Friday December 7th, 2007
Devoted believers,
This past Monday December 3rd 2007 at noon the Lord opened up the door to do the Sermon on the Mount drama for Regent’s COMM school chapel. Father God blessed it! I felt like a weak and unworthy vessel privileged to participate in the delivery of the words of Jesus through the flow of the Holy Spirit. It took place in the luxurious lobby of the communications building. It was the most people I have personally seen in the lobby way at one time. Still there was room for many more.
The event was recorded by media services at Regent and should be streamed online sometime soon. Also separate footage was captured for the long term documentary project. Amen. The next scheduled performance is 6:30pm Sunday December 16th at the Light of Life Church.
The fall semester at Regent has come to its last few days. I was fortune to be introduced to the story and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer this semester. The crucial text in his life and work was the gospel of Matthew chapters 5,6, and 7; the Sermon on the Mount! He was one of the few that accurately identified and actively resisted the demonic monstrosity of Nazism. He was arrested and hung a few weeks before World War II ended.
In reference to Matthew 7:14 “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” Bonhoeffer writes in his book The Cost of Discipleship, “The path of discipleship is narrow, and it is fatally easy to miss one’s way and stray from the path, even after years of discipleship…To be called to a life of extraordinary quality, to live up to it, and yet to be unconscious of it is indeed a narrow way… But if we behold Jesus Christ going on before step by step, we shall not go astray.” (190).
See you in 2008 for the next first Friday SHARP ERO update! Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Shalom.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
SHARP ERO UPDATE #3
Destined brethren,
Yesterday I met my favorite worship artist Jason Upton. He led a special chapel service in the Regent University Theatre; he’s an alum. He ministered through song and story. He is unpretentious, unscripted and down to earth. A real man of God is always approachable. His closing song repeated the words “It’s hard learning to love like you” over and over again. It was on time, on target and on fire. For more on this gifted brother check out his website www.jasonupton.com.
It’s hard learning to love like Jesus. How does Jesus love us? “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). That’s it and that’s what we, as born again believers, are called to as well. 1st John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” It’s so practical, so simple and straightforward. It’s easy to an intellectual ideal. It’s hard to live it out. That part requires faith in the faithfulness of God Almighty.
Yesterday I also had the pleasure of meeting producer and author Ken Wales. He most recently produced Amazing Grace; an amazing movie. He shared the story of his book Sea of Glory with me; it’s getting made into a film. It is based on a true story from World War II. Four naval chaplains laid down their lives so others could live. I plan on reading the book and look forward to the movie.
Jesus says the phrase “your Father, who sees what is done in secret” three times in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:4, 6:6 and 6:18). That’s where the Lord looks at us first, what we do in secret. What you do in public is your obligation, what you do in private is adoration. The living God, I believe, detests the idea of being anyone’s obligation but greatly delights in the adoration of his born again children.
May we all adore Him with all of our hearts,
Eric Ryan Olson
Yesterday I met my favorite worship artist Jason Upton. He led a special chapel service in the Regent University Theatre; he’s an alum. He ministered through song and story. He is unpretentious, unscripted and down to earth. A real man of God is always approachable. His closing song repeated the words “It’s hard learning to love like you” over and over again. It was on time, on target and on fire. For more on this gifted brother check out his website www.jasonupton.com.
It’s hard learning to love like Jesus. How does Jesus love us? “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). That’s it and that’s what we, as born again believers, are called to as well. 1st John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” It’s so practical, so simple and straightforward. It’s easy to an intellectual ideal. It’s hard to live it out. That part requires faith in the faithfulness of God Almighty.
Yesterday I also had the pleasure of meeting producer and author Ken Wales. He most recently produced Amazing Grace; an amazing movie. He shared the story of his book Sea of Glory with me; it’s getting made into a film. It is based on a true story from World War II. Four naval chaplains laid down their lives so others could live. I plan on reading the book and look forward to the movie.
Jesus says the phrase “your Father, who sees what is done in secret” three times in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:4, 6:6 and 6:18). That’s where the Lord looks at us first, what we do in secret. What you do in public is your obligation, what you do in private is adoration. The living God, I believe, detests the idea of being anyone’s obligation but greatly delights in the adoration of his born again children.
May we all adore Him with all of our hearts,
Eric Ryan Olson
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
SHARP ERO UPDATE #2
Dearly beloved,
Frederick Buechner writes in his provocative book Telling The Truth The Gospel As Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale, "Drawing on nothing fancier that the poetry of his own life, let him use words and images that help make the surface of our lives transparent to the truth that lies deep within." This is the theme that speaks supreme to authenticity. The operative word is transparency that carries with it the vulnerability for all eyes to see.
To be transparent: I have been stressed out with the juggling of grad school, projects, ministry and other things. I am learning more than ever that the Lord is my refuge and the necessity to go to Him in faith for times of refreshing.
The Sermon on the Mount is just in its infancy taking baby steps right now. In the video entry of "Are you a calvinist?" I made a mistake by saying that the great command was to make disciples of all nations. That is officially the great commission. The great command is found in Matthew 22:36-38, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."
Can the great commission to make disciples of the Messiah Jesus be fulfilled without first living out the the great command to Love the Lord with all your heart...? No, way. To attempt the great commission without the love of God is a dead work, an empty attempt at propagating a religion or tradition. But if we genuinely come to that place of loving God first then His love will overflow effortlessly from our lives like healing water and the great commission will be as supernaturally natural as breathing; an easy yoke and a light burden!
As believers may we grow increasingly transparent in who are and hope to be. Inviting your sincere corrections and requesting your fervent prayers.
your brother in Christ,
Eric Ryan Olson
Frederick Buechner writes in his provocative book Telling The Truth The Gospel As Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale, "Drawing on nothing fancier that the poetry of his own life, let him use words and images that help make the surface of our lives transparent to the truth that lies deep within." This is the theme that speaks supreme to authenticity. The operative word is transparency that carries with it the vulnerability for all eyes to see.
To be transparent: I have been stressed out with the juggling of grad school, projects, ministry and other things. I am learning more than ever that the Lord is my refuge and the necessity to go to Him in faith for times of refreshing.
The Sermon on the Mount is just in its infancy taking baby steps right now. In the video entry of "Are you a calvinist?" I made a mistake by saying that the great command was to make disciples of all nations. That is officially the great commission. The great command is found in Matthew 22:36-38, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment."
Can the great commission to make disciples of the Messiah Jesus be fulfilled without first living out the the great command to Love the Lord with all your heart...? No, way. To attempt the great commission without the love of God is a dead work, an empty attempt at propagating a religion or tradition. But if we genuinely come to that place of loving God first then His love will overflow effortlessly from our lives like healing water and the great commission will be as supernaturally natural as breathing; an easy yoke and a light burden!
As believers may we grow increasingly transparent in who are and hope to be. Inviting your sincere corrections and requesting your fervent prayers.
your brother in Christ,
Eric Ryan Olson
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Sermon on the Mount Drama
Welcome to this is a new blog updating the dramatic ministry of SHARP ERO. I will update it every so often with a performance schedule. Prayers are appreciated and words of encouragement are defefinitely nice!
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."
-I Corinthians 14.1
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."
-I Corinthians 14.1
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
