There have been untold numbers of missions which have fallen short of the intended goal. The failed mission devastates, dashes hopes, causes some to play the blame game, and very often leaves the loser trapped in a position from which he never recovers. There are no champagne toasts, no victory laps, and there are no pats on the back. On the day following the crucifixion Jesus’ disciples were unable to function due to the brutal death and burial of the one whom they had thought was the Messiah. Their future hung in the balance as they had no idea where to turn. The mission had undeniably failed.
My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Cassie Head, taught our class the song “Up From the Grave He Arose”. We sang that song every morning until Easter. The first line says, “Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior…”. The day after Jesus’ lifeless body had been placed in the tomb his disciples would have only had that one line they could have sung—a lyric of defeat, a dirge of failure, a tune of hopelessness. Judas had hanged himself. Peter wallowed in a state of anguish because of his cowardice when his master needed him the most. The others had scattered and were hiding for fear of being arrested for their part in the rebellion instigated by their crucified leader. The day after the death of the One the disciples had given three years of their lives for was no doubt their darkest day ever. All because Jesus was lying low in the grave, nothing more than a corpse.
What a tragedy this would have been if the greatest mission ever had ended with our Savior lying low in a grave. But I know the rest of the song and I hope you do too.
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Jesus was and remains the Victor over his foes—death, the grave and sin. Jesus our Savior defeated Satan. Darkness was destroyed by his eternal light. The power of his resurrection assured those who truly follow him the right to become God’s children who will live forever with him. There was never any doubt that His mission to save the world from sin would be a huge success!
Death has been swallowed up in victory.
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
We must live every day like we believe the rest of the song. O what a price he paid so that we can sing with exuberant conviction, “Up from the grave He arose. He Arose! He arose, Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
How Did They Get So Old
A teacher knows he is old when many of his former students are getting old. I still view these students the same as I did when they were in my class, but I can’t believe that some of them are retired, have grandchildren, and one, just today, is celebrating 35 years of marriage. Of course I was only 21 when I began teaching and just 9 or 10 years older than those first students that I taught in middle school. One student who had struggled academically was only 6 years younger than me.
I don’t want to brag, but I think I look younger than some of these characters I taught in school. Don’t let my white hair fool you. I’m in pretty good shape for a guy who is almost 70 years old. I know, they will accuse me of being so old that my eye sight is going. In my defense, I still have one pretty good eye. Some of the guys who I coached thought I was old back when they were playing for me. I guess now it is my turn to give them a hard time about their journey into the the land of old codgerdom. But I will give words of encouragement instead.
Old age is a good thing despite the aches, pains and those ailments that keep one from doing what they once enjoyed. Making it into the 60’s and 70’s means that you have been blessed by God who has allowed you to live longer than many. You continue to have opportunities to be with the ones you love, and many chances to make a positive impact on the community where you live and work. Some words of advice, don’t try to do too much, accept your limitations (don’t go at a task like you are killing snakes), slow down, be patient, enjoy the little things in life like beautiful flowers, pretty song birds, sunrises and sunsets, help others, pray, pray a lot, and trust God.
Pray and trust God the way King David did when he was an old man. He prayed, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone...Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me my God.” I’m sure David had hair because he didn’t mention being bald like some of you guys I taught many years ago. But bald would work the same as gray I’m sure. The point is this, David talked to God all the time and he trusted him. And in his old age God blessed him. Hang in there you young whipper snappers. In a few years when you are as old as I am now you may be as fit, trim, and as mentally sound as I am. I just wish I could remember where I put things.
Psalm 71: 9, 18
Thursday, March 29, 2018
The Gift of the Cross
Blue dress of organza -- silky and sheer
with ruffles and tied with a sash.
A heart pin containing one
rosebud of red -- grown by my dad,
memories past.
Little did I know on that day
long ago --
The meaning of Easter
its truths to behold.
He became sin for me,
and through Him
The Spirit of life set me free.
Alive! The Risen One, my living God
offering your very self, forgiveness
and heavens-pleasures--I'm awed!
Extravagant and lavish, who comprehends?
So You will I worship--
My understanding transcends.
Thank You, Savior-God,
for the gift of the cross.
Totally forgiven, I am
sometimes at loss
for words to say thank You--
so instead I will live
my life in gratitude
choosing to give
the best that I have--
that's You, Jesus Christ,
First, ever, always
a life sacrificed.
Sherri Brady
with ruffles and tied with a sash.
A heart pin containing one
rosebud of red -- grown by my dad,
memories past.
Little did I know on that day
long ago --
The meaning of Easter
its truths to behold.
He became sin for me,
and through Him
The Spirit of life set me free.
Alive! The Risen One, my living God
offering your very self, forgiveness
and heavens-pleasures--I'm awed!
Extravagant and lavish, who comprehends?
So You will I worship--
My understanding transcends.
