The Light That Burns

Luke 24-John 1

Jesus rises from the dead, walks, talks and eats with His disciples, ascends into heaven, is proceeded by John the Baptist, calls men to follow Him, renames some and sees into the past. 

“And they said to one another, “Where not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?’” Luke 24:32

There is no doubt that Jesus was a historical figure.  The doubt comes from the claim that He is Deity, the living Son of God.  The Bible makes the claim but only Christ can confirm it in a human heart.  To the believer it is a burning light of hope.  To the unbeliever it is the incomprehensible impossible.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.   And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-5

Road to Emmaus
unknown
This picture hangs over my parents bed.

I'm OK, You're OK

Luke 21-23

“…but they kept calling out, saying “Crucify, crucify Him!”’  23:21

Why did they want to kill Jesus?

If He came today why would we want to kill Him?

They wanted and we want to get rid of Him.  In man’s deepest heart resides this utter untruth,

“I’m OK!”

Crucifixion
by Andrea Mantegna

Can You Be Quiet For A Second

Luke 18-20

It’s sadly ironic how many people dismiss Christ having never heard Him.

“…and marveling at His (Jesus) answer, they became silent.”

20:26b

Marvel always leads humans to silence.  When was the last time you marveled?

Mary Magdalene's Box of Very Percious Ointment
by James Tissot

Throwing Yourself At Jesus

(writing my Sunday school lesson)

Have you ever been on a lake in the early morning hours when it was slick as glass and you could hear forever?  Peter in the Bible has.  After he had denied Christ and was living with the sorrowful guilt of a broken heart he decided to salve his brokenness by doing what he was doing when Christ first found him, he went fishing. 

He fished all night and didn’t catch a thing.  The salve wasn’t working.  Then that still quite morning was broken by a voice coming out over the water…

‘Have you caught anything boys?’

Peter heard his Savior!!!

“That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”  And so when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.”  John 21:7

Peter was coming to his Savior like a dying man to his Healer.

Jesus is our only hope.  Don’t you just love that!!!

Caravaggio's
Martyrdom Of St. Peter

A 10 Year Old With A Room Full Of Trophies

Luke 15-17

‘And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!’” 17:5

How does Christ respond to their question?

“He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded does he?” 17:9

Christ says, ‘Do your job and don’t expect thanks!’

Doesn’t nicely fit into our culture of affirmation where everyone gets a trophy even if you loose.  In life and faith, you don’t get a trophy for loosing or for doing your job.

Counting The Cost Of Shade

Luke 14

My yard is covered in leaves.  We raked it yesterday.  We have 32 trees in our yard.  That’s a lot of leaves.  You know why I have to rake the leaves?  Because I own them!!!  When I bought the house 16 years ago it didn’t dawn on me that I bought every leaf as well.  Every fall for 16 years I have had to take care of them. 

Ownership comes with a cost and the cost can cause you to become distracted from reality.

“So therefore, no one of you can be My (Jesus) disciple who does not give up his own possessions.” 14: 33

In the Greek this verse does not mean to abandon one’s possessions but to keep them in proper categorization. 

Leaf Category

         Shade comes at a cost.

Monet's
Willow Tree

An Eight Year Olds Football

Luke 13

“And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.” Jesus, vs. 29

One of the great joys of faith is the casting off of the burden of reality.  We feel such a burden to prove everything, to nail down all sense information into scientific data.  Faith allows you to live like a child.  Listening to falling leaves, night becoming day, crickets keeping rhythm as good as waves, and morning holds all the hope of an eight year old’s first football.

Reality for a believer is a continual state of joy filled marvel and gratefulness. 

Proving takes such an effort while faith is like reclining at the table.

What The Well Dressed Christian Is Wearing Today

Luke 12

Who do you trust?  That is the question Jesus confronts us with as we walk with Him today.  The question can be easily ascertained by acknowledging who provides you with all your basic needs, food, shelter, and safety?  That’s what Jesus told those of us  following Him. 

When I thought about His question I had to admit my answer was money.  The American dollar meets all my physical needs. 

I’m glad He didn’t ask for a public response!!!

God save me from this sea of wealth I’m drowning in!

My studio assistant Megan Pedan sewing my latest art work titled
today's title.

