Top To Bottom

Just a few days ago we observed Good Friday, the day Christ Jesus died. The day He paid the price for your sin and mine, for the sin of the whole world.

"And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit."  (Matthew 27:50 ESV)

On that day, according to the Gospel of Matthew, another important event occurred.  "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." (Matthew 27:51 ESV)

In those days there was a temple in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, in the place where the Dome of the Rock now stands. That temple had been constructed according to the pattern given by God in the Old Testament. There was an outer court where the altar was located. There was a Holy Place, which contained the altar of incense, the table of showbread, and the golden lampstand. And there was the Holy of Holies, where the Mercy Seat was, on the Ark of the Covenant.

The Holy Place was separated from the Holy of Holies by a heavy curtain. sometimes called a veil.  This veil was more than twenty yards high and more than four inches thick. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

But on Crucifixion Friday, that heavy curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom! 

What's the significance of that?

"Through His own blood, [Jesus] entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12 NASB)

"Therefore we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh." (Hebrews 10:19-20 NASB)

Because the veil was torn, because Jesus gave His life for us, we can now go directly into the Holy of Holies. We now have access, through Christ, directly to the Father! All because of what Jesus did for us!

Because it is true that the veil was torn, and because it is true that we can now confidently enter the holy place, and because of what Jesus accomplished for us, what are we to do?

We are to draw near: "Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith."  (Hebrews 10:22 NASB)

We are to hold fast: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."  (Hebrews 10:23 NASB)

We are to consider: "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24 NASB)

We are to encourage: "Encouraging one another."  (Hebrews 10:25 NASB)

The veil was torn.

It was torn from top to bottom. That means it was not torn by man, but by God. 

The veil prevented men from access to the Holy of Holies, the symbol of the place where God dwelt.

The veil was torn, allowing access to the Holy of Holies. It was torn at the precise moment that Christ died on that cross.

Christ's death allows us access into the Holy of Holies! Christ's death allows us into relationship with God the Father through the blood of Christ the Son.

And that is a reason to celebrate! Not just on Good Friday or on Easter Sunday. But every day!

Because of Jesus, we can boldly approach the throne of God!  Hallelujah!


Listen to TRUTH sing "Holy of Holies" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xuBp-4DDhU

The Rest of the Story

" Christ died for sin, once for all, the just for the unjust, in order to bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit."  (1 Peter 3:18 NASB)
Christ died. For sin. For my sin. For your sin. For the sin of the world.

But He didn't stay dead!That's the good news of Easter. Christ died. But Christ is risen!

Friday tells us that the sacrifice for sin, once for all, for all time, was made.

Sunday tells us that the sacrifice was accepted. The work of redemption is complete. It is finished! 

It. Is. Finished.

We celebrated that yesterday. We sang the songs of resurrection. We worshipped. We rejoiced. We spent time with family and friends. We had a wonderful day.

And now Easter is over. 

Or is it?

Is "Easter" ever really over? Do not we who are Christian celebrate Resurrection Day every day of our lives? Is this not the best thing that ever happened to us? 

Or will we treat it as something we have now celebrated and have done with for another year?

Think back to that Resurrection Day. Think on each of the encounters people had with the risen Lord.  

Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the garden, early in the morning while it was still dark. Once she recognized Him, what did Jesus say to her?  "Go tell my brothers." (John 20:17)

Matthew's gospel tells us about the women who came to the tomb. There they met the risen Lord, and He gave them an instruction. "Go tell my brothers." (Matthew 28:10)

Mark's gospel says, "Go tell......"  (Mark 16:9)

Luke tells us that Jesus spoke to the disciples, saying, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things."  (Luke 24:46-48 ESV, emphasis mine)

Do you see the pattern? An encounter with Jesus. Learn of the resurrection. "See" Jesus, and then what? Go and tell!

The disciples did exactly that. Once they knew that Jesus was risen, they told everybody! They went throughout the known world, telling the good news that Jesus was alive. They had a message to share, a commission to share it, and they did exactly that.

What about you and me, here in the 21st century? We too are "witnesses of these things"!

The message is the same. Jesus is alive!

The commission is the same.  Go and tell. 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."                        (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

Go and tell. That's how we continue to celebrate Resurrection. But as you are going, and as you are telling, be sure to tell the whole story.

Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

That's the "rest of the story", as Paul Harvey used to say. Let's be sure to tell that part!

"[Jesus said] I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also."  (John 14:3)

Who Are You?

If you are on Facebook, then you know about the quizzes. Perhaps you have taken some of these quizzes; I have. They can be great fun, really, although I'm fairly certain that we shouldn't take them too seriously. Am I really pink? Or a rose? Or a dove? Or traditional? (Well, that one is pretty accurate!)  Should I move to Paris based on my quiz result? Which muppet am I? Or which Frozen character? Or Lord of the Rings character?  Or......

It is all great fun, but surely we are not basing our understanding of our identity on a quiz on Facebook!

