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The Legacy of Longdale Manor

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for The Legacy of Longdale Manor through Nuts about Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

History mixed with romance with a faith-based element fill the pages of Carrie Turansky’s The Legacy of Longdale Manor.  See God in action in the lives of two women from two different timelines.  They discover love as God heals hearts and teaches that forgiveness matters.  It’s so vital to see God at work in the lives of people isn’t it? 

The legacy of Longdale Manor

The Basic Details about The Legacy of Longdale Manor

Title: The Legacy of Longdale Manor
Author: Carrie Turansky
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Pages: 352
Intended Audience: adult
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Library Binding

About the book and author

Carrie Turansky is a prolific Christian Author.   You can learn about the 20+ books she has written over on her website.   Living in New Jersey, this Oregon raised lady lives with her author hubby Scott.  She’s in the stage of life where she can enjoy the grandchildren born of her five offspring.  They serve at Graceway Bible Church in Hamilton, New Jersey. 

About Longdale Manor

A dual time line fills the pages of the Legacy of Longdale Manor.  In current, 2012 perspective has us seeing the world through the eyes of art historian Gwen Monroe.  After making a disastrous evaluation she’s desperate to prove her skills to her prestigious grandfather.  A golden opportunity presents itself when a friend of her grandfather needs help raising funds to restore her manor.  Her grandson is helping his grandmother do what is necessary to save her home.    As Gwen is walked through the history of Longdale Manor a 100 year old journal links us to the past. 

In 1912 Charlotte Harper has to deal with a painful family secret that she confesses in her journal.  Through dealing with her wounds she is brought back into closer relationship with God.  We learn the power of forgiveness. 

The legacy of Longdale Manor

My Thoughts

I love well-written historical fiction.   Stories, that through lives of people, draw you into the past and teach you things that history books sometimes miss.  Or if the history books didn’t miss them, put them into the lives of people so you get a broader picture of how people were impacted. 

The Legacy of Longdale Manor had the feel of a historical novel, but it was lacking the educational aspect for me.  🙂 The setting wasn’t used well to make itself unique.   I was intrigued by the restoration of historical buildings into functional hotels.   I enjoyed seeing God at work in the lives of these two women.  They learned to see forgiveness as a pivotal part of living life as  believers.

A co-worker asked what I thought of it and I said “it was a good story until it turned into a sappy romance”.  It just felt like the story stalled into “does he like me?”  “can I make her see I love her?”  This after just a month of knowing each other.  In both time lines.

Now I did like how the varying timelines worked.  They flowed seamlessly and you could clearly see the connections from one to the next.  

Should you read it?  Well… not if you are tired of Christian women’s fiction basically just being clean romances with some type of light story behind them.  But if you like light christian romances, then this book will definitely intrigue you. 

The legacy of Longdale Manor

God Makes Copies

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Miss Kate has posted a new word for us to ruminate on in the form of Copy.   Its an interesting word you know?  It’s a word that can be used as a noun or as a verb, and ergo how you use it matters.    As I considered the various meanings of the word copy I pondered the idea that God makes copies.   Can I be made into a copy?  

NOUN
  1. a thing made to be similar or identical to another:
     
  2. a single specimen of a particular book, record, or other publication or issue:
     
  3. matter to be printed:
     
    VERB
  1. make a similar or identical version of; reproduce:
     
  2. imitate the style or behavior of:
     
  3. hear or understand someone speaking on a radio transmitter:
God makes copies

God Makes Copies

The thought of copy rolled
around in my head.
Coalescing into the realization
that ultimately,
God makes copies.

How could that be?
Aren’t we all individuals
with our own gifts and talents
Gifts that we can use uniquely
to forward the kingdom of God?

So if our talents are unique,
and the way we use of giftings
is our own, how then could
we be a copy made by God?

God, in his holy word, tell us
to be Holy as he is Holy.
and he calls us to be made
in the likeness of his Son.

A popular phrase has been
What would Jesus Do?
Why would that matter if
we weren’t encouraged to
be copies of Jesus?

It doesn’t negate our
own uniqueness’s, but calls
us to see a bigger picture.
A group of people, called into
similar service and attitude,
to do the bidding of our Lord.

It calls upon me and has me
asking, how can I be a good
copy today? How is my being
X copy of Jesus furthering the
Glory of God? Or could I perhaps
be a failed copy only good to be
trodden underfoot?

