More

We called it "More." It was truly that.

This past Sunday night, Church at the Triangle hosted our first ever night of worship. Attendance was light at the Royal Event Center. But God's presence was thick in the room. Very thick. I will never do justice in describing what happened. As the saying goes, "You just had to be there."

The evening was a combination of music, prayer and communion. Under Lee Towns' excellent leadership, we entered into times of deep, guided prayer. This was a first for our young church. That seemed to set the stage for an amazing evening in the presence the Lord. This was intimate, heart-changing prayer. The kind of prayer that remolds you in such a way that you leave the room a different person than when you entered.

We're planning another event like this in August. While I'm hoping God moves in a similar way once again, what happened June 28th cannot be duplicated.

Something happened Sunday night. Maybe I should say Someone happened.

In Christ,
Jay

The First Supper

As a seminary student, I study great theologians and philosophers like Calvin, Luther and Spurgeon. I also enjoy such modern day thinkers as Carlin, Letterman and Seinfeld. OK, so they may not be as deep as the previous three, but they are no less insightful.

They have a unique perspective on our language and culture, which is chock-full of goofy words that really don't make any sense. For instance...
-Why is it called a "hot water heater"? Why do we need to heat water if it's hot?
-Why do we drive on a parkway and park on the driveway?
-If we get corn oil from corn, where do we get baby oil from?
-If they call it tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
-Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?
-Why is the word "abbreviated" so long?
-Does it bother you that doctors call what they do "practice?"

And we do the same in our faith as well. We use words and phrases that really aren't appropriate. The classic example is what has become known as "The Last Supper."

Actually, when Jesus gathered His twelve followers in the room upstairs, they were actually celebrating "The Last Passover." It's the meal Jews refer to today as the Seder. Just a few hours later, Jesus would offer Himself on the Cross as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1Cor 5:7).

In those tender evening hours with His closest friends, our Savior gathered for what we should more appropriately call "The First Supper." It was at this meal when Jesus boldly offered the Cup of the New Covenant, the long-awaited promise from the Old Testament (Jer 31:31-34).

"After supper He took another cup of wine and said, "This wine is the token of God's new covenant to save you--an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you." (Luke 22:20 NLT)

So as we celebrate the Lord's Table again, let's remember that evening that Jesus gathered His disciples for "The Last Passover." The night they took part in "The First Supper."

In Christ,
Jay