RickPage

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris I was on an airliner flying from Minneapolis to Nashville when the reports of the fire at Notre Dame reached me.  We were boarding.  When we landed two hours later in Nashville, the blaze was still going.  Notre-Dame de Paris, "Our Lady of Paris," is an 850 year-old cathedral in Paris.  Priceless art treasures are housed there.  The building itself is a priceless art treasure.  They even manage to have church services at Notre Dame.  Wonderful, since a cathedral is a church building. The news reports and the postings on social media intrigued me.  If the news reports are accurate, firefighters were hampered in the initial response because of the spectators crying.  Perhaps they were crying for the artwork.  The social media response by U.S. Americans was interesting.  In may instances the response has been...emotional.  Perhaps they grieve for Paris that a great tourist attraction has bee...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded. “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” ” ( John 18:19–23 , NIV)    XVIII ...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. ” ( Matthew 26:34 , NIV)    XVII Passion Week - Thursday/Friday Of the twelve, two stood in contrast. Failing in loyalty, their deficiencies forever recast. One's thrice abjurations echoed by rooster's broadcast. One, his betrayal, its opprobrium unsurpassed. Two saw failure. One held fast. 

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” ” ( Luke 22:63–64 , NIV)    XVI Passion Week - Thursday With little power weak men feel omnipotent. Bullies they become believing the victim impotent. Their actions petty, the mocking men abhorent. Small men tortured  humanity's divine atonement. I wonder their thought come Judgment. 

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. “ While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, t...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” J...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. XII Passion Week - Thursday Morning As any morn beckoned another new day. I think likely He began to pray. Hero that morning by night evil's prey. But evil's plan God would disarray. Evil's murder scheme Grace swept away. 

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. “ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ” ( John 14:18–20 , NIV) XI Passion Week - Thursday, The Upper Room How do you say farewell to others? How to say  you'll share no summers? How to spare the grief to mothers? Teach God's trust, sacrifice for others, gift the Spirit, make them brothers.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I kno...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. IX Passion Week - Thursday, The Upper Room The night was a time for festivity. A banquet table - mirth, laughter and vivacity. Friends, brothers truly, young, full of vitality. Thirteeen brethren pledged. Two in contraposition. One, trust pillaged. One, humanity's redemption.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. VIII Passion Week - Thursday One last foray into piety's honored stronghold. That storied day, the betrayer's kiss sold. From Jerusalem's environs you would not retire. Once darkness fell, the murderers conspire to bring about corrupt hearts' desire.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. VII Passion Week, Wednesday, the Day of Silence Even in silence, in quiescence, you speak. Jerusalem drained you, Bethany renewed your spirit. From one...oppostion, the other...loving devotion. Before your sacrifice, friendship beckoned you to loving comfort love, your quest.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ” ( Matthew 25:37–40 , ESV)   VI Death was near, yet you continued discipling. You taught of The Day's great winnowing. Sheep and goats represented faith's great divide. Sifted from grace were...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings.    “ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” ” ( Luke 19:41–44 , NIV)   V My heart melts at what grieves thee. At sight of  storied Jerusalem y...

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. IV You wove words into tapestries, plaited pictures for the mind's eye. You, who used words to command the universe into becoming, possessed the command  of language to  communicate transcendant truths to finite minds.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. III You entered God's  courtyard for worshipers, your heart passionate for worship, ignited instead in anger. For predators had come among the sheep. Tables turned, victimizers fled, your fervor for God's house of prayer.

I nspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. II Fascinating You rode to victory, mounted regally, upon a donkey. Into the city you rode. "Hallelujah," they shouted. Only then. Cheers turned jeers, ""Crucify him!" Your throne the Cross.

Inspired by the work of Andrew Roycroft (pastor and poet from Northern Ireland), I am attempting to offer Lenten poems in the style of medieval poets writing thirty-three poems, each thirty-three words long; one word for each year of Jesus' life.  Collectively, they serve as commentary on the life of Jesus, focusing on His final week.  Blessings. I Wonder. You have brought me to great wonder. That God would become man was as a thunderbolt at midnight. Your love knew  no limit. I marveled. Your limitless compassion left me in wonder.

7 Signs You Waited Too Long to Move On February 5, 2019 Conflict in the church is never easy.  Conflict in full-time ministry can be particularly painful.  When the attacks are personal, and doubt about continuing in a particular ministry begins to rise, it's good to get a fresh perspective.  This is why we need trusted confidantes who ask the hard questions, who encourage, but aren't afraid to challenge, and who come alongside in that priceless asset available to all who believe - prayer.  Further advice will come in other postings, but this post touches upon another gift of God - laughter.  God uses emotions to help us to heal, and laughter is one of the best to help us look at our world from a different perspective.  Humor affords us the opportunity to make fun of ourselves, but also to realize that maybe, as bad as we think the situation to be...it could be worse. Laugh a little. 1. If you get to the church office and find your keys don't...