Holy Week Devotional
Pastor John Piper launched a new, free devotional eBook, titled Love to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week, today. The devotional focuses on the self-giving love of Jesus Christ leading up to his death, burial and resurrection.
In preparation for the Easter, the new devotional was compiled from past teachings and writings of Piper for use in personal devotions or family and group settings. There are eight devotionals, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday. Piper chronicles the steps and words of Jesus as he prepares for his own sacrificial death. He takes the devotional reader on a journey of Christ’s love for them through his suffering and sacrifice.
The significance of the term uttermost is explained in the devotional. When used in relation to Jesus’ willing death for the world, it means he endured “unimaginable degrees” of suffering to do so. “To love to the uttermost is to love freely, without reserve or limit, and without flaw or failure,” it reads. “As we watch his arrest and trial and death unfold for eight days, we gaze on a God-man who begrudges no pain or reproach on his pathway to redeem lost sinners. This is the man who humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” – Philippians 2:8,”
Holy Week Timeline
The Bible – Mini Series
‘The Bible’ — History Channel’s Upcoming Mini-Series That Covers Genesis to Revelation
Premiering on March 3
You can watch the Trailer here:
“I’ve probably seen most, if not all, of the films about the Bible produced in the past 50 years. This one stands alone, in a class by itself, as the best I’ve ever seen. Brilliantly produced with stunning cinematography, a Hans Zimmer score and academy-worthy acting, it stands head-and-shoulder above the rest. Too many ‘Bible’ films end up feeling like documentaries, with stilted dialog, second-class sets, and narration that feels like a lecture. In contrast, this series, draws you into the story from the start. The key to its effectiveness is that it lets the Bible speak for itself, without commentary, excuse or qualification, which makes it unique. This is living history at its best!”
—Dr. Rick Warren, Author, What On Earth Am I Here For?, The Purpose Driven Life
Famed reality show producer Mark Burnett has brought Americans popular programs like “Survivor,” “The Apprentice,” “Shark Tank” and “The Voice.” But his next project, “The Bible,” a mini-series set to air on the History Channel in 2013, may come as a surprise to some. The program, which takes the holy book from Genesis to Revelation and re-enacts it, will air in two-hour intervals over a five-week period.
There’s less than two months until Mark Burnettand Roma Downey (actress from “Touched by an Angel”) unveil their epic “The Bible” series on the History Channel. On Thursday, a new trailer for the initiative was released, showing snapshots of the compelling stories that will be told.
Premiering on March 3, the five-part program may come as a surprise to some — particularly considering Hollywood’s generally-dismal portrayal of religious themes (not to mention an overwhelming penchant for ignoring faith altogether).
The mini-series, which will take viewers through the holy book from Genesis to Revelation, is slated to air in two-hour intervals each week, concluding on Easter Sunday. Unlike documentary-style projects, “The Bible” is a reenactment that relies upon actors and realistic settings, merging the two in an effort to bring the book’s many stories to light.
“We really felt called to do this. [It] just kept tugging at our hearts,” Downey told reporters, later adding, “We really felt God’s hand there with us.”
All Glory Be to Christ
New lyrics to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, from the album Joy Has Dawned by Kings Kaleidoscope:
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow’s gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!
His will be done
His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!
When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new.
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere his people be
All glory be to Christ!
All glory be to Christ our king!
All glory be to Christ!
His rule and reign will ever sing,
All glory be to Christ!
credits
Words by Dustin Kensrue, arrangement by Kings Kaleidoscope / © Dead Bird Theology (ASCAP), It’s All About Jesus Music (ASCAP)
Horeb MTC Christmas Carol Service 2012
The first Christmas Carol Service of Horeb Mar Thoma Church. It was a fantastic evening, as we celebrated our Savior’s birth through wonderful music, fellowship and worship together. Enjoy and cherish these pictures and videos.
Christmas Carol Rounds 2012
Here are a couple of videos of our members visiting homes during the Christmas Carol rounds and spreading good cheer!
What Ravi Zacharias said to the Founder-Leader of Hamas
Forgiveness.
Ravi Zacharias a Christian apologist and an intellect, but above all he is an evangelist of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
Santa is Coming to Town vs. Jesus Came to Little Town
The contrast between Claus narrative and the Christ narrative, John Piper:
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Casting Crown’s Version:
The lyrics originate from the poem “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, written on Christmas day in 1863. But the original was not a feel-good song but one born in grief. Longfellow’s wife had died in a fire in 1860. And on December 1, 1863, the widower received the news that his eldest son, 19-year-old Charley, had been nearly paralyzed by a gunshot wound fighting for the Union in the Civil War. It was with that background that he penned this poem about the dissonance between the Christmas bells, the singing of “peace on earth,” and the world around him of injustice and violence—ending with the hope for eschatological peace.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on the earth, good-will to men.”