Ladders come in a variety of heights–6 foot, 12 foot, 24 foot, goodness–probably any size a person might care to make or purchase! Depending on the job at hand, the right size ladder may be necessary in order to get a task accomplished. Personally, I am not a fan of tall ladders and feel my best standing on solid ground or using a step stool for things that don’t require a lot of height. Why talk about ladders this week? In the 12 step program I’ve been writing about, we have reached the middle of our ladder if there are 12 rungs. This week I am focusing on Step 6 which says: “We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character”. The scripture that tags this step is from James 4: 10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

I’ve been around a lot of people over the course of my adult years and I can safely say I’ve met my share of men and women who struggle with humility. I’ve witnessed power struggles in the workplace as well in social circles. Part of our human nature exposes those individuals who want to be in control, using pride and selfish gain to maintain a sense of “being in charge” or “complete control”. 

By the time a person who is working on recovery gets to Step 6 the hope is that self awareness settles in to realize 1) we aren’t in total control of our lives and 2) we are “all in” to allow God to do major surgery to remove flaws in our character. Much like open heart surgery, the process will be painful, sin and habit patterns will be discovered buried deep within our minds and spirit, but precisely as a surgeon’s hands work to remove cancer from a person’s body, so it is with God. He guides His hands to lovingly and skillfully remove cancerous thoughts, habits, and destructive coping mechanisms from us. The key is we “have” to be ready. Anyone going into a surgery or medical procedure knows there will be preparation which is only temporary. Recovery participants also get ready for Step 6 by climbing the previous five rungs on their ladder which is completion of Steps 1 through 5. 

More than we desire, at Celebrate Recovery we see people come to our meeting for the first time; they are excited to learn how to overcome an addiction or destructive behavior and declare “I’m ready!” accompanied by a promise “I’ll be back!” “This is exactly what I need!” Sadly, most will return for about 4 to 6 weeks and never return. It seems our human nature that tells us to look for a “quick fix” takes control over the realization that truly changing, sincerely desiring a healthier lifestyle takes hard work which cannot be accomplished overnight or in a few weekly meetings. When this happens it’s the leadership’s intentions not to judge or criticize. Why? Because that’s what I did.

In the mid 2000’s I went to Celebrate Recovery to work on anger. I attended six weeks and dropped out because I thought I  had cured my problem. I had begun to feel better and build new ways to respond to my anger. Then, in 2016, life had thrown some hard curve balls over a three year period and I went back and have not missed many meetings unless of vacation or illness. I was ready and taking a look at my life now all the way back to the previous years leading into 2016, I am very thankful and proud of my diligence to invest “my” time every week to be part of a group that welcomes me–flaws and all–(until removed!)

One of my favorite concepts that is taught by my pastors is how Jesus doesn’t wait for us to get our act together before choosing to attend church or asking to be in relationship with Him. On the contrary, He wants “all” to come to Him regardless of circumstances that keep us from Him. Celebrate Recovery is the same. Do you use alcohol or drugs to cope with life? Do you overeat because it’s a temporary salve to soothe unwelcome emotions? Do you verbally or physically abuse your loved ones? Do you have a gambling addiction? Do you struggle with sexual integrity? Do you wonder why you are angry and unable to determine why? If you can answer yes to these or anything else that is keeping you living an empty life, Celebrate Recovery is a great place to begin investigating the “whys” behind your actions and choices for coping, learn how to repair broken relationships. 

We won’t have you climb tall ladders. You don’t have to jump through any hoops. You don’t even have to believe God exists and loves you. But, in our ministry we do and will always point to Jesus Christ as the only one who can truly promote healing from all that ails you. If that’s a concept you’re ready for, if that’s the kind of ultimate surgery you want, then there’s no preparation for that undertaking other than driving to our meeting, parking your car, and walking into a group of people ready to climb your ladder of healing with you. 

We meet every Tuesday, 7 pm, at Fowlerville United Brethren Church. All meetings are safe and wrapped in confidentiality. We have a wonderful group of people who are willing and always enthusiastic to “help lift you up” from all the burdens of life. 

Movie fans of Sylvester Stallone as a small time boxer from Philadelphia whom we came to know as Rocky, may recall that part of his training involved running, and in one scene from this 1976 iconic film we see him climb the 72 stone steps leading up to the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia. That scene put the museum on the map for global fame! 

Movie producers gave us a total of 10 Rocky films which included a spin off to him becoming a trainer for a new boxer in the arena, Adonis Johnson. Each movie drew crowds. Admittedly, I know I have not seen all 10 of them even though I enjoyed the first three for sure. 