Walking Alone With A Silly Person

Luke 10-11

Jesus speaking, “Then watch out that the light in you may not be darkness.” 11:36

I am often surprised by how many people trust their feelings, senses and brain to answer the great mysteries of our lives.  I have lived enough with my emotions, my senses and my brain to know how often they fool me.   It’s confusing to always be hanging out with someone, yourself, who often misleads and misguides you.  

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to walk alone through life with only yourself to keep you company?  You might end up thinking wrong is right or good is bad.

Post Script:  The book, “The Death of Adam” is a great read.

Jesus Christ The Light Of The World
by Mark Lawrence

Can You Hear Christ Shouting?

Luke 8-9

Everyday we awaken to the world the way we left it.  We move, drink, play, hurt and having conscious being.  I am sitting in a forest; a slight breeze bringing leafs floating down in gentle whispers, a whisper that denies their miracle. 

Walking with Christ today was a loud and noisy affair, the crowds were every where, pressing in, demanding, wanting something from Him and often if He was to be heard He had to shout;

‘As He (Jesus) said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’” 8:8

Every morning presents us with a new opportunity to spend time alone with Christ.   Before the clamor begins, the crowds press in and if you need to hear him he might have to shout. 

I like the quiet, silent whispers of Christ….

Christ's "Transfiguration"
by Raphael

A Barn Full Of Falls

East Tennessee

At times sun gently floating through fall leaves can so move me to adore God that my heart aches as if I had grown into love for the first time in the history of the earth. 

At times I believe that the earth, the good earth, is the vehicle by which God will transport me to heaven. 

This song is sung on the wings of winter, singing in on rain from the northwest, a soft rain born somewhere beautiful like the Dakotas or Glacier or if we are deeply in the faith maybe even way up on the Brooks Range winding the Dalton Highway.

But faith for me always awakens at center in the ancient hills of East Tennessee.

I was reminded this week that God has a barn full of falls to pick from.  He sure picked a good one this year!

Thank You God!!!

How many does He need to paint before
we will worship Him?

Don't Drop A Stitch

Luke 5-7

Three beautiful truths can weave your heart to Christ this morning!

1.    “Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him,” 7:9

      When was the last time Jesus heard of you and marveled?

2.    “Are you the Expected One, or do we look for someone      

else?” 7:19b.   John the Baptist is doubting?  It is common to doubt even to doubt your salvation.  I think it was Martin Luther who said on this subject, ‘I don’t feel saved and often I don’t even think I am saved but praise God I am saved.’

3.    “A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed five

hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both.  Which of them therefore will love him more?”  Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”  And He (Jesus) said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 7:41-43

My debt is beyond measure!!!

Don’t Read This Blog

Luke 3-4

How do you get your Jesus?  By that I mean; how do you allow Jesus to come to you?  In what form do you know Him?  Unfortunately, most get Him from unreliable sources, humans!!!

This truth is played out in this passage when Satan tempts Christ in the wilderness.  Satan uses scripture to represent God, but he misinterprets it for his own purposes.  God came to Jesus by an unreliable source, Satan.

When we come to the point of truly wanting to know Jesus, He will come in only one form, Himself.  If you want to truly know Jesus you must get Him in a truly reliable form, your Bible, His Word!!!

“And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips;” 4:22

Repin's
Follow me, Satan,
The Temptation of Christ

Whose Your Favorite

Luke 2

Today’s reading is one of the most beautiful and familiar passages of recorded history.  The simplicity and sincere expression of the events of Christ’s birth can never be equaled.  A government moves the entire world to get Mary to Bethlehem.  A feed trough becomes the first earthly home of God and angles announce the event to men fragrantly steeped in earth and animal.

Here is the sweetest note.

“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” 52

Is Jesus increasing in favor with you?

Simeon In The Temple
by Jurgen Ovens

Eden's Prose

Luke 1

Luke is called the most beautiful book ever written and chapter one is prose of the most heavenly kind.  It is fitting that as one translates the voice of God the transcribing would sound like wind in the trees of Eden.  Listen!

“Because of the tender mercy

         of our God,

With which the Sunrise from on

         high shall visit us,

To shine upon those

         who sit in darkness

         and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the

         way of peace.”  78-79

This is going to be a glorious walk with “God with us”!!!

