Life Between 4 & 5 | Mike's Manna (Rev. Dr. Mike Gatton)

The beginning of Psalm 13 laments, “How long, O Lord?” Have you ever asked that question? Most of us have. They say, “Into each life a little rain must fall,” bur there are times when the rain becomes a monsoon, and we feel like we’re drowning in the deluge.

There is a pattern in Psalms. They begin with an intimate address naming God as a friend. Then there is a  complaint telling the problem. Next comes a petition, asking and sometimes demanding that God do   something. Followed by a motivating word that appeals to God’s vanity - fix this so everyone will see how great you are. Sometimes there’s a desire for revenge - “Get ‘em, Lord!” And finally, the assurance that the prayer has been heard, therefore a word of praise. 

With that in mind, listen again to Psalm 13. “How long, O Lord, how long?” After chemo and months of radiation treatment, the blood counts are not good, the cancer is back. “Will you forget me forever?” When your child has lapsed once again to the addiction that has plagued their life. “How long will you hide your face from me?” When the insurance company denies your claim for life-giving medication. “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts,” asks the victim of sexual abuse who can no longer trust anyone. “And every day have sorrow in my  heart?" asks the mother who has lost two sons in the senseless killing in the West End. Lamentations everywhere. But then verse 5 and 6, and suddenly a change, “I trust in your     unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.”

In between verses 4 and 5, something changes. Born out of memory, hope arrives. Yes, things are bad, but  I remember when they weren’t, when I knew God cared about me, and I know that day will come again.   

It seems to me that the church, when it is at its best, lives its life between verses 4 and 5, when tears are shed, but hope is alive. We remember the despair of Good Friday, knowing that the joy of Easter is coming. Tony Campolo recalled the most powerful sermon he ever heard. It was a simple message, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was involved:

It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where he was praying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.     

It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord, and they press the crown of  thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody, and dying. But Sunday’s coming.     

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping, and hell is partying.               

But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.    

Between verses 4 and 5 it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming, and that is where the church finds its meaning.

Because He Lives | Marc's Music Notables

Because He Lives!

A hymn that has become synonymous with Easter Sunday in the past fifty years is “Because He Lives”. Two of the longest-lasting performing couples of Christian contemporary music, Gloria (b. 1942) and William J. (b. 1936) Gaither wrote the words. “Because He Lives” was awarded the recognition of Gospel Song of the Year for 1974 by the Gospel Music Association and the American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP). The hymn writers provide this insight on its conception: 

“‘Because He Lives’ [1971] was written amid the social upheaval, threats of war, and national and personal trust betrayals. It was into this world at such a time that we were bringing our third little baby. Assassinations, drug traffic, and war monopolized the headlines. In the midst of this kind of uncertainty, the assurance of the Lordship of the risen Christ blew across our troubled minds like a cooling breeze in the parched desert. Holding our tiny son in our arms, we were able to write:

‘How sweet to hold our newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance,

this child can face uncertain days because He lives.’”

Bill Gaither began as an English, literature, and journalism teacher in 1959 in his hometown of Alexandria, Ind. His future bride, Gloria Sickal, taught French and English in the same high school.

They started to sing together and were married in 1962. By 1967, the couple left the teaching profession to become full-time recording and performing artists. Gloria Gaither has authored several books since 1971, including Make Warm Noises, Rainbows Live at Easter, Because He Lives, Decisions: A Christian Approach to Making Right Choices, and Let’s Make a Memory (co-authored with Shirley Dobson).

“Because He Lives” begins with the empty grave on Easter Sunday. Stanza two is about hope, even in uncertain days, because of the singular significance of the Resurrection event. Stanza three takes us to heaven, where we will “see the lights of glory and... know [Jesus] reigns.”

As we celebrate the resurrection this Easter season, amidst our own tumult, may we always remember that “life is worth the living, just because He lives!”

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies | Jenna's Favorite Recipes

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are tasty and fresh, the perfect flavor for springtime and Easter celebrations. Bonus: they’re really easy to mix up! (They’re also healthy enough that you could eat them for breakfast...ssh! That can be our little secret)

Ingredients:

· 1 cup coconut flour

· 6 eggs

· 3/4 cup coconut oil, melted

· 3/4 cup honey or maple syrup

· 3 tsp vanilla extract

· Pinch of salt

· 3/4 cup chocolate chips

 Directions:

1.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. Preheat oven to 350

3. Mix together eggs, coconut oil, sweetener, and vanilla until smooth

4. Add salt and coconut flour, mix until   thoroughly combined (if mixture is still runny, add a little extra flour)

5. Stir in chocolate chips

6. Drop tablespoon scoops onto the lined baking sheet (flatten a bit, as they won’t spread much during baking)

7. Bake for 10-15 min, until edges are turning golden

 If you don’t eat all of these cookies in the first day, I recommend storing them in the fridge to keep them fresh.

