Forgive us, God.
We’ve piled one sin on top of another.
We’ve made our own plans without listening to Your Spirit.
We’ve looked elsewhere for security.
We’ve been rebellious people,
Unwilling to hear what You have to say.
We’ve wanted to hear words that made us feel good
instead of listening to Your words of truth.
But You call us to turn back to you
and to trust in what you offer us –
a life that comes from Your Son Jesus,
forgiven and made clean
by His blood shed for us.
You wait for us to return
to Your grace, love, and compassion.
Faithful God,
Here we are. We come in faith to You.
Receive us and forgive us
in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Wednesday
But for your Grace
Rita Baloche wrote this beautiful little chorus:
But for your grace, I could not be saved,
But for your grace I would go my way.
I'm forever grateful
that you have been faithful to me, Lord,
for your Amazing Grace.
©1998 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
It's a sweet melody and a beautiful prayer, but I felt it would have benefitted from a couple verses. With a short and simple chorus, I often wish the writer had said more. So I decided to write a couple verses of music and lyrics to fill the song out. Of course I cannot tell you that these are the verses for the above song. They are simply song fragments I have written. I gave them the title "Grace".
In grace you came to free us,
to save us from our sin.
Receiving grace,
we know the embrace
of the Father once again.
My life, so torn and broken,
where sin had left its scar.
In Grace you came,
our lives to reclaim,
and to heal our broken hearts.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005
I will scan the melody, lyrics and chords into a pdf file and post a link here asap.
But for your grace, I could not be saved,
But for your grace I would go my way.
I'm forever grateful
that you have been faithful to me, Lord,
for your Amazing Grace.
©1998 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
It's a sweet melody and a beautiful prayer, but I felt it would have benefitted from a couple verses. With a short and simple chorus, I often wish the writer had said more. So I decided to write a couple verses of music and lyrics to fill the song out. Of course I cannot tell you that these are the verses for the above song. They are simply song fragments I have written. I gave them the title "Grace".
In grace you came to free us,
to save us from our sin.
Receiving grace,
we know the embrace
of the Father once again.
My life, so torn and broken,
where sin had left its scar.
In Grace you came,
our lives to reclaim,
and to heal our broken hearts.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005
I will scan the melody, lyrics and chords into a pdf file and post a link here asap.
Tuesday
a Trailer for the Chronicles of Narnia
If you are, like me, a lover of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, the wonderful series of children’s books written as an allegory of the story of redemption, you’ll enjoy this link:
http://www.allocine.fr/webtv/acvision.asp?nopub=1&cvid=18389258&emission=&player=ASF&debit=T
It’s a French site so the subtitles are in French but the trailer is in English.
http://www.allocine.fr/webtv/acvision.asp?nopub=1&cvid=18389258&emission=&player=ASF&debit=T
It’s a French site so the subtitles are in French but the trailer is in English.
Celebration Concert
April 24 was the "Commitment Sunday" of our capital campaign. As part of the celebration, in between our two services (8:20 and 11:00) we had a reception at 9:40 followed by a concert at 10 am. It ran to about 45 minutes and about 9 songs. I had the pleasure of mixing the sound and recording the event, and it was wonderful in the extreme.
You want to hear it? I'll send you a CD. Five bucks will cover the cost and the shipping.
Rick Lindholtz
3803 W Lake Houston Parkway
Kingwood TX 77339
You want to hear it? I'll send you a CD. Five bucks will cover the cost and the shipping.
Rick Lindholtz
3803 W Lake Houston Parkway
Kingwood TX 77339
A Responsive reading of scriptural praise
It's from Easter 2005, but it would work on any Sunday.
Leader: What a rich and glorious inheritance God has given to his people- the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him - the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.
People: He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.
Leader: Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
People: Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
Leader: It's God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him. It was sin that made death so frightening, and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power.
People: But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three--sin, guilt, death--are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God.
People: We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God's power.
Leader: Your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.
All: Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Arranged by Rick Lindholtz. Based on Ephesians 1:19-20, Philippians 2:8-11, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Romans 1:16, and
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 from “The Message” – a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible
and 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:11, and Ephesians 3:20 from the New Living Translation of the Bible
Leader: What a rich and glorious inheritance God has given to his people- the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him - the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.
People: He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.
Leader: Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
People: Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one.
Leader: It's God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him. It was sin that made death so frightening, and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power.
People: But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three--sin, guilt, death--are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Leader: Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God.
People: We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God's power.
Leader: Your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.
