Author Archives: Jamie

Sheep Gate

“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.”

Nehemiah 3:1-2 (ESV)Last time we listened in while our leader responded to criticism about the rebuilding work. He pushed back that he himself sought to do nothing. But in community would they arise and build, relying on God’s power in their midst. Today we see the group begin, starting with the high priest, his fellow priests, and the wall nearest Temple.Our high priest’s name is Eliashib, which means “God restores.” He is the grandson of Jeshua, the high priest who, along with Zerubbabel, led our exiles in rebuilding the Temple. Eliashib takes the lead in building and consecrating the Sheep Gate.

This seems like a good time for our map again:

Source

See the Sheep Gate at the far right of the map and how it faces Mount Zion? This made the priests the appropriate choice to be the ones to build it. This gate’s name came from the animals led through it on their way to be sacrificed before Covenant Yahweh. It is mentioned in the New Testament in John 5.

It was also noted how the rebuilding began with gates as enemy assaults were typically focused on them. Which makes sense: knock down the entrance and come on in to destroy. So what does the brotherhood of priests do? Consecrate it (qadash – set apart, appoint) and set its doors: amad – to stand, take one’s stand, abide.

How are our gates? If our enemy was looking for a way in your life, where would he look? Anything on which you need to stand? Ways He is calling you to be set apart so you are prepared for Him to flow through you?

How about us as the Body? Remember, a gate is a door. Its purpose is to keep evil out and welcome the good. No need to fear the winds of the Spirit with a Gate set apart to protect His glory. Does it show off His goodness and beauty and holiness? Welcome in. Does it lift high His flawless Word and scandalous Gospel? Entre. Is it permeated with peace and smell like self-sacrificial love and humble gentleness? That would be fruit of His orchard nothing can stop.

These priests built right next to the men of Jericho and Zaccur. Working together to restore and rebuild. Friends, there’s much work to be done during our tenure here. So much we can learn from each other. Let’s pray more than we vent, listen more than we speak.

Because there is nothing He won’t do for His glory and our good.

Ways to Save Week of April 27th

Final Friday is tomorrow night. Some venues of note:

City Arts is featuring work by 4 artists: Charlotte Martin, Karen Scroggins, Megan Ewert, and Sasha Chapek

And WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art will feature New York-based artist Mary Walling Blackburn: Voltai

See all participating Final Friday Venues here

As seen at the Zoo

Walk Kansas is hosting a Lunch & Learn Event Wednesday May 3rd from 11:30-12:30 at the Sedgwick County Extension. Chiropractor Dr. Vicki Duke will share how to protect your back during exercise.

Watermark has so much goodness coming up:

Independent Bookstore Day is this Saturday, April 29th. Enjoy a special Storytime, trivia, and author talk with John Sandford.

Then check out Finding Momo at the Kansas Humane Society this Sunday April 30th. Andrew Knapp and his border collie Momo will sign their newest book, Let’s Find Momo at 2:00 pm.

See David Sedaris will be at the Wichita Orpheum Sunday April 30th at 8 pm.

Finally, on Tuesday May 2 at 5:00 pm, see Laura McBride for a book club happy hour and author talk of ‘Round Mindnight.

This Saturday the 29th from 9-noon, enjoy Kids Day at O.J. Watson Park. This free event features kayaking, archery, fishing and more.

Did you know Wichita is looking at launching a Bike Share Program? Intriguing.

Tree Top is offering 25% off all trees until April 30th. Plant a tree.

This Saturday the 29th at the Great Plains Nature Center, Sara will share her adventure of following the Monarch butterfly migration from Mexico to Canada – on a bicycle!

Did you know Alton Brown included Reverie in his Favorite Coffee Shops Across America? Yup.

 

Library:

Today I got to hear all about the 2017 Summer Reading Program: Build a Better World. Awesome prizes, great accountability. Starts May 18th.

Our next Candid Conversation on Race is Tuesday, May 2nd, from 6:30-7:30 pm at Evergreen. Come for Officers of Color Panel Discussion.

And see all Upcoming Events here.

 

Have a great weekend!

Servants Arise

“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said,

‘What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?’

Then I replied to them, ‘The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.’

