40 Day Fast

Homecoming | Thoughts on Easter

In a word, that is what Easter is all about: coming home to a place where we are loved infinitely, eternally, intimately.

On Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, Jesus came home to his Father and made it possible for every person to come home. He flung open the doors of heaven so that we would be loved eternally, accepted unconditionally, and welcomed home.

Easter, like homecomings, has at its heart relationship and repairing what was torn asunder. It is an embrace and not judgment. It's about feeling your heart beat louder than ever, experiencing the flush of warmth that reminds us we are alive, and the connection that remains through storms and struggles, heartache, growth pangs, mistakes and rebellions, and the insistence on differentiating ourselves even while begging to be accepted.

Nothing is more important in life than relationships. That's how God made us - in his own image - to be in relationship with him and others. And we're only able to reach out to others when we have a firm base holding us secure.

God showed us that he is that secure base when he welcomed Jesus home. His arm was long enough. Not even death could separate God from his son. God brought him home. He rolled the stone away. He let the light in. He opened the tomb to fresh air. He took away the death wrappings. All of this on one day, in one person, for one reason: He loves us so.

And God welcomes us home. On Easter, yes, but every day, any day, this day. Whatever tomb we have hidden in, whatever darkness that enshrouds us, whatever we are wrapped in that prevents us from moving freely and being the person God created us to be, the God of heaven and earth, Yahweh, who is who he says that he is, is powerful enough to free us. And bring us home.

Thank you, Yahweh God, for opening your arms to me - in whatever condition I am in. Thank you, Jesus.

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

From Tullian Tchividjian's April 1, 2011 blog

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

In the fall of 2011 my next book entitled Jesus + Nothing = Everything will be released by Crossway. I’m almost finished with it and would greatly appreciate your prayers as I wrap it up. Right now I’m enslaved to it (hence, the infrequent blog posts).

My hope and prayer is that it will serve the church a probing and practical theology of the gospel. It is autobiographically illustrated–using the most difficult year of my life (2009) to show how God revealed to me my own idols and helped me rediscover the emboldening, liberating power of the gospel.

Here’s Crossway’s description of the book:

Jesus + Nothing = Everything is the equation that Tullian Tchividjian took away from a year of great trial and turmoil. In his new book he describes the bitter divisions that soured the beginning of his pastorate at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and the personal anchor that he found in the overwhelming power of the gospel. The book of Colossians, in particular, forms the basis of Tchividjian’s call for Christians to rediscover the gospel and continually reorient our lives around Jesus.

Tchividjian insists that many who assume they understand the gospel fail to actually apply its riches to their lives. He takes particular aim at self-righteousness, which motivates moral behavior by fear and guilt. In contrast, the gospel of grace, with the radical freedom that it brings, provides the only sustainable motivation for Christians. This book delves into the profound theological truths of the gospel, yet the message is intensely practical—Tchividjian sounds the call for believers to lean hard on Christ in every area of every day.

Stay tuned…

William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A Florida native, he is a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and a grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. Tullian was the founding pastor of the former New City Church which merged with Coral Ridge in April of 2009. 

via thegospelcoalition.org
NB: I've been struck by the simplicity, depth, and truth of this equation ever since alighting on it yesterday. I'm planning on reading the book when it comes out in Fall 2011. Seems Tullian's 2009 is my 2011, and I'm thankful that others much wiser than I like Tullian have walked this road before me.

Through him.

My meditation for today: a search on all New Testament verses that include the phrase "through him." Speechless.

  1. John 1:3
    Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
    John 1:2-4 (in Context) John 1
  2. John 1:7
    He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
    John 1:6-8 (in Context) John 1
  3. John 1:10
    He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
    John 1:9-11 (in Context) John 1 
  4. John 3:17
    For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
    John 3:16-18 (in Context) John 3 
  5. Acts 2:22
    “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
    Acts 2:21-23 (in Context) Acts 2
  6. Acts 3:16
    By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
    Acts 3:15-17 (in Context) Acts 3 
  7. Acts 13:39
    Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
    Acts 13:38-40 (in Context) Acts 13 
  8. Romans 1:5
    Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.
    Romans 1:4-6 (in Context) Romans 1 
  9. Romans 5:9
    Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
    Romans 5:8-10 (in Context) Romans 5 
  10. Romans 8:37
    No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
    Romans 8:36-38 (in Context) Romans 8 
  11. Romans 11:36
    For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
    Romans 11:35-36 (in Context) Romans 11 
  12. 2 Corinthians 1:20
    For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
    2 Corinthians 1:19-21 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 
  13. Ephesians 2:18
    For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
    Ephesians 2:17-19 (in Context) Ephesians 2 
  14. Philippians 4:13
    I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
    Philippians 4:12-14 (in Context) Philippians 4 
  15. Colossians 1:16
    For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
    Colossians 1:15-17 (in Context) Colossians 1
  16. Colossians 1:20
    and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
    Colossians 1:19-21 (in Context) Colossians 1 
  17. Colossians 3:17
    And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
    Colossians 3:16-18 (in Context) Colossians 3 (Whole Chapter)
  18. Hebrews 7:25
    Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
    Hebrews 7:24-26 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter)
  19. 1 Peter 1:21
    Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
    1 Peter 1:20-22 (in Context) 1 Peter 1 
  20. 1 John 4:9
    This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
    1 John 4:8-10 (in Context) 1 John 4
1
New International Version, ©2011 (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica


A good song for a day like today in Hawaii, or any day in Hawai‘i for that matter: Ocean | Ten Shekel Shirt

Ocean
Lately, I've been thnking about You
And lately, I've been dreaming of You
And lately, I can't get You out of my head
Get You out of my head

[chorus]
Something about the ocean
Makes me rise up and praise
Something about the heavens
Makes me stand in awe again
Something about the sunrise
Reminds me of Your faithfulness
Something about the ocean
And I'm lost in love again

I'll sing until I sense a smile
Upon Your great and lovely face
And till I know Your glory's in this place
Your glory's in this place

*Thanks to the documentary, “Heart of a Soulsurfer,” about Kaua‘I surfer Bethany Hamilton for reminding me of this song.

Aftermath

I've been listening to this song by Hillsong United a lot since last week's devastating March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I am praying for Japan's precious men, women and children, asking God to lift them out of the wreckage, praying that they will find hope in the aftermath.

The Aftermath

The skies lay low where You are

On the earth You rest Your feet

Yet the hands that cradle the stars

Are the hands that bled for me


In a moment of glorious surrender

You were broken for all the world to see

Lifted out of the ashes

I am found in the aftermath

 

Freedom found in Your scars

In Your grace my life redeemed

For You chose to take the sinner's crown

As You placed Your crown on me


And in that moment of glorious surrender

Was the moment You broke the chains in me

Lifted out of the ashes

I am found in the aftermath

And in that moment You opened up the heavens

To the broken, the beggar and the thief

Lifted out of the wreckage

I find hope in the aftermath


And I know that You're with me

Yes I know that You're with me here

And I know Your love will light the way (repeat)


Now all I have I count it all as loss

But to know You and to carry the cross

Knowing I'm found

In the light of the aftermath

 

"St. Patrick's Breastplate" | March 17, 2011

Wikipedia: "A Christian hymn whose original Old Irish lyrics were traditionally attributed to Saint Patrick during his Irish ministry in the 5th century; however, it was probably actually written later, in the 8th century. It is written in the style of a druic incantation for protection on a journey.

 

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

 

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

 

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.


I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.