For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV 1984)
Why is the cross foolish? How is it also the power of God? When thinking of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus do you discover hope? Why?
The following is by Timothy George, “Delighted by Doctrine,” Christian History and Biography (Summer 2006):
Judaism has its shema and Islam its shahadah, but Christians, responding to Jesus’ question “Who do you say that I am?” have produced literally thousands of statements of faith across the centuries.
As a capstone to his lifelong interest in the central texts of the Christian faith, Jaroslav Pelikan edited (with Valerie Hotchkiss) Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition, a four-volume critical edition with a one-volume historical and theological guide called simply Credo.
Pelikan’s collection includes several hundred creeds, including the Masai Creed from Nigeria, which Africanizes Christianity by declaring that Jesus “was always on safari doing good.” It also declares that after Jesus had been “tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross, and died, he lay buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him, and on the third day, he rose from the grave. He ascended unto the skies. He is the Lord.”
This creed was brought to Pelikan’s attention by one of his students, a woman who had been a member of a religious order working in a hospital in East Nigeria. Pelikan wrote, “She brought it to me, and I just got shivers. Just the thought, you know, the hyenas did not touch him, and the act of defiance — God lives even in spite of the hyenas.”
Not only do we believe Jesus died, that God died, but we believe Jesus lives! Yes it is foolish! It is crazy to believe such a thing, but we defiantly proclaim it. Who do we say Jesus is? What parts of our culture does the Christ who changes culture change? Where does God live in spite of death dealers? Now let us proclaim who Jesus is each morning as a confession of faith. Within our confession we say something about the power of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Because He Lives
“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” – John 14:19 (NIV)
What does it mean to you that because Jesus lives you also will live? What kind of freedom does that offer you? How do you live in that freedom?
I’ve heard the following story about Frank Luke Jr. and it is often called, “The Day the Lilies Bloomed”
Frank Luke Jr. was an American fighter pilot in World War I and is considered one of the heroes of the Great War. He was twenty when he joined the army air corps and was accepted into flight training. After his training he was commissioned and given a brief leave before going off to war.
While at home he was going to leave with some friends one afternoon when his mother, Tillie, stopped him and asked, “Frank, I was hoping you would plant some lily bulbs for me. Would you mind doing that before you left?”
Frank did as his mother asked, and then went off with his friends. A couple of days later he went to join the war in France.
Quickly Frank became one of the stars of American fighter pilots. Between September 12 and September 29 Frank was credited with shooting down 18 German balloons and planes.
Back home in Phoenix, on September 29, Tillie stepped outside to discover that the lilies Frank planted were in full bloom. Lilies typically bloom much earlier in the year so this was strange. They had been planted in the shape of a cross, like one of the side of a fighter plane. Frank loved airplanes and was a devout Catholic. When his mother saw this she was nervous that something was wrong.
Two months later word reached America that Frank had been shot down and killed. He died on September 29, 1918, at the age of twenty-one, the day the lilies bloomed.
It makes sense that Frank’s mother was nervous. The bonds of love often will let us know that something is wrong with our beloved, even if oceans and continents separate us. However, the symbolism cannot be ignored. The Easter lilies stood bloomed in the shape of a cross. Paul remembering the prophet Hosea once wrote, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” And we recall that Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live.” This Easter will be a day the lilies bloom. Go somewhere, anywhere and celebrate the victory of our Christ!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What does it mean to you that because Jesus lives you also will live? What kind of freedom does that offer you? How do you live in that freedom?
I’ve heard the following story about Frank Luke Jr. and it is often called, “The Day the Lilies Bloomed”
Frank Luke Jr. was an American fighter pilot in World War I and is considered one of the heroes of the Great War. He was twenty when he joined the army air corps and was accepted into flight training. After his training he was commissioned and given a brief leave before going off to war.
While at home he was going to leave with some friends one afternoon when his mother, Tillie, stopped him and asked, “Frank, I was hoping you would plant some lily bulbs for me. Would you mind doing that before you left?”
Frank did as his mother asked, and then went off with his friends. A couple of days later he went to join the war in France.
