For more than a decade I have been privileged to be part of Christ for India in a variety of ways.  3 times I have visited and taught and preached, for 6 years I served as Vice President for the Board of Directors, and for the past year as President of India Charities Foundation. (And at yesterday’s meeting I was asked to return to the Board after a year’s absence).

As a pastor I have been part of many ministries .. praying for … promoting … and funding.  Christ for India is at the top of the list.  Never have I seen so much done with so little funding.  God has indeed blessed them.  To give you a taste … please take the time to watch these videos:

http://www.vimeo.com/6972878

http://www.vimeo.com/6972887

http://www.vimeo.com/6972748

http://www.vimeo.com/6968427

May 17, Ascension of our Lord: Luke 24:44-­53

Luke reports Jesus’ ascension in two of his writings–in Luke 24:44-­53 and in Acts 1:1-­11.  In the first of these two passages, Jesus ascends on the evening of His day of resurrection.  In Acts 1:1-11, He ascends 40 days after His resurrection.  It is possible that the focus in the Acts narrative is that Jesus remains among His disciples for 40 days after His resurrection, even as God dwelt among His people for 40 years after the Exodus from Egypt.  During this 40-­day period, He equips them to perpetuate His ministry after He withdraws His visible presence from their midst.

When Jesus ascended, He did not withdraw His presence; He transformed it.  He remains among His brothers and sisters as the God-­Man–although invisibly.  His brothers and sisters live out life before His eyes and seek to make His presence visible by reflecting His servant lifestyle.  In the opening section of Acts (1:1-­11), Luke summarizes the source and extent of the apostles’ power as well as the basic truths that they are to preach and teach.

24:44, 45: The salvation achieved by Jesus the Servant Messiah fulfills, but transforms, all Old Testament expectations.  To understand and appreciate what Jesus taught and accomplished, we must be familiar with the Old Testament narrative, and the hopes that surface within it.  In instructing His disciples, Jesus made use of a large study guide: the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms (Law: Genesis–Deuteronomy; Prophets: Joshua-­‐2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea–Malachi; Psalms).  The Hebrew books referred to as the Writings (Psalms was one of these) were accepted into the Jewish canon (collection of approved writings) during the years following A.D. 70.

24:46, 47: Jesus instructs His disciples concerning His death and resurrection.  They in turn are to proclaim Jesus’ message of the forgiveness of sins and salvation, not just to the genetic descendants of Abraham, but to all nations.  In the final chapter of Acts, Paul is proclaiming God’s Good News at the ends of the earth (as many in Judea would have understood that term)–in Rome!

24:48: The disciples had been witnesses of the things that took place in Jesus’ life and ministry.  That gave their message validity and authority.  They would proclaim what they had seen and heard–not a concocted story!

24:49: In his Gospel, Luke says nothing about the disciples returning to Galilee.  They are to remain in Jerusalem until Jesus sends to them what His Father had promised: the Holy Spirit.  The life of Jesus’ church will begin with the events of Pentecost–ten days after Jesus’ ascension (according to Luke’s time frame in Acts chs. 1,2).

In His discourses in John chs. 13-17, Jesus teaches that the Holy Spirit will take what is His and reveal it to His disciples (and eventually to us).  Behind this thought is the concept of methurgeman (an Aramaic term).  When the exiles began returning to Judah and Jerusalem in 538 B.C., they spoke Aramaic–not Hebrew.  However, in synagogues, rabbis had to read the scriptures in Hebrew, and preach in Hebrew.  So, an interpreter (methurgeman) stood beside the rabbi and translated into Aramaic what the rabbi read and said in Hebrew.  So too the Holy Spirit takes Jesus’ words and explains them to us. (Are we reading the Scriptures, the message of Jesus that the Holy Spirit wishes to explain to us?

24:50-53: It would seem from this narrative that Jesus’ ascension occurred on Easter Sunday evening.  The statement, “was carried up into heaven,” reflects Old Testament concepts of the sweet savor of sacrifice ascending toward heaven.  The ascension marked the end of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances.  The apostles felt “great joy” because Jesus was more intimately present and more personally understood through the presence of His Spirit which He sent among them.  The narrative outlined in the third Gospel begins and ends in the Jerusalem Temple.  The little group of poor and lowly ones who in the beginning expected the savior of Israel (Luke chs. 1, 2) live on in the risen Jesus’ people of faith.

