explanation in the post below
Monday, April 27, 2009
Who am I?
Who am I,
that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I,
that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Lord I am yours because you paid for me by your death on the cross. Those nails through your hands and feet were the price it cost to buy me back from the claims of hell. Thank you.
that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I,
that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Lord I am yours because you paid for me by your death on the cross. Those nails through your hands and feet were the price it cost to buy me back from the claims of hell. Thank you.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friends ~
My Daughter is going through a bit of a tough time at the moment. She's a sensitive little 9 year old and one of her friends has recently moved to a new house 15 miles away. Although she's still attending the same school, it is likely that in the new school year or possibly even sooner this friend will move to a nearer more practical school. For Eden this is tough. Her world is small, she's never gone through the moves and seen that you can come out at the other side.
During my childhood up to the age of 11 I was a frequent mover. A new home meant a new school and then making new friends, there was always that feeling of loss each time you moved, but in time it lessened and you could move on.
As an adult I have moved several times. My biggest move was London to Yorkshire (back to my home village) It was a strange time for me. I had left a handful of very close friends behind and it took me a long time to settle. But eventually I did settle and made some close friends here.
Today I wasn't sure what i was going to post about until I popped up the You tube window and there was this song that fitted so perfectly in Eden's situation.
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Cant believe the hopes hes granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.
With the faith and love gods given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy youll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Thank you God for the gift of friendship. For those you give us to be close to. You know both the joys and sorrows of having friends. Help us to be the very best a friend can be: honest, caring, supportive and encouraging. I thank you for the friends I've made through blogging, thankyou for their encouragment and support.
Amen
During my childhood up to the age of 11 I was a frequent mover. A new home meant a new school and then making new friends, there was always that feeling of loss each time you moved, but in time it lessened and you could move on.
As an adult I have moved several times. My biggest move was London to Yorkshire (back to my home village) It was a strange time for me. I had left a handful of very close friends behind and it took me a long time to settle. But eventually I did settle and made some close friends here.
Today I wasn't sure what i was going to post about until I popped up the You tube window and there was this song that fitted so perfectly in Eden's situation.
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Cant believe the hopes hes granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Chorus:
And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.
With the faith and love gods given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy youll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem youve gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
Thank you God for the gift of friendship. For those you give us to be close to. You know both the joys and sorrows of having friends. Help us to be the very best a friend can be: honest, caring, supportive and encouraging. I thank you for the friends I've made through blogging, thankyou for their encouragment and support.
Amen
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Joyful, Joyful
Who can fail to love the movies Sister Act and Sister Act 2. Dispite being written for a secular audience, the story lines are based in a convent and feature lots of "religious" practice.
The songs are full of praise to God. Maybe not all in Christian songs, but in an earthly manner. Songs that can be applied to our relationship to God when we know what to look for. It is our experiences as Christians that allow us to take song such as You raise me up or bridge over troubled water and make them intop acts of praise to God.
Other songs in the movies are re jigged christian songs and anthems. Joyful Joyful is one of those. The lyrics were originally written in 1907 and designed to go with the music ode to joy by Beethoven, and yet so naturally the words flow into this modern interpretation.
Enjoy and worship!
The songs are full of praise to God. Maybe not all in Christian songs, but in an earthly manner. Songs that can be applied to our relationship to God when we know what to look for. It is our experiences as Christians that allow us to take song such as You raise me up or bridge over troubled water and make them intop acts of praise to God.
Other songs in the movies are re jigged christian songs and anthems. Joyful Joyful is one of those. The lyrics were originally written in 1907 and designed to go with the music ode to joy by Beethoven, and yet so naturally the words flow into this modern interpretation.
Enjoy and worship!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Jesus be the centre ~ Michael Frye
Jesus be the centre
Be my source, be my light Jesus
Jesus be the centre
Be my hope, Be my song, Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live, Jesus
Jesus be my vision
be my path, be my guide, Jesus
For without you in all areas of my life I cannot live effectivly for you. I cannot be a "godly" person if I keep earthly desires. I need to hand everything that I am over to you.
