NEWSPAPER COLUMN Roger Campbell
PALM SUNDAY’S TEARS
The praises and palm branches of Palm Sunday’s crowd when Jesus entered Jerusalem are remembered at this time of the year but most forget the tears He shed over what the citizens of that sacred city would face in the years ahead.
Jerusalem means “city of peace” but the history of that embattled city is a story of war and destruction. Today it is the location of the most volatile political, religious, economic and military problem on the planet…so the tears continue.
A Newsweek reader, living in Israel, once wrote to the editor describing the climate of fear in his homeland at that time: “Fear masters everything,” he wrote: “when you walk down the street you inspect everyone you pass with, as we say in Hebrew, seven eyes.”
No wonder Jesus wept.
Fear is a miserable master and to some degree this enemy stalks us all wherever we live, bringing depression, stifling ability, draining energy, diminishing courage and robbing life of adventure and success.
When fear is in control, we are constantly scanning the landscape in search of anything that might harm us. Familiar sights and sounds become sentinels that continually warn us of possible impending disasters, keeping us ever on high alert. Even a ringing phone can be an alarm signal causing us to dread what unwelcome words may dwell at the bell.
What breaks fear’s bondage?
Faith in Palm Sunday’s weeping one, who said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
PALM SUNDAY’S TEARS PAGE TWO Roger Campbell
Fear and faith are opposites.
And faith always enlists prayer to summon its faithful protector.
The tears of Jesus on Palm Sunday, as he descended into Jerusalem, revealed His love for those who faced terrible things in their future. Ahead lay his betrayal by Judas, a mock trial by spineless Pilate and the crucifixion. Yet His tears that day were not for himself but for other suffering ones.
In his book, “Dark Threads the Weaver needs” Herbert Lockyer says, “At the head of the procession of the world’s sufferers is a thorn crowned man,” adding the reason most of us don’t measure up to His compassion for others is because we’re too busy looking in a mirror to look out the window.
“In a mirror,” Lockyer writes “you see only yourself, but through a window you do not see yourself but others.”
Our Lord was ever concerned about the pain and suffering of others. His first prayer from the cross was for the forgiveness of his tormentors. And even in that place of humiliation and suffering He took time to minister to a repentant dying thief, assuring him of heaven.
Are you so occupied with your own problems that you lack compassion for others?
Remember Palm Sunday’s tears.
And replace your mirror with a window.
Roger Campbell is an author, broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years.
He can be reached at rcministry@ameritech.net
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Light of Day
I arose this morning to see the sun rise.
This to me came as no surprise.
For God put it there to rule over the day.
Tarry not for the mind will stray.
Higher and higher the sun is so bright.
This is so, as it over takes the night.
With warm rays upon my face.
The darkness is gone without a trace.
The sun is out, we have daylight to burn.
Busy, busy about our work, for the darkness will return
Arthur Baxter
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
This to me came as no surprise.
For God put it there to rule over the day.
Tarry not for the mind will stray.
Higher and higher the sun is so bright.
This is so, as it over takes the night.
With warm rays upon my face.
The darkness is gone without a trace.
The sun is out, we have daylight to burn.
Busy, busy about our work, for the darkness will return
Arthur Baxter
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Column by Pastor Roger F Campbell
NEWSPAPER COLUMN Roger Campbell
SWEET SPRING
I’ve been meeting many people who are experiencing winter burnout (or freeze out). Even the south has had a winter to remember, featuring killer storms that have just kept coming. Now it’s time to look past wintry blasts to sweet spring, the season of new life; the gentle time of the year, the season of love, Good Friday and Easter.
Flowers and colorful blossoms are about to break forth in all their splendor, speaking of God’s love of beauty and His provision of these for us all.
But what if this breathtaking display that bursts forth every year during the delightful season called spring went unappreciated because we lacked the ability to take it in? What if our reception of these wonders was only in black and white?
Not a chance!
The Creator’s plan is complete, providing both natural beauty and the human capacity to enjoy and appreciate it. We can also learn from it.
Jesus urged those who were worried about financial problems to consider the beauty given to lilies in spite of their lack of labor (Matthew 6:26-27), teaching them to trust rather than tremble during tough times.
Then there is Solomon’s enduring poetic description of spring: “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain (or snow) is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land” (Song of Solomon 2;11-12).
The first day of spring is always special to me. I start the countdown at the beginning
of each New Year and have generally reported the number of days until spring to my
SWEET SPRING PAGE TWO ROGER CAMPBELL
congregations each week until it arrived. I once received a letter from a family of former members asking how many days remained until spring.
