First School Concert

Swing Me Over the Ocean

67 Years

Kindergarten Chicks

Tulips

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said,

‘What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?’

Then I replied to them, ‘The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.’

Nehemiah 2:19-20 (ESV)

The last time we heard from Sanballat and Tobiah was when our leader first headed out on his journey toward Jerusalem. In a complicated political situation, these leaders were greatly disturbed Nehemiah had come to seek the good of the city and its people. Now, a ways into Nehemiah’s stay in Zion, we see the two leaders – along with a new Arabic companion – take it another step: Mockery.

Literally, their bazah (contempt) and laag (sneering) was hovering over (al) Nehemiah and his crew. I particularly appreciate the turn of phrase here. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem say, “What are attah – (you yourself) trying to do?”

And Nehemiah says, “Me myself? Nothing. But the Creator God (Elohim) of all the heavens (shamayim)? He Himself (hu) will tsalach – come mightily. And we ourselves (anachnu) will arise (qum) and rebuild (banah).”

Don’t you love how Nehemiah neither discounts his team’s work of rebuilding nor places it at the center of the argument? He places Creator God in the center and hard work in obedience to Him as the result.

Oh but our leader isn’t done. He pushes back at the taunts and derision, pointing out how these scoffers have no:

• cheleq – portion, share, inheritance
• tsedaqah – right, merit

nor

•  zikkaron – memorial, record, remembrance

in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

Nehemiah is proud here of his Jewish roots and his people’s passion to rebuild their city. He has no intention of stopping simply because those who care nothing about the history or of Zion or the Righteous God of the City have some taunts.

Friends, you yourself cannot do this alone. Whatever “this” looks like in your life right now. We need each other. On our own, we can do nothing of lasting eternal value. Sometimes we can barely do the next right thing.

But with our community? Impossible things can become possible. Overwhelmed feelings vanish as we rely on each other’s gifts and presence and shared weaknesses. We can exhale.

And fortunately we don’t have to be anyone’s savior, nor do we need to search around for someone to be our everything. Because He Himself comes through mightily in His interdependent Body. The very center of our attention and affection and focus. We simply arise and serve.

 You might appreciate the original Hebrew for Jerusalem – Yerushalayim. It means “foundation of peace” from shalam – amends, make an end, finish, give again, peace, make restitution, restore. Isn’t that a wonderful meaning for the City of God? How we will need to continue to make amends, let arguments be finished, and restore relationships as we live life with each other. There is no peace without it.As for pointing out to someone they have no inheritance in Zion, fortunately we live during a tenure on planet earth when the floodgates are open. Anyone, no matter how much they have scoffed at Him or His people, is welcome in the family. We need no certain heritage, memorial, or righteousness to come. Simply the blood of the cross of Jesus and our belief that He finished it for us makes us His child.

And as for that evil scoffer, the one who accuses us before God? He is the one with zero inheritance in God’s people, with nothing to say in the face of King Jesus.

For His very Name is Jehovah Tsidkenu – The LORD our Righteousness.

 

Walk Kansas is hosting a Yoga Event, “First Responders Style.” Come this Monday, April 24th, to the Sedgwick County Extension’s Sunflower Room to learn “postures, breathing and relaxation techniques to help build resiliency and eradicate stress.”

Watermark is joining the restaurant Wine Dive to host Stephanie Danler for a wine and cheese tasting, an author talk, and signing of her novel Sweetbitter. This ticketed event will be held Tuesday, April 25th, at 6 pm at Wine Dive.

Then on Wednesday April 26th at Watermark, catch Don S. Lemons for a presentation and signing of Drawing Physics at 6 pm.

Tomorrow, April 22nd, join in for a LOVE Wichita event by East Heights United Methodist Church. Projects include cleaning up College Hill pool, landscaping at Jefferson Elementary, and some home repair/painting. Register here to join the fun!

Lincoln Heights Village Farmers Market is on. Every Wednesday from 7-11 am catch local vendors in the parking lot.

Ready for some Spring Flower Flat Sales? Tree Top Nursery will be holding their sale until April 23rd. And Johnson’s Garden will let you fill-a-flat through the 23rd as well.

Great Plains Nature Center’s Passport to Nature is Thursday, April 27th, from 6-9 pm. Enjoy local cuisine, a silent auction, live music, and native animals.

Tomorrow, Saturday the 22nd, see the Micah White Quartet at The Donut Whole

You should read here about how to win tickets to the Sold-Out performances of John Williams’ Music through the Wichita Symphony.

 

Library:

Our next installment in the Candid Conversation on Race will be a film screening Saturday April 22 at Central from 1:30-4:30. Come view Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity and join the conversation.

Then on Sunday, April 24th, enjoy Singing the Cattle North at Central from 2:30-3:30. Former English professor, Jim Hoy, will lend his expertise on the subject of cowboy life and folklore.

 

Have a great weekend!

School Field Trip

Tanganyika

Incredible

Playful

Beautiful

Stunning

Early Morning Beauty

Easter Beauty

Resurrection Sunday

Glory

 

Your 7 Days? I hope your Easter was meaningful and full of worship!

Enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza at Sedgwick County Zoo this Saturday the 15th. Egg hunt, photo booth, Easter bunny, crafts, and Animal Encounters!

The Workroom’s Anniversary Market is tomorrow, April 15th, from 10-4. Local art, live music, and food trucks.

Breakfast with Matt at Green Acres Bradley Fair is tomorrow at 8:00 am with Dr. Ron Hunninghake, chief medical officer of the Riordan Clinic, as he discusses reasons for fatigue.

Indian Hills Ace Hardware is celebrating their 36th Anniversary. The first 100 customers this Saturday the 15th receive a free Grill Brush. Plus, check out their discounts throughout the store.

Reverie’s Monthly Game Night is Saturday the 15th from 5:30-8:00.

Don’t forget Market Day at Old Town Farmers’ Market from 7-noon.

And Kansas Grown Farmers’ Market Saturday the 15th, also 7-noon. Let’s shop fresh and local!

In honor of Wichita Jazz Festival, Watermark is hosting Jazz Book Talk + Jazz Performance, April 15th beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Plus, this year’s Local Literary Festival will host local authors BD Tharp, Stan Webb, and Howard Ellington as they discuss their books from 2-4.

Coming to the Easter Sun Run tomorrow? Come!

 

Library:

Did you know we’re at the tail end of National Library Week?

Next Young Artists’ Exhibit is April 18th at Alford from 6:30-7:15.

And don’t forget:

Happy Good Friday! Go to a service and ponder how if it’s true, it’s everything. Plus eat Reese’s Eggs.

“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me.

And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

Nehemiah 2:18 ESV

Last time we saw Nehemiah’s “come, let us” request to the elders of the Jews, modeling the glorious We of our Triune God. Today we see the final push of our leader to the people: Assurance of God’s favor and the Persian king’s approval for the task.

“I nagad (fully told, expounded) of the gracious yad (powerful ability alongside) of elohim (Creator God) al (hovering over me) for towb (beauty). And aph (furthermore) what the king had said to me.

They replied, ‘Let us qum (arise, stand up) and banah (build).’ So they chazaq (strengthened, became courageous) their yad (hands) for the good (towb, beauty).”

To Nehemiah’s “Come, let us” the people replied with a “Yes, let’s.” Sometimes all it takes is the encouragement that God’s favor and power is resting on a project. And that the human king himself has approved the work.

I appreciated this bit of commentary on our verse today: “Nehemiah sketched the history of his past life, and showed how God’s providence had always shielded him and supported him. This, however, would scarcely have had any great effect had he not been able to appeal further to the king’s words that he had spoken. These words clearly contained permission to rebuild the wall, and took away the danger of their so doing being regarded as an act of rebellion by the Persians. What others might think was not of very much account.” source

Yes, what others might think is not of very much account. Not when you have a united group resting in God’s favor and appropriately submitting to human authority. With such circumstances, anything is possible.

I appreciate I’m typing this on Good Friday. You know, Jewish calendar days were from sundown one day to sundown the next. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, ate the Passover meal, sent his friend off to betray Him, healed a Roman soldier’s ear, allowed Himself to be arrested, defiled Himself by entering a Gentile governor’s headquarters, shut his mouth in defense and spoke of Truth to that governor, was denied by his dear friend, then was flogged and hung on a Roman instrument of death – all on the same day. On Passover.

The day the Hebrew people celebrate how the angel of death passed over their homes and spared their firstborn son when he saw the blood of a lamb on their doorposts so many years ago in Egypt when they were slaves.

He is our Passover Lamb. Our Elohim did not spare His Son from the death that should have been ours. He paid for our freedom and we are no longer slaves to sin. He did it for the good, the beauty of His glory in our lives.

Friends, let’s wonder at the love this Good Friday. He paid it all so we can live in unity. Strengthened for the good.

Accidental Strawberries

Evening light

Friends

Shadows

Friend Birthday

Johnny Appleseed

Delicious

Fresh

Color

Glory

 

Your 7 Days?

 

Been reading through the different gospels’ Triumphal Entry accounts. I have thought before how the first thing this King, humbly riding on a animal of peace, did when He reached Jerusalem was knock over tables, anger the religious leaders, and establish how His Father’s House would be a house of prayer for all nations.

But Luke includes a necessary scene before this Temple chaos: Jesus weeping over His beloved Zion.

“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes…” (Luke 19:41-42)

The Greek verb for weep means to wail aloud, “expressing uncontainable, audible grief.”

He deeply longs for Shalom for His people, His creation.

Make no mistake, I want – need – a Savior Who not only makes the clouds His chariots and rides on the wings of the wind, but Who created the clouds and causes the wind. But I desperately need that powerful King to choose a donkey over a chariot, a cross over a crown. I want to know He weeps when there is no shalom for His people. Even when we are the reason there is no peace.

Our King made sure to get Himself killed this week so many years ago, surrendering His life to His Father’s will. It’s the most significant week, leading to a Crucifixion that split history and the Veil in two.

