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5 Friday Faves – Beyond the Guitar’s “Superman”, Rachel Haack on Hope in Family Estrangement, Illuminators – How to Know a Person, 30 Habits with Massive Returns on Life, 45 Life Lessons

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1) Beyond the Guitar’s “Superman” – John Murphy composed the stunning soundtrack for the 2025 big-screen edition of “Superman”. His treatment of the iconic theme (originally composed by John Williams) is absolutely gorgeous. Listen to his version of “Raising the Flag” here.

Photo Credit: YouTube

Then…sit back and listen to Nathan Mills at Beyond the Guitar perform his arrangement of this incredible theme on classical guitar. One instrument. Played with the heart and skill of a musician who does beautiful justice to a magnificent orchestral piece of work. So good!

    2) Rachel Haack on Hope in Family Estrangement – Whether we are in the midst of a family estrangement or we know someone estranged from family members, it’s safe to say that none of us are untouched by family estrangement. It seems a part, an accepted part of our culture today. I just saw the Instagram reel below on therapist Rachel Haack’s page. It gave me hope – hearing sanity in what feels like a crazy hard relational world.

    [Rachel Haack and her family – 5 girls and her husband – Facebook]

    Instagram – Reel describing Rachel Haack’s bold prescription to replace the family member descriptors of “emotionally immature, boomer, toxic, dehumanizaion” with the actions/goals of “respect, compassion, understanding, and collaboration”.

    Setting boundaries in painful relationships may feel like a necessary safety maneuver, but too often those boundaries become deadends. No way forward really and the years go by. I so appreciate Haack’s measured and gentle approach to reconciliation in difficult family situations. Below are excellent resources, including one podcast with Joshua Coleman, author of Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties and How to Heal the Conflict.

    We’ve Been Subverted and It’s Showing Up in Our Families – Rachel Haack

    When Grandparents Get Cancelled and What to Do About It – YouTube

    Building Healthy Relationships with Adult Children – with Rachel Haack (Audio file)

    Rachel Haack on Facebook

    What’s Behind the Rise of Parent-Child Estrangement? – Podcast With Joshua Coleman

    3) lluminators – How to Know a Person – I bought this book “How to Know a Person” after reading author David Brooks‘ guest blog on Ann Voskamp‘s website (linked below).

    How to Know a Person – and See Them with Jesus’s Eyes – Ann Voskamp – Guest Contributor: David Brooks

    I’m not sure if it was after the 9/11 attacks or exactly when the cultural phenomenon began, but people seem not to look in people’s faces so much. There’s a disinterest, or lack of curiosity, or maybe even guarding. We feel it might be intrusive to ask questions, and for sure there are unhelpful questions. However, to be truly curious about someone, to want to know someone deeply, is a beautiful and honoring thing.

    Below you will find two quotes from Brooks’ book. In the blog above and the book as well, he talks about being illuminators. Shining a light on someone. Not in an negative, exposing way but in a way that draws out who they really are and how amazing they are.

    “When you’re practicing Illuminationism, you’re offering a gaze that says, “I want to get to know you and be known by you.” It’s a gaze that positively answers the question everybody is unconsciously asking themselves when they meet you: “Am I a person to you? Do you care about me? Am I a priority for you?” The answers to those questions are conveyed in your gaze before they are conveyed by your words. It’s a gaze that radiates respect. It’s a gaze that says that every person I meet is unique, unrepeatable, and, yes, superior to me in some way. Every person I meet is fascinating on some topic. If I approach you in this respectful way, I’ll know that you are not a puzzle that can be solved but a mystery that can never be gotten to the bottom of. I’ll do you the honor of suspending judgment and letting you be as you are.” – How To Know a Person – The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen – David Brooks

    “The real act of, say, building a friendship or creating a community involves performing a series of small, concrete social actions well: disagreeing without poisoning the relationship; revealing vulnerability at the appropriate pace; being a good listener; knowing how to end a conversation gracefully; knowing how to ask for and offer forgiveness; knowing how to let someone down without breaking their heart; knowing how to sit with someone who is suffering; knowing how to host a gathering where everyone feels embraced; knowing how to see things from another’s point of view.” – How To Know a Person – The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen – David Brooks

    Brooks talks about being a witness, about giving attention. I love that!

    He reminds me of psychiatrist Curt Thompson MD who writes and often talks about compassion and curiosity. I’ve written lots about Curt and his wisdom on mental and relational health. He, like David Brooks, encourages us to give our attention to those around us. It’s part of the beauty of life.

    How to Know a Person Quotes – David Brooks – Goodreads

    4) 30 Habits with Massive Returns in Life – I’m all about habit formation. Not saying I’m great at developing healthy habits, but I love the science of habits including New Year’s resolutions. Author Justin Whitmel Earley has written two excellent books on habit formation and a third for children (on sibling relationships) entitled The Big Mess. Earley’s websites (The Common Rule and Habits of the Household) have great free resources as well on habit formation. For today’s Friday Fave, I’m just posting this little graphic on 30 habits with big returns…how many have you already formed? It’s not a race though…choose a habit and begin there.

    Photo Credit: Nikz Bennie, Facebook

    5) 45 Life Lessons – Here is another list, not of habits but life lessons. They are written by author and cancer survivor Regina Brett of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, and have been widely reprinted.

    “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written.

    Here is the column once more:

    1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

    2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

    3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

    4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

    5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

    6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

    7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

    8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

    9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

    10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

    11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

    12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

    13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

    14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

    15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don’t worry, God never blinks.