Quickly Frank became one of the stars of American fighter pilots. Between September 12 and September 29 Frank was credited with shooting down 18 German balloons and planes.
Back home in Phoenix, on September 29, Tillie stepped outside to discover that the lilies Frank planted were in full bloom. Lilies typically bloom much earlier in the year so this was strange. They had been planted in the shape of a cross, like one of the side of a fighter plane. Frank loved airplanes and was a devout Catholic. When his mother saw this she was nervous that something was wrong.
Two months later word reached America that Frank had been shot down and killed. He died on September 29, 1918, at the age of twenty-one, the day the lilies bloomed.
It makes sense that Frank’s mother was nervous. The bonds of love often will let us know that something is wrong with our beloved, even if oceans and continents separate us. However, the symbolism cannot be ignored. The Easter lilies stood bloomed in the shape of a cross. Paul remembering the prophet Hosea once wrote, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” And we recall that Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live.” This Easter will be a day the lilies bloom. Go somewhere, anywhere and celebrate the victory of our Christ!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Our Christian Hope
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces. – Isaiah 25:8 (KJV)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? – 1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)
What do these words mean to you? Do you live life free from the fear of death? Have you seen anyone who lived in such a way? What were they like? What does this say of Christian hope?
Tom Long told the following story in his sermon, “A Living Hope”:
In her beautiful book, “Intensive Care,” Mary Lou Weisman tells the moving and tragic story of the death of her fifteen-year-old son, Peter, from the terrible disease, muscular dystrophy. She tells about an astonishing thing that happened right at the moment of his death. Peter’s body was completely paralyzed in the final stages of his disease, and the delirium of death was taking over his mind in his last few minutes of his life. He was moaning, random and disconnected in his thoughts. His voice, wrote Mary Lou, “sounded so far away, so lost.” But then, suddenly, in a surprisingly clear voice, Peter spoke directly to Larry, his father.
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Bewildered and frightened, Larry and Mary Lou looked at each other. What could this strange question from their dying son possibly mean?
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Even though he had tears streaming from his eyes, Larry answered Peter matter-of-factly. “Impudent. Son, impudent means bold. It means shamelessly bold.”
Peter paused for a moment, death closing its grip on him, and then he said, “Then put me in an impudent position.”
And sure enough, just before their son died, Larry and Mary Lou, positioned Peter’s arms and legs in a posture of bold defiance, an “impudent position” in the face of death.
I suppose the question for us now is how might we live in an impudent position as we go about life? Our Christian hope in the defeat of death allows us look over a chaotic world while we exist in it and know that God is not done! The last word is not death, nor disease, nor war, nor troubles, nor persecutions, nor anything of the vast array of evil that wishes our depression and our defeat. The last word is the One we call the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the One who defeated death itself. Therefore we can stand as a resurrection people and in an impudent position, ready to take on the trials of life with the hope of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? – 1 Corinthians 15:55 (KJV)
What do these words mean to you? Do you live life free from the fear of death? Have you seen anyone who lived in such a way? What were they like? What does this say of Christian hope?
Tom Long told the following story in his sermon, “A Living Hope”:
In her beautiful book, “Intensive Care,” Mary Lou Weisman tells the moving and tragic story of the death of her fifteen-year-old son, Peter, from the terrible disease, muscular dystrophy. She tells about an astonishing thing that happened right at the moment of his death. Peter’s body was completely paralyzed in the final stages of his disease, and the delirium of death was taking over his mind in his last few minutes of his life. He was moaning, random and disconnected in his thoughts. His voice, wrote Mary Lou, “sounded so far away, so lost.” But then, suddenly, in a surprisingly clear voice, Peter spoke directly to Larry, his father.
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Bewildered and frightened, Larry and Mary Lou looked at each other. What could this strange question from their dying son possibly mean?
“Daddy, what does ‘impudent’ mean?”
Even though he had tears streaming from his eyes, Larry answered Peter matter-of-factly. “Impudent. Son, impudent means bold. It means shamelessly bold.”
