Category: Discipline

The Place of the Skull: A Good Friday Devotion

Scripture – Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull. There they nailed Him to the cross. Two others were crucified with Him, one on either side, with Jesus between them… When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among the four of them. They also took His robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it…” 

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” 

Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture 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. When Jesus had tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:17-18, 23-24, 25-30)

Devotion – As we meditate on John 19 today, we find ourselves at the foot of the cross where Jesus, the Son of God, is crucified. This moment is a powerful reminder of the immense suffering He willingly endured out of His love for humanity. Jesus’ journey to Calvary was marked by humiliation, agony, and betrayal, yet His love remained steadfast.

In John 19:30, Jesus utters the words, “It is finished.” With these words, Jesus declared the completion of His mission to save us from our sins. The significance of His suffering cannot be overstated-it was a sacrifice made so that we might receive eternal life. Reflecting on the depth of Jesus’ love and the extent of His suffering invites us to consider the vastness of His grace. Despite the pain and suffering, His actions demonstrate a profound love that transcends human understanding. Through His death, we gain life. As you contemplate the significance of Good Friday, let these truths deepen your appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What emotions do you experience when you envision Jesus on the cross, willingly taking on the burden of sin for humanity?
  2. How does Jesus’ declaration, “It is finished,” impact your understanding of His work of salvation?
  3. In what ways can you live out the love and grace that Jesus demonstrated through His suffering and sacrifice?

Prayer – Heavenly Father, as I reflect on the profound suffering of Jesus on the cross, I am overwhelmed by His boundless love for me. Thank You for the gift of salvation and for the sacrifice that was made on my behalf. Help me to live in a way that reflects Jesus’ love and grace to others. May my heart be forever grateful, and may I draw closer to You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Worship Activity – Make plans to attend a Good Friday service this evening. As you observe communion, reflect upon all Jesus has done for you.

*This devotion was originally written for “The Week that Changed Everything” Holy Week Devotional by Celebration Church NOLA

**Photo courtesy of Alicia Quan

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Strength Through Prayer: A Maundy Thursday Devotion

Scripture – Accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There He told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

At last He stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” (Luke 22:39-46)

Devotion – On the day we call Maundy Thursday, Jesus ate the Last Supper with His disciples. Much later that evening, He was openly betrayed by Judas and arrested. Between those two events, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives to pray which was His custom. There, Jesus modeled the power of prayer during times of trial. He urged His disciples to pray so they would not fall into temptation, highlighting the importance of prayer as a source of strength and guidance. 

Jesus, facing immense suffering, turned to God the Father in prayer, aligning His will with God’s. His example shows us that prayer is not just about seeking comfort, but about finding the resolve to follow God’s will, even when it is difficult. As we navigate our own challenges, we must remember that prayer equips us to withstand temptation and remain faithful. It’s a tool for connection with God, empowering us to seek His strength and wisdom in every situation.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What temptations do you face regularly that you need to bring to God in prayer?
  2. How can Jesus’ example of anguish and dedication in prayer encourage you in times of personal struggle?
  3. In what ways can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek God’s guidance and strength?

Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Your Son, Jesus, who showed us the power and necessity of prayer. Help us to seek You earnestly, especially in times of trial and temptation. Grant us the strength to align our wills with Yours, trusting in Your plan for our lives. Fill us with Your wisdom and peace, that we may walk faithfully in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Worship Activity – Prayerfully read the following scriptures, all the while asking the Lord to speak to you about how you might improve your own prayer life: Psalm 17, Matthew 6:9-13, Ephesians 6:18, and Philippians 4:6-7.

*This post was originally written for the Holy Week Devotional “The Week That Changed Everything” for Celebration Church New Orleans.

**Photo Courtesy of Jon Tyson

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Cleansing Your Temple – A Holy Monday Devotion

Scripture – The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so He went over to see if He could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard Him say it. 

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” (Mark 11:12-17)

Devotion – In the scripture above, we read about Jesus cursing the fig tree and cleansing the Temple. The fig tree, with its leaves blossoming but having no fruit, symbolizes a life filled with appearances but lacking substance. Likewise, Jesus finds the Temple bustling with commerce, distracting worshipers from its true purpose – prayer and worship of God. 

Holy Monday invites us to reflect on the areas of our own lives that may resemble the fig tree or the Temple. Are there aspects where we present a thriving appearance but are lacking genuine spiritual fruit? Are there distractions or clutter in our lives preventing us from focusing on God? 

