This week is it.

 

This is what our entire faith rests on: Jesus let Himself be murdered, then rose from the dead.

 

And if that is not true – historically, factually true – no one should still be talking about it.

 

But if it’s true – if it really happened – it is everything.

This week I want to better love the Man Who turned over tables yet refused the sword. Who taught with authority yet endured his friend’s kiss for 30 pieces of silver.

 

Who took the wrath that should have been ours.

 

These 7 days are all.

 

May we worship anew.

Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, “Look up and see what’s coming.”

“What is it?” I asked.

He replied, “It is a basket for measuring grain, and it’s filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land.”

Then the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, and there was a woman sitting inside it.  The angel said, “The woman’s name is Wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again.

Then I looked up and saw two women flying toward us, gliding on the wind. They had wings like a stork, and they picked up the basket and flew into the sky.

“Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel.

He replied, “To the land of Babylonia, where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on its pedestal.”

Zechariah 5:5-11 (NLT)

 

Another shorter vision for our prophet.

 

This time he sees Wickedness personified as a woman and carried off to Babylon. The word used in verse 11 is actually Shinar, the same place the Tower of Babel occurred.

 

Throughout the Bible, Babylon is used to represent a land of idolatry. Idolatry that is not appropriate for God’s people or the place He chose to dwell among them. He is banishing such wickedness as He continues to prepare His people to worship Him again in Temple.

Any time the One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire burns away dross in our lives, it is a mercy. He is making us more moldable vessels with a purified faith.

I’m grateful our Potter is gentle. And though, as a Silversmith, He must use fire to refine, it is for our good.

 

But ultimately I’m grateful He chooses to use broken people to display His infinite worth.

Enjoy St Patrick’s Day at The Gnome tonight – The Route will be playing Irish tunes.

Join the fun on Saturday the 19th at 5:30 at Reverie’s Game Night.

 

The Central & Rock Chick-fil-A will be sharing samples of their new Frosted Coffee daily through the 19th from 11:30-1:30. Also, don’t miss their Action Hero Night next Wednesday March 23rd. Dress like your favorite hero and receive a free Icedream. Plus games and prizes.

 

I’m not sure if this is true at every Y location, but the West Y is featuring their Fun Fit in the gym from 9-10:30 through Friday. Free energetic activities for ages 6-12 while you workout!

 

Thinking about some Spring painting around your place? Right now until Monday the 21st, you can get Valspar Optimus paint gallons Buy One, Get One Free at ACE Hardware. Great deal on quality paint.

 

Tomorrow the 18th marks the beginning of Johnson’s Gardens Spring Open House. Great opportunity to stock up on gardening supplies including $.99 pansies.

 

Don’t miss Kayt Sukel’s reading and book signing at Watermark tonight at 6:00 for her book The Art of Risk.

 

Start Up Wichita has several events coming up. Their goal is to get the tech, design, and business communities in the same room and see what happens.

If you are interested in learning how to grow food, register for the Sedgwick County Extention Office’s series of Gardening Classes. Incredible deal for a wide variety of information.

 

And do you know about Walk Kansas? A friend alerted me to this team-based program that encourages healthier lifestyles. You can set a goal to get as much physical activity as it would take to walk across Kansas (or more) from April 3-May 28. Grab some friends, make a team, and register here.

 

This Saturday the 19th is the Bunny Blast and Egg Hunt at Watson Park. Beginning at 10 am, for $5 a carload, kids can hunt eggs then enjoy other activities like Inflatables and Egg Foosball.

Library:

Spring Break programs are still on for the next several days. Add something different to your schedule and meet new friends.

 

Are you a teen interested in giving back to your community? How about becoming a summer library volunteer? Register for more information here.

 

This Saturday the 19th, come to Alford Branch to learn how to identify and date your mystery 19th century photos.

 

Also, register here to learn more about security for your computer and internet scams at Evergreen on March 22nd from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Have a great weekend and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 Connect 4 at the Y

Helping

One of our favorites

Friends

Go!

