Good Friday service

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq7gV1jxD-8

Good Friday…

 Good Friday….

This needs no explanation….

 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. 

Then they led him away to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 

They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 

There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 

When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 

And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. 

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 

In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,    (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 

The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 

They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 

Many women were there, watching from a distance. 

They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. 

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. 

He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Matt.27.32-61

Mark 15:16-16:19

Luke 23:26-56

 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. 

Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 

When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. 

This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,“They divided my clothes among themand cast lots for my garment.”So this is what the soldiers did. 

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” 

From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 

A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. 

Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 

The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 

Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 

The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 

These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” 

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 

Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 

At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19:16-42

Thank YOU….

Sunday’s coming., Phil Wickham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJeiyCbVn6k

God of all my days…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE

He arose…

 He arose….

There are hard things about living in a health and rehab center…

You know many of these people will die here…Loneliness…depression… anger… lost or forgotten lives…no matter how upbeat and attentive the staff is…aging is hard…

Hard ones for me to watch are the couples, one admitted, the other at home…some look like they both should be here, but not…those faithful spouses who daily journey to care for their loved ones, some knowing while others not…commitment…

There are those whose countenance is a perpetual smile though…whether in total silence they smile or those who fumble,mumble their incoherent words, they still bring sunshine to those around them…”I am going down to eat because they like my smiling face…” one says as they wheel their way to the meal room…saying hello to each person they meet…a joy…

I have often said, I haven’t seen an “aging  101” book…and I am not sure I would like to read it either…

as an adult,I have seen both sets of my grandparents age and pass away, aunts and uncles, my parents, friends, my parents-in-law as well as my husband …some wanted total quiet, others a song and or a book…but none were an easy process…

The memories of their full, active lives can be seen in picture albums that will eventually be stored in boxes in attics somewhere…opened by some future generation to view and comment on…maybe even some diaries, prayer journals, and a book or two to read and ponder…even some digital recordings of voices long lost…probably no movies made of their life’s adventures, but lives well lived…and very much loved…

 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days;let me know how fleeting my life is. 

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,even those who seem secure.

Ps.39.45

 Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,mere mortals that you think of them? 

They are like a breath;their days are like a fleeting shadow.

Ps.144.3-4

I think through this Easter season, the true meaning of death and resurrection reigns down the ages….

We have Christ who came to seek and save the lost…who took upon himself the sins of the world, died and rose again…that those who believed in him, might have eternal life…in a place much more beautiful than we can imagine…prepared by him over time…

Those promises made to everyone make life here a bit more bearable…some I have met here will be there…friends and family will be there as well…

Thank YOU….

He arose..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3sdByw9uUc

Games

 Games…

Last night got a “big” Yahtzee game going. One of the workers, two permanent residents and myself.

Both permanent residents so sweet, one repeats everything you say, needs help with putting down her score, talks constantly about her love of puppies, ever ready smile and loves to throw the dice…her room mascot is a talking dog…

The other lost her husband after moving to the area, some family who rarely visit, cheerful…

The attendant was a young woman who helps the some of the residents and their activities…

Different people, all, different backgrounds, lifestyles, upbringing, but here we are where the playing field is pretty leveled…we need help for a period of time, either short or long…

It made me think of the crowds who followed Jesus….there were the sick,wounded, the curious, the wealthy, the poor…all seeking something from this man they had heard of and from…some wanting miracles,  wellness, an answer to life, a new government, and much more…

Sitting on those hillsides or wherever they went, listening, absorbing, staying or walking away…there was a leveling of some of the people….at times the “leaders” must have stood apart with their questions and accusations, not associating with the “commoners”…

But, Jesus fed them all, ministered to them all…no partiality.

He wants all to “come” and follow him, not just the fishermen, but the tax collector, the leaders, the followers, the sinners, the Samaritans, the Jews, the Gentiles, the loud, the quiet, the high born, or low…the gift of Salvation is for all who believe…

Thank YOU…

 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations,his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

1Chr.16.23-24

 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Titus.2.11

 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Heb.9.28

All the earth will sing your praises…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg8D0qqpUVg

Balm…

 Balm….

