good easter...what now?

He is risen!  (He is risen, indeed)

Easter is over, the plastic eggs are brought back up to the attic, the kids are crashing after their sugar highs, the Easter Sunday hats are put back in the closets.  What's the next holiday...Mothers' Day?

Ever get that uneasy feeling that something isn't quite finished?  We've been celebrating Christ's resurrection for YEARS, yet nothing seems to have changed.  We just move on after Easter, as if it never happened.  The world is still in utter chaos.  We are still needlessly killing one another.  Millions of people still go without clean drinking water.  

The story of Christ's resurrection MUST go beyond the event we are all familiar with.  Conquering death and sin is very central to the Christian message, yet it is something that should compel us to move forward. Authors and theologians have spent years and years of research into the specifics of the death and resurrection, into whether it actually happened or not.  We could join these conversations, try to defend our faith based on physical facts and evidence.  OR we can acknowledge the further calling to carry Christ's message of hope forth into a world in need.

In the Gospel of John, we find one of the few reported appearances of Christ AFTER resurrection.  One of these appearances is to Peter, the man who had recently denied any connection to Jesus.  Jesus gives a simple question, "Do you love me?" The following imperative is to "feed my sheep." Christ is pretty insistent in this interaction, catching Peter off guard.  Perhaps Peter figured all was well now that Christ had risen.  However, the calling has just begun.  "Follow me," Jesus says.

Friends, we must live into the resurrection story.  We must feed one another.

Many churches celebrate Pentecost, the beginning of the church, on May 23rd this year.  This is in a little over 40 days.  We have 43 days left on our charity:water fundraiser.  Help us live into the resurrection story this year by helping donate money to build a WELL for a community in need of Christ's message of hope.  Help the church live into its calling.

He is risen indeed.

Appreciating Tap Water

Heather's post is part of our Lenten Water Project. Throughout this Lenten season our writers will be focusing on the subject of water and what that means to them. Please donate to our well-building efforts, and if you have something YOU would like to say about water, let us know and we'll post it here!

Well, I'm finishing up two weeks of only drinking water. I had read about the Lenten water project. At first I thought, "there is no way that I could ever do that." So I just put it out of my mind, forgot about it and started Lent without adding a spiritual practice or giving something up. Then this year for spring break I got to take my first trip out of the country to Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. During the week that I spent there, one thing that was a huge change for us was not being able to drink from the faucet. Here we can just grab a glass in the kitchen and fill it up with tap water and be totally fine after we drink it. If I had done that there, the next few days would not have been very fun. So, after having to be very careful with the water I drank and even the food I ate that could have been washed with the unclean water I began to really think about the world's water crisis. So on World Water Day, March 22, I decided to jump in on this challenge.

I applaud any one who started this journey at the beginning of lent. After day 2 of only drinking water I wanted to quit. It is much harder than I expected to give up everything else. I am glad to say that I have stayed strong in these two weeks but it hasn't been easy. I am so looking forward to something with flavour. But more importantly these last two weeks has given me the opportunity to talk to people about the water crisis and hopefully got people thinking about how they use water and what they can do to help.

So for everyone who is on this journey and are doing what they can to help end the world water crisis, The 40 days is almost up but that doesn't mean that we can stop raising awareness.

Stay strong and keep being the rock stars that you are.
-Heather

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Heather Scott is a senior in Audio Engineering and Music Business at Belmont University, an active participant with the Presbyterian Student Fellowship in Nashville, and resident Audio/Visual Queen at Montreat.

The Long Lenten Journey is Nearly Over...

Kim's post is part of our Lenten Water Project. Throughout this Lenten season our writers will be focusing on the subject of water and what that means to them. Please donate to our well-building efforts, and if you have something YOU would like to say about water, let us know and we'll post it here!

It is Holy Week, and the long Lenten journey is nearly over. We began that journey in the desert, where water is scarce and the wilderness is harsh. Still dripping from the waters of his baptism, Jesus was sent out into the desert, propelled by the same Spirit who had just come upon him in the form of a dove. He had no food, no drink, and only the devil for company. For forty days he was tempted by Evil incarnate, who did everything in his power to get Jesus to deny his identity as the beloved son of God.