In the 12 steps we use for Celebrate Recovery, they do not physically compare to someone running up a building’s 72 steps, but effort and time spent “working” and “climbing” each step can be exhausting. Physical training drains us of energy…emotional healing often brings deep wounds from the secret place in our soul to the surface where pain is confronted for the first time. This process can only be achieved when we embrace admission that each one of us has done things that are wrong. Thus, Step 12 says: “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs”. I’d be a liar if I told anyone that this step is easy. Afterall, our human nature tells us to keep matters private, that we can get away with wrong behavior–especially if no one is looking–or we manipulate the facts of how a situation played out for us. Even those of us who are Christ followers often forget that “nothing” is hidden from God and in addition, no matter how we might lie to ourselves, deep down truth prevails. 

Step 5 also involves partnering with someone you trust because during the process of implementing this step in recovery conversations will begin to take place as we open ourselves to reveal our wrongdoings, not to be judged, but for healing to begin. James 5: 16 is a perfect guideline for the person who is sincerely seeking to be healed emotionally, physically and spiritually. It says: “Therefore, confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed.”  In the verses preceding this one, a variety of questions are posed. Is someone among you in trouble? Is someone among you ill?

These simple questions along with their instructions form a beautiful part of Christian community which is exactly what Celebrate Recovery offers. In fact, the national leaders coined a very simple phrase years ago to describe the unity and power available to all who attend–”We are forever family”. Some who attend our meetings are so estranged from family for valid reasons, that attendees become their “family”. Folks who don’t live near immediate family have men and women who become “brothers and sisters”, creating relationships and friendships that fill gaps for them. You and I are not meant to live life alone, the fellowship and security provided by being part of CR’s “forever family” is priceless.

Very few people will bravely step into a boxing ring, yet it also takes great courage to walk through the doors for the first time to attend a recovery meeting. We often tell people “the longest walk is from your car to the doors”. Mustering courage and following through is an achievement that begins to cancel Satan’s hold on all the messes in your life whether of your own doing or unfortunate actions against you. I love what Psalm 18: 30 says: “As for God, His way is blameless. The word of the Lord is tested (it is perfect, it is faultless); He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.” (Amplified Version)

Rocky Balboa had a trainer. He had his boxing gloves to punch and shield all the hits thrown his way. We have God, the ultimate teacher and protector for all who place their trust in Him. 

If you’re tired of “being sick and tired of being sick and tired” because of the messes in your life, put on your shoes Tuesday evening, muster your courage and determine that you will walk from your car to the doors that lead to a new path of living life in the abundance God desires for you. We meet at Fowlerville UB Church, 7 pm. All adults 18 years and older are welcome!

Do you enjoy participating in a scavenger hunt? I do. In this race of time game to locate hidden clues and their answers, strategic planning and speed are the best techniques to come out as the winner. What does a scavenger hunt have to do with Step 4 in the recovery process for an individual? That’s the focus of this week’s column as I continue describing Celebrate Recovery’s 12 step program.

In Step 4 it says: “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves”. Before I go any further to expand on this statement let’s unpack some key words. The definition of search is: try to find something by looking or seeking. To be fearless means: to be brave. A moral person is: concerned with judgment of right and wrong, conforming to the standards of right and wrong. An inventory is: a detailed, itemized list of one’s possessions. In the use of Step 4, it’s our past hurts, habits and habits that make up  “possessions”.

Psalm 51 is one of my favorites I use when sitting quietly to confess my wrongdoings to God. I especially meditate on verses 10-19 which say:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

The entire psalm is credited to King David after the prophet Nathan came to him and confronted him regarding his sinful relationship with Bathseba. If you aren’t familiar with the story, David had an affair with her, a married woman and they created a child together. Acknowledging his sin, David repented and his personal thoughts are recorded for us in the 19 verses of this psalm. 

I think most of us would honestly admit that we do not enjoy it when even a trusted friend approaches us to point out a character flaw or sinful habit that has us trapped in rather than facing it, admitting the stronghold that behavior may have over us, and making sincere effort to remove from our attributes. By the time recovery participants reach Step 4 they find themselves at  a crossroads…continue the hard journey and make the turn to keep pursuing health or choosing to end the quest altogether. The first option stems from being brave while the latter is rooted in fear. 

A verse that accompanies Step 4 is from Lamentations chapter 3, verse 40 which says: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord”. A closer look at the entire chapter reveals that whoever wrote this had personal experience being at the hand of God’s wrath. Subsequent verses describe what he endured and when we reach verse 39 a hint is given as to “why” we should examine our ways and test them and “why” we should return to the Lord. He asks this simple yet profound question: Why should the living complain when punished for their sins? 