Spring declares death can only win for a season and that life is always waiting in the wings to take the stage, so I keep trying to spread the good news.
“There are only a few more days until spring,” I tell people I meet. And you should see the looks I get.
“That’s only on the calendar,” some say, wondering how I can be so upbeat about the arrival of spring before the weather is spring like.
My reply is simple: when we enjoy the anticipation of spring, we’ll feel the balmy breezes and breathe in the aroma of flowers before they bloom.
Expectation enhances experience.
Dwight L. Moody, the nineteenth century’s most famous evangelist said, “After December 31st, winter’s back is broken.” At the end of every year, this man of faith saw spring hurrying on its way to arrive on time: beautiful, life announcing, spring.
A moving line of composer John W. Peterson’s song “I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” must have been inspired by his delight in the Designer’s spring extravaganza:
“I’ve seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
I believe in miracles for I believe in God.”
I do too. How about you?
SWEET SPRING
I’ve been meeting many people who are experiencing winter burnout (or freeze out). Even the south has had a winter to remember, featuring killer storms that have just kept coming. Now it’s time to look past wintry blasts to sweet spring, the season of new life; the gentle time of the year, the season of love, Good Friday and Easter.
Flowers and colorful blossoms are about to break forth in all their splendor, speaking of God’s love of beauty and His provision of these for us all.
But what if this breathtaking display that bursts forth every year during the delightful season called spring went unappreciated because we lacked the ability to take it in? What if our reception of these wonders was only in black and white?
Not a chance!
The Creator’s plan is complete, providing both natural beauty and the human capacity to enjoy and appreciate it. We can also learn from it.
Jesus urged those who were worried about financial problems to consider the beauty given to lilies in spite of their lack of labor (Matthew 6:26-27), teaching them to trust rather than tremble during tough times.
Then there is Solomon’s enduring poetic description of spring: “For, lo, the winter is past, the rain (or snow) is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in the land” (Song of Solomon 2;11-12).
The first day of spring is always special to me. I start the countdown at the beginning
of each New Year and have generally reported the number of days until spring to my
SWEET SPRING PAGE TWO ROGER CAMPBELL
congregations each week until it arrived. I once received a letter from a family of former members asking how many days remained until spring.
Spring declares death can only win for a season and that life is always waiting in the wings to take the stage, so I keep trying to spread the good news.
“There are only a few more days until spring,” I tell people I meet. And you should see the looks I get.
“That’s only on the calendar,” some say, wondering how I can be so upbeat about the arrival of spring before the weather is spring like.
My reply is simple: when we enjoy the anticipation of spring, we’ll feel the balmy breezes and breathe in the aroma of flowers before they bloom.
Expectation enhances experience.
Dwight L. Moody, the nineteenth century’s most famous evangelist said, “After December 31st, winter’s back is broken.” At the end of every year, this man of faith saw spring hurrying on its way to arrive on time: beautiful, life announcing, spring.
A moving line of composer John W. Peterson’s song “I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES” must have been inspired by his delight in the Designer’s spring extravaganza:
“I’ve seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
I believe in miracles for I believe in God.”
I do too. How about you?
From our Missionary Family and Friends-The McGrady's
ear Faithful Followers,
We are happy to share our updated web site with news about our missionary ministry. We thank God for how he is using each of you on our Team to make a difference around the world.
This month we tell about a soccer ball and a taxi ride, read all about it at http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx.
Many blessings and thanks for your faithful support and prayers.
Ned, Marlene and Jordan McGrady
Rev. Ned R. McGrady
Global Partners Pastor to Missionaries in Ecuador
Apartado 01.01.338
Cuenca, Ecuador South America
Ecuador Home Phone 593-07-408-2545
Celular: 593-08-049-8723
Email ned@straightpaths.org
Skype ned.mcgrady
Skype Phone (727) 231-4151
www.straightpaths.org
We are happy to share our updated web site with news about our missionary ministry. We thank God for how he is using each of you on our Team to make a difference around the world.
This month we tell about a soccer ball and a taxi ride, read all about it at http://straightpaths.org/news.aspx.
Many blessings and thanks for your faithful support and prayers.
Ned, Marlene and Jordan McGrady
Rev. Ned R. McGrady
Global Partners Pastor to Missionaries in Ecuador
Apartado 01.01.338
Cuenca, Ecuador South America
Ecuador Home Phone 593-07-408-2545
Celular: 593-08-049-8723
Email ned@straightpaths.org
Skype ned.mcgrady
Skype Phone (727) 231-4151
www.straightpaths.org
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