Peter paused for a moment, death closing its grip on him, and then he said, “Then put me in an impudent position.”
And sure enough, just before their son died, Larry and Mary Lou, positioned Peter’s arms and legs in a posture of bold defiance, an “impudent position” in the face of death.
I suppose the question for us now is how might we live in an impudent position as we go about life? Our Christian hope in the defeat of death allows us look over a chaotic world while we exist in it and know that God is not done! The last word is not death, nor disease, nor war, nor troubles, nor persecutions, nor anything of the vast array of evil that wishes our depression and our defeat. The last word is the One we call the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the One who defeated death itself. Therefore we can stand as a resurrection people and in an impudent position, ready to take on the trials of life with the hope of God!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Way Toward Life
There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. – Proverbs 14:12 (NRSV)
What way seems right to you? How did you discover this as the way? Might the way that seems right to you lead to death? What way leads to life? What is life?
I’ve heard this story before.
A university professor went to visit a famous and important theologian. While the theologian quietly served tea, the professor talked about theology, God, and the like. The theologian poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted out.
"You are like this cup," the theologian replied, "How can I help you to see God unless you first empty your cup."
When it comes to life I think sometimes Jesus shouts out, “How can I show you God and give you life unless you first empty your cup!” We go about our days filling ourselves up with all kinds of things, and then calling that life. Then if we go to church, or if we pray, or if we pick up some sacred writing, we wonder why we do not seem to be filled with peace. Perhaps it is because we are too filled with things that are not God, or false ideas of God, to be filled with the presence of God, and to be filled with life and life abundant. If the way of Jesus isn’t our way, then even if our way seems right its end is death. In each of us something needs to be emptied in order that we might be filled. What in you do you need to empty? Jesus is waiting to fill that emptiness.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What way seems right to you? How did you discover this as the way? Might the way that seems right to you lead to death? What way leads to life? What is life?
I’ve heard this story before.
A university professor went to visit a famous and important theologian. While the theologian quietly served tea, the professor talked about theology, God, and the like. The theologian poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted out.
"You are like this cup," the theologian replied, "How can I help you to see God unless you first empty your cup."
When it comes to life I think sometimes Jesus shouts out, “How can I show you God and give you life unless you first empty your cup!” We go about our days filling ourselves up with all kinds of things, and then calling that life. Then if we go to church, or if we pray, or if we pick up some sacred writing, we wonder why we do not seem to be filled with peace. Perhaps it is because we are too filled with things that are not God, or false ideas of God, to be filled with the presence of God, and to be filled with life and life abundant. If the way of Jesus isn’t our way, then even if our way seems right its end is death. In each of us something needs to be emptied in order that we might be filled. What in you do you need to empty? Jesus is waiting to fill that emptiness.
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Death Where Is Thy Sting
So this body that can be destroyed will clothe itself with that which can never be destroyed, and this body that dies will clothe itself with that which can never die. When this happens, this Scripture will be made true: "Death is destroyed forever in victory."
"Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your pain?"… But we thank God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:54-55,57 (NCV)
What is this victory of which Paul speaks? What can never be destroyed? What can never die? What does a life of giving thanks to God for this victory look like? Do you live a life of victory?
A poem I found at: http://www.inspirationalstories.com/4/414.html
We lived out in the country, fifty miles from a big town. We had a little church, for all of us who lived around. The minister was part time and came every other week, So when he came, we all would go to hear the preacher speak.
Once a year, on Easter, we would drive to the big town. That was the only place a sunrise service could be found. So once a year, on Easter, to a church in town we'd go, My kids would make a fuss, but my sweet Mother loved it so.
She lived with us, my wife and I, two daughters and a son, And everybody loved ol' NaNa, she was so much fun. She had a personality that was controlled by love. She always said she got it from the angels up above.
So every Easter morning we would all dress in our best, And go to sunrise service that would start before the rest. Once a year that preacher knew that we would all be there, Because that was the only sunrise service anywhere.
He knew my Mother loved the sunrise service that was here, And he knew all of us, by name, and we went once a year. He loved ol' NaNa and he knew that she would never miss, His sunrise service Easter morning, he had told her this.