All: Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Arranged by Rick Lindholtz. Based on Ephesians 1:19-20, Philippians 2:8-11, 1 Corinthians 1:24, Romans 1:16, and
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 from “The Message” – a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible
and 2 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:11, and Ephesians 3:20 from the New Living Translation of the Bible
Prayer for a heart like Your Heart
This prayer was written to accompany the song "Give me a Heart" by Greg and Pamela Fadness (Maranatha! Music). The song's chorus:
Give me a heart like Your heart, beating for the lost,
Give me a love like your love, no matter what the cost.
Give me a road to travel, a race that I can run,
Give me a heart like your heart, to stand until you come, until you come.
I wrote the prayer not to be spoken out loud, but to be read silently by the congregation as the words gently appear, a phrase at a time, on the screens. It takes about 90 seconds, during which the piano plays softly underneath. When the reading is completed, the chorus of the song is gently reprised.
God, all too often my heart is like stone.
Uncaring.
Cold.
Hard.
Unresponsive to Your voice.
I see the needs of others
for affirmation,
for encouragement,
for hope,
for prayer.
I even desire to respond as You would.
But all too often I become absorbed with my own wants
for attention,
for importance,
for comfort,
for satisfaction.
I hear Your word
through Scripture,
through Your Holy Spirit's voice,
and I long to awaken with joy
to follow after You.
But all too often I heed other voices:
the voice of the tempter,
the voice of the world,
the voice of my own selfish will.
I need a heart like Your heart.
Come to me now, Lord Jesus,
with Your heart of tenderness and compassion,
Your heart that longs to heal me,
to forgive me,
to restore me.
Give me a heart like Your heart.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2003
Give me a heart like Your heart, beating for the lost,
Give me a love like your love, no matter what the cost.
Give me a road to travel, a race that I can run,
Give me a heart like your heart, to stand until you come, until you come.
I wrote the prayer not to be spoken out loud, but to be read silently by the congregation as the words gently appear, a phrase at a time, on the screens. It takes about 90 seconds, during which the piano plays softly underneath. When the reading is completed, the chorus of the song is gently reprised.
God, all too often my heart is like stone.
Uncaring.
Cold.
Hard.
Unresponsive to Your voice.
I see the needs of others
for affirmation,
for encouragement,
for hope,
for prayer.
I even desire to respond as You would.
But all too often I become absorbed with my own wants
for attention,
for importance,
for comfort,
for satisfaction.
I hear Your word
through Scripture,
through Your Holy Spirit's voice,
and I long to awaken with joy
to follow after You.
But all too often I heed other voices:
the voice of the tempter,
the voice of the world,
the voice of my own selfish will.
I need a heart like Your heart.
Come to me now, Lord Jesus,
with Your heart of tenderness and compassion,
Your heart that longs to heal me,
to forgive me,
to restore me.
Give me a heart like Your heart.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2003
Monday
off-topic: "Cleopatra Had a Jazz Band"
My friend Brad posted a note on Saturday about an online collection of old sheet music available at The University of Colorado, Boulder. Aha!. Another point of common interest, which leads to a story...
The Kingwood High "Pops Concert" is coming up (May 12-14), a very big event with some 400 kids on stage at one time during the big numbers. ElenaClaire wanted to audition for a solo slot and needed a song. After rejecting a few ideas, I pitched her an old song from 1917 called "Cleopatra had a jazz band". I heard it once about 30 years ago and just always remembered it - memory is a funny thing.) She loved it - where could she get an accompaniment tape and sheet music, she asked. Now I knew I was in trouble. But I did an internet search and found it! Indiana State University has a collection similar to the one Brad found.
I found the song and downloaded the pdf; wrote an arrangement for piano bass and drums on MIDI and recorded it to CD. Alicia gave her some costuming and choreography tips and we both coached her on how to "sell" the song. "Forget the Pops Show", I said. "The performance to be excited about is this one, even though the audience is only 2 directors. Make them enjoy your performance. If they do, they'll want to share their enjoyment with the whole Pops audience."
End of story: She was selected to do a solo on this song, backed by two women's choirs. We've since learned that it's pretty rare for a singer to get a solo for the song she auditioned with, especially as a sophomore.
The Kingwood High "Pops Concert" is coming up (May 12-14), a very big event with some 400 kids on stage at one time during the big numbers. ElenaClaire wanted to audition for a solo slot and needed a song. After rejecting a few ideas, I pitched her an old song from 1917 called "Cleopatra had a jazz band". I heard it once about 30 years ago and just always remembered it - memory is a funny thing.) She loved it - where could she get an accompaniment tape and sheet music, she asked. Now I knew I was in trouble. But I did an internet search and found it! Indiana State University has a collection similar to the one Brad found.