Oh that I might succeed, and
oh that I might inspire others
around me to work out their
“copiedness” all that more! 🙂

information sign on paper
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

God’s word

1 Peter 1:13-16

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Stolen Sisters

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There I was on vacation with a couple of books from the “Canada proud books” I won a couple of years ago that I simply haven’t gotten to.  Stolen Sisters was the first one I grabbed up.  It’s not a very large book and I thought it would be a quick read on a quiet afternoon when the lads were out kayaking.    Two girls have gone missing and we’re drawn into the politics and ideology surrounding their disappearance. 

Stolen Sisters by Emmanuelle Walter

The Basic Details of Stolen Sisters

Title: Stolen Sisters: The Story of Two Missing Girls, Their Families, and How Canada Has Failed Indigenous Women
Author: Emmanuelle Walter
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Pages: 240
Intended Audience: 8-12 years
Genre: Indigenous, Canada, Police, Missing Women, true crime,
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio

About the story

Maisy Odjick and Shannon Alexander, indigenous teenagers from western Quebec, who have been missing since September 2008. Using personal testimonies, interviews, press clippings and official documents, Walter pieces together the disappearance and loss of these two young lives, revealing these young women to us through the voices of family members and witnesses.

Stolen Sisters by Emmanuelle Walter

My Thoughts

I expected a story about these girls and a working through of the mystery surrounding their disappearance.   That’s how the excerpt read to me. 

I was wrong.   The disappearance of these two girls is a background to the politics and ideology surrounding the lack of action with the disappearance of indigenous women.   We are introduced to cultural aspects (for instance: poor people, finding jobs, can’t afford a car, so need to hitchhike).  The backdrop of indigenous children being taken from their homes and the breakup of entire families, and the resultant issues arising from that (such as: drunkenness, lack of involvement from the community). A variety of other issues were brought into play such as stereotypes, racism, and more.   

I got about 1/2 way through and said “I’m done.”   If I had wanted to read a treatise on all possibilities leading to indigenous women disappearing, or the maybes of why so many cases are left unsolved, and such like I would have continued.  But I was more interested in reading about these girls in a real way, not in a clinically detached way. 

I wanted to understand the viewpoint (and perhaps the frustrations) of the police or native law-keepers in trying to solve this mystery.   Having all the “other stuff” interposed into that story would have made it more interesting and seem more relevant rather than like a bunch of guess work and supposition about why the solve rate of these disappearances is so low. 

I may try to give it a go another time, but for a read on vacation, this simply wasn’t it.  But honestly, now that I’m home for a bit, I still don’t want to finish it.  That feeling persists EVEN THOUGH I hate leaving a book once started unfinished.  🙂 

Potential Uses?

Homeschooling for high school students seeking to know about true crime and to understand the reasons why some crimes have low solve rates.

Good for helping with critical thinking.  Could all the reasons the author listed by solved, or even be part of the problem?  Are solutions possible? 

Understanding the impact of history on a present population. 

Seeking to understand how communities operate affect the lives of the youth living within them. 

Acts 1:12-26

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So, I’m taking about a week with each of these sections.  I’m rather enjoying the time to think, to research, to read articles about ideas raised, to check out different translations, and so forth.   Hopefully, anyone who is following along doesn’t mind the once a week posting format.   This week I am working on Acts 1:12-26 which will finish off the chapter.   Part one and part two are linked for you.

Acts 1:12-26

Acts 1:12-26 ESV Translation

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Initial Thoughts, questions about contenders

Well, that was a rather gruesome story about the ending of Judas.  But it did give the backstory for the need to have a new member of the disciples.   I like how they gave the criteria they required to fill the position.    Of course I had the question of just who was Joseph Barsabbas/Justus and Matthias. 

Who was Joseph Barsabbas/Justus?

Joseph Barsabbas/Justus was one of the many followers of Jesus right from the beginning.  We know this because it was one of the requirements to be considered in the running. Justus means “Just one” and was a title probably given due to his integrity.  Barsabbas was probably a patrynomic meaning Son of Sabbas (which can mean a variety of things such as son of oath, son of old man.  Christian tradition has him as one of the numbered 70, and some guy named Papias says he drank a cup of poison with no harm coming to him.  He was Jewish. 

The whole cup of poison being drank led me down a bunny trail to Mark 16

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

That would have been rather cool eh?   To know it was poison, and then see God at work saving him?  Huh, the things you see when you give some thought to it all eh?

Who was Matthias? 