Reflection Questions:

  1. Are there habits or behaviors in our lives that look fruitful from the outside but aren’t producing the spiritual fruit they should?
  2. What tables in my heart might Jesus want to overturn to help me refocus on Him?
  3. How can we create personal spaces or routines dedicated to uninterrupted time with God, focusing solely on prayer and reflection?

Prayer – Lord, as we reflect on Holy Monday, give us insight into our own lives. Help us identify areas that need cleansing and renewal, where we might be more focused on appearances than on genuine faith and spiritual growth. Teach us to remove distractions from our lives that keep us from connecting with You. Guide us in cultivating our lives so they bear true spiritual fruit, anchored in Your Word. May our hearts always be temples of prayer and devotion, always seeking Your will and Your presence. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

Followup Worship Activity – In your journal or on a piece of paper, write out a prayer of personal dedication to the Lord, expressing your willingness to purge the areas of your own life that need spiritual cleansing.

*This devotion was written for “The Week That Changed Everything,” a Holy Week Devotional for Celebration Church in New Orleans. The entire devotional is available for download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

**Image Courtesy of Nellie Adamyan

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Rockstar?

I was in high school when I first heard Twisted Sister’s I Wanna Rock. It brought images of Dee Snyder, Eddie Van Halen, and Quiet Riot. As many times as I heard the song, I never thought of Dolly Parton. 

Dolly Parton, the country singer, composer, author, actress, and theme park owner, has recently released her long awaited album titled Rockstar. Back in 2022, Parton was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She almost declined because she had never recorded rock music. Fortunately, she accepted and promised to release a collection of rock songs. 

Recently, that collection, aptly named Rockstar, was released. I listened to the entire Deluxe album over the past three days, which is saying something because the deluxe edition on Spotify includes 39 songs and is just three minutes shy of being three hours long. 

Several years ago, Dolly Parton blew me away when I visited Dollywood. I was expecting it to be hokey. Instead, it was awesome. The same is true of Rockstar.

Dolly has a few original songs on the album including World On Fire (click here to listen). The song has a strong beat, great guitar lines, and strong lyrics (Leave it to Dolly to sing about God in one verse and a politician’s derriere in the next). Dolly also partners with some iconic rock stars including Sting, Steve Perry, John Fogarty, Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Peter Frampton, Joan Jett, Chris Stapleton, Pink, Brandi Carlile, Kevin Cronin, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Rob Halford, Simon Le Bon, Linda Perry, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Pat Benatar, Michael McDonald, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a few more to produce nearly three dozen quality covers. 

That’s a lot.

As I began the album on Spotify, I figured I would be skipping some of the songs, but instead, I was compelled to hear Dolly Parton perform classic songs like Free Bird, Every Breath You Take, and Purple Rain. Curiosity caused me to check out this album. Solid music with great vocals and powerful guitar riffs kept me listening. 

But what impressed me most about the album was that this amount of quality songs was recorded and released by a performer who is 78 years old. To me, that should be inspiring to anyone who desires to continue producing any kind of content, making a difference, and being awesome as they get older.

Well done, Dolly.

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Transparent Houses

Have you noticed that many newer houses are transparent?

I don’t mean invisible, I mean you can see right through them because of the windows.

One new house in my neighborhood has a new painted brick privacy fence around their backyard. (Yeah, they painted the bricks right away. Why do people do that?)

I assume the owners don’t want others gawking at them as they swim in their pool, lounge on their deck, or soak in their hot tub. Their painted brick privacy fence ensures that their next door and backyard neighbors won’t see them while they are in their backyard, that is, unless they walk in front of their home. Through the front windows, which cover the entire front of the house, the entire back yard, including the pool, deck, and hot tub can be seen from the front sidewalk, not to mention the entire living room, kitchen, and dining area.

Many houses now also allow passersby to view their staircase 24/7. (I guess this means no more late night refrigerator raids in your underwear).

At least you can’t see into the closets or the bathrooms… Or can you?

Houses are now often built with “bonus” windows, allowing outsiders a view of their ceilings of certain closets and bathrooms. I don’t know about you, but if I’m changing clothes or making use of the facilities, I’m not interested in people being able to view any part of my closets or bathrooms (you know, in case there are hidden cameras or strategically placed mirrors).

