How Can You Help Disaster Relief in the South?

Here are some links to organizations that are on the scene in Alabama/Georgia providing Disaster Relief. Please pray for the victims and the survivors of these deadly twisters who are in shock and mourning. Please pray for the First Responders and the Disaster Relief workers who are on site and will be coming to devastated locations for several months. Here are some credible and respected Disaster Relief groups you can support.

Salvation Army Disaster Relief

The American Red Cross

Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham's organization)

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief through NAMB

David Platt's (Author of Radical) Church in Birmingham

A Miracle at the Cape

Royal wedding watch aside, the biggest story on Friday will be the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor with Commander Mark Kelly at the controls. While the burst of flames from the launch pad at the Cape will be garnering most of the camera clicks and video roll the bigger story will be on the observation deck. And no, it won't be for President Obama and his family who are expected to be on hand.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be present to watch her husband, Commander Kelly and his crew launch the shuttle Endeavor for the last time. The congresswoman has been in an intensive rehab program in Houston for a brain injury sustained when she was shot in the head at a political event in Tucson in early January. Six people were killed in that attack by a lone gunman.

Sporting a turqouise "Gabby" wristband upon his arrival in Florida with the Endeavor crew earlier this week, Commander Kelly spoke about his wife's miraculous recovery and her anticipated arrival at the Kennedy Space Center, "It’s something she’s been looking forward to for a long time," he said. "She’s been working really hard to make sure that her doctors would permit her to come. She’s more than medically ready to be here, and she’s excited about making this trip."

Royal watcher's won't like this, but I think the Congresswoman's appearance at the Kennedy Space Center is a far more interesting story than a wedding whose cost could probably retire the debt of a few state governments, or feed a small country.

Endeavor is scheduled for its last launch at 3:47 P.M. EDT, Friday. Gabrielle Giffords presence will remind all of us that life is worth fighting for and terror (whether global, national, or local) does not get the last word in a free country. Her presence also serves to bring healing to the families of the six people who died in the attack. God speed Commander Kelly, Endeavor crew and Congresswoman Giffords!

Living on the Other Side of Resurrection

Lent has come and gone. 40 days of fasting, renewal, reflection and anticipation have been fulfilled in Easter and the resurrection of our Lord!

Living on the other side of the resurrection can be anti-climatic if we aren't careful. But it can also be exciting.

God has entrusted us to share the gospel with the world. We have the privilege, joy and calling to tell others about the Good News of Easter. A great place to begin post-resurrection devotionals is the book of Acts. It's a fascinating study of what Christ-followers did after the His ascension to heaven. It's Luke's account of the gospel breaking down barriers and going forward. We too, have a story to share with the world. It can break racial, economic, ethnic, geographic and cultural barriers if we will share it with respect and love. We determine how we will live after Easter. We can return to "business as usual" or we can begin anew. How will we live on this side of the resurrection? Family members, friends and neighbors who don't know Jesus are counting on us to carry the gospel in our words, actions and attitudes. May we be as faithful as the Early church!

A Dark and no Good Friday

Matthew 27:32ff
32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday-Matthew 27:26ff

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

We lost a 1/3 of a giant Water Oak last weekend. Unfortunately the 60' 65+ year-old tree is gonna have to come down.

I hate cutting down trees. This old gentleman has been in our back yard for 8 years. Actually he was here long before our house. He has character, but a weak spot allowed rain to pour into his trunk and weaken him.

I wonder what type of tree provided the cross for Jesus on Good Friday. Was it an old tree? Did it splinter? Did the tree have any idea God's very own Son would hang from it? Why did the Roman's pick this tree? How did they know which one was the right tree? Was it a noble tree with character like ours? Did God know when He created it that it would bear His Son?

Being nailed to a tree is a humiliating act. This is a tree that Jesus embraced, unlike the fig tree outside Jerusalem that He cursed. I wonder if the tree had any idea the the very Son of glory would one day hang from his branches? This tree would become a sign of hope for the world. It held God's Son and the sins of humanity. Of all the trees in the world, this tree was the strongest. Good Friday approaches. The faithful wait, breathless, anticipating the cruelty that's coming. The tree awaits and groans for all humanity.

Palm Sunday Praise!

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Come Lord, Jesus!

Michael W. Smith - Prepare Ye The Way [A New Hallelujah]

Holy Week is almost here! Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Christ's Passion. The week begins with thunderous applause and shouts of joy, but the darkness of Good Friday looms. 2,000+ years ago pilgrims lined the road into Jerusalem cheering the Lord's entry. Despite countless warnings from Him to the disciples, no one but Jesus knew what lie ahead. This side of the Resurrection Christ-followers are supposed to live in ways that anticipate the coming of our King and prepare the way of the Lord.

"I will wait for you" by Official P4CM Poet JANETTE...IKZ

A poem for single people everywhere!

Life's Leader Board

The 75th Masters Golf Tournament is being played at historic Augusta National Golf Course this week. You don't have to be a golfer to appreciate the sheer beauty of the course Bobby Jones built. Spectacular southern flora and manicured lush green fairways are as much of the Augusta experience as the actual golf tournament.

Throughout the course, leader board's keep patrons and players abreast of what's happening on the rest of the golf course. As you make your way through the main entrance and walk toward the #1 fairway you see the main leader board which posts the scores of every player and the entire tournament. You wouldn't want to, but you could stand in front of that board and follow the tournament without ever actually watching someone strike a golf ball. The goal of course is to stay near, or at the top of that board for four days.

Unlike golf, the goal of the Christ-centered life is to be last, or least. Giving preference to others, self-denial, and acts of service and humility is what gets you atop heaven's leader board. Unlike the individual sports of tennis and golf, the Christ-centered journey doesn't self-promote. In fact, promoting others, humbling ourselves and surrendering our agenda to God's is the equivalent of being a scratch golfer in the Christ-centered life. The stars and pros of heaven are quiet, unassuming people who simply serve God and are seeking to follow Scripture and pattern their lives after Jesus Christ. They are the ones who realize that no human has, or will ever be atop heaven's leader board because it's the spot reserved solely for a holy, righteous and sovereign God.

As we enter the final days and weeks of the Lenten journey let's continue to seek ways that our lives, words and actions continue to push God to the top of life's leader board for the sake of His glory, the gospel and all eternity!

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (Mark 10:42-44 ESV)