Morgan and Akeptous

Morgan Freeman will be filming the third season of National Geographic's "The Story of God" in Israel.  The show has spotlighted several world religions, but an archeological discovery at a prison in 2005 will be highlighted in this documentary on Christianity.  A mosaic dating back to 230 AD which ascribes divinity to Jesus was uncovered in what is thought to be one of the many "house churches" that served as the seeds for the growth of Christianity.  The mosaic references a woman, Akeptous, which confirms the importance of women  in the early churches.  We had our weekly ConnectGroup meeting in our home last night.  It is comforting for me to be a part of a tradition that has endured and flourished for 2000 years.

Rules and Regs

Last night in our ConnectGroup meeting, we focused on the closing verses of Colossians 2.  In Paul's letter to the church in Colossae, he is warning the members not to be distracted by the people who are adding rules of conduct that would serve to elevate some believers above others.  That sparked a lively discussion in our group about which current day rules are "good" rules and which ones aren't, and more importantly, who gets to decide.  How does this look to people outside the Christian faith who see us picking and choosing which ones to follow and which ones not to?  Well, regrettably, we weren't able to come up with all the answers, but we were are able to lean on verse 17, "These (rules) are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to  Christ."  We believe that He was pleased with our struggle to find the answers last night - and always.

The White Stuff

I got the opportunity for a boys-only road trip with my son, Michael, and my grandson, Levi.   We will be skiing for two days in NC.   It’s a little hard to break away from work, especially when Michael is my real estate partner, but it is so worth it.  I have had two trips with Michael’s older son, Evan, but this is a first for Levi.  I hope Levi is able to manage the white stuff on the slopes as well as he is managing the white stuff at Chick-fil-A on the way up!

Life force

Dante Sipp is a gymnastics coach south of Atlanta.  Dante is on the organ donation list for a new kidney.   A healthy kidney will practically ensure another 30 years of productive life.   A stranger named Lauren heard his story and was moved to remarkable action.  She was tested to see if she might be a possible donor for Dante.  It was determined that she was a perfect match, and the organ donation is scheduled for March 15th.  It just so happens that Lauren is the daughter-in-law of one of the members of our ConnectGroup from church.  Please pray for the donation to proceed perfectly and praise God for Lauren and her unselfish willingness to give the gift of life.  Meet Dante and Lauren here.

Making new wine

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the struggle of a vine to grow and bear fruit.   I love the parallel to our life in Jesus.  I heard this familiar song again this morning which feels like chapter 2 of the story, with the fruit being made into wine.  Jesus is crushing and pressing the world out of us to make room for Him.   The wine that is created is unique to the fruit and the methods and circumstances used to produce it.   Take a few minutes to meditate on this with Hillsong.

Be A Pleaser

Last night, we had the first meeting of our ConnectGroup to begin our discussion of Colossians.  We have 16 members in our group and 13 were able to attend last night.  We talked about the first 14 verses of Chapter 1 and focused how we can do to please God.  As Paul is praying for the church in Colossae, he is praying for us as well.  "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you."  As only Paul can do, he has packed a year's worth of study into 4 verses (9-12).  This week, we will be focusing on doing good works, knowing God more, enduring with patience and being thankful.  That should cover it.  I wonder what next week will bring.

Listening For The Knock

I have been to a couple of art museums in the US and got to go to several when in Italy, but I am no art aficionado.  I enjoy looking at art, but don't understand what makes some classics and others just a side-note.   I saw this article about a painting by English artist William Holman Hunt of Jesus that captures the verse, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,  I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.”  It shows Jesus holding a lantern and standing at a door with no handle, indicating that it is only the person on the other side that can open the door.    This painting went on tour from 1905 to 1907 across several continents.  In Australia, it is estimated that 80% of the residents viewed the painting, and it is thought to be the world's most well-traveled painting.  I can only imagine the number of people that have been moved closer to Jesus through this great work.