Good Friday!!!

This post is very late but I still had to make this entry...even though I know I am the only one (at this time) viewing my blog. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share along with the story but here it goes anyway.

It was April 14, 2006; Good Friday. Walking up to our church I noticed two additional crosses I don't recall seeing before, one laying mostly prone and the other upright. Everyone visiting the church would have to walk by these two LARGE (~9-10 feet tall???) crosses. Although I didn't make a connection at the time I saw them I did notice that each cross showed some "damage" toward the bottom. Both added something extra to the church setting for Good Friday but it wasn't obvious...there was just something different!

The next night a number of the Sunday School families (called GIFT at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church) met at a members house for a Easter get together. It was a nice and relaxing time with plenty for all the kids to do. The night was nice and everyone ate outside. After enjoying a good meal there were several groups scattered about with a number of conversations on many subjects.

I'm not exactly sure how it came up but the focus of our conversation turned to those crosses. One of our church staff members (Janet) was sitting with us and proceeded to tell us how they got there. At one point on Friday Eric, one of our newer and younger (I'm guessing mid 20s; I'm bad at guessing too) members, popped into the office to get some water. He had looked hot and like he just completed a heavy workout. When he was asked how he was doing he mentioned that he and a friend of his had just arrived at the church (36th St. & Stanford)...they had walked...from approximately 84th St. and McDowell. In my rough calculations that is approximately 9.5 miles. Wow! That is a good size walk!!!

Now it gets better...remember, we were talking about how those crosses got there. Yup! They carried them...through the streets!!!! They picked up a cross and dragged it almost 10 miles on Good Friday! WOW!!!! Sure, there is the physical aspect to carrying a 10 foot, heavy wood cross for 10 miles on pavement but more than that is the emotional and spiritual commitment and impact of such an act.

As this story was being told tears welled up in the eyes of the person relaying the event and in the eyes of my wife and I as we listened. I was deeply moved by this act and whenever I recount the story it touches me all over again.

It can't get better...right??? Well, for me I believe it does. When asked; Why and why he didn't let anyone know??? The humble answer came back that it was just something he wanted to do and he didn't want to make a big deal about it. My awe of his actions deepens!!!

Remember the "damage" to the crosses. Like I said I don't know why it didn't connect before I knew the story but as soon as I heard what was done I thought back to those crosses I saw the night before and remembered how they were worn. One side of each cross was worn away by the pavement, both at different angles accounting for a difference in height between the two men. Both had marks six or so inches from the bottom, on one side only, where I can picture occasional contact with a curb. This was not "damage" at all...it is a further reminder of the eternal life given to us through Christ!!!

THANK YOU to the two men who made this Good Friday journey. Your faith and commitment is an inspiration to me. Very cool! May God bless you both!!!!

TC&TG,
Chuck

P.S. If I'm able to get a picture of one of the crosses I will update this post later with the image.

Old Friends!

It has been a couple of weeks since I've written anything so I thought it was about time to check in. This last weekend was pretty good. I had taken Friday off to attend the Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts. This is a large arts & crafts fair that occurs twice a year in Tempe. I have been going to this thing probably close to 30 years now and always look forward to the day. The weather was great and since it was on Friday it was as crowded as going on Saturday or Sunday. It seemed a bit smaller this time and a bit odd since we are normally there visiting musician friends (Gypsy Soul - www.gypsysoul.com) of ours who stopped doing festivals about a year ago. I took a picture of the place they are normally setup to send to them; there was a solo guitarist in "their" spot and although what little I heard of him was good it was just NOT the same.

Well, I have gotten ahead of myself so I will back up a bit; beep, beep, beep. OK, before heading to the festival we (my wife, a family friend and myself) stopped at a Starbucks near our house for a little morning coffee. :) Anyway, I sat down and looked over to see a guy across from me pointing at me with a smile on his face...he was an old friend that I last talked to (very briefly through a car window) ~15 years ago and that I have know since about the 1st or 2nd grade. It was GREAT to see him and felt that our meeting there was not by chance only. We talked for a few minutes and exchanged contact information...I plan to email later in the week.

OK...back to Tempe. Good time and actually made a purchase (I usually just look and enjoy the atmosphere) from Sean's Celtic Creations. This guy does great work and I really appreciated his willingness to take time with us and share the thoughts that go behind the craftmanship. My wife, daughter and I all now have rings of the Tree of Life. I would include Sean's web site in my blog today but I was just there and it is mostly under construction still so I will hold off until another time. IF anyone does actually read this and would like the information please just drop me a note or comment.

OK...well, got to run! More later...