"Early in the Morning" - a recap of Easter Service

Ark of the Covenant as depicted by bibleplaces.com

I have a vivid imagination - I can't remember a dream that's never been in colour. When I read a book, the story becomes alive to me. When I tell a story, I like to explain, expound and entice my listeners with details that capture their attention. 
As I was preparing for Easter Sunday's service, my mind was running...so many thoughts coming into my mind. I was excited. 
I read from John chapter 20 - the story of Mary going to the tomb of Jesus on that wonderful Easter morning. I couldn't help but picture what it was like...Cool morning air, the birds just starting to wake. The dim light of a lantern as Mary walks toward the garden tomb. How was Mary feeling? Was she nervous? Was she concerned that she was going to a tomb? What was she expecting to find?
Then imagine her astonishment, the stone rolled away. This tomb that was sealed. She immediately ran to tell Peter. She was frantic, her Lord was gone. 
(Here is an interesting thing...did she look into the tomb before she got Peter? She tells Peter that the Lord's body has been taken out of the tomb...Did she look before getting Peter or did she just assume that someone had stolen Jesus's body?)
One other interesting detail that I really like is when the Peter and the other disciple had left, and Mary was at the tomb..she looks in and sees 2 angels. Remember her eyes are filled with tears, she's crying and weeping. 
One angel at the foot of where Jesus laid, and one foot at the head of where Jesus had laid. This got my mind going - where else do we see 2 angels - one at the head and one at the foot? The ark of the covenant. Here is a little history on it - This ark was in the Holy of Holy's in the Jewish temple. The top of the ark was named "The Mercy Seat" This "Mercy Seat" had an angel at the head, and one at the foot. The High Priest would sprinkle blood for the atonement for himself and his family, the other priests, the Tabernacle, and the people of Israel.
Now go back with me to the story of Mary looking into the tomb. 2 angels...one at the head, one at the foot or where Jesus was laid...He was the Sacrifice for our sins...Do you see the similarity?
Just some thoughts :)


Blessings to you.

Busy, Busy, Busy...but to what end ? part 1

It has been a little while since I last posted. Life right now is very busy. Busy at work, busy at home, busy at church, busy planning, busy re-planning, busy writing, busy...busy...busy. Over 40 years have passed me... A little over 15 000 days... 360 000 hours...21 600 000 minutes...1 404 000 000 heart beats ( One billion 404 million heart beats)  and counting. My body is busy without me even thinking about it.

Then I read Haggai 1...⁵ Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁶ You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”  ⁷ This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways"... And I can't help but reflect on what is being said in this chapter. Twice the Lord says "Give careful thought to your ways." What is the Lord talking about? People being busy with what they want to do. For several years the Jewish people had returned to Jerusalem and they did not rebuild the temple...God's house. Their priorities where out of sync. they had a "me" first mentality. I think that today, in our busy lives, we often have this mentality. Me first. 

The prophet goes on to write:

⁸ Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the LORD. ⁹ “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. ¹⁰ Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. ¹¹ I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

Here we have a very clear, concise, cause and effect. God's house was neglected...and God was not happy. People were busy doing "their own thing." The result was this - there were consequences. There was accountability. 

to be continued....

What if the Bible was as important as a Cell Phone

What if the Bible was as important as a Cell Phone?

1. If you forgot it, you would go and get it
2. it would be checked daily for messages
3. it would be treated as we couldn't live without it
4. it would be close by in case of emergencies
5. it would not get dust on it
6. it would be used hundreds of minutes each month
7. it would always close to you
8. it would be a great communication tool
9. it would be with you during church
10. it would be used during church
11. it may even save your life...

Just imagine....a Bible being as important as a cell phone.

2012 - A New Start to a New Year

I saw this Osprey nest yesterday while out for a drive with my family. Initially I thought that it would make a good picture....sort of unique. Then this morning, the Lord showed me something. This nest once served a purpose, is now empty, but it will be used again. Much like my life...that is why I am excited - 2012 will be a year of renewal. Just yesterday morning while reading the Bible - this is what popped out at me....“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NIV

2011 is over - and I am so glad that it is. Now it is time to focus on future, not to dwell in the past!

Streams of living water are going to flow, wastelands will be made fertile, and paths through the wilderness will lead to amazing accomplishments! 

My family and I are SO looking forward to this New Year !!!

'Tis the season...

It's been over a month since I updated my Blog...A lot has been going on. The one thing that has been stirring at my heart is this..."How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone." James 4:14... Life is really short. Some can live for more than 90 years, others only minutes. But I started to really think about this...if by God's grace I live to 90, I'm almost half way there. Time is really short. You may think that this is morbid to be talking about death so close to Christmas, but hear me out. This year I've witnessed a younger cousin pass away from cancer, my wife had a miscarriage, another member of the family is very close to meeting the Lord because of cancer, and add to this other family members suffering with debilitating diseases - it is a reality check. But this is what gets me...all this is going on and then I see friends, family and loved ones bickering and fighting over petty meaningless prideful crap. (I'd use other language but this is a family friendly Blog.)

It is a dangerous game to play with bitterness. Bitterness is that root that takes hold and grows faster than any weed in a garden. It chokes life from family, it poisons friendships, it withers joy from the leaves of life. As I started out - life is short...sometimes a lot shorter than you think. Do yourself a favour - this Christmas season, let go of the bitterness. Let go of the offense. Let go of the hurt (because most bitterness has been caused because you have been hurt) It will help your friends. It will help your family, but most of all, it will help you. And by the way....Jesus gave a stern warning in Matthew 6:14-15. Like anything the choice is yours to believe it or not...“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Show love. mercy and forgiveness this season friends. Life really is short.
Merry Christmas.