Me, Writing, and Maybe You

April of 2009 was the last time that I made a post to my blog. 6 months.

That is significant, at least to me, because I am a person who needs to process. A person who needs to think through an issue or an event or a conversation. In doing so, whatever it is that I’m thinking about often becomes a part of me. I am different than I was before that issue, event, or conversation. After I’ve rolled around whatever it is that I’m thinking about, writing is a way for me to verbalize my thoughts. They become more real to me when I can see them with my own eyes. And every once in awhile, whatever jumble of thoughts that falls out of my head might speak to others as well. It’s for those reasons that I hope to again return to the world of blogging.

For me, it is an outlet. I push myself to see and hear God in the everyday coming and goings of life. When I’m actively engaged in putting that down into a tangible expression, it gives me ownership of the truth that my life is a part of the larger story of God. To not write, at least for my own benefit, is to deny God an opportunity to speak to my soul. My words may not always mean much to you, but to me, they are a record of the Journey.

So, here’s to writing. Again.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Lord, you live! Alleluia! Alleluia!
What have we to fear?
Your resurrecting love has overcome
the darkest night. You are alive!
May the light of this news shine
from every cell in our body,
in every thought of our mind,
in every breath of our spirit.
You are alive,
and we exalt You with joy!

Good Friday

I think sometimes that I struggle with calling the Friday before Easter "Good." And really, how many people ever slow down long enough to think about it? How can we (how dare we?) call the day that Jesus was nailed to a Cross - the day that he experienced such amazing physical pain - "good?"

Then I come face to face with the Message of the Cross, which is this: The demands of justice that I was due to pay for my wrong-doings to a holy, just God were paid by Jesus taking my place on a wooden execution stake. Theologians call this "substitutionary atonement." All I know is that by His Grace and Mercy, I AM FREE.

And that is GOOD.

If you have never given your life to Jesus - if you have never accepted Jesus' atoning work done on the cross in your place - I invite you to email me (thirdstringATyahooDOTcom). I'd love to listen to your questions, and walk a path towards Jesus together.

May the Marvelous Light of Easter shine brightly on you this weekend. Peace!

To read a physician's account of the crucifixion, go here.

Maundy Thursday

The Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday, and it is for me always a profound day. The Cross was just hours away, and Jesus knew that time was short. He spent his last hours in an intimate setting around a table with his disciples - his friends - and gave them amazingly direct and revolutionary teaching. First by washing feet, and then simply by uttering the new commandment to "love one another," Jesus taught us about Kingdom Living. And the world has never been the same.

Today, we will all have things crying out for our time and affections, from baseball games to jobs to a hungry family ready for supper. In the swirling moments of this day, I urge you to create a quiet space and read John 13. Listen to the heart of the Rabbi teach on Love, knowing that the Cross will soon be his to carry. And may we all carry his Kingdom Message.

(You can learn more about Maundy Thursday here and here.)

Passionate Worship

I have been staggered by this song since my friend Kevin shared it with me last weekend. This Holy Week, may you too be overcome by How He Loves Us. Peace!

Probably True . . .

Locating the Divine Mystery

The true role of biblical and theological science is not to reduce, much less to destroy, the divine mystery in human life, but to locate it.

~ Father Cipriano Vagaggini, OSB

Prayer for a Friend

I would like to ask for prayer for a fraternity brother of mine from DePauw University. His name is Randy Bernier, and his 6 month battle with cancer is coming to a close.

His wife, Lynn, posted this on their family blog:

I am writing this entry with a huge heavy heart. For those of you who don't know, or those of you who have heard part of the story.

Randy suffered and massive stroke yesterday, with catastrophic hemmoraging to the left side of his brain. Apparently there was a massive tumor on the left side of his brain that burst and has bleed out in to the left side. Due the extreme severity
of the brian injury the doctors are unable to do anything for us, but make Randy
as comfortable as possible. I have been with him nonstop since this occurred
late yesterday afternoon. He has also been surrounded by his family and some of
the best friends that two people could ever ask for. His care has been moved to
Hospice and we are now going one hour at a time

Please say your prayers for our family.

Thank you all for praying for my friend.

Peace,

Mike

No Line On The Horizon

I skipped lunch today to zip to Wal Mart and pick up U2's latest album "No Line On The Horizon."

Been rockin' it all afternoon - it's got what you've come to expect from U2: Deep, thoughtful lyrics, classic Edge guitar, a probing spiritual bent voiced by Bono, all mixed in with some driving rock grooves and a bit of an attitude. Give it a listen, I think you'll dig it!

Snow Emergency

The county that I live in has declared a "snow emergency." The local newspaper had the announcement on its web site, which allows comments on the stories. Here are two such comments:

Mrs.WTuesday, January 27, 2009:
10:02 pm
After reading what WBIW.COM has written about
the weather, I think I should of bought more milk and
bread!

jlgaddisTuesday, January 27,
2009: 10:05 pm
Mrs.W said:After reading what WBIW.COM has
written about the weather, I think I should of bought more milk and
bread!
I should've bought more beer.

Gotta love the spirit of the people of Lawrence County!