When facing God you think of choir voices, a holy moment but what if God came to you to pick a fight? Imagine God saying “you want some of Me?” This weekend we will be talking about when God comes to you ready to rumble. It is sad to say but way to often we think of God not fighting for us or fighting with us, it is as if He is not willing to step into our world, but wait, isn’t that exactly what Jesus did? This weekend we will unpack a fight between God and a man that may very well change the way you see your relationship to God.

8 a.m.
Jesus is Led Away to be crucified.
(Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:16-17)

9 a.m. – “The Third Hour”
The hammer blows can be heard in the valley as they nail Him to the cross.

Mark 15: 25 – It was the third hour when they crucified him. (NIV). The third hour in Jewish time would have been 9 a.m.

Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do now know what they are doing.” (NIV)

Not wanting to destroy his garments the Soldiers Cast Lots for Jesus’ Clothing. Literally they are playing games at the foot of the cross.
(Mark 15:24)

10 a.m.
The religious leaders insulted and mock Jesus.

Matthew 27:39-40 – And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!” (NLT)

Mark 15:31 – The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!” (NLT)

Luke 23:36-37 – The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (NLT)

Luke 23:39 – One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (NIV)

11 a.m.
Jesus forgives a Criminal.

Luke 23:40-43 – But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (NIV)

Jesus takes care of his mom by putting her in the care of John.

John 19:26-27 – When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Woman, he is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “She is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (NLT)

Noon – “The Sixth Hour”

The land grows dark and God places a veil over our eyes. For the next three hours there will be no visual accounts.

Mark 15:33 – At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. (NLT)

1 p.m.
In agony Jesus along cries out to His Father.

Matthew 27:46 – And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)

From the darkness Jesus moans “I am thirsty”.

John 19:28-29 – Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, “I am thirsty.”A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. (NLT)

2 p.m.
Jesus gives the triumphant call, “It is finished.”

John 19:30a – When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” (NLT)

Luke 23:46 – Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (NIV)

3 p.m. – “The Ninth Hour”
Events Following Jesus’ Death

The Earthquake

Matthew 27:51-52 – At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (NIV)

The Centurion – “Surely he was the Son of God!”
(Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)

The Soldiers Break the Thieves’ Legs
(John 19:31-33)

The Soldier Pierces Jesus Side
(John 19:34)

Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
(Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

That is Friday.

There are those who work and have to take time off to get away from what they do so they can do what they enjoy. Not me. I love what I do. For me Church is life, it is the most invigorating, intoxicating, interesting, thing God allows me to do. I don’t do ministry to get money, to get fame, or to get ahead, I do it because it is what I was made to do and when I am active in the work of the church I feel God’s pleasure. I love that. So why do I go “off the grid”? Because though I enjoy ministry, I must have a love relationship with Jesus first. Jesus demonstrated this lifestyle by “often” getting alone with God. I have to be careful that what I do doesn’t become WHO I worship. Alone time in the word, alone time in prayer, alone time meditating sets the record straight in my heart. So what does alone time look like for me?

For me, alone time is within the banks of the White River. Deep within the back woods of the pristine land preserved to keep our natural history I find quiet. Earlier this week I shut off the boat and let it drift and listened. No sounds at all. No mechanical vibrations, no music, no tire noise, nothing. Total silence. That can only be found very few places. It was there I enjoyed a moment with friends and a moment with God. A distraction-less instant that fed my soul.

Alone time for me includes adrenaline. I have to admit I love risk. About ten years ago I designed and built a hot rod boat. Built to run the shallow water of the refuge. Under the disguise of an average fishing boat it is 200 horses of sheer white knuckle experience all packed in an aluminum jet boat. It is a blast to say the least. Careening down the shallow water of one of the hundreds of sloughs off the main channel or jetting across the flooded ground between the river and an oxbow lake that needs to be fished, it always provides adventure and a scare now and then. This year we decided to “shoot the gap” between the river channel and Goose Lake. Well…we missed, a large tree hanging over the gap caught the edge of the front of the boat and kicked us sideways (did I mention we were full throttle?) headed straight for a tree, at that moment I had two choices, one, the riskiest of the two was to try to fight back control of the boat and leave the throttle pegged, the other was to hammer the engine in reverse in hopes we could stop before impacting a huge oak we were headed toward. I chose the first, it almost worked, we didn’t hit the tree head on but did catch it in the side. Oh well it added a new dent to the already well used hull. It is interesting that when you are in fear for your life how things come into perspective. I’m not recommending this just letting you know a little about me. When given the choice of slowing down and waiting or hammer the gas and go for it, most of the time I will choose the gas over the break.

