This was my first entry on this new blog site and since then I’ve found a new publisher (but haven’t republished my book yet). I’ve tried to move this entry to a better spot, but can’t seem to accomplish that task, so thought I should update the entry. This is updated in January of 2016.
My publisher is in a scandal. Can you believe that? I went to my blog page, which is housed within their system, and I kept reading “Firefox can’t find the server at janbonn.authorweblog.com.” After an internet search, I discovered news on this scandal. I’m certain I’ve lost my archived blog writing and if I need more copies of my book, a new publisher will be required. Here is another lesson for the truth from Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I spent my day cleaning. Isn’t that a fine activity for Earth Day? Unfortunately, it was inside my house, not outside my door. Even though the quote, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” is not in the Bible, the idea of being clean is a sign of spiritual purity and goodness. The Bible does talk about being a good steward. Does cleaning and sorting fall into the category of stewardship? I’m sure an over abundance of “stuff” falls into the category of gluttony.
I’ve been excited about Renewlogy, but I haven’t heard if they have set up a center in Boise yet. If they do, I wish we could send our plastics to them. I’m really tired of putting all this plastic in the garbage that goes to the dump.
This news clip was made last year, February 2018. There are more YouTube clips about this company if you want to search. Interesting stuff to make our earth a better place.
My celebration this year was busy and quiet. I saw a lot of people at Sunrise Breakfast, Methodist Church and Catholic Church, but my house was quiet.
I’m pondering Tom’s story of the auction and the painting of the son……”he who takes the son, gets it all”. I had read this story before, but hearing it told aloud made a difference.
Enjoy a portion of a Billie Graham sermon I found on Youtube. He Is Alive
Those might not be the exact words, but they are close. I read this story before, but when Tom shared it this morning, hearing it made a difference AND I’ve been repeating these words since. Enjoy…..
Here is a quail parade outside our window. It’s nothing like the Palm Sunday parade last Sunday, but these quail are sure cute.
Is this Palm Sunday or Parade Sunday? We started outside the church with palm leaves in our hands. We listened to Luke’s rendition of Jesus telling two of his disciples to go get the colt that no one has ever sat upon. Then we parade into church singing “Hosanna to the Son of David. O blest is he, O blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Just those words, just the refrain of this song, as we reenact this day of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. (Luke 19:28-40)
Well, in our little mission church gathering, only a handful of people sang and no one waved their palm branch. I didn’t see any smiles, but of course, I was looking at the hymn book trying really hard to remember the melody and sing really loud to help those who were embarrassed to sing. Then we walked slowly into church. Some would call it a trudge. No skipping. No excitement. Maybe we trudged because the elder sisters and brothers in Christ remembered from past years that we’d spend the rest of our service remembering Christ’s suffering and death.
We read five pages from Luke’s writings starting with the words, “When the hour came”. (Luke 22:14) Wow. This hour for Jesus was a really long hour. We heard about the Last Supper where Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant”. ( Luke 22:20) We listened to Jesus’ time at Mount of Olives where he asks God, “if you are willing, take this cup away from me, still, not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) My mind’s eye saw Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss. Then one disciple cutting off the high priest’s servant’s ear which Jesus then heals. I think if this story was people driven and not God planned, this event alone would have stopped the arrest. After the ear part, we heard how Peter denied Jesus three times while Jesus was interrogated by the high priest. When the night’s interrogation was over and day came, Jesus was taken to the Sanhedrin where he was questioned more. After that, he went to Pilate, who was the Roman authority in Jerusalem. Pilate declares Jesus not guilty, but the Sanhedrin and chief priests insist that Jesus was “inciting the people”(Luke 23:5) with his teaching of “opposing payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” (Luke 23:2) When Pilate hears that Jesus is from Galilee, he sends him to Herod, the Jewish ruler of Jerusalem, who punts Jesus back to Pilate. Pilate again declares Jesus not guilty, but the crowd insists that Jesus be crucified. What’s Pilate to do with these noisy people? Does he help one innocent man or stop the mob from possible riot by giving them what they want? You know the rest of the story….the flogging, the carrying of the cross through the streets to the place called the Skull, the crucifixion with two criminals, one reviled Jesus and one defended him. I like the honest thief’s words of “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”(Luke 43:42) Then we heard how dark the whole land became until three in the afternoon and Jesus says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 43:46) One time while I was visiting Gabrielle in Roseburg, the priest had us repeat this sentence five times and told us to say it each night before we went to sleep. I thought that was a good idea, even though I haven’t attached that habit into my life yet. We then heard about Joseph burying Jesus and the women following behind so they would know about the tomb and where Jesus was put. The last words we heard were “they (the women) returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:55&56)
Maybe the parade was a trudge because the people of our mission church knew we’d hear the “when the hour came” story. If this was the end of the story, we’d have no church. But, it’s next Sunday’s story that makes all the difference. Next Sunday, we celebrate with these women who prepared the spices and oils. Next Sunday, we get to hear about an empty tomb and Jesus’ power over death. I bet I see smiles next Sunday. No trudging into church next Sunday.
If you’d like to hear Dan Schutte’s “Hosanna, to the Son of David”: Enjoy a YouTube clip
“They said this to test him (Jesus), so that they could have some charge to bring against him….” John 8:6a
Oh those Scribes and Pharisees
….those educated, want-a-be perfect scribes and pharisees
….those jealous leaders who knew the law of God, and thought the rules were the path to God
….those men who didn’t understand God’s love and mercy
….those men who could read the words of God, but missed understanding the wisdom provided by the man who was the Word of God in the flesh.
Jesus was not afraid of these accusers, because they had no power over him. Even though they were hoping to trick Jesus, I’m confident that Jesus forgave their stubbornness. He had compassion on the victim, just as he has compassion on all of us who sin. He tells the woman: “from now on do not sin any more”. As I type these words, I think about my broken Lenten promises and wonder how this woman fared in her plans to not sin any more.
Lord, I realize my divisive thoughts of us versus them is not your thoughts. You cared for the Scribes and Pharisees as much as you were concerned about the adulterous woman. You are concerned about all the world you have created. You desire healing and right order, not malady and confusion. I desire your wisdom. Help me not sway into the opinions of the world, but be understanding of your truth. How can I support and defend those whom you love when I’m slow to speak for fear of debate? I hate conflict. I dislike being perceived as a fool. I realize that is pride. Help me follow you despite the outcome of others thoughts of me. Help me move my eyes from me to you.
I was surprised that Tom by-past all the “woe to you , scribes and Pharisees” by a quick sentence, but they do all fit together. The second clip is only 45 seconds long, but I didn’t want you to miss Tom’s conclusion. Enjoy
