Good Friday, the Age of the Selfie, and MC Hammer

I know that not everybody who reads my books, subscribes to my email list or reads my blog is a Christian. I want you to know that you are welcome here and I count it a privilege to have you in my audience. I really mean that.

You can tune this introduction out if you want to and skip to the bullet points about slowing down and living deeper if you so desire. But since today is Good Friday, that's what is on my mind. It has been all week. 

I don't come from a faith tradition that celebrates the church calendar, but the older I get, the more I'm drawn to it. Some traditions wave palm branches on Palm Sunday as a reminder of what Jesus encountered as he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. He would enter with a king's welcome, and eventually leave on a cross.

The waving of palm branches is tangible and I think we need tangible. God created us in his image with five senses. So it seems like touching the branches and feeling their gentle breeze on our skin is a good way to reflect on the events of that day, and the events that would soon follow.

Needing something tangible for Passion Week, I went to the "Book of Common Prayer" (I own a 1990 version, but you can find it online now) and read passages from the Maundy Thursday section and Good Friday section. I love the way the reading for Good Friday begins:

"On this day the ministers enter in silence.

"All then kneel for silent prayer, after which the Celebrant stands and begins the liturgy with the Collect of the Day."

If you are a Christian, I hope you'll find some time for silence today, reflecting on Christ's great sacrifice for you. And then I hope you'll stand in joyous anticipation because Sunday is coming.

Now, let's get to this week's thoughts about slowing down and living deeper. 

• Actor Stephen Baldwin performed a one-man show called "Heaven, How I Got Here: A Night with the Thief on the Cross." You can see the trailer here. Or purchase the digital download here. Might be worth viewing this weekend. 


• In the age of the selfie, this is a refreshing perspective: Why Don't You Post More Pictures of Yourself? 


• Speaking of photos, this post is worth reading this weekend: 4 Photos to Take On Your Next Bad Day. I especially like the point in number three about capturing details in your home. A windowsill in my kitchen has the initials L.B. etched in it by someone who lived here long before I did. Taking a photo of it made me wonder if a kid did it to leave his mark, or maybe a dying man did so for the same reason. 


• Need to a good laugh? Check out this video of the running backs coach at San Jose State who used to be one of MC Hammer's backup dancers. The man can still move.


• Do you know somebody in your neighborhood is doing something positive for neighbors? The Today Show wants to hear from you in honor of April being National Volunteer Month.


• Here's an example of one such story: After losing his wife, [98-year-old] man turns to baking to help those in need.


• Three barber shops in my city are offering kids an alternative to handing them a smartphone while you are getting your hair cut: books. They can even take the books home if they want to. 

If you like what you're reading here and want to support it, then join my email list, or consider buying a book or becoming a patron (all patrons receive free copies of my e-books as they are released as a thank you for the support).

Have a great weekend!