“Nothing will stand in the way of love”
By: Justin March

“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world.  It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”

Agatha Christie

I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by strong women throughout my life.  Women who are loving, endearing, thoughtful, patient, kind, and forgiving.  Women who are head strong, goal oriented, and passionate about what they do.  And women who know their path in life, stopping at nothing while they relentlessly accomplish each stage of their journey.

Does this sound familiar to you?  Do you know someone else who may carry these exact same traits?

When we talk about how God created us in his image, I always think about the strong women in my life.  I think about how they entertain this world the same way Jesus does.  And I think about how they love unconditionally, forgive easily, and carry their friend’s and family’s burdens as they empathize so freely.

I owe so much to the women in my life, and I appreciate everything they have done for me.  They have made me a better husband, son, sibling, uncle, grandfather, and friend.  And when I seem to be struggling and cannot find my way, it is always one of these women that sheds their light and brings me back to the path Jesus needs me to follow.

I pray you take some time, on this Mother’s Day, to show your support for the women in your life.  Tell them how much you love them, shower them with kindness, and thank them for all they have done.  Revel in the fond memories of how they have touched your life and remember the sacrifices they made that helped you become the person you are today.

I don’t know about you, but when I think about grace, strength, and unconditional love, I find myself thanking God for all the women in my life.  Crushing remorselessly all that stands in their path so they can simply make another’s life beautiful.  And though there is nothing more perfect than finding rest in Jesus’ loving arms, I always find sanctuary and peace when I embrace the women he has put into my life!

After the Burial
By: Justin March

“He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24: 6-7

As most of you know, I have a passion for music.  It can fuel my energy, it can soothe my chaos, and it can encapsulate my soul.  There are times the thunderous roar of the drums and the raging rhythms of the guitars pick me up and get me going.  And there are times where the angelic voices and hypnotic harmonies calm me down and bring me peace.  It has always been a staple in my life, and no matter what the day wants to throw my way, I have always found that music brings me back to a place of happiness and satisfaction.

So, as I found myself surrounded by the crowd of hungry heavy metal fans at Summit Music Hall last Wednesday night, I found myself in a state of bliss as the music moved through me.  Spiritbox, After the Burial, and Intervals were not bands I was familiar with, but after watching them all put on one amazing show, I was feeling thankful for the opportunity to attend.  Yet, as my buddy and I left the venue and headed back to the car, there was one phrase that kept running through my mind…..After the Burial.

When I think back on my life and reminisce about how events, people, and moments have shaped the person I am, the memories are often haunted by sorrow and heartache.  I can find myself dwelling on the negatives, and if I am not careful, I can drown in the woes of self-pity and shame.  And when I focus on the things that have had a damaging effect on my life, I often find myself buried in the trenches and struggling to find my way back to the surface.

I cannot change the past or erase the hardships I have endured, but I can bury those negative feelings and focus on the positive.  I can forgive the people who have hurt me, abandoned me, and made life difficult.  I can extend grace and try to put myself in their shoes.  And I can stop trying to figure out why they treated me the way they did and eradicate the self-pity I feel for enduring those broken relationships.  I must leave those feelings in the past so that After the Burial I can learn to nurture new friendships, love unconditionally, and be the man others need me to be.

I also cannot change the decisions that have brought me to this point along my journey.  Whether they were right or wrong, they have shaped who I am today, and have made me the person you currently see.  Instead of dwelling on the choices I feel were incorrect or mis-guided, I must focus on today and ask God where he needs me to be.  I must pray, listen, and follow his lead, so that After the Burial I can travel with a mission that is focused on him and be the disciple he needs me to be.

After the Burial.  It is a thought-provoking phrase and a good subject to think about.  When Jesus was crucified on that cross and buried in that tomb, it was not the end for him and his people.  It was the beginning to a new chapter, and After the Burial he still walks with us, he still loves us, and he still guides us along our journeys.

If Jesus could roll away that stone and live a life After the Burial, what can we do when we focus on him and bury the things that are weighing us down?  Can we move forward, spread light, and brings others closer to him if we just bury the burdens and let them lie in the past?  I believe we can, and if we live a life After the Burial that is positive and loving, maybe we can allow others to rise from the ashes and focus on a different mission for their lives as well.  Because when we really break it down and think about what happens after we take our last breath, it will be After the Burial that we begin a new chapter.  A chapter that eradicates the pain, erases the hurt, and brings us to that glorious home of our Savior.  Until then, let’s focus on loving one another, being inclusive, and extending grace so that After the Burial, we may see God and come to rest in his everlasting arms!