Finally, I think people have started building themselves like these houses – There’s a high backyard privacy fence and a state of the art security system which you’re definitely going to need because everyone (neighbors, postal employees, friends, weirdos, and bad guys) can see everything of value through their front Instagrammable windows. 

Someone once said that “Transparency is sharing my imperfections with others.” Not many of us accomplish this well. We build brick walls around our secrets and insecurities, not realizing that the front doors of our lives which we designed to show off our we’ve-got-it-all-together-ness are betraying us. 

King David, after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, plotted the death of her husband, built his own brick wall to cover his sin. But after being confronted by Nathan the prophet, he finally confessed his sin to the Lord in full transparency. 

He prayed: “For I was born a sinner-yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But You desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.” (Psalm 51:5-6)

Truth produces many benefits, emotional, physical, relational, and spiritual.

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32)

Truth leads to transparency. Having nothing to hide will help us withstand whatever trials and tests that may come our way. 

*Image by Wilhelm Gunkel

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The Lose It App at the One Year Mark

I did it! Well, more or less.

As of yesterday, I have officially been using the Lose It App for one year. In that time, I’ve lost and kept off 42 lbs. I’ve also wanted to throw my phone into Lake Pontchartrain 27 times, not because the app has done something wrong or malfunctioned, but because I get tired of being disciplined.

Weight loss is hard work and I’m not talking about entering the foods I eat. I mean the decision after decision to not eat something when I really want it. I mean the decision to exercise at least three times each week. I mean the extra steps I take when I really want to veg out in front of the tv. I mean the decisions to skip dinner when I’ve already used up my calories for the day.

It’s been a long year of hard work (with a little bit of cheating) but all in all, I’m glad I decided to use Lose It. It’s been a disciplined route to weight loss without pills, without shots, without surgery, and without anything weird. Just tracking diet and exercise with a longterm goal in mind.

It works, so I renewed it yesterday for another year.

Thanks Lose It.

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I Got The Tofu

Recently, I took my first bite of what I thought was a steamy plate of sliced chicken and vegetables in a savory Asian sauce. Suddenly, my gag reflexes began to engage. Something was incredibly wrong.

“Dear,” I said to my wife. “I think there may be something wrong with my chicken.”

“That’s not chicken,” she replied.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s tofu.” she answered with a smile. 

“Tofu!” I exclaimed. “Oh no! I’m not sure I’m ready for us to start eating tofu.”

For those of you who are unaware, tofu is a semi-food substance prepared by coagulating soy milk, then pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks of varying softness, and finally marinating it overnight in liquid sadness.

“The secret to eating tofu,” my wife explained, “Is to eat it with something else on your plate. You see, on its own, it has no taste.”

“That’s the truth!” I said.

“Try some more,” she said. “You might even start to like it.”

Instead, I shook my head and said, “I’m not sure I can eat tofu. It sounds like a condition you get from an old pair of sneakers.”

“Eat your dinner,” she replied.

“I’m not sure about this,” I said. “What if I get sick and people ask me what I have? I’ll have to say, ‘I’ve got the tofu.’ Then people are going to start saying, ‘There goes John. He never washes his feet and now he has tofu.’”

“Eat your dinner,” she said once again.  

“I’m expected to finish this?” I exclaimed.

The expression on her face indicated that I had no choice.

So, I carefully partnered every bite of tofu with vegetables and wiped the plate clean of the sauce which also masked the absence of taste and personal freedom.

So far, we haven’t eaten tofu again. But there’s a block of it in our refrigerator. I discovered it after thinking it was cream cheese for my bagel. 

Sigh…

*Image courtesy of Sherman Kwan.

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One Minute of Silence

Some of my earliest memories involve cemeteries. I’m not talking about the country cemeteries where many of my relatives are buried. I’m also not talking about the above ground cemeteries of New Orleans surrounded by mausoleums and interstates. I’m talking about the cemeteries on various military bases with seemingly endless rows of whitewashed headstones marking the graves of men and women who had given their all in service to our country, to my country.

For many, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer. It’s a time for picnics, day trips, Blockbuster movies, or furniture sales. However, it means so much more than that, and it all started in a cemetery. In Charleston, South Carolina, during the Civil War, a few black residents organized a burial of deceased Union prisoners, built a fence around the site, and established a cemetery in their honor. On May 1, 1865, they held an event at the site, complete with a parade, singing, scripture reading, and a picnic.

