Right now, we're doing the 2010 Passion Play, He Did It All For Me at Monaghan. I love this play so much. I play the apostle Peter, or as I like to call him, Peter "Rocky" Johnson! I don't really have any words to give you right now, except to act as a mockingbird to Shane Barnard's song lyrics:
A life you cannot define
A purpose that's benign
They need to see and believe
Be lead to the rugged tree
The one on which He cried
Not for His pain but for our debt
The very same tree that He conquered death
It was an unfair deal on the part of Christ
He got my sin I got eternal life
Make me the breath of God
And I'll show them the One
That means the most to me
They'll see the face of love
Be touched by the very One
That died upon the tree
Small talk is a better choice..
A way to avoid Your voice
I need to feel the dust on my knees
And lead them to the tree
The one on which He cried
Not for His pain but for our debt
The very same tree that He conquered death
It was an unfair deal on the part of Christ
He got my sin I got eternal life
Make me the breath of God
And I'll show them the One
That means the most to me
They'll see the face of love
Be touched by the very One
That died upon the tree
Will you follow me?
Lead them to the tree?
Can't you just believe?
Will you take a knee?
For eternity?
Make me the breath of God
And I'll show them the One
That means the most to me
They'll see the face of love
Be touched by the very One
That died upon the tree
Oh, I'll be the breath of God
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
En-Tree #5
After Warrior Weekend, which was a huge success, I am very excited about the 10 new brothers of the sword I have, holding their shield over me, ready to fight, I had to add a new En-Tree.
Drew made an amazing point to the guys this weekend, that there are some trees that need other trees around them, to grow with.
Pine trees grow well with other pine trees around them.
While working at Look Up Lodge, Clint and I were told to cut down some pine trees that had grown on the front of the dam. Clint and I let them know that if we cut down any trees, we needed to cut them all down, because they had all "grown-up" together. While we were at dear ol' LUL this weekend, we saw that a giant pine tree had fallen into the water, roots and all were sticking out of the ground. The trees that helped to support this tree, the trees that kept this tree going, the trees that this other tree needed to survive... were gone.
In our lives, we need each other. We need other people, rooted in our same ground, that believe and grow the same way we do, supporting us, helping us where we are weak and, at times, holding our branches up.
When Moses was told to hold his arms up until all the Israelite people went through, his arms got tired. Had his brother and sister not been there to help hold his arms up, in his weakness, then the waters would have fallen upon the people.
Life was never intended to be a solo act. YHWH never told us to go it alone. We NEED each other. Worship was intended to be a corporate act, of people turning to a holy, perfect being and thanking Him for His great mercies.
When I see trees that have grown together and have these branches reaching up towards the sky, all I can think of is our arms raised, together, praising YHWH!
I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way
they have to live than other things do.
- Willa Cather
Drew made an amazing point to the guys this weekend, that there are some trees that need other trees around them, to grow with.
Pine trees grow well with other pine trees around them.
While working at Look Up Lodge, Clint and I were told to cut down some pine trees that had grown on the front of the dam. Clint and I let them know that if we cut down any trees, we needed to cut them all down, because they had all "grown-up" together. While we were at dear ol' LUL this weekend, we saw that a giant pine tree had fallen into the water, roots and all were sticking out of the ground. The trees that helped to support this tree, the trees that kept this tree going, the trees that this other tree needed to survive... were gone.
In our lives, we need each other. We need other people, rooted in our same ground, that believe and grow the same way we do, supporting us, helping us where we are weak and, at times, holding our branches up.
When Moses was told to hold his arms up until all the Israelite people went through, his arms got tired. Had his brother and sister not been there to help hold his arms up, in his weakness, then the waters would have fallen upon the people.
Life was never intended to be a solo act. YHWH never told us to go it alone. We NEED each other. Worship was intended to be a corporate act, of people turning to a holy, perfect being and thanking Him for His great mercies.
When I see trees that have grown together and have these branches reaching up towards the sky, all I can think of is our arms raised, together, praising YHWH!
I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way
they have to live than other things do.
- Willa Cather
Thursday, March 11, 2010
WARRIOR WEEKEND
Heading to Look Up Lodge tomorrow for Warrior Weekend. Mothers lock-up your daughters, old folks lock-up your houses, and everyone else... watch out... 'cause there are manly, Godly MEN coming from Monaghan after Sunday!
Monday, March 8, 2010
En-Tree #4
I love leaves.
Growing up all of us grand-kids would get together in my grandparents' back yard and rake up all the leaves and play in them. This, of course, was hampered by Dad telling us a story about a girl getting bit on the butt by a black widow, while playing in leaves. But, we were brave kids, we continued to romp!
Most people love fall leaves, but it's not just the fall for me.
I love to see them bloom and then grow into giant green shapes.
Leaves are not just for looking good or providing shade, although those things are great; leaves functionality is incredible!
The purpose of the leaf is to provide food for the tree through photosynthesis and release oxygen through the two guard cells.