Be my source, be my light Jesus
Jesus be the centre
Be my hope, Be my song, Jesus
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live, Jesus
Jesus be my vision
be my path, be my guide, Jesus
For without you in all areas of my life I cannot live effectivly for you. I cannot be a "godly" person if I keep earthly desires. I need to hand everything that I am over to you.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter ~ He Has Risen
He has Risen
He is risen indeed Hallelujah
Matthew 28
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The Guards' Report
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I woke with the challange in my head this morning of what song would be right to put on the blog to celebrate this Easter Day.
He is risen indeed Hallelujah
Matthew 28
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The Guards' Report
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
The Great Commission Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
I woke with the challange in my head this morning of what song would be right to put on the blog to celebrate this Easter Day.
The song I eventually chose is See What a Morning by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
The words of this song are a celebration of the intricatly woven plan of God that is "bourne in pain, wrought in love and paid in sacrifice. Fulllfilled in Christ the man..... For he lives Christ is risen from the dead!"
He is risen
He is risen indeed ..... Hallelujah!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Still By: Reuben Morgan
"When oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with you above the storm"
Explanation in the post below.
Approaching Easter ~ The loss
When Jesus died it was the Jewish day of preparation (the day before the sabbath ~ on the sabbath, Jews do no work ~ including burying the dead) Jesus' body was taken down from the cross and because there was no other tomb near by they laid Jesus in a tomb in the Garden belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a secret follower of Christ because he feared the Jews.
Matthew tells us that Pilate ordered guards to seal the tomb and to stand guard. He had heard that Jesus has said "I will rise again in three days" Pilate did not want the disciples to take the body to make it look as though Jesus had risen.
I wonder how Jesus friends and family felt. Over the last few days they had watched Jesus endure horrendous treatment and then to saw him die on the cross. They witnessed his anguish and pain. They'd barely had time to put his body into strips of cloth and into the tomb before the sabbath.
They must have been afraid that Pilate, Caiaphas and the other chief priests and people of the law would not be satisfied with having "got" Jesus. What if they came after the followers of Jesus too. Perhaps they hid away keeping a "low profile"
To loose a friend is a very painful and hard event to go through. To see the empty place at the table, to think ' I must tell him, about it' an then realise that you can't.
We are not told what the disciples did over this time. We do know that Mary the mother of Jesus went with John and was then cared for in his home. I think this must have been a comfort to both of them. When you loose someone it's always a comfort to talk to other people who also knew them and share your loss.
Although Jesus said he would rise again in three days time, and they had witnessed him giving life back to Lazarus and Jairus' daughter and Peters mother in law they would have had doubts that a dead person would rise on his own. On the third day women went to the tomb to anoint the body with spices and if they were expecting Jesus prophesy to come true they'd have had more expectation and wouldn't have felt the need to spice the body.
Father God
To loose a loved one is a devastating experience
Facing each new day is so difficult when you feel the pain
Let the void they have left in my life be filled with happy memories
Wrap your loving arms around me
With your help I can get through each day
Help me let go of the pain.
Amen
Matthew tells us that Pilate ordered guards to seal the tomb and to stand guard. He had heard that Jesus has said "I will rise again in three days" Pilate did not want the disciples to take the body to make it look as though Jesus had risen.
I wonder how Jesus friends and family felt. Over the last few days they had watched Jesus endure horrendous treatment and then to saw him die on the cross. They witnessed his anguish and pain. They'd barely had time to put his body into strips of cloth and into the tomb before the sabbath.
They must have been afraid that Pilate, Caiaphas and the other chief priests and people of the law would not be satisfied with having "got" Jesus. What if they came after the followers of Jesus too. Perhaps they hid away keeping a "low profile"
To loose a friend is a very painful and hard event to go through. To see the empty place at the table, to think ' I must tell him, about it' an then realise that you can't.
