What's on Your Stone?

Amid the wonderful music, the Cross of lilies, the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus” and the overwhelming scent of flowers at the Easter Sunday worship services at Calvary, Pastor Steve challenged each of us to think about the stone that was rolled away from the tomb of Jesus.  Pastor Steve then asked us to each think about the “stone” that keeps us from fully receiving all that Jesus wants to give to each of us. 

How did you do this week with your STONE?  For me, the word on the stone would be “BUSYNESS.”  Some days I’m so overwhelmed with “things to do,” that I just get too busy to spend as much time in God’s Word or in prayer as I would like.  Because of my busyness, I miss out on receiving all the gifts that God would like to bestow on me that day.  And, of course, Satan loves that!  In fact, if Satan can’t get me any other way, he will just make me TOO BUSY to pray, TOO BUSY to read God’s Word, TOO BUSY to spend time with the Creator of the Universe.  So, for me, busyness is what would go on my stone. 

How about you?  What do you have on YOUR stone?  Post a comment or two below.  Let’s share our own STONE STORIES with each other. 

Here’s a song by the Newsboys called “We Remember.”  May we always remember that Jesus rolled the stone away and He is still rolling away those stones we have in our lives!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

Pastor Carol

Finding My Place at the Table

Today we are moving ever closer to the Cross as we come together to remember Jesus’ final night with His disciples.  It has come to be known as Maundy Thursday.  “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandare, which means “to command” or “to mandate” and refers to the Gospel of John 13:34-35 where the events in the Upper Room focused on the washing of the disciples’ feet. 

“A new command I give you;  love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Last Sunday night, I watched The Passion of the Christ DVD again.  While it is a “tough” movie to watch, I have found that this movie helps me to draw even closer to the Cross and to Jesus.  Because the movie doesn’t “sanitize” the suffering of Jesus and it shows the real horror of crucifixion, I find myself confronted with the reality of the immense love Jesus had for all of us.   

In The Passion, there is a wonderful scene where Jesus is in the Upper Room with the disciples.  How I long to have been at that table with Jesus and the disciples as they enjoyed one last meal together. 

I like to think that I would never betray Jesus like Judas.  Oh, and I would certainly never deny Jesus like Peter did.  And, I know I would load up on enough Obsidian dark roast coffee from Caribou (my favorite) so I would never fall asleep like the disciples did when they went with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Yet, if I’m being honest with myself, I too would have been just like those disciples long ago.  In fact, if we are truly honest with ourselves, we are all deniers and betrayers of Christ to varying degrees.  We are all sinners unable to help ourselves. 

Yet, despite everything we have done in our lives, Jesus still invites ALL of us to His table each week.  The Lord’s Table is long and wide.  There is room for ALL who wish to receive forgiveness and the real presence of Jesus found in the bread and wine. 

On this Maundy Thursday, we come to the table as broken, hurting sinners, just like the disciples 2,000 years ago.  And the promise that Jesus made that night to them is just as true for us today, Jesus has a place for me at His Table and He’s got a place for you as well.  The question is:  Are you going to say “yes” to the invitation?

Here’s a song by Hillsong called “At the Cross” that reminds us of the amazing love Jesus has for you and for me.    

Pax,

Pastor Carol

Is Heaven for Real?

Have you ever had questions about Heaven?  I would guess that we all have wondered what Heaven is like at different times in our lives.  When you think about Heaven, some wonderful images come to mind: streets of gold, pearly gates, big walls, lots of light, everyone dressed in white.  And, of course, there will be no more tears, pain, grief or death. 

Scripture tells us that Heaven is much more than a beautiful place to spend eternity.  It is the place where God and Jesus Christ live and reign.  In Heaven, we will see our Lord and Redeemer face to face!  I can’t wait to look into the eyes of Jesus and to bow before Him!  I wonder if the Sunday school pictures of Jesus we have all seen over the years remotely look like Him?    

Revelation 21:3 says, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'"  What a fabulous promise that is for us!

Despite what we read in Scripture, we often wonder if Heaven is for real.  For those who have recently lost a loved one or close friend, there is usually that nagging question that they may not even want to voice.  Is there really a Heaven?  And, if there is, what is it really like? 

I recently read a book called Heaven is For Real.” It tells the story of four-year-old Colton Burpo.  It’s an astounding story of his trip to Heaven and back.  Colton had a burst appendix and he was near death at the age of four.  And what Colton shared with his parents afterwards was absolutely amazing. 

As we approach Holy Week and journey to the cross, my prayer for all of is that we may encounter the Living Lord in our lives today and every day.  While we may not ever have the very special “sneak peek” of Heaven that little Colton received, Jesus is among us and loves us.  As Colton said in the book, “Jesus told me He died on the cross so we could go see His Dad.”  Colton’s simple comment, while lacking in deep theological wording, is indeed the message of Easter. 

Below is a clip of Colton and his parents on the “Today Show” talking about his experience. 

Pax,

Pastor Carol

I Just Want to Be a Sheep

This past weekend Pastor Skip shared with us the deeper meaning found in Psalm 23.  Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the most widely known and widely loved Psalms of so many people.  It’s a Psalm that brings us comfort and hope, but it also demonstrates the absolute love God has for us. 

Here is Psalm 23 taken from the Contemporary English Version:

¹You, LORD, are my shepherd.

I will never be in need.

²You let me rest in fields

of green grass.

You lead me to streams

of peaceful water,

³and you refresh my life.

You are true to your name,

and you lead me

along the right paths.

⁴I may walk through valleys

as dark as death,

but I won't be afraid.

You are with me,

and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe.

⁵You treat me to a feast,

while my enemies watch.

You honor me as your guest,

and you fill my cup

until it overflows.

⁶Your kindness and love

will always be with me

each day of my life,

and I will live forever

in your house, LORD.

When I was little, I remember singing a song here at Calvary called “I Just Want to be a Sheep.”  Well, I found a totally tacky, but totally adorable, rendition of that “oldy and goody” sung by Max the Puppet and the Baa Street Sheep.  I hope it puts a smile on your face as it reminds you how great it is to be a sheep as long as we have Jesus as our Good Shepherd! Baa! Baa!

Pax,

Pastor Carol