Sin separates us from God but the good news is that when we confess our sins God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (my paraphrase of 1 John 1:9

By completing Step 4 we are not looking to heap guilt and shame on ourselves as a result of openly admitting our wrongdoings. On the contrary, this step is one of considerable power to help in confronting our deepest wounds and hurts that have molded our personalities and behaviors.  Left in the dark, they choke us. Brought into the light of Christ, they are exposed and no longer entangle us.

I have two very dear aunts, both deceased now, that learned such a lesson when they were little girls. Their chore was to plant cucumber seeds for my grandma and the work was going quite nicely until they tired, wanting to play instead of work, so they cut their task short by throwing the last of their seeds into one last pile at the end of the row. They thought their plan was effective until one morning when grandma asked them to go for a walk.  They made their way down the garden row, giggling, holding hands, enjoying time with their mother until she brought them to a halt at the end of the row. “Would you just look at that girls? All these vines are twisted, not growing very well, quite the tangled mess. That’s how sin is. It starts out small and before you know it, if not taken care of properly, it grows bigger and bigger and isn’t of any use to anyone”.

Lesson heard, lesson learned. There were no harsh words, no scolding. Merely a loving mother who needed to teach her young daughters that taking short cuts with necessary work can lead to an unhealthy outcome. What they thought had been done in secret had been exposed and brought into the “light” to teach right and wrong.

Just as my grandmother was able to come alongside my two aunts and help them learn a lesson in order to break a habit from forming, Step 4 isn’t done alone either. By this time in the recovery process an individual has identified a trusted person to help make their inventory list, listening to them share about it without offering judgment or counsel. It’s a powerful step that produces a healthier person at this stage of the process and exemplifies the power of God’s love no matter the depth or magnitude of sin.

If God can forgive King David for all of his choices and still remain being described as a man after God’s own heart, I’m confident to declare that the same kind of love is available to you as well. 

Preparing this week’s article allowed me to reflect that it’s been just over a year that I’ve had the privilege to be given space each week to write on a variety of topics. I’m grateful for those of you who have let me know how much you enjoy my writings, giving me positive encouragement, letting me acknowledge how you smile, chuckle at something I wrote about, or were encouraged in response to a topic with Christian perspective. By now, you’ve hopefully come to realize my passion for the gospel, the truth of who God is and the validity of scripture. Having said all that, “thank you” for taking time to read each week’s thoughts. Also, by now, I hope you’re fully aware of my role in Celebrate Recovery and what this faith based 12 step program can do for you as it has done for me. 

This week, I’m focusing on Step 3: “We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God”. The verse that accompanies this step is from Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Whenever there is a “therefore” in scripture, it’s prudent to look at the preceding verses to see what the writer is focused on when making the transition. In this case, Paul is writing to explain how God gave mercy through Christ, a Jew, to the Jewish people–the Israelites–and though many of them lived in disobedience to Him Paul goes on to explain that the Gentiles are now also included in this “disobedient” group, not to punish but that He (God)  may have mercy on them “all”. (Rom. 11: 32) Chapter 11 ends with these questions: “Who has known the mind of the Lord?” “Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?”  For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. (Emphasis mine) 

Our family lightheartedly adopted a small catchphrase we use when it’s clear a choice or decision has been made–”you’re in charge of your choices”. It may have been as simple as allowing our children as toddlers to choose their clothing for the day (no matter how mis-matched they were) or how we make numerous decisions every day regarding use of our time, what foods we will eat, which social invitations to accept or reject, to exercise or not. Other decisions carry more weight. Will I forgive someone who has deeply hurt me? Will I join my friend in telling a lie to cover up an indiscretion? Will I help that person whose struggles have been tugging at my purse strings for several days?

While daily decisions come and go, often made out of routine habits, Step 3 teaches us that a decision to “commit all my life and will to Christ’s care is a “conscious” one that requires thought, discovering who God is through the person of Jesus Christ, and digging into all scripture to know His character and deep love for everyone. The last part of this step is a bonus I hope you don’t miss–”Christ’s care and control”. If you were to imagine holding out your hands with palms facing up, holding “every” care and concern that is weighing you down, with  an ability empowered by “an act of your own will”,  releasing the pile in your hands to God, you’ll get a picture of allowing Him to take those and carry them for you.

Each step in the Celebrate Recovery program has an accompanying verse from the beatitudes recorded in the Book of Matthew. For Step 3 we use “Happy are the meek” (Matthew 5:5) What does it mean to be “meek”?

To be meek is to be gentle, humble, lowly. “The meek are the ‘gentle’… those who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agendas in their own strength, but who will nonetheless inherit the earth because they trust in God to direct the outcome of events.” ESV Study Bible notes.