Without leaves, trees would surely die, but so would all living creatures on earth (I'm not going into the whole using carbon dioxide and making oxygen stuff yet, that's for a later blog).
You can also tell how healthy a tree is by "reading" the leaves.
I feel that as humans, our heads are our "leaves." Kinda far out, you probably think, "Bo is really reaching this time!" but give me a minute to explain.
Our mouths are where we get our food, and in many ways give life to other people. You never know what a kind word to someone can mean; imagine this person, if you will: "A young girl has been raised in an abusive home, she has sought her entire life for a sense of belonging, a sense of love, a moment of happiness. After being in an abusive relationship, she decides that she does nothing good for anyone, she is useless and, in general, the world would be a better place without her. No one cares about her. No one will notice when she is gone. Suicide is the obvious choice. On her way to the drug store to buy a bottle of pills to end her life, she passes you... What do you say? What kind of look do you give her?"
One nice word from someone could be the difference in life or death. (I know, I know... I'm making up extreme situations to give people guilt trips for being in bad moods, but what if it were your sister? brother? mom? dad?)
Also, on our head is our face (shocking, I know). Through our facial expressions people can often tell the status of what's going on inside of us.
Another thing on our heads is our hair (or lack thereof, Dad). Our hair says a lot about who we are. Currently, I get a lot of weird looks because I am preparing to portray Peter in our upcoming Passion Play (a little alliteration for ya). So, I have shaggy, curly, un-kept hair and a bushy, 3 month beard. This gives people the impression that I am either a beatnik or don't have the money to afford proper hair products.
I'm sure there are more similarities I could draw, but these are the ones that are pertinent to my life right now. Hopefully, you can use them, as well.
"An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up."
--Proverb 12:25
Growing up all of us grand-kids would get together in my grandparents' back yard and rake up all the leaves and play in them. This, of course, was hampered by Dad telling us a story about a girl getting bit on the butt by a black widow, while playing in leaves. But, we were brave kids, we continued to romp!
Most people love fall leaves, but it's not just the fall for me.
I love to see them bloom and then grow into giant green shapes.
Leaves are not just for looking good or providing shade, although those things are great; leaves functionality is incredible!
The purpose of the leaf is to provide food for the tree through photosynthesis and release oxygen through the two guard cells.
Without leaves, trees would surely die, but so would all living creatures on earth (I'm not going into the whole using carbon dioxide and making oxygen stuff yet, that's for a later blog).
You can also tell how healthy a tree is by "reading" the leaves.
I feel that as humans, our heads are our "leaves." Kinda far out, you probably think, "Bo is really reaching this time!" but give me a minute to explain.
Our mouths are where we get our food, and in many ways give life to other people. You never know what a kind word to someone can mean; imagine this person, if you will: "A young girl has been raised in an abusive home, she has sought her entire life for a sense of belonging, a sense of love, a moment of happiness. After being in an abusive relationship, she decides that she does nothing good for anyone, she is useless and, in general, the world would be a better place without her. No one cares about her. No one will notice when she is gone. Suicide is the obvious choice. On her way to the drug store to buy a bottle of pills to end her life, she passes you... What do you say? What kind of look do you give her?"
One nice word from someone could be the difference in life or death. (I know, I know... I'm making up extreme situations to give people guilt trips for being in bad moods, but what if it were your sister? brother? mom? dad?)
Also, on our head is our face (shocking, I know). Through our facial expressions people can often tell the status of what's going on inside of us.
Another thing on our heads is our hair (or lack thereof, Dad). Our hair says a lot about who we are. Currently, I get a lot of weird looks because I am preparing to portray Peter in our upcoming Passion Play (a little alliteration for ya). So, I have shaggy, curly, un-kept hair and a bushy, 3 month beard. This gives people the impression that I am either a beatnik or don't have the money to afford proper hair products.
I'm sure there are more similarities I could draw, but these are the ones that are pertinent to my life right now. Hopefully, you can use them, as well.
"An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up."
--Proverb 12:25
Saturday, March 6, 2010
En-Tree #3
Another aspect of the tree that I love is it's diverse functionality.
If you pick a flower, it will die soon and lose most all of it's "value;" if you cut the grass, eventually, you'll have to cut it again; if a vine runs out of things to climb on, it can not grow; with most all plants, if they die... their functionality is over.
A tree never loses functionality.
A baby tree can represent new life, can be a thing of beauty and can mark a moment in time.
A full-grown tree can represent life, strength, beauty, but can also provide shade, adventure, a place to swing, fruit, nuts, a place for animals to live.
A fallen tree can be a bridge to a make-believe world, provide different housing for animals, compost for the future plant life.
A cut down tree can be made into lumber, pulp, paper, firewood, etc.
The tree, no matter it's stage in life, will never be useless.
No matter what happens, no matter how you may be changed, even when you feel dead, you are not useless. One of the greatest things that a tree can provide is firewood, for this brings warmth, a way to cook and light; one of the greatest things a person can do is be burned-up, used-up and brought to his lowest level, for it is, many times, in that moment that he is the most useful. There is always purpose, there is always reason, there will always be something you can do. YHWH does not make junk. You are a beautiful creature who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Live in the glorious truth that Christ made you for a reason.
