One More For JC

It was nine in the morning when they crucified him…And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,  ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’  (which means  ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ ).  When some of those standing near heard this, they said, ‘Listen, he’s calling Elijah.’  Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,’ he said.  With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. (Mark 15:25, 15:34-37) Growing up, I must have said the following words from the Apostles’ Creed thousands of times: “ For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.”  I said it so often the sting of the final few words got lost on me after awhile.  But last year, in reading the gospel of Mark, the above verses really hit home: “It was nine in the morning when they crucifie...

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11) My aunt just posted a picture from Christmas Eve from a few decades back from my grandparents’ home – it shows a pile of gifts overflowing the tiny living room in their tiny house.  Their home was always way too small and way too hot, but somehow it was always perfect.  What that home lacked in size was more than compensated for by love.  Christmas Eve was always my favorite day of the year – not just for the gifts coming my way – but because it was the one day of the year I could see almost all of my family members.  It was also the day I got to indulge on my grandmother’s cooking (and each pierogi and stuffed cabbage that she hand-crafted for countless hours to perfection). :)  As a young boy, I remember continu...

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) I’ve been a Boston Celtics fan for almost 40 years – there have been a lot of high points to my fandom over the years, but Tuesday night was certainly one of the lowest.  For the past couple years, I’ve been hoping against hope that Gordon Hayward would join the team in free agency, and to my delight this past summer he did this just that.  Throw in an unexpected trade for another superstar in Kyrie Irving a month or so later, and this was a team I was really looking forward to watching all year.  But Tuesday night, just 5 minutes in to his Celtics tenure, Hayward jumped, came down awkwardly, and fractured his ankle and tibia.  A new team, a new season, and a new dream – all gone in 5 minutes; it was beyond heartbreaking.  Having endured a similar injury myself almost 25 years ago playing basketball, I ...

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. (2 Corinthians 1:10) I love the song ‘ Do It Again ’ by Elevation Worship.  However, it is admittedly an extra-emotional walk through the journey of my life… “Walking around these walls – I thought by now they’d fall. But you have never failed me yet.” – And I get taken back to the four walls in my bedroom in NJ and the depression I battled for years in the 90s, clinging to the hope that the Lord would one day help me break free. “Waiting for change to come – knowing the battle’s won. For you have never failed me yet.” – And I get taken back to 2006 praying for the Lord to end all the months of suffering for my Dad and Grandmother, and take them to a better life. “I know the night won’t last – your word will come to pass.  My heart will sing your praise again.” – And I get taken back to those long days in 2015 when I ...

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) “Good Friday – Gratitude not Guilt” - a friend of mine just posted that on Facebook, and what a great reminder that is.  I can recall growing up dreading Good Friday – carrying what felt like a ton of guilt throughout each one of those 24 hour days (not to mention all the hatred and resentment I felt for those responsible for crucifying Christ).  Little did I know at the time, but sadly I was one of those people – as Christ willingly laid His life down to save all sinners, most notably me.  Ironically with that knowledge, came increasing thanksgiving not increasing guilt – for I came to realize that we have a Savior that loved us so much He was willing to give all, even death on a cross. I never understood why Good Friday was called good – Horrible Friday always seemed more appropriate – but as my gratitude for what Christ did on that day continues to grow, so does the ...

Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace.  All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, says the Lord Almighty. Not a root or a branch will be left to them.  But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.  And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.  Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act, says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 4:1-3) Every time I turn on the news these days, I expect to hear about some new, horrific, horrible tragedy taking place somewhere in the world.  It’s become so prevalent that it can seem that evil is triumphing, but the truth of the matter, it will last only for a season.  The same evil that rejoiced over the crucifixion and death of Christ relinquished its triumph just three days later at His joyous resurrection.  The evil taking p...

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17) I was blessed to be able to connect with five of my best friends this past weekend.  I’ve known them most of my life – some as far back as second grade.  From the first “Z Man!” it didn’t take long to revert to that child-like side of me – the one spewing one saying after another we made up some three decades ago – and loving every minute of it.  We’re still the ultra-competitive bunch giving every last drop of energy to pull out the Monopoly victory or a win on the bocce court tucked beautifully in a California vineyard.  Nobody has ever summoned my competitive will more than these guys – either in the classroom, athletic field, or board game; and few have ever raised my frustration level as high (especially when at the losing end of something). But few have ever been there for me as much as these guys – in the good times and the bad.  From dropping everything to at...