Easter 2021 - Containing the Message of Easter –
trying to contain the uncontainable
The
message of Easter cannot be contained by any one
cultural expression. We all feel that OURS is the
only way, but it isn't. An examination of Luke
5:33-38 shows the fresh wine of the message of
Easter must be put in fresh wineskins... and that
these wineskins do become old.
Lecture on Body Acceptance / Clothing Optional
Philosophy
Body Acceptance / Self Acceptance:
a lecture at a California State University
psychology class by Jeff & Judy Bowman where a
clothing optional experience is discussed as a means
to promote body and self acceptance. 14
installments.
The outdoor
Chapel at Glen Eden Sun Club
For many years I've led the Easter Services at Glen
Eden Sun Club, Corona, California. It is always a joy to see our
friends and bring the message of Easter to Glen Eden. Apart from
being beautiful, the outdoor chapel is a very spiritual and sacred
place. There are memorials to many past members.
Disrupting the Disrupter of Death: How Easter is the
biggest game changer of All. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter
2019
In our current times we are experiencing disruptive
technology at a fast pace. Uber disrupting taxis, Air BnB disrupting
hotels, streaming TV challenging cable TV, and even in the political
world disruption has taken place! The Easter message of Resurrection
is a powerful “disrupter” that will impact our lives in the future
and has the ability to impact them now – for our good.
Easter: Truth, Lies and Bullshit.
Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2018
We are living in very interesting times. Each day the
media confronts us with with truth, lies, and bullshit! What do we
typically do? What can we do? What should we do? These times are
actually no different that those of the ancient world. Truth was and
is always true, lies were and always were lies, and bullshit is
always BS.
Easter is the time when Christians focus on and celebrate the
Resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection is the foundation and basis
for our faith, as Paul wrote, "...and if Christ has not been raised
from death, then we have nothing to preach and you have nothing to
believe" (1 Corinthians 15:14). The Bible presents that the
resurrection of Jesus played out in the context of truth, lies and
BS.
Wake Up to Life.
Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2017
Easter is the time when Christians focus on and
celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection is the
foundation and basis for our faith as Paul wrote, "...and if Christ
has not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach and
you have nothing to believe" (1 Corinthians 15:14).
His resurrection is the guarantee that we too will be awakened from
the sleep of death and raised to eternal life one day. Yet how does
that apply to your life today?
The Everyday Realities of Easter.
Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2016
Humans have always pondered what happens at death and is there an
"afterlife?" In the times of the New Testament the prevailing
thought regarding death was that of Plato and his immortality of the
soul and forms of reincarnation. Today our society has similar
thoughts and beliefs. Yet the message of Easter was contrary to
that of Plato and even the common thoughts about death today. It is
a message of the dead coming back to life again (and not as zombies!
<grin>) and God renewing this world and its inhabitants to a
condition BETTER than that of the first humans, Adam and Eve. This
message explores the everyday realities of Easter and not just the
fun holiday that we enjoy today.
Let It Go!.
Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2015
Summary:
The events surrounding the Easter story, the crucifixion, death and
resurrection of Jesus, were packed with every negative emotion that
we humans have: anger, fear, jealousy, denial, greed, lust, and
hatred. Yet Jesus stayed true to His mission / purpose. To do that
He had to "let go" of all the negative emotions bombarding him... He
forgave. Forgiveness means to "let it go." Such letting go frees us
to focus on our present purpose - life!
The Easter Whale. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2014
Summary:
Easter is full of “symbols:” the Easter bunny; dyed eggs; Easter egg
hunts; Easter hats & outfits; Easter baskets w/ green plastic grass;
chocolate bunnies; Marshmallow Peeps; Cadbury Eggs; lilies; crosses;
and what many consider to be the first symbol – an empty tomb.
If we examine the scriptures the very first symbol of Easter is in
fact a big fish! Jesus, when asked for a sign appealed to
Jonah's 3 day journey in the fish... how did Jonah get there?
What is the application for us? There is a "Jonah" inside of
us!
The Resurrection Reboot. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2013.
Summary:
Since
the 1980s we have been living in the era of Personal Computers. Now
the next wave of computing is here in the form of Tablets and other
mobile devices. One concept the computer era has taught us is that
of: REBOOT. What does that mean to you? In Scripture we find the
concept of rebooting in the lives of people who have a restart in
their life and we see the biggest reboot of all in the Resurrection
of the dead and the corresponding new Heaven and new Earth.
The Nudity of Easter. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2012.
Summary:
Easter means many things to many people. It is a time of spring, a
time of life, a time for chocolate bunnies and dyed eggs. Kids go
scampering for hidden eggs and candy. Families and friends gather
and enjoy a picnic and love. But Easter is more than these things.
The Easter story as presented in the Bible shows us the nudity
(figuratively and literally) of humanity…
LOVE WINS! Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2011.
(a slight nod to Rob Bell <grin>)
Summary: The
Easter message hit the First Century with a bombshell: “Jesus is
raised from the dead… oh and by the way, we will be too!” The
resurrection is the bedrock on which Christianity stands. It
demonstrates how The Universe WILL prevail and love WILL reign.
The Doubt of Faith. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2010.
Summary:
What do you think of those who doubt? How about the person who
always questions? Do you sometimes doubt? Are you a skeptical
person? Have you ever found yourself to be the only person who
questions a situation? I suggest to you that you are not alone and
that doubt can be an indication that faith is about to be hatched.
Let’s take a look at the poster-boy of doubt – doubting Thomas. He
is not what you think…
Easter and YOUR Carbon Footprint. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2009.
Summary: In our
society today there is much discussion about our “carbon footprint.”
This footprint is about our impact to the environment via the
greenhouse gasses that our lives make. Yet not only do our lives
impact the environment but there is another side to this carbon
footprint that we don’t hear much discussion about – the footprint
we leave in the lives of others. Easter is about the ultimate
solution to the carbon footprint problem. Easter is about
Resurrection – hope and change both in the future and now.
The Promise and Hope of
EASTER. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2008.
The Easter
story as presented in the Bible is about PROMISE and HOPE. It is
about the biggest PROMISE from God. Think of a big promise that was
made to you and that you actually received… Think of a big promise
that was made to you but that it didn’t come to pass.
So
What's the Point. Taught at Glen Eden Sun Club Easter 2007.
Summary:
Easter gives MEANING for our existence – a loving God creates.
It gives PURPOSE for our living – loving God back
It gives POWER in “being”
It gives HOPE in spite of death