I found the song and downloaded the pdf; wrote an arrangement for piano bass and drums on MIDI and recorded it to CD. Alicia gave her some costuming and choreography tips and we both coached her on how to "sell" the song. "Forget the Pops Show", I said. "The performance to be excited about is this one, even though the audience is only 2 directors. Make them enjoy your performance. If they do, they'll want to share their enjoyment with the whole Pops audience."
End of story: She was selected to do a solo on this song, backed by two women's choirs. We've since learned that it's pretty rare for a singer to get a solo for the song she auditioned with, especially as a sophomore.
Wednesday
A confession in response to the word of God
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Lord, we confess that sin continues to stain the lives we live in this broken world. We fail to love You; we fail to love others with Your love. Our lives do not reflect the grace and glory you planned for us. Please, Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you.”
Lord, we have heard Your word; You have made us clean. We give You thanks; we offer You our lives in grateful praise.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things.”
Lord, too often our lives are cluttered with things that are mere distractions. We fill our lives with the trinkets and toys of our world - things that do nothing to further Your kingdom and the glory of Your name. Please, Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to fill and empower us for Your service.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Lord, we praise you for the confident certainty that You, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. Release us now to celebrate Your goodness.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Lord, we confess that sin continues to stain the lives we live in this broken world. We fail to love You; we fail to love others with Your love. Our lives do not reflect the grace and glory you planned for us. Please, Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you.”
Lord, we have heard Your word; You have made us clean. We give You thanks; we offer You our lives in grateful praise.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy --think about such things.”
Lord, too often our lives are cluttered with things that are mere distractions. We fill our lives with the trinkets and toys of our world - things that do nothing to further Your kingdom and the glory of Your name. Please, Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to fill and empower us for Your service.
Jesus, we remember Your Holy Word:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”
Lord, we praise you for the confident certainty that You, who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. Release us now to celebrate Your goodness.
Monday
Responsive Prayer from Matthew 5
You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (Matthew 5:3, The Message)
Father God, when all my reliable resources fail, when all my self-confidence abandons me, help me then to remember that Your Word is true, and your rule in my life is all I need.
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? (Matthew 5:13, The Message)
Lord Jesus, when I doubt my ability to add flavor to your world, when I lose the vision to connect others to you, remind me then of the flavorful presence of Your Spirit whom you have placed within me.
God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. (Matthew 5:18, The Message)
Holy Spirit, when I question the certainty of what I believe, when I’m unsure of whether I can continue this walk of faith in Jesus, restore me with reassurance in the ancient words of Scripture, for they are Your Word to me – constant and unchanging. Amen.
Scripture portions from "The Message", © 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayers © Rick Lindholtz, 2005
Father God, when all my reliable resources fail, when all my self-confidence abandons me, help me then to remember that Your Word is true, and your rule in my life is all I need.
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? (Matthew 5:13, The Message)
Lord Jesus, when I doubt my ability to add flavor to your world, when I lose the vision to connect others to you, remind me then of the flavorful presence of Your Spirit whom you have placed within me.
God's Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God's Law will be alive and working. (Matthew 5:18, The Message)
Holy Spirit, when I question the certainty of what I believe, when I’m unsure of whether I can continue this walk of faith in Jesus, restore me with reassurance in the ancient words of Scripture, for they are Your Word to me – constant and unchanging. Amen.
Scripture portions from "The Message", © 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayers © Rick Lindholtz, 2005
Thursday
Prayer for a Heart Set Free
In the fall of 2004 we wrote our own follow-up to our very positive experience with "40 Days of Purpose". We entitled it "A Heart Set Free: 40 Days in Philippians". We published a book of 40 devotionals, small group studies, and a DVD with six teaching segments by our Sr. Pastor. We've since made the whole package available to churches looking for a similar resource.
In addition to writing one week's worth of devotionals for the book, I wrote a series of spiritual disciplines including a prayer that each participant was invited to pray daily. We also used it most Sunday mornings of the 40 days:
Father God, there are chains that would imprison my heart today
– bonds that would hold me back from all that You have for me.
Chains of guilt or doubt, chains of selfishness or fear-
Chains formed in my past or my present,
by someone else’s hand or by my own-
Chains known and unknown to me.
But you know them all, Lord, and You can free me from their hold.
In the power of Jesus, please break the chains and release me this day,
so that I may live in the joy of a Heart set free. Amen.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
In addition to writing one week's worth of devotionals for the book, I wrote a series of spiritual disciplines including a prayer that each participant was invited to pray daily. We also used it most Sunday mornings of the 40 days:
Father God, there are chains that would imprison my heart today
– bonds that would hold me back from all that You have for me.
Chains of guilt or doubt, chains of selfishness or fear-
Chains formed in my past or my present,
by someone else’s hand or by my own-
Chains known and unknown to me.
