Christmas Greeting!

Today (Dec 20) leaves only 5 days until Christmas Day!

I love this time of year. The lights, the music, the gifts too I will admit. But the best reason of all is that it reminds us that God broke through the spiritual realm to our physical realm and became a human being in Jesus. Emmanuel - God with us. So cool! 

If you haven't watched it yet, I would recommend watching "The Nativity Story" and that will help set the tone for Christmas. This BLOG won't be long today, but I just wanted to take time and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas filled with Jesus and a bright and prosperous New Year!

As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, everyone!"

The 12 Days of Christmas - the REAL meaning?

We're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" right? 

To most it's a simple rhyme set to music. But some believe it had a quite a serious purpose when it was written. 

"Apparently Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. 

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith - a memory aid, when to be caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged, or shortened by a head - or hanged, drawn and quartered, a rather peculiar and ghastly punishment I'm not aware was ever practiced anywhere else. Hanging, drawing and quartering involved hanging a person by the neck until they had almost, but not quite, suffocated to death; then the party was taken down from the gallows, and disembowelled while still alive; and while the entrails were still lying on the street, where the executioners stomped all over them, the victim was tied to four large farm horses, and literally torn into five parts - one to each limb and the remaining torso. 

Many believe the songs' gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person... Here's the meanings...

1 The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..." I have also heard this referred to as being a symbol of Jesus on the cross.

The other symbols mean the following: 

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments 
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues 
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes 
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit 
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments 
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles 
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed" (Snopes)

Now is it true? Snopes who is famous for revealing truth doesn't believe so. There is some proof for the meanings as described above. I guess what it boils down to is that whoever considers the meanings "to be "beautiful" and "inspirational" (despite its obviously dubious truthfulness) should consider its underlying message: That one group of Jesus' followers had to hide their beliefs in order to avoid being tortured and killed by another group of Jesus' followers. Of all the aspects of Christianity to celebrate at Christmastime, that doesn't sound like a particularly good one to emphasize." (Snopes) 

Good advice. As long as we remember Jesus in our hearts at this time of year, does it matter if the song really was a secret message for the church or not? I don't think so. I think it's a nice way to share the gospel personally. I even have a tie that has the 12 days on it given to me by a youth group a number of years back now... 

Like it?

Twas the news before Christmas...

With a title like that you're wondering what news? Well, the news is not fun news. The position I got hired for this school year as an Educational Assistant was suddenly cut in half and made a new p/t permanent position which is still waiting for internal applicants to apply to first before I get a crack at it. I found this our almost 4 weeks ago. Yes this is the speed of the school board, 4 weeks and still no news an what my future will be. Will I be able to apply to the position I'm working in and then have to find part time work to go with it? Or will I end up right back on the supply list for the year? Just when you think life is set, everything changes. Other personal matters have happened during this time too and it makes a believer ask, "Okay, what's going on God?" You pray for direction and it seems to be silence. What do you do?

My wife and I have been praying for the future, and I have been applying for positions, but really, by Christmas who knows? I could be back to being just a supply person. Nice huh? That combined with my other personal things? Merry Christmas right? It's easy to fall into the pity party trap and get depressed, it would be easy to blame God, it would be easy to give up. But as believers we don't do that. We cling to out faith in God and that's what my family and I are doing right now. I thank God I am still with LIFE 100.3 doing Ask The Pastor and Saturdays and importing teaching shows. As for the pastorate? Who knows? Everything is up in the air. God knows what's going on... and yes I'll admit I wish He'd let me in on it! But this falls back to trust. Do we trust God when the rug's been pulled out from underneath you? I have quoted Job on more than one occasion during all this, Job 1:21 - 22, 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.[c]
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.” (or blessed be the name of the Lord  and blessed be Your name as translations and the songs say)

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

I want to be known that through my trials I did not charge God with wrongdoing. As I said the temptation is hard to do that when going through it. I know we go through these things to minister to others in their hour of need. So I would ask for your prayers as I walk through this with my family. I know God will provide as He promises to provide for His own. I hope being this open helps others. God bless.

Black Friday... Cyber Monday... what else???

Just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier... we have Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday is where stores try to guarantee they will make ti in the black that day rather than operate in the red. Cyber Monday? Same thing... but online...

Now the craziness? Just look at below...

People lining up overnight at places to try and get that great deal! I saw news reports about how police and security alike in places in the USA and Britain were dealing with unruly shoppers. Cyber Monday? Watch out for your internet service! So many trying to get that great deal online!