    16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

    17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

    18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

    19.. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

    20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

    21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

    22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

    23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

    24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

    25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

    26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’

    27. Always choose life.

    28. Forgive.

    29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

    30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

    31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

    32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

    33. Believe in miracles.

    34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

    35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

    36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

    37. Your children get only one childhood.

    38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

    39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

    40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

    41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need.

    42. The best is yet to come…

    43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

    44. Yield.

    45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.” – Facebook

    Post in Comments any lessons that you particularly appreciate.

    45 Life Lessons Written by a ’90-year-old” Woman That’ll Put Everything Into Perspective – Stephanie Wong

    Pinterest Variations on These Life Lessons

    Bonuses:

    Instagram – Reel – Jonathan Haidt on slow Dopamine – holding off social media – see his caption screenshot below. [Also below is the full podcast on this topic – Dr. Haidt starts at 8:14.]

    Instagram – 3 Days Off Smartphones and How Our Brains Are Affected – Doc Amen

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    Monday Morning Moment – On Complications, Comfort, and Caregivers

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    I’ve been writing this in my head for over a month. Here goes.

    For some time now, I’ve been seeing a cardiologist. Mostly about a couple of heart valves that aren’t functioning as well as they should. Then over the last several months, fatigue has been a strange companion for my usual high-energy self. I am told some of the fatigue relates to medications required for my cardiac situation, but lately a new issue arose that also apparently causes me to be tired. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Sorry for all the medical stuff…just trying to give context.

    After several other cardiologist visits and recommendations, it was decided a cardiac ablation would be the best course of action. Potentially highly effective with the outcome pushing out into the future my need for a valve replacement (open heart surgery). Highly effective with minimal complications.

    The cardiac ablation doesn’t require general anesthesia nor a big incision. Essentially access to the heart is through a catheter threaded to a large vein, and the procedure doesn’t even require an over-night hospital stay usually. Still, in the days before coming in, I finally completed my advance life directive (just in case).

    After leaving Dave in the waiting area, I was taken into the prep room and hooked up to monitors. The nurses started an IV and shortly after the sedation. I was surrounded by lovely hospital staff – all was well.

    Complications – When I woke in recovery, it didn’t seem so well. Lots of action. Someone was putting lots of pressure where the IV catheter must have been inserted (I had already been sedated for that part). A blood transfusion was being ordered. I wasn’t going home.

    The cardiologist who performed the ablation was up-beat as he described what happened. In preparation for the procedure, I was given blood thinners. At some point during the ablation, I had some bleeding (which was one of the listed possible complications). The blood loss was considerable enough to require transfusions. The cardiologist wanted me to be monitored overnight so I was admitted to the cardiac step-down unit.

    At some point that evening, I needed to go to the restroom. Dave helped me, walking me from bed to toilet. Unfortunately, it turns out my blood pressure was low enough, because of the blood loss, that I got faint and ended up passing out. Fortunately, Dave broke my fall, and with his and the nurse’s help I got back to the bed without incident.

    Why all these details? It has made me think more deeply on the toll of waiting and watching on the person at the bedside. He would tell me later about watching the monitors and seeing my blood pressure and pulse registering lower than seemed safe. Once my pulse got down to 35, he related later.

    Still…all was relatively well, thankfully.

    The next day, my blood counts hadn’t recovered well enough so more fluids and another transfusion. Otherwise, it was a quiet day. Two of my grandchildren were being baptized in a couple of days, and I was not going to miss that, if at all possible.

    Several blood sticks and nursing IV lines along left me with impressive bruises, but by the next morning, they discharged me, with all the precautions and appointments for follow-up. Praise the Lord!

    Comfort – It is very difficult, almost impossible, for me to ask for help. Even with the fatigue of the past several months, I just chose to do less rather than to engage helpers. It is a character weakness, I know. Beautiful offers to help abounded, and I was grateful. The offers themselves were a comfort. As were all the prayers, texts, phone calls, visits, notes/cards, flowers, and food. There was also a quietness in my heart that I recognized as the nearness of God Himself to a child not quite herself. Such unexpected and generous comfort… all of it.

    Caregivers – Having been a cancer nurse for many years, I can’t say enough about caregivers. Those who put their own lives on hold for the sake of a loved one. Those who care professionally even for strangers. Hats off! Giving care is reflective of a loving God. It is part of who we are bearing His image.

    In this season of heart issues, I have had much comfort and much care. It is a season I want to remember (thus this writing about it), especially as my strength is coming back and the fatigue is less (thanks to the ablation). My unseen Helper has been God, and the one I can reach out and touch has been Dave. His gentleness and servant heart aren’t a surprise, because he has shown up for many over the years – especially members of his family, those in need in our church community, and folks on his work teams. He is quiet and doesn’t draw attention to himself. For this moment, in the aftermath of this health issue, I just want to say thanks…thanks to all of you who have been such a comfort to me…and to God for bringing me through…and to Dave. Thank you, Sweet Friend and Husband.

    P.S. All this heart stuff the last few years has been a struggle for me. It has tempted me to fear. Thanks to the ablation, the other heart surgeries that were in front of me have been pushed down the road. Who knows, I may not ever need them. If they do become inevitable, or some other health (or relational) crisis becomes an issue, I have (what Jackie Hill Perry talks about below) “history with God”. He will get us through whatever comes. Hallelujah!

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    Worship Wednesday – Daddy’s DNA – Brandon Lake

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    Photo Credit: Brandon Lake, Praisejamzblog

    Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:26-27

    “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Jesus – Matthew 11:28-30

    “Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out.” – Jesus – John 6:37

    So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32

    We are created in the image of God. Astounding fact! That means we are hard-wired for goodness and beauty, love and creativity, mercy and justice. Our problem then? Sin. From the beginning, sin has seeded our nature with self-serving and the warped sense that we belong to ourselves not to the God who knows and loves us perfectly. Apart from surrendering ourselves to His lordship, we attempt to live fragmented with bits of His DNA at work in us but far from what He had in mind for us…far from the freedom we can have in Christ’s forgiveness.