Thank You, Savior-God,
for the gift of the cross.
Totally forgiven, I am
sometimes at loss
for words to say thank You--
so instead I will live
my life in gratitude
choosing to give
the best that I have--
that's You, Jesus Christ,
First, ever, always
a life sacrificed.
Sherri Brady
What Does Maundy Thursday Mean to Us
Thirteen men reclined around the table to eat the evening meal. It was on a Thursday night, just before the Passover Festival. The mood was somber. The devil had prompted one man, Judas, to betray his leader, Jesus. Jesus knew this had occurred. Jesus also knew he was soon to return to the Father, and that his Father had placed everything under his power. He knew that in a few days he would demonstrate to the world, through this power, the greatest of his miracles, and lives would be changed forever, even until the time of his return.
Jesus got up in the middle of the meal, wrapped a towel around his waist, and began washing his disciple’s feet, the feet of every single one of them, even those of Judas, the betrayer. After he had finished he gave them the following mandate. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you...Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”
Today is Maundy Thursday. The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given and demonstrated by Jesus that night to love one another. This great act of love for all of his disciple was, in fact, the prelude to what Jesus was about to do the next day on the cross. There was no greater demonstration of love than that of the One who gave his life so that all might live, live forever.
Today may we remember, that we as followers of Christ, are to love one another. Our faith in the One who loved us so much that he gave his life for us mandates that we must love everyone, even those who might betray us. This is the command that Jesus gave to all of us. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. And we are to love others as ourselves as well. Jesus said, “If you do these things you will be blessed.”
Today, Maundy Thursday, prepare your heart for the greatest day known to man, Easter Sunday, the day that our Savior overcame death and the grave. Prepare your heart by showing your love, the love of Christ, to others.
Jesus got up in the middle of the meal, wrapped a towel around his waist, and began washing his disciple’s feet, the feet of every single one of them, even those of Judas, the betrayer. After he had finished he gave them the following mandate. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you...Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”
Today is Maundy Thursday. The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given and demonstrated by Jesus that night to love one another. This great act of love for all of his disciple was, in fact, the prelude to what Jesus was about to do the next day on the cross. There was no greater demonstration of love than that of the One who gave his life so that all might live, live forever.
Today may we remember, that we as followers of Christ, are to love one another. Our faith in the One who loved us so much that he gave his life for us mandates that we must love everyone, even those who might betray us. This is the command that Jesus gave to all of us. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. And we are to love others as ourselves as well. Jesus said, “If you do these things you will be blessed.”
Today, Maundy Thursday, prepare your heart for the greatest day known to man, Easter Sunday, the day that our Savior overcame death and the grave. Prepare your heart by showing your love, the love of Christ, to others.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Thank You Jesus
I have noticed several signs in yards around our neighborhood that say. “Thank You Jesus.” When I saw my first one my thought was that the people living there must have had a baby. I wondered if possibly someone at that house had recovered from a terrible illness. Whatever the reason I was pleased that someone was giving Jesus the credit for their good fortune.
As the weeks went by I began noticing more of these bright yellow signs which are just a little smaller than the campaign signs we see littering yards. I finally noticed that all of the signs are placed so that the homeowners see them the first thing as they pull into their driveways. Then I understood that the message “Thank You Jesus” on the signs is not because of a baby or healing from a disease, but to remind the homeowner that Jesus is the Lord and provider for all things great and small. Maybe as they drive into their home they thank Jesus for getting them home safely, or for their car, or their house. Maybe a parent sees their children playing in the yard, and they are reminded that children are gifts from Jesus.
I like this idea. Sometimes when we have had a bad day we need to be reminded to thank Jesus. I was thinking the other day when I was walking past a house with one of these signs what a witness it was for the child I saw who was walking up the drive from school. Mom and dad were teaching him, maybe without even knowing it, that they trust Jesus to provide for the family, and that they are thankful. I doubt if that child will ever forget seeing that sign every day when he came home from school. What can you thank Jesus for as you drive up to your house each day?
These signs reminded me of a scripture passage I read the other day. I am afraid that parents today are not following this advice very well. I will close with Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
No One Knows
The question—the one which has perplexed the wisest of the wise, the most intellectual of the most astute scholars, and the most renowned scientists the world has ever known. The question—which came first, the chicken or the egg? This debate has continued since the time those first clucked, and the first eggs were hatched. Obviously no one was around to observe the introduction of these feathered fowl or their fragil oval shells. I guess the answer to this question will remain forever a hidden secret. I’m sure Adam knew which came first, but he apparently never told anyone. It probably doesn’t matter anyway.
I think the better question is, who decided that an the chicken egg would be a good thing to eat, especially if they had known where it came from, assuming that the first egg came from a chicken to start with? However, if the egg came first it stands to reason that no one ate it. If they had there would be no chickens, and therefore no more eggs, and I would not be writing these words. I hope if you are still reading you are not confused! But I think I know who it was who ate the first chicken egg.
