What Happened on Easter Saturday?

Here’s a pondering for you:
What happened on Easter Sunday?
Where were the disciples? -Probably hiding.
What was Pilot doing?
What was Mary doing? – In Mourning no doubt.
What of the women disciples? -Most likely preparing to visit the tomb the following day.
It was Sabbath after all.

What of the soldiers who stood at the foot of the cross? Where were they now?
The one that is hardest to answer, because none of us has seen the spiritual realm – Where was Jesus? What did it take to come back? What were the reactions of the Angels and that of the Fallen Angels, and they of Satan himself?

What exactly happened on this day?
Some might say, “well it isn’t for us to know.”
I might contend that this entire salvation story is because of us – as people fallen.
I just wonder if Jesus went to hell, what took place there?
I would love to be the proverbial fly on the wall during that encounter.

We always talk about Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and that of His wondrous resurrection, but perhaps the most amazing feat in this whole story of love and redemption is what took place beyond the veil. Beyond our human, mortal vision. How Jesus vanquish death, conquered sin, and, though the final battle hasn’t happened yet, ultimately beat the fallen angels – they never stood a chance as Creator took back what was rightfully His to give and take away.

What happened on Saturday?
Ah, don’t underestimate Saturday.
For though we see Sunday as victory, as well we should, on Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) we ought to consider and contemplate that beyond the veil Jesus standing in victory within the spiritual realm as well.

Something more to ponder today!
Don’t you ever wonder too?

March 26, 2016 0

Redemption’s Call (An Easter Poem)

…And then it came to pass
that my heart was rent and broken,
turmoil spilled the spoken word
with nail and sword they killed my Lord.

The veil was torn
redemption born
the Lamb was made to bleed.
For He stepped in
relieved my sin
and we are free indeed.

—
As the cost explodes the night
no grave can hold Eternal’s light
For we’ve been bought –
from blind to sight
The God-man, love’s true might.

And here we are – a second chance
from sin’s cold grasp to love’s first glance
the choice is ours, redemption’s call
His blood can cleanse and heal us all.
…His love WILL heal and cleanse us all.

SES
3/24/16

March 24, 2016 0

Hide or Seeking Jesus?

“…Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56)

With a kiss on the cheek, and a betrayer to the heart – Jesus is alone.

No other passage resounds in my heart than this: “then all the disciples deserted him…”
It’s like the playground at school when we were children, do you remember it? When the bully would come and we would mind our own business while the one brave or frightened child would be left standing there all alone to fend for themselves. The rest of us? All too frightened to do anything. More afraid of our own self-preservation than the preservation of the group.

The disciples fled. >>>Every. Last. One. Of. Them.<<<
They “got the heck out of dodge“.
Fear consumed them and they just ran away.
Imagine how Jesus must have felt in that moment.
An hour before, Jesus had been languishing in prayer in the garden, and on more than one occasion pleaded with his disciples to stay awake and alert with him – but they kept falling asleep. The ones Jesus trusted the most, couldn’t stay awake for Him in his hour of greatest need. And in mere hours they would be scattered, quaking and hiding away – distancing themselves from their Rabbi for fear of self-incrimination.

Jesus felt alone.
I imagine His “full-man” state felt the deep hurt of loss in this moment.
Bound and arrested, no one remained.
No advocate.
No friend.
No disciples.
Alone.

We can easily look at the disciples from afar as we read the accounts in the Bible and say to ourselves “I would never have done that.” or, “How could they have been so afraid?” Yet, given the opportunity, I seriously doubt any of us would have done any differently. We too would have turned tail and ran.

More presently, how often do we still abandon Him in our busy lives?
How often do we run away from what He is asking of us in our work places, in our homes, with our families, friends, neighbors, strangers? Do we simply melt into the crowd that is circling around the bully who is “pounding” another defenseless child? Do we stand for anything in “the real world” apart from the church halls? Are we roaring lions or bleating sheep in a deafening world of noise? How often do we exercise our ambassadorship of Christ? Are we willing to become His mouth piece, even if it costs us everything? Or do we hope that someone else will come by to be that voice because we’re too afraid of what others might think of us?

I hope that we are more inclined today, given what we know of Christ, to be His hands and feet regardless of what might come our way because of it. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of running away. I’m sick of playing hid and seek. I’m tired of hiding away. I don’t want to abandon Christ anymore! Lord makes us brave! Make us bold! May we count the cost, pick up our crosses and follow You regardless of where it may lead us! Lord, we do not wish to run and hide any longer!

Something more to ponder today!