    This brings us to the beautiful story Jesus told of the prodigal son. In this parable, Jesus brings into focus the lives and relationships of three men – a father and his two sons. The younger son rejected the life his father had for him and chose to sever himself from him. He asked for his inheritance and his father let him go to what would become a life of debauchery…living loosely on the means he did not earn, except by his lineage from his father. The older son stayed with his father, serving him (and tending his own future) as before. The father was heart-broken, and, although it isn’t written, maybe the older son went looking for the younger son to bring him back home. Or maybe he did not. We don’t know. Once the money ran out, the younger son found himself alone and hungry, without relationship or worth. Shame and regret were his only companions. He decided to return to his father asking for his mercy. Was he truly contrite and repentant – we can’t know his heart. He for sure wanted relief from the constant distress he endured, consequence of his poor choices. As he came, his father recognized him, from far off, as if he never stopped looking for his return. The father came running to receive him, welcoming him back home. The older brother? Not so much. In his own self-righteousness, the older brother did not rejoice, even when it pained his father’s heart that he had such a response. Being a good father has its own anguish, and we should always remember that in our love for God and in our treatment of those He loves.

    The Parable of the Prodigal Son

    Photo Credit: Geoff Thomas, I’ll Be Honest

    The Parable of the Running Father – Geoff Thomas

    What the Prodigal Son’s Father Teaches Us About Love and Truth – John Clark [this piece is written by a Catholic author. For those of us not Catholic, don’t let that put you off from reading a beautiful essay on God’s relationship with us and His desire for us to know Him and walk with Him.]

    Singer, songwriter Brandon Lake just released his latest single “Daddy’s DNA”. It’s a beautiful, honest confession of a prodigal (most likely some of which is Lake’s own story).

    Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) – David Gowler

    The Prodigal Son’s Father Shouldn’t Have Run! – Putting Luke 15:11-32 in Context – Matthew Williams

    Worship with me.

    I thought the world had something special I was missing
    My daddy told me not to chase it, I didn’t listen
    I fell downhill a mile a minute
    Before I knew it, I was livin’
    In a pig sty a long, long way from home

    I went runnin’ like a rebel
    Racked up debts I couldn’t pay
    I went dancing with the devil
    With one foot in the grave
    How the Heaven did I get here?
    Went and threw it all away
    All I’ve given You was trouble
    All You’ve given me was grace

    And the freedom I was chasing felt like prison
    Lord, I’ve done so many things, wish I didn’t
    And after all the risky business
    Could I ever be forgiven?
    I’m afraid to even ask to come back home

    ‘Cause I went runnin’ like a rebel
    Racked up debts I couldn’t pay
    I went dancing with the devil
    With one foot in the grave
    How the Heaven did I get here?
    Went and threw it all away
    All I’ve given You was trouble
    All You’ve given me is grace
    Given me was grace

    When I sobered up, and came back to my senses
    I was too far gone to make up all the distance
    I gambled all that I’d been given
    I was broke, alone and wishing
    That I could turn around and go back home
    When I heard the sound of footsteps down the road

    And You came runnin’ like a rebel
    Paid off debts I couldn’t pay
    You went dancing with the devil
    Sent that liar to his grave
    How the Heaven did I get here?
    Where every sin has been erased
    All I’ve given You was trouble
    All You’ve given me is grace

    There was something in the marrow
    Always coursing through my veins
    Buried deeper than the rubble
    Is My Daddy’s DNA*

    I love this song. The bridge (or benediction?) at the end really gave me pause. We do have the Lord’s DNA in us…what we do with that has eternal consequence. Either we think it is really our DNA and we can live our lives for ourselves, our own ambition and pleasure, and our own perceived destinies…or we recognize Whose we are and what we need to do to alter course and take on the life we were meant to have. That is where joy and freedom really lie. To recognize the prodigal nature in all of us and to return Home to a Father who came for us, in Jesus, and continues to come for us through the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

    My prayer is that His DNA is on beautiful display in all who call Him Father.

    *Lyrics to “Daddy’s DNA” – Songwriters: Brandon Lake, Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter

    The Birth of Sin

    “Where Are You?” – Genesis 3:7-15 – Lesson 9 – Bible.org

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    Jesus and Holy Week – Resurrection Sunday – Day 8 – He Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!

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    Photo Credit: The Gospel Coalition

    [Adapted from the Archives]

    Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. – John 20:1 

    Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”. – John 20:18

    On this Sunday, this most glorious day in all of history, death gave way to life. The grave could not hold Jesus. In the early morning, a small group of women who had loved and followed this Jesus, came to the tomb, guarded and sealed, and found it empty. Then ones, twos, small groups, and a crowd of 500 saw him alive. Jesus himself, bearing the wounds of the cross, walking with them, eating with them, teaching them again…as he promised.

    He is alive! This man from Nazareth, the Messiah of Israel, the Lord of the world.

    With the breath of creation, He speaks of peace, faith, and mission.

    With lungs full of air, He breathes on His disciples and grants His Spirit. My Jesus – alive!

    The eyes that saw the darkness of death now drink in the sunlight of Easter. My Jesus – alive!* – Trevin Wax

    [Read the rest of Wax’s poem here.]

    Oh the joy…the indescribable joy of that reality. He died and yet he lives. We were dead in our sins, and because of him, we have life.