Let’s worship anew.

 

 

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.'”

Nehemiah 2:17

Last time we looked at the all the people who would need to come together for the work ahead. Today we get a glimpse of what Nehemiah tells these men.

“You can see our adversity: Jerusalem is in decay, its gates were kindled with fire. Come, accompany me and let us rebuild and fortify the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in cherpah – disgrace, shame, contempt.”

The “come, let us” stuck out to me. Especially since this morning I read John 14:23: “We will come and make our home in him.” As Jesus was talking to His disciples about the future, He used a collective we. It reminded me of two Genesis references of “Come, let us”:

Make man in our image (1:26)

and

Go down and confuse their language (11:7)

Though good Jews would have recited Deuteronomy 6:4 (“The LORD our God, the LORD is one”) regularly, there are plenty of we references in the Old Testament to evidence a Triune God. And this three-in-One Creator lives in perfect unity. What the Father, Son & Spirit do, they do as One. In perfect humility with love eternal.

It seems this loving unity is the birthplace of ours. And Nehemiah rallies his men by speaking a “come, let us” over them.

It’s always good, isn’t it, when you have a mess in front of you that requires effort – but don’t feel alone in the task? Especially if shame or disgrace has been involved.

The nobles, priests, officials and all the rest had been exposed to contempt by the peoples around as a city with no defense against its enemies. It is likely the Jews had attempted before to repair the ruined walls and burned gates, but were attacked before it could be completed. Efforts thwarted and morale low.

Ever been there? Rallied the strength to pick up the tools of repair only to soon lay them right back down in defeat? Me, too. But some things can only happen in community.

What He wants to accomplish during our tenure here requires deep connection to Him and each other. The needs in our world are staggering. But unified prayer, knowing an alive and active Word, loving each other, and the unstoppable Gospel is everything we need to invest.

Come, let us.

2nd Saturday Time! Hit all the participating stores on Douglas with your 2nd Saturday bag and save moolah.

Want to learn more about Growing Herbs? Your chance is today at 5:30 at Rockwell Library and Tuesday the 11th at Alford Library. Homegrown basil is the best.

Women Investment Education Program through the Sedgwick County Extension Office begins today. This series of 6 sessions will teach you about investing and finances in a non-threatening way. Register here.

Watermark:

See Casey Pycior for an author talk and signing of The Spoils tonight, April 6 at 6:00 p.m.

And catch Paul Youngquist for a signing of his book A Pure Solar World on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. as part of the 2017 Wichita Jazz Festival.

WAM Goes MORP is this Saturday the 8th from 6-10. MORP is Prom spelled backwards, so if you’re a high schooler grade 9-12, prepare for artmaking with guest artists, music, dancing, food, and fun. Register here.

Then for Art on a Monday enjoy a look at “the behind-the-scenes-magic that brings five full-scale Broadway musicals to the Wichita stage in just 10 weeks each summer.” This Monday the 10th from 12-2.

Know about the Spring Cycle Spectacular? Hosted by Wichita Parks & Rec and Genesis Health Club, you can join others at Lawrence Dumont Stadium for a free Spinning Class. Plus, each participant receives 2 tickets to a Wichita Thunder game and 2 tickets to a Wichita Wingnuts baseball game! Register here.

And join the fun for the Annual Bunny Blast & Egghunt at OJ Watson Park. It’s this Saturday the 8th from 10-noon and just $5 per carload. Hunt eggs, see the Easter Bunny, and other spring fun.

Have you signed up for the Easter Sun Run yet? You can run (or walk), snag a t-shirt, win awesome prizes, enjoy a homemade BBQ lunch, and support an amazing ministry in the process.

This Saturday’s Tulips, Fairies & Forts will feature a Fairy Tea Party – plus, Tanganyika Wildlife Park and Sedgwick County Zoo

Enjoy chair massages, aromatherapy recipes, and discounts at Ladies Day at Green Acres Market at Bradley Fair this Saturday the 8th from 11-2.

And look into the Upcoming April Events at The Donut Hole.

Pop-Up Urban Park is hosting a Wichita Jazz Festival Kickoff Party this Monday the 10th from 5:30-8:00.

And come to the Mid-America All-Indian Center Museum Grand Re-Opening this Saturday, April 8. Special admission prices are $3.50 for adults (with children 12 & under free).​​ Enjoy activities with Exploration Place & Great Plains Nature Center. Make a pinch pot with Cherokee artist, Sheila Bazil, along with new museum exhibits.

Library:

And if you’re interested in finding out local businesses that are hiring, consider the Angelou Branch’s Spring Job Fair on Tuesday the 11th from 2-5.

The next Candid Conversation on Race is April 11th at Central from 6:30-7:45. The topic will be Voting Rights & Racial Justice.

Two more Young Artists Exhibit will be at Rockwell on Tuesday the 11th at 6:00 and 7:00.

And 2nd Saturday means Second Saturdays of Code for ages 8 & up. Register here for the April 8th workshop from 10:30-12:30.

 

Have a great weekend!