Alone time for me is meeting all the characters that live on and run the river. We call them river rats. They are all commercial fishermen who have made a life out of what lives in the banks of the mighty White. I love their stories, their ideas, and their unusual lives. I love to hear from people very different from me. It is kind of funny how these guys always help me find our fish. They give me bait, tips, and even locations to fish. This year one conversation landed us a 25lb Blue. I love to meet interesting people. It helps me to remember my God paints with a broad brush.

Alone time for me is a camp fire, the sun setting, and listening to the water run. It is a time of remembering Who I love, which is much more important that what I do. Getting off the grid reminds me that God is first, my family is second, and ministry comes in behind those, easy to list but easy also to get out of order. I don’t know what alone time looks like for you but I do know you have to have it.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
-Luke 5:16 NIV

“Be still, and know that I am God;
-Psalms 46:10 NIV

On or around AD60 God chose to give us a glimpse into the things that would soon happen. He chose to let us see beyond the veil of today and look into the future. On the Island of Patmos John the Apostle received this apocalyptic vision. He wrote down all that he saw and compiled this vision in a book. This book has been passed down from generation to generation many have sought to understand, debate, and even use the book to predict the coming events. Its title is recognized by both the religious as well as the unbeliever. It is revered and respected as the most authoritative book for understanding what is to come. The book is known as The Book Of Revelation. Its impact on the Apostle John’s life was so profound that he is now known as John the Revelator.

The Book of revelation is written in chronological code. To understand it you must have the key. That key to its understanding is found in the book itself in its first chapter and nineteenth verse. We will use this key to understand the things which “are” and fast forward to understand the things “that will take place after this.”

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
-John Apostle AD68
Revelation 1:19 NKJV

This is the first time I have had a chance to clean my desk off at my office in Sherwood. It was littered with papers, books, flyers, sales circulars, Christmas cards, and a little trash (just a little) all piled up. The signs of a very busy season. Most of the heaps and mounds of paper were ideas, plans, and dreams for the season leading up to Christmas. What caught my eye were all the many thoughts that got no further than the paper they were haphazardly written on. They went no where, being over looked before they had launched. Admittedly some of these projects were left because they were too expensive, others were too difficult and large to undertake, and others because there weren’t enough people or resources to pull them off. The unfulfilled dreams made their way to my waist paper resting place (and yes we do recycle).

In addition to all the plans that were undone were the plans that turned into projects that resulted in life change. The original idea stayed intact and made a difference in many lives. It was a joy looking through lofty ideas that birthed into something great.

There were other notes and paper work as well scattered on my very messy desk. There were notes and messages from people that I needed to call. Some because they wanted to celebrate something great others were much more somber, they were messages letting me know someone had gotten horrible news or a loved one had passed away. Reading these I relived those days of celebration and heart break. None the less each one was discarded into the trash of yesterday.

After about an hour of cleaning and discarding I could finally see my desk! Now I have room for new projects, new ideas, and new opportunities! Last season is over, yesterday is gone. I must live in today. A great lesson from my desk is that I can’t spend too much time on yesterday’s achievements or disappointments because the clock is ticking and today is now! As a leader you must have a short memory of your failures and your victories or you will make no difference today.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. Phil 3:13-14 NLT

Today sleet and freezing rain has covered the ground. The house is quiet. The normal scurry of school preparation has been replaced by the silence of sleep. And I wonder…

My mind considers things. Yesterday was the normal near end week at a church with more to do than people to do it. So often our ministry expectations, & hopes are crushed under the reality that the God life is filled with difficulties, sacrifices, and hardship. Don’t get me wrong there are incredible blessings and much to be celebrated along this journey with our Father, but people don’t get discouraged, or quit because of the good stuff. No, it is the difficult grind of fighting a world, an Enemy and our own flesh that wears us down to a frazzle (as my mom has been known to say). It is in this environment we can become a killing field.

I consider the following passage from Jesus to be one of the most enlightening passages in all of the Bible when it comes to realities of Christ following:

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matt 13:18-23 NIV

As you probably realize this passage is the explanation of a parable that Jesus told about a farmer who sowed seeds in his garden. The seed fell in one of four places. Each of these places say something about the soil and the soil says something about us. I think it is important to notice that there is no faulty seed just faulty soil.

The first ground that lacks produce is the seed that falls on top of the ground and according to the parable the “birds” quickly snatch it up. Jesus explains that this is a picture of Satan as the word (or seed) is given but isn’t accepted into the soil (or soul) it is vulnerable. How many messages have been given and we didn’t take them to heart. How many times have we been told and we didn’t accept it. Each time Satan is faithful to steal it away. Lost opportunity, lost chances, lost futures. So it is for those who carelessly leave the seed unprotected in their hearts it is stolen by the ultimate thief. For them the plan of God dies on top of the unaccepting soil.