    Take the time to read this amazing story yourself. The Gospel writers all have given detailed accounts of the risen Christ ( Matthew 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, and John 20:1-29). The Apostle Paul also wrote about Jesus’ resurrection in his letter to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 15).

    Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive…

    “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
    “O death, where is your victory?
      O death, where is your sting?”

    The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor. 15:20-22, 55-57

    Sadly, there are those who think the resurrection of Jesus a myth, or a fairy tale. Even his life is treated casually. Yet, for sure, anyone who does a careful examination of the life and teachings of Jesus would be radically changed.  This certainly was my experience. I know too well how wicked my heart can be…my thoughts and actions. God draws us to Himself, and in the drawing we recognize our desperate need for a savior, a strong arm to pull us out of the muck and mire of our own making. Jesus did that for me.

    I know Jesus is alive from the historical accounts and the writing of eye witnesses, and because of his own word. I also know he is alive because of how he has transformed lives through the ages. He has changed my life, and he continues to do so.

    Photo Credit: Heartlight

    For the past 20+ years, during Lent, I have read Adrian Plass’ book The Unlocking. I would like to close with a portion out of his Easter reading.

    On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” – John 20:19

    “On that dark Sunday morning, Mary could never have guessed the cosmic significance of the empty tomb. When Jesus rose from the dead the ancient engines of order were fired once more and, in his body on earth, chaos was defeated. And what a wonderful moment for Jesus and his disciples. Neither locks nor fears could withstand the peace and security that the risen Saviour brought, and still brings to his people. It is the peace of knowing that, however rough the road may need to be (and it often is), we shall indeed, in the most real sense, live happily ever after.” – Adrian Plass**

    Christ is risen! — He is risen indeed!

    [Many of the links below are praise songs of various genres – as this year’s Holy Week closes, I hope you will take some time before the day ends to worship the Lord in the quiet of this great day. Hallelujah!]

    Holy Week – Day 8: Resurrection Sunday! – Thank you, Mary Fairfield for writing so well, so thoughtfully, and so thoroughly for LearnReligions.com.

    Evidence for the Resurrection of Christ by Sean Davis

    5 Reasons to Believe That Jesus Rose From the Dead – Adam4d

    *My Jesus – Alive! by Trevin Wax

    **The Unlocking – God’s Escape Plan for Frightened People (1994) by Adrian Plass

    Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter – Timothy Keller

    Spotify Playlist – From Palm Sunday to Resurrection – Beth Wayland

    ToGather: Time to Reclaim the Joy (April 4 2021) – Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware – This is a powerful Easter Sunday service via a pastor’s written message and great singing thanks to YouTube selections!

    YouTube Video – Doxology – David Crowder

    YouTube Video – Because He Lives – Matt Maher

    YouTube Video – Passion Song – The Story of Holy Week (Lyric Video) by @scartermusic

    YouTube video with lyrics – I Can Only Imagine – MercyMe

    YouTube video with lyrics – Before the Throne of God Above – Selah

    Story Behind the Song Before the Throne of God Above

    YouTube Video – Easter Song (Live) – Keith Green – (song starts 2 minutes in)

    YouTube Video – Easter Song (1974) – The 2nd Chapter of Acts

    YouTube Video – He’s Alive – Don Francisco

    YouTube Video – Then Came the Morning – Guy Penrod

    The Bridge Gospel Presentation

    عيد القيامة يسوع المسيح مبارك وكلّ عام وانت واعئلتك بالف خير! المسيح فام! حقّاً قام!

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    Jesus and Holy Week – Maundy Thursday – Day 5 – Passover Celebration & His Last Supper Before the Cross

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    http://debmillswriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Blog-Holy-Week-Last-Supper.jpg
    Photo Credit – Baptist Press – Courtesy of DeMoss News Pond

    [Adapted from the Archives]

    “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

    The Thursday before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion was the awaited celebration of Passover. In this day, we have a picture of Jesus, in all his humanity, and in all his deity. All four of the Gospels written about Jesus’ life have an account of this day’s events (Matthew 26:17-75; Mark 14; Luke 22:7-65; John 13:1-18:27).

    After sunset, the Jewish people would take the Passover meal together – as families usually. They would share the Seder and remember how God protected them during the days of their slavery in Egypt.

    Photo Credit: Seder Meal, Robert Couse-Baker, Flickr

    This particular Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday. Maundy means “commanded” and also can refer to the ceremonial washing of feet.  Jesus took upon himself to wash the dusty feet of his disciples, modeling for them his command to love one another (John 13:34-35).

    After Jesus and his disciples finished their meal together, he would then enter the garden Gethsemane to pray. As He prayed, He wrestled with his heavenly Father over the need for him to die. “O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup [of suffering and death] pass from me.” Then, settled in his obedience, “O my Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” [Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42]

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Giorgio_Vasari_-_The_Garden_of_Gethsemane_-_Google_Art_Project.jpgPhoto Credit: Wikimedia

    Sometime during that dark night of the soul, he turned his attention toward his disciples and all the rest of us, across the ages, who would follow him. His prayer to the Father, recorded in John 17, is exquisitely beautiful, especially in the context of this difficult night. [Take time to read it in full, but I’ve included a part of it below.]

    “Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

    Then out of the darkness, Jesus’ disciple Judas Iscariot came to betray him. He was leading a group of the religious leaders, along with a huge company of soldiers. Although Jesus’ loyal disciples wanted to resist his arrest, Jesus refused their intervening and surrendered himself…not to the mob but to the will of the Father.

    The betrayal was complete. His disciples fled (although those closest to him would soon seek out where he was being held). Jesus would spend the rest of the night in the tormenting custody of his enemies. The countdown to the cross had begun in earnest. A countdown that actually began at the Fall of humanity, and, under the careful watch of God, our Father…a countdown toward restoring us back to Himself.

