Stars and whales praise God
I simply can’t get enough of this video. It’s 14 minutes long and, while lengthy, watching Louie set this up, then all of it falling in place, brought tears to my eyes. The first time I watched it I was in a public place. If I weren’t, I probably would have broke down even more.
Give it a watch then let me know what you think in the comments, won’t you?
Join me tonight for some acoustic worship
It’s been over a year since I’ve lead worship in any capacity. That changes tonight.
It’s my honor to invite you to Terre Haute First Baptist Church at 6pm as Matt Millington (pictured at right) teaches on discipleship and what it means to follow Jesus. I’ll be leading a couple songs from piano in what I’d consider a low-key, almost acoustic worship set. We expect this to be a small crowd and, thus, a rather intimate setting (which I always dig.)
Let me know on Twitter or Facebook if you plan on coming out. Look forward to seeing you!
The Dead Sea Scrolls are now online
First off, just in case you’re not familiar with the Dead Sea Scrolls:
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 texts from the Hebrew Bible and extra-biblical documents found between 1947 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name.
Lecrae: I Am Second (commentary)
I was most impacted by Lecrae talking about his conference experience, specifically seeing others exist within their culture but fervently pursuing Jesus. He’d clearly never been exposed to the possibility of being an indigenous missionary up to that point and it gave him new life, new breath, new meaning.
Did you know that God has you right where he wants you? He has you in this place, this time, this moment, for a reason. Do you know that reason? Big picture, it’s to worship Him and glorify Him in all you do.
But how are you connected to the culture around you? Whether it’s being involved in your kids’ sports, or in a college function, or your work, you are where you are for a purpose.
I am an advocate of making disciples of all nations. I’ve been to Guatemala more than once and I know it’s a big part of God’s mission. But your daily commute, that coffee you pick up on your way to class or the office, the errands and chores you run, the sports arena you frequent… that’s your local missions field. The parents, friends, classmates and coworkers you rub shoulders with… they need reached, told about the saving grace of Christ.
Missions isn’t something you do. It’s something you live.
Vader was #NeverBeyond
If you’ve never seen the Star Wars trilogy (the original from the 70’s and 80’s), stop reading this blog post and for Pete’s sake go rent the DVD’s, lock yourself in, and watch all three in a row, taking breaks only for snacks and bathrooms breaks.
I’m not kidding.
Go.
Now.
If you have seen the movies, then the whole Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader/Anakin drama is well known to you. I can distinctly remember watching The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, hearing Darth say to Luke, “I am your father,” and looking at my friends, right there in the theater, our faces illuminated only by the light emanating from the movie screen, slackjawed in disbelief.
Darth is Luke’s dad? Seriously?
This set the tone for Luke’s resolve in the third film. Luke’s so sure that his father, his dad, isn’t beyond saving that he offers himself up to the very enemy that’s chasing him, just for the chance to get close to him. To talk him off the ledge, if you will.
But Vader resists. Luke’s love begins to weaken the wall Anakin built around his heart decades ago. Some could even say this is why Vader lost that final lightsaber duel to Luke. How can I truly resist this man, my son, who’s chasing me, into the heart of darkness, just to show me love?
But the Emperor steps in, truly vile, truly evil, with intent to destroy Luke. The Emperor beats Luke down to within an inch of his life. What does Luke do? He calls out to his dad. To his Father.
It’s then that the wall Anakin built so long ago finally crumbles, just like Jericho. Anakin sheds the dead carapace of Vader, grabs the Emperor by the nap of his neck, and tosses him sprawling into a generator shaft. (Star Wars nerds will tell you the Emperor didn’t really die at this point, but that’s neither here nor there…)
And just like that, Vader dies to self.
The Sith Lord Darth Vader tortured and killed hundreds, if not thousands. He organized the destruction of entire planets. And yet, Luke never stopped believing that love could win the day. Luke’s dogged pursuit forced Vader to let love in.
In your life, right now, someone’s beyond hope. Beyond grace. Beyond a second chance. Maybe that someone’s you. Maybe you’re withholding grace. Get on your knees, right now, and put your faith, your hope, in the God of Second Chances. Give Him your malice, your hate, your anger, your deceit and just let love in.
A bit of Star Wars trivia: Return of the Jedi was originally called Revenge of the Jedi. George Lucas decided that Jedi didn’t seek revenge so the name was changed.
A fitting name change, in my opinion. In the end, the Father sought not revenge but simply to return.
This post is part of the Never Beyond: Masks and Respirators series.