Elected by Lot as one of the apostles replace Judas. Also a Jewish person who had been part of Jesus’ ministry from the beginning.  The Apocrypha has him doing ministry in Jerusalem, and possibly having to deal with cannibals at one point.  

Acts 1:12-14

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

So, Jesus has ascended.  With great joy the disciples went to Jerusalem where they sat around waiting.  Jesus had promised to send a helper of great power.   So they were all there along with the women and Jesus’ mom and brothers.  11 apostles: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Phillip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James bar Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas bar James along with the ladies and brothers. 

What they were doing was praying together in the upper room where they were staying.  Would this be the upper room where they had the Lord’s supper I wonder? I suppose that doesn’t really matter though.   The important thing is they were in a safe place that they knew well. 

But don’t miss this part they were “with one accord”.   How often do a group of believers get together and be of one accord.  They weren’t arguing  

Acts 1:15-20

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

Judas’ Result Foretold?

Other than the fact this passage is a bit gruesome with the whole manner of death for Judas I was stunned to read that all of this was foretold.    The passages Peter quoted come from the book of Psalms.  Sometimes I forget how prophecy’s can be layered with more than one future foretold.  There is so much depth in scripture that it’s easy to forget to keep looking for more.  Like I’ve read the book of Acts more than once, but somehow in all that time I glossed over this whole passage. 

Psalm 69:25

May their camp be a desolation;
    let no one dwell in their tents.

Psalm 109:8

May his days be few;
    may another take his office!

Suicide or Accident?

I was also surprised by the “falling head long he burst open in the middle” as my understanding was that Judas committed suicide.   But as I researched this a bit, I was reminded that one needs to consider the authors perspective and the timeline they might be using.  For instance Matthew, who tells us about Judas’ suicide speaks of the first action, whereas Luke speaks to the result of the suicide.  Imagine what would happened if You killed yourself and where cut down (or had the rope you used break).   You just might fall head down and burst open as well… bodies do interesting things once they are dead.  (as gruesome as that might be to contemplate.    I found Answering Islam  helpful in working through this passage.    

Be a Detective

I guess what I need to remember sometimes is that every time someone tells a story, particularly if more than one person tells the story, each person will bring something different out.  And tell it from their own perspective and if one listens to ALL the stories, you’ll discover the truth. So we can’t expect Matthew to tell the story in the same way that Luke does.  Means that we need to read the bible like a detective solves a case. Sifting through the details until you see the whole story, until you see God at work. 

I was thinking about this at work this morning, having a bit of a difficult day, and I got to thinking about how even when we think we know the scriptures we don’t always.  When Jesus rose from the dead he met with some of his followers.  He took time to explain the Old Testament scriptures to them.  As he did so, he pointed out all the scriptures that pointed to him and explained who he was.   They were amazed at what he taught them. 

So we shouldn’t be surprised when we too are amazed at what God teaches us in his word.  Or even that we sometimes struggle with understanding it. 

Bad Choices

So we know the Judas died.  And it was the result of his own bad choices.  He did something he shouldn’t have, felt bad about it, and died as a result.  18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)  

It was Judas’ choice to betray his Lord and Master.  And it was because of his action, his remorse, that he died and that the Field of Blood came into being.  And everyone knew about it.  Therefore he forfeited his place among the 12 so a new member needed to be chosen. 

photo of dunes near rocky mountain
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com

Acts 1:21-26

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Criteria

Judas. No longer one of the 12.  They are down to 11. And Peter, with the 120 peoples gathered around sets out the criteria needed for a replacement.   This person needs to be a follower of Jesus from baptism through resurrection.  This person will join them as a witness to Jesus’ resurrection. 

Two people were chosen.   Barsabbas Justus and Matthias. .

You know what I notice here? They did all their deliberations but before they moved forward they prayed about it.  Their prayer wasn’t all elaborate with flowery words, but simple.  You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”  

Casting of Lots

The process after was simple enough.  They drew lots and Matthias became the replacement apostle.  Drawing lots is an age old method for determining the will of the gods (or God in the early Christian church).  

Casting of Lots hasn’t really died out though I think.  In many places, faith based or not, people often vote on who should be in a leadership position.  Our voting system is more or less based on the casting of lots don’t you think?  And who leads our land is in fact God’s choice.  Do most people vote in a prayerful manner?   In the non-faith based environment, I don’t think so.  But I would hope people of faith would take the time to pray before making their “cast lot”. 