    One more day…

    Jesus Prays for His Disciples…and For Us – Ralph F. Wilson

    Photo Credit: Speak Life UK

    The Final Days of Jesus – Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor

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    Jesus and Holy Week – Wednesday, Day 4 – Quiet Before the Storm…and We Worship

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    Photo Credit: God Like Fire Ministries

    [Adapted from the Archives]

    After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels…fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. – Revelation 7:9-11

    “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”  – Revelation 5:12

    There appears to be nothing recorded in Scripture of events surrounding Jesus on the Wednesday before his crucifixion. Nothing. After two difficult days dealing with his enemies and accusers, it is quite possible that he took a rest. A Sabbath rest. Given the terrible nature of what was ahead of him, starting just the next day, he could surely use a day to rest and reflect. To remember how the Father had sustained him through all the strains of his public life. To refresh himself in prayer and in the company of those on earth who loved him most – his disciples, his friends, possibly his family. We know no details of that day.

    Silent Wednesday.

    Since we also know what is coming for Jesus…and all for our sakes…we pause today, as well, to worship. He is the perfect lamb, without blemish, perfectly fit to be offered as a sacrifice for our sins. God provided a ram for Abraham to take his son’s place in that strange and amazing sacrifice on Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22:1-14). This was a foreshadowing of our own need for a Savior. We also can be saved by the blood of “the Lamb, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

    Photo Credit – Baptist Press

    Jesus’ life was not taken from him on that Friday, two days hence. His life was not taken. Not by the Jewish or Roman authorities. He gave his life…for us…there are no words adequate to respond…worship is all we have.

    Photo Credit – Baptist Press

    Worship with me:

    Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
    Holy, Holy, is He
    Sing a new song to Him who sits on
    Heaven’s Mercy Seat
    [Repeat 2x]

    (Chorus)
    Holy, Holy, Holy
    Is the Lord God Almighty
    Who was, and is, and is to come
    With all creation I sing:
    Praise to the King of Kings!
    You are my everything,
    And I will adore You…!
    Yeah!

    Clothed in rainbows, of living color
    Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
    Blessing and honor, strength and
    Glory and power be
    To You the Only Wise King,
    Yeah

    (Chorus)

    Filled with wonder,
    Awestruck wonder
    At the mention of Your Name
    Jesus, Your Name is Power
    Breath, and Living Water
    Such a marvelous mystery
    Yeah…

    (Chorus)

    Holy, Holy, Holy
    Is the Lord God Almighty
    Who was, and is, and is to come,
    With all creation I sing:
    Praise to the King of Kings!
    You are my everything,
    And – I – will – adore YOU…

    (Chorus)

    (Repeat a cappella)

    Come up lift up His Name
    To the King of Kings…
    We will adore YOU Lord…
    King of heaven and earth
    King Jesus, King Jesus
    Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya!
    Majesty, awestruck Honor
    And Power and Strength and Dominion
    To You Lord,
    To the King, to King
    To the King of Glory

    Chorus (Repeats)*

    [Read the blog above in its entirety here.]

    *Lyrics to Revelation Song written by Jennie Lee Riddle

    Story Behind Revelation Song – Jennie Lee Riddle’s vision of the Church wholly united in worship of God – here as we will be one day in Heaven

    How is Jesus the Lamb of God?

    YouTube Video – Is He Worthy (feat. Chandler Moore & Nate Moore) – Maverick City/TRIBL

    Holy Week – Day 4: Silent Wednesday – Mary Fairchild

    Spotify Playlist From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection – Beth Wayland

    How is Jesus the Lamb of God?

    Podcast – Easter and Hymns with Keith Getty – Rainer on Leadership

    Holy Week Timeline Graphic

    YouTube Video – Is He Worthy (feat. Chandler Moore & Nate Moore) – Maverick City/TRIBL

    The Final Days of Jesus – Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor

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    Holy Week – Counting Down to Resurrection Sunday – From Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem to the Empty Tomb

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    Photo Credit: Facebook

    Today is the first day of Holy Week (for most Christians in the world). Each day is significant as Jesus began the week with a triumphant entry into Jerusalem and then endured crucifixion for sins not His own on the Friday of this week…followed by a glorious Resurrection. This year, I will point you to each day’s events through the links below…recapping the significance for us of Jesus’ journey through this most holy of weeks.

    Today is Palm Sunday.

    For you critical thinkers, this week in the life of Jesus of Nazareth is one worthy of analysis. No matter your religion or non-religion, this Jesus, in these days, warrants examination, related to anything you may think of God. You will better understand the core beliefs of a Christ-follower, not just a person known to you as Christian. For in the study of Jesus’ life and his followers, in just this one week, you will see a deep distinction between “the religious” and “the redeemed”.

    Palm Sunday is celebrated as the “triumphal entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem, just days before he would endure a mock trial and then be crucified. He and his closest followers (disciples) came to Jerusalem for the celebration of Passover. Passover was an annual remembrance of God’s protection and deliverance of Israel during a time of slavery (Exodus 12:26-28). Jesus would celebrate Passover on Thursday of that coming week, but he did not come to Jerusalem for that reason alone.

    He knew from his Father God why he came to Jerusalem, and he tried to prepare his disciples for what was coming.

    From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. – Matthew 16:21

    Imagine the scene as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Some in the crowd did recognize him, and then the word spread of the arrival of this great teacher, this healer, this man whose teaching was like none before him. Palm branches were pulled to wave in tribute to him, as others flung their cloaks on the dust before him welcoming him.