But you know them all, Lord, and You can free me from their hold.
In the power of Jesus, please break the chains and release me this day,
so that I may live in the joy of a Heart set free. Amen.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
Sunday
Gardener: a speculative monologue
Hey, How ya doin? Don’t know if we’ve met. My name’s Isaiah.
No, not the one you’re thinking of.
It was my Dad’s idea. Isaiah was his favorite part of the prophets. He always loved that part that goes “Comfort ye my people”. So when I come along, he decides to name me Isaiah.
So anyway… what can I do for you? You say you want some Landscaping done? Yeah, that’s right up my alley. What kind of work you need?
Sure, sounds like my specialty.
What? References? You want references?
No, no, it’s not a problem. It’s just no one ever asked before. No problem. References….Hmmm. I guess old Joe could give me a reference…
Huh? Oh, sorry. Who’s Joe? He’s one of the first guys I did landscaping for around here. I worked for Joe for about 2 years. A real rich guy, Joe. Beautiful grounds. He had just moved here from… where was it? … Emmaus, I think.
No, wait a minute: Arimathea.
Yeah, old Joe. A real religious guy, Joe. He’d heard about this teacher who was getting a lot of attention back then. In fact, Joe became a follower of this fella. And I went with Joe once to hear him teach.
I’ll never forget the love in his face, the sparkle of life in his eye – the warmth of his voice.
But then things weren’t looking too good for him. Oh, he shows up in town and he’s welcomed by the crowds, with Palm branches and all, but by the end of the week he’s on trial. When it’s all over, the guy’s sentenced to death. Old Joe was pretty upset about it, and I don’t blame him. I mean, that young teacher wasn’t a murderer; he wasn’t a thief – even though they killed him with one.
No, wait a minute: they killed him with two thieves.
Anyway, Joe decides the last nice thing he can do for his teacher is give a place to lay the body after he’s dead. So he tells me, get the garden tomb ready. Now you gotta know, by this time I’ve probably put in 3 or 4 months in that area of the garden, and it’s looking good. He’s got a lot invested in that site, so for him to give it to the teacher, that’s a pretty big gift.
Right before sundown, Joe and some of his friends show up with the body, and oh man, the guy looks awful. They’ve whipped him, beat him, and crucified him. You could hardly recognize what’s left as a human being.
We all wrap the body in the shroud – yeah, “we”. I helped, cause it was getting late, and – well, I felt bad. He was really a good man. He didn’t deserve what they gave him on that cross, and he never said a word of complaint.
Just when we’re finishing the job, up come all these soldiers. After the stone’s rolled in place, they say they’re gonna stand guard all night.
And they’re stomping all over the plantings I’ve got out there. You can’t treat plants like that and still have a beautiful garden. So I figure, great: after Sabbath, I need to be back here early the next day to try and clean up all the mess they made.
So the morning after Sabbath, I’m there real early, I’m just going into the garden, when this lady runs right past me toward the tomb area. I recognized her; it was one of the ladies who was there before sunset the other night, preparing the teacher’s body. It’s early and I’m thinking, what’s this about? I walk past the tomb to the place where I keep my tools.
As I’m walking back I hear some voices in the tomb area. My first thought was, one of those soldiers is giving that lady some trouble. So I get up there, behind a shrub, and the first voice I hear clearly is hers. She says “Sir, I know you’re only the gardener here…”
“Only the gardener” – I liked that part–
“...I know you're only the gardener, but if you’ve carried away the body, tell me where you’ve put him and I’ll get him”. At first I think she’s talking to me, until I look around the corner and I see her. She’s on her knees before this man.
And this is the part that you’re gonna find hard to believe – everyone else does– but I saw the man in front of her; I saw the love in his face, the sparkle of life in his eye – it was him. It was the teacher. He says to her “Mary”, and when I heard the warmth in his voice, I was sure.
That moment, I became a follower of the teacher. Jesus.
He’d been as dead as could be Friday night. But there he was, as alive as you or me.
No, wait a minute … more alive.
You know, I work with plants. I take a seed and drop it into the ground. And it dies. And then, up out of the ground comes new life. Happens all the time. But I saw it happen to a man.
No, wait a minute…. more than a man.
© Rick Lindholtz 2002, 2005
No, not the one you’re thinking of.
It was my Dad’s idea. Isaiah was his favorite part of the prophets. He always loved that part that goes “Comfort ye my people”. So when I come along, he decides to name me Isaiah.
So anyway… what can I do for you? You say you want some Landscaping done? Yeah, that’s right up my alley. What kind of work you need?
Sure, sounds like my specialty.
