Monthly Archives: December 2011

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Mark 16

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Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” Mark 16:1-3 (NLT)

When I read this passage from today’s chapter, it struck me how completely un-female-like it was for the ladies to head off for the tomb with no idea how they were going to get the giant stone covering the tomb rolled away from the entrance. Women, at least most all the women I know, don’t do anything without a structured plan of execution that is both reasonable and efficient.

Nevertheless, the three ladies headed to Jesus’ tomb without fully understanding what would happen when the arrived, nor how they could possible reach the body of Jesus and accomplish what they intended. They journeyed to the tomb in faith believing that somehow they could get the stone rolled away and would get to Jesus. They had no idea how they would be rewarded for their faith.

It struck me that it’s that way for any of us who have sought after Jesus. We don’t quite know how we’re going to find Him, nor do we quite understand what we might find and what might happen if and when we do. I regularly find that for those who honestly seek after Jesus there is no clear road map and no reasonable plan of execution. We don’t have a list of necessary supplies. We just head out onto the path with a heart’s desire to find Him. It’s a faith journey, after all.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Jesus

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Tom’s 30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 25

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David Oscarson - Celestial
Image by s.yume via Flickr

If you could have the world’s largest collection of one thing, what would it be?

I’ve collected a lot of stuff over the years. When I was a kid, I tried my hand a baseball cards and comic books. I dabbled in collecting postcards, books, and for a while I had quite a collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. But, somewhere along the journey I got tired of having to manage and caretake the things I collect. It’s the age old example of starting by trying to own something and having it own you instead.

The only things I can say I modestly collect today are writing instruments (they more than just “pens”) and timepieces (they are more than just “watches”). The thing I like about both is that they are functional in every day life, they are small and don’t take up much room, and there’s not a lot of expense in maintenance. Plus, there is a metaphorical side to them: time and expression.

So, if I was to have the world’s largest collection of one thing, I’d have to choose between the two. This morning, my head stuffed with the common cold, I don’t have the mental energy to choose nor reason through my choice.

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Occupy Mordor

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Props to my nephew, Sam.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Mark 15

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This is a diagram of the Biblical tabernacle o...
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And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Mark 15:38 (NLT)

For those unfamiliar with the larger story of God’s Message, this obscure reference in the middle of today’s chapter makes little sense. When God gave Moses the blueprints for the Temple back in the book of Exodus, it included an inner room that was blocked off by a huge curtain. It was behind that curtain that God’s presence resided and it was considered so holy that only the high priest could go behind the curtain, and he could only do it once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. The word picture was obvious and powerful. There was a separation between God and man and no man could stand before God in His holiness.

When Jesus died, that curtain was mysteriously and miraculously torn in two. Once again, the word picture is both obvious and powerful. With the death of Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, the penalty for sin was paid once for all. There was no longer any separation between man and God – not because of anything man did to earn God’s favor, but because of what God did to pay the penalty of humanity’s flaws.

Today, as I look forward to Christmas, I’m thankful for God who sent his Son. A baby, born in the most humble of circumstances, who would eventually give Himself up to a cruel death to make a way for me to enter through the curtain of eternity.

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Tom’s 30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 24

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If you could have any view from your home, what would it be?

At the end of one of the Harry Potter movies there’s a shot of Hogwarts Castle standing in the over the lake. I think it would be fun to look out my window and see that ever day. I couldn’t find a picture of the view I wanted, though this gives you an idea.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Mark 14

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Matthias Stom's depiction of Jesus before Caia...
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Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

 Jesus said, “I Am.” Mark 14:60-62a (NLT)

The more you understand about the scene that unfolds in today’s chapter, the more amazing it is. The religious racketeers led by their own version of the Godfather, Caiaphas the high priest (who wasn’t really in charge – the real “don” was his father-in-law, Ananias), pull together a kangaroo court in the middle of the night. The trial itself broke their several of their own laws and reveals how desperate they were to deal with Jesus secretly and swiftly, before the public got wind of it.