    Photo Credit: Knox United Vancouver

    Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna** to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!” When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” – Matthew 21:8-10

    “Who is this?” For those who did not know him, the wild welcome for him must have been confusing and captivating. For the religious authorities in Jerusalem, who knew him and were unwilling to welcome this “king of the Jews”, his popularity was infuriating.

    The clock began ticking as they plotted against this man Jesus.

    Over that bright hopeful day of palms hung the shadow of the Cross – the Cross that would bring even greater hope to all people. The “Hosanna” of Palm Sunday would change to cries to “Crucify!” just five days later. Jesus had no ambition to please the crowds; he was resolutely on task to redeem those who could not redeem themselves – the whole world.

    The Final Days of Jesus – Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor

    Each day of Holy Week is highlighted in the following posts – one for each day in Jesus’ last week of life before He was resurrected and gave us the sure hope of eternal life with Him. Links follow below.

    Sunday, Palm Sunday – Day 1 of Holy Week – Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem on the Way to the Cross

    Palm Sunday – Day 1 of Holy Week – Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem on the Way to the Cross

    “If you listen carefully, you can hear the crowd” – Ian Simpkins – Instagram (read this short powerful free verse!)

    “The Crowds” – Matthew 21:1-11 – Palm Sunday Sermon, Cliff Jordan, Movement Church, Richmond, Virginia

    Monday, Day 2 – Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Cleanses the Temple

    Photo Credit: Fig Tree by Bob Orchard

    Jesus and Holy Week – Monday, Day 2 – Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Cleanses the Temple

    Tuesday, Day 3 – A Long Day Teaching & Countering Religious Opposition

    Photo Credit – slidesharecdn.com

    Jesus and Holy Week – Tuesday, Day 3 – A Long Day Teaching & Countering Religious Opposition

    Wednesday, Day 4 – A Day of Quiet Before the Storm – and We Worship

    Photo Credit: Baptist Press

    Worship Wednesday – Jesus & Holy Week – Day 4 – A Day of Quiet Before the Storm – & We Worship

    Thursday, Day 5 – Passover Celebration and His Last Supper Before the Cross

    Photo Credit – Baptist Press – Courtesy of DeMoss News Pond

    Jesus and Holy Week – Thursday, Day 5 – Passover Celebration and His Last Supper Before the Cross

    Friday, Day 6 – Good Friday – His Trial, Crucifixion, & Burial

    http://debmillswriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Blog-Holy-Week-Good-Friday.jpg
    Photo Credit: GoodFridayQuotes2015.com

    Jesus and Holy Week – Day 6 – Good Friday – His Trial, Crucifixion, & Burial

    Saturday, Day 7 – Black Saturday – the Silent Tomb

    http://debmillswriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Blog-Holy-Week-Black-Saturday.jpg
    Photo Credit: Catholiclane.com – Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

    Jesus and Holy Week – Day 7 – Black Saturday – the Silent Tomb

    Sunday, Day 8 – Resurrection Sunday – Risen, Indeed! Thank You, Jesus!

    Photo Credit: The Gospel Coalition

    Resurrection Sunday of Holy Week – Day 8 – Risen, Indeed! Thank You, Jesus!

    Faithfulness, Finishing Strong, Forgiveness, fresh start, Glory of God, God the Father, Gospel, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lessons Learned, Lives Full of God, Love, Music, Reconciliation/Forgiveness, Redeeming & Restoring, Remembering, Thanksgiving or Gratefulness, Transformational, Walk with God, Wednesday Worship, Worship

    Worship Wednesday – Oh, But God – Davy Flowers

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    Photo Credit: YouTube, Davy Flowers

    As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. – Genesis 50:20

    When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead. – Acts 13:29-30

    But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8

    “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” – Ephesians 2:3-5

    Life has a certain un-doing about it that we run up against if we’re not vigilant. A move to seek the approval of others. A falling into the sin of satisfying self – whatever form that takes. A selfish ambition. A hidden sin or invisible shame that draws us away from community. A vengeance on someone we think we deserve. A violence enacted against ourselves or another. An appearance of Godliness we come to think is enough and believable. A grace withheld. A professed forgiveness but without fruit.

    But God! These are not nothing to Him, but God is all-powerful in confronting them. Our sin does not surprise Him, nor are His purposes thwarted by them. He continues to draw us back to Himself. His Spirit guides us to live in the light and exposes the sins and deceit that come between us and the Lord.

    We may wonder at how victory is possible in light of our past (or present even). Yet, it is better to reckon with how sin has shaped us than to deny its power. When we deny the scope of our sin, then we downplay God’s holiness and sacrifice to forgive us our sin. Also, when we live in shame over our past, we do the same. We live in functional disbelief that God is able to wholly forgive us and even bring good and glory out of our past (Romans 8:28).

    Jesus looked straight at them and said, “There are some things people cannot do, but God can do anything.” – Matthew 19:26

    Recently, we sang a new song in worship at Movement Church. It was “Oh But God” by singer, songwriter Davy Flowers. It pierced my heart with joy to be reminded of how far God was willing to come to save me. Even knowing me and what sin I was capable of, He loved me still. He knew what HE was capable of in transforming me into the image of Jesus. Glory! Glory to His name!

    Worship with me.

