Four more sleeps!

My grandson, Drew, has an interesting way to do a countdown.  Whether it's going on a trip or celebrating a birthday, he counts down the days by the number of times he'll go to sleep before the big event or trip happens.  He and his family came out to visit us at Easter.  Nearly every day we would talk on the phone and he would say, "Papa, Nana, only 9 more sleeps...6 more sleeps...3 more sleeps..."  You get the picture.

Me and my dear, sweet wife have only four more sleeps before we board a plane with 33 of our closest friends and travel to the Holy Land.  We still have so much to do and so little time to do it in.  I've been spending this afternoon writing devotions for our evening gatherings after dinner.  I am trying to develop a theme for each day and then to offer a devotion and a prayer starter for the group.  I'm excited about making this trip.  In fact, maybe too excited, too emotional.

I've been looking at pictures from the tour company's website and I find myself tearing up.  What will it be like to visit Nazareth? To see the temple and Peter's home in Capernaum? To baptize some of our group in the Jordan River? To stand in the Garden of Gethsemane.  To visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place where it is believed that Jesus was buried and then rose again on the third day?

I have the sense that it just might be too overwhelming.  To walk in the places where my Lord and Savior walked.  To be in the very locations where Jesus taught and performed miracles and, more importantly, redeemed me from sin and hell.  To be among the trees that surrounded Jesus as He prayed, "Father, if it is Your will, let this cup be taken from me.  Yet, not as I will but as You will."

So much left to do.  But, oh, the blessings that are going to come!

Would you pray for me and for our group? Please pray for safe travel and protection.  Pray that our group would travel well together, be patient and support one another.  Pray that God will be at work in our hearts, strengthening faith so that we grow ever closer to the Lord who loves us so much He gave His Son to be our Savior - my Savior - from sin and death and the devil.  Your prayers are greatly welcomed!

The Law drives us to Jesus

Or, as RJ Grunewald puts it: The Law doesn't make us better.  It makes us turn to the One (Jesus) who can.

From "Reading Romans with Luther," page 52

Big plans this weekend?

I hope they include worship.  If you don't have a church home, come and visit us at LICL.  We have a service this afternoon at 5 pm and three services tomorrow - 8, 9:30 and 11 am.  I'll be preaching at all the Sunday services and my little group will provide the music at the 9:30 service.  Check us out - we like making new friends!

Have a blessed weekend!!

The dog was Catholic?

      Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with only a pet dog for company. One day the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and asked, "Father, me dog is dead. Could ya' be saying' a mass for the poor creature?"
      Father Patrick replied, "I'm afraid not; we cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there are some Baptists down the lane, and there's no tellin' what they believe. Maybe they'll do something for the creature."
      Muldoon said, "I'll go right away Father. Do ya' think $5,000 is enough to donate to them for the service?"      Father Patrick exclaimed, "Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus! Why did ya' not tell me the dog was Catholic?

From SwapMeetDave.com 

What is bitterness?

Picked up this nifty little quote yesterday while reading the Tebow book:

Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies

The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies – Tremper Longman III & Mark L. Strauss

You’ve heard of pre & post millennialism.  But what is amillennialism? You’ve been given a festschrift to read and you wonder, “What is a festschrift?”  You’re asked, “What’s the different between “Gehenna” and “Sheol?”  Tremper Longman and Mark Strauss have come to your rescue.

“The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies” should find a valuable place on the desk of any student, teacher or pastor.  Over 500 different Biblical terms and topics are covered with short, clearly written definitions.  Someone asks you about the “Jesus Seminar” and you wonder if it’s still around? This dictionary will give you all you need to know to be able to answer the question.  Really, you’ll find yourself picking up this dictionary, turning to a random page, and finding 30 minutes have flown by before you know it.  This is an excellent resource!

Book provided for review by Baker Books

A thrilling Easter Sunday

Alleulia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Some observations about the day:

50 early birds came for the sunrise service.

Kevin's group played so well.  Their version of "Christ Is Risen" set the tone for the entire service.

It was hard to concentrate during the 6:30 service.  Must have been the smell of bacon!

It was a joy to visit with so many guests in between services.

The breakfast our Fellowship Committee and youth hosted had to have been the best in town! They served everything you would want in a breakfast and it was delicious!

Our 8:30 and 10:30 services featured the best music we've ever presented.  Dale and Rich on trumpet, played with Annie on the hymns; Annie and Dale accompanied the Bell Choir on a beautiful new arrangement of "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today;" the Adult Choir knocked their song out of the park, so to speak; Annie and Jan offered a beautiful offertory.  The music simply could not have been better and it helped us all celebrate our Lord's resurrection with great, great joy!

The kids had a very successful egg hunt.  Made me wish that we had an egg hunt for adults.  After all, I like Double Bubble gum too.

Many worshippers told me how touched they were by the "Amazed" video that played prior to the sermon. The music bed, "Your Grace Still Amazes Me," was perfect.

Over 700 came to our weekend services.  We were pleased to proclaim the Gospel to so many.  We made some new friends and hope to see them again.

CHRIST is AMAZING! HE is AMAZING indeed!