What? References? You want references?
No, no, it’s not a problem. It’s just no one ever asked before. No problem. References….Hmmm. I guess old Joe could give me a reference…
Huh? Oh, sorry. Who’s Joe? He’s one of the first guys I did landscaping for around here. I worked for Joe for about 2 years. A real rich guy, Joe. Beautiful grounds. He had just moved here from… where was it? … Emmaus, I think.
No, wait a minute: Arimathea.
Yeah, old Joe. A real religious guy, Joe. He’d heard about this teacher who was getting a lot of attention back then. In fact, Joe became a follower of this fella. And I went with Joe once to hear him teach.
I’ll never forget the love in his face, the sparkle of life in his eye – the warmth of his voice.
But then things weren’t looking too good for him. Oh, he shows up in town and he’s welcomed by the crowds, with Palm branches and all, but by the end of the week he’s on trial. When it’s all over, the guy’s sentenced to death. Old Joe was pretty upset about it, and I don’t blame him. I mean, that young teacher wasn’t a murderer; he wasn’t a thief – even though they killed him with one.
No, wait a minute: they killed him with two thieves.
Anyway, Joe decides the last nice thing he can do for his teacher is give a place to lay the body after he’s dead. So he tells me, get the garden tomb ready. Now you gotta know, by this time I’ve probably put in 3 or 4 months in that area of the garden, and it’s looking good. He’s got a lot invested in that site, so for him to give it to the teacher, that’s a pretty big gift.
Right before sundown, Joe and some of his friends show up with the body, and oh man, the guy looks awful. They’ve whipped him, beat him, and crucified him. You could hardly recognize what’s left as a human being.
We all wrap the body in the shroud – yeah, “we”. I helped, cause it was getting late, and – well, I felt bad. He was really a good man. He didn’t deserve what they gave him on that cross, and he never said a word of complaint.
Just when we’re finishing the job, up come all these soldiers. After the stone’s rolled in place, they say they’re gonna stand guard all night.
And they’re stomping all over the plantings I’ve got out there. You can’t treat plants like that and still have a beautiful garden. So I figure, great: after Sabbath, I need to be back here early the next day to try and clean up all the mess they made.
So the morning after Sabbath, I’m there real early, I’m just going into the garden, when this lady runs right past me toward the tomb area. I recognized her; it was one of the ladies who was there before sunset the other night, preparing the teacher’s body. It’s early and I’m thinking, what’s this about? I walk past the tomb to the place where I keep my tools.
As I’m walking back I hear some voices in the tomb area. My first thought was, one of those soldiers is giving that lady some trouble. So I get up there, behind a shrub, and the first voice I hear clearly is hers. She says “Sir, I know you’re only the gardener here…”
“Only the gardener” – I liked that part–
“...I know you're only the gardener, but if you’ve carried away the body, tell me where you’ve put him and I’ll get him”. At first I think she’s talking to me, until I look around the corner and I see her. She’s on her knees before this man.
And this is the part that you’re gonna find hard to believe – everyone else does– but I saw the man in front of her; I saw the love in his face, the sparkle of life in his eye – it was him. It was the teacher. He says to her “Mary”, and when I heard the warmth in his voice, I was sure.
That moment, I became a follower of the teacher. Jesus.
He’d been as dead as could be Friday night. But there he was, as alive as you or me.
No, wait a minute … more alive.
You know, I work with plants. I take a seed and drop it into the ground. And it dies. And then, up out of the ground comes new life. Happens all the time. But I saw it happen to a man.
No, wait a minute…. more than a man.
© Rick Lindholtz 2002, 2005
Wednesday
Just an "Offering"
Late last year someone suggested I send Paul Baloche the Christmas lyric I wrote for "Above All". I was a little hesitant to do that because, as I have been cautioned before, copyright forbids that sort of thing. But I went ahead and sent Paul my lyric. He replied and said it didn't bother him at all, in fact he often made lyric edits or additions as a worship leader in his own church - something that is my "stock in trade" around here.
If an author or publisher ever asked me to stop using something I've written, I would certainly do so. In the meantime, I continue to write edits (when a lyric needs theological correction, artistic enhancement, or a verse for seasonal use.) If it bothers you, don't think of it as a verse to someone else's song. Think of it as a free-standing poem - that happens to fit the meter of a song.
This is a poem I wrote that has a lot in common with a song of Paul's. I call the poem
"This Wondrous Love". I especially like the echo of three hymns: "What Wondrous Love is This?", "Amazing Grace", and "O Sacred Head now wounded".
"This Wondrous Love"
What is this wondrous love that made you climb that hill
to bring Your healing to the nations?
