Tag Archives: Memories

My Easter Sunday Thoughts

Bible Study, Charecteristics, Thought, ,

I have been pondering for a few days what it is that I need to share. I made notes a few times with some thoughts. As I start typing, I am still pondering how to bring these thoughts together into this post.

I will start with feet. Yes, with feet.

A couple decades ago, I was part of an Easter program at our church which was a basic reenactment of the Last Supper. Our pastor played the role of Jesus. I played the part of Simon the Zealot. (Check Out This Post Later: “A Zealot Was“) Part of preparation for this event, we, those of us playing the parts of the Disciples and our pastor (who played the role of Jesus), discussed the lives of each of the Disciples. We talked about social norms and practices of the period. We dove into the backgrounds of each of the disciples to better understand the parts we were playing. During the performance, each of us “disciples” would “break out” in a spot lighted monologue … glimpsing into the possible thoughts of each particular disciple.

The Passover meal was (and still is) a major Jewish culture. Each part of the meal involves major symbolisms. The particular part of the meal that the rest of us are loosely “familiar” with, Jesus “replaced” an old with a new. The “New Covenant”. Further detail is … at this time, when a cup of wine was sipped and passed … it was, in essence, a “marriage” proposal. The term “Bride of Christ” comes from this symbolism.

Also, at this time in history, culturally, it was custom for the host of a gathering to wash the feet of the guests. (Keep in mind, dusty (no asphalt) roads, and sandals for shoes.) Jusus was the one to “organize” this particular event. After all his displaces had arrived, Jesus began washing their feet … one foot at a time … He washed all of their feet.

You have heard this told many times I am sure. However, have you had it done to you? As I sat there, in the midst of this set, I knew we were only “reenacting” the event .. however … we were, in fact, reenacting an actual event that really took place. The magnitude of what was happening … and WHOM actually did this was … this was and still is very overwhelming for me. I get emotional when I hear the story told. I am now, as I am remembering … typing it.

I will not expound on the views that the various disciples might have pondered and delt with at this time.

This point in this post, I am tying in something else that is heavy on my mind and heart.

I am not going to make this a political post. I am simply stating that current political leaders and their “supporters” have been making statements about Christ’s example was weak.

God, the eternal power that has created all things … this being without bounds … God not only created us, but … because he loves us so much, came to this world in human form. God, in flesh, lived on earth, and dwelt amongst us. He did not come in on a war horse, dressed in armor, leading an army to take over the world. First of all, he created the world, it is already HIS. Most importantly, GOD, should us the ULTIMATE example of humility. THE CREATOR, humbled Himself to live amongst us.

While on this earth, HE showed LOVE and COMPASSION. He showed Faithfulness and Humility. HE, CHRIST, God In Flesh, allowed mere mortal men to mutilate his body and kill him. HE died. His flesh was destroyed. AND .. AND .. HE Rose From Death. Jesus Christ Over Came Death. He defeated the Devil.

Jesus Christ, God In Flesh, Lived and Died and DEFEATED DEATH!

The way of Christ is FAR from “weak”. Cowards mock what Jesus did.

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Looks like somebody prayed

Life Notes, Music Related, My Life, Thought, , , , , ,

The year was 1989. I had signed up for the Army. I was going to be in training for a year. I was going to be doing a very high security thing. I graduated from high school at the end of May. Three weeks later, I was a passenger in a car crash that …

Mid-way through high school, I felt the calling into the ministry. I was going to go to college and then on to seminary. Well, financially, things did not look good. The weight of the financial aspects was heavy and outweighed what my heart felt. My best friend, out of the blue, joined the army in the fall of 1988. With the weight of financials on my mind, it did not take much for him to “talk me into joining”.

I was all set. I was go ship out 4 weeks after graduation. After basic training, I would be in specialized training for almost a year. It would be an extreme and intense training. Once ready, I would be in a very high-level security position.

It was Monday morning, one of my buddies called me telling me that we were going to Dairy Queen. (Neither one of us had vehicle at the time.) Turns out he had called someone to drive us. The person he called, was not liked much in the community. It was a bit awkward. But, we went.

It has been raining and thus, the roads were very wet. The temperature was great, so we had the windows down. … Bug flew into driver’s face/eye. He could not see briefly. We were going around a curve. The Chevy Chevet ended up wedged in trees in the ditch. (Short back up … I was in backseat, passenger side, my buddy was in front seat and kept reclining the seat back on me … messed up goofball … I had JUST unbuckled my seatbelt to slide to the other side when the accident happened. Where I had been sitting was where the car wedged into the trees. There was about 2 inches of space. Where I had slide to, there was about 2 feet of space.)

I will fast forward … there are things I may fill in later .. but for this post, are not vital.

That evening, doctors did not know if I would survive the night. Out in the waiting room, there were people praying for me. I was told that the room was packed. They were praying for me.

I will shorten this part for now … in the midst of all this … I knew, somehow, I knew people were praying for me. I could hear them. I could feel them.

I was released from the hospital after just two weeks. In the course of those two weeks, doctors said, if I walked again, I would not walk well … doctors also said, it would be weeks before I would be released. Yes, I was released after just two weeks. It was a rough few weeks after, but … I walked. A couple decades later, I walk. And as most who know me, know .. I walk fast. I just do, not sure why.

I come to this song. Somebody Prayed. I focus on this line … Looks like somebody prayed.

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The Multi-Verse Flood of Memories and Thoughts

Charecteristics, Life Notes, Rants, Relationships, , , , ,

Every day, there is “something” that triggers a memory. A memory triggers the “multi-verse” flood of memories and trains of thought. With the memories and thoughts there is the void. The void where someone does not physically occupy any longer. The thoughts of the forced new path now traveled. The heart is flooded with joyful memories, painful memories, the horrid pain of being shattered, the ache of the void. The “multi-verse” of emotions and thoughts come all at once, in a single moment. Grief does not end. Grief does not “go away in time.” Grief is like a new part of your body that you live your life with.

If you do not know what to say to someone who has experienced tremendous grief … Don’t say anything. Being a supporter, helper, FRIEND, is far more than “words“. It is also far more than “deeds“. Being a support includes “just being” there for someone ……..

Sit by the fire. Sip something. Go for a walk with. Go sightseeing with. Watch a movie with. Have dinner with. Avoid getting arrested with (grins). NEVER EVER accuse someone of being WEAK for grieving. NEVER EVER tell someone to “suck it up” when they are grieving. Likewise, do NOT facilitate keeping someone grieving. Help them see they have purpose and value and worth!

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