Is that really you?
By: Justin March

“In a nation that was required by law to care for its prophets, isn’t it ironic that God turned to ravens and a widow to care for Elijah?  God has help where we least expect it, and he provides for us in ways that go beyond our narrow definitions and expectations.  No matter how bitter our trials or how seemingly hopeless our situations are, we should look for God’s caring touch; we may find His providence in some strange places.”

An excerpt from Jan Sumner’s book…..”Prisoner of Faith”

Now this is the message I have been looking for.  As I allow the world to push its’ agendas and ideals into my life, I feel like I am traveling my journey with a blindfold.  I fail to look for God’s caring touch, and I often miss the opportunities to revel in His shining presence.  And as I read the passage above, there is no doubt that my definitions and expectations are too shallow for the power God truly holds.

But then He shows up.  Not riding in a flaming chariot or surfing on a lightning bolt, but rather in the simplest and strangest of places.  After a hard day, he lays his head on my lap, stretches out all four legs and licks my face to bring me comfort and peace.  He sends me a text message and reminds me that friends and family are always there for me.  He makes himself small, hugs me goodbye, and tells me I’ll see you after school.  And he warms my body as the rays of the sun remind me that spring is right around the corner.

In these moments, the blindfold unties.  In these moments, I begin to understand how God uses the least worthy, the least fortunate, and the least deserving to spread his messages.  And now that I am no longer traveling my journey blind, I am open to what He wants to show me and where He wants to help me.

Friends, there is no doubt in my mind that God is still here with us.  He may not be flashy, he may not make a dramatic appearance, and he may not perform some miraculous feat, but He is always ready to show His face.  When we look for His caring touch, when we remove the blindfold, and when we take another step along the journey he has put before us, we begin to understand that He shows up in places we may have never imagined.  And when our perspective allows us to be open to God and all He has to offer, He provides help where we least expect it.

I hope you see God in some unexpected places this week.  I pray that when you feel peace, the extension of grace, or the love from another that you don’t discount it to happenstance or coincidence.  Instead, be reminded that He is walking with you.  Be reminded that He can show up anywhere or in anyone.  And be strong in your faith so that when you want to ask is that really you, you are confident and assured that it is Him and that He showed up for you in the simplest and strangest of places!

The Social Concerns Forum is sponsoring a minority owned restaurant event on Sunday, April 16^th at noon. You can read more information about the restaurant, & sign-up on the Bethany website. Descriptions about various minority-owned restaurants were obtained from Kevin Dempsey, Outreach, Jean Scott, & Judi Burfield, Jessica March, and Deb Maruyama, Social Concerns Forum.  Thanks everyone! We decided to meet at New Saigon, a restaurant that has been in Denver since 1987. New Saigon serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine, and they use locally sourced ingredients in their dishes. This neighborhood became home to a number of Vietnamese immigrants during the post-war years. When local businesses like this one flourish, so do the neighborhoods & communities around them. Minority owned businesses tend to hire people from their own communities. Supporting them can help to develop job opportunities and increase financial stability. We can celebrate diversity by not only supporting minority owned restaurants, but by supporting other minority owned businesses as well. For example, according to Mary Meade & Sytonia Reid in their article, 6 Reasons to Support Black Owned Businesses, “by supporting more Black owned businesses, we can create more opportunities for building meaningful savings, credit building, property ownership and generational wealth”.  Small businesses and entrepreneurs have long been wealth builders in our society. Such diversity can help build economic vitality, while offering us a wide variety of choices that we may not have previously considered. For example, it may be time for a “change in perspective” as we taste different foods that may not be familiar to us, but which are delicious & inviting nonetheless!

Jesus Is
Written By: Justin March

“He is hope, he is light, he is with me in every moment.  He is all that I need, everything good in me.  Living inside my heart, the reason why I’m alive.  Some might say that Jesus was, I say Jesus is.”

Lyrics from “Jesus Is” by The Neverclaim

It is Easter morning, and I am thinking a lot about who Jesus was.  Some believe he was the Messiah, sent from his father to save the world.  Others believe he was a prophet and a teacher who merely saw things most ordinary people could not.  And if you believe in the story of Easter, and all that happened during Holy Week, then you know that Jesus was a healer, forgiver, lover, and friend who gave his life for all of humanity.  Yes, Jesus was the one we hear about in our Bible stories, but when we look up to the cross and remember what he sacrificed, I believe it would be a shame to focus on just who Jesus was.