Nehemiah 2:19-20 (ESV)

The last time we heard from Sanballat and Tobiah was when our leader first headed out on his journey toward Jerusalem. In a complicated political situation, these leaders were greatly disturbed Nehemiah had come to seek the good of the city and its people. Now, a ways into Nehemiah’s stay in Zion, we see the two leaders – along with a new Arabic companion – take it another step: Mockery.

Literally, their bazah (contempt) and laag (sneering) was hovering over (al) Nehemiah and his crew. I particularly appreciate the turn of phrase here. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem say, “What are attah – (you yourself) trying to do?”

And Nehemiah says, “Me myself? Nothing. But the Creator God (Elohim) of all the heavens (shamayim)? He Himself (hu) will tsalach – come mightily. And we ourselves (anachnu) will arise (qum) and rebuild (banah).”

Don’t you love how Nehemiah neither discounts his team’s work of rebuilding nor places it at the center of the argument? He places Creator God in the center and hard work in obedience to Him as the result.

Oh but our leader isn’t done. He pushes back at the taunts and derision, pointing out how these scoffers have no:

nor

  •  zikkaron – memorial, record, remembrance

in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

Nehemiah is proud here of his Jewish roots and his people’s passion to rebuild their city. He has no intention of stopping simply because those who care nothing about the history or of Zion or the Righteous God of the City have some taunts.

Friends, you yourself cannot do this alone. Whatever “this” looks like in your life right now. We need each other. On our own, we can do nothing of lasting eternal value. Sometimes we can barely do the next right thing.

But with our community? Impossible things can become possible. Overwhelmed feelings vanish as we rely on each other’s gifts and presence and shared weaknesses. We can exhale.

And fortunately we don’t have to be anyone’s savior, nor do we need to search around for someone to be our everything. Because He Himself comes through mightily in His interdependent Body. The very center of our attention and affection and focus. We simply arise and serve.

 You might appreciate the original Hebrew for Jerusalem – Yerushalayim. It means “foundation of peace” from shalam – amends, make an end, finish, give again, peace, make restitution, restore. Isn’t that a wonderful meaning for the City of God? How we will need to continue to make amends, let arguments be finished, and restore relationships as we live life with each other. There is no peace without it.As for pointing out to someone they have no inheritance in Zion, fortunately we live during a tenure on planet earth when the floodgates are open. Anyone, no matter how much they have scoffed at Him or His people, is welcome in the family. We need no certain heritage, memorial, or righteousness to come. Simply the blood of the cross of Jesus and our belief that He finished it for us makes us His child.

And as for that evil scoffer, the one who accuses us before God? He is the one with zero inheritance in God’s people, with nothing to say in the face of King Jesus.

For His very Name is Jehovah Tsidkenu – The LORD our Righteousness.

 

Ways to Save Week of April 21st

Walk Kansas is hosting a Yoga Event, “First Responders Style.” Come this Monday, April 24th, to the Sedgwick County Extension’s Sunflower Room to learn “postures, breathing and relaxation techniques to help build resiliency and eradicate stress.”

Watermark is joining the restaurant Wine Dive to host Stephanie Danler for a wine and cheese tasting, an author talk, and signing of her novel Sweetbitter. This ticketed event will be held Tuesday, April 25th, at 6 pm at Wine Dive.

Then on Wednesday April 26th at Watermark, catch Don S. Lemons for a presentation and signing of Drawing Physics at 6 pm.

Tomorrow, April 22nd, join in for a LOVE Wichita event by East Heights United Methodist Church. Projects include cleaning up College Hill pool, landscaping at Jefferson Elementary, and some home repair/painting. Register here to join the fun!

Lincoln Heights Village Farmers Market is on. Every Wednesday from 7-11 am catch local vendors in the parking lot.

Ready for some Spring Flower Flat Sales? Tree Top Nursery will be holding their sale until April 23rd. And Johnson’s Garden will let you fill-a-flat through the 23rd as well.

Great Plains Nature Center’s Passport to Nature is Thursday, April 27th, from 6-9 pm. Enjoy local cuisine, a silent auction, live music, and native animals.

Tomorrow, Saturday the 22nd, see the Micah White Quartet at The Donut Whole

You should read here about how to win tickets to the Sold-Out performances of John Williams’ Music through the Wichita Symphony.

 

Library:

Our next installment in the Candid Conversation on Race will be a film screening Saturday April 22 at Central from 1:30-4:30. Come view Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity and join the conversation.