We are not told what the disciples did over this time. We do know that Mary the mother of Jesus went with John and was then cared for in his home. I think this must have been a comfort to both of them. When you loose someone it's always a comfort to talk to other people who also knew them and share your loss.
Although Jesus said he would rise again in three days time, and they had witnessed him giving life back to Lazarus and Jairus' daughter and Peters mother in law they would have had doubts that a dead person would rise on his own. On the third day women went to the tomb to anoint the body with spices and if they were expecting Jesus prophesy to come true they'd have had more expectation and wouldn't have felt the need to spice the body.
Father God
To loose a loved one is a devastating experience
Facing each new day is so difficult when you feel the pain
Let the void they have left in my life be filled with happy memories
Wrap your loving arms around me
With your help I can get through each day
Help me let go of the pain.
Amen
Friday, April 10, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ The Crucifiction
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
Today is Good Friday. In many ways it's hard to understand the "good". The son of God killed as a common criminal having endured torture and humiliation and the pain of Crucifixion. For the disciples it must have been very hard indeed. Their leader and friend whipped, tried and crucified. Unlike us, they hadn't the chance to read the end of the book. How much easier for us who have read the end and know the wonderful things to come.
Many Christians world wide will be gathering today to celebrate the death of Jesus, looking forward to Sunday when we can celebrate his Resurrection.
Just imagine the hammer and the nails. The clang as metal connects with metal. That clang representing our reasons for Jesus being nailed to the cross. Because without our sinfulness, the cross would not have been there. With out our wrong doing, the need for this perfect, blameless sacrifice would never have had to be made.
The sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross bought each and everyone of us from the claims of hell.
Thank you Jesus that you died for me.
Thank you that you took my sins on your shoulders and subjected yourself to the nails and the cross.
Jesus, with out you I am nothing. With out you I am lost and wretched.
You died for me because you love me.
Thank you Jesus
Amen
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
Today is Good Friday. In many ways it's hard to understand the "good". The son of God killed as a common criminal having endured torture and humiliation and the pain of Crucifixion. For the disciples it must have been very hard indeed. Their leader and friend whipped, tried and crucified. Unlike us, they hadn't the chance to read the end of the book. How much easier for us who have read the end and know the wonderful things to come.
Many Christians world wide will be gathering today to celebrate the death of Jesus, looking forward to Sunday when we can celebrate his Resurrection.
Just imagine the hammer and the nails. The clang as metal connects with metal. That clang representing our reasons for Jesus being nailed to the cross. Because without our sinfulness, the cross would not have been there. With out our wrong doing, the need for this perfect, blameless sacrifice would never have had to be made.
The sacrifice that Jesus made on that cross bought each and everyone of us from the claims of hell.
Thank you Jesus that you died for me.
Thank you that you took my sins on your shoulders and subjected yourself to the nails and the cross.
Jesus, with out you I am nothing. With out you I am lost and wretched.
You died for me because you love me.
Thank you Jesus
Amen
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ Trial
We often read of mistrials and miscarriages of justice. If the judges and lawyers looked into the trial of Jesus, then it might be headlined as the Biggest misscarriage of Justice ever...
Having been passed from pillar to post, he is finally taken to Pilate. Pilate can find nothing worthy of the punishment of death and tries to set Jesus free, But the crowds who days before shouted "Hosanna" shouted for hs crucifiction and when Pilate tries to offer them a murderer "Barabas" they choose the murderer in exchange.
John 19
Pilate gave orders for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it on Jesus. Then they put a purple robe on him. They came up to him and said, "Hey, you king of the Jews!" They also hit him with their fists.
Once again Pilate went out. This time he said, "I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty."
Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the temple police saw him, they yelled, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"
Pilate told them, "You take him and nail him to a cross! I don't find him guilty of anything."