Many people will say that the belief in Jesus and following his way are archaic.  They will tell you that the tales of the Bible come from a different time and are no longer relevant in today’s world.  And some may even say that God and everything Christianity believes in have become extinct and that putting your faith in a figure we are unable to see or touch is a foolish endeavor.

If we are always talking about who Jesus was, I can relate to what the non-believers are saying.  But if we change our vocabulary and tell people who Jesus is, the doors open to more recognition and understanding.  We need to explain to people how he is working in our lives now and help them to understand how he can fit into theirs.

Just look around your house right now.  Spring is here and new growth is beginning.  God’s creations on this earth definitely were an amazing feat, yet if we keep our eyes open and pay attention, Jesus continues his father’s creation.  The flowers have new blooms, the grass begins to green, and trees begin to leaf.  And as God’s creatures emerge from hibernation, mating season begins, and new life is created.

You see, not only was Jesus our Savior and should be remembered for his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, but Jesus is a friend we can rely on during good times and bad.  It can be an ambiguous subject, and it takes a lot of faith to believe that Jesus is, but with an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will see how he is working in your life.

When you get that phone call from a long, lost friend and don’t quite understand what prompted them to do so, remember that Jesus is using them to reconnect and resurrect.  When you see someone give a hand-out to that person on the corner, devote their time to non-profit organizations, or use their abundance to help those in need, Jesus is shining his light through them for others to see.  And even in the simplest of times, when you feel the warmth of the sun on your face, when you hear the ocean waves crashing against the beach, or when you smell the fragrances of the flowers around you, remember that Jesus still is.

Jesus is still here among us.  No, you may never see his face or be embraced by his loving arms, but if you are open to the unexplainable events that happen in your life, you will begin to understand that he is part of all of them.  His touch comes through the people that love you, his breath is in the winds, and his healing is embedded in those times of forgiveness and grace.  It is all about perspective, and if you truly believe that Jesus was, take some time to slow down and embrace who Jesus really is.

It is Easter and time to celebrate who Jesus was.  A time to be humbled by the teachings and healing he brought to the people of long ago.  A time to be thankful for his sacrifice so we could be forgiven by his grace.  And a time to spread the messages of how he and his father saved humanity through love and acceptance.  But let’s not forget that Jesus is still doing these things.  He still walks with us, he still loves us, and he still performs miracles.  He is still teaching us to be accepting, compassionate, and understanding.  And through it all, everything that Jesus was, can still be who Jesus is!

“He is risen.  He is risen indeed!  Hallelujah!”

“Cesar Chavez Day” by Julie Friedemann

Remember Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, 2023. Cesar Chavez Day is a U.S. Federal commemorative holiday. The holiday allows us to recommit ourselves to honor farmworkers and their many indispensable contributions to our nation. An American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist, Chavez led the non-violent movement in the mid-1900’s that paved the way for better wages and working conditions from which nearly 2.5 million farmworkers benefit today.

You can learn more about this educator, environmentalist, and civil rights leader by streaming the movie “Cesar Chavez” or obtain a DVD copy from the library in the church office. Also, the Denver Classroom Teacher’s Association (DCTA) is sponsoring an Cesar Chavez Marcha and Celebration on Saturday, April 1, 2023. There will be a Mass at 8:30 am on Saturday, April 1 at the Regis University, Saint John Francis Chapel, and then a March at 10:00 am to Cesar Chavez Park, 41st and Tennyson and then park events begin at 11:00 am.

“The Way We Were Meant to Live” by Pastor Nate

I love those moments when I get to watch friends in their element.  I recently saw a friend who just came alive as he finally got to lead and facilitate a large group event after 2 years of Covid kept him from gathering people together.  It was amazing not only to witness just how talented he was in a space like this but to also see the ways that he became more energized and more alive as the evening went along.

Witnessing my friend on that night reminded me that moments like that, are what God hopes we all can find.

The fact that God became human in the person of Jesus just shows us that God deeply values this human life.  And while on earth Jesus was consistently helping people recover their life and discover their purpose.  Jesus wasn’t concerned with people following rules just for the sake of rules; no Jesus was constantly guiding people “to have life and life abundantly” (John 10:10).

I think there is a lot that we can learn by simply looking at Jesus’ life and seeing it as an example of how we were meant to live.   God became human in the person of Jesus and so Jesus’ life of compassion, celebration, and love can be seen as a guide for how we might live an abundant life; how we might live in the ways God always intended for us to live.