Do we really know who we are? And are we protecting that identity? There's an entire industry these days devoted to identity protection. Unfortunately, I am more aware of that than I ever wanted to be.  These identity protection services can protect our credit cards and our social security numbers and our bank accounts. But do those numbers really identify us any more than the Facebook quizzes do?  Have we really come to the point that we are just a number?

The Scriptures tell a different story. We are individuals created in the image of God. He knows our name. He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He knows us intimately. And He loves us. Not because we deserve it, but in spite of the fact that we don't. He loves us so much "that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16 NASB)

That's what this Holy Week is all about. That God loves us. That Jesus loves us enough that He died for us. That we matter to Him. That's our identity!

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are."  (1 John 3:1 ESV)

"You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."  (Ephesians 2:19 ESV)

How do we respond to such love?

"Let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-8, 10-11 ESV)

Today, and throughout this Holy Week, I'm thanking the Lord for that great love and for the high price that was paid for my salvation. And I'm praying that I will respond to that great love by loving others more fully, by being a reflection of the Father's love. I'm rejoicing in my identity in Christ. And I pray that you might do the same.

"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe."  (Ephesians 1:16-19 ESV)

At A Distance

"Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance."  (Luke 22:54 ESV)



At a distance. Three of the four Gospels include this information. That Peter, after Jesus was arrested, followed Him to the house of the high priest at a distance.

Peter, who had been with Jesus almost from the beginning of His public ministry.

Peter, who had said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."  (Matthew 16:16 ESV)

Peter, who had been with Jesus at the Transfiguration.

Peter, who just a short while earlier had said, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death."  (Luke 22:33 ESV)

Peter now follows Jesus at a distance.

What about you? How are you following Jesus?  Are you following at a distance?

Something to think about.


"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."  (Luke 9:23 ESV)

Up With The Good. Down With The Bad.

For almost 15 years, this has been my mantra: up with the good, down with the bad. It's how my physical therapist taught me to approach stairs during the rehab following my broken ankle.

For all these post-broken-and-now-fused-ankle years, this mantra served me well.

Until it didn't .

In the three years since my knee replacement surgery, this mantra has become a source of confusion.

You see, I broke my left ankle, and I had my right knee replaced.

For these almost 15 years, the left side was the bad side. At least it was the bad side until the right knee became such a problem. Then there really wasn't a good side. And now, post-knee-replacement, the left side has become the good side - in theory at least - and the right side, which used to be the good side, is now the bad side. 

You see my dilemma. It's all backwards.

Now I have to stop and think. What had become a habit of life is no longer quite the same. I can't function on auto-pilot anymore! 

But thinking is really a good thing. And not just when it comes to remembering which is the good side. When I'm going out the front door, which foot goes first? I have to stop and think. Which side is working better today? When I come back home and have to go up the steps to the front door, which foot goes first? I have to stop and think.

Up with the good, down with the bad. Stop and think. Which one is the good?

It's a good way to remember how to approach stairs if you have orthopedic issues. But it's a good thing to remember for life in general.

Think about it that way for a minute. Up with the good. Down with the bad.

Apply that principle to the things you read. Whether books or magazines or social media.

Apply that principle to things you watch. Whether on television or at the movie theater or on social media.

Apply that principle to things you listen to. Whether radio or television or social media or even conversations.

Don't go through life on auto-pilot. Don't blindly follow the crowd. Stop and think.

Up with the good.

Down with the bad.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  (Philippians 4:8 ESV, emphasis mine)

Out of Tune

In the years since I first sat on a piano bench in our living room and learned to play the brand new spinet piano my parents had purchased for me, I have had opportunity to play many pianos. Large ones and smaller ones. Brand new ones and older ones. Concert grands and small spinets. 

I have played in living rooms and practice rooms. In churches, large and small. In gardens and under tents. In grand concert halls and in much smaller venues. And even though I am no longer able to play as I once did, I am still aware that all these places and all these instruments have something in common. For a piano to sound its best, no matter who is playing it, it needs to be in tune.

When our younger son was about three years old, he began learning to play the violin. Although he has since abandoned the violin in favor of the guitar, I still have very vivid memories of those early days with his tiny violin. The first song he learned to play was Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, followed by five variations on that theme. From the beginning notes of Twinkle to the Bach minuets that came later, all of us within earshot of Brandon's violin learned early on the importance of an instrument that is in tune. In fact, I would venture to say that nothing sounds quite as bad as an out of tune violin!

Any musical instrument needs to be in tune to sound its best. The writer of the hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing used that analogy in this hymn line:

"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy praise."*

For us to live life the way God intends, for us to praise Him as we should, for us to be reflecting Jesus and letting our light shine for Him (see Matthew 5:16), we need to be in tune. I've written about this before, but I often find that I need to be reminded.

The reality of life is that sometimes we are out of sorts. Out of tune. It happens because life happens. We are tired or insecure or frustrated. Our feelings have been hurt. We've been offended. We're discouraged.  We're angry.  We're sad. We're jealous. There are any number of reasons or events or emotions that send us over the edge, and those differ from person to person.  What sends me into an emotional puddle and puts my life out of tune is likely different from what would do the same to you.

