jesus, You told the women of Jerusalem to weep for us. Even in Your pain, You remembered us. Thank You. Help us to remember to pray for others and not only think of ourselves.
Station 5 Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes
Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. 35The 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!"
The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine:
· Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
"So you're King of the Jews! Save yourself!"
It is hard for us to share or give things away with a good attitude. Sometimes we even have bad feelings when we have to share things we don’t want to share. Jesus, even wounded, bleeding, roughly treated by the guards and mocked by the crowds. You did not have to do this, but You did it to pay the penalty for our sins. Help us to remember that You may ask us to do things that might be embarrassing sometimes for You and help us to do them willingly.
Station 6 Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus prayed, " Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Luke 23:33-34
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]” 43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27
Is this the worst? The feet that carried the message of God's love and the hands that healed are pierced with nails as Jesus is nailed to the cross. More wounds, more pain and more humiliation for Jesus.
Jesus, they tried to stop Your hands and feet from doing Your Father's work by nailing You to a cross. You endured the pain of it for us, as You gave Your whole life for us. Help us to have a forgiving heart when others hurt us. Help us to think of others, like You did when You comforted the thief and made sure Your mother had someone to care for her. We thank You and we love You.
Station 7 Jesus Dies Upon the Cross
The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours-- 45a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. 46Jesus called loudly, " Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
· Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
The sword that Simeon prophesied has pierced Mary's heart.
This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him, 35and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking." Luke 2:34-35
The hopes of the Apostles are crushed. The veil of the Temple, symbol of the old covenant of God, is torn in two as Jesus' death opens a New Covenant with God.
Jesus, You spoke lovingly to everyone gathered at the foot of Your cross. You knew the new life that Your death would made possible for those who accepted You as their Savior. Help us to always know when we should be telling someone about this wonderful thing that You did for us.
Station 8 Jesus Is Taken From the Cross
When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: "This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!"
48All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home.
· Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
· Add 1c sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! John 3:16-17
Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed (12 to15 minutes. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
50There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. 51He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. 52He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:50-52
Now, all that is left is to take Jesus' body down from the cross. All the gentleness, reverence and love that those who loved Jesus wanted to give Him through this terrible day is possible now.
Jesus, with our prayers, we join in taking Your body down from the cross. We touch You; take the nails out, wash your wounds, take off the crown of thorns, with love and sorrow. We are sad, like the disciples and the women who were there, because this was a terrible thing to happen. Help us always to remember that this gift that You gave us was hard for You to do.
Station 9 Jesus Is Laid In the Tomb
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Taking him down, (Joseph) wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. 54It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin. Luke 23:53-54
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Even in this time of sorrow, there is help. Joseph of Arimathea arranges for Jesus to be buried in a nearby tomb. His body is wrapped in clothes and sealed away. Everyone walk away, weeping.
Jesus, we have all had to say goodbye to someone, whether for a long or short time. Saying goodbye makes us sad. Thank You that You can always be with us, because of dying on the cross for our sins.
62After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. 63They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, "After three days I will be raised.' 64We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, "He's risen from the dead.' Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first."
65Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can." 66So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards. Matthew 27:62-66
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Leave until Sunday morning...
Thursday, April 5, 2007
lent+one
We finished our lent calendar last night. Down to Revelation in our audio Bible thing. Kid's Easter Program tonight.
We did our calendar a little differently this year, besides just the "finishing the forty days early". We ended with Jesus in the temple...answering questions like "What is the greatest commandment?" and commenting on the widow's mite. I guess these were the last "public" thoughts from Him as far as what He wanted to talk about. Then the Passover, which I guess by our calendar would be tonight. The betrayal is tonight, too. And Peter's denial. The prayers in the garden...sigh.
As we were listening to our Bible last night, these verses were read... (Hebrews 10:28-30)
28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
And I've been thinking about it.
"Treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him..."
Wonder what that really means...does it mean
thought about it, but rejected Jesus?
treated His death as no big deal at some point?
gone on (or back to some level of) sinning?
I know that there are times when I have not been as committed to my growth as a believer as I think I am today...times when I have allowed my sins to have precedence over spiritual things...maybe I was treating as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified me. Maybe I was trampling the Son of God underfoot.
That picture makes me cringe...
Anyway, it was interesting to me that our listening last night had that in there and that today is the anniversary of people letting down our Lord right and left.
We did our calendar a little differently this year, besides just the "finishing the forty days early". We ended with Jesus in the temple...answering questions like "What is the greatest commandment?" and commenting on the widow's mite. I guess these were the last "public" thoughts from Him as far as what He wanted to talk about. Then the Passover, which I guess by our calendar would be tonight. The betrayal is tonight, too. And Peter's denial. The prayers in the garden...sigh.
As we were listening to our Bible last night, these verses were read... (Hebrews 10:28-30)
28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[a] and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
And I've been thinking about it.
"Treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him..."
Wonder what that really means...does it mean
thought about it, but rejected Jesus?
treated His death as no big deal at some point?
gone on (or back to some level of) sinning?
I know that there are times when I have not been as committed to my growth as a believer as I think I am today...times when I have allowed my sins to have precedence over spiritual things...maybe I was treating as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified me. Maybe I was trampling the Son of God underfoot.
That picture makes me cringe...
Anyway, it was interesting to me that our listening last night had that in there and that today is the anniversary of people letting down our Lord right and left.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
lent thirty nine
Today, my youngest buffalo was watching a video of Little Bear. As part of the film, there are some trailers at the beginning.
I was making lunch and she said, "Mommy! Look! There's.......YAY YAY YAY!!!" (clapping and jumping up and down).
It was actually a little tiny clip of Charlotte's Web along with about 25 others with a song playing. This is not important, but thought you might want to know.
Anyway, they point is, she was surprised and so happy to see it that she couldn't think of the name if the show...but it was exciting to her to see it so she just let her joy take over the moment. I can't even really convey to you the feeling of love and "isn't she cute?" that I had, watching her.
It made me think of this passage... (Mark 10:15)
15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.
I wonder if when we see Jesus, if it will be like that?
"Look, There's....YAY! YAY! YAY!" and clapping and jumping up and down.
Among other things...
I was making lunch and she said, "Mommy! Look! There's.......YAY YAY YAY!!!" (clapping and jumping up and down).
It was actually a little tiny clip of Charlotte's Web along with about 25 others with a song playing. This is not important, but thought you might want to know.
Anyway, they point is, she was surprised and so happy to see it that she couldn't think of the name if the show...but it was exciting to her to see it so she just let her joy take over the moment. I can't even really convey to you the feeling of love and "isn't she cute?" that I had, watching her.
It made me think of this passage... (Mark 10:15)
15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.
I wonder if when we see Jesus, if it will be like that?
"Look, There's....YAY! YAY! YAY!" and clapping and jumping up and down.
Among other things...
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