Keeping us safe

Working together

Roller blading

Homemade Frappe

Porch, popsicles, paradise

Summer Glory (and free bouquets at 13th & West Dillon’s)

 

Your 7 Days?

 

The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallum son of Col-hozeh, the leader of the Mizpah district. He rebuilt it, roofed it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Then he repaired the wall of the pool of Siloam near the king’s garden, and he rebuilt the wall as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David. Next to him was Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the leader of half the district of Beth-zur. He rebuilt the wall from a place across from the tombs of David’s family as far as the water reservoir and the House of the Warriors.

Nehemiah 3:15-16 NLT

Last time we talked about the leader who built the Dung Gate, leaving power and beauty to serve – just like our Savior. Now we move on to the rebuilding of the Fountain Gate and a large section of the wall:

You can see the Fountain Gate on the left side of our map. The other three landmarks from today’s verses (Tombs of David, Artificial Pool, and the House of Mighty Men) are noted with numbers 2, 3 & 4 in the red circles.

The first thing Shallum did was set the Gate. Then, almost in reverse order, he takes care of the Pool of Siloam (called Shelah on our map) and the King’s Garden. These are off to the right of our Dung Gate, and are surrounded by their own segment of wall. Then Shallum returns to where he began and builds the section of wall between the Dung Gate and Fountain Gate, right up to the Stairs of David – seen coming out of the Fountain Gate on our map.

I appreciate the Hebrew in the mentioning of these stairs. The word is ma’alah  meaning stairs, a high degree, climactic progression. In other words, this same Hebrew term could be used in a piece of literature that builds to a high degree. It made me think of the Psalms of Ascent. These songs (Psalms 120-134) were sung by the Israelites as they traveled back to Jerusalem for three important Feasts each year. Many believe it also refers to songs the Levites sang as they ascended the steps of Temple to minister. Either way, the significance is in the journey – a progression toward the heights.

That’s a journey we’re all on. This world is not all there is. Depending on the news each day, that can come as such a relief. We can all find areas to disagree on how to make this planet better, but if we’re honest, we all know it isn’t as it was meant to be. Those of us who believe Jesus both understand why and know we’re headed Home.

There’s more beauty in Hebrew. In explaining the stairs, he says “the steps that descend from the City of David.” That word descend is yarad – to go down, bring down. Then in verse 16 we see a different Nehemiah building the wall from… as far as…the House of the Warriors. That word warrior in Hebrew is gibbor – champion, mighty, strong, valiant warrior.

Oh friends, only One Mighty Warrior descended from the heights – higher than even our known universe – and made the ultimate heroic sacrifice. Strong enough not to fight, valiant enough to take it on the chin for all humanity. For us.

Every time we remember there is an enemy and it’s not each other, we look like our Warrior Savior. When we serve and pray more than shame, blame and scapegoat, we’re being just as valiant as Him. When we own up to our sins and rest in the way He completely justified us on the cross, we’re trusting our Father the way He does.

Let’s bow each day and trust the Spirit to bring such heights to our lives.

Happy June!

Woo hoo! It’s Riverfest time. You can look through all the happenings on their website.

Make sure to check out the Wichita Symphony Orchestra’s Riverfest Twilight Pops Concert tomorrow night, June 2nd, at 8:30 in the Century II Plaza off Douglas. Free with your Riverfest button.

Got to see the Bike Share ICT station on Douglas. Super cheap way to get around downtown – plus exercise.

Wichita Art Museum is hosting Tai Chi on the Lawn this Tuesday June 6th from 7-8 pm. Do not stress if you’ve never done Tai Chi. You can learn and the practice is great for mind and body.

Yasss. This Saturday the 3rd is Opening Day for Elderslie’s Bramble Cafe. Local, fresh, beautiful.

Don’t forget: tonight, June 1st, see Joseph Vincelli for the first installment of Bradley Fair’s Summer Jazz Concert Series. Bring lawn chairs and your people.