Leonardo DaVinci's
Virgin of the Rocks
Mary introducing the infant Christ
to John the Baptist

Ready Or Not Here I Come

Mark 16

“He has risen; He is not here” 16:6

How is Jesus going to be “with you” anymore?  You left Him in the grave but He is no longer there.  The greatest figure in all of recorded history is no longer where you left Him.

Where did you leave Jesus?  At the altar where He saved you?  At college where He was educated out of you?  At church where you leave Him?  At your believing group of friends or at you last crisis? 

If Christ does not rise in your life every morning it is doubtful that He will be found where you left Him.  But you can find Him!!!

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

It’s not a game of hide and seek but a life of search and serve.  Find out where Jesus is working and go and serve there!!!

Corregio's
Mary Magdalene With The Risen Christ
(can't you hear Him saying "and Peter")

Alone Again Un-Naturally

Mark 14-15

We walked to the cross with Christ today.  Through the garden, the betrayal, the trial, mocking, beating, onto the cross and finally we walked away alone with Christ in the grave. 

We are all alone!!!

What would you give to have Christ back with you, Emmanuel, God with us???

Christ In The Sepulcher With Angels
by William Blake

Steve Jobs and Death

Mark 11-13

Jesus’ triumphal entry, beating up the moneychangers, continual debate with non-believers and the signs of the end of days take up most of our walk with Christ this morning.

Someday Christ is going to return to earth and claim all who are His.  Last night I listened to Steve Jobs commencement address to Stanford University.  He spoke of his death and how it had brought into clarity all of life.  He said death was the greatest gift to life because it cleared out all the distractions.  I faced my own death one time.  It changed my life.  It created in me an overwhelming desire to experience life.  Up until that point all that I had done was to try in every way to entertain my physical body.  Death forced me to reconcile life with my own existence and I came up sorely missing.  I needed life.  What I really needed was to be reborn, to literally die to the existence I had created and to accept life as it was meant to be.  Christ offered me that opportunity.  He is the only way that Lee could become Lee and that is the only Lee that Christ will come and get.

Georgio Klontzas, Last Judgement, 16th C.

A New York State Of Mind

Mark 8-10

No one can walk on the earth and not at some point ask themselves, ‘who put all this together?’  I am in the rolling mountains of western New York and the hills are alive, sparkling like red rubies, yellow sapphires and orange opals.  Someone knows how to do color and every leaf is a love note on His piano solo to us.

Jesus wants us to know Him.  He asked today,

‘And He (Jesus) continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” 8:29

Who is Jesus to you?  He asked!  Why not answer Him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZh8YjbDiVk

Is "Dog" A Bad Name?

Mark 5-7

“Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 7:27

As we walk with Christ today we may cringe at His response to the Syrophoenician women who is lying at His feet begging for Him to heal her daughter.  How are we to view such seemingly harsh words from our Lord who never sins?

I don’t know!!!

Here are two things I do know. 

Dogs are the most loyal of animals, loving to the end, faithful, wanting only your company for a lifetime of devotion.

The women got what she was begging for, Jesus healed her daughter.  

The Syrophoenician Women
unknown

Coexist, Not A Bumper Sticker

Mark 2-4

There is such beauty in truth, the sincerity of knowing the certainty of reality.  That is one of the main themes of Christ as we walk with Him.  He tells us the truth.  The main truth is that all humans are sinners and are guilty because of it.  I know that.  My life and past reveal to me that I have wronged on so many occasions.  A truth that Christ reveals in this passage is that humans are incapable of becoming aware of the sin in their life.  It is the Holy Spirit who’s responsible for revealing it to us.  It is Satan’s desire to keep us unaware. 

The greatest dilemma of man is how to rid us of not only the sin but the ultimate penalty of sin, forever and eternal separation from God. 

“But in order that you may know that the Son of Man (Jesus) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” 2:10a

This is the sincerity of truth that allows us the joy of peaceful coexistence with God.  We can walk daily in peace with Him because we have accepted by faith, Jesus’ forgiveness of all our sins. 

COEXIST.  NOW THERE’S A BUMPER STICKER

All Will Be Well

Matthew 27-Mark 1

We walked with Christ to His death this morning, to His resurrection and again through the cities and towns of Galilee as He begins His public ministry. 