How do we deal with these types of days as believers? Aren't we supposed to be content with what we have like the apostle Paul said? I'll admit I have been guilty of getting excited to see what the deals are for both days. The trick is to say - nice deal, but so I really need it? Or Nice deal, but is it worth trampling others in the process to get that gift for someone? 

Tough call right? 

Keep in mind God's word and what it means to be content in all situations, giving thanks in all circumstances. If you need to get a deal for your Christmas shopping because you want to get someone a gift and be financially responsible at the same time? Great! Do that. But don't go crazy!

Christmas decorations

So here it is Christmas season again. I have seen houses one by one putting up their decorations outside and in too. Some are modest, while some are over the top inflatable this and that and there's hardly a space left on their lawn and on their house. Sometimes it's a nice thing, sometimes... not so much. I grew up in Scarborough and there was a home that every year did a fantastic job of decorating with lights that moved and the more. It looked something like this... (not the actual house but you get the idea)

I often wondered how much their hydro bill was... It was tastefully done and the owner would actually put out a donation bin too. Great idea. Not many can decorate the way they did. Some would say, such waste. I can see that, but I can also see how Christmas lights still point back to Christ and the star that guided the wisemen and that bright host of angels singing to the shepherds. It was bright and some would say "over the top." Why not go all out to celebrate Jesus' birth? 

Romans 4:5,6 says, 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

We all celebrate in our own way. If someone wants to go all out and decorate their home in a huge way, let them I say! More praise to God! I'll be decorating our home this weekend.

The first snow of the winter season

So yes it's true, the first snow is here and more is coming daily it seems. Looks like winter has arrived at last. I get my winter tires on this week! 

So with the first snow we see how people remember (or forget) how to drive in snow! I saw this on the way to a training day for EA's on the PD Day. Some people thinking because they have an SUV or truck they can drive through anything at any speed... yeah doesn't work and they're in the ditches. Winter tires on cars don't mean we can just drive without care either! 

I had fun because I had only all seasonal tires on that Friday. I got stopped and at one stop sign it was "fun" to try and get going because we were on a slight hill, so I was spinning and thinking "Oh man the people behind me in that SUV must think I'm an idiot!" But I got going after adjusting back and forth between drive, first gear, and low gear in my 2007 automatic Pontiac G5. SO the lesson of the year is - be ready, drive carefully, and have fun! Be patient too when someone is slipping - it could be you!

Another year older...

So yes, another has come and gone, I'm another year older. 43 this time. *gasp* did he really post his age! Yes. It's okay, I'm good with it. My wife and kids tell me all the time (jokingly of course) how OLD I am! When you get to my age birthday cakes look like this...

Yes, they run out of room on the cake... So what have I learned from the past year? Patience in waiting on God's will for my life to unfold. Evaluating who I am, that what I do is not what makes me, but who I am in God - His child.

So now that my birthday is here, what are the plans? Well, working on air today, then tomorrow after service heading to Medieval Times Dinner Tournament in Toronto! Yes! I have never been! 

Can't wait! God has blessed me with a great family, a full time job this year as well as working at LIFE doing Ask The Pastor Wednesdays at 8 pm, and my Saturday gig 12 - 7 and importing features (shows). Still seeing what God has in store in terms of the ministry as a pastor somewhere. I leave it in God's hands and God's timing.

Embracing fall

So yes, today is the end of summer officially. Fall begins tomorrow! Where did that summer go? Did we really get a summer? That's an answer for another time! So fall starts tomorrow right? How do I embrace the fall? Enjoy what it has to offer! Crisp air and fresh walks, leaf piles, pumpkin everything from tea to coffees, pies, breads, and more! Sure we have to cover up our feet again, but that protects your feet when jumping into leaf piles! We don't have enough leaves around us so I'll have to borrow a neighbour's! 

The changing of the seasons and the colours show that even when nature is in the "dying mode" things can be beautiful, It shows the handiwork of God! So yes while I would love for summer to last forever, I guess I can embrace fall too!

Last week of summer before "normal" sets in

Yes here it is, the last week of summer before the "normal" life kicks in. 

Normal meaning of course, school, extra curricular activities, back to work, church activities and more. It doesn't necessarily mean summer is officially over though. There's still the Labour Day weekend coming up...

