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Today I will chat with a group of seniors at one of our local seniors complexes. 

Usually we call this devotions.  That term certainly applies – we are devoted to Jesus Christ.  That devotion results in study and discussion and laughs and even tea afterwards.

I will mention that we are just past Easter.  We will look at the end of the book of Luke and into the beginning of the book of Acts.  Things begin to happen at this point.  Much has to do with prayer.  Some with setting priorities.   Mostly with being Christ centered.

Jesus then moves the disciples to understand that the whole thing depends on the Spirit of Christ living in each of us.  I don’t think that was initially understood – at least what that looked like.  With final words, Jesus then instructs the disciples to be mission minded.

OK, now you have heard a sneak preview on the discussion time.  We’ll also chat about life and happenings and just being human in the midst of aging. 

One of my great enjoyments in life!

I don’t often link to videos.  But as I was wandering through my life today I came upon a short clip from a sermon.

Pithy.  Concise.  To the point.

We are in far greater risk of being safe than we are of being reckless in contemporary Christianity. 

I am watching my own life lately.  I’ve often said I want to be sold out completely to Jesus.  Right now I am stretching in the starting blocks of life that promises to not be safe.  I do this with gladness because of the great treasure that awaits me.

Give a listen to David Platt’s video clip!

• David Platt – Worth losing everything for!

I awoke this morning.  My mind was focused on two visions.

This is Easter Sunday.  The first Easter morning, 2,000 years ago, saw resurrection.  No longer was Jesus dead, he was alive.  Forever.  I will go to a meeting with others who celebrate this reality.  I will find joy in the fact of resurrection.  With Christ’s resurrection comes the outflow of resurrection.  In a coming time, there will be a whole host of those who are alive and clothed in a new body, because of the resurrection of Jesus.

The second vision is the reality that I am in the first Easter since my wife died.  I lament her loss.  Last year we sat together celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.  I now live with a new reality.  Jill is no longer here.  But one day we will be back together, in new bodies, alive!!

Two visions.  Heightened reality.  Death is conquered!

Over the decades I have celebrated Good Friday.  The services where I have joined other Christians have ranged from somber to joyous.  Today I will lead a combined churches’ communion time in our service.

Here is a part of the text that will lead into that service:

Today’s communion is the most unusual communion service that can be imagined.

The original communion service, held on what we call Maundy Thursday, took place on the night that Jesus was betrayed.

BEFORE he was betrayed. There was still the lingering possibility in the mind of the disciples that Christ would take on His kingship. Jesus could still become the earthly king of the Jews.

Add a few hours and now Jesus is dead. The hopes of the kingdom are dashed. There is no hope on Good Friday – at least from the perspective of those around the cross. The memories of last night’s meal, of the covenant that should have signaled a new kingdom now lies in ruin.

If you were to take the meal right now, at the foot of the cross – to retake the meal – as we do today, what would it be like? All of the surrounding indications are that this meal is a just a fanciful ritual – not much else.  Jesus is dead!

A pastor friend of mine often lamented our happy Good Friday services. He felt we skipped over our sins, and the burden of the cross way too easily – jumping to the resurrection way too quickly. Without the resurrection, we will and we should struggle. He lamented and wept, quite literally, when he walked through Good Friday. How deep is our sin that put Jesus on the cross? How humbled are we that we cannot be our own rescuer? How loving is our God who does not spare His own Son?

Lets hold the bread and retain the cup for a moment. For just a second or so, consider yourself at the foot of the cross.

Can Good Friday truly be a good Friday? All you have left is a promise. We are told our life will come from Christ’s broken body. Our sins will be forgiven through Christ’s shed blood. Jesus came for you! Jesus died for you! That is the promise that you cling to right now when everything looks black.

Maybe you are looking around you today and life is difficult. You are shriveled and struggling with the accusations of the evil one, with the burden of your own infirmities, with a spiritual life that needs revitalized.

Christ can change you! Will you believe?

That’s what this table asks of you. Come believing in Christ’s power and authority. Come believing that His death was for you!

. . . On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread ²⁴ and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this to remember me.” ²⁵ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” ²⁶ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. [I Cor. 11:23-26, NLT]