Monday - Thursday! What's up with that?

It is that time of year when we throw out words and phrases like we know what they mean -fully expecting others to understand what we are saying. For instance, I am preparing right now for a Maundy Thursday Service. Maundy not Monday! But you know what I mean - right?

Maundy Thursday is actually the traditional name given to this special day in England. The special day in question is the celebration of the Last Supper on Thursday of Holy Week. (oops - Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday.)

We (American Christians) take the name for this day from the traditional English name. We can thank our forefathers for this name as well. Perhaps church and state were not so separated after all.

The actual word maundy is derived through an old middle english word and a french word - mande - which comes from the Latin word - mandatum (or mandate). This is the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos."

Or as you more commonly know it: "A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you" John 13:34. This is the statement Jesus makes explaining to the Disciples the significance of His action of washing their feet.

So as protestants, we take our cues from the latin Roman Catholic Mass of Mandatum and derive a worship service of Maundy Thursday.

So where will you be this Maundy Thursday?

Pretty Good is Awesome in my book!

Last night I did what any father would do. I went to my son's 7Th Grade Band concert. It made me ever more appreciative of all the concerts my sisters and parents went to to hear me play saxophone, baritone saxophone, or piano when I was growing up. (A belated thanks since I probably never told you it mattered to me)

It was like any other Middle School concert. A parade of 3 different bands each of varying skill playing 3 songs none of which you knew, but in their own way were pleasant.

Here was my struggle. My son is 14 and has Down Syndrome. The fact that he is in the band is amazing in itself. The fact that he choose to play the xylophone is no small accomplishment for anyone. When he first joined the band, we hoped he could play the triangle (old joke) or crash the cymbals every now and then. But no, he wants to learn the xylophone. On top of the musical problems, he also suffers with extreme anxiety when in front of groups of people. You get the picture?

Several weeks ago his Band Director (Big shout out to Mr Jim DeCaro at Belzer Middle School) challenged Riley to move from his small set of Bells. This small set he has been playing for 2 years. This is the beginning point. Each note is labeled and he can see the note he is playing. But these 'real' instruments are larger and are not labeled. We were concerned that he would be discouraged and would fail and then be embarrassed and on and on . . .

Last night to our amazement he played 3 different types of xylophones (2 in one song alone) and didn't miss a note. You should have seen his expression after the concert - He was so proud of what he had done!

Normally My son's standard answer to anything asked is "Good." How was school? "Good" How was dinner? "Good" How was Band? Good

Last night when asked, "How did you feel about how you played in the concert?"

He paused, smiled real big and said, "Pretty Good."

In my book that was an excellent performance. You should have seen Dad. That really was pride you saw on my face in all that my son had accomplishment. But behind the tears of pride was also a bit of embarrassment for not believing that he could succeed.

Down Syndrome is not who my son is nor will it ever be. Last night I learned that he is a pretty good xylophone player. I can't wait to see what is next for him.

How many times has God called you to do something and your own fear of failure has held you back. Your Heavenly Father wants to see you succeed and can't wait to cry tears of joy at your success. Take a risk this week - who knows what music you might be making . . . .

Who you rooting for?

Several years ago, My wife and I were going out to eat (not that we have eaten out since then – but I digress). I was wearing my Purdue jacket as is my habit during the basketball season. It also happened to be the week that IU and Purdue were playing each other in basketball. As we entered the restaurant anxious for a quiet dinner together, two gentleman seated in the bar area voiced a disparaging remark regarding my attire.

As the remarks continued, I reached a point where I really had heard enough. I then said, “If you can prove you have earned the right to express your opinions, I will happily listen to all that you have to say.”

The two quickly responded, “What do you mean?”

I went on to explain that I was a graduate of Purdue and a dues paying member of the John Purdue Athletic Booster Club. They responded with silence and we sat down for a quiet dinner.

At that point, the bartender came out from behind the bar and showed me a copy his IU diploma. We both laughed and engaged in a fun ‘tit for tat’ conversation about both universities. I never heard another peep from the two guys at the bar.

What’s in your wallet? Has a new meaning for me.

We truly live in an egocentric world. Everyone has an opinion. Talk Radio, the Internet, you name it, whatever you want to say and what ever you want to believe you will find someone willing to agree with you. The world is waiting to hear from because what you have to say it oh so important (please note my emphasis on sarcasm!).

Even as Christians we follow the latest trends and fall prey to the latest gimmicks. If we were to listen to the world, we would discover that all religions contain truth. Therefore, Christianity is only partially right. As Christians, we should be more tolerant of others. And while we have been more tolerant, the number of people identified as followers of Christ continues to drop.

The prophet Jeremiah had a similar problem during his lifetime. A lot of people were bragging about a lot of things and believed they had the answers to everything. Idolatry (divided allegiance) was a real problem in the nation of Israel. Jeremiah brought a message about what they were bragging about:

Jeremiah offers of contrast of those “idols” that others bragged about and the One True God. The idols were man made, shaped by man, dressed by man, controlled by man, moved by man, and capable of doing nothing on their own. In contrast, God was the creator and able to anything. The idols were mere scarecrows in the fields that God had created. In their lives, they spent so much time bragging about that which man had created that they had forgotten about the creator. So what do you brag about?

When was the last time you bragged about what God was doing in your life? In your family? In your church? The next time you find yourself engrossed in a conversation about the things (the idols) that fill with you with pride, stop for a moment and reflect on the One that created it all.

We will be held accountable for our actions. We have ownership of what we brag/talk about it. If you call yourself a follower of Christ, you must strive to live that commitment. Divided allegiance (hypocrisy) will not be tolerated by God.

If anyone spent time with you this week, conversing with you, listening to your stories, would they know you are a Christ-follower?

What will you be bragging about this week?

And if you have time, look for me in the crowd at the basketball game this week. I’ll be the one wearing the Purdue jacket?