Then on Sunday, April 24th, enjoy Singing the Cattle North at Central from 2:30-3:30. Former English professor, Jim Hoy, will lend his expertise on the subject of cowboy life and folklore.

 

Have a great weekend!

These 7 Days

School Field Trip

Tanganyika

Incredible

Playful

Beautiful

Stunning

Early Morning Beauty

Easter Beauty

Resurrection Sunday

Glory

 

Your 7 Days? I hope your Easter was meaningful and full of worship!

Ways to Save Week of April 14th

Enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza at Sedgwick County Zoo this Saturday the 15th. Egg hunt, photo booth, Easter bunny, crafts, and Animal Encounters!

The Workroom’s Anniversary Market is tomorrow, April 15th, from 10-4. Local art, live music, and food trucks.

Breakfast with Matt at Green Acres Bradley Fair is tomorrow at 8:00 am with Dr. Ron Hunninghake, chief medical officer of the Riordan Clinic, as he discusses reasons for fatigue.

Indian Hills Ace Hardware is celebrating their 36th Anniversary. The first 100 customers this Saturday the 15th receive a free Grill Brush. Plus, check out their discounts throughout the store.

Reverie’s Monthly Game Night is Saturday the 15th from 5:30-8:00.

Don’t forget Market Day at Old Town Farmers’ Market from 7-noon.

And Kansas Grown Farmers’ Market Saturday the 15th, also 7-noon. Let’s shop fresh and local!

In honor of Wichita Jazz Festival, Watermark is hosting Jazz Book Talk + Jazz Performance, April 15th beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Plus, this year’s Local Literary Festival will host local authors BD Tharp, Stan Webb, and Howard Ellington as they discuss their books from 2-4.

Coming to the Easter Sun Run tomorrow? Come!

 

Library:

Did you know we’re at the tail end of National Library Week?

Next Young Artists’ Exhibit is April 18th at Alford from 6:30-7:15.

And don’t forget:

Happy Good Friday! Go to a service and ponder how if it’s true, it’s everything. Plus eat Reese’s Eggs.

Strengthened for the Good

“And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me.

And they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

Nehemiah 2:18 ESV

Last time we saw Nehemiah’s “come, let us” request to the elders of the Jews, modeling the glorious We of our Triune God. Today we see the final push of our leader to the people: Assurance of God’s favor and the Persian king’s approval for the task.

“I nagad (fully told, expounded) of the gracious yad (powerful ability alongside) of elohim (Creator God) al (hovering over me) for towb (beauty). And aph (furthermore) what the king had said to me.

They replied, ‘Let us qum (arise, stand up) and banah (build).’ So they chazaq (strengthened, became courageous) their yad (hands) for the good (towb, beauty).”

To Nehemiah’s “Come, let us” the people replied with a “Yes, let’s.” Sometimes all it takes is the encouragement that God’s favor and power is resting on a project. And that the human king himself has approved the work.

I appreciated this bit of commentary on our verse today: “Nehemiah sketched the history of his past life, and showed how God’s providence had always shielded him and supported him. This, however, would scarcely have had any great effect had he not been able to appeal further to the king’s words that he had spoken. These words clearly contained permission to rebuild the wall, and took away the danger of their so doing being regarded as an act of rebellion by the Persians. What others might think was not of very much account.” source

Yes, what others might think is not of very much account. Not when you have a united group resting in God’s favor and appropriately submitting to human authority. With such circumstances, anything is possible.

I appreciate I’m typing this on Good Friday. You know, Jewish calendar days were from sundown one day to sundown the next. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, ate the Passover meal, sent his friend off to betray Him, healed a Roman soldier’s ear, allowed Himself to be arrested, defiled Himself by entering a Gentile governor’s headquarters, shut his mouth in defense and spoke of Truth to that governor, was denied by his dear friend, then was flogged and hung on a Roman instrument of death – all on the same day. On Passover.

The day the Hebrew people celebrate how the angel of death passed over their homes and spared their firstborn son when he saw the blood of a lamb on their doorposts so many years ago in Egypt when they were slaves.

He is our Passover Lamb. Our Elohim did not spare His Son from the death that should have been ours. He paid for our freedom and we are no longer slaves to sin. He did it for the good, the beauty of His glory in our lives.

Friends, let’s wonder at the love this Good Friday. He paid it all so we can live in unity. Strengthened for the good.