5 Nov, 2010

The Rocks Will Cry Out!

Indian Head Rock Returning To Kentucky

An eight-ton boulder that was pulled from the Ohio River at Greenup County, Kentucky and taken to Portsmouth, Ohio in 2007 will soon be returned to Kentucky.

Officials say a face carved in Indian Head Rock could make it a Native American artifact. That’s why, after the rock was pulled from the water by an expedition of Ohioans, Kentucky filed a civil suit to have it returned.

The states reached a settlement in the case this week and the boulder will soon be sent to a storage facility in Greenup County.

Kentucky Heritage Council director Mark Dennen says he and his colleagues must now find a location to display the rock to the public.

“It can be outside, it could be indoors,” he says. “It doesn’t need to be in a climate-controlled environment. What we do want to make sure is that we’re protecting it, to a certain extent, from the elements, and, most importantly, we want to make sure it’s protected from vandalism.”

Dennen says educational materials will be produced to accompany the display. Funding for the display has not yet been secured.

Story and Photo from news.google.gom.

Luke 19:28-40 (NLT)

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry
 28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?”

 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. 36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
      Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about rocks?
Can you imagine the stories that Indian Head Rock could tell if it could speak?  Stories dating back to the Native Americans who might have carved that face into the hard surface.  Stories from today about two states fighting over whose rock it is and where it belongs.  Can you picture a rock telling stories?  Can you picture a rock "bursting into cheers"?  It's nearly impossible to imagine, but Jesus himself said that if the people would have kept quiet that day that he rode into Jerusalem, the rocks would have done just that.  Why?
 
We are often reminded of today's God's Story scripture at the beginning of Easter week, as we celebrate Palm Sunday.  Yet the climate of the day Jesus road into Jerusalem was very political, much like the week that is just ending.  Yes, politcal.  Check out what Tyndale's Life Application Study Bible Notes have to say about this passage ...

The people who were praising God for giving them a king had the wrong idea about Jesus.  They expected him to be a national leader who would restore their nation to its former glory, and thus they were deaf to the words of their prophets and blind to Jesus' real mission.  When it became apparent that Jesus was not going to fulfill their hopes, many people turned against him ... Jesus wasn't setting up a powerful political kingdom but he was establishing God's eternal Kingdom, a reason for the greatest celebration of all.

How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
Who is praising Jesus louder right now? Is it You, or is it the rocks along the side of the road?  Here are some suggestions to turn up your volume on praising Jesus ...

  • Carve out some time this weekend to be alone with Jesus. 
  • Talk to him out loud, thanking him for all he has done in your life this week.
  • Sing his praises, literally sing them. Find a place where you can sing loudly, whether you sing in tune or not, to an audience of One.

How can I connect Today's Story, My Story and God's Story to Others?
It's not very likely that you or any of your friends have seen Today's Story.  You might, however, have the oppotunity to see a rock or two in your community.  Be intentional about starting conversations with your friends who aren't yet following Jesus.  If you live in a community with a river, a state line, or large rocks, you could have some great conversations about Today's Story, and therefore today's God's Story scripture.

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