Good Friday Reflection

I am deeply rooted in the Campbell side of the Stone-Campbell movement that has flourished into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). However, I have a firm grasp on the Stone side of the movement as well. I do not always agree with Barton Stone’s theology, I do not always agree with Campbell’s either. While preparing for the community Good Friday service, I came across these words from Barton Stone.

“Behold the Love, the Grace of God”

Behold the love, the grace of God,

displayed in Jesus’ blood;

my soul’s on fire, it yearns to prove

the fullness of redeeming love.

The cross I view—O wondrous love!

My sins expire, my fears remove;

my native enmity is slain.

I’m reconciled—I’m born again.

Our God is love—O, leap, my soul!

Let warm hosannas gently roll!

Love gave a Son to save our race,

and Jesus died through sov’reign grace!

What love has done, sing earth around!

Angels prolong the eternal sound!

Lo, Jesus bleeding on the tree!

There, there, the love of God I see!

Barton W. Stone, 19^th –century Disciples forebear (Chalice Hymnal #205)

In the cross of Christ we see the love of God. In Christ’s willingness to stay the course, to follow the plan to say “Not my will but Yours”.

Today is Good Friday- a day like no other day.

A day where two worlds (good and evil) collide and it seems all hope is lost. But wait...it is call Good for a reason! I pray you feel God's blessing upon you these final steps to the cross. Remember-God's love is redeeming you now and always. Await and watch-Christ will come again!

Comments

Changing of the Seasons

"I don't like this cold..." SERIOUSLY not even two weeks ago some of the same people who are saying this were more recently saying "I can't stand this heat, I wish it was cooler." You got your wish, quit complaining! Why is it we are never happy in the moment? It is too hot, too cold, too boring, too silly, too dry, too wet, too overwhelming, not overwhelming enough...the list continues. As I sit in my office this afternoon, reflecting on the past few week's events (funerals, Sunday school starting, children and youth activities starting, countless meetings, and moments(very few moments) of silence) I hear in the back of my mind a voice not my own reciting the beginning of Ecclesiastes 3 1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break do...

10 Years, One Decade, No matter how you say it...Thank you!

It is hard to believe that a decade has passed since I stood in front of a church filled with my family and friends and said the vows that brought me into the Order of Christian Ministry. Time flies even if all of it hasn’t been fun. The past 10 years have been a roller coaster . The past 10 years have been terrifying. The past 10 years have been exciting. The past 10 years have been exhausting. The past 10 years have been overwhelming. The past 10 years have been amazing. I thought on my 5 th anniversary I wrote a blog about the top 5 things from the first 5 years but I must have dreamed it or not posted it or somehow lost it on the inter-webs (according to some people that can happen you know hahaha). So this year in honor of my 10 th anniversary I would like to share 10 of my favorite memories from the last 10 years. It’s a pretty generic list because there is no way to boil 10 years of ministry into 10 exact memories, so here they are. 10 memories. ...

Words from the Board...Bulletin Board that is

I have a bulletin board hanging on my office wall; it has various things thumb tacked to it. At some point each of the things hanging there were important to me. I suppose since they are still hanging there even after making a 740 mile move cross country, they are still important. The things hanging on this board vary in shape, size, meaning, and appearance. A Chalice sun catcher, a map of the church, several cards from family and friends, a picture of my paternal grandparents in front of the "Arc de Triumph" during WWII, my father’s obituary, the preaching schedule, and a couple crosses…just to name a few. When I am sitting at my desk, this bulletin board is on my left; every time I glance at it the same thing catches my eye. I am always drawn to the same card. I believe I received this card at my Ordination and if memory serves I received three or four of this same card that day. The card reads; “Be who you are. Do what you love. Make a difference. Change the world.” ...

Braving The Waters

Search This Blog