Here are upcoming Citywide and Neighborhood Garage Sales:

• Forest Lakes neighborhood garage sales June 1-3
• Andover citywide garage sales June 3
• Park City citywide garage sales June 3
• Halstead citywide garage sales June 3
• Clearwater citywide garage sales June 3

Wichita Public Swimming Pools are open. And, Carolyn has a list of the different days you can swim free at various pools around the city. This Sunday the 4th, enjoy free admittance at Harvest Public Pool from 1-6 pm.

Aside from 4 Water Parks included in your membership, here’s one more reason to join the YMCA this summer: Fun Fit. It’s a two-hour, free program for kids aged 6 to 12. They can play games, make new friends, and keep moving while you workout or catch up with your people. Check your closest branch for times and participation.

 

Library:

Tomorrow, June 2nd, enjoy a Throwback Summer Movie: Back to the Future at Central beginning at 2:30. Bring snacks!

I’m still new to these Breakout EDU things, but they’re so great. Enjoy Mr. Lemoncello’s Library next Tuesday, June 6th, at 2:30. See if you can use your wits and teamwork to escape!

Check out all upcoming events here. There are so many to choose from now that it’s June.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Absolutely wonderful

Life

Strawberry help

Cool

Reading/listening time (sometimes kicking time)

Architecture

The Corner on Main

Yum

 

Beauty

Carnival

B-ball

Get a prize

Ferris Wheel view

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

“The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, the leader of the Beth-hakkerem district. He rebuilt it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.”

Nehemiah 3:14 NLT

Seems we can’t get away from the Dung Gate. Last time we zeroed in on the men who built a large portion of the wall right up to it. Today we see the man responsible for the gate itself.

It is Malkijah, whose name means “my king is Yah.” I’m so grateful that someone whose very name proclaims the Most High as King took on the task of setting up a gate whose main purpose is to take excrement out of the city. Sure, a gate’s a gate, but Malkijah’s gate was named after dung. Refuse.

Not only that, but this man was a ruler of a district called Beth-hakkerem, which means “house of the vineyard”. An important man in an area between Tekoa and Jerusalem, said to command one of the most beautiful views over the Dead Sea.

Have you ever been used to privilege or beauty, only to be put in charge of something seemingly less glamorous? Something that deals with your own and others’ less appealing issues?

So has He. He left all beauty and majesty and power to walk among us. To deal with our hideously unattractive sin issues. To relate to the need for a sewer, a nap, a peace treaty, aid relief.

He is not remote, never dispassionate about His creation. And He is completely willing to deal with those areas we keep from others – and sometimes from ourselves. He made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. And we whom He crowns with righteousness get the privilege of serving others with His love.

Let’s see such loving as the beauty and privilege it is.

It is Final Friday time! Support local art and venues.

Register for Great Beginnings for Families, a court-approved, 3-week bilingual class. Class dates are May 31, June 14, 21 & 28 and July 5 (with no class June 7).

Come hear from Courtney Maum at Watermark next Thursday, June 1st, at 6:00 for an author discussion of her novel Touch.

My friend is launching a Holistic Home Cleaning Service. She offers a variety of cleaning levels and pricing. Only natural products, a thoroughly clean living space.

Once again USD 259 will be offering the Kid Power Cafe this summer. No need to register, kids 18 and under just show up and get a free, healthy meal. (One central location is the Downtown YMCA.)

Carolyn at Wichita on the Cheap has the details on Wichita Wingnuts Ticket Discounts.

And all upcoming Citywide and Neighborhood Garage Sales. This weekend is Cheney.

Riverfest begins next Friday, June 2nd. (Thanks for the head’s up, Wichita Moms Blog)

And a couple other ideas from their thorough blog:

Bradley Fair Summer Jazz Concerts begin next week, Thursday, June 1st.

Plus, check out their list of free Splash Parks and Fountains around Wichita.

This Saturday the 27th, enjoy Wichita Art Museum’s Family ArtVenture: Pedal Pizzazz from 11-3. Ride your bike to WAM, decorate it, and enjoy indoor and outdoor activities.