What vast, amazing grace, that you would take the nails
all to accomplish our salvation?
But you let your blood be shed,
and you took the thorns upon Your sacred head.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005
If an author or publisher ever asked me to stop using something I've written, I would certainly do so. In the meantime, I continue to write edits (when a lyric needs theological correction, artistic enhancement, or a verse for seasonal use.) If it bothers you, don't think of it as a verse to someone else's song. Think of it as a free-standing poem - that happens to fit the meter of a song.
This is a poem I wrote that has a lot in common with a song of Paul's. I call the poem
"This Wondrous Love". I especially like the echo of three hymns: "What Wondrous Love is This?", "Amazing Grace", and "O Sacred Head now wounded".
"This Wondrous Love"
What is this wondrous love that made you climb that hill
to bring Your healing to the nations?
What vast, amazing grace, that you would take the nails
all to accomplish our salvation?
But you let your blood be shed,
and you took the thorns upon Your sacred head.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005
Lift High the Cross
Easter Sunday will also feature an arrangement of the hymn "Lift High the Cross" - given a fresh and contemporary sound but still retaining its character - lots of brass, flutes and sax - but the hymn, though it fits our "Living the Mission" theme, doesn't have the kind of Easter message we also wanted to be included. Thus the following new verse 1:
Reveal the truth recorded in Your word:
yourself, the risen, everlasting Lord.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
Reveal the truth recorded in Your word:
yourself, the risen, everlasting Lord.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
Monday
A confession of faith and sin for Maundy Thursday
We Believe in you, God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
We believe in the power of your word.
We trust in your finished work, Lord Jesus.
By what you have done, you have secured our eternal destiny.
We affirm your new commandment, your call to loving service.
We believe your word - even though we fail to follow you.
We come to you in spite of the disobedience we confess,
because we believe that you accept us in Christ’s name.
Please Lord, Forgive our sins.
Thank you for this hope:
that our confidence is not in our ability to obey and follow,
but in your self-giving love and your amazing grace,
in the new covenant in your blood.
Thank you for receiving us to yourself. Amen.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005
We believe in the power of your word.
We trust in your finished work, Lord Jesus.
By what you have done, you have secured our eternal destiny.
We affirm your new commandment, your call to loving service.
We believe your word - even though we fail to follow you.
We come to you in spite of the disobedience we confess,
because we believe that you accept us in Christ’s name.
Please Lord, Forgive our sins.
Thank you for this hope:
that our confidence is not in our ability to obey and follow,
but in your self-giving love and your amazing grace,
in the new covenant in your blood.
Thank you for receiving us to yourself. Amen.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005
Saturday
Confession - the neglect of Jesus
Our student pastor (pastoral intern - or in Lutheran terms, our vicar) John Cordrey and I wrote this confession for a service late last year - for that portion of the worship service listed as "We are Honest before God"-----
I long to be a person whose soul is fed by relationship to the Father,
Whose days are watered by the grace of the Son,
Whose life bears fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But instead,
after embracing the misplaced priorities of this fallen world,
I find myself
dry,
rootless,
withered.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for neglecting you.
Forgive me for grasping after my own desires
which can never satisfy my soul.
Please fill me with your Holy Spirit.
Only your power and grace
can keep me close to your side. Amen.
© Rick Lindholtz and John Cordrey, 2004
I long to be a person whose soul is fed by relationship to the Father,
Whose days are watered by the grace of the Son,
Whose life bears fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But instead,
after embracing the misplaced priorities of this fallen world,
I find myself
dry,
rootless,
withered.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for neglecting you.
Forgive me for grasping after my own desires
which can never satisfy my soul.
Please fill me with your Holy Spirit.
Only your power and grace
can keep me close to your side. Amen.
© Rick Lindholtz and John Cordrey, 2004
Thursday
A Service Ending for Easter
We're opening with a Paul Baloche arrangement of "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" with a middle chorus Paul wrote, modifying a verse to read
Come praise the risen son of God
who saved us from the fall,
to Him all majesty ascribe
and crown Him Lord of all.
and moving into my arrangement of "Jesus Christ is Risen today" which picks up some of the rhythmic and harmonic bits from Paul's "All Hail". I originally arranged it in 1999 with the driving piano and guitar riff that kicks off Bruce Springsteen's "Badlands", but having modified it slightly, it sounds more like the intro to the Who's "Baba O'Riley", only with a push on the second chord. We're also using a beautiful medley of "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend blended with the chorus of "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less". Then at the end of the service we wanted a reprise of "All Hail", but with lyrics that include elements of Easter, an evangelistic invitation, and an evangelistic challenge. I wrote 2 verses and Mark and Susan wrote a third, but we'll only use 2. (We wrestled with "All Hail" earlier because of the antiquated insider language - prostrate, terrestrial ball, kindred and tribe, etc.) We'll lead into this with a very energetic responsive piece I wrote that has the recurring theme "He is Risen, He is Lord of all" by the people, with the leader punctuating "In your life...in your mariage...at your work...in your home...in times of joy...in times of sorrow... then into:
Let every person, every heart
now listen to His call:
come, place your faith in Jesus Christ
and crown Him Lord of all…
Go tell your world of Jesus' love,
who gave His life for all,
He rose triumphant from the grave;
Come, crown Him Lord of all...