The crowd replied, "He claimed to be the Son of God! Our Jewish Law says that he must be put to death."
When Pilate heard this, he was terrified. He went back inside and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer.
"Why won't you answer my question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know that I have the power to let you go free or to nail you to a cross?"
Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. But the one who handed me over to you did something even worse."
Then Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no friend of the Emperor! Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of the Emperor."
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out. Then he sat down on the judge's bench at the place known as "The Stone Pavement." In Aramaic this pavement is called "Gabbatha."
It was about noon on the day before Passover, and Pilate said to the crowd, "Look at your king!"
"Kill him! Kill him!" they yelled. "Nail him to a cross!"
"So you want me to nail your king to a cross?" Pilate asked.
The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our king!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross.
Jesus was taken away.
Having been passed from pillar to post, he is finally taken to Pilate. Pilate can find nothing worthy of the punishment of death and tries to set Jesus free, But the crowds who days before shouted "Hosanna" shouted for hs crucifiction and when Pilate tries to offer them a murderer "Barabas" they choose the murderer in exchange.
John 19
Pilate gave orders for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. The soldiers made a crown out of thorn branches and put it on Jesus. Then they put a purple robe on him. They came up to him and said, "Hey, you king of the Jews!" They also hit him with their fists.
Once again Pilate went out. This time he said, "I will have Jesus brought out to you again. Then you can see for yourselves that I have not found him guilty."
Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said, "Here is the man!" When the chief priests and the temple police saw him, they yelled, "Nail him to a cross! Nail him to a cross!"
Pilate told them, "You take him and nail him to a cross! I don't find him guilty of anything."
The crowd replied, "He claimed to be the Son of God! Our Jewish Law says that he must be put to death."
When Pilate heard this, he was terrified. He went back inside and asked Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer.
"Why won't you answer my question?" Pilate asked. "Don't you know that I have the power to let you go free or to nail you to a cross?"
Jesus replied, "If God had not given you the power, you couldn't do anything at all to me. But the one who handed me over to you did something even worse."
Then Pilate wanted to set Jesus free. But the crowd again yelled, "If you set this man free, you are no friend of the Emperor! Anyone who claims to be a king is an enemy of the Emperor."
When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out. Then he sat down on the judge's bench at the place known as "The Stone Pavement." In Aramaic this pavement is called "Gabbatha."
It was about noon on the day before Passover, and Pilate said to the crowd, "Look at your king!"
"Kill him! Kill him!" they yelled. "Nail him to a cross!"
"So you want me to nail your king to a cross?" Pilate asked.
The chief priests replied, "The Emperor is our king!" Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be nailed to a cross.
Jesus was taken away.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ Not my will but yours
Today we look at the Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It is night and Jesus takes his disciples to the garden. He leaves them and takes his three friends James, John and Peter further into the garden. He asks them to wait before going further on his own. He is displaying real human emotions. Those of distress and troubledness. How would we feel knowing that a death sentance was hanging over us with a cruel and horrible death awaiting us. But worse still, what if it was your own Father who'd organised it?
Mark 14 32-42
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray.
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch.
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Jesus asks his Father to let him escape the death, but in doing so he also acknowledges Gods power and control over things.
Jesus returns to Peter, James and John to find them sleeping... this must have added to his hurt. Coudn't they see what he was going through, how could they sleep at a time like this?
He wakes them and then goes off to pray again, but on returning find them sleeping. The disciples can find no words for him.
God gives a great big No to Jesus' request to "take the cup from him". Jesus returns to his freinds, wkes them and stands to see the soldiers and his frined Judas coming into the garden....
Mark 14 32-42
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray.
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch.
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!
Jesus asks his Father to let him escape the death, but in doing so he also acknowledges Gods power and control over things.
Jesus returns to Peter, James and John to find them sleeping... this must have added to his hurt. Coudn't they see what he was going through, how could they sleep at a time like this?