Don’t you love being with Jesus?  As long as we are with Him we feel and believe that all will be well.  You know why?  Because He makes it so.

‘And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”’  Matthew 28:18

Van Gogh's Pieta

Sweet Perfume Or The Stench Of Spit

Matthew 25-26

“a women came to Him (Jesus) with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it upon His head as He reclined at the table.” 26:7

‘Then they spat in His (Jesus) face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, and said, “Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?’” 26:67-68

As Christ was with us this morning we witnessed unbelievable acts of adoration and cruelty.  Would we do either to “You Christ?”

“And the King (Jesus) will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’” 25:40

Today we can literally be perfume on Christ’s head or spit on His face.  

I wonder if hanging on the cross Jesus could still smell the sweet fragrance of absolute adoration?

Wearing Out Your Heart

Matthew 22-24

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your mind.”  22:37

Have you ever wanted to love in this way?  It is the highest calling and the truest manifestation of your heart, soul and mind.  Has yours ever been used for their highest calling?

Harvesting Lint

Matthew 19-21

‘And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”’  20:32

Unbelievably important question, what do we want Jesus to do for us? 

It is a shame that most Americans only want Jesus to spare them from hell.  When all the treasures of all the cosmos and Heaven are up for grabs we collect lint to build lives that could be gathered in our navels.

Christs Entry Into Jerusalem

This Man Called The Christ

Matthew 15-18

‘He (Jesus) said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”’ 16:15

I once heard a drunk say it this way, “What am I going to do with this man called The Christ?”

This is the most critical question every human must answer.  Why?

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”  16:26

What are you going to do with this man called The Christ?

Beaver Parable

Matthew 13-14

God with us, Christ, often lived easily outside the laws that enslave us to our world.  Case in point, He could walk on water, 14:25.  The miracle is that He invites us to live outside the laws ourselves, to exist as Son’s of The Most High God.  Case in point, Peter walked on water as well, 14:29

He invites us all to live outside the laws that bind us, case in point, “love your enemies.”  5:44

Walking with Jesus will often require us to live outside the safety net of the laws that seemingly keep us safe.  As a wise beaver once said, “Who said anything about safe?  Course He He isn’t safe.  But He’s good!”

William Thomas Thompson's Simon Peter Walks On Water.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Thompson
and curating a show of his.

Are You Tired Out There?

Matthew 10-12

“Come to Me (Jesus), all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My load is light.”  11”28-30

“Come to Me…” confirms what we discussed yesterday; some of you have stopped walking with Jesus to go your own way.  “Come to Me…” also confirms the greatest promise of all time;

Christ will always take you back!!!

“Come to Me…” 

Jesus The Good Sheperd

Every Wall Has A Gate

Matthew 7-9

As we walked with Jesus today we saw Him heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, control the elements of the earth and most importantly show us He has the power to forgive sins. 

By now many who began with Him are turning away.  He’s becoming more God like with every verse and building the wall that will forever divide space, time and humans.  On one side is “the Kingdom of God”, on the other, “outer darkness.” 

We cannot find the way in unless we decide to stay with Him.

“For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those that find it.”  7:14

Christo's Running Fence in CA

Christo's Gates in NYC

He Can Walk The Talk

Matthew 5-6

Our stroll with Jesus just became a hike.

“And when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes.  He went up on the mountain...” 5:1

Why did Jesus climb mountains? 

So he could take you up there.

Enjoy the walk and talk of God.

Domus Galilaeae, Christian Center built on the traditional site of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, overlooking
the Sea of Galilea.  Sculpture depicting the Sermon

Don't Read, Stroll

Matthew 1-4

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, “God with us.”  Matthew 1:23 quote from Isaiah 7:14

God has not been “with us” since He walked in the cool of the evening with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Now He’s going to spend the next four books with us personally. 

Try this.  Drop all the debates, theology, cynicism and skepticism, the hype and controversy, the booing, smearing and swiping and just enjoy the act of being with God.  Don’t read the gospels, try daily to relax and just allow Christ, Immanuel, to be “with you” through the gospels.  That’s the point, God with us!!!

Botticelli's Nativity