One of the Best Birthday Presents Ever

My wife and Grace Hill Media gave me one of the best birthdays I've had in quite awhile. It was a great way to mark 62 years. Grace Hill Media invited pastors from the area to a premiere screening of the movie 42, the story of Jackie Robinson. It will open in theaters on April 12.

It was an incredible movie. It was obviously written and directed by people who want this story of courage and faith to be told. For themovie is filled with compassion, pathos, laughter, intrigue and a sense of a mission. I tis not overbearing or preachy but addresses the issue of racism and breaking the color barrier head on with humility and courage.

I really appreciated the role faith played in the life of Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson. While it was overly played up or presented in a sappy self pious manner, it came off as being something true and genuine aobut both of these men. It was part of the fabric of their bery being.

One of the reasons this movie was so meaningful for me, is the scene with Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. One of my old friends and a member of my home church was Preacher Roe. Preacher Roe began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals but later became a part of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was part of the team when Jackie became the first black major league player.

In a conversation we had, Preacher Roe described that moment when Pee Wee Reese walked over and put his arm around Jackie as he was being booed and called all sorts of dispicable names. It was exactly as I imagined it in my mind when Preacher was telling the story. He told me that Pee Wee and Jackie became close friends.

The movie challenges us to continue to live their legacy today. Racism isn't over. It's still prevelent. We don't use that same language we used back then. Things have gotten better, a lot better, but even that is not enough. I dream for the day when no one will be thought less of because of the color of their skin, their nationality or their gender. I believe that world IS possible through the love of God in Christ. In the movie, Branch Rickey was talking to another General Manager and said something to the effect that God told us to "Love our neighbors as ourselves" eight different times in the Bible. It's the thing God told us to do the most, so it must be important. It will take that kind of love to get us closer. And it was that kind of love, put into action, which was portrayed in this movie.

He Is Risen Indeed

Today was a fantastic culmination of a great series of Holy Week services. Palm Sunday was a unique presentation of music, scripture, videos and dramatic readings retelling the story of Jesus final week. It began with the entire congregation participating in a Palm Procession. Wit lots of song and laughter we circled the Sanctuary and laid out palms at the foot of the cross. These palm branches will be saved, dried out and burnt. Their ashes will be the ashes we use during next year's Ash Wednesday Service.

After the procession, we moved into the telling of the story. Our choir did a fantastic job singing the hymns and music our Music Director Wendi Bernau chose for the service. The videos, Scripture and vignettes brought the events of the week to life.

Thursday, Maundy Thursday Communion service, was based on an idea I saw somewhere online. We followed the events in Jesus life just before Passover until His death on the cross by looking at the various watches and hours, Beginning with the ninth hour, both bells and a shofar announced the times. We sang, read Scripture and reflected on the events together. Of course, we also celebrated the Sacrament.

Friday was a protestant version of the Stations of the Cross. I have worked on and developed this service ever since I found a pilgrim's guide and brief form of the Stations in the pocket of the seat on our bus while on our first trip to Israel back in 1992. Over the years I have enhanced it with pictures and music. But it wasn't until I visited the Cross of the Plains in Groom, Texas, that it came alive.
Around the 19 story metal cross is an artists lifesized sculptures of the various stations.  I found them extremely inspiring, so much so that I have taken three seperate trips to both photgraph and film the various statues. Currently, the artist is working on the Last Supper.

This Sunday morning was supposed to be dark and storm with thunderstorms rolling through. Instead it was a beautiful day with a cool breeze. A big crowd showed up for our community Sunrise service at Vesper Point on the grounds of Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center. I was blessed to be asked to preach this year.

Back at FUMC Glen Rose, both our 8:30 and 11:00 worship services were packed. If not a record crowd, then close to a record crowd was in attendance. Again, the choir outdid themselves. During both of these service the Bell Choir also added to beauty of this day.

Between services we held an Easter brunch inviting all of our guests and friends to share in light meal as we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus. I made a cake for the event, however, no one would eat it. They said they couldn't eat art. However, I did send it home with one of the families.

All in all it was a great celebration of the Resurrection. Remember: The Resurrection is real. I know it's real because someone I trusted told me it was real; it has withstood the test of time and I have experienced Resurrection in my life and seen how the power of Resurrection has not inspired others but given them both hope and new life. HE IS RISEN. HE IS RISEN INDEED.