What's that gotta do with Easter?

So I am sitting here at school with spring break so close I can taste it. Im still here because I am letting some students finish a test that, due to a time overage in a schoolwide event, they ran out of time durring class to finish.

The event was attended by all physically, but mentally most were glad to spend an hour or so out of class and wistful for 2:45 and cessation of school work for the next two weeks. Students were handed a palm frond at the begining of a walk were to spend time moving from station to station remembering what Christ had suffered through. Most students walked by the stations while talking to their friends. The crucifixion is hardly given a second thought. During first period they were to write a prayer, a picture, a confession, anything really on a stone to place at the foot of the cross. Most had nothing to say. I suggested thank yous. I gave them historical quotes from the patristic tradition "that which He was He remained, that which He wasn't He became" or "That which is not assumed is not healed"

The saddest for me however was when I suggested one of my favorite verses that sums up a huge part of my beliefs about who God is, what He is like and what He has done for us, a student looked at me and said, "What does that have to do with Easter?"

The verse? From John 1- "And the word became flesh and dwelt among us"

How my heart sometimes aches for people to see and love the truth of God...

Sabbath Manifesto.

Apparently Rabbis are encouraging a "National Day of Unplugging" today, March 20th, in an attempt to reclaim the purpose and meaning behind a day of rest. Their list of 10 principles for the sabbath.

1- Avoid Technology- A little hard socially with cell phones and email, but personally hard because I am usually getting stuff ready for school.

2- Connect with Loved Ones- A little easier. Sarah and I have set a goal to share our table with others at least once a month

3- Nurture Your Health- Probably good. Take a walk, do some yoga. Exercise helps stress and lowers blood pressure.

4- Get Outside- Get your vitamin D happy drugs.

5- Avoid Commerce- How come you get a sabbath but the people serving your lunch don't?

6- Light Candles- I'm not sure of this one but I would be willing to try it. Maybe its a way of connecting the past with the present?

7- Drink wine- Blessed be the Lord, creator of the fruit of the vine...

8- Eat Bread- Yum, gluten here we come

9- Find Silence-- Hard to do with a one year old. But I do usually wake up first so I do get some silence in the morning before the house gets moving.

10-Give Back- Interesting. All the other ones focus on self but this one is outward focused. I think you could do this especially in the exercising of biblical hospitality which we are learning needs to be geared towards those who are in need of hospitality and broadened to include the meeting of emotional and spiritual needs in addition to meeting physical needs.