Go tell your world of Jesus' love,
In grace he came for all,
And live your life for Jesus Christ,
for He is Lord of all...
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005 except third verse, by Mark and Susan Senechal
Come praise the risen son of God
who saved us from the fall,
to Him all majesty ascribe
and crown Him Lord of all.
and moving into my arrangement of "Jesus Christ is Risen today" which picks up some of the rhythmic and harmonic bits from Paul's "All Hail". I originally arranged it in 1999 with the driving piano and guitar riff that kicks off Bruce Springsteen's "Badlands", but having modified it slightly, it sounds more like the intro to the Who's "Baba O'Riley", only with a push on the second chord. We're also using a beautiful medley of "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend blended with the chorus of "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less". Then at the end of the service we wanted a reprise of "All Hail", but with lyrics that include elements of Easter, an evangelistic invitation, and an evangelistic challenge. I wrote 2 verses and Mark and Susan wrote a third, but we'll only use 2. (We wrestled with "All Hail" earlier because of the antiquated insider language - prostrate, terrestrial ball, kindred and tribe, etc.) We'll lead into this with a very energetic responsive piece I wrote that has the recurring theme "He is Risen, He is Lord of all" by the people, with the leader punctuating "In your life...in your mariage...at your work...in your home...in times of joy...in times of sorrow... then into:
Let every person, every heart
now listen to His call:
come, place your faith in Jesus Christ
and crown Him Lord of all…
Go tell your world of Jesus' love,
who gave His life for all,
He rose triumphant from the grave;
Come, crown Him Lord of all...
Go tell your world of Jesus' love,
In grace he came for all,
And live your life for Jesus Christ,
for He is Lord of all...
© Rick Lindholtz, 2005 except third verse, by Mark and Susan Senechal
End of the Spear
I just received a copy of the trailer for the forthcoming film "End of the Spear".
It will be 50 years this coming January when 5 missionaries lost their lives in Ecuador, killed by the violent Waodani tribe (then called Aucas) whom they sought to reach with the gospel.
How violent were the Waodani? In a documented trend going back 5 generations, 6 of 10 adult deaths among the Waodani were spearings...murders. Think about that for a minute.
Every Tribe Entertainment is preparing for a major theatrical release, in January, of the film "End of the Spear" - the story of these men, but more, the story of what happened after their death - how their wives, sister, and children went to live among the Waodani and connect them to life in Christ. Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully and Pete Fleming died at the End of the Spear, but when their families brought Christ to the Waodani, it was the End of the Spear... as a way of life.
Every Tribe has also made a powerful documentary, "Beyond the Gates of Splendor", telling the story through the voice of Steve Saint, Elizabeth Elliot, and other family members of the 5 men as well as the Waodani men and women who were part of the story.
Over the next 9 months there will be showings to pastors and other church leaders - to generate steam and interest before the theatrical release - now projected to be on the weekend that marks the 50th anniversary of the killings.
I have known of this story for almost all my life, hearing the accounts and seeing the books by Elizabeth Elliot that my parents had in our home. It has a deep hold in my life. I wept after viewing "Beyond the Gates" and I wept again... after watching a 2 minute trailer for "End of the Spear".
It will be 50 years this coming January when 5 missionaries lost their lives in Ecuador, killed by the violent Waodani tribe (then called Aucas) whom they sought to reach with the gospel.
How violent were the Waodani? In a documented trend going back 5 generations, 6 of 10 adult deaths among the Waodani were spearings...murders. Think about that for a minute.
Every Tribe Entertainment is preparing for a major theatrical release, in January, of the film "End of the Spear" - the story of these men, but more, the story of what happened after their death - how their wives, sister, and children went to live among the Waodani and connect them to life in Christ. Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully and Pete Fleming died at the End of the Spear, but when their families brought Christ to the Waodani, it was the End of the Spear... as a way of life.
Every Tribe has also made a powerful documentary, "Beyond the Gates of Splendor", telling the story through the voice of Steve Saint, Elizabeth Elliot, and other family members of the 5 men as well as the Waodani men and women who were part of the story.
