But the man said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who has been crucified. He has risen from the dead; he is not here. Look, here is the place they laid him.” – Mark 16:6 (NCV)
Is this good news to you? What does it mean to you? How does it change the way you live? What are you afraid of you should not be because of this event? Is there better news anywhere? How do you share this news?
This story was told to me:
A young boy’s favorite shows were Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. Better shows did not exist, and he could barely wait to watch them each day. One day as he was began to watch incredible news came over the television screen… Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo were going to have a special show where they were together!
The boy’s excitement bubbled over as he announced to his parents news that could not get any better. “Mom, Dad!” he shouted, “Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo are going to meet and be on the same show, this is the best news ever!”
All week long he talked about it. He told his friends, his teacher, his neighbors, and his family, he thought everyone needed to know. The night before the monumental event he was in bed just staring up at the ceiling imaging every possibility, it was going to be great.
The day was the slowest day ever, the evening could not come soon enough. And minutes before the show started he was sitting right in front of the television screen, nervous with anticipation. His parents sat on the couch behind him, excited for him. The show started, Mr. Rogers came into Captain Kangaroo’s house. The boy didn’t move for the first minute. Then after about two minutes he started crying uncontrollably, and he got up and ran to his room.
His parents followed him into his room very concerned about their son. “What happened to him,” they wondered, “he had been waiting so long for this.” The boy was face down on his bed weeping. His mother sat on the bed and rubbed his back, “What is wrong?”
He looked up and in between sobs was able to say these words, “It is just too good, it is too good.”
“He has risen from the dead; he is not here.” It is just too good, it is too good! This is the best news ever, there cannot be better news. Live life holding onto news that is just too good, so that everyone can see your joy in whichever way that joy comes out!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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
Sunday, April 5, 2009
April Minister's Minute from the Journal of Hope and Joy
I was driving down 2nd Street the other day. I had just spent the night at a retreat where I had not slept and discovered a tick attached to my body. I missed my family and was anxious to get home. The three-hour drive was near complete and I was tired and ready to be out of my car. Then something awful happened, well not real awful, just that kind of awful that feels awful in the moment because it gets in the way. Two cars in front of me someone was going only 15 miles per hour. The car directly behind the slow car and right in front of me was obviously in a hurry as well, because the driver made sure to be riding as close as possible behind the slow car, slightly moving side to side with those jerky motions that signals the irritation anyone who drives is familiar with and too many of us have done ourselves. I understood the irritation of the driver, for what reason could the first driver have to proceed so slowly, to show so little concern for those who are driving behind?
As we continued this parade of slowness for another couple of seconds my sight was caught by a bright pink color off to the side. I turned my head and encountered a gorgeous spectacle. A magnificent shrub of some kind was in full bloom, and offered a bouquet of this dark, yet brilliant, pink flower. Its beauty sung to me of spring. In my somewhat foul mood I had forgotten that spring was in the air. The pleasant warm weather coupled with the strange yellow dust, which covers everything in these parts this time of year, obviously did not do the trick. I needed this awesome reminder of pink flowers. Immediately my heart warmed to the idea of spring and my gaze searched for other clues as to its arrival. Yes there was more, a certain small tree with little white flowers only beginning to bloom, gently screaming to me that they were alive. The large trees, which canopy some of the more beautiful streets in this town, covered with green buds also announcing life, announcing spring. In the moment I was caught up staring at it all, I was caught up in spring, I was caught up in life.
Not long ago this same drive, one I make very often, was bare and void of this beauty, or even any glimmer of the potential for the beauty in which I was immersed. Yet now in this moment the colors, the life, gently assaulted my vision, gently proclaimed to me, “Garrett we are alive.” I kept looking around to gather more proof of this liveliness, more proof of another spring season. I smiled at it all as it smiled back at me, and with that smile I remembered I was driving and looked ahead. The cars that caused my distress were much further in front of me as I now discovered that I was only going 10 miles per hour. Sure enough I looked in the rearview mirror and found someone riding close behind me, moving side to side with those jerky motions to ensure I was aware of the irritation I was causing.
I love spring because Easter happens in spring. I always remember Easter celebrations fondly, because it is the time when churches I have been a part of always seemed most alive. It makes sense I suppose, Christ is alive, not dead, he was just dead, but now he is alive! The church is in full joy, people are there, I wonder if more come on Easter because they know the church will be more alive on Easter, it will be a celebration on Easter.
I guess if I was not a church going person I would be more apt to go on Easter. When life was so obviously celebrated. When the drudgery of religion was set aside, at least for a day, and we celebrated life and church felt alive.
