Easter Meditation

This easter I'm really excited! It's amazing what can happen in one year! Last Easter we prayed and formed a team for the South LA church plant. Being Launched, and Planted, now we're having our first easter service - in the park, with a BBQ, and hand-made easter bags that will be given to anyone who wants one.

(Before this - tonight, Julz and I are going to Prom! Yeah - we're going back. I think we're going to dress '80s style. Should be fun.)

Between Good (actually GREAT for us) Friday and Easter Sunday, I take time to reflect on this ultimate act of selflessness and redemptive act by Jesus. Two songs that speak deep to my soul are by my friend, Josh. I've printed the lyrics/poems below. May they refresh your soul with the grace of God.

Good Friday By Josh Garrels

Broken wing, forgotten dream, shattered thing
That a mans hands can’t ever truly mend
Shadow land, desert sand, a man searches
For a love that’ll never die
Truth be known, you’re not alone
Your aching bones will find a home
In place where God he sets us free
Wake me up before you go
I will listen for the sound of your voice
Hear the wind in the trees
It goes where it please
Like the breath in me
And all who have breath can sing

When we layed your body down
In earth and in the ground
Oh child, rest your soul.
Will a hope be made good
When a word is understood
In the day, will we see you again?

Gather round, hear the sound
Of a story that’s so old that it’s been told
Before time
He was born in the flesh and the blood
In a world that was dark as hell, and dead in sin
Born of the spirit, and the virgin child
He’s the son of God, son of man
I didn’t recognize that look in his eyes
When they cried
With a sorrow that no man has ever known
Hang him high, watch him die, hear the cry
Crucified up on that God forsaken tree
And all who have breath can sing

When we layed your body down
In the earth and in the ground
Oh Lord, rest your bones
Will a hope be made good
If your words are understood
In the day, will we see you again

Oh Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?
Oh my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Oh Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?
Oh my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

YHWH by Josh Garrels

Holy, holy, holy is the lamb
Almighty, almighty, almighty is the Lord

It’s unlocked in his left are the keys to death and hell
And in his other palm are seven stars
Silently circling like seven seals and sounds and seven cycles
Seventy sets of seven are prophesied
Before the king comes from heaven
The earth will quake and men’s hearts will shake
When they hear the war drum
And I’m talking about creator of the mountains
I’m talking about the one who gave up his son
I’m singing about the one who died for everyone
And in his blood he’s giving us real freedom
Brought by one, bought by one son
Someone from the kingdom come
He was, and is, and is to come
Healing the deaf and dumb
His words cut the dark like a sharp weapon light
Wrong or right?
All mankind was blind and he came to give us sight
Wrong or right?
Tell me, what is it about the name of Jesus Christ
It makes men fight within
Against the sin, against the night, dark or light
Day and night
Polarized
This is not a grey matter choice
And don’t blame it on another mans voice
Because time keeps on slipping, into the future
I don’t lose you
You must make a decision soon
Be it life, or death

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lamb
That was slain, that was slain
Worthy is his name, worthy is his name

YHWH

He was, and is, and is to come
He was, and is, and is to come