 *This recipe took inspiration from the website blog.paleohacks.com

FASTING OR FEASTING DURING LENT - Mike's Manna (Rev. Dr. Mike Gatton)

Since “retirement” (which according to one of my friends, I have failed miserably at doing), I have been checking items off my “bucket list.” I completed one more of those just last month: a Caribbean cruise. Though warned about the abundance of food available, I nonetheless took advantage of the many restaurants with sumptuous spreads on board all included in the price of my trip. The twelve pounds gained by my    feasting meant twelve pounds to lose upon my return by fasting. I thought of the challenge of feasting and fasting as we prepare to enter the season of Lent.

We do not think of the imagery of feasting in Lent as we do that of fasting. Feasting in this sense means    filling our life to the brim with a life direction, quality, value, or purpose for life. Fasting means denying   ourselves something that either we cherish or that possesses us.

The whole purpose of giving something up at Lent or fasting is to discipline our lives so that Christ can       become a deeper reality in our spiritual journey. But it does no good to give something up unless we replace  it with something else better. This is where the concept of feasting comes in - to fill our lives with something great and grand after we have gotten rid of something that weighed us down.

What if we fasted from a bad habit or attitude that hurts us and those around us, and instead feasted on   something that was good for us - something that molded us more into the person of faith and love that God intended for us to be?

What if we fasted from words that pollute and instead feasted on words that purify? The ability to bring out the best in each other by the power of encouraging words is evidence that the Holy Spirit is empowering our witness. Encouragement is like peanut butter on a sandwich - the more you spread it on the bread, the better the bread sticks together. In her book Balcony People, Joyce Landorf describes and divides people into two categories, “basement people and balcony people.” Basement people only criticize and poison the landscape of the human soul and spirit. They tell us what we aren’t rather than what we can be. Balcony people are not merely sitting there, but are practically hanging over the rail, cheering us on. This Lent, let’s fast from the words that pollute and feast on words that purify. Let’s be balcony people.

Finally, during this Lent, fast on selfishness and feast on compassion for others. Jesus knew that his mission was to bring the grace, love and compassion of God to others, and he focused on that priority rather than    self-concern.

A man came to this country from Sweden to find work. But after a while, he became very homesick for his native land. Quietly, he saved every penny he could until he had enough for the cheapest ticket on an ocean-going ship to return to Sweden.

On the day of the sailing, the man purchased a supply of cheese and crackers to eat during the five-day   crossing. He boarded the ship and found his tiny room. Each evening, he would watch the elegantly dressed travelers coming and going from the great dining rooms on the ship. And he would retire to his room for cheese and crackers.

Finally, on the last night of the trip, he decided he had enough money for one splurge. He entered the dining room and enjoyed a veritable feast, the best he had ever eaten. When the meal was over, he walked up to the dining room host to pay for the meal. To his surprise, the man said, “Oh, you don’t owe me anything. All of the meals are included in the cost of your ticket.”

What a tragedy to go through life on cheese and crackers when you could be feasting at the banquet!

A Sacred Journey Through Holy Week: "The Lenten Sketches" - Marc's Music Notables

This Lenten season, the Hurstbourne Christian Church Music Ministry invites you to experience Joseph Martin's profound work, "The Lenten Sketches," during our morning worship service on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025. Joseph Martin, one of the most influential composers in sacred music today, has created a deeply moving cantata that brings the final days of Christ's earthly ministry to life through both music and visual art.

"The Lenten Sketches" unfolds through a series of powerful musical tableaus, each one illuminating a pivotal moment in Christ's final days. The composition guides worshippers through five transformative scenes:

1. The Triumphal Entry: Experience the jubilant atmosphere as Jesus enters Jerusalem

2. The Last Supper: Witness the intimate moments shared between Jesus and His disciples

3. The Garden of Gethsemane: Feel the weight of Christ's prayer and surrender

4. The Cross: Reflect on the ultimate sacrifice

5. The Promise: Embrace the hope of resurrection

What makes this presentation particularly special is its innovative combination of music and visual art. This incredible work is enhanced by a series of contemplative pencil etchings accompanying each musical piece. These carefully crafted illustrations serve as silent witnesses to these sacred moments, creating a multi-sensory worship experience that speaks to both heart and soul.

We warmly invite all who love to sing to become part of this meaningful presentation. Choir rehearsals begin Wednesday, March 12, and continue each Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 PM in the sanctuary. No prior choir experience is necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and dedication. Our music ministry welcomes voices of all ranges and abilities.

Whether you choose to participate in the choir or attend as a worshipper, this Palm Sunday service promises to be a profound spiritual experience. We encourage you to invite family, friends, and neighbors to join us for this special presentation    marking the beginning of Holy Week. Through the combined  power of music and visual art, "The Lenten Sketches"   offers a unique opportunity to journey through the most significant week in the Christian calendar. Come be part of this moving celebration of faith, reflection, and remembrance.