Saturday, February 28, 2009

Sacrifices, Sacrifices

So I'm reading through Leviticus right now - I know, exciting right.
and I got to thinking about all of the sacrifices that were necessary to make things right between the people and God (provide atonement for the people's sins).

Here is one small example of the many rules and regulations, taken from Leviticus 10:12-15, "Take the grain offering left over from the offerings made to the Lord by fire and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy. Eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings made to the Lord by fire; for so I have been commanded. But you and your sons and your daughters may eat the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. Eat them in a cermonially clean place; they have been given to you and your children as your share of the Israelites' fellowship offering. The thigh that was presented and the breast that was waved must be brought with the fat portions of the offerings made by fire, to be waved before the Lord as a wave offering. Thsi will be the regular share for you and your children, as the Lord has commanded."

I can't imagine living under these laws. I don't know how Moses, Aaron and the people remembered all they had to do. And an example of the seriousness is the immediate death of Aaron's sons (Nadab and Abihu) for lighting incense at the wrong time. I think some of the reason Nadab and Abihu did this is they simply forgot when/where they were supposed to offer incense.

I'm so thankful I live on this side of the cross, and I don't live under the sacrificial system. I'm grateful for Hebrew's 10:10, "For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time."

He fulfilled the law perfectly so I don't have to!

Monday, February 23, 2009

U2

The new U2 album drops on March 3rd in the U.S., but the album is available for free download at U2's website www.u2.com.In the meantime, below is a video from the band's performance in London of what I think is the best song on the album - Magnificent.

I've listened to the album 5 or 6 times and it keeps getting better and better. U2 continaully reinvents themselves so the sound on "No Line on the Horizon" isn't similar to a lot of U2 songs, although a lot of the signature hooks and riffs can be heard. If I had to pinpoint the sound, it reminds me of a lot of early stuff from Boy and October. Anyway, enjoy the video!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Willow Arts Conference 2009


Whatever you might think of Willow Creek, they value the role of the church, and want to train people to lead others and make the church all it can be. I love Bill Hybel's quote, "The local church is the hope of the world." I believe that to the core of my being, and believe we have the best news on earth in the good news of Jesus Christ. So to that end:

We are taking a team of 10 to the Arts Conference this year. I encourage you to check out their website, and if you can make it up to Chicago, it would be worth your time.

http://www.willowcreek.com/events/arts/2009/index.html