Someone who recently visited our church told me that it felt alive to them. I do not think I understood the power of that statement until just now… our church does feel alive! Sure we may not be unique in feeling that way, and creation at spring does it far better, but we are alive in the Spirit and alive with each other. You all can describe it far better than I can, or maybe not all of you, but you know what I mean. We are alive! When Easter comes to us this year proclaiming life, gently, or not so gently, shouting to us that Christ is alive and therefore so are we, I hope we hold onto this celebration. I hope that in the middle of summer, at the beginning of autumn, and in the cold of winter visitors still think we feel alive in the Spirit, alive with excitement, alive… because Christ is alive in us, giving us a hope and joy that we always want to share! Get caught up in this Easter life so that others get caught up too!
Riding the wave of the Holy Spirit,
Garrett
As we continued this parade of slowness for another couple of seconds my sight was caught by a bright pink color off to the side. I turned my head and encountered a gorgeous spectacle. A magnificent shrub of some kind was in full bloom, and offered a bouquet of this dark, yet brilliant, pink flower. Its beauty sung to me of spring. In my somewhat foul mood I had forgotten that spring was in the air. The pleasant warm weather coupled with the strange yellow dust, which covers everything in these parts this time of year, obviously did not do the trick. I needed this awesome reminder of pink flowers. Immediately my heart warmed to the idea of spring and my gaze searched for other clues as to its arrival. Yes there was more, a certain small tree with little white flowers only beginning to bloom, gently screaming to me that they were alive. The large trees, which canopy some of the more beautiful streets in this town, covered with green buds also announcing life, announcing spring. In the moment I was caught up staring at it all, I was caught up in spring, I was caught up in life.
Not long ago this same drive, one I make very often, was bare and void of this beauty, or even any glimmer of the potential for the beauty in which I was immersed. Yet now in this moment the colors, the life, gently assaulted my vision, gently proclaimed to me, “Garrett we are alive.” I kept looking around to gather more proof of this liveliness, more proof of another spring season. I smiled at it all as it smiled back at me, and with that smile I remembered I was driving and looked ahead. The cars that caused my distress were much further in front of me as I now discovered that I was only going 10 miles per hour. Sure enough I looked in the rearview mirror and found someone riding close behind me, moving side to side with those jerky motions to ensure I was aware of the irritation I was causing.
I love spring because Easter happens in spring. I always remember Easter celebrations fondly, because it is the time when churches I have been a part of always seemed most alive. It makes sense I suppose, Christ is alive, not dead, he was just dead, but now he is alive! The church is in full joy, people are there, I wonder if more come on Easter because they know the church will be more alive on Easter, it will be a celebration on Easter.
I guess if I was not a church going person I would be more apt to go on Easter. When life was so obviously celebrated. When the drudgery of religion was set aside, at least for a day, and we celebrated life and church felt alive.
Someone who recently visited our church told me that it felt alive to them. I do not think I understood the power of that statement until just now… our church does feel alive! Sure we may not be unique in feeling that way, and creation at spring does it far better, but we are alive in the Spirit and alive with each other. You all can describe it far better than I can, or maybe not all of you, but you know what I mean. We are alive! When Easter comes to us this year proclaiming life, gently, or not so gently, shouting to us that Christ is alive and therefore so are we, I hope we hold onto this celebration. I hope that in the middle of summer, at the beginning of autumn, and in the cold of winter visitors still think we feel alive in the Spirit, alive with excitement, alive… because Christ is alive in us, giving us a hope and joy that we always want to share! Get caught up in this Easter life so that others get caught up too!
Riding the wave of the Holy Spirit,
Garrett
Monday, March 30, 2009
What A Day May Bring
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. – Proverbs 27:1 (NRSV)
What does it mean to “boast about tomorrow”? Why do you think it is wise not to boast about tomorrow? If tomorrow is not something you should give much worry to, what does that mean for today? How does someone who lives this way act?
The story was e-mailed to me awhile back with no attributed author.
While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.
"He's a fine looking boy," the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the blue sweater." Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son. "What do you say we go, Todd?"
Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes." The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart's content.
Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son. "Time to go now?"
Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "Okay."
"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.
The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Todd.
"He thinks he has five more minutes to swing. The truth is . . . I get five more minutes to watch him play."
You do not know what a day may bring, so enjoy the day you have with all your heart! Much of what may seem like a waste of time may be the best memories, and much of what seems so important will be a waste. Take five minutes enjoying it all!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
What does it mean to “boast about tomorrow”? Why do you think it is wise not to boast about tomorrow? If tomorrow is not something you should give much worry to, what does that mean for today? How does someone who lives this way act?
The story was e-mailed to me awhile back with no attributed author.
While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.
"He's a fine looking boy," the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the blue sweater." Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son. "What do you say we go, Todd?"
Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes." The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart's content.
Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son. "Time to go now?"
Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "Okay."
"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.
The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Todd.
"He thinks he has five more minutes to swing. The truth is . . . I get five more minutes to watch him play."
You do not know what a day may bring, so enjoy the day you have with all your heart! Much of what may seem like a waste of time may be the best memories, and much of what seems so important will be a waste. Take five minutes enjoying it all!
With hope and joy,
Garrett
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