He wakes them and then goes off to pray again, but on returning find them sleeping. The disciples can find no words for him.
God gives a great big No to Jesus' request to "take the cup from him". Jesus returns to his freinds, wkes them and stands to see the soldiers and his frined Judas coming into the garden....
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ With Friends like these ....
With Friends like these, who needs enemies?
Ever felt let down by your friends?
Perhaps you felt like they let you down, didn't do what you thought they would, broke a confidence.
Jesus had friends and followers, then there were twelve appointed friends who were like his best friends. The ones he could trust and that he went places and did things with.Today's post looks particularly at two of those friends Peter and Judas.
Judas. He was known among the disciples to be light fingered. he carried the money bag around and was known for dipping his hand in to it. Jesus knew his imperfections and yet still held him dear.
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' Said Jesus at the last supper. He was referring to Judas. he knew that Judas was going to betray him.
Jesus was aware of how the next few days were going to pan out.After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
John 13 18 - 30
Jesus Friend problems didn't end there either. His friend Peter would also play out a role. That of disowning Jesus.
Peter said: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22 34.
Even though Jesus was in full knowledge of these facts, I'm sure the pain he felt at these Revelations must have been great.
Ever felt let down by your friends?
Perhaps you felt like they let you down, didn't do what you thought they would, broke a confidence.
Jesus had friends and followers, then there were twelve appointed friends who were like his best friends. The ones he could trust and that he went places and did things with.Today's post looks particularly at two of those friends Peter and Judas.
Judas. He was known among the disciples to be light fingered. he carried the money bag around and was known for dipping his hand in to it. Jesus knew his imperfections and yet still held him dear.
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' Said Jesus at the last supper. He was referring to Judas. he knew that Judas was going to betray him.
Jesus was aware of how the next few days were going to pan out.After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
John 13 18 - 30
Jesus Friend problems didn't end there either. His friend Peter would also play out a role. That of disowning Jesus.
Peter said: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22 34.
Even though Jesus was in full knowledge of these facts, I'm sure the pain he felt at these Revelations must have been great.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ Washing Feet
John 13 1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
It was just before the Passover Feast.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"Jesus answered,
"A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Washing feet was an honor that a good host awarded to his guests. Sandals were the standard foot wear and the dusty roads meant that people were often glad to have this service offered to them. It was a refreshing thing.
When Jesus offered to wash his disciples fee, he was met with horror. peter could not imagine Jesus washing his feet. But Jesus explained that he had come to Earth, not to serve, but to be a servant. Of course, we know that he then goes on to offer the most subservient service of all and give his life for us.
Although he'd predicted his death to his disciples, I'm sure that none of them fully understood.
Jesus says "I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you" What we do for others, we are doing for Jesus.
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
It was just before the Passover Feast.
Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"Jesus answered,
"A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Washing feet was an honor that a good host awarded to his guests. Sandals were the standard foot wear and the dusty roads meant that people were often glad to have this service offered to them. It was a refreshing thing.
When Jesus offered to wash his disciples fee, he was met with horror. peter could not imagine Jesus washing his feet. But Jesus explained that he had come to Earth, not to serve, but to be a servant. Of course, we know that he then goes on to offer the most subservient service of all and give his life for us.
Although he'd predicted his death to his disciples, I'm sure that none of them fully understood.
Jesus says "I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you" What we do for others, we are doing for Jesus.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Approaching Easter ~ The Triumphal Entry
Mark chapter 11 V 1 - 10
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
Today is Palm Sunday. The day when we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. It might be thought that a donkey would not befit a king and wouldn't a fine horse be better suited. The fact that a donkey is used shows us that Jesus came in Peace. Donkeys were used in civilian life whereas horses were used more in War situations. The donkey was a young colt and had probably never been rode on before. The Fact that the owner of the donkey allowed Jesus to use it shows the respect he had for Jesus.