During this almost two and a half since I had a stroke, I have occasionally found myself a bit out of sorts. Out of tune. Perhaps it's all part of the natural course of things following such a major trauma. Perhaps it's the fatigue that is part of stroke recovery. Perhaps it's the frustration when I can't remember things or when I get words jumbled up or when I can't do what I was once able to do. Whatever. The reality is that sometimes I'm out of tune.

Perhaps you may find yourself occasionally out of tune. The circumstances of my life are not the same as yours. You may be out of tune because of a personal relationship. Because of a different health concern. Or a financial difficulty. Maybe you lost your job or your spouse was laid off. Maybe there's an issue with one of your children or your grandchildren. Maybe you were falsely accused of something. Maybe someone you thought was your friend turned out not to be. Maybe your best friend is being anything but friendly. Whether finances or relationships or something entirely different, you may find yourself a bit out of sorts. Out of tune.

There are as many reasons for being out of tune as there are people. Perhaps more. We all have different life circumstances. We all respond differently.

Whether we have a major meltdown or we are just a bit out of sorts, the reality of life is that from time to time each of us is a bit out of tune. When those times come, and they will, what are we to do?

1. Read and Remember.

I am a big advocate for writing things down. (I have always been a big believer in writing things down, but especially in this post-stroke season of my life when remembering is such a challenge.) Writing down your prayer list. Writing out your prayers. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing down all the reasons you have for being grateful. These out-of-tune-times prove the value of those lists. When you are out of tune, when you are discouraged, when you are frustrated, when you feel you've hit rock bottom.......these are the times you get your journal out, not so much for writing as for reading. In these out-of-tune-times you read back through your lists and you remember.

When you refresh your memory with all the good things about your life, with all the ways God has blessed you, and with all the good things that have happened to you, then you are encouraged.  Reading the list helps you remember God's goodness to you. When you remember how good God has been and remember all the ways He has blessed you, your focus is turned away from your negative circumstances.

"This I recall to my mind, and therefore I have hope.  The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness."  (Lamentation 3:21-22 NASB)

2. Change your focus.

Often we are out of tune because we are spending so much time thinking about everything that is wrong with life. This focus only causes us to be more out of tune. Turn your focus away from yourself and your circumstances, and toward God. This requires a deliberate act of your will. Choose to think differently. Choose to change your focus. Think about God, about His character and His ways. Think about the names by which He is called in Scripture. Make a deliberate effort to focus your attention toward Him and away from your circumstances.

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith."  (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)

3. Talk about it.

I don't mean talk about it to your friend or your neighbor or to the entire social media community.  Rather, I mean talk to the Lord about it. Tell Him exactly how you feel, and why. Pour out your heart to Him. In the words of the old hymn, "Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?  Tell it to Jesus."**

Spending time in prayer, being honest with God, is the best way I know to get your heart back in tune.

"casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7 NASB)

4. Choose joy.

Make a deliberate choice, as an act of your will rather than your emotions, to choose to be joyful in spite of your circumstances. It may take a while for your circumstances to change. Just like a piano, the more out of tune your life is, the longer it will take to tune it. But no matter how long it takes for circumstances to change, and even if they never do, choose joy.

Make the choice. I've often heard Kay Arthur say we should "Philippians 4:8" everything. It's good advice.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."  (Philippians 4:8, NASB)

 Remembering and refocusing and talking to the Lord always helps get me back in tune. If you're feeling a little out of tune today, I'm praying these suggestions will help get you back in tune, too.


"Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  (Hebrews 4:16 NASB)


 * Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing:  words, Robert Robinson; music, John Wyeth
**Tell It to Jesus:  words and music, Edmund S. Lorenz

In Everything

"In everything give thanks."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)

In everything. In all things. However, you want to phrase it...

No exceptions. There are none of those phrases we want to add to the end of the verse.

It doesn't say in everything except.......

Except cancer.

Except when I lose my job.

Except when I run out of money.

Except politicians. Or government-run health care. Or when I don't like election results.

Except when my friend or my spouse or my son or my daughter or my best friend hurts my feelings.


Except any of the other things you might be able to think of. There are no clarifying phrases at the end of that sentence.


I originally wrote this post in 2013. Today I would add "except strokes". I originally wrote this post before having a stroke had ever entered my mind. Today I would say "even when you have a stroke", because this verse is one of the verses that got me through stroke recover.

In everything.

Everything means everything.

It's pretty clear.

Note that the verse doesn't say anything about feeling thankful. This is not about an emotional response to circumstances. The verse says to give thanks. That involves the will. A deliberate choice to give thanks, not because I feel like it but in spite of the fact that sometimes I don't.

Give thanks.  In everything.

Today might be a good day to start.

"If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes." (from the movie "Facing the Giants")

"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."                           (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)