It’s indeed a good reminder to me that I don’t need to be all fancy in my prayers, that simplicity works.  And that I need to be more mindful of talking to God about decisions that need making.  OH… and that I make them in light of the scriptures.   After all, the apostles didn’t willy-nilly decide to vote in a new apostle.  They followed the mandates of scripture. 

Closing Thoughts

It’s good to know who people in the bible are.  Not because it will change my life, but it helps to know who the players are you know?   It’s good to know that Matthias had a ministry as an apostle.  But Barabbas Justus, he didn’t just disappear.  Can you imagine proving scripture true and drinking poison and living to tell about it?  

A reminder to think through what I am doing.  Do I want to do such wickedness that I’d be led to kill myself?   I am not, what I would call, the most fervent believer out there.  God, in his mercy, continually draws me back to him. God, always minds me and his Spirit checks me from being more wicked than I already am. 

A call to be more faithful in prayer, particularly when I’m in a decision making mode.  I’m not saying I have to talk with God about what to plant in my garden!  But don’t you think it would be good to say “hey God, I have this day before me, help me make wise decisions?”  Or when I have hard decisions to make, to draw him into the conversation as well?  It’s too easy to think I have to do it all on my own. That’s not the case at all. 

How about you?  What thoughts does God place on your heart with this passage? 

The Rest of This Series

It’s My Opinion That

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When I saw the word prompt of opinion I thought, boy, this one will write itself and I was right!   Too many interesting opinions have presented themselves to me over this past week.  These opinions often started with the phrase “it’s my opinion that”.   As a moderator of a forum sometimes that means I have to step in and say “provide facts to support that interesting supposition”.   It means when talking with others I can occasionally challenge ideas with some facts, or other suppositions that would fall within their ideology.  And even less occasionally it means broadening conversations about the Lord with people that matter to me in one way or the other.   Opinions are interesting things, and sometimes, just sometimes, they are worth challenging… just a bit.  🙂 

it's my opinion that (Man holding a yellow thought bubble)

It’s my opinion that

It’s my opinion that
the germ theory is false
that it doesn’t exist
because people can be
exposed to germs without
getting sick.
It’s my opinion
and scientists who believe
in it, and who teach others,
to believe in it are simply wrong!
And if you disagree with me
Why are you attacking me?

It’s my opinion that
people can change who they
are just be believing it
strongly enough.
I don’t like being female
and am happy when I act
like a boy, therefore,
I am a boy, and if you don’t
like it…
Why do you hate me?

It’s my opinion that
God isn’t real, that
he’s just a made up construct
to keep the masses happy.
What the bible can be
proven to be true?
Posh….It’s a lie and
you are just pulling at
false straws.
Why do you want to keep me captive?

It’s my opinion that
I can have whatever friends
I want and they won’t
influence my behaviour or
how I think about things.
I can stay true to myself
regardless of who I listen
to or the people that daily
fill my mind with thoughts
and ideas, even if some of them
make my heart shudder in a
not so good way.
Why do you say to guard my heart?

It’s my opinion that perhaps
I should pay attention to
those who just might
know better.
That I should present actual facts
to support my opinions.
That perhaps hatred is
not quite what I think it is.
The hole that I feel in my life
perhaps there’s a reason
it exists?
That older people saying to be
careful might know what
they are talking about?

The Secret Keepers

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This is one of the many books I read while on vacation Aug 26-Sept 2.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope I can inspire you to give it a boo.  A little free library allowed me to pick up The Secret Keepers.  I like to check them out and often find hidden reads.  If I thought I could get my lad to listen to it, I’d pick it up from Audible for him! Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Basic Details for The Secret Keepers

Title: The Secret Keepers
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 512
Intended Audience: 8 – 11 years
Genre: fantasy, mystery, detective, spy, magic, action and adventure
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, paperback, audiobook, audio cd

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

My Thoughts

If you have read the mysterious benedict society novels the feel of The Secret Keepers won’t be unexpected.  As soon as I started this novel I wondered if familiar characters would show up. 🙂  They didn’t, but it was kinda fun anticipating it! 

Stewart takes young characters and bestows on them the ability to think and to be courageous when called upon. Reuben is no different. A child who grew up knowing his momma loves him and allows him to make of his days as he will.  Encouraging him frequently to find friends to hang out with and playing games just for the two of them.  A single mom, making a great effort to parent her boy well. 

Reuben, wants to help his mom and a new treasure just might be the way to do it.   BUT… there are troubles along the way.  Reuben is forced to get other people to help him and ends up makes friends along the way.

