Book Review

John's Story, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.

I read all of the Left Behinds, and thought they were OK, albeit inconsistent. This, the authors latest effort, tells the story of the apostle John, and how he came to write his gospel, epistles, and revelation. I assume we will soon get similar books about Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this novel. I have become increasingly interested in the leaders of the early church, and this book includes two of my favorites: Polycarp and Ignatius. Unlike their mentor John, these two great men of God ended their lives, as martyrs, Ignatius in the arena.

This novel captures the passion of the church near the turn of the first century AD, and I found it to be a fun and interesting read.

From Saint Thomas Aquinas

A hymn for Holy Week (a little late)

On the night before he suffered,
Seated with his chosen band,
Jesus when they all had feasted;
Faithful to the Law's command,
Far more precious food provided;
Gave himself with his own hand.

Word made flesh, true bread of heaven,
By his word made flesh to be,
From the wine his blood is taken,
Though our senses can not see,
Faith alone which is unshaken
Shows pure hearts the mystery.

Therefore we, before him falling,
This great sacrament revere;
Ancient forms are now departed,
For new acts of grace are here,
Faith our feeble senses aiding,
Makes the Savior's presence clear.

The Cross

by Kate Miner and John Colgin

Jesus changed the color of the cross
From the dark of execution to the light of resolution
Jesus changed the color of the cross

Jesus changed the tenor of the cross
From the sound of cold nails driven to the song of man forgiven
Jesus changed the tenor of the cross

How wonderful my Jesus
O glorious my Savior
Magnificent Redeemer
You have changed the meaning of the cross
You have changed the meaning of the cross

Jesus changed the symbol of the cross
From the language of rejection to the sign of resurrection
Jesus changed the symbol of the cross

You have changed the color
You have changed the tenor
You have changed the symbol
You have changed the meaning of the cross

Convergence

I always look forward to those years when Hebrew Passover overlaps with Easter.

This coming together of the Old Covenant's great moment of (temporal) deliverance and the New Covenant's great moment of (spiritual) deliverance speak to me of God's faithfulness, and his ongoing conversation with fallen man. God has spent thousands of years offer mercy and grace to anyone who seeks it -- and is still offering them today.