Over the next several years, groups gathered at cemeteries to honor and “decorate” the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers who had given their lives in the Civil War. It’s been reported that General Ulysses S. Grant led an observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Many 30, 1873. Over 5,000 people attended to show respect as the orphaned children and widows of soldiers and sailors killed during the war placed flowers and small American flags on the graves of the honored deceased.

Originally known as “Decoration Day” because of the decorated graves and tombstones, Memorial is now celebrated on the last Monday of May. In 2000, the U.S. Congress and the President signed into law the National Moment of Remembrance Act. This encourages all Americans to pause at 3pm local time for one minute of silence. 

I’m going to do my best to observe that law this Memorial Day. And during that moment of silence, I’m going to remember the oceans of tombstones of my childhood and thank God for those who gave their lives for our country.

* Photo courtesy of Chad Stembridge

**Thanks, Dad, for serving in the U.S. Marines for 22 years.

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The Return of Kale

So, after reading my gripe about kale a couple of days ago, my wife made a kale salad for us for dinner. Maybe I’ve been too hard on kale. I did learn from a friend that if you pour just a little bit of olive oil into a skillet filled with kale, then heat it on low for five minutes, it makes it easier to scrape the kale into the trash.

And yet, I didn’t dare do that with my wife’s kale salad. She set it before me and I cried just a little. Somewhere in my head I heard Prince singing, “This is what it sounds like when doves cry…” However, I must admit, it wasn’t that bad. I especially enjoyed the pieces of grilled chicken that had nothing to do with the salad. 

So why do people make such a big deal about kale? I did some research and learned that it contains fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C and K, bitterness, animosity, and wrath. The antioxidants help the body remove unwanted toxins that result from natural processes and environmental pressures (like eating kale in the first place).

I enjoyed the kale so much that two hours later, I drove my wife and I to McDonald’s for a hot fudge sundae. But, as usual, they were out of ice cream, as was the second and third McDonald’s we visited. 

It was then that my wife suggested we just go home. But I’m not a quitter, especially when it comes to ice cream. So, I drove us to Wendy’s for a Frosty. Would you believe they were out of ice cream as well. I did get the hook up at the second Wendy’s. I was halfway through it when I realized I had spent the last hour driving to five different fast food restaurants looking for a small cup of frozen refreshment.

I have so very far to go (and I can’t afford the gas).

By the way, thanks for the advice and the encouragement. Keep it coming.

*image courtesy of Laura Johnston and Unsplash

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Have You Fallen Recently?

The older I get, the more medical professionals ask me if I’ve had any recent falls.

Recent.

It’s like they’re thinking, “This guy is so out of shape that he’s bound to have fallen in the past few days. He couldn’t possibly balance all of that bulge.” 

I understand it’s all routine procedure and they aren’t personally attacking me (maybe) but the whole experience does show me that I need to be more serious about my own health and fitness. 

I’m thrilled about this and I plan to have a good attitude about it…

Yeah, right, that’s it.

Fact is, I don’t like watching my weight, I’m not a fan of exercise, I despise consistent healthy eating practices. And might I just add that kale is a tool of Satan used to destroy the happiness of men (and reasonable women) everywhere. 

What do I like to eat? I’m glad you asked. I like eating unhealthy foods, better known as “anything that tastes good.” I especially like carbonated, caffeinated, sugary drinks. I’m a big fan of red meat and I’m a consistent consumer of trans fat. I’m voting for gluten in the next presidential election.*

Well, you get the picture. I need help. I need accountability.

A lot of men my age do. 

Now, I have lost about 20 lbs since the beginning of the year. I’ll tell you the secret. If you want to lose weight, live with my wife during a world wide pandemic where she sees everything you eat for months… and walk a lot.

Seriously, now that things are opening back up, I don’t want to find all the weight that I’ve lost. So I’m starting on a new journey to be healthy. A few years ago, I posted a daily blog where I listed out everything I ate for the whole world to see. As time went by, I also listed my water consumption and exercise log. The accountability was amazing and the feedback was helpful. I lost 48 lbs during the process.

I’m not planning on doing that again, but I am interested in writing about my fitness journey. It seems to keep me committed. 

So I welcome your suggestions, especially if you’re starting to receive AARP applications in the mail or if you grew up listening to 80’s music on cassettes. Post your comments below, message me privately, text or email me. Let me know what helps you stay healthy. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I’m not really voting for Gluten. It’s not even registered as a candidate.

*Photo courtesy of Online Marketing and Unsplash

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