I had someone question the other day the Stations of the Cross. He said I was missing one station, because there was no resurrection. I said “The Stations are about the crucifixion.” His point (and a valid one) is that without the resurrection the crucifixion is meaningless. I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say meaningless, but it is certainly not salvific without the resurrection. 

So what do you think? Is it appropriate to think about the crucifixion without also including the resurrection?

Just to expand my point, I agree that the resurrection is crucial to our salvation, and I completely believe in the historicity of that pivotal event. But, I believe that we can have moments (like Good Friday and the Stations) when we don’t consider the resurrection. We just sit in the agony of the cross. Easter is certainly about resurrection, but I think it is good for us to truly consider the cross, because we must also consider taking up our own cross and following Him. My experience with Stations and with Good Friday usually leaves me humbled and broken. And that’s a good place to be sometimes. I need to experience the pain of the cross, so that when the time comes I can be ready to carry it.

I’d love some input here. What have been your experiences with thinking about the cross (with the Stations, or Good Friday, or anything else)?

This weekend we continue our series in the Songs of Salvation. This time it is the unusual song of Deuteronomy 32 where God tells Israel just how rotten they are going to be, and what will happen to them. It doesn’t seem like a great song to sing when you’re far from God, but we’ll see that this song reminds us that God’s always there, the Rock we can rely on. When we are faithless, He is faithful. See you this weekend!

Don’t forget about Date Night at the church tomorrow night (Saturday). Doors open at 5:30, dinner at 6:15. It’ll be a great night of food and fellowship, and to support the youth on their trip to WinterJam. Donations will be accepted at the door. See you then!

When I think of boxing, the image that comes to mind right away is Mickey in Rocky’s corner yelling at him to “Keep hittin’em in the ribs ya see? Don’t let that *blank* breathe!” Every time Rocky would come back to his corner, his trainer would jump up there and get in his face, getting him to go another round. Sometimes I’ll think, it’s good to have God in my corner.

But you know, I don’t need God in my corner, I need Him in the ring! I’m no Rocky. I don’t have it in my to fight any battles. I’m weak and worthless for all that can fly my way. There is injustice, deceit, lies, and just broken situations that are always coming against me. I don’t need someone in my corner, encouraging me to hang in the fight. I need someone to put on the gloves and get in the ring for me.

This week we’re looking at the Song of Moses in Exodus 15:1-18, and the thing I’m most impressed with is how God is the one fighting. Israel had just escaped from Egypt and Pharaoh is hot on their tails. He’s saying “I’ll get’em and I’ll moidah’em (to quote from the Mickey Paraphrase).” Pharoah is huffing and puffing, and Israel has their back to the wall.

Just then, God blows his nose (look at v.8) and the waters part for Israel. And one more breath and Egypt’s army is doing the dead-man’s float. Israel didn’t need God to be standing in the background saying “Go get’em.” They needed a warrior to go fight for them. And that’s just what God did.

Today I needed to hear that. God, will you be our warrior! We need someone to fight for us, and you’re the only one who can do it.

Our logo, if you’re interested.

Well, we’re at the end of a month. How are you doing so far? 

I’m caught up now, though I missed an entire week last week, so I had to have about an hour of reading to catch up on Sunday night. 

It’s not to late to get caught up. If you read two sections a day instead of one, by the end of February you’ll be right back with us. So jump on in, the water’s fine!

Olivia Newton-John, eat your heart out!

No, not really.

This weekend at Living Hope we’re talking about physical prayers. It’s kind of a smorgasbord of spiritual disciplines, all of which focus on prayers while doing. We’re going to learn about the labyrinth, pilgrimage, stations of the cross, and fasting. All of these are physical means to a spiritual end.

I have to admit, I’ve only done one of these myself (fasting) so I won’t be speaking from experience here, but I’m challenging myself to take one of these on in the coming week. I might go do the stations of the cross this afternoon.

Have you ever participated in fasting, or any of the others above? How did it go?

See you all Sunday.

We’re having a party for the Superbowl on Sunday, February 4. Bring something yummy to share and a friend. Whether you like football or just like the commercials, it’ll be a blast. Starts at 4:30.

I’ve just reread “Praying In Color” by Sybil MacBeth for this weekends sermon (it’s a pretty short book, so don’t be too impressed by my reading) and I’m going to try her technique of praying basically through doodling. Are you a doodler? I am.

I doodle, especially during meetings, because if I don’t I will completely lose focus. Using art (or some approximation of it in my case) has a long history in the church and in prayer. We use art to focus our prayers and we make art to give voice to our prayers. It’s like a holy-doodle. We are such visual people, yet for some reason we think prayer has to be “eyes closed, heads down, and wordy.” I just don’t buy that. I think prayer can take lots of different forms, and art is such a satisfying way to connect with God.

Have you tried praying in color? How has it worked for you?