I enjoyed The Secret Keepers from start to finish.   Admittedly, I wasn’t surprised at who the bad guy was, or doubted how it would end up.  The ending felt a bit too neat though, and potentially leading toward trouble in the future. 

Acts 1:6-11

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So we’ve gotten past the introduction to Acts, and are now being reminded of the Ascension of Jesus.   I find it interesting that both accounts, written by the same man, are somewhat different. We’ll see one account in Acts 1:6-11.

The question is, why are they somewhat different?   Does it mean that Luke is lying or is he just emphasizing different things or what?  Since the whole bible is the inspired word of God we know that he’s not lying.  He’s just saying things differently. 

For Instance 

For instance I can say that recently we went camping up at North Bay for a while.   Or I can be more specific and say recently we went camping and stayed at Restoule PP for one week starting on Aug 26.   Same thing, but different right?   One is more specific, the other more general.   And when we read the bible we need to pay attention to what is written and not make assumptions.   

We also need to realize that just because one account leaves out details doesn’t mean they haven’t happened.   I don’t tell a story the same way every time I tell it.  Sometimes you need to be brief and point out the most important bits and other times I have time to expand and share other important bits. 

Acts 1:6-11

We find this account in Acts 1:6-11

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Also this account in shorter form in Luke 24

50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

It’s actually kinda neat seeing both of these passages together.  Getting a bigger picture of the ascension.  We see that the disciples didn’t mourn Jesus ascending into heaven.  The two men in white clothes reminded them he’d be coming back.  Wouldn’t that be something to joyful about? AND it reminded them to get on with what Jesus told them.  Go to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Sometimes, just sometimes I wish I could go back in the day and watch events first hand right?  To see their sorrow, and then their joy at those 40 days with Jesus spending time with them, and then their joy as they wait for Jesus’ promise of a helper to be fulfilled. 

Looking more into Acts 1:6-11

 When I see the disciples asking “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”   I see that they are kinda getting it you know?  They see that Christ has come to do a restorative work.   Do they yet truly understand it?   Not really I think, since they apply this restoration solely to Israel.  They have yet to see the broader scope of Christ’s action. 

But see how Jesus answers them. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Do you see how he doesn’t tell them “none of your business, that’s God’s deal.  But instead says, it’s not for you to know this time that God has set in place.  BUT you are going to receive power and then be my witnesses not only Jerusalem but beyond to the whole world.   He expands their understanding while promising that there is more to come.   That despite not knowing when this full restoration will occur, they have a task to do in the whole world, and a helper of power. 

And then he ascends

 After promising this gift of power and expanding their vision Christ ascends. 

He’s lifted up.  A cloud obscures him from their sight.

Then two men in white stand with them, reminding them that he will return.  “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

I still have a hard time you know.  To see Christ, someone they love, disappear.  I can understand them gazing up.  It’s not something that happens everyday you know?  I’d stare for a while too.  But I’d be sad.  Cuz someone I loved has gone away!

Filled with joy 

But Luke tells us this: 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

They were happy! Actually joy is more than happiness you know? Joy has a depth to it that happiness lacks.   Though that joy surprises me. 

That joy begs some questions from me.  Do you suppose it’s because those men in white told them Jesus would be coming back? Or do you think it’s that they saw their larger purpose and knew that somehow they would get the power to do it?  Or perhaps it’s that they know that someday things will be restored?

What caused their great joy?  I suppose it could be any and yet all of those ideas eh?  Perhaps the presence of those men was enough to calm their spirits and set them to their purpose.  Perhaps it was the worship of God that caused their great joy.  I rather like that idea you know?   But honestly, we can’t really tell exactly from the bible what caused their joy.   Bible.org gives us some explanation for their joy.   This article gave me food for thought. 

A personal connection

Pondering the great joy of the disciples after Jesus’ ascension and all that it could possibly mean reminds me of the following:

  • Praising God produces joy.  Have you ever noticed that when you pray praising God, or sing songs of worship meaningfully, that your joy in the Lord deepens? 
  • Seeing ones purpose in the kingdom produces joy.  Having purpose, particularly purpose that has eternal consequence is a joy producing thing. 
  • Remembering the battle is already won produces joy.  The battle is no longer ours to fuss over.  God won the battle for us already, skirmishes are all that is left. 
  • Remembering that one day Christ will return in a thing of joy. Hope for the future which makes the occasional blackness of the present bearable. 

This all, this all is so good to hold on to you know?