| Author | Message | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Y'all, This is what I have been thinking about for a few days as I have been packing the last few "multipying" things relating to our move. I can't really give the proper credit to the proper sources as to where my thought's have come as it is a combination of a lot listening to various ministries and readings over some time. I does seem to me that a book was written sometime ago called, "Jesus, Man or Sorrow" and another called, "Jesus, Man of Joy." It seems to that we have been so drilled with the picture of a "somber" faced Savior and now it's about time to credit Him with some joy! What I have been thinking is that it would be fun to recount some of the things that Jesus did here on earth and try to picture what his expression was. Take the feeding of the 5 thousand. Jesus had just found out about John being killed and attempted to find some solitude in a quiet place in a boat. Then all these people showed up and wanted his attention. Jesus, being Jesus, natuarally had compassion for them and healed their sick. Figure 5 thousand men in a crowd. Now figure that a good part of them brought their wives and children. That figure could easily swell to 10 to 20 thousand. Just picture Jesus telling His disciples not to send the multitudes away to the villages to get a fishburger! In fact, picture the look on His face when He tells the disciples that "they" will feed the multitude! Picture in your mind how He would look as He is building all these thousands of fishburgers!? Imagine the smile, the beaming smile. Not a smug look like I would most likely have if I could pull off a feat like that, but a simply wonderful, joyous, radiating smile that went from ear to ear! Upward and onward.......Maryann | ||
| Lydell |
Maryann, good thought! I've not had the pleasur of seeing the "Matthew" series of videos. Have only seen the advertisement on TV. I'd love to see them. Them seem to show a more realistic portrayal of Jesus than what you ordinarily see. When he calls Matthew, for instance, he is leaning toward Matthew over a table, and has a gleam in his eye and with a smile makes the offer "follow me". I just have to think that on seeing someone take up their bed and walk, he has to have been laughing joyously, just as we would. "Whoa, look at THAT!" I think he would have been celebrating with the one who had been healed, rather than standing back soberly saying "well, bless my soul, now isn't that nice." Now why is it that folks have such a hard time imagining Jesus laughing. After all, he puts up with us! | ||
| Darrell |
Anyone who has not seen "Matthew", I highly recommend that you do. I have heard that FAF in Redlands has seen it. If anyone is looking to purchase a set at a good price, check out www.heavenlyconspiracy.com. This is a nonprofit foundation which is making the videos, as well as some related books, available at their cost (currently $35, normally $70-100 elsewhere). The reason "Matthew" is so different from all the other "Jesus movies" is that it was made by believers under the direction of the Holy Spirit. | ||
| Sherry2 |
Thank you Darrell. I'm ordering it now. I sell those videos myself through Nest but I cannot get them for that price myself so I will hop on this. I've got the Acts series as well. Thank you again!! Mucho gracious... | ||
| Cas |
I agree with you guys, I have the Matthew videos as well as Acts. But Matthew is my favorite. If you have not read Bruce Marciano's book called, In the Footsteps of Jesus, I highly recommend it. He writes about his experiences in filming the movie, it's one of my all time favorites. Also the book, Jesus Man Of Joy. This is the book that inspired Bruce in his portrayal of Jesus. | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Y'all, In reading some of the responses in this thread, I recollected where I got my first introduction to a "happy Jesus." Back when my wayward Mom;-) was into the "Word Faith" stuff and I was "forced" to study and get as much info as possible with my limited time, I found two Christian radio stations that I was able to listen to while working. One station is a listener supported station and the owners control all that comes through and they do a very good job! The gospel is LOOOOUD and clear. The other station is primarily commercial supported and every alledged Christian opinion came over this station. You just wouldn't believe the rubbish they aired. This station however, had a manager that was on fire for the Lord and started a drive at Christmas time to spread the "Revival in Las Vegas" to the entire town of Las Vegas. He made arraingements with the Riveira to have the very top showroom overlooking the strip as the place to do this. He got this very special guest to perform and give a talk/sermon/testimony. His name was Bruce Marciano!!! We went and IT WAS GREAT! I'm not sure how much seating was in the room but I'm sure it was over 400. There were many people standing too. This went several times a day for days as I remember. I'm sure there were several thousand people that attended. The people that attended were from all walks of life. Some were obviously off the street and homeless. Others were curious gamblers from the casino below and about as much of a variety of others as you can figure. The night we were there, half the people came forward to the call!! It was awsome. The station manager was just in tears. Tears of joy! Not the kind of tears that I was accustomed to seeing as a kid either! Bruce was great. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and shirt and was so real. He just has the knack for talking about Jesus. Before this, the station manager got Bruce on the radio for an interview and that is about when I got my intoduction to a "happy Jesus." That may have also been where I first heard of the book called, "Jesus, Man of Joy" rather than sorrow!;-) This was probably about Oct. of either '97 or '98, I just can't remember. Again, I was so amazed at how wonderful these "Sunday" people were!!!;-)) Yes, I've seen the Matthew videos. I saw them several times in bits and pieces at Mom's and then in their entirety at Colleen's not long ago. They are a must for everyone!!! Upward and onward.....Maryann | ||
| Lydell |
Maryann, what town are you moving to? | ||
| Darrell |
Y'all are right that Bruce Marchiano is an inspiring speaker. (Have I been in Texas too long or what?) What you may not know is that Reghardt Van Den Bergh, who directed Matthew, is also an inspiring speaker, and is probably easier to schedule than Bruce right now. He is currently living in S. California, for you Redlands people. If anyone would like to schedule Reghardt, the folks at www.heavenlyconspiracy.com know how to get in touch with him. (By the way, I am not affiliated with them, but I am excited about what they are doing!) | ||
| Maryann |
Hi Lydell, I'm the short side of a triangle between Tinker's and Trinity Church!!!!;-)) Trinity being about 2 miles and Tinker's about 3 miles. Funny how the greatest desire of my heart was to be in FAFland/Redlands area and God opened the doors for me and all I did was crawl through them;-)) I got a bit skinned up in a place or two while crawling, let me tell you!!!;-(( My kids are now in Christian schools and woooooooow, what a relief. I do have to go back to Las Vegas to mop up a few more odds and ends this weekend and will miss the FAF meeting and Church, AGAIN! Booooo Hooooo;-(( I may post the whole story later........Maryann |