Hosanna means "O save us" Once people knew that Jesus was coming they ran to see him. They had heard that he had raised Lazerus from the dead. Belief was fast spreading that Jesus was the Messiah (the saviour) they'd been waiting for. They shouted about his decendancy from David.
What great value they gave to Jesus they spread their clothes on the floor to be trampled underfoot. Clothes in that period of time were a very valuable commodity. They also took palm branches and waved them shouting "Hosanna"
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "
They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
Today is Palm Sunday. The day when we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. It might be thought that a donkey would not befit a king and wouldn't a fine horse be better suited. The fact that a donkey is used shows us that Jesus came in Peace. Donkeys were used in civilian life whereas horses were used more in War situations. The donkey was a young colt and had probably never been rode on before. The Fact that the owner of the donkey allowed Jesus to use it shows the respect he had for Jesus.
Hosanna means "O save us" Once people knew that Jesus was coming they ran to see him. They had heard that he had raised Lazerus from the dead. Belief was fast spreading that Jesus was the Messiah (the saviour) they'd been waiting for. They shouted about his decendancy from David.
What great value they gave to Jesus they spread their clothes on the floor to be trampled underfoot. Clothes in that period of time were a very valuable commodity. They also took palm branches and waved them shouting "Hosanna"
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Jesus what a wonder you are ~ Maranatha Singers
Picture Mary sitting at Jesus feet, having poured out the perfume on to them. ..........
Approaching Easter ~ Jesus is Annointed
With Holy Week starting tomorrow, I thought I'd dedicate the posts into the story line of the build up to Easter.
Jesus had some close friends based in Bethany. Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were brother and sisters.
John 12
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. (Earlier in John we read about how Jesus raised Lazerus from the dead.)
Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (Mary took the expensive perfume and apoured it on to the feet of Jesus. Was she annointing him in preparation for death?)
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (a thief and yet one of Jesus' disciples)
"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. (Jesus predicts his death)
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. (Lazarus has become famous among the Jews for being raised from the dead. He's a bit of a celebrity)
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, (He was known to the cheif priests)
for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
(Lazarus was spreading the news about Jesus being the son of God and people were listening and changing).
Jesus had some close friends based in Bethany. Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were brother and sisters.
John 12
Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. (Earlier in John we read about how Jesus raised Lazerus from the dead.)
Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (Mary took the expensive perfume and apoured it on to the feet of Jesus. Was she annointing him in preparation for death?)
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (a thief and yet one of Jesus' disciples)
"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. (Jesus predicts his death)
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. (Lazarus has become famous among the Jews for being raised from the dead. He's a bit of a celebrity)
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, (He was known to the cheif priests)
for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
(Lazarus was spreading the news about Jesus being the son of God and people were listening and changing).
Friday, April 3, 2009
With All I am ~ Hillsong
Into Your hands
I commit again (again ... I keep turning back to youand you keep accepting me)
With all I am, (not worthy of your love)
for You, Lord
You hold my world
In the palm of Your hand (I am so insignificant, but you hold me in your loving care)
And I am Yours forever (I give my life to you)
Jesus I believe in You Jesus
I belong to You You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am (with out you I am nothing... with you I am loved and accepted and have reason)
I’ll walk with You
Wherever You go
Through tears and joy
I’ll trust in You (you share my joys and sorrows)
And I will live
In all of Your ways
And Your promises, forever
I will worship
I will worship You
I commit again (again ... I keep turning back to youand you keep accepting me)
With all I am, (not worthy of your love)
for You, Lord
You hold my world
In the palm of Your hand (I am so insignificant, but you hold me in your loving care)
And I am Yours forever (I give my life to you)
Jesus I believe in You Jesus
I belong to You You’re the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am (with out you I am nothing... with you I am loved and accepted and have reason)
I’ll walk with You
Wherever You go
Through tears and joy
I’ll trust in You (you share my joys and sorrows)
And I will live
In all of Your ways
And Your promises, forever
I will worship
I will worship You
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