The second ground is the ground that is the “Rocky” places. Other passages tell us that this is the seed that falls along the path. It is the seed that is caught on the move. Jesus tells us that this is the person who receives the seed “with Joy”. A better interpretation is a person who accepts God and His plan out of emotion. A song was played or a story was told, and it pulled at their heart strings and they responded quickly, and emotionally. The problem here is there is no “roots”. Nothing to anchor the decision. Emotional decisions seldom stand the test of time. People who passionately make decision very often change their minds with the same passion and speed. Impulsive is the word that comes to mind to describe this group, always passionate, never consistent. Notice Jesus tells us that the reason the seed doesn’t produce is because of shallow roots and persecution. Several years ago, I remember watching a video about an orphanage in another country that was filled with children who had no parents and very little care. I remember my heart breaking for these kids. I also remember the outpouring of American families who wanted to make a difference in these kids lives. Many went the extra mile and adopted a child, some two, from this place of neglect. A story that followed up on these families demonstrated the power of emotional decisions. Many of these middle class American homes were in turmoil after bringing home a child of severe abandon. What they thought would be a story of happily ever after turned into a nightmare. Many of these moms were taken back that a child that had spent two to three years without human touch could have so much brokenness and emotional baggage. One mother said she wanted to send her child back. Dashed expectations, broken dreams, these parents thought that if they brought a kid home and simply placed them into their world all would be wonderful. The reality is life change is hard work and as Jesus outlines in the parable, so is ministry. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t remind someone that ministry is work and persecution comes with the territory. This isn’t a novel or a fairy tale, this is real life and life is hard, especially if you are living sacrificially. Without roots to anchor, you will be disappointed at best and quit at worst. The short lived plants of God’s work will lay dead on the scorched dirt of your life.

The third ground is one that receives the seed. It is unlike the first in that the seed isn’t on top of the ground. It is unlike the second that has no depth. It has depth, and root but it lacks a clear view of the sun (Son). Jesus explains here that it is possible for the plant to spring up, and even survive. I would imagine this plant would look just like the healthy plants, lacking only one thing, fruit. What keeps this plant from its rightful place in the production line? Worries and stuff. It is easy to look like a Christian, it is even easy to talk like a Christian or participate in Christian activities but fruit production only comes from an intimacy with Christ. We can dress in the latest contemporary Christian styles, carry our copy of the latest translation of the Bible and even own a signed copy of the Purpose Driven Life and still fall short of what soil should be. In the end, if we produce no fruit, we are as useless as the thorns we are nestled among. Keep in mind the fruit production here isn’t the soil’s responsibility it is the seeds. The soil only needs to accept the seed, give it room for roots and keep itself clean, and the seed will then naturally be productive. If the clutter remains your life might have the appearance of a producer but the unborn fruit will die long before it enters the birth canal.

I would imagine that when Jesus spoke of this last soil sample, there was a smile on His face. I would imagine he leaned forward and looked the disciples squarely in the eyes. As He spoke, no doubt His face lit up with anticipation of a soil that receives what He says, that has depth to endure, that is carefully weeded, and produces fruit to capacity. A wonderful secret of farming is that one seed can produce hundreds of others. For this soil, the life of God will flow through the stalk into the branches and will produce life upon life. There will be no fowl stench of rotting decay and no hint of death, only the fragrant aroma of new life.

As I sip my coffee I consider the choices that stand before all of us. We will receive the seed, allow depth, and surrender to the life giving work of our husbandmen or we will become a killing field.

Last night was the first time I have ever come home from a workout with blood on my shirt. Sweat, dirt, even tears (maybe) but never blood. What is even better is it wasn’t my blood! Not that I did anything to anyone that caused them to bleed, because trust me I didn’t, but the fact remains blood was there. I’m considering retiring my “Vote for Pedro” shirt and hanging it from the rafters of my house (don’t tell my wife).

There was one point last night that was interesting. We were ‘free rolling’,(free rolling is when you are grappling with a partner and the sky is the limit). You simply want to submit your partner anyway you can, at the same time defending against being submitted. Every three minutes we had to change partners. We had just enough guys for everyone to have a partner. One guy had to go out so when it was time to switch the only guy in the room without a partner was me. So I improvised, noticing our instructor Mr. Kirby was without a partner I knew this was my chance, a real David and Goliath opportunity. So with a short prayer (of strength and such) I was off to face the giant on the battle field. There were a few problems…Mr. Kirby loves Jesus too so the idea God was going to help me against my enemy of the moment might be out (dang!). And about the time I closed the gap between him and me I heard God whisper-” he’s mine too. You’re on your own son.” (double dang) I do believe I could see a tinge of fear in his eyes when he saw me coming. (Not really). After about ten submissions in a minute I was glad we are on the same team. I was also glad we weren’t sharing a prison cell and he was lonely. Just sayin’.