John Gill’s  commentary seems to assert this – meek people don’t envy, don’t retaliate, and exercise patience in the face of adversity. 

Matthew Henry adds that the meek show joy and happiness under dire circumstances. No matter what happens in the world around them, they latch on to God’s provision and plan for their lives. 

The opposite of meekness is defined by Merriam-Webster  as egotistic, pompous, haughty, and aggressive. Through this, we see a different picture of meekness. It isn’t a doormat mentality or silence in the face of injustice. Instead, it doesn’t retaliate when wronged and doesn’t exude pride and narcissism. The type of person most people would think would rule the earth likely exhibits some of the traits listed above. At least, it fits the bill for the Roman emperors during the time of Jesus. (source: biblestudytools com) 

It’s estimated that over 5-7 million people have benefited from attending Celebrate Recovery meetings. More So than folks entering a Christ centered recovery program, Christianity is growing!  This may surprise many, but Christianity is growing around the world and is growing faster than the rate of population. From 2020 to the mid-point of 2024, the world’s population is expected to grow from more than 7.84 billion people to more than 8.11 billion, a 0.87% growth trend. The number of Christians worldwide is expected to climb from more than 2.52 billion to 2.63 billion, a 1.08% growth. The Christian population is projected to top 3 billion before 2050. (source: lifewayresearch.com)  That EXCITES me! This growth tells me a couple of things 1) the gospel is indeed being preached and spread 2) people are making decisions to come into a relationship with the living God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The numbers above are huge. It’s hard for me to imagine a million people let alone billions, but I CAN comprehend being among those who are counted as Christ followers as well as ONE who made my own conscious decision 40+ years ago, placing my trust in Him. Yet, admitting my inability to fully comprehend how God takes on the enormous task of caring for every person who makes up His followers, I have experienced “releasing my cares to Him” and that’s a feeling that keeps me living in boundaries of faith and hope when life gets hard. My own experiences are now a prayer, too, that more of you will join us on Tuesday evenings at Celebrate Recovery. We meet at Fowlerville UB Church with a meal at 6 pm. Large group begins at 7, followed by share groups at 8. For more information please email: celebraterecovery@fowlervilleub.org 

GOD, THE ULTIMATE FIXER-UPPER

The advent and popularity of “do-it-yourself” and “fixer upper” television shows have broadened my appeal for watching amateurs or professionals take a dilapidated or older home and turn it into a stunning new residence. When I was a child I often accompanied my dad to properties that were being demolished as he was the first person I ever knew who found a way to “repurpose” lumber, fixtures, windows, etc. that otherwise would have made their way to the city dump. In the past few years, I’ve watched my oldest adult niece find pieces of furniture on curbsides, take them home and with a lot of elbow grease, sanding, repairing and applying a fresh coat of stain or paint, she’s turned someone else’s discarded trash into beautiful pieces that have been sold to new homes. I guess you could say that “restoring” and “repurposing” is a generational trait in my family!

Such it is with God, too!

Last week I wrote about Step #1 from the Celebrate Recovery program, stating our admission that compulsive behaviors or addictions cause our lives to become unmanageable. In Step #2 we “came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”. I think we all know the opposite of being sane, which is insane, further popularized by the definition of “doing something over and over again expecting a different result”. That repetitive behavior is a character flaw of our human nature. Left to our own devices, we will most certainly fail.

When my dad or niece have restored a broken piece of furniture, sometimes a different method was used to repair wood that had lots of scratches, missing pieces or several layers of paint full of cracks and wrinkles. I remember when a downtown fourier business in Saginaw suffered a fire, my dad was allowed to go into the building and look around the debris. He spied a washstand that had all its pieces intact, but the top portion of the mirror frame was scorched from the flames. He literally carried the washstand home under his arms. Using his woodworking skills he reassembled the stand, made new pieces, stripped away the old stain and applied fresh color when the wood was ready. He even salvaged the marble slab that was part of the stand and this beautiful antique was part of their living room for many years. In order to retain a “piece of its story”, he left the blackened portion of the mirror’s frame, a reminder of what the washstand had endured as well as an interesting focal point for conversation.  Although the washstand no longer served its  original purpose of holding a wash basin, it became the perfect place for a lamp that served as a “night light” in the late hours of the evening. 