March 23, 2016 2

“Take This Cup From Me!”

17″After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:17-20)

Jesus picked up the cup from the table and He instructed His disciples.
He broke the bread next and distributed it among them. The Passover was given new meaning and understanding in the presence of Jesus in that very moment.

There is something about cups in this passage and the corresponding passage.
The Passover feast has five symbolic cups represented at the table.
Everything done in the Seder meal has meaning and significance.
The first four cups represent God’s deliverance for His people. (Exodus 6:2-8)
Cup 1 – “I will take you out…”
Cup 2- “I will deliver you…”
Cup 3- “I will redeem you…”
Cup 4- “I will acquire you…”

But Cup #5 is not to be drunk at the table of Passover.

This cup is not for us.
There is nothing that we can do in our own strength to help in the redemption process.
This cup is also closely linked to God’s wrath on the world and its people.
Jeremiah 25:15 says, “Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: ‘Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it…”

Isaiah 51:17 also says, ““O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.”

Still another reference to this cup of wrath comes from Revelation 14:9-10 where it says; ““If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger”

Jesus went from the Passover table into the garden of Gethsemane.
And as He entered that garden He instructed his disciples to be vigilant, and remain in one place while Jesus went to pray. Imagine with me for a moment, Jesus kneeling down and he is burdened and deeply grieved. In that dark garden where shadows dance and warble in the waning light, Jesus is consumed by this profound weight. He calls out to the Father through gritted teeth and anguish, perhaps a foreboding sign of things that will come to pass, but we are not there yet. That is the next chapter, and He must endure this realization first.

All the while His disciples cannot remain awake. The night is velvet, it is deep and their heavy eye lids become weights that are far too heavy to lift. Jesus wakes them and pleads with them to remain alert. Then He goes back to His agonizing moment of solitude. For in these waning hours, even now, His disciples can not support Him. They have fallen asleep again and are powerless to assist Jesus. He kneels, with shoulders aching as if He is Atlas with a world hoisted on His back. He slumps forward and cries to His Father to take this cup from Him. He knows the time is here. He understands what needs to be done, what must take place. But what of this cup? What of its significance? Jesus is to drink from this cup. BUT What is it?

The fifth cup at the table of Passover is called “Elijah’s Cup”.
It is not just of deliverance, but it is the cup of wrath.
God will come with wrath against the wicked and sinful.
This is not the God that we like to think about when we consider who God is.
We want God to be all loving and kind and all knowing and pure…but in that pureness we must understand that sin cannot exist in the presence of the Almighty…and with that startling revelation, we are impure, sinful…we are found wanting. We are people who are fallen and impure since Adam and Eve broke God’s heart in the garden in their disobedience. Thus this cup of wrath sits at the Passover table. It is not drunk. It resides in the center of the table and the children of the families participating in Passover are to keep watch over it, making sure that it doesn’t move; making sure that it does not spill out its contents.

The Disciples were given a charge to stay alert and observe Jesus.
They were to watch over Him in His hour of greatest need, yet they fell fast asleep (more than once). Could it be that in our weakness we are also incapable of watching this fifth cup let alone drinking from it? Indeed we incapable of it, thus Jesus drinks from OUR cup of wrath in our place. He drains it in the shedding of His blood. He spills His blood instead of ours. God’s wrath is redirected at Messiah instead of humanity. Atonement is achieved through Christ’s blood which covers up our grit and grime having been diluted by sin. This 5th Cup? – From wrath to deliverance, this cup is replaced with our ultimate redemption.

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will…My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39, 42)

“Lest I forget Gethsemane;
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.”

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for taking this cup from us.
Thank you for drinking God’s wrath in our place.
I accept your sacrifice on the cross for my sin,
show me what it means to carry my cross every day
through the leading of your spirit in my life.
Amen.

March 22, 2016 0

A Pondering: “Walking Into Good Friday”

This week, I want to focus on our memories of Good Friday.
Easter Sunday you ask? -We’ll get to that.
But this week let us zone in on the influence these Fridays (the ones we can recall from years past) have played into our lives. I share with you a glimpse into my 11 year-old self…enduring Three Hours of the Cross:

I remember as a boy being told that we would be going to a meeting that would last at least three hours. I remember my dismay and outrage at such a thing. I thought to myself, “why would anyone want to sit for three hours in a church service?” I remember falling asleep during a particularly long quiet part of the service. This three hours of the cross was truly agonizing to an 11 year old. I was impatient. I understood the symbolism, but three hours?