So what have I learned?

1. I’m much more heroic and strong in my mind.

2. Never, and I do mean never try anything you have learned or not learned on your wife. Her response was: “At some point you will sleep.” Nuf said.

3. Don’t honk at the guy in front of you no matter what his size is, pray for him… it is way safer.

4. Life is meant to be spent living. Live it to the fullest. Take on challenges (like start MMA training at 40!). You have one shot at this thing. You can die never having lived or you can grab the life God offers you and never die. I don’t have to fear any challenges, obstacles or enemy. If I submit to Jesus, no man or problem can ever submit me. But if I don’t submit to Jesus, I am subject to every enemy. The Bible says that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ Which means that if I fear God I don’t have to fear anyone or anything else, but if I don’t fear God I will be subject to every fear.

One last thing… I am trying to get better at this so I won’t be so far behind the class. So I am working out doing weights and cardio on the days in between our training. So here is my dilemma: I can run on the treadmill, but unless the belt jumps off and wraps around my neck and throws me to the ground and tries to choke me till I pass out, or the handles grab my arm and tries to break it off at the joint it doesn’t seem to be helping that much. Any advise I will gladly listen too. As far as my progress, I will keep you posted.

My second night training in the MMA started off much better that the first one. It is comforting knowing what to expect. We started off with the normal “death by cardio” and at one point we rolled head over heals (literally) down the length of the room. Last week this is what started the nausea, not this week. Although it did make me dizzy, which at first bothered me but then I just told myself “Heck people pay a lot of good money for this feeling” and I ran back down to do it again.

This week we grappled a lot more than last. I had the chance to “roll” with three different fighters. I made a couple good moves and got choked out once. I have come to realize some things. The way Mr. Kirby (the instructor) conducts himself demands a high level of respect which brings about submissive attitudes from every one being instructed. I have found in my own life in this short span of training this environment and mental challenge is causing me to become more disciplined in every area of my life. Spiritually, emotionally, and physically I have benefited. It seems that when I make a stand in one area of my life it affects all the others. My prayer life, Bible study and devotion to God have all been strengthened by this experience (at first this was because I thought I would be meeting God soon and wanted to be prayed up!).

So this week was better. I didn’t puke, rip my shorts, or come near as close to dieing. That for me is a success. My body feels like I’ve spent two days riding across the mountains bare back on an antelope but I figure this is normal and will pass. I have a few days to recover and get ready for Tuesday of next week. I’ll keep you posted.

Opportunity is knocking the questions is will you respond. The nights are as cold as we have seen in 14 years, people have been praying for those who are less fortunate. So God is sending us. Tomorrow night we are running an emergency shelter in Little Rock for the cold and homeless. Our shift is Friday Midnight to Saturday 8AM (It’s all about putting the brightest lights on the darkest nights!) Diann Siegele (diann.siegele@aristotle.net) is a partner here at Mercy’s Cross and she is our contact. Here are some needs the shelter has currently:

If you have a team of people who would be willing to cater a good meal meaning prepare and/or purchase, deliver, and serve one of the three meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), I’d love to hear from you. We will serve meals each day at these hours:

o Breakfast at 7:30 AM
o Lunch at Noon
o Dinner at 5:30 PM
· If you are willing to purchase pillows, I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are willing to provide blankets, I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are willing to provide white towels, I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are willing to prepare small bags for each individual with personal care items (liquid soap, shampoo, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouthwash, deodorant, etc.), I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are a doctor or nurse and would be willing to staff a first aid station, I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are willing to take responsibility for getting a large flat screen television and DVD player for us to show movies three times a day (9:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 6:30 PM) and also provide six different contemporary, appropriate, and inspirational movies that we can show, I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are willing to provide appropriate snacks (i.e, fruits, individually packaged nuts, cookies, snack cakes, chips, Gatorade, Water, and/or Sodas), I’d love to hear from you.
· If you are willing to help provide a selection of books, current magazines, word and/or number puzzles, etc., available for their reading pleasure and to pass the time, I’d love to hear from you;
· If you are willing to provide cleaning supplies, garbage bags, disinfectant sprays, etc., I’d love to hear from you.
· If you have something else that you’d like to do / offer, I’d love to hear from you.

YOUR CONTACT TO GET INVOLVED IS Diann Siegele (diann.siegele@aristotle.net)