God is in the business of “restoring” and “repurposing” our lives, too. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose”. If we imagine and admit that sometimes our lives are broken, that they are messy, and for some people, hopeless, we CAN come to Him for the renewal we need. The beauty of Celebrate Recovery is that we who attend meetings are there because we want to rather than someone demanding our attendance. Most who attend gladly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the higher power that the 12 Step programs talk about in their meetings. Yet, no one is ever forced to believe in Jesus to be part of this wonderful recovery program. An invitation to know God and come into relationship with Him is always offered and the majority of men and women who attend weekly meetings are followers of Christ.

Another piece of furniture my dad brought home was a huge heavy sideboard cabinet. He had made an inspection visit to a home one morning and noticed the cabinet. It was made from solid cherry wood, was in very poor condition and to his dismay dirty soiled diapers were piled on its counter area. Dad was able to ask the homeowners if they would be willing to part with the sideboard, asked them to discuss a fair price and give him a call at his office. He was shocked when they told him he could have it for “free”. Apparently, they had attached no sentiment or value to the item. After cleaning it up, stripping it and refinishing the wood, it became a dining room piece in my parents home for years until my brother took it for his own home. Dad had a piece of marble that he was able to fit on that sideboard, too. He always seemed to find free treasures and have just the right stuff at home in his woodshop to complete a project. That’s how God works, too. 

He has all the right circumstances and pieces to put us back together when we’ve allowed life’s hurts, habits and hangups to wear us down, strip us of our original beauty, or thwart our purpose. He can accomplish renewal and restoration for us by Himself or use others as part of the plan which is another beautiful aspect of Celebrate Recovery. Although we work on our own “stuff”, we have friends who listen, encourage, support, pray, but never try to “fix” us. He may allow us to be “refined” by going through His fire, and like the scorched wood of my dad’s antique wash stand, also give permission for visible scars to remain and be a reminder of His handiwork. 

Writing this week’s article allowed me to fondly recall the numerous things my dad brought home to “fix” rather than see it go to the dump. Some things DO belong in the trash, but not everything. That’s the way it is for us humans, too. Many habits are trashed. Hurts need to be talked about. Hang ups need to be redirected. And to make that possible, we make a decision to tap into the Higher Power of Jesus Christ!

Invaders.

Along with the arrival of spring which brings warmer weather, the ability to open windows to enjoy fresh air comes with an added disadvantageous feature. The arrival of “invaders”. In our case it’s seeing more spiders in corners than usual, the seemingly ever-present box elder bugs, stink bugs, the what I call “lady bug wanna-bes”, and most recently, ants. While all of these are not welcome guests in our home, I most detest the ants because they come out of nowhere, they scurry across the kitchen counter or floors in search of a morsel. It seems no matter how well we clean up our messes, these outside inhabitants prefer to see what our cupboards have to offer.

Recently, I counted squishing about 12 ants in the kitchen before the day was over. Finding one or two isn’t enough to cause me alarm, but when their numbers increase I go on the defense. Thankfully, doing a search online has given me numerous homemade recipes that trap our lil visitors, feed their hungry bellies and they either succumb or take the “bait” back to the nest like the good sharers they are, and bingo! By feeding their friends my “potion” the colony dies and my ant problem is solved.

If only cleaning up my own behavior were so easy. I know that by being a Christ follower my Heavenly Father desires that I live a godly life. Therefore, Paul’s words from Romans 8: 13-14 serve as nourishment for my hungry spirit—“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul writes—“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Contrasting how I’m catching ants with a tasty trap to rid them from our home to that of how God desires to remove unwanted behavior or the presence of poor habits in my life is pause for reflection. Thankfully, God doesn’t have to “trick” me into biting into His word which is the holy bible. When I or you come into relationship with Him He plants a desire in our spirit to crave reading scripture, talking and listening to Him, and merely once a day but to “pray without ceasing… give thanks in all circumstances….” (Paraphrased from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

In the 12 step program which we use at Celebrate Recovery #1 states “We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.”

Ants come into our house looking for food. They have no ability to comprehend their presence is unwelcome. Like other creatures, they are acting on instinct. I, on the other hand, and you—as humans—are the only beings that know right from wrong, have a conscience, and freewills. Unfortunately, for some, poor choices can lead to a life of addiction and behavior choices that destroy everything around us such as relationships, workplace stress, even physical illness.

Because Celebrate Recovery relies heavily on the validity of scripture, a verse from the beatitudes accompanies Step 1. It says: “Happy are those who know that they are spiritually poor.” (Matthew 5: 3a)

Happy? Not miserable? Yes, happy, in the sense that partnering admitting our powerlessness with acknowledging that we can be spiritually poor gives us the power and motivation to change when we truly surrender egos, pride and a need to be in control over to God.

Unlike the pesky bugs that I have described as “invaders as being a nuisance, it’s a wonderful concept that God WANTS to invade our minds and hearts. Over time, our relationship with Him grows as His Holy Spirit waters and feeds our daily thoughts, actions, and circumstances.