Of course I didn’t get it. Most children at that age couldn’t tolerate sitting through another service in the week, let alone three hours. But what I didn’t know then, I know now. I recognize what that service was suppose to portray. I understand the meaning behind it now. I can still feel those uncomfortable chairs to this day…yet it doesn’t compare to the backbreaking anguish of the cross Jesus faced. I can recall how bored I was (again I was 11). I had pen and had probably written on every service of the service program. There were some wonderful musical pieces share that day. For the life of my I cannot tell you one of them, for they are lost in my memory. I do not remember anything about the content of the service, because I was so consumed with my own comfort and attention.

I do remember with startling clarity the ending of the service.
As I lovely call it now: the “it is finished” benediction, and with a exhalation of jubilance in my new found freedom – I bolted swiftly out of that hall, like a gazelle from the clutches of a lion. I was no longer a prisoner to the pew, pen and church bulletin. I. Was. Free.
I recall how fresh the air felt on my face felt when I stepped outside. I felt like prisoner on parole…I was walking free again. It’s funny how a three hour service can feel like a prison to an 11 year old child.

I confess this memory has very little to do with the cross than it did with an 11 year old selfish child. Perhaps the only thing this memory shared with a cross was the perceived agony of three hours. Yet I still remember it vividly, and isn’t it odd, that I now remember it with such admiration and fondness?

How about your memories of of Good Friday?
Share them with us. Describe the place you participated in a service. Where were you?
Tomorrow I will share another memory of another Good Friday service that I can recall.

The purpose?
Perhaps we missed something along the way.
Perhaps as we ponder it together, we will recall how we felt then, and engage in our emotional and spiritual state today – here and now. Maybe, like me, you will see just how far you’ve come. And as we discover ourselves in these tales retold – I believe we discover once again Christ’s humble and loving sacrifice for us. We discover His suffering, shame, and gift to all those who would seek Him.

Ponder with me this week.
Do you have a recollection or memory?
Comment below, share and join the Good Friday Ponderings!
Hastag – #Goodfridayponderings

March 21, 2016 0

Palm Sunday Sermon Podcast “Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem”

To listen and download this Sermon Podcast Click This Link: Sermon: “Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem”

Or listen to this sermon right from this screen:

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

⁴¹And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, ⁴²saying,“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side ⁴⁴and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” (Luke 19:41-44)

March 20, 2016 0

Dear Salvationist, 5 Resources To Help You Become A Better Soldier

There are certainly more than five resources, but I wanted to just name five today to get us all started. Our desire to be better soldiers isn’t to please the Army, of course if we are serving God in the capacity of this army, we will find success and purpose. Our desire should be first to seek after Him, then what we do in uniform will be holy and pleasing to Him.

Caution, Name-dropping zone ahead…

1. Salvation Army Publications 7 Magazines…
Your corps should have a subscription to various publications that are created and maintained by editors and writers within The Salvation Army. Publications like The War Cry, Young Salvationist, Word & Deed, just to name a few. Many of these contain encouraging articles from others in the faith, while publications like Word & Deed focus primarily on spiritual application and is often slightly deeper than most other articles out there. There are many more of these Salvation Army publications world wide, and these can vary from territory to territory and country to country.

2. Salvation Army Books & Theologians:
Many of the writings of Samuel Logan Brengle on the topic of Holiness come to mind. They are widely read and can help with our spiritual development as soldiers of Christ! Here is a recent publication from Bob Hostetler who has organized the writings of Brengle entitled – “Brengle Helps” But don’t stop there, check out the writings of George Scott Railton as well. There are a number of great Salvation Army book publications out now and it is continuing to grow! Here are a few other notable books available: (And many, many more!)

3. Salvation Army Bloggers & Writers:
I believe the literary sphere is swiftly changing in regards to how fellow Christians read and receive written material. The Salvation Army bloggosphere is growing, with more and more very talented writers adding their own flavor of writing almost weekly! I would like to consider Pastorsponderings.org as one of those, and here are other bloggers to take note of if you haven’t already: Stephen Court’s Armybarmy, Pete Brookshaw, Clive Adams, Jim Knaggs, Steve Simms, Ruth Sullen & Deb Thompson…just to name a few. I will undoubtedly get myself into trouble here for not mentioning others, and some I’ve forgotten. I am sure you can also recommend other Salvationist bloggers out there as well -please leave those links in the comments below and help us compile a longer list! Many of these bloggers stretch our understanding of spiritualism and this Christians faith journey that we’re all on.