Because Jesus defeated evil – not only in the desert, but on the cross – we are safe from the worst that Evil can do. During the Lenten journey, however, we come face to face with our vulnerability, beginning with an ashy cross that reminds us that we are dust. Yet God makes that journey with us, never abandoning us to hopelessness, never allowing us to be claimed by the sin that clings so closely.

Even in the desert, there are signs of hope. On the final Sunday of Lent, we heard the faint sound of water trickling. It started with the prophet Isaiah:

Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches;
for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.
(Is 43:18-21)

Then the psalmist replied with a song of hope:

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
(Ps. 126:1-6)

The journey is not quite over; we still must walk the path Jesus walked, to the upper room, the foot of the cross, and – thanks be to God – the empty tomb. Throughout the long journey, though, the God who causes water to spring forth in the desert is with us, reminding us that in the waters of baptism we are claimed once and for all, never to be abandoned, until we are raised on the last day and our joy will be complete.

Charles Wesley captured this whole journey in a single stanza of his hymn, “Jesus Lover of My Soul:”

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart;
Rise to all eternity.

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Kim Long is the Assistant Professor of Worship and Coordinator of Worship Resources for Congregations, at Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, GA.

"Remember your Baptism"

Kristin's post is part of our Lenten Water Project. Throughout this Lenten season our writers will be focusing on the subject of water and what that means to them. Please donate to our well-building efforts, and if you have something YOU would like to say about water, let us know and we'll post it here!

I've been thinking about baptism a lot lately. Perhaps it’s a little premature, here in the midst of Lent and all, but I’ve been thinking about the free-flowing, cleansing waters of baptism.

I think it all started a few months ago when I witnessed the baptism of little David. David’s was the first baptism I saw at the church where I’m interning. Granted, I had seen many baptisms prior to that day, but for some reason, David’s just inherently felt different. Watching it all play out in front of me, I was suddenly aware of just how momentous the act is.

David’s family and Bill, the head pastor, were gathered at the front of the sanctuary. David’s parents beamed as they passed their infant son to Bill. Bill cradled David in the nook of his arm and slowly chanted the ancient baptismal words: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” With each named member of the Trinity, Bill covered David’s head with a small handful of cool water.

David’s reaction was priceless. A huge smile broke across his face, letting out a hiccupped laugh. He swung his head around to look out at the whole congregation, and more laughter escaped. It was as if he was simultaneously inviting us to share in the experience with him and commenting (with all of those baby giggles) on just how magical the moment was.

That sense of joy was contagious. As Bill invited the whole congregation forward to receive blessings of their own, there were smiles all around. “Remember your baptism,” Bill charged us as he traced the symbol of the cross in cool water on each of our foreheads.

I’m still pondering what it means to “remember my baptism,” seeing as how I can’t actually remember the physical event from my first year of life. But after witnessing David’s baptism, I’m sure of this: baptism is the joyous and mysterious experience by which we enter into the body of Christ. It might be a little too early to celebrate, but I’m looking forward to remembering – and even celebrating – my baptism as Easter approaches. I’m ready to think about those cleansing baptismal waters after this dry and thirsty time of Lent.

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Kristin Raley is a first-year Master of Divinity Student at Harvard Divinity School. Her interests include the intersection between faith and language and evangelical Christianity. She is also pursuing ordination in the PC(USA), and is currently interning at Fourth Presbyterian Church in South Boston, MA. When she’s not writing papers or working at church, you can probably find her perusing a local coffee shop for some hazelnut coffee … or saying something in her “funny” Chicago accent.

charity: water

As a team we wanted to show you some of the people charity: water is serving and some of the work they are doing around the world in picture form.


Sedaney carries water home from the unprotected spring in Blanchard, Haiti.


Kiesha grew up drinking water from a contaminated pond on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. Since the quake, 3,000 more have come to her village to live and also drink the unsafe water.


