Story Time

There is something magical about reading books to children. Even in this world of TV, audio books, video games and electronic entertainment, the value and relational benefit of of paper books remains undiminished. Hardly anything fosters fledgling imaginations and relational bonds more than just sitting down to read a story together with our children. And it's not just about the story. It's also just being together. The busy schedules and electronic distractions of this world drive a subtle wedge in relational time and priorities that is difficult to see ... and even harder to measure. But it's there. 

Are books too old fashioned? May it never be. In a world that is increasingly virtual and isolating, children's books provide a tactile, shared connection that is like nothing else. There is a lot more happening than just words when we read a book to a child, especially one that might be entwined with our own childhood. Nothing can replace that, nor should it. Shared books create shared space and shared time. It provides connection, teaches traditional lessons, and it fosters a sense of shared imagination. It fosters an irreplaceable "with-ness" that few other activities compare with. Grab ahold of story time while children are still at impressionable ages and just read. And , by the way, make sure your children also see you reading actual books as well. Read. Together.

STORY TIME

ALMOST ANYONE CAN READ

BUT WHEN YOU READ TO ME

YOU BRING ALIVE A MAGIC WORLD

THAT I CAN CLEARLY SEE

AS I SIT UPON YOUR LAP

AND WATCH THE PAGES TURN

I'M LOST ON VOYAGES FAR AWAY

I LISTEN AND I LEARN

YOU NEVER EVER SKIP A PAGE

LIKE OTHERS OFTEN DO

YOU KNOW THAT MY EXCITEMENT

COMES FROM DEEP IN YOU

YOU ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR VOICE A BIT

WHEN VILLAINS ARE ABOUT

AND WHEN YOU FEEL THE TIME IS RIGHT 

YOU'RE NOT AFRAID TO SHOUT

BUT WHAT MEANS THE MOST TO ME

IS WHEN A BOOK IS DONE

AND HOW I LOVE TO HEAR YOU SAY,

"LET'S READ ANOTHER ONE!"

        By Frank Carpenter ©

Reflections on Easter Week

Well, if you like holidays, there is always something to celebrate. For instance, just this week we had "Take a walk in the park day, "Bunsen burner day," "Fun at work day," "World party day," and "Walk to work day." I'm not kidding, even if it sounds like it. And, if you’re into religious holidays, this is certainly a red letter week. We had Palm Sunday last weekend. Today is Holy Thursday, followed by Good Friday and Easter. And, of course, we had April Fools Day yesterday. Religious holidays, while good reminders of the truth, can often cloud it as well. We are so easily distracted by the food, the fun, the ritual and social aspects of any holiday that it’s easy to leave God out of such a day - even a religious event. All celebrating, church services, egg dying and palm waving aside, I would like to redirect our focus to the person of Jesus Christ, whom we truly celebrate this week. This is the week that dozens of prophetic scriptures were fulfilled through His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), his eating of the Passover, His betrayal, His mock trial, His death on the cross, and finally His resurrection. We must remember, amidst all the other hoopla, that Jesus is the Son of God, that He actually lived, actually died for our sins, and actually rose from the dead. If any of those facts are untrue, then everything else we celebrate this week is pointless and we might as well sing our hymns to the Easter Bunny. If we do not accept Jesus as our Savior and Messiah, then we are all April Fools and that would be the only relevant holiday. Let us come back to the person of Jesus Christ. A lot of dramatic and public things happened during this, the last week of His life. However, I am most deeply moved by that quiet moment after the Last Supper, and just prior to His betrayal, when Jesus knelt in the garden of Gethsemane and prayed. In that scene of anguish and compassion I most clearly see the Son of God choosing to suffer and die for me personally. Easter is a time to celebrate God’s victory over death through the resurrection, but the foundation of that victory is His great mercy and the sacrifice of His only Son on behalf of an undeserving world. If you have further interest, I have pasted below a partial list of prophesies fulfilled by Jesus during the final week of His life. And if you still have questionss, feel free to email me at fcarpenter505@gmail.com. Have a happy Easter and don’t be an April Fool.

Gethsemane
Jesus knew his time was drawing near
On the eve of that final day
With the weight of the world upon his heart
He came to the garden to pray
He alone knew His Father’s will
And understood His redemption plan
And though He was truly God incarnate
Still, He was fully a man
He knew that pain and suffering
And betrayal were moments away
As He pleaded with God and wept He knew
There simply was no other way
There, in the garden, that fateful night
With the lights of the city in view
Jesus, the Son of God, considered
All that He must go through
The tears of His sorrow freely flowed
That night in Gethsemane
For He understood his path must lead
To the cross at Calvary
He was Christ, the Lord, the King of Kings
Yet, He knelt upon human knees
And willingly chose that night to die
Because of His love for you and me.
By Frank Carpenter ©

Partial list of Prophesies Fulfilled During the Final Week of Jesus’ Life:

Triumphal entry in Jerusalem on a donkey Zechariah 9:9, Mark 11:7–8, John 12:13–15
Betrayed by a friend Psalm 41:9, Mark 14:10, 43–45
Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver Zechariah 11:12, Matthew 26:15
Betrayal money returned for a potter’s field Zechariah 11:13, Matthew 27:3–10
Accused by false witnesses Psalm 27:12, Matthew 26:60–61, Mark 14:57
Offers no defense Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 26:62–63, Matthew 27:12–14
Struck and spat upon Isaiah 50:6, Matthew 26:67, Mark 14:65, John 19:1–3
Hated without reason Psalm 109:3–5, John 15:24–25
Soldiers divide His garments and gamble for His clothing Psalm 22:18, Matthew 27:35
Pierced through hands and feet Zechariah 12:10, Luke 23:33, John 20:27
Executed with malefactors Isaiah 53:12, Mark 15:27–28
Agonized in thirst Psalm 22:15, John 19:28
Given gall and vinegar Psalm 69:21, Matthew 27:34, 48, John 19:29
No bones broken Psalm 34:20, John 19:32–36
His side pierced Zechariah 12:10b, John 19:34
Buried with the rich Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:57–60
Deserted by His followers Zechariah 13:7, Mark 14:27,Matthew 26:56
Resurrection Hosea 6:2, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 49:15, Luke 24:6–7
Ascension to Heaven Psalm 68:18, Luke 24:50–51, Acts 1:11, Ephesians 4:7–10

** and miscelaneous holidays courtesy of: timanddate.com/holidays/fun/