4. Discipleship & Small Group:
If I were to rank many of these, discipleship would be at the top of the list in regards to the most important resource a soldier needs! Unfortunately (as far as I know) the printed material exclusively from The Salvation Army on the topic of discipleship is limited. Dr Charles Lake’s Discipleship training material comes to mind, the Youth Discipleship Program, Metro Youth’s “Bold” Corps Cadets courses. Other suggested sources (non-army, but highly applicable) “Discipleshift” “Real-life Discipleship Training” Books by Henri Nowen The need for discipleship in our army is paramount! We need more than book smarts and head knowledge though, we need application and tangible mentoring and shepherding in our corps!

5. Sights & Sounds!
Another vast resource that we have at our disposal today is social media!
Corps from around the world are adding audio and video content either prerecorded or live streaming! With new technology and applications such as Facebook Live, Periscope and others, we are now able communicate at a faster, more reliable rate! Some soldiers are offering worship songs for downloadable play in your corps, while others are providing bible study tools online for anyone to access anywhere in the world. These resources will become more fluid and easier to find as we organize these and make them more readily available!
Examples:
Centre for Spiritual Life Development
SA Dropbox
SAVN.TV
IHQ Webcasts
Central Territory USA Media (Visual Communications)

These are just a few links to check out, there are many, many more, and I would love for you to share your favorite Salvation Army links and media sites! Do you have a podcast, sermon live stream, periscope account – share it here with us on our comment section and we will include this in an continuing Resource segment!

These are just five resources to help us become better, stronger, godly soldiers for Christ in this Army of Salvation. Tell us what you think, share, comment and subscribe for more resources to come!

Something more for our Army world to ponder today!

March 18, 2016 1

A Pondering On Palm Sunday – Do We Get It?

I wonder how wrong we get it sometimes?
What I mean is the gospel story is for the whosoever, but are there times when it think we know who that “whosoever” is? Didn’t Samuel think he knew who the next king would be that God was appointing? -He wasn’t even close. How close are we to fully understanding the grace and love of God? Do we quickly gloss over the “love your enemies” for a more palatable gospel sometimes?

They Didn’t Get It…
The crowds gathered to welcome a king on that day…
They closed in on that narrow street, waving their green tendrils of palm fronds and carefully placing their cloaks on the ground for Jesus to enter royally into Jerusalem. The trees leaned in as if to pay attention to the happenings on that day. Somewhere, further down, a dog barks feeling threatened by the surging crowds.

Jesus on a young colt passes by.
His expression isn’t regal and joyous, is it perplexed?

Songs and chants break out, as if to celebrate his arrival.
Do they know who He truly is…do we?
The Passover crowds repeat a mantra as Jesus passes,
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Is this final acceptance of Messiah?
No, not in the way that Jesus had come.

The people wanted a hero to save them.
They were looking for a warrior king to deliver them from Roman oppression.
Other “messiahs” had come. All of them with the sword in hand and a thirst for blood in their words. They all had met a gruesome end, perhaps this final outcome is the only similarities to Jesus. For while these messiahs had come to shed blood, it wasn’t their blood that they wished to spill. How different a Savior is Jesus though? For His entrance into Jerusalem is marked by rejoicing from the ones who would soon cry “Crucify Him!”

Jesus rides through the victory chants and “pats on the back“, and He knows that this road to salvation and deliverance will cost so much more than the crowds understand. This moment will burn into the memories of His disciples. When the scales fall off and true comprehension of it all finally sinks in.

Amongst the welcoming revelers, a few Pharisees had gathered. They were appalled at the celebration chants and singing. They piously run up to Jesus and tell him to quiet His disciples. They try to keep the peace, for they do not wish to tip the balance of power that is currently in their favor. Jesus looks at them and says “I tell you, if they remain silent the very stones will cry out!” He understands their longing. He comprehends the political tension in the air, conflict is pressing tightly in. There will be no stopping the momentum of rejoicing today. For although the people cry out for a king, Jesus had come to give them something so much more – the King of Kings, ever present with the whosoever.

They didn’t understand it.
The people wanted a rebellion.
They wanted war and a show of force against the mighty Roman empire.
They desired a war path that led to their deliverance.
Jesus wept over the city. He knew that to many, His message would fall on deaf ears, and it pained him to look out into the city. He mourned over their choice. He could see the day fast approaching that would lead to their demise – and He wept.

Do We Get It?
Do we comprehend what Jesus has done and is doing today in our world?
How much of what He wishes to accomplish with His people falls upon deaf ears?
Do we interpret His intentions incorrectly? Are we too bent on our own motivations and expectations to simply stop and listen to His holy presence as He attempts to whisper into our lives His will for us? God’s presence is still here with us. He is still moving and active among us, but do we get it? Are we listening? Or do we just do our own thing and attempt to string God along as we strive in our own strength?