    I was buried beneath my rebellion
    Lost without hope of redemption
    Blind to my need for a Savior
    Oh but God

    Crushed by the weight of my failure
    Living the lie I created
    Digging my grave without knowing
    Oh but God, oh but God

    [Chorus]
    Rich in mercy, how He loves me
    Too much to let me stay lost
    My salvation sent from Heaven
    Nailing my sin to a cross
    Oh but God

    You gave me a truth worth believing
    And I traded my chains for Your freedom
    ‘Cause You were the One that I needed
    Oh but God

    Resurrected my heart from the ruins
    And my rеscue came through like thе morning
    And now this is my sure testimony
    Oh but God, oh but God

    [Chorus]
    Rich in mercy, how He loves me
    Too much to let me stay lost
    My salvation sent from Heaven
    Nailing my sin to a cross
    Oh but God

    [Bridge]
    All the wreckage of my choices
    You have turned to life from ashes
    Lifted from death, risen with Him
    Now I stand in confidence
    And I know that all the wreckage of my choices
    You have turned to life from ashes
    Lifted from death and risen with Him
    Now I stand in confidence, oh

    [Chorus]
    Rich in mercy, how He loves me
    Too much to let me stay lost
    My salvation sent from Heaven
    Nailing my sin to a cross, oh, You are
    Rich in mercy, how You love me
    Too much to let me stay lost
    My salvation sent from Heaven
    Nailing my sin to a cross
    Oh but God, oh but God

    [Outro]
    Oh but God, oh but God*

    *Lyrics to “Oh But God” – Songwriters: Davy Flowers, Bryan Fowler, & Matt Armstrong

    Faith Behind the Song: “Oh But God” Davy Flowers – Scott Savage

    Worship Wednesday – “But God” – How Beautiful – Twila Paris – Deb Mills

    Worship Wednesday – Take Courage – Kristene DiMarco – Deb Mills

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    Worship Wednesday – For Christ-Followers – It’s Surrender – Not Self-Improvement

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    Photo Credit: Heartlight

    Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

    I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

    If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps. – 1 Peter 2:20-21

    His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble. – 2 Peter 1:3-10

    Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

    I’m an avid reader of non-fiction. Sometimes, oftentimes, that has included volumes of Christian self-help books. Self-improvement is very much the goal of New Year’s resolutions, and I am still in the thick of those made a few weeks back.

    Then, last week, I read a chapter on improvement in Karen Swallow Prior‘s book, The Evangelical Imagination, and it has totally upended my whole understanding of improving my life – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Reading Prior’s book (and this chapter, at the moment) is a wake-up call on how we have taken on culture’s trappings, language, and ethics. Weaving them into our faith, as if they belonged. Such that we as Christians are merely improved humans, rather than the new creations God has made us.

    Photo Credit: Highlight

    The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images & Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis – Karen Swallow Prior

    I realize my focus of late has been more self-improvement than sanctification. Why would we want to improve on the self, anyway, since Christ has told us to deny self? It’s not self that I want improved. It’s so much more than that. Sanctification is defined as being set apart. When we come to faith in Christ, we become His, set apart for Himself and for His service. Although we find in Scripture the command to work out our salvation, we must understand that we are not improving on what has already been done for us. Rather, we do what is needful to truly know Christ and to infuse every part of our being with His character. To what end? For His pleasure, for our good, and for the sake of those He places in our lives. For love’s sake.

    This kind of work, discipline, habit formation is daily and full of God-shaped challenge. However, the goal is not to improve ourselves, but to become ever more His such that we manifest the very likeness of Christ in our relationships and circumstances. As believers, we aren’t just nice people…we are meant to be warriors on the ready for whatever confronts us or those around us, confident of His power at work in us.

    Photo Credit: Heartlight

    God calls us often to show up as peacemakers, too. To die to self, to refuse to think ill of others, to forgive (over and over at times), and to seek forgiveness when we’ve wronged someone.

    Jesus prayed for us to be one with Him and with each other. To extend the fruit of the Spirit He means for the good of those around us. To confront our sin and to put down our idols. Self-improvement is by its nature self-focused…unless…

    You Are Set Free from Self-Improvement – Lydia Brownback

    Podcast: The False Messages Facing Women Today (Lydia Brownback)

    Unless that working out we’re doing is to benefit others, even more than we are benefited. A self-abandonment. We have someone very close to us who has done a huge work in recent months to be as healthy as he can be. In all areas of his life. Some would call that a massive self-improvement effort, but I know him and I know his heart. He has taken a hard look at his life and made some decisions to stretch himself to love God and his family in deeper ways…rather than escaping into self-serving and escape when his daily work is done. Now could he fall into a lesser pursuit of self-improvement? Sure…we all can, but part of his effort is that sorting out of living the life of a new creation with access to the unfathomable grace, love, and power of God.

    Photo Credit: Heartlight

    I’m just at the start of figuring out this whole “dying to self and living to God” process. It’s so easy for me to choose comfort over sacrifice. To choose my preferences over His. How gracious the Lord is! He celebrates our small victories and does not condemn us when we falter. We are His, indwelt by His Spirit, with Christ Jesus interceding for us in the Heavenlies in this very moment.

    This life is not a self-improvement journey for us as believers. It is a practicing the ways of Christ life. Immersing ourselves in His Word to know Him at a heart level, spending time with Him and others, believing Him to live His life through us, ruthlessly dealing with sin and deception in our lives, and then practicing (working out our salvation) His ways until they become our ways.

    What joy! And freedom we discover in this Jesus life…a freedom and a hope that is only ours through Christ’s presence and power. Fleshing out His character in our frail lives, being made more and more like Him, as we work out our salvation, in truly knowing Him and being transformed into His likeness across our lifespan.

    Let me close with the beautiful commentary below from Bibleref.com:

    “In the previous two verses (2 Peter 1:3-4), Peter summarized the enormous benefit we have received in knowing God through faith in Christ. We have been equipped to follow the example of Jesus’ glory and goodness. We’re not missing anything we need to lead the life He calls us to. More, through faith in Jesus, we have been granted the right to participate, right now, in God’s nature. We can partner with Christ in fulfilling God’s purpose on earth. We have been freed from the corruption of sin.