Aren’t you happy that He doesn’t trick us into coming to Him? On the contrary, the answers and solutions most of us are seeking can be found easily. They are contained in all of scripture. When we dine, when we feast, when we digest its contents and “share” the treasures with others, we all thrive.

——

Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday, beginning at 7 pm, at Fowlerville UB Church. If you’re ready to find out how to begin a new way of dealing with lifes’ hurts, habits & hangups, check us out!

What are some things that only happen one time? I’m listing a few, however, I realize there are many things that could make the grouping exhaustive.

• Being born
• Dying
• A first job
• Purchase first car
• Birth of first child
• Breaking that first bone
• Loss of a loved one
• Viewing a newly released movie hit
• Losing a first tooth
• Falling in love

Easter 2024 has come and gone. This sacred day has been celebrated in Christian churches for over 2,000 years, a repetition I pray we never grow weary or apathetic in our hearts and minds as we remember Friday’s death that was overcome with Sunday’s resurrection! Jesus’ “one time death and one time resurrection” sealed God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. Romans 6:10 says: “For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God”. 

In our list of “one time events” we can add in the events of Holy Week. On Good Friday the words “it is finished” echoed in church services worldwide. What did Jesus mean when He spoke those words as His spirit left His body?

“It is finished” indicates Christ had finished the redemptive work he set out to do since the first prophecy in Genesis 3 (and likely much before then). Because sin had entered the world, a cup of wrath existed. Either man or God had to drink it. So Jesus set out to fulfill the 300+ prophecies found in the Old Testament, telling how God would come to earth and take our place on the cross. (source: biblestudytools.com)

Another item we can add to the list is our individual attendance of services offered during Holy Week? As I reflect over the past 40 years of my journey of faith, I have clear memories of sanctuaries overflowing with people coming to Easter service. In the church I grew up in, our sanctuary could easily seat over 750 people. Often, the balcony was used for overflow. With each passing year attendance slowly dropped. By the time we left to move from Saginaw, average attendance was well below 100. Although various factors are the cause of great decline, one thing stands out–Easter drew in people who often did not attend church the other 51 weeks of the year. And, today, from my current observations, this remains true.

• Go to church on Easter and/or Christmas

If we only did some things one time, we’d fail miserably: drive a car one time and expect to be excellent, practice a sport and anticipate to be an all-star player, tell our child “I love you” and trust they’ll remember it for life, eat healthy for one day, train one day to run a marathon…I think you get the idea.

The only decision we need to make “one time” is how to respond to God’s gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. His sacrifice will not be repeated again–remember, that was taken care of over 2,000 years ago. However, since that event, we continue to have the opportunity to respond to the gift placed in front of us when the message of the gospel is preached. It is God’s heart that “no one perish”, that you not be separated from Him for all of eternity when you take your last breath.

A beautiful trait of God is that He is patient. He is loving. He is merciful. He also is waiting for each person to respond to Him with the decision of “Lord, I believe….” and IF those words are muttered in death’s last breath, you become His child and will be with Him forever. How do I know this to be true?

My father’s oldest brother chose to live his life not being part of God’s family by attending church or embracing a relationship with Him. As he lay in a hospital bed dying various family members visited and prayed “for” him. Before he left this world, he surrendered and said “yes, Lord, I believe.” He had one last chance and he took it. In his last breath of life in the flesh, God breathed new life into his spirit. 

We are in the final week of Lent, with Sunday’s celebration of the resurrected Christ. Most commonly, we call this holy day Easter. For Christians around the world it has become very sacred in the traditions of the “church”. Altars will be draped in white and purple linens surrounded by white lilies. Triumphal music will fill sanctuaries and auditoriums… as well as crudely made churches in impoverished communities. No matter the magnificent or humble decor, the message will be the same–Christ crucified has conquered death and rose from its grip–proclaiming victory over a grave and a strong message to satan that he did not win.

What can you and I glean from the resurrection story? 

A trip to Israel is not complete unless one visits the supposed burial tomb of Jesus. Located in a beautiful garden, visitors from around the world line up for an opportunity to step inside and briefly gaze on the slab of stone where His body lay. Interestingly, as folks stand in line there’s a lot of chatter and conversation in the waiting, but as soon as several people can actually be inside the tomb, reverence silence descends in the tight space, bringing about bittersweet awareness that “this” is where a beaten, pierced, bloodied body of a beloved savior was laid to rest.