Thanks to my good friend of many years, Dr. Harry Wendt, for bringing this story to life.  For more, please use this as a great resource: Crossways

Since NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles ended their season last night with a “cliffhanger” and a “to be continued,” it seemed like a good time to post some updates to the list of rules Leroy Jethro Gibbs has … his code to live by!

Rule #1: Never let suspects stay together.

Rule #1: Never screw over your partner.

Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene.

Rule #3: Don’t believe what you’re told. Double check.

Rule #3: Never be unreachable.

Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person – if you must. There is no third best.

Rule #5: You don’t waste good.

Rule #6: Never say “You’re Sorry.” It’s a sign of weakness.

Rule #7: Always be specific when you lie.

Rule #8: Never take anything for granted.

Rule #9: Never go anywhere without a knife.

Rule #10: Never get personally involved in a case.

Rule #11: When the job is done, walk away.

Rule #12: Never date a co-worker.

Rule #13: Never, ever involve a lawyer.

Rule #15: Always work as a team.

Rule #16: If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it.

Rule #18: It’s better to seek forgiveness than ask permission.

Rule #22: Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation.

Rule #23: Never mess with a Marine’s coffee… if you want to live.

Rule #27: There are two ways to follow someone. First way, they never notice you. Second way, they only notice you.

Rule #35: Always watch the watchers.

Rule #36: If you feel like you are being played, you probably are.

Rule #38: Your case, your lead.

Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence.

Rule #40: If it seems someone is out to get you, they are.

Rule #42: Never accept an apology from someone who just sucker punched you.

Rule #44: First things first, hide the women and children.

Rule #45: Clean up the mess that you make.

Rule #51: Sometimes – you’re wrong.

Rule #69: Never trust a woman who doesn’t trust her man.

Other Rules Heard on NCIS

In my country, on my team, working my cases, my people don’t bypass the chain of command.

The “Unspoken Rule” (Franks): You do what you have to do for family.

Don’t work the system when you can work the people.

Don’t stop checking and rechecking evidence until you are satisfied.

If you want to find something, you follow it. (Said by Gibbs to Mike Franks in “Deliverance,)

Besides Rule 13, Gibbs has 6 other rules involving lawyers, but, according to DiNozzo, “You only need to know number 13; it’s the umbrella one.”

Never second guess yourself in a relationship and life.

McGee has formed his own set of rules; #1 is Never Lie to Gibbs.

When DiNozzo was in charge, he made a set of rules. DiNozzo #3: Never underestimate your opponent.

For the next couple of weeks, college graduates will don their robes and mortar boards and finally make that walk across the stage to receive a diploma. With all of the dire media reports about the lack of jobs, those of you who have a position lined up are the lucky ones.

Good for you.

Now, the work really begins.  Here’s a list to get you started:

1. Do quality work. Crap will catch up with you quickly.
2. Solve your own problems. Or management will.
3. Be on time or early. Or your competition will.
4. Put in the hours. “They” say it takes 10,000 hours to succeed at anything.
5. Form relationships in your industry. Relationships are everything.
6. Learn to write. LOL? No, really. Learn to write.
7. Dress for the work you want. No one cares about your personal style.
8. Know your strengths. And don’t be afraid to highlight them.
9. Know your weaknesses. And fix them.
10. Learn to speak. Like, you know.

You have a leg up on many. Print this list and carry it with you everywhere. Read it every morning. Tape it to the bathroom mirror. Put it on your iPad. Record it as a voice memo. You beat out many for a job, but it will take an incredible work ethic to keep that job and succeed.

Again, congratulations on your graduation and job. Now go take advantage of your situation and rock to the top!

Dayna Steele is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and the author of of the forthcoming book 101 Ways to Rock Your World: Everyday Activities for Success Every Day. Follow her on Twitter @daynasteele. She went to college when she was 16 and had a really good time.

Phil Cooke writes: “Let me know if you think my mom was nuts or maybe on to something”:

1. Dress Up

2. Pay Attention

3. Send the Babies to the Nursery

4. If You Show Up Late, Sit In the Back

5. Bring Your Bible

6. Sunday School Matters.

To read the full article … follow this link: 6 Things  Then tell me … agree or disagree?