"One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
If you pick a flower, it will die soon and lose most all of it's "value;" if you cut the grass, eventually, you'll have to cut it again; if a vine runs out of things to climb on, it can not grow; with most all plants, if they die... their functionality is over.
A tree never loses functionality.
A baby tree can represent new life, can be a thing of beauty and can mark a moment in time.
A full-grown tree can represent life, strength, beauty, but can also provide shade, adventure, a place to swing, fruit, nuts, a place for animals to live.
A fallen tree can be a bridge to a make-believe world, provide different housing for animals, compost for the future plant life.
A cut down tree can be made into lumber, pulp, paper, firewood, etc.
The tree, no matter it's stage in life, will never be useless.
No matter what happens, no matter how you may be changed, even when you feel dead, you are not useless. One of the greatest things that a tree can provide is firewood, for this brings warmth, a way to cook and light; one of the greatest things a person can do is be burned-up, used-up and brought to his lowest level, for it is, many times, in that moment that he is the most useful. There is always purpose, there is always reason, there will always be something you can do. YHWH does not make junk. You are a beautiful creature who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Live in the glorious truth that Christ made you for a reason.
"One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world."
--excerpt from "The Three Trees" and Easter story
Monday, March 1, 2010
En-Tree #2... clever, I know...
*Something new: anytime you see YHWH in my blogs it means "Yahweh" the Hebrew word for God. The Israelite people would not use the vowels for His name, because it was too holy for them to even speak, so it was the same in their writing. As I am studying the OT, I am reminded that I serve a Holy God, and this is one way I choose to remind myself of that.
Something else I love about trees is that the majority of the tree's biomass is underground, unseen, in it's root system. Some trees have root balls, others have stringy roots, and some have very lateral root systems.
Regardless of what the roots look like, all roots push through, fight and seek out nutrition.
While working at Look Up Lodge, I had to dig-up a septic line that was broken. Upon standing in a 4 1/2 foot deep trench of human waste, I discovered that a large tree root had broken through the 4 inch thick concrete pipe.
If the root system of the tree isn't where it needs to be, the tree will never be able to grow the way it's supposed to, and will eventually die.
Another cool thing to think about is that what you see, the beauty, the shade it gives, the leaves, the branches, the fun you can have with a tree is not possible without all of the underground, unseen roots.
The more a tree's roots force through things for nutrition and grow, the stronger the tree becomes, even though no one will see all of that going on.
If something damages the main roots of a tree, the tree will surely die; but the deeper the roots go and the more they spread out and find nutrition, the stronger the tree becomes.
In life, many of our greatest struggles, deepest hurts and things we face are underground, where no one can see them. YHWH asks us to force through big things to find Him and His will, to gain nutrition. We can have problems under the surface and look great, but only for a season. The longer we ignore the underground problems, the worse off we are, eventually leading to our demise. We must seek YHWH's wisdom, go as deep as possible, and force through the hard things and grow in Him, if we wish to have a strong, beautiful, magnificent life for others to see.
In simple terms: If the tree is not good underground, nothing above ground will be any good; if we are not good inside, the stuff we try to do outside will not be any good, either.
"When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves."
--Anthony J. D'Angelo
Something else I love about trees is that the majority of the tree's biomass is underground, unseen, in it's root system. Some trees have root balls, others have stringy roots, and some have very lateral root systems.
Regardless of what the roots look like, all roots push through, fight and seek out nutrition.
While working at Look Up Lodge, I had to dig-up a septic line that was broken. Upon standing in a 4 1/2 foot deep trench of human waste, I discovered that a large tree root had broken through the 4 inch thick concrete pipe.
If the root system of the tree isn't where it needs to be, the tree will never be able to grow the way it's supposed to, and will eventually die.
Another cool thing to think about is that what you see, the beauty, the shade it gives, the leaves, the branches, the fun you can have with a tree is not possible without all of the underground, unseen roots.
The more a tree's roots force through things for nutrition and grow, the stronger the tree becomes, even though no one will see all of that going on.
If something damages the main roots of a tree, the tree will surely die; but the deeper the roots go and the more they spread out and find nutrition, the stronger the tree becomes.
In life, many of our greatest struggles, deepest hurts and things we face are underground, where no one can see them. YHWH asks us to force through big things to find Him and His will, to gain nutrition. We can have problems under the surface and look great, but only for a season. The longer we ignore the underground problems, the worse off we are, eventually leading to our demise. We must seek YHWH's wisdom, go as deep as possible, and force through the hard things and grow in Him, if we wish to have a strong, beautiful, magnificent life for others to see.
In simple terms: If the tree is not good underground, nothing above ground will be any good; if we are not good inside, the stuff we try to do outside will not be any good, either.
"When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves."
--Anthony J. D'Angelo
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