It’s been a real long time… but I think the muse is doing her thing and I think the inspiration to write has returned a bit.

So check back here often - to see what is cookin’.

Peace and love.

Doug

All is silent as Jesus lies in the tomb. It is a day of stillness, silence, and a day full of questions and confusion.

Epistle: I Peter 3.17-22

Gospel: Matthew 27.57-66

Psalm: 22 and 29

Prayer: Lord, into the death of whose dear Son our Saviour Jesus Christ we have been baptized, grant that we may continually put to death our sinful desires and be buried with him so that we may pass through the gave and gate of death to our joyful resurrection through the merits of him who die, was buried, and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

NOTE: Artwork - Jesus Laid in the Tomb by Michael O’Brien

The Paschal Triduum begins today; the altar has been stripped the candles all but extinguished the lights are low as we begin to observe the day of Jesus’ suffering and death. Today is a day when we reflect on the suffering, pain and absolute cost of redeeming and restoring all that was lost due to our disobedience and sin.

Old Testament: Isaiah 53

Epistle: Hebrews 10.1-25

Gospel: John 19.1-37

Psalm: Psalm 22 & 28

Prayer: Let the blood and water that flow from your heart give me a new heart to live a new life. I know that in this world water and blood will never be separated. There will be peace and anguish, joy and tears, love and agony. They will be there always—together—leading me daily closer to you who give your heart to my heart. Amen. (Good Friday Prayer of Henri Nouwen)

NOTE: Artwork - Jesus Carries His Cross by Michael O’Brien

The last week of Jesus life is coming to a close. We have arrived at the day in english we refer to as Maundy Thursday (named after the Latin Word for mandate or command) referencing Jesus’ giving a new command on this night. This is the day of preparing for celebrating the passover with the twelve, washing their feet, sharing the passover, instituting the Eucharist, sharing some of his most personal and profound teaching and of course the turn of events at Gethsemane. It is an eventful time. It is this day though above many others that we see the struggle of Jesus to obey the will of the Father, in his prayer at Gethsemane. We all will face our own Gethsemane (if we haven’t already), were our desire and will collides with the clear will of God. When we come to this point we must face that teaching of dying to self, of taking up our cross and following - we can observe this is not mere words - this is Jesus’ example before us in this Holy Week.

Epistle: I Corinthians 11.23-34

Gospel: Matthew 26.17-56

Psalm: 22 and 27

Prayer: God our provider, you feed us with the bread of life and lift for us the cup of salvation, on this night Jesus gave us this holy feast:

Holy God,
you give us this meal of bread and wine
in which we celebrate your great compassion;
grant that we may work with you to fulfil our prayers,
and to love and serve others as Christ has loved us;
this we ask through Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
who is alive with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

NOTE: Artwork - Christ in Gethsemane by Michael O’Brien

I have mentioned that of late I have been doing a bit of tree work on my property. After living here in Western Pennsylvania for the last four years my wife and I have started to see the way to best manage the land we have and it involves a bit of tree removal. But not just cutting down the trees mind you - but also removing the dreaded STUMP, as well. From experience, now I can tell you that is no small feat!

It all began with taking down some tall trees… and then the real work began - cleaning up all the limbs and timber. And then you have to face - THE STUMP. We tackled the stump by digging up as much soil from around the base of the stump as we could muster. In an attempt to expose the root structure. Then it was time to cut out as many of the roots as we could find - using a chainsaw and an axe. Then we let physics attempt to do it’s thing - by hooking a chain to the very top of the stump and then connecting it to the base of a nearby tree with a come-a-long; we attempted to pull up the stump.

Let’s just say, while it worked - it wasn’t as easy as one would hope. After cutting out all the exposed roots that we could get to - it still took some serious cranking, digging, more cutting (as more roots became visible) and muscle to get the roots to “let go.”

A little photo essay reviewing the process:

A Stump.

Exposing the Roots

Cutting the Roots

Cutting the Roots 2

Pulling it Down!

OUT!

As I went through this process it struck me… it takes an awful lot of work to expose and undo a root system. It was tiring process. There were times I wondered silently if I would ever get the stump out. Then I began to be encouraged; the youth worker in me kicked in and I realized this is what my work has been and still is all about. As a parent I began to feel more confident in my work - for again; this is what my “job” has been about the last 17 years. I have been about work that is unseen - working on helping young people develop below the surface. It has been about encouraging and nurturing root systems.

And what I learned while trying to get a stump to let go; roots are pretty tough!

Take heart and have faith.

MSNBC and Today have a great photo essay on “teenagers.” The diversity and struggles amid teens look so drastically different. But at the heart it seems to be the same issues - identity and calling… who am I (am I loveable; am I what I do; am I what I look like or own?) and what investment will I make?

Incredibly powerful images and a great photo essay.

Check it out here.

ht - Brian

Rick Meigs a prolific and helpful writer in the “blog-o-sphere” has issued a call to other bloggers to address the issue of defining the “in vogue” term, Missional. You can read his call to participate in his original post, here. The synchro-blog hits on Monday, June 23. So stay tuned!

I will be participating in the synchro-blog along with:

Alan Hirsch
Alan Knox
Andrew Jones
Barb Peters
Bill Kinnon
Brad Brisco
Brad Grinnen
Brad Sargent
Brother Maynard
Bryan Riley
Chad Brooks
Chris Wignall
Cobus Van Wyngaard
Dave DeVries
David Best
David Fitch
David Wierzbicki
DoSi
Duncan McFadzean
Erika Haub
Grace
Jamie Arpin-Ricci
Jeff McQuilkin
John Smulo
Jonathan Brink
JR Rozko
Kathy Escobar
Len Hjalmarson
Makeesha Fisher
Malcolm Lanham
Mark Berry
Mark Petersen
Mark Priddy
Michael Crane
Michael Stewart
Nick Loyd
Patrick Oden
Peggy Brown
Phil Wyman
Richard Pool
Rick Meigs
Rob Robinson
Ron Cole
Scott Marshall
Sonja Andrews
Stephen Shields
Steve Hayes
Tim Thompson
Thom Turner

The Disciple as Refuge
Article from Journal of Student Ministries (Sept./Oct. ‘07)

The Disciple as Wanderer
Article from Journal of Student Ministries (Jul./Aug. ‘07)

Journey-with-Jesus.pdf
Exercise to engage participants in a devotional walk through 13 Scenes of Jesus’ Life - read a post about this resource here.

You can reach Doug Jones by sending an e-mail message to Doug

Speaking:
Doug is available to speak at your event. He is especially suited to speak with youth and those who work with them. You can contact Doug to inquire about his availability to speak for your next special meeting, event or retreat by sending an email.

Guided Spiritual Retreats:
Invite Doug to help lead you and your youth ministry team on a guided spiritual retreat that will both refresh the participants and also provoke new thinking about the approaches, priorities and goals of ministry with/for youth.

Consulting:
Doug regularly consults with churches from around the country in the area of youth ministry, programming for emerging generations, and spiritual formation in the local church; if he can serve you hit the contact link and inquire!