Satur-deja Vu

Sometimes I look at the banner at the top of the page and wonder if first time visitors are confused by the tagline “God honoring, Christ centered.” I used to write two or three long form blog posts each week. Back then we served in a ministry that was geographically isolated. Today I pastor a small SBC church and all that that entails. I keep letting people appoint me to leadership positions in things. And we have a middle schooler that joins things and needs carried places. Each and every item entry, if you dissect a Satur-deju Vu or Happy Monday post, may not be directly related to sharing the Gospel in some way. But taken on the whole each post is meant to enrich and inform the Christian believer. Happy Monday always has verses of scripture and inspiring or informative quotes, at least one of those quotes from a recognizable Christian leader. The Satur-deja Vu posts are about the intersection of faith and real life. Some days are a struggle and I hope the things I write and share are able to help someone along. We are about wrap up Holy Week and celebrate Easter Sunday tomorrow. Some days make it real easy to walk the Christian path. Some days are rough and for some those turn into rough seasons. In the upper left-hand corner are links to sermons. They are steeped in scripture. Sometimes you need something else. An encouraging word, a laugh a smile, or just the knowledge that others are in the same boat. A single website cannot be all things to all people. But if I write a post on the empty tomb or share a pic of a dog wearing sunglasses and a hat that makes your day, then maybe that post was just for you.

He Is Risen, an Easter Poem

In the early hours of the morning, 
after the Sabbath had ended, 
a few women walked toward his grave 
to finish matters left unattended. 

They carried spices for anointing, 
to honor custom and tradition.
For he had been quickly laid in the grave
on the day of Preparation. 

Satur-deja Vu

Today is Holy Saturday also known as Black Saturday. The Sabbath was a day of rest, a legal and moral obligation for the Jews. Some Christians believe Jesus was other places doing other things during that period of time; I will not get into whether or not he literally descended into hell and preached to the condemned. Tomorrow is Resurrection Day, Easter Sunday to many although not everyone agrees on that title. If you are in the Calhoun, GA area the Gordon County Christian Ministerial Alliance is having a Sunrise Service at BB&T Park in downtown that begins at 7 AM. We will have prayer, two or three songs everybody knows and a 15 or 20 minute sermon. At 36 degrees I will remind our speaker the shorter the better. Hopefully 2020 taught us not to take so many things for granted, including worshiping together and visiting family.

Different Sort of Easter

Every adult Christian probably has memories of Easter outfits and eggs hunts from when they were kids, and a list of traditions they carry on with their kids and grandkids. Easter probably involves sunrise service, some special breakfast, new suits or dresses, pictures with family, Easter egg hunts, and so forth. Church choirs perform cantatas and perhaps put on passion plays. We used to go to one in London, KY that was very well done.

This year was different.

Holy Week

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Resurrection Sunday (also known as Easter). I have been blogging since 2008 and have posted many times on the events of Holy Week. On the one hand I don’t wish to keep writing and posted material that is already here. On the other hand there are constantly new friends discovering The Master’s Table and following that have not read those previous posts. And we are talking about the greatest story ever told; it is central to our identity as Christians and never gets old.

Preaching Easter

Easter is coming up. The last Sunday in March (there are five this year) is Palm Sunday and the first Sunday in April is Easter. The dates are March 29th and April 5th. Those of you that observed Ash Wednesday and/or the season of Lent are aware of these dates already, as well as anyone planning church activities and worship services. And it is those individuals – pastors, preachers, minsters and directors of music, all worship leaders – that I wish to address.

I spent several years in a ministry that included a daily chapel service. Not only did we observe Palm Sunday and Easter but we had the opportunity to celebrate each day of Holy Week. We could talk about the Triumphal Entry on Sunday and focus on the different aspects of Jesus’ final teachings with the Apostles each day that week. We could give a full day to the Last Supper, another to the arrest and false trial, and spend Good Friday detailing the events of the crucifixion. With all of that said and done the focus of Easter Sunday was entirely on celebrating the resurrection.

Resurrection Sunday

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24 ESV)

Happy Monday

Happy Easter

Happy Monday

We’re going to go ahead with a couple of Easter bits, because next Monday will be too late. 

Above: Easter garden. Look carefully, that’s a flower pot base.