Then we have the usual things beginning but the heat could go into October if we're blessed enough. I have seen some trees starting to turn already so we'll see how that works out. The thing is we needn't fear the changing of the seasons or events of life, we're to expect this as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: so we should expect this. The challenge is how do we handle the change? Do we mope about and just keep wishing summer and fun never ended? Or do we take up the challenge and see how we can grow through it? That's what James 1 talks about, to make the best out of even the trials of life, to see how it can help us grow in our walk with God. So if you get the seasonal blues because summer is about to end and the regular routines are about to kick in again, don't worry, cast all your cares on Christ and see how the changes can help you grow.

Robin Mark 2014

What can I say, when I heard Robin Mark was coming to the are again, I just had to go! He has the new album "Liberation Praise" and the place was packed at Hi-Way Church! 

The night had the best songs from his first album Revival in Belfast, then songs from the recent Fly and others. He shared the secret of the story behind Days of Elijah and with his full band made it a night to remember especially when he closed with Lion of Judah and when the pipe player did the interlude in the middle, they did it once, then sped up and did it again, then again with more speed, and a fourth time with MORE speed! Needless to say the fingers were a blur and the amount of breath he used was incredible to pull it off! As a musician, I was impressed! I play piano and tuba and so to see the speed, and accuracy of the pipe player was amazing!

As always, Robin had his humour and inspiring night of music for all.

I first met him years ago at a worship conference in Toronto - the Unite in Worship conference series, then had the opportunity to play WITH him July 1 2010 with the Pinewoods Chapel worship team as we did an outdoor concert which LIFE participated in.

 

4 years later, I still love his music, maybe that's my Scottish heritage coming out in me that likes the Celtic style? But he is also a master at worship. When you leave a Robin Mark concert you have worshiped our God!

Always great, can't wait until next time!

The Bunk Wars are over!

Okay, Todd Gale, John McConnell and myself had a few months long "Bunk Wars" going on at LIFE 100.3. We would post pictures of what was in out bunks (these little cubbie like things) and get people to vote on them in the end. 

It started off with this...

to which I said okay, fine, I'm gonna respond to this thought...

It continued on from there with things like...

 

 

Todd's Voyager ... 

vs my Enterprise collection... 

to our last battle...

 

vs 

Lots of fun for sure... and yes, John McConnell joined us too...

Thanks so much for the memories! Still not really sure who won... but it was all in good fun!

The Angus tornado from someone who lives there...

I thought for this BLOG it would be appropriate for me to cover the tornado that went through my neighbourhood. We live just a couple of blocks away from where it touched down. After it passed I went and checked on friends from the church who live only a few houses away from the site. What a scene...

The good news is things are being rebuilt, but sad that the night it hit, some people looted the scene. So sad. Our church, Pinewoods Chapel, has been a place other churches have contacted to see what can be done to help. Businesses have stepped up to help out too. Scary to think how just a slight shift in the wind and it could have been our block. The amazing thing, the God thing here, is that no one died in this. Hundreds of homes affected, but no one died! Only slight injuries. While working part time in the mornings at Angus Morrison E.S., I saw first hand in some of the kids I worked with how this event affected their behaviour. Counselors were brought in to talk to any student who needed it. 

We have prayed as a family first thanking God for protecting our home, but then also to pray for those affected by this event. As someone who lives not far from where it went down, it was interesting to see the media that came for a few days, but now they're gone. The memory of this event will not be forgotten by my boys and my wife and I. 

Summer stress

I know what that title sounds like, summer stress? Isn't summer supposed to be when you relax? Really? How many people pack as much into their summers as possible so that at the end of their vacation they say they need a vacation? Or how about this? Those that are out of a job for the summer and can't collect EI because they were only part time or on a supply list during the school year? Here's the thing. I love summer. I love the heat, the more relaxed clothes like shorts and sandals, I like the relaxed feeling it usually brings with it. but this summer also brings some stress that I am dealing with - lack of full time work, the part time work I do have will shrink, there is no foreseeable sense of employment on the horizon. I have been a pastor for the last almost 6 years now, and have been between ministries in a church capacity since the end of September. I have spoke at times for LIFE, filled in for leading worship at churches, spoke at youth, and of course continued my pastoral ministry of Ask The Pastor every week. 

This is the heart of a pastor... that I struggle with the future as much as anyone else. I have pastoral friends who I talk to and who pray for me and I have done fasting at times to hear God's voice when all I see is a fog spiritually. The message I have right now is "Trust me. Stay the course. Trust me." And yes, even for a guy who has been in the thick of ministry in a church and on the radio when I minister to those who call into the ATP programme or call in during the week for counsel - I can still struggle. 