Throughout this ordeal of hip pain and finally hip replacement, I have tried various salves or balms to cut down the pain…since I have been in this rehad facility, one of the PTs I have worked with has finished each session with one, rubbing it in, working the knotted, spastic muscles out…trying to get the “angry, complaining”muscles to calm down and heal…

At night I have rubbed the same salve in, followed by warming pads…as well as taking muscle relaxants.   Quite the process to go through for calming the body and accepting new body parts…but, so helpful….

It made me think of the old song, “There is a Balm in Gilead”.

So that lead me to look up verses with contained balm or Balm of Gilead..where did it come from, etc…there are only 7 references to balm…

The first is …

 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

Gen.37.25

This reference had a wonderful explanation….

“Thrown into a pit, his envious brothers were eager to be rid of him. A traveling group of Ishmaelites who traded goods—including the balm of Gilead, arrive on the scene. Ishmaelites were distant, often unfriendly, relatives of Israel. But the meaning of Ishmael is key—it means, “God that hears.” Despite the boy’s desperate situation, God had not forgotten him. Instead, the Lord provided a way out of the pit and a road leading to the purpose.

The writer also tells us the “camels were loaded with spices, balm , and myrrh.” I believe these details are important for a few reasons. First, Joseph would have recognized these items. Because God had given him unusual prophetic insight, I believe Joseph would have been encouraged by their presence as he realized God was with him and able to heal any wound, emotional or spiritual.”

The other verses speak of the balm as well…Gilead was known for it spices, herbs.

But, in the bigger picture, the balm, the healing comes from none other that Jesus…he is our healer, our balm…

There is a balm in Gilead 
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead 
To heal the sin-sick soul

Sometimes I feel discouraged
And think my work's in vain
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again

Don't ever feel discouraged
For Jesus is your friend
And if you lack of knowledge
He'll ne'er refuse to lend

If you cannot preach like Peter
If you cannot pray like Paul
You can tell the love of Jesus
And say, "He died for all".

Written in the 1850’s

 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;save me and I will be saved,for you are the one I praise.

Jer.17:14

Thank YOU for your Balm….

There is a balm in Gilead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN9JALQRMb0

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-is-the-balm-of-gilead-according-to-the-bible.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_Is_a_Balm_in_Gilead

Lead you…

 

Lead you….

Verses 18 and 19 of John 21 have been on my mind a bit since living in this facility….about 1/3 of the facility is for rehab, those who come to heal and go home….leaving 2/3 for those who are permanent residents. Some permanent ones are mixed in with the rehad patients, but most are in their own area…but we all eat together…and no fixed sitting assignments.

My first week I was in a wheelchair so the attendant put me wherever there was a spot…along with the majority of people in wheelchairs. Now, I take my pillow and find a vacant chair(not many-less than 5).

Verses 18 and 19 follow the section where Jesus grills Peter about his love.

Jesus gives Peter his assignment, Peter renews his commitment to Jesus…

Jesus says to Peter….

“Feed my lambs”

“Take care of my sheep”

“Feed my sheep”

 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 

(Then Jesus tells Peter of his end days…)

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

John.21.15-19

And while I realize this passage may allude to Peter’s martyrdom…the picture is so here and now…for me…the people I am living with…

They were all younger, I was younger once, going where they/I wanted, living the Life…pursuing careers, marrying, traveling, having children, driving, etc, etc, etc….

And now here we are, being dressed by another, lead places we may not want to go…watching through the windows at life going by..the world has shrunk to a bed, a bathroom, hallways leading to the kitchen or rehab room…

It is a time where I go to the first verses, renewing my Love for Christ…feeding,caring  for those whom Christ brings across my path…

There is no break for age…serve as best we can wherever we are…

Thank YOU…

Psalm 23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo3HgtT_OiE

Whatever….

 Whatever….

 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1Cor.10.31

I took a few pictures of encouraging signs as I made my way around the hallways of this establishment…

I could have  been at a school, a business, a library, etc,etc, etc….the need to get along with one another, work well together is there…we need kindness, encouragement, compassion, care to have a society, group, family that grows well, works well together…

 A kindhearted woman gains honor,but ruthless men gain only wealth. Those who are kind benefit themselves,but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Prov.11.16-17

 Anxiety weighs down the heart,but a kind word cheers it up. Where there is strife, there is pride,but wisdom is found in those who take advice. 

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,turning a person from the snares of death. 

Good judgment wins favor,but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction 

..Prov.12.25,Prov.13.10,Prov.13.14,Prov.13.15

Thank YOU for your daily instructions..