Carpet picnic

Let’s create

Helping Dad

Fix something

Peeling taters

On the driveway, naturally.

The list

Glory

 

Your 7 days?

I am not abandoning our discussion. However, this week is Spring Break for us and I need some lightness. Sharing some Spring joy and boredom survival strategies today.

First, current entryway design. I like it. (The Tolkien book is in Russian, not Elvish)

Making activity books readily available

Same with craft supplies. Does everyone else’s stuff multiply?

Especially the crayons?

Color

Our pretty tree makes me smile.

Youngest’s Sunflower plant from school. It’s loving the rain.

Garage sales. For us this means $3 rollerblades and a new hobby. They will regularly get shooed outside this week. But the good news is neighbor kids.

Tulips. Spring flowers make me happy.

 

Also in the arsenal: free roller skating passes, swimming at the Y, play dates, chores, cooking & baking, and camping with friends. Memories and fun, with a bit of work and limited electronics. Bring it on.

 

Is this week Break for you, too? How is your Spring going?

I looked up again and saw a scroll flying through the air.

“What do you see?” the angel asked.

“I see a flying scroll,” I replied. “It appears to be about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide.”

 Then he said to me, “This scroll contains the curse that is going out over the entire land. One side of the scroll says that those who steal will be banished from the land; the other side says that those who swear falsely will be banished from the land. And this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says:

I am sending this curse into the house of every thief and into the house of everyone who swears falsely using my name. And my curse will remain in that house and completely destroy it—even its timbers and stones.”

 

(Zechariah 5:1-4 NLT)

 

Stealing and lying.

 

In the sixth vision God gives Zechariah, these are the two sins chosen to represent how God’s people have disobeyed His law.

 

And the consequence of disobedience is no joke.

One of the reasons God is having the exiles rebuild the temple and reinstate the sacrificial system is to bring His people back to an awareness of His Law. Our pastor talked on Sunday about how every moral, ritual, and civil law included was, at its heart, a more thorough working out of Love of God and neighbor.

 

And stealing and lying are two very direct violations toward our neighbor.

 

I’ve been heartbroken these past several weeks over sin: from our nation’s to my own. The thing I keep coming back to is asking God to make hearts, mine included, tender to Him and His Word. It seems like this could be the difference between worldly guilt and godly sorrow that brings repentance.

I’m so grateful that Jesus took the curse for us. If He hadn’t, where would we be? But because we who trust in Him stand before the God of heaven and earth justified, we can rest in that sacrifice and cooperate with Him as He makes us more like His Son.

 

And fortunately no one who encounters Him remains the same.

Are you going to shop Second Saturday? You should.

Do you know about Reverie’s Caffeinated Lab Classes? This Saturday the 12th is Espresso Tasting.

 

City Arts will be hosting another top-notch Professional Development Workshop on Saturday about grants for individual artists. Come learn and network.

Also Saturday the 12th check out Watermarks’ Local Literary Festival, featuring four local authors from 2-4 pm. And don’t miss a reading and signing of CJ Box‘s Off the Grid on Tuesday March 15th at 6 pm.

 

Don’t miss the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Sheep Shearing on Saturday from 10 – 1. Visitors will be able to feel the wool and see how it can be used.

 

The Wichita Symphony is featuring Natasha Paremski on the piano this Saturday and Sunday. Hear work by Russian composer greats Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. Tickets available here.

Interested in learning how to become a Backyard Beekeeper? Johnson’s Garden is hosting a free seminar this Saturday the 12th beginning at 10:00 am at their 13th street store. Sign up here.

 

Library:

I just love the library. They’ve got a great line up of activities for kids of all ages during Spring Break.

Need help with your taxes? The Library’s got you covered there, too.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a beginner computer class, register here for the one at Central coming up this Saturday from 10:30-12:00.

Likewise, register here for a tech demo on how to use popular social media sites, like Pinterest and Twitter, on Wednesday the 16th beginning at 6:00 pm.

