The year is 30 AD. The location is Galilee, around the Sea of Galilee (or Sea of Tiberias, or Lake Gennesaret - depending on where you live). A young journalist, Matthew Matthews from TV Station WWJD is traveling with an itinerant carpenter/prophet, Jesus of Nazareth. "Matt the Mouth", as he's known is reporting on the teaching and activity of Jesus with this new micro-blogging communication tool called "Twitter". He's been tweeting reports fairly regularly and they're beginning to get really interesting. Lets join him now and see what this Nazarene carpenter is up to. Click the link below and remember to read the tweets from the bottom up. "Jesus Feeds the 5000"
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Pilgrim’s Progress Redux
An Adventurous Journey
Lisa and I just returned from a 3,464-mile journey to Moab, Utah. We met relatives in Kansas, experienced the joy of a leaking air mattress while camping, and saw some incredible scenery. During a four-mile hike in Arches National Park, we tried to imitate houseflies in clinging to a rock "wall" to avoid sliding into a muddy pool of deep water. With teamwork, we were successful. The journey involved a lot of driving. Lisa and I had the time to read about another great and adventurous journey. We read to each other "Pilgrim's Progress."
The Pilgrim's Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan and published in February, 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. John Bunyan wrote the book while in prison for preaching outside of the approval of the state sanctioned Church of England. Three years after its publication (1681), it was reprinted in colonial America, and was widely read in the Puritan colonies. Many of our ancestors had at least two books; the Bible and Pilgrim's Progress. The story, though old, is still meaningful and deep, as it explains some of our growth process as we journey in our Christian "walk." The main character's name is Christian, although he was previously known as Graceless.
The allegory shows how we face temptations, trials, grace and growth as we progress from accepting Jesus as Savior to being glorified in heaven. Christian journeys from his hometown called the City of Destruction (the world in which we live) to the Celestial City (Heaven). He meets people who are wishy-washy, who talk the talk but don't walk the walk, and who are strongly opposed to religion. He also meets folks who are full of truth, encouragers, and helpers. He is just like us.
Lisa and I are going to lead a Sunday school class through the book. If any of you tried to read Pilgrim's Progress many years ago, take heart. We will use a version in modern English. We will go slowly enough to read the story and tie it together with the appropriate scripture. So, if you are not actively involved with a class, we would like to encourage you to consider journeying with us, and a man named Christian, as we grow with him. Our class is for young adults, but aren't we all young at heart? We are going to begin our journey on October 18. The journey will be fun, instructive, and will have some challenges. With good teamwork, it will be great. We hope you will join us!
Mike Ladd
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