    All of that sounds fantastic, but what does it mean for us today? Why does it seem that many Christians are so far away from participating in God’s nature, not living with Christ’s purpose, joy, and love? Why do some continue to live in the sin from whose corruption we’ve supposedly been freed?

    This verse gives us a clue. God has given us all we need to live like Jesus, but now we must actually use those gifts. And that means work. Before we had received God’s gift of grace, we lacked both the ability and the desire to live in Jesus’ glory and goodness. Now that we have been empowered to do so, we must “make every effort” to add the following qualities [2 Peter 1:3-10] to, or “alongside,” our faith.

    In other words, we must begin to live as if what we believe is really true.

    By faith, we came to Christ. Now, with Christ’s power, we must work to add goodness to our faith, and to add knowledge to our goodness. The next two verses (vv. 6 & 7) will explore additional ideas about the chain of traits we as Christians should work to build into our lives.” – Bibleref.com

    #2. Add to Your Faith Goodness – (2 Peter 1:5-11) – 2 Peter & Jude Bible Studies – Ralph F. Wilson

    Photo Credit: Heartlight

    Practicing the Way website- John Mark Comer

    Growth Is Not the Goal: Why We Need Habits of Grace – David Mathis, Desiring God

    How Christian Is Self-Improvement – Marshall Segal, Desiring God

    Sanctification – Bible Study Tools

    The Most Important Cultural Book of the Year (Maybe Even Decade) – Review: ‘The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self’ by Carl Trueman – Andrew T. Walker

    Purpose in Life, Remembering, Stories, Thanksgiving or Gratefulness, Transformational, Walk with God, Wednesday Worship, Worship

    Worship Wednesday – Make You Known – Sherwood Baptist Church Worship Team

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    Photo Credit: Phil Ressler, Verse of the Week

    For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. – 2 Corinthians 4:5

    How do we want to be remembered? Something one ponders as we get older, but better to live each day in a different sort of way. Not to be remembered, necessarily, but to be “known as” of “known for”.

    Here is a brief story taken up in song of how one man is known. Michael Catt, previously a pastor from Oklahoma, came to Albany, Georgia, in 1989, as the new lead pastor for Sherwood Baptist Church. Albany, Georgia is a town deep in the Bible Belt of South Georgia, with dozens of churches from which to choose.

    What Michael Catt accomplished (credit of which he gives all to the Lord) is phenomenal. He and this great church, empowered by God, take the Gospel seriously and personally.

    “Michael served as pastor of Sherwood from 1989 through 2021, when he retired to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In his over 31 years at Sherwood, the church grew into a multi-generational congregation with members from more than 20 nations. Michael led the church to establish numerous Crisis Pregnancy Centers, launched a Biblical Counseling Center, built a 100-acre Legacy Sports Park, and repurposed an old Coca-Cola bottling plant into a ministry center for the underserved of Albany.” – Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Michael Catt

    Some of you may have seen the excellent faith-centered films by The Kendrick Brothers. These film-makers and their films come out of a collaboration with Sherwood Pictures, another ministry of this church and, for a long season, Pastor Michael Catt.

    It’s not surprising then, when Michael Catt passed the 30-year mark of his ministry at Sherwood Church, that a great celebration was planned. It included a surprise song written in tribute to him and his heart to ever know God more deeply and to make Him known widely.

    “Make You Known”.

    Shortly after that celebration, I came across the song on social media, following one of his daughters and the church. It is song that points to God and crescendos in such a beautiful way that it isn’t hard to imagine what Heaven will be like as we surround His throne in worship. Michael Catt, who retired the next year and died in 2023, is there already, having lived to make God known. That’s the legacy right there.

    Worship God with me to this beautiful tribute of a song to God and His faithful one, Michael Catt.

    When they think of me, will they think of You?

    Will this life I live unveil Your truth?

    When they speak of me will they speak Your name?

    Will my legacy reveal Your fame?

    With every breath that I will breathe, I live to make You known.

    With everything inside of me, I choose to finish strong.

    With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own

    I live to make You known.

    So I take this road, looking to the sun.

    By Your grace alone, every battle’s won.

    I will make the most of my given name. Every circumstance I will bring You praise.

    With every breath that I will breathe, I live to make You known.

    With everything inside of me, I’ll choose to finish strong.

    With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own

    I live to make You known.

    I’ll make my boast, I’ll make my claim in Christ and Christ alone.

    All glory, honor, power, and praise arises to Your throne.

    I’ll make my boast, I’ll make my claim in Christ and Christ alone.

    All glory, honor, power, and praise arises to Your throne.

    I’ll make my boast, I’ll make my claim in Christ and Christ alone.

    All glory, honor, power, and praise arises to Your throne.

    With every breath that I will breathe, I’ll live to make You known.

    With everything inside of me, I’ll choose to finish strong.

    With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own

    I’ll live to make You known.

    With all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all that I am, with all that I have and all I own

    I’ll live to make You known.

    I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known.

    I’ll live for You alone.

    I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known. I’ll live to make You known.

    I’ll live for You alone. I’ll live to make You known.*

    *Lyrics transcribed from the YouTube video with Worship Leader & Songwriter Mark Willard & others.

    Michael Catt – 1952-2023 – Obituary – beautiful story

    Make You Known album – Sherwood Worship

    https://www.facebook.com/SherwoodBaptistChurch/videos/2812192468823572/ – Make You Known video

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    Photo Credit: Facebook, Sherwood Baptist Church

    Photo Credit: Pete Briscoe, YouTube