He knew we had a country church, and minister part time. He knew that we could not join his, and he said that was fine. He said he thought he knew our preacher, "Godly man," he said. "I know he likes to travel, that's the calling he's been led."
When Mother died in early March, our part time preacher came, Out to our little country church, where we put her remains. Our little church was crowded, NaNa's friends for miles around, But, we forgot to tell the preacher that was in the town.
Easter morning came that year, but we were not up to, Going to the sunrise service, like we always do. Then as we sat at breakfast, knowing that we didn't go, Deciding we should go to town and let that preacher know.
They had a later service and it started at eleven, We really should go tell the preacher, NaNa's now in heaven. So we got dressed, and off we went, much later than before. When we arrived, we saw the preacher standing by the door.
He smiled at us and shook our hands, as he began to speak, And as he spoke, the words he said just made my knees get weak. He said, "I knew something was wrong, you all were not together" "The sunrise was so beautiful, we had such perfect weather."
"But, you have made this service, that is why we have another." And then I started telling him, what happened to my Mother. A puzzled look came on his face, when I said Mom had died, A look that someone gives you, when they think that you have lied.
We just stood in silence, as my heart began to vex, And to this day, I'm still in shock of what he told me next. It's something that you don't expect, it comes without a warning. He looked at me and said..."I saw your Mother here this morning!"
Easter is coming! Our victory is just around the corner! When we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we must never forget that his resurrection ensures our resurrection… for us death has been defeated!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What is this victory of which Paul speaks? What can never be destroyed? What can never die? What does a life of giving thanks to God for this victory look like? Do you live a life of victory?
A poem I found at: http://www.inspirationalstories.com/4/414.html
We lived out in the country, fifty miles from a big town. We had a little church, for all of us who lived around. The minister was part time and came every other week, So when he came, we all would go to hear the preacher speak.
Once a year, on Easter, we would drive to the big town. That was the only place a sunrise service could be found. So once a year, on Easter, to a church in town we'd go, My kids would make a fuss, but my sweet Mother loved it so.
She lived with us, my wife and I, two daughters and a son, And everybody loved ol' NaNa, she was so much fun. She had a personality that was controlled by love. She always said she got it from the angels up above.
So every Easter morning we would all dress in our best, And go to sunrise service that would start before the rest. Once a year that preacher knew that we would all be there, Because that was the only sunrise service anywhere.
He knew my Mother loved the sunrise service that was here, And he knew all of us, by name, and we went once a year. He loved ol' NaNa and he knew that she would never miss, His sunrise service Easter morning, he had told her this.
He knew we had a country church, and minister part time. He knew that we could not join his, and he said that was fine. He said he thought he knew our preacher, "Godly man," he said. "I know he likes to travel, that's the calling he's been led."
When Mother died in early March, our part time preacher came, Out to our little country church, where we put her remains. Our little church was crowded, NaNa's friends for miles around, But, we forgot to tell the preacher that was in the town.
Easter morning came that year, but we were not up to, Going to the sunrise service, like we always do. Then as we sat at breakfast, knowing that we didn't go, Deciding we should go to town and let that preacher know.
They had a later service and it started at eleven, We really should go tell the preacher, NaNa's now in heaven. So we got dressed, and off we went, much later than before. When we arrived, we saw the preacher standing by the door.
He smiled at us and shook our hands, as he began to speak, And as he spoke, the words he said just made my knees get weak. He said, "I knew something was wrong, you all were not together" "The sunrise was so beautiful, we had such perfect weather."
"But, you have made this service, that is why we have another." And then I started telling him, what happened to my Mother. A puzzled look came on his face, when I said Mom had died, A look that someone gives you, when they think that you have lied.
We just stood in silence, as my heart began to vex, And to this day, I'm still in shock of what he told me next. It's something that you don't expect, it comes without a warning. He looked at me and said..."I saw your Mother here this morning!"
Easter is coming! Our victory is just around the corner! When we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we must never forget that his resurrection ensures our resurrection… for us death has been defeated!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
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