When Jesus answered the high priest’s question with the word “I Am,” he was making far more than a simple admission. The word Jesus used was the Hebrew Yahweh, translated “I am who I am.” It is the name to which God referred to Himself in the burning bush when He spoke to Moses (Exodus 3). The Jewish people considered that name holy, and it was reserved only for God Himself. The name was so holy, in fact, that it was never to be uttered by human lips. When Jesus responded to the high priest’s question with the word “Yahweh” He was literally claiming for Himself the holy name of God, and with that admission He drew a line in the sand.

The response from the high priest was swift and showy. He tore his robe (a traditional act  to show how grievous of a blasphemous wrong he’d just witnessed) and immediately called for a verdict. By uttering that one word and claiming to be God, Jesus sealed his human fate. He was savagely beaten for his admission and led off to the one man in Jerusalem who could legally have Him executed. It was another political move by the high priest. If Caiaphas and the religious racketeers killed Jesus, the public would turn on them. By getting the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, to sign the death order, they could point the finger of blame at him.

Today, what stands out for me as I read the chapter is the reality that the line in the sand remains two thousand years later. C.S. Lewis argued that with Jesus’ bold claim of being God, we find ourselves standing in the sandals of the religious leaders. Reason and logic dictate that Jesus was either a liar (He knew he wasn’t God but claimed to be), a lunatic (He thought he was God, but wasn’t), or Lord (He knew He was God, and was exactly who He claimed to be). As we read today’s chapter and consider the enormity of Jesus’ claim,  we each must each answer the high priest’s question: “What’s your verdict?”

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Tom’s 30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 23

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If your own ashes were to be kept in an urn, after you die, where would you want the urn to be kept?

Underneath the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center. I could be the Phantom of the Pella Community Center.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Mark 13

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“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Mark 13:32 (NLT)


I could not help this morning but be reminded of a few months ago when an obscure, quack pot preacher named Harold Camping predicted the end of the world on May 22 and,  because of a national billboard campaign, it became national news. He’d made the prediction before and was just as wrong. Just last year the news was all about the fact that the Mayan calendar ends in 2012 and, spurred on by a Hollywood movie that picked up on the storyline, everyone was predicting the world’s end.

Throughout my journey I’ve witnessed several doomsday predictions. Hal Lindsey‘s book 1983 Countdown to Armageddon was a big seller. I lived through 1984 when George Orwell‘s famous book of the same title created all sorts of doomsday talk. I lived through Y2K and the craziness of people stockpiling food and supplies for the apocalypse that was predicted. The Camping incident and the 2012 nonsense are just two more in a long string of doomsday predictions. As humans we tend to be obsessed with apocalypse. Knowing that, the news media loves to play into those base human fears.

Here is my easy three step guide for responding to end-of-the-world predictions. This is based on two very simple observations and one crucial teaching Jesus made:

  1. Doomsday will eventually happen. Don’t kid yourself.
  2. No one has inside information when it will be. Not even Jesus Himself. Period.
  3. We don’t need to be afraid: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:26 (NLT) “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 (NLT)
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Tom’s 30 Day Blogging Challenge Day 22

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If you learned that you were going to die in exactly one hour, what would you do?

  1. Make love to my wife.
  2. With a slice of Wendy’s cheesecake (if there’s some in the fridge), I’d pour a glass of the best wine in the house. Then I’d make a run to Casey’s on the corner and enjoy another drink and a smoke with Wendy on our porch.
  3. Have a video chat with Madison, Taylor and Clayton – along with my parents & siblings. Ending in a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing.
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Mark 12

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“And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.” Mark 12:33 (NLT)

Wendy has been doing a lot of baking lately. Cheesecakes and cupcakes have been the specialty as of late. She is amazing in the kitchen. One of her cheesecakes recently sold at a charity auction for over $1100. She’s learned in her baking that the quality and purity of the ingredients makes a difference in the outcome. The same is true with life.

For example, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is love.

Not good theology and love.
Not temperance and love.
Not obedience and love.
Not goodness and love.
Not sacrifice and love.
Not purity and love.
Not giving and love.
Not ___ and love.

The greatest commandment is just love. Love God with all you’ve got.
The second commandment is just love others as you love yourself.

The simplicity and purity of the ingredient is what makes the resulting life taste so good.

If you add anything to it, you ruin the recipe.