O For a Thousand Tongues

I arrived in chapel today and was somewhat disappointed to find that there would be no sermon, just singing. I am no musician. I cannot carry a tune. I cannot read music. I enjoy worship, but at the same time hesitated at the thought of an hour of straight singing...old hymns at that.

My initial dismay was overcome by the reminder of the riches of the songs of Charles Wesley. I was especially moved at the depths of 'O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing' and surprised that it has 18 verses (no, we did not sing them all). The lyrics and sincerity of thought, praise, and desire to share Christ were awesome to remember.

These songs brought back memories of my college days. Despite my relative disinterest and inability to sing or play music, I sang in a chapel choir and played large bells (Quasimodo-style) for all four years. Those memories and amazing times of worshiping and praising Christ both corporately and individually are something I will never forget. Today was a reminder of the need and privilege to worship Jesus in song and music!

The photos attached are of me and my Quasimodo bells during my college days...our chapel is in the center...beautiful, huh?

Easter calendar - why so early?

Copied from an email I received....

Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox , which is March 20.

This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used Easter moves around on our Roman calendar. Based on the above, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) but that is very rare.Only the most elderly of our population (95 years old and above) have ever seen Easter this early before. The last time it was this early was 1913.

For the most of us this year will be the earliest that we will ever see Easter, and none of us will ever see Easter a day earlier!The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (that's 220 years from now). The next time Easter will be a day earlier March 22, will be in the year 2285 (that's 277 years from now). The last time Easter was on March 22 was 1818. So no one alive today has seen or will ever see Easter any earlier than this year! I would say that makes this Easter special (as it always is)!

He is Risen!!
John 20:1-9

To the right...a picture of me in front of the "garden tomb"...more info on this and pictures as we approach Easter!

Road to Emmaus

It is now covered by a water pipeline and electrical lines. Beneath the weeds and fill-gravel you can find sections of 10-20 large squared off stones in a perfectly straight line. These stones are a curbline and all that remains of the 7 mile stretch of Roman road between Jerusalem and the town of Emmaus. Here is a picture of that stretch, some of those stones, and myself in Israel this past January. It was on this road that Jesus appeared to two of His followers after His resurrection. Luke 24:13-35

This past weekend I went on a different type of "walk to Emmaus". It was an awesome reminder of the power of God's Spirit and His work in believer's lives through the power of Christ on the Cross. It was encouraging to see how Christ's body is represented here on earth and demonstrated in the love of His followers through the church.

http://www.etownemmaus.org/ (although I think the site is temporarily down)

Thank you to all who prayed for, supported, and wrote letters to me.

Let's not forget of our own daily need to draw close to Christ in our own personal walk with Him! We must also remain disciplined in our sharing of His message with others!

http://www.thegoodnews.org/