While our particular group was guided through the garden, our hostess told us a beautiful story from years ago. A number of men from Korea had come to Israel to work on a major building project. Their financial resources were limited and the men made an inquiry asking “what can we do or go that does not cost a lot of money?” They were instructed to visit the Garden of the Tomb because admission is “free”. Those who have preserved the garden and volunteer as guides have done this because the gospel message is free to all too; they don’t want any hindrance to someone hearing the “good news” of salvation. Our guide continued the story telling us that the men came. They walked through the garden, saw the place where we believe the cross was placed for Christ’s crucifixion and the tomb for burial. Elegantly laced into the account these men heard–as does anyone listening to their experience–was the “why” behind Jesus dying on a cross, for the redemption of ALL mankind and that He did so willingly even though under tremendous suffering. What happened next can only be described as a miracle. The men numbered about 30 in all, and upon hearing the gospel message they fell to their knees and said they wanted to follow Jesus, too. They were moved towards the cross’ message of salvation because this person Jesus–whom they most likely were not taught about–gave His life willingly so their sins could be forgiven and the gift of eternal life delivered in an instant to a receptive heart.

The message those men responded to years ago still echoes today in the caverns of minds and hearts that hear words of Christ’s  great sacrifice, rejection, humiliation, but above all–love and hope! That is the message God wants all of us to hear loud and clear, the well known words of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”. While that verse is beautiful and holds incredible truth, we often forget verse 17 that comes next…”For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” In verse 18 John instructs us “whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed”....and further into verse 19 an admonition…”Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil”.

Resurrection Sunday reminds us of God’s plan for mankind. Woven into history from the beginning of time, His plan of salvation came to pass according to His perfect timing when Jesus left heaven, born as a baby in humble surroundings, growing to adulthood and ministering to all who were curious about Him, teaching us how to love and foster reconciliation with our enemies. Through Jesus each one of us has an opportunity to step out of our own dark deeds and into His light, leaving past sins behind, embracing new life.

What can you glean from the resurrection story? Is this holy day merely another day to mark off your calendar? In the fray of egg hunts and baskets of candy that seem to now outweigh the actual trappings of Good Friday through Sunday, will you be like one of the 30 men who heard for the “first” time, God’s immense love for them and fall to your knees in gratitude?

I know a lot of hurting people who are “empty” inside and weighed down by life’s hurts and struggles. But God! By giving us Jesus who overcame every obstacle in front of Him, we can gaze upon an “empty” tomb and be “filled” with new life, renewed hope, and everlasting life.

Christ is risen! May you experience the hope that Resurrection Sunday gives to all who place their trust in Jesus. 

I’ve attended my fair share of parades over the years from childhood until the present. Standing or sitting on a curbside street with a crowd of people of all ages, everyone eagerly anticipating the appearance of the “first” float is invigorating. Scattered among the floats are often musicians, clowns, folks walking or riding on floats, each one meant to entertain us and enjoying our shouts of joy and applause as they pass by, making their way along the parade route, and as the last entry passes, the crowds quiet, cheers fade to casual conversations, families disperse and soon the street returns to normal traffic.

We have reached the point in the season of lent referred to as “Palm Sunday”.  Palm Sunday remembers and celebrates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, as foretold in a prophecy in the Old Testament in Isaiah and Zechariah. 

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Prior to entering the city, a week ahead of what was to come–His death and resurrection–Jesus spent time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Under a weight of deep anguish He is before His Father, face planted on the ground actually, prayerfully crying out  “if there be any other way….”

When we visited Israel in 2019 the Mount of Olives and the Garden were part of our tour. Both places were awe inspiring to me as I became aware that I was walking and standing on ground that carried Jesus’ feet 2,000 years ago. The garden is small. Its atmosphere is one of tremendous serenity and its well cared for grounds boast of a beauty I cannot describe. Standing on the mount, looking down at the “old city” and its walls that surround it, gave me yet another sense of awe and feeling God’s supernatural presence. 

Our tour also took us inside the walls of the “old city”. The streets are narrow. They are filled with pedestrians and even small cars making sharp turns to navigate the buildings that house shops, places of study, homes. As I walked along the streets during our time in the city, I tried imagining a time all those years ago when Jesus made His entry on a donkey, people standing on the sidelines cheering for Him and believing that He was coming in order to give them victory to topple Rome.  Jesus did come to defeat an enemy, but not the one they had in mind. Instead, He came to defeat the enemies of sin, death, and the devil that ensnared every man and woman since Adam and Eve.