A child drinks clean water from an @charitywater funded well in Rwanda


Drilling wells is a dirty job. here, the @charitywater drilling partner in Rwanda gets it done.

Where do we stand you ask?



It has been amazing to see the outpouring of support for this project. We are closing in on the half way mark of our goal. Let's keep it up! Ask your friends if they would be willing to give $5. They can donate here: http://mycharitywater.org/churchisalive

"If you are going to ask yourself life-changing questions..."

I don't subscribe to cable television, so I don't watch a whole lot of television. It isn't much of a surprise, then, that I totally missed out on an MTV documentary that aired last week called "Summit on the Summit." The premise? Kenna (actually a pretty great musician) and some famous friends of his, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of the global clean water crisis. Check out the trailer below:




Guess what? We're not the only ones concerned about the clean water crisis. This is a global movement. A movement of compassion toward those with less. A movement to makes the lives of people better. Guess what else? We've already made a tangible impact. With the donations received so far, Charity:Water will be able to provide clean, safe drinking water to 90 people for years to come. Think about that.

We've put our thoughts, prayers, energy, and passion for providing life-giving water to yield a tangible result. Where would we be if everyone did that?

"If you are going to ask yourself life-changing questions, be sure to do something with the answers."
- Bo Bennett

31 Days Into Lent. How are you?

Matthew's post is part of our Lenten Water Project. Throughout this Lenten season our writers will be focusing on the subject of water and what that means to them. Please donate to our well-building efforts, and if you have something YOU would like to say about water, let us know and we'll post it here!

It’s been a little over four weeks since Ash Wednesday, since we gathered in our places of worship, and had ash-marked crosses rubbed on our foreheads. We were marked as Christ's own and reminded that "to dust" we would return. It has been four weeks of prayer, reflection, discernment and quiet. It’s been thirty-one days since those first steps into the season were taken, and, I have to wonder, how are you? Are you hanging in there? Are you tired? Are you ready for Easter?

I'm getting there.

I admit, this Lenten season has been different for me. You see, each year I try to figure out exactly what I’m going to give up. I want to pick something that I’m not too addicted to, but I want to pick something that is so much a part of my normal everyday life that I will notice it’s gone. I mean the mere idea of giving up coffee is just crazy for me - I’m way too addicted to that to give it up. I need to give up something that I know, that I can succeed at not having for a season. I need to be slightly to moderately challenged. It’s become a pride thing. It’s more realistic that I give up chips for lent, or talking on my cell phone while in the car, or pizza or something that I enjoy but don’t really have to suffer to give up. I think some of you out there know what I’m talking about. There are plenty of things we will give up, but there are also plenty of things we believe that we just can’t live without.

This year I haven’t given anything up. Rather, I’ve added a few things. Namely the water project on this site was a big addition to my life. Water has consumed me for the past thirty one days. I have thought more about water than ever before. Right when I think I’ve thought about water in every possible way, another amazing post is published and my eyes are opened yet again. We have heard some amazing stories and reflections that involve water. Some of the stories and reflections are challenging, some heart warming, and others read like prayers. Needless to say, I’m thankful for each. These reflections have helped to keep me focused and going throughout what can sometimes be a grueling time of quiet. My eyes have been opened in new ways, and I can't fill up a glass of water without the recognition of how easy it was, and how thankful I am for that one glass. But, I then pray for those who don't have clean water.

I'm thankful that prayers have been matched with action. As of today, 49 people have donated, raising $1,717 $1,817 to serve 85 90 people. Amazing. As I scroll down the list of donors, I see names of folks from college, youth group, family, friends, and a ton of people I don’t know! It’s really great! Officially there are 59 days left in our water campaign, and we are $783 from our halfway mark. As we move forward, if you haven't donated will you think about donating? If you have donated, will you tell a few of your friends about the campaign, and ask them to donate? Together we can do this!

So it's been 31 days. It's been a different Lent for me this year; a Lent filled with community, action, and really hard questions. I'm hanging in there. How are you?