Proverbs 3:5,6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

So am I trusting Go? Am I submitting to His will? Am I trusting especially when I don't have a clue? That is the challenge for all of us. Pray for me as I pray for you...

Pastor Andrew

ATP five years later and counting...

So as of April 27 2014, Ask The Pastor has been on the air for 5 years... and counting! Amazing how a simple idea of a call in show for anyone that originally was Mondays at 9 and then in September switched to Wednesdays at 8 pm has continued to do so well. Lots of listeners, hundreds of questions, and a few hosts with me - it started with AJ the Wonderdog, them moved to Junky Roads, there were fill-ins like Jojo McKnight and Jordan Cruze, then Evan Duran followed by JayMac, and now Terry Molinaro! Is it me? Just kidding!

But looking back on 5 years, it has been a blessing and privilege to do this ministry as a very real pastoral role with the "congregation" of listeners over these 5 years. Many means have been used to allow people to get their questions in - email to atp@lifeonline.fm, texting the keyword lifeonline to 212121, calling 866-737-LIFE, and Facebook. 

The questions have been unique and some tend to come in again and again over the years - repeated themes from different listeners. It tells me there is a lot of need and a lot who just need someone to care. I have counselled people off the air during the show, and sometimes during the week as well as a direct result of the show. There have been some who have come to Christ and some who have rededicated their lives to Christ as a result. Amazing to see the results! 5 years of pastoral ministry through LIFE 100.3.

I will continue to do the show as long as the Lord allows me to. Thank you to all who have listened over the years and have contributed to the show in their questions they submitted or comments made. Has everyone always agreed? No. There have been some who respectfully disagreed and that's okay. There have been the odd ones who have called in and said some not so pleasant things, other have just expressed their disagreements to the management here. That's okay. Why? Jesus had people who disagreed with Him, and He was killed for what He said and claimed to be. So a little criticism? That's alright. 

Some people think the show is just for teens, and for sure we have mainly teens, but we have a lot of adults too that tune in for the segment and that I have met at different things and they tell me how much they have appreciated the show. Some have asked me - are you really a pastor? The answer is yes - I have been Associate Pastor at Pinewoods Chapel in Angus responsible for youth, worship, children, and administrative things for 2 years, then Lead Pastor at Mount Pleasant EMC for a year - we couldn't get moved to the new area after a year so had to move on. Then part time Associate Pastor positions at Stayner EMC for youth which the contract ended in September, and last summer a contract with Wasaga Christian Church for worship. Currently I am not actively a pastor in a church and am searching. I have also done pulpit supply for many years and speak for LIFE when asked to, and then there is Ask The Pastor - a real pastoral role despite "being on the air" for 5 years. My "congregation" is the listeners every week for an hour. I take the role very seriously, and feel blessed to be doing this - to serve this way.

I cannot take credit for this role. Steve Jones borrowed the idea from a station in Ottawa, suggested it to AJ the Wonderdog and AJ contacted me. The rest is God's doing and history... until present day!

God bless to you all and thank you again for being part of such an amazing ministry!

In Christ,

Pastor Andrew Robertson
Dip. Bib. St., R.E.C.E., B.A. in Min.

Godzilla returns!

Just a fun BLOG today... as many know Godzilla returns this weekend! The guy looks pretty good for being 60! Some fun trivia around the original 1954 film - it was a way the Japanese explained the devastation of the bomb droppings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the 2nd world war. 

This updated version goes back to it saying it wasn't tests that awakened the beast, but that they were trying to destroy it and didn't succeed. Cool tie into the original.

Here's a look at the big guy from 1954 to present... 

He's has many looks, as you can see, looking forward to seeing this latest installment - you'll notice they didn't include the 1998 Roland Emmerich version? 

Oh well, from creature of disaster to hero to engine of destruction, from serious to campy to serious again, this guy just keeps going! 

Welcome back Godzilla!

I saw this on the weekend and I must say - amazing! I thought it was the best Godzilla made yet, my wife disagreed saying there've been better. At any rate, there were some words that you had to close your ears to, but no uncomfortable sex scenes, and there was a great storyline. You even see an "easter egg" thrown in there if you look for it - a bug tank with a very familiar Godzilla universe name on it! MOTHRA! We'll see if that plays into anything for the sequel. 

Godzilla gets down and fights tooth and nail with a couple of monster baddies and I'm glad the movie didn't shy away from the toll battles like this take on a city of Tokyo's or LA's sizes. It brought humanity to it.

