Crosses and Crowns of Community…
To those who were there that day, it was a public humiliation. A brutal show of power to make sure the people stayed under control. They beat him, mocked him, flogged him, forced him to drag his own means of death to what was meant to be the place where he breathed his last breath. When they hung Jesus on to the cross to die, they had placed a crown of thorns onto his head in an act of mockery, not realizing the reality it was portraying. To those looking on, they believed they were witnessing a public execution, in reality Jesus had already been anointed, and what the spectators were really witnessing was Jesus’s coronation. An enthronement by crucifixion.
The Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus preached of, was a Kingdom that was taught through paradoxes: the Lion and the Lamb, the poor who were rich, the last who were first. Paradoxes are not things that are contradictory and therefore not real, but they are a tool that helps convey a truth that at first glance does not make sense. The cross and the crown is one of those paradoxes that is so evident in community because community shares the highs and lows. You do not get to wear the crown and get to hold the newborn child if you do not accept the cross of entering into mourning with them through the losses. You do not get a child opening up to you if you do not show up to Love them. You do not get to see the rainbow without the rain.
Our crosses and crowns are not single moments where we get to choose between public execution or staying alive. It is not a choice to go to a service once a week. It is a way of life, Jesus had many choices in life that lead to the final choice of accepting his crown and being enthroned through torture. This way of life is one where we do not let our own selfish wants and desires get in the way of Loving, of building community. Not every cross is some extreme act of suffering, it is a choice that we all get to make whether to do it our way or in Love. The crown is getting to see the magic in the mundane, Heaven on earth.
This paradox is something that we hope to instill into our students. Sometimes the best thing for the community is to take some alone time and treat yourself, but there will be times in life where our earthly desires do not align with Loving in community. My hope is that we are helping to train a generation in Portland that when presented with the choice, they choose to Love. One day, maybe in a year, maybe in twenty, there will be a Love Letter that is filled with crosses and crowns moments from our students’ lives.
Ethan
Volleyball Starts Back…
Our girls volleyball team has started back, their first practice was this week and the team has grown from not enough players for a real team to a team that is big enough to scrimmage itself. The girls are currently preparing for their first game that will take place in September.
The girls practicing their serves
Players practicing a drill
Fish Fry Today 11am-7pm!!!
The Fish Fry will be open today from 11-7pm. Stop by for a fish sandwich or some churched up tots.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.