He is fathering me
even in the days I cannot see
Through every trial I face.
He is there even in my disgrace.
Every lonely, broken place.
I am held together bone by bone
and I do not walk alone.
How my neediness has grown.
In my aging days I have come to see
how completely dependent I must be.
This warfare for the Hero’s bliss
What thing is valued more that this?
it supercedes the stoic state
the frowning face of folly’s fate
The quest for truth, “The Shining Next”
the simplied in life complex
For all I see in beauty’s good
I dream of life lived as it should.
For I am not the plodding type
I dream of dragons in the night
Of captivating, high romance
that rises from each circumstance
Where good men overcome their foe
Where heroes fight to overthrow
The strongholds of the darker schemes
THIS is the stuff a warrior dreams.
Narrator: The kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down in the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
Narrator: When it was full, the fisherman pulled it up on the shore. (Actors pantomime pulling a net out of the water with much vocal effort.)
Narrator: Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
(Actors pantomime the separation of fish from waste.)
• I hate seaweed. It always seems to clog the net.
• Remember, the Master said only fish.
• Sure are a bunch of clams!
• Hey! Get that octopus out of here!
• Oh, great! A holy mackerel!
• Look, a large mouth bass!
• In salt water? That’s impossible.
• Use your imagination—this is only a play!
• Oops, I forgot.
• Why are the eels always on my side of the net?
• A crab!
• There’s another one.
• They sure are good to eat, but remember what the captain said . . .
All: Only fish.
• Too bad.
Narrator: This is how it will be at the end of the age.
Narrator: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous.
• I hate sin. It always seems to clog the net!
• Remember, the Master said only the redeemed.
• Sure are a bunch of fornicators.
• Get that blasphemer out of here!
• Oh great, a Christian!
• Look, a short-winded pastor!
• That’s impossible.
• Use your imagination—this is only a play!
• Oops, I forgot.
• Why are the gossipers always on my side of the net?
• A church member!
• Hey! There’s another one.
• They sure do look good, but remember what the captain said . . .
All: Only Christians.
• Too bad.
Worked the Reset Conference this morning, then ideation for Stewardship and CP, the lunch with John, Roger, Justin, and Michael. Caleb to the Orthodontist.
Loaded up Justin to go to Baton Rouge.
He is I AM
I AM your strength
I AM your warrior
I AM your advocate
I AM your provider
I AM your comfort
I AM your bread
I AM your escape
I AM your companion
I AM your compass
I AM your ransom
I AM your future
I AM your purpose
I AM your truth
I AM your ambassador
I AM your covering
I AM your refreshment
I AM your physician
I AM your peace
I AM your strength
I AM your portion
I AM your joy
I AM your hero
I AM your heart mender
I AM your glory
I AM your good
I AM the friend of sinners
I AM the beginning and end
I AM ENOUGH
you are ACCEPTED
you are FORGIVEN
you are PARDONED
you are WELCOMED
you are CHERISHED
you are PURSUED
you are COMPLETE
you are LOVED
you are CHOSEN
you are RESCUED
you are ADOPTED
you are MARKED
you are COVERED
you are made RIGHTEOUS
you are REDEEMED.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
My body is completely tired after the weekend. I made it through work but the weekend of travel has made me very sleepy.
Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church is a wonderful church with a great young staff. I had an opportunity to meet their pastor, Marcus who was taking a month off preaching. I met a 94 year old man who looked like he was about 75.
Caleb came with me and we saw “God’s Not Dead” in Covington between services.
Saturday night we ate at Don’s Seafood in Hammond.
Today I worked on the 20-20 survey. I need to work on the email newsletter.
Darlene seems to be doing well in Nashville with some promising job opportunities.
The time with Caleb has been great.
I’m glad to be back home and looking forward to some good sleep tonight.
This script is a series that can be used over three Sundays. On the last Sunday (Easter Sunday), use the final email voice-over. The actor simply sits at the computer and types. On the Easter Sunday Email, the actor playing Andrew is typing as the lights come up. Contemporary or biblical costuming—take your pick!
Pastor: Imagine Jesus alive in today’s society. Imagine opening your email and finding a message from Andrew. The disciple Andrew . . .
(A man sits at his computer and types as a recorded voice reads the words.)
Voice: Friday, April 2, 0033
To: Disciples Mail Group
From: andrew@theway.org
Many of you aren’t aware of what happened this afternoon. Jesus died by crucifixion. (I know that many might not have even been aware of Jesus’ arrest, and I apologize for not going into all the details of the past few horrific days—the worst days of our lives.) Joseph of Aramathea received a release from Pilate for the body of Jesus. He is to be buried in a new tomb tonight. Nicodemus has been a great help in preparation for the burial. There will be no formal memorial service due to the fear that we all are experiencing. The past few days have been very difficult . . . difficult beyond compare. Pray for Mary, Jesus’ mother. She is in despair. And also Peter, who is experiencing a great amount of self doubt. At this point, no one knows where Peter is, and we fear that he might harm himself. You may have heard rumors that Judas conspired to bring Jesus under arrest. It’s true. He committed suicide early this morning. Feel free to forward this news to any followers of Jesus, and let’s stick together prayerfully and begin to try to put the pieces of our lives back together. I’m in the process of trying to get everyone together to pray and to discuss these difficult matters.
Your friend, Andrew
Just wanted to update everyone, despite the fact that it is dangerous to put something through the Net while the Romans, Pharisees, Sadducees, and others might intercept this message. (I know that many of your service providers are administrated by the Roman government and the religious hierarchy.)
As mentioned in my last note, Jesus died sometime around 4 p.m. yesterday outside the gates of Jerusalem on a hill called “the Place of the Skull.”
Simon Peter was located last night in Gethsemane. He was delirious and very depressed. He feels like his whole life has been a failure. Please keep him in your prayers. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was ministered to by John and Mary Magdalene. Most of Jesus’ followers are unsure of what they will do in the future. I would imagine that if the government allows us to remain free, we’ll return to our former trades. All disciples are accounted for, and we are planning to meet and pray tonight. We all have been touched greatly by Jesus, and the loss is severe. Let me remind all of you that He would not have us revolt or compromise ourselves in an emotional reaction. As a memorial to His life, let us remember how He lived and died.
Andrew
P.S. Please feel free to forward this note to other believers.
I planned on writing you this letter before dawn, but things have been a little crazy around here. Mary went to the tomb, and now she’s in some sort of hysterical bliss about having seen . . . (Andrew faints and Peter pushes him out of the way and types.)
This is Peter. Andrew just fainted and his head fell on the keyboard because I just walked into the room with the Risen, Glorified, Conquering, Living Savior—Jesus Christ. Forward this news to everyone!!!
Simon Peter
In the hotel room in Hammond waiting for my day to begin. Lord, I pray for you to use what little I have this morning. Multiply it as fish and loaves.
We will drive to the church in a while and then after church rest at someones home. Being an introvert, that is always the toughest challenge.
I got Caleb to wear jeans! We are about to leave. I was a little worried about driving my car here but everything has been fine so far. Pleased to revel in God’s providence. I’m a little concerned about how Caleb will respond to boredom today,