Easter Cantata

You're all invited to my church's annual Easter Cantata this coming week! The performances will be Palm Sunday (March 24th at 10:30 am) and Good Friday (March 29th at 7:00 pm). This Cantata includes a large orchestra (with yours truly on the piano! :), drama cast, and full choir.

 

Once Upon a Tree is told through the life of Luke the physician as he writes the book of Luke. He tells of Jesus' last week before His crucifixion. The Cantata ends with a glorious song titled "The Song Lives On, Hallelujah!" speaking of how Jesus has risen and so we have hope in Christ! This dramatic presentation is something you'll not want to miss!

Writing about Easter reminds me of a song by Keith and Kristyn Getty titled "Christ is Risen, He has Risen Indeed!" I hope it blesses you during this time of rejoicing that our Savior is alive!

How can it be, the One who died,
Has born our sin through sacrifice
To conquer every sting of death?
Sing, sing hallelujah.

For joy awakes as dawning light
When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes.
Alive He stands, their Friend and King;
Christ, Christ He is risen.

CHORUS
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah.
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.

Where doubt and darkness once had been,
They saw Him and their hearts believed.
But blessed are those who have not seen,
Yet, sing hallelujah.

Once bound by fear now bold in faith,
They preached the truth and power of grace.
And pouring out their lives they gained
Life, life everlasting.

CHORUS

The power that raised Him from the grave
Now works in us to powerfully save.
He frees our hearts to live His grace;
Go tell of His goodness.

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

"Knowledge is knowing the tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in your fruit salad."

-Miles Kington

Armor

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

5 Books and 5 Movies I Recommend...

BOOKS

It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

(I recommend girls read this with or after their parents, so they can discuss the content and the parent can let them know what their personal standards are in this area.)

 

"Ever been confused about friendships with boys? How to handle crushes? How friendly is too friendly? How close is too close? What to do when a guy is being way too friendly? What guys think about all this? What it means to be a "sister, in all purity"? Guy-girl relationships have always been complicated, but perhaps never more so than today. It's (Not That) Complicated is a humorous, hopeful, and deeply thought-provoking new look at guy-girl relationships in our times. Dealing practically with such complications as online interaction, Hollywood expectations, undefined relationships, and unrequited love, the Botkin sisters offer enduring biblical principles that can make it all much simpler."

So Much More by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

 

"The Botkin sisters focus on how young women can rise above their God-hating culture and change it for the better. Within the pages of this book, discover practical, biblical solutions for the young woman who wants to do so much more than just 'survive' in a savagely feministic, anti-Christian culture. So Much More shows how Christian girls can wage war with the world and win."

Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham 

"We know that the chief purpose and end of man is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” But how does this calling apply to daughters living at home? And how do daughters and parents explain that application to their extended families, pastors, and loved ones?

Jasmine Baucham, the oldest daughter of Christian speaker, author, and church elder Dr. Voddie Baucham, answers these important questions in her brand-new book, Joyfully at Home."

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris 

 

"Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact."

Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris

 

"You want to do hard things. But you don't know where to start.

You are changing the world around you.But you are tired and burned out.

You feel called to do the extraordinary for God.But you feel stuck in the ordinary.

Are you ready to take the next step and blast past mediocrity for the glory of God?

Start here."

MOVIES

Captivated - Produced by Phillip Telfer and Colin Gunn

 

"Everywhere we go we are surrounded by screens.
Have we entered a techno utopia or a virtual prison?

Should we be celebrating unreservedly
or should we be cautious and skeptical?

Is it the greatest leap in productivity
or the biggest setback from the things most meaningful in life?

Has today's connectivity drawn us closer to one another
or strangely more disjointed?

Is our social experience richer and deeper
or more shallow and artificial?

Is it all of these things or none of them?

Discover insightful answers to these questions from media experts, church leaders, and inspiring individuals and families from across the country.

Most importantly you'll discover how God's word addresses the  unique media challenges we face today."

IndoctriNation - Produced by Colin Gunn 

(This film should be previewed by parents before children watch due to graphic clips and stories.)

 

"Driving an old school bus, Colin and family travel across America, asking questions about the origins and social impact of America's public education system. Colin asks:

• Who established the American Public Schools system?
• Are my kids physically and morally safe in the schools?
• Are the public schools religiously neutral?
• Shouldn't Christian kids be “salt and light” in the Schools?
• Can the public school system be fixed or redeemed?

 Featuring compelling interviews with teachers, administrators, parents, and other whistleblowers, this film is part documentary, part testimonial, and totally captivating. Above all it is both an encouragement and challenge to the millions of Christians who need to know what God's Word says about the discipleship and training of the next generation. You will want to give this DVD to every parent you know."