Are we singing His praises for the right reasons as we wave our palm fronds and lay down our cloaks? Or do we get caught up in our own intentions and wishes? This faith journey isn’t an easy one. Does He sometimes weep over us when we miss the mark?

I don’t say this to make us feel guilty today, I just wonder if we truly “get it”?
He wants our hearts.
He wants our fellowship.
He was not a portion of our lives – but the whole of it!
Are we will to not just lay down our cloaks, but our lives for His use and service regardless of the outcome and the sacrifices that we will have to make? THIS is what taking up our crosses and following Him means! (Matthew 16:24-26)

May your Palm Sunday usher in His presence not just in your chapels and sanctuaries with joyous singing, but (more importantly) into your hearts and lives.

So be it.

March 17, 2016 0

The PonderCast – Prayer & Solitude

A new episode of the PonderCast is up, give this episode a listen!
Download and subscribe here: Prayer & Solitude (Also available on itunes/The Pondercast)

Listen from this page here:

March 15, 2016 0

Should Christians Share Their Political Views?

I’ve been pondering long and hard on this topic of politics and what it means to be a Christian during a presidential election year. One thing I will say before starting in on this pondering is that it’s going to get worse – the slander, the malicious attacks, the hateful dialogue and mud-slinging.

The amazing ability of social media is that you can share almost anything and within minutes, even hours thousands of people will view it. This opens the doors to all sorts of possibilities: e.g. – evangelism, supporting a cause, raising awareness for something important, getting started on your craft business, book writing, radio/podcast…etc. The sky is the limit to this platform.

There are negatives though to social media.
Trolls actually exist…(not the green ugly type, just ugly to other humans)
Bully pulpits.
Slander.
Inconsistencies in faith – words / action…

We literally are putting our lives under the microscope and in full view of the world around us – both friend…and not friend.

Putting this aside, let me tackle the elephant…er donkey…er large object neither politically aligned that is in the room right now….(at least in mine, maybe not yours).

I am not sure how we can be Christians who are to show love for others around us and yet descend into brutal knock-down, drag out fights with other so called “Christians” and even non-Christians over which candidate they may or may not be supporting for the upcoming presidential election. It is truly disparaging to see people of proclaimed faith engaging in such low displays – whether it’s slamming or smearing a candidate they can’t stand or disagree with or slamming and calling people studid or fools if they don’t agree. AND I DON’T CARE WHICH SIDE OF THE ISLE YOU ALIGN YOURSELF WITH!!!

I might upset a few of you today, I’m sorry – that is not my purpose.
I am NOT saying don’t have a political opinion or view, I’m just saying either temper it with forethought or don’t share with others that you know will incite a fight…and I sit back and quickly click past your post because it just exploded into another prime example of Christians engaging in some very questionable disagreements.

My personal opinion –
God is on the throne and He is Lord and holds ultimate authority over this earth.
I choose to keep my political opinions and views to exactly that – MY personal and private opinion. Someone might argue “well, if you don’t stand for something…” or “well, you have to take a side...” I would answer, just because I don’t publicly share my views doesn’t mean I don’t have them…but for the sake of my sanity and harmony of my friendships, I will keep them private. After all, I don’t bring my friends into the voting booth…that might seem a little odd if I did (and probably illegal).

I look at the political posts sometimes out there on Facebook and Twitter, and it’s sarcastic, it’s mean a meme or opinion, and I wonder (no matter if they are posted with humor in mind or not) how God-honoring these social activities and posts truly are ? Because I wonder what non-Christians, who are looking at these kinds of posts – posted by “Christians” think about it. I would just like to peer into the window of that exchange for a moment. Because I don’t see acceptance – I see rejection. I don’t see compassion – I see divisiveness, bitterness, rage, envy, malice, harmful dialogue…I see spite and hatred…and I just cringe when I think of the damage it might be doing to our reputation and that of Christ, who we’ve aligned ourselves with by name.

I’m really not in a place to judge – I am certainly not any better than anyone else, and I still make mistakes. I just wonder if we as Christians are still so invested in our political parties that we have lost sight of the bigger picture? Because no matter who is elected president this year, I recognize that all authority comes from God (good or bad) – He has the power to appoint and He alone has the power to take away.

So dear Christian, be mindful & be careful how and what you post…perhaps this will fall on deaf ears today…then again, perhaps not.

Something more to ponder today.

March 14, 2016 1