And see the Magic Show at Naftger Park this Saturday the 27th from 10-noon.

Don’t forget about the Lincoln Heights Village Farmer’s Market every Wednesday 7-11 am through the summer

And it seems like a good time for our local Starlite Drive-In Theater, yes? One carload, 3 screens.

Own a business? The incredible mentoring program, Youth Horizons, is looking for business partners.

 

Library:

Still time to sign up for Summer Reading Program: Build a Better World.

And next Wednesday the 31st, catch Cable and Cable Alternatives: Which is best for you? at Alford from 6-7:30 pm.

And don’t forget:

 

Have a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!

Walk to Park

Sand

Cowboy

Awesome art projects

My 1st Grader

Read to Rover at Kansas Humane Society

Sweet Audience

Helpful for nerves

What has 8 thumbs and is excited it’s summer? This family.

Summer Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. They also repaired five hundred yards of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.

Nehemiah 3:13

Last time we saw a chunk of the wall being rebuilt by a wide variety of people. The collaboration, beginning with places near home for some, challenges me to rally with others for a singular kingdom cause.

Today we get to view another large section being tackled by one group and their leader: The residents of Zanoah and their leader, Hanun. Here’s our trusty map:

The section in our verses today stretches from the Tower of the Ovens (top middle) clear to the Dung Gate (top left). We first heard about the Dung Gate during Nehemiah’s covert wall inspection at night. Many scholars believe it refers to 2 Kings 23:10 and the babies which were sacrificed by fire to the false god of Molech under Manasseh, king of Judah. The word dung itself means ash, refuse.

And Hanun and the people of Zanoah built all the way to it. In a strictly practical sense, the Dung Gate led to the rubbish dump. Our rebuilders needed to secure such a gate with a wall around it. Because every time people gather, there is a need to put our garbage and waste somewhere.

What are we doing with the places of dung in our life? In our past, our nation’s history, our relationships, our own hearts? We have to deal with it, if only in a practical sense. It will stink up the place if we don’t. And fortunately, our Savior has done everything needed to deal with it.

Friends, let’s allow the God-Man Who walked a march of death outside the city wall to apply His light to our darkness. He can take what stinks and turn it into the aroma of His Spirit, a sweet offering rising like incense to the Most High.

Let’s let Him.

Bonding Through Board Games at Sedgwick County Extension will be held today, Friday the 19th from 7-9 pm.

This will be great: Wichita Parks & Rec & Great Plains Nature Center are hosting Walk with Wildlife this Saturday the 20th. Their half-mile, handicap accessible loop along Chisholm Creek Park will feature stations with wildlife of which you may not otherwise catch a glimpse.

And catch Go Fish! at Walk with Wildlife – 30 minute fishing clinics available from 9-2 with Great Plains Nature Center. Let’s learn.

Clifton Square Ribbon Cutting Event this Friday the 19th from 3-4 for Songbird Juice Company

This Saturday the 20th at 9 am, come hear from Brenda Swartz of Body Dynamics at Green Acres Bradley Fair. She will address healthy skin, detoxing, supplements & cleansing.

Botanica will have fun stuff for the whole family all summer long. Follow them on Facebook to keep up.

 

Library:

Register for the What Can I Do with Flip Flops? event tomorrow, May 20th, at Westlink from 2:30-4:00.

Learn more in the Intermediate Excel class on Tuesday May 23rd at Rockwell from 1:00-2:30.

And the sign up is on for Summer Reading Program. Register at your favorite branch or online, for every age birth – 12th grade. Every 10 days you read 20 minutes each day, you get prizes. And the more 10-day sessions you get in, the better the prizes. And the smarter your brain.

 

Have a great weekend!

Cowtown Field Trip

Charming

Dizzy

Sky

Drugstore

Baby Smiles

Planted last year, harvesting this year

Pansies

Garden Sun

Happy Mother’s Day to me

Uh huh

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?