Technology is trying to make the world better, but it often makes me feel like a dinosaur.
One of the latest marvels out there is a soft, flexible, wristband that you wear 24 hours a day. It is combined with an app that tracks how you sleep, move, and eat. The “UP” by Jawbone then helps you use that information to “be your best.” The concept is extremely impressive, especially to me, a guy who frequently falters in his exercise routine and does not get enough sleep.
Gadgets are often used as mirrors to show people the good, the bad, and the ugly things we do each day. The “UP” is ultimately trying to improve the physical health of people by showing them a better way and giving daily reminders on what to change. After learning about this new item, I immediately began to wonder, what technology or gadget is out there to improve spiritual health? What electrical device could show people a better way and give daily reminders on how to improve their spiritual lives? What technology, gadget, or electronic doodad would strengthen my walk with Christ?
I am a dinosaur, so responses were slow. I instead turned to some familiar items that currently help people strengthen their faith. I distinctly remembered a Marine I met at Camp Lemonnier. He downloaded the entire Bible to a handheld device and used that for our Wednesday night study of Matthew’s gospel. During this year’s annual training exercise, Soldiers were constantly asking for a “Military BibleStick.” It is a digital audio player that is pre-loaded with a dramatized recording of the entire New Testament. I handed out more sticks than Bibles this summer. There was another Soldier who wanted to read the entire Bible in a year, so I showed him a website where he could tailor a reading plan to his schedule.
As people begin to use their new gadgets and electronic Christmas gifts in the new year, utilize technology so that you can improve your spiritual health. Download your favorite translation of the Bible, add a prayer appointment to your electronic calendar, use Pandora and listen to your favorite Christian artist, find a website and sign up for a daily or weekly devotion. Don’t worry. Dinosaurs can jump into the mix as well. It does not matter if you keep a journal on a note pad or an iPad, the focus should be on building your spiritual muscles in 2013. Use technology in a way that will strengthen your faith and devotion in Christ.
God Squad 
Passover is Important to Everyone
Posted in News & Commentary, tagged chaplain, Christian seder, god squad, haggadah, Jesus, lamb of God, passover, passover lamb, passover meal, pastor, seder, unleavened bread on February 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »
As a military chaplain, I operate in a plural environment. There are people without faith, people of different faiths, and a wide variety of Christians in uniform. A great part of the job is meeting fellow believers. They range from new Christians to stalwarts of faith. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, everyone needs a solid understanding of Passover because it shares so much about the nature of God.
In Exodus 11, God shares there will be one final plague in the land of Egypt. Every family will experience death. All the firstborn of Egypt will die. Everyone from Pharaoh, to prisoners, even the cattle of the field, will feel the pain of loss. While this sounds absolutely horrible, it is the only way that the Hebrews can escape slavery and eventually know the freedom of the Promised Land.
God provides a way of escape for His people so that they will not experience the coming curse. They must select an unblemished lamb, sacrifice it, and put the blood of that lamb on the doorway. The blood of this perfect lamb will be a sign for death to pass over the family.
Moses tells the people of Israel that all these things will happen quickly. They must roast the lamb, eat it with unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. They must also eat it with their clothing fastened, their sandals on, and walking sticks in hand as they prepare for a quick departure out of Egypt.
Today, Passover is remembered by holding a seder. It is a ritual meal that remembers the night God delivered His people from slavery. The Israelites had to eat the Passover meal in haste, but as a memorial meal people can recline and freely enjoy the meal as they remember and celebrate the mighty works of a faithful God.
During the seder, unleavened bread is eaten as a reminder the Hebrews left Egypt in such a hurry that they didn’t have time to let their bread dough rise. Next they serve parsley and salt water. Parsley is a green vegetable that represents life which is created by God. It is usually dipped in salt water to remind people of the tears shed during captivity. People also eat bitter herbs such as horseradish, radish, or onion as a reminder of the bitterness the Israelites suffered while they were slaves. Next the story of Passover is retold and the youngest child at the table is asked four traditional questions from Exodus 12.
Since the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, lamb is not consumed at Passover. Instead, a roasted shank bone is on the table. It represents the lamb whose blood marked the houses of the children of Israel. Wine is shared during the meal. It is a symbol of joy and the four-fold expression of the LORD’s promised deliverance. Four cups are served throughout the seder: the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Judgment, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise. At the end of the meal, everyone sings or recites a Psalm from the Old Testament. Traditionally, Psalms 115-118 are used.
The story of Passover and the deliverance of Israel, foreshadow a greater deliverance yet to come. God sent Jesus to deliver mankind from the slavery of sin. Jesus fulfilled the Law as the final sacrificial Lamb of God and provided redemption once and for all. Death will pass over us because of the blood He shed on the cross. Passover is important for everyone because it is a reminder of how God redeemed the Israelites from Egypt and how Jesus provided the ultimate redemption at Calvary. As Christians, we continue to celebrate what has been accomplished. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took away the sins of the world.
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