Over the next 9 months there will be showings to pastors and other church leaders - to generate steam and interest before the theatrical release - now projected to be on the weekend that marks the 50th anniversary of the killings.
I have known of this story for almost all my life, hearing the accounts and seeing the books by Elizabeth Elliot that my parents had in our home. It has a deep hold in my life. I wept after viewing "Beyond the Gates" and I wept again... after watching a 2 minute trailer for "End of the Spear".
The Apostles' Creed in Iambic Pentameter
"XXV Sonnets" was not my first dip into Iambic Pentameter. I wrote the following as an exercise in the discipline of writing within the iambic pentameter framework. It is both challenging and stimulating to express ideas within a set of parameters like that. This has proven to be a very meaningful congregational affirmation of faith.
I believe in God, Father Almighty.
He created all - everything there is,
He gave me life, sustains me day by day,
pouring goodness and grace into my life
in a never-ending stream, even when
I fail to see Him, trust Him, or thank Him.
He meets my needs, heals my heart, gives me grace.
What an amazing, loving, Holy God!
And I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
He looked down upon all our human need,
Did not hesitate to come down to earth-
Living a life of purity and love,
Offering acceptance and forgiveness,
Giving His life to gain our salvation.
He rose, His power greater than death’s grip.
What an amazing, loving, Holy God!
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
God Himself, coming to dwell in my heart,
Making His home here, nearer than a prayer,
Offering me strength, bringing me His truth,
Reminding me of forgiveness and grace,
Assuring me that I am His alone.
My life is for you, Father, Spirit, Son:
You’re an amazing, loving, Holy God!
© Rick Lindholtz, 2003
I believe in God, Father Almighty.
He created all - everything there is,
He gave me life, sustains me day by day,
pouring goodness and grace into my life
in a never-ending stream, even when
I fail to see Him, trust Him, or thank Him.
He meets my needs, heals my heart, gives me grace.
What an amazing, loving, Holy God!
And I believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
He looked down upon all our human need,
Did not hesitate to come down to earth-
Living a life of purity and love,
Offering acceptance and forgiveness,
Giving His life to gain our salvation.
He rose, His power greater than death’s grip.
What an amazing, loving, Holy God!
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
God Himself, coming to dwell in my heart,
Making His home here, nearer than a prayer,
Offering me strength, bringing me His truth,
Reminding me of forgiveness and grace,
Assuring me that I am His alone.
My life is for you, Father, Spirit, Son:
You’re an amazing, loving, Holy God!
© Rick Lindholtz, 2003
"On the Tracks"?
The title "On the Tracks" is a very personal reference to walking with Christ. I first responded to Jesus' saving work as a child of about 6, after a friend named Jane Patterson told me what she had learned during a week of summer camp at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I was raised in a Christian home so I knew of Jesus, and believe that I have been his since my parents began praying for me before my birth. But that Sunday afternoon feels like a beginning for me as we walked along the railroad tracks. It made sense. My heart said "yes" to the God who had already said "yes" to me. And that wasn't the only thing that "clicked". So did my Dad's camera as he and Mom walked behind us.
In January, 2005 I published a book called "XXV Sonnets", a gift to Alicia on our 25th anniversary. Its 25 poems tell the story of our lives. Sonnet No. 5 tells of that day:
V.
Along a winding track there walked a child,
and at his side, a friend to share the day.
They spoke of pleasant times, and lessons mild
as onward in the path they found their way.
The sun was beaming down, the sky was blue;
upon his face he felt a pleasant wind.
The trees grew tall before them, straight and true,
as he walked on and listened to his friend.
She told the boy of only what she knew;
in childlike faith, the mystery she traced.
and as she spoke of stories old and true,
his heart discerned another voice – of grace.
Upon the tracks a boy walked with his friend,
and walking still, until the journey’s end.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
In January, 2005 I published a book called "XXV Sonnets", a gift to Alicia on our 25th anniversary. Its 25 poems tell the story of our lives. Sonnet No. 5 tells of that day:
V.
Along a winding track there walked a child,
and at his side, a friend to share the day.
They spoke of pleasant times, and lessons mild
as onward in the path they found their way.
The sun was beaming down, the sky was blue;
upon his face he felt a pleasant wind.
The trees grew tall before them, straight and true,
as he walked on and listened to his friend.
She told the boy of only what she knew;
in childlike faith, the mystery she traced.
and as she spoke of stories old and true,
his heart discerned another voice – of grace.
Upon the tracks a boy walked with his friend,
and walking still, until the journey’s end.
© Rick Lindholtz, 2004
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