Easter bunnies, easter eggs, easter baskets, candy, gifts, and so much more. Nothing wrong with these things in and of themselves. But they can be a distraction from the true meaning of Easter. In the midst of all these things, how can we help our children focus on what Easter is really all about? Thriving Family magazine offers daily crafts and activities to do together as a family during Passion Week to help your family focus on Christ. Check it out here.
Hosannah To Christ
I have a book with a couple hundred hymns by Isaac Watts, and I found this one that goes along with Palm Sunday. We are planning to sing it this Sunday using the familiar tune to O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing (both hymns share the same meter and the music fits well). Read the words and notice their theological depth in reference to the person of Christ that leads to the call to praise him.
Hosannah To Christ
Isaac Watts
Hosannah to the royal Son
Of David’s ancient line!
His natures two, his person one,
Mysterious and divine.
The root of David here, we find,
And offspring is the same:
Eternity and time are join’d
In our Immanuel’s name
Bless’d he that comes to wretched men
With peaceful news from heav’n!
Hosannahs of the highest strain
To Christ the Lord be giv’n!
Let mortals ne’er refuse to take
The hosannah on their tongues,
Lest rocks and stones should rise and break
Their silence into songs.
Passion Week Reflections
Passion Week is quickly approaching. A couple years ago I wrote some daily reflections to help me retrace the steps of Jesus from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday. You can make use of them by clicking on the appropriate links below:
Palm Sunday: Praise – Rejoice in the Messiah
Monday: Preaching – Give All To Him
Tuesday: Predictions – Take Up Your Cross
Wednesday: Prophecy – Be Alert
Good Friday: Plot – The Plans of God and Men
Pardon – In My Place
Passion – Remember the Cross
Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Everlasting to Everlasting
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
-Psalm 90:1-2
The Pursuit of Joy
Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4). But that is often easier said than done. In the midst of the storms of life, how can we pursue joy in Christ? Mark Altrogge gives us 25 helpful suggestions which include praise, prayer, the Word, serving, giving, and more. Read the whole thing here, and find help to rejoice in the Lord always.
My Mighty Rock
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.
– Psalm 62:5-8
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading.
The Gospel
Trevin Wax outlines six counterfeit gospels – and I suspect each of us are tempted to lean towards one of them.
Tim Chester discusses our desire to be our own Savior.
Tullian Tchividjian reminds us that our identity is not found in possessions or position or anything but Christ (we need to be reminded of this again and again!).
Family
Sam Crabtree discusses the importance of affirmation in marriage.
Mark Altrogge suggests several ways that we provoke our children to anger (do some of them sound a bit too familiar?).
More Good Stuff
Stephen Altrogge considers how we should respond when someone confesses sin to us.
John MacArthur offers some helpful questions to ask related to issues that Scripture does not specifically address.
Hope you have a wonderful Lord’s Day worshipping the Lord with your church family!
Though The Mountains Be Moved
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Psalm 46:1-3
What About My Job?
What does my job have to do with Christ? Some Christians seem to think that they have to waste 40 hours a week working. Ministry is important; work is just necessary. Of course many non-Christians think they have to waste 40 hours a week working so they can afford to party all weekend. Many Christians might feel the same – though they may “party” in different ways. But is work really just a necessity? What if our job is a calling from God? What if we were created to work? What if we can glorify God in our work? And what if the Bible can practically change the way we approach work next Monday morning?
A couple of weeks ago, Bob Thune addressed these issues and more in a four part series. Each part is well worth your consideration; together they may change your entire approach to your work:
Higher Than I
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
– Psalm 61:1-3
(Pictures taken at Cumberland Gap)