Let’s think about the first chicken farmer. He had roosters and chickens. No one had begun eating chicken eggs at this time. So all of the eggs that the chickens laid turned into more chickens. It didn’t take long before the chicken farmer had more chickens than he could handle. He had chickens on top of his house, in his house, running amok all over the place, bothering the neighbors, and causing all kinds of problems. The streets must have been covered with chicken poop. People had to watch where they stepped when they walked in their yards. Chickens were everywhere. Roosters were so plentiful that many of them stood in line for hours at the door of the hen house, and these roosters created quite an inharmonious cacophony just prior to sunrise every morning. How would you like to have been that farmer’s neighbor?
The farmer knew he had to do something. I’m sure he and his family had been eating chicken for every meal, especially those noisy roosters. His wife was quickly running out of ways to cook chicken; fried, roasted, baked, grilled, shish-k-bobbed, in casseroles, and there was always leftover chicken. No doubt they were getting tired of eating chicken. So finally the farmer figured that getting rid of the eggs was the answer to his problem. If he could think of a way to do that he would be able to cut his chicken population as much as he wanted. He knew that baby chickens came out of those eggs, and eventually after the chickens were big enough they ate them. Maybe the contents of the egg, before it became a baby chicken, could be eaten as well. I think that first chicken farmer cracked one of those fresh eggs open, looked at that bright orange yolk and tried to figure out a way that that runny stuff could be consumed. I believe in time the farmer or someone in his family ate the first egg and saw that it wasn’t that bad. They probably thought it would be a good break from chicken..
This brings us to another question, how was the first egg eaten? Was it eaten raw, boiled, fried, poached, as an ingredient in a cake, a pie, a pancake, or maybe in chicken salad. Chicken salad makes more sense as there had to be plenty of both ingredients. Personally if I had been the first chicken farmer I would have had my eggs fried, over easy. But again we don’t know if the chicken or the egg was first, or who ate the first egg, and we don’t know in what manner the first act of consumption was carried out. I suppose these questions will remain as much of a mystery as who was it that wrote the book of love.
One thing we do know is that people like the Colonel have made gobs of money because of the chicken. The poultry businesses, the chicken restaurant franchises, and the big egg producers have made tons of money. And this past weekend and this coming coming weekend the egg, both the real ones and the plastic ones, will greatly increase this money making industry. And that ain’t no “chicken feed”! Happy Easter everybody and good luck with your Easter Egg hunts!
I think the better question is, who decided that an the chicken egg would be a good thing to eat, especially if they had known where it came from, assuming that the first egg came from a chicken to start with? However, if the egg came first it stands to reason that no one ate it. If they had there would be no chickens, and therefore no more eggs, and I would not be writing these words. I hope if you are still reading you are not confused! But I think I know who it was who ate the first chicken egg.
Let’s think about the first chicken farmer. He had roosters and chickens. No one had begun eating chicken eggs at this time. So all of the eggs that the chickens laid turned into more chickens. It didn’t take long before the chicken farmer had more chickens than he could handle. He had chickens on top of his house, in his house, running amok all over the place, bothering the neighbors, and causing all kinds of problems. The streets must have been covered with chicken poop. People had to watch where they stepped when they walked in their yards. Chickens were everywhere. Roosters were so plentiful that many of them stood in line for hours at the door of the hen house, and these roosters created quite an inharmonious cacophony just prior to sunrise every morning. How would you like to have been that farmer’s neighbor?
The farmer knew he had to do something. I’m sure he and his family had been eating chicken for every meal, especially those noisy roosters. His wife was quickly running out of ways to cook chicken; fried, roasted, baked, grilled, shish-k-bobbed, in casseroles, and there was always leftover chicken. No doubt they were getting tired of eating chicken. So finally the farmer figured that getting rid of the eggs was the answer to his problem. If he could think of a way to do that he would be able to cut his chicken population as much as he wanted. He knew that baby chickens came out of those eggs, and eventually after the chickens were big enough they ate them. Maybe the contents of the egg, before it became a baby chicken, could be eaten as well. I think that first chicken farmer cracked one of those fresh eggs open, looked at that bright orange yolk and tried to figure out a way that that runny stuff could be consumed. I believe in time the farmer or someone in his family ate the first egg and saw that it wasn’t that bad. They probably thought it would be a good break from chicken..
This brings us to another question, how was the first egg eaten? Was it eaten raw, boiled, fried, poached, as an ingredient in a cake, a pie, a pancake, or maybe in chicken salad. Chicken salad makes more sense as there had to be plenty of both ingredients. Personally if I had been the first chicken farmer I would have had my eggs fried, over easy. But again we don’t know if the chicken or the egg was first, or who ate the first egg, and we don’t know in what manner the first act of consumption was carried out. I suppose these questions will remain as much of a mystery as who was it that wrote the book of love.