So why did the people wave palm branches and place them at the feet of Jesus’ colt? No doubt, in Palestine, where Jesus ministered, there were plenty of palm trees scattered throughout the land. But what is the meaning of “palm branches”? According to Easton’s bible dictionary,  the branches and trees actually have a significant meaning. People didn’t just grab whatever leaves they could find for no reason. “Its branches are a symbol of victory (Revelation 7:9) . “Rising with slender stems 40 or 50, at times even 80, feet aloft, its only branches, the feathery, snow-like, pale-green fronds from 6 to 12 feet long, bending from its top, the palm attracts the eye wherever it is seen.” The whole land of Palestine was called by the Greeks and Romans Phoenicia, i.e., “the land of palms.” (source: biblestudytools.com)

I want to take you back to when I gazed at the Eastern Gate. Standing on the Mount of Olives gives the eyes a very clear observation of the gate which is sealed. In 1541 the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman ordered the gate sealed for the final time. Why? It was either to defend the city or because he wanted to prevent the fulfillment of the Jewish prophecy of the Messiah’s return through the Golden Gate. I found myself laughing as I listened to our tour guide explain man’s attempt to actually prohibit Christ’s return through this heavily bricked wall. Afterall, if a huge boulder that sealed a tomb could not contain a resurrected body, how will a stone wall prevent His triumphal return at a future time not indicated on our calendar, but only noted on God’s timeline. (Read Matthew 24)

When the Jewish people lined the streets cheering and giving praises to Jesus their motives were from a place of individual desperation and ignorance understanding God’s plan which would unfold for them in the coming days. We, who now have all of scripture which is recorded history of these events, have a choice to observe Palm Sunday with eyes of deep understanding and appreciation as we reflect on every event from that final week of Jesus’ life among His disciples, followers, and personal enemies.

Many of our churches no longer strew palm branches in our sanctuaries for us to remember this important day in Christian teachings. Yet, even with the absence of a palm branch, as we come together in corporate worship we can lift our voices, raise our hands, and honor the One who came to defeat sin, death, and the devil himself. “This” is a plan worth cheering. “This” is a plan for all to consider and choose whether to be a “spectator” or a “participant”….

The Golden Gate of the Old City wall that has been sealed since 1541, the anticipated entry way for the return of Jesus.

One common method for studying scripture, especially when reading an actual account or a parable, is to insert yourself in the storyline. By asking questions such as “what is the setting?”, “who is speaking”, “who is present?”, “what would you be thinking if you were there, too?” the  reader is able to bring the story to life.

This week I read Mark 14: 12-26 which gives an account of Jesus’ last Passover meal that He celebrated around a table with His disciples. The Passover meal was one in their Jewish tradition that was very familiar and I believe that this particular festive meal posed no differences for them. A guest room had been found. Groceries for the meal were purchased. All was ready as the 12 gathered at the table set before them, reclining as each settled in to enjoy the food and each other’s company.

In the midst of casual conversations around the table, laced with laughter or healthy banter, Jesus offers an interruption that brought a halt to their otherwise bouts of banter and reflections on the day. There is no buffer, no preface for what He’s about to reveal. In a matter of fact way, Jesus declares that “one of you will betray me”.

Immediately, Mark lets us know that the 12 became saddened. I imagine cups were set down on the table. Postures took on a rigid stance. Platters ladened with food were now ignored. All eyes are on Jesus now and each disciple begins uttering “is it me?” “Is it me?”.

The only answer given is that “it is one of you….” the disciples are left hanging, their only clue is that it is one of the 12 at the table, who has feasted with them, who has walked with them and Jesus during his three years of ministry. But Jesus doesn’t leave the 12 in the midst of their dismay, questions, or saddened emotions. He interrupts the atmosphere again, taking up bread and cup, to reveal a new mystery–a broken body that is to come, represented by common bread, and a drink cup–most likely wine–to personify the shed blood which is to come.

The season of Lent is drawing close to the end. The account here in Mark is often referred to as “The Last Supper” which is where we Christians derive our celebration referred to as “communion”. Now, instead of 12 disciples around a table, millions of believers around the world participate in this sacrament…but sadly, instead of “one” person being singled out as a betrayer of Christ, many of us fall short. But God!

Through the shedding of Christ’s blood, the forgiveness of sins, by actively participating in building a sincere relationship with Him, we are not seen as the “one” who betrays, rather God considers us His child, a saint made righteous by the shedding of His son’s blood and our response to that sacrifice.

Lent offers us an opportunity to surrender any apathy we have toward God, family, friends, or neighbors. Just as Jesus was actively present with the 12 around a festive table that began with common foods and later served under a new teaching, a new directive–to eat, drink and remember–we have God’s active presence in our lives, too.

This Lent, may you receive His love for you in the offering of His body and blood. May we all feast at the table He has set before us to remember His sacrifice for all.