My rating? 4/5 stomping stars!

Mother's Day

Most of us don't bat an eye with this day, we know it comes once a year and we get all excited about what to do for mom... What does the Bible say about mom? 

Proverbs 31:10 - 31 says, 

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Now this sounds like SUPERMOM! 

But most moms work really hard like this everyday. To moms everywhere - including my own and my wife - Happy Mother's Day! God bless!

The road to freedom... a way to deal with the gas situation

Okay many who know me know I have my ride, my bike, as my dad once said "I didn't know I'd have a biker for a son...!" :) But what kind of bike do I have? One that was bought when we first came to Angus almost 6 years ago now as a means of transportation to and from work at Pinewoods Chapel as I had been called there as Associate Pastor that fall. So what kind of "hog" do I have? Look at this baby...!

Yep... that's it! A Volt Spyder - electric bike (e-bike). Does a whopping 40 km/h max. Great for in town. Since that time I've seen more and more of these around, and with the gas situation? This might be the answer for a lot of people until it gets cold again. it looks like a gas powered one, but it's all electric, no licence needed, no licence plate needed, no insurance needed, just a helmet and the bike pedals to show any police what the bike is. It really is freedom.

I've had reactions from the "REAL" bikers... some wave in approval, some glare like I need to get a "REAL" ride. Whatever. I like it. I'll be getting out on the road soon and just having fun! 

Easter celebrations

So here's something that many debate about... Easter. Do you partake in egg hunts and do things like maybe give a gift? Many will argue back and forth about this... here's what my family and I do...

Since I was a kid my parents had always given us kids a small gift at Easter and some chocolate to help celebrate the fact of Jesus dying on the cross and then rising from the dead. Today my wife and I do the same for our kids, we'll set up an egg or treat hunt in the house and will give a small gift to the boys. Why? The hunt is like what Jesus talked about in Scripture about how someone will search for the ultimate treasure and pursue it, and that's how it should be - how we should pursue the kingdom of God. It's also fun for the kids. Jesus gave us the ultimate gift of His sacrifice on the cross and rose again on the third day to give us eternal life if we simply believe, if we simply name Him as Lord of our lives. We give a gift to our kids in honour of that to remind them how Jesus gave to us, and so we give in honour of Him. Nothing huge, just something that represents our love to our kids just as Christ loved us and gave His life for us. 

Some will say we should avoid doing any Easter things like that, in fact some will say we shouldn't celebrate it at all because it wasn't commanded to, and that all the symbols derive from pagan rituals. Fine. We don't decorate with bunnies and chicks and eggs, but with crosses and empty tombs. Scripture says in Romans 14:5 that, One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. So in my mind I am convinced that we still honour Jesus in what we do, from the attending of the services, to watching Christian Easter specials, to a treasure hunt, to gifts. 

The point is, are you convinced in your own mid about what you do?

Preparing for Easter my way...

I know there are a lot of ways people prepare for Easter. Some take part in Lent - giving up something for that 40 day period until Easter, some read only passages related to Easter in the Bible. For em I may focus a bit more on the passages around Easter, but I do a few things...

1) Start listening to the audio drama CD of the Easter Story...

2) NEW this year... watching The Gospel of John with the family...

3) Having the kids watch Easter movies like...

 The Easter Carol from Veggie Tales, The Story Keepers Easter Story, Lion of Judah...

                                       4) For me... (and my wife if she is wanting to) watching The Passion of the Christ...

Now that last one, I watch on a yearly basis. For me. Why? you ask... it's so brutal! How can you watch it more than once? Simple, I am a visual person, artistic minded and so on. So something I can visualize like this is huge for me. Yes it is a harsh film, but it's a yearly visual reminder for me what it took for us to be saved - Jesus being falsely accused, judged, beaten, whipped, spat on, hit with a stick over the head of the crown of thorns, and then made to drag His own cross to his death until He collapsed from exhaustion, then nailed to the cross and being separated from God the Father and the Holy Spirit for a brief moment in time as He became sin for us and died on the cross. But I love the last scene - Jesus opens His eyes, gets up, the music pounds and He marches off to victory! The movie gives me chills each time. I cry yes from the brutal nature of it - I am waiting to show it to my boys until they are ready for it... - but to me it sets the tone for Easter. This is my tradition. 

One other... we do Communion as a family...

Would love to hear yours - andrew@lifeonline.fm