Divided - Produced by Philip Leclerc

  

"DIVIDED follows young Christian filmmaker Philip Leclerc on a revealing journey as he seeks answers to what has led his generation away from the church. Traveling across the country conducting research and interviewing church kids, youth ministry experts, evangelists, statisticians, social commentators, and pastors, Philip discovers the shockingly sinister roots of modern, age-segregated church programs, and the equally shocking evidence that the pattern in the Bible for training future generations is at odds with modern church practices."

The next two are both produced by Sherwood Pictures. Click on the titles to read a bit about the movie and watch a short trailer. (I would also strongly recommend Fireproof which you will find on this site. It should be previewed by parents to ensure they want to expose their child to the content. It deals with a broken marriage that goes through much hardship before it is restored by God's grace in their lives.)

Facing the Giants

 

Courageous

(This one also has some scary scenes. Should be previewed before younger children watch.)

 

Beauty

Last fall I attended a webinar hosted by the Botkin girls. 

 

If you are familiar with them I'm sure you know that they are girls committed to doing God's work by serving their families from the home. They honor their parents and work hard to cultivate gifts and talents that have been given to them by the Lord! They are definitely far from bored!! The webinar they gave last fall was titled: Reclaiming Beauty. There are 9 hours of power point slides and a 45 page study guide.
Sessions Include:

• What God Says About Beauty and Beautification: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
• What Style Is Your Heart, Mind, and Soul? Pardon Me, Ma’am, but Your True Identity is Showing
• Getting Your Temple in Order: The Physical Foundations of Beauty
• Figuring Out Your Look: How to Dress in Character
• Putting Things Together: Composition, Style, Occasion, Accessories
• Acquiring New Pieces (and Making Better Use of Old Ones): How to get what you need with minimum time, money, and fuss
• The Focal Point: Being a Good Steward of Your Face and Crowning Glory

They are offering the first episode free! You can check it out here: http://westernconservatory.com/products/reclaiming-beauty

I really like the perspective they take on this subject! They offer a healthy way to look at beauty as well as many practical resources and ideas for keeping our skin, hair, and over all body healthy. I think many girls are trying so hard to be counter-cultural, that they think wearing makeup and trying to dress in a beautiful way is wrong. (By beautiful I mean colors that go with each other and with your coloring and a shape of clothing that complements your body type in a way that makes you more modest and less distracting. I DON'T mean a way that makes men stumble when they look at you!) They totally write it off without delving deeper into the matter. The Botkins are actually a perfect example of this. They were so intent in years past on not being like the world, that for many years they went around in frumpy sweatpants and as baggy a t-shirt as they could find, with no makeup on, and hats covering up their hair. We need to go to God's Word and see what He has to say on the subject. Not just write it off. God made us to be beautiful, but we need to take a stand for the kind of beauty He made us to have!

The body left in its most natural state is an ideal we never see in Scripture. God gave clothes to cover our shame as a metaphor of how he gave righteousness to cover our sin. 

Here's a Biblical Theology of the Body presented in the first episode of Reclaiming Beauty.

• We are created in God’s image Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
• We are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
• We are to take dominion of the world Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
• The body doesn’t belong to us 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
• We are supposed to be glorifying Someone Who is not ourselves in our bodies 1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
• We are God’s temple 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people."

We definitely need to watch our motives in this whole thing. Isaiah 3:16 Moreover Yahweh says: "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, And walk with outstretched necks And wanton eyes, Walking and mincing as they go, Making a jingling with their feet,18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery: The jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; 19 The pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; 20 The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms, 21 and the rings; The nose jewels, 22 the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer garments, the purses, 23 and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes. 24 And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty. 26 Her gates shall lament and mourn, And she being desolate shall sit on the ground.
So, we don't want our physical beauty to become a thing of pride. Obviously the Lord does not look on that favorably.
We also don't want to put our trust or confidence in our beauty. Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears Yahweh is to be praised.

If you choose to purchase this 9 session "webinar", you will be blessed and inspired! The Botkins definitely do their research and you will have a lot of info thrown at you! But if you can only take one thing away, do remember this; that even among all these practical tips, the beauty of the heart is what matters and what lasts! 

Just remember: The world did not create beauty: God did! The world does not own the copyright on beauty!

“My daughters and I have heard the Botkin girls many times and we are always improved in our thinking as a result. I commend this experience to all those who would like to grow in their understanding of this important subject.” -Scott Brown

"Thank you so much for taking the time to do this :) It is so refreshing to hear a well-balanced view on this subject- a view that is based upon the Word of God and a love for the Lord Jesus." — A

"…listening to you both was very helpful, encouraging, exciting, fun, freeing, enlightening, insightful, thought-provoking, action-provoking… It produced growth in all of us and it was a huge blessing!" — V