And don’t forget our weekly Hook & Needle Friends group at Alford 10 – noon on Wednesday mornings. No knitting/quilting/crocheting experience required. Come and learn and make friends.

 

Have a great weekend!

This is an actual thing

Youngest and I killed time between classes at Big Lots. Rarely go there, but was delighted by the Peanuts mug collection.

Hubs would love

This one made me smile

Urban Gardening

Baby love

I’m into Baby Love

I’m not sure what all it does, but I like it

So many signs of spring

Including $1 tulip bouquet mark-downs at Dillon’s

Lovely

Downtown Love

Mac & Cheese Spaghetti Squash. Winner recipe

School Fair: Becoming Batman

Skylanders battles

 

Your 7 Days?

It’s been 20 months.

 

Well, 20 months minus four weeks. Our friends accepted a four-week-old infant foster care placement nearly two years ago. It has been a ride for them as they navigate the system and learn from case workers and struggle through trusting a trustworthy God.

 

And now she is theirs. Officially, legally theirs.

This is a beautiful celebration for our community.

 

In the car on Saturday I chatted with the boys about what the day held. When I mentioned we had a party later for our little friend, they asked how old she was. I told them her age but reminded them we’re celebrating that she’s officially a [their last name] now.

 

One son innocently asked, “But how can she be? She doesn’t look like them.”

 

It has been so interesting learning from my friend as she navigates the waters of transracial adoption. People assuming she isn’t theirs. Asking mostly well-meaning, but occasionally not-well-meaning, questions. Figuring out how to respond in a Christlike way as a man holds open a store door for two white moms and their kids, then intentionally shuts it when he sees my friend coming with her kids.

 

So, yeah.

 

My friend doesn’t have the answers. She tries to turn things positive and instructive when she has the chance. But it’s not always her first response.

 

In our car ride scenario, I took the time to remind the boys we don’t look much like God. He is perfect and holy and pure love. On our own, we are not.

 

And yet He adopts us into His forever family.

 

I want a space for our children to learn and struggle and ask questions. To discover different cultures and family structures. To truly believe in the beauty of God’s creation and His delight in it.

 

If you haven’t seen this video, you need to watch it. And please don’t talk to me about peaceful protesting.  This is not okay.

 

Just read about it and watch.

 

And pray for our nation.

 

Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep. “What do you see now?” he asked.

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks. And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.”

Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord? What do they mean?”

 “Don’t you know?” the angel asked.

“No, my lord,” I replied.

 Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”

 Then another message came to me from the Lord:  “Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.  Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

(The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)

Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand, and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?”

“Don’t you know?” he asked.

“No, my lord,” I replied.

Then he said to me, “They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”

 

Zechariah 4:1-14 (NLT)

 

The angel rouses our prophet, Zechariah, again to show him another vision.

 

This time he sees two olive trees supplying oil to a lampstand. The trees represent the two offices of God’s ideal nation Israel: priestly and royal. Israel was to be a sovereign state with a Law that pointed to God, as well as provide a Temple and sacrificial system that sought that same God’s forgiveness when the law was transgressed.

 

The lampstand represents the Temple and community who would worship within it.

 

We know God’s people did not worship Him alone or adequately show a watching world what He is like. The reason they are rebuilding is due to the sin that led them into exile.

 

God makes sure to point out to Zechariah that, just as the oil for the lampstand comes from God-made olive trees and not men, His Spirit alone would be what enables leadership to complete the task.

 

It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Has He walked you through some in-the-trenches lessons, teaching you to let go of force or doing things in your own strength?

 

I know He has with me. Still is.

 

The work He does in and through us is a gift. That’s why verse 7 in the ESV says, “Grace! Grace to it!”

 

When the final Stone is placed – the True Cornerstone in the ultimate City with the Final Temple – we will have worked, yes, but in His power. The result in our own life and others’ will be pure grace from beginning to end.

 

That’s why we don’t need to despise these small beginnings.

 

The Lord rejoices to see the work begin.

 

No mountain stands in His way as He works in and through His people.