One thing we do know is that people like the Colonel have made gobs of money because of the chicken. The poultry businesses, the chicken restaurant franchises, and the big egg producers have made tons of money. And this past weekend and this coming coming weekend the egg, both the real ones and the plastic ones, will greatly increase this money making industry. And that ain’t no “chicken feed”! Happy Easter everybody and good luck with your Easter Egg hunts!
Monday, March 26, 2018
Jealous, All Consuming Fire
Moses told the Israelites that he would not be going into the promised land with them. He said, “The Lord was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore to me that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance. I will die in this land; I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take possession of that good land.” Deuteronomy 4:21-22
How disappointing this had to be for Moses. He had given his life to bring the Israelites to the place where they were going to receive the good land that God had promised them. Moses had been faithful. He had been true to God. He had gone to bat many times for these ungrateful people. They had complained, and murmured, and grumbled throughout these nearly 40 years. Nothing pleased them. One time Moses had gotten so upset with these people that he reached his breaking point, became angry and disobeyed God. And now God was punishing him by not allowing him to go into that wonderful land with the very ones who had caused him to become angry in the first place.
What if you were Moses? How would you respond to this kind of punishment? Does this seem fair to you? I have to believe that many of us would not have reacted the way Moses did. Moses remained true to God, accepting his punishment like the true leader he was; like the man of the Lord his God that we know he was. Moses loved God, and he loved this rebellious people. He cared more about getting the Israelites into the promised land than he did about his own great desire to walk across the Jordan to enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey. No, Moses cared most about fulfilling his promise to bring God’s chosen people out of Egypt, out of bondage and into their new homeland. Instead of fuming or walking away blaming the Israelites for not getting to go into the promise land, he warned them about making idols and reminded them of the covenant promise they had made with God.
He continued, “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:23-24 This was a very crucial time for God’s people. Soon they would have a new leader. Obedience to God was vital as they were about to go and take possession of the good land God was giving them. Moses wanted everything to go right. He wanted them to remember that The Almighty God was jealous for their love. He would not share his love for them with a false god. Remember, Moses reminded, “God is a consuming fire. Don’t make him angry.”
Moses’ message seemed to help. Later God was talking to Moses, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever.” God doesn’t ask much from us. All he asks is that our hearts be inclined to fear him, remembering that he is jealous for our love, and that he is an all consuming fire. And he wants us to be obedient by keeping his commands.
Those who see God as he is, knowing his great love as well as fearing him as an all consuming fire, will be inclined to be obedient to his commands. There is no one like God. There is no one to whom he can be compared. We are to be like Moses and accept God’s decisions no matter what that happens to mean for us.
How disappointing this had to be for Moses. He had given his life to bring the Israelites to the place where they were going to receive the good land that God had promised them. Moses had been faithful. He had been true to God. He had gone to bat many times for these ungrateful people. They had complained, and murmured, and grumbled throughout these nearly 40 years. Nothing pleased them. One time Moses had gotten so upset with these people that he reached his breaking point, became angry and disobeyed God. And now God was punishing him by not allowing him to go into that wonderful land with the very ones who had caused him to become angry in the first place.
What if you were Moses? How would you respond to this kind of punishment? Does this seem fair to you? I have to believe that many of us would not have reacted the way Moses did. Moses remained true to God, accepting his punishment like the true leader he was; like the man of the Lord his God that we know he was. Moses loved God, and he loved this rebellious people. He cared more about getting the Israelites into the promised land than he did about his own great desire to walk across the Jordan to enjoy the land flowing with milk and honey. No, Moses cared most about fulfilling his promise to bring God’s chosen people out of Egypt, out of bondage and into their new homeland. Instead of fuming or walking away blaming the Israelites for not getting to go into the promise land, he warned them about making idols and reminded them of the covenant promise they had made with God.
He continued, “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:23-24 This was a very crucial time for God’s people. Soon they would have a new leader. Obedience to God was vital as they were about to go and take possession of the good land God was giving them. Moses wanted everything to go right. He wanted them to remember that The Almighty God was jealous for their love. He would not share his love for them with a false god. Remember, Moses reminded, “God is a consuming fire. Don’t make him angry.”
Moses’ message seemed to help. Later God was talking to Moses, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever.” God doesn’t ask much from us. All he asks is that our hearts be inclined to fear him, remembering that he is jealous for our love, and that he is an all consuming fire. And he wants us to be obedient by keeping his commands.
Those who see God as he is, knowing his great love as well as fearing him as an all consuming fire, will be inclined to be obedient to his commands. There is no one like God. There is no one to whom he can be compared. We are to be like Moses and accept God’s decisions no matter what that happens to mean for us.
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