Word of Life Church Podcast

<p>Bread on the table is ordinary, but bread in the hands of Jesus becomes extraordinary. Bread in Jesus' hands during the Passover meal became an extension of Jesus’ very flesh. During Jesus' teaching ministry, bread became a feast for 5,000 people. During a meal with two disciples in Emmaus, bread became a revelation of Jesus in their midst. And we are like bread. Jesus takes us, blesses us, breaks us, and gives us to the world making our lives extraordinary.</p>

<p>This sermon explores the transformative work of Christ to give us beauty for ashes and bring healing to our woundedness. As Henry Nouwen states: "Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not 'How can we hide our wounds?' so we don't have to be embarrassed but 'How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?' When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers."</p>

<p>Haven't seen you in quite a while</p><p>I was down the hold just passing time</p><p>Last time we met was a low-lit room</p><p>We were as close together as a bride and groom</p><p>We ate the food, we drank the wine</p><p>Everybody having a good time</p><p>Except you</p><p>You were talking about the end of the world</p><p><br></p><p>I took the money</p><p>I spiked your drink</p><p>You miss too much these days if you stop to think</p><p>You led me on with those innocent eyes</p><p>You know I love the element of surprise</p><p>In the garden I was playing the tart</p><p>I kissed your lips and broke your heart</p><p>You</p><p>You were acting like it was the end of the world</p><p><br></p><p>In my dream I was drowning my sorrows</p><p>But my sorrows, they learned to swim</p><p>Surrounding me, going down on me</p><p>Spilling over the brim</p><p>Waves of regret and waves of joy</p><p>I reached out for the one I tried to destroy</p><p>You, you said you'd wait</p><p>'Til the end of the world</p>

<p>Oh life is bigger</p><p>It's bigger than you</p><p>And you are not me</p><p>The lengths that I will go to</p><p>The distance in your eyes</p><p>Oh no I've said too much</p><p>I set it up</p><p><br></p><p>That's me in the corner</p><p>That's me in the spotlight</p><p>Losing my religion</p><p>Trying to keep up with you</p><p>And I don't know if I can do it</p><p>Oh no I've said too much</p><p>I haven't said enough</p><p><br></p><p>I thought that I heard you laughing</p><p>I thought that I heard you sing</p><p>I think I thought I saw you try</p><p><br></p><p>Every whisper, of every waking hour</p><p>I'm choosing my confessions</p><p>Trying to keep an eye on you</p><p>Like a hurt, lost and blinded fool, fool</p><p>Oh no I've said too much</p><p>I set it up</p><p><br></p><p>Consider this</p><p>Consider this the hint of the century</p><p>Consider this the slip</p><p>That brought me to my knees, failed</p><p>What if all these fantasies come</p><p>Flailing around</p><p>Now I've said too much</p><p><br></p><p>I thought that I heard you laughing</p><p>I thought that I heard you sing</p><p>I think I thought I saw you try</p><p><br></p><p>That was just a dream</p><p>That was just a dream</p><p>That's me in the corner</p><p>That's me in the spotlight</p><p>Losing my religion</p><p>Trying to keep up with you</p><p>And I don't know if I can do it</p><p>Oh no I've said too much</p><p>I haven't said enough</p><p><br></p><p>I thought that I heard you laughing</p><p>I thought that I heard you sing</p><p>I think I thought I saw you try</p><p>But that was just a dream</p><p>Try, cry, fly, try</p><p>That was just a dream</p><p>Just a dream</p><p>Just a dream, dream</p>

<p>Come as you are, as you were</p><p>As I want you to be</p><p>As a friend, as a friend</p><p>As an old enemy</p><p><br></p><p>Take your time, hurry up</p><p>Choice is yours, don't be late</p><p>Take a rest as a friend</p><p>As an old</p><p>Memoria</p><p><br></p><p>Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach</p><p>As I want you to be</p><p>As a trend, as a friend</p><p>As an old</p><p>Memoria</p><p><br></p><p>And I swear that I don't have a gun</p><p>No I don't have a gun</p><p>No I don't have a gun</p><p>Memoria</p>

<p>Shine</p><p>Collective Soul</p><p><br></p><p>Give me a word</p><p>Give me a sign</p><p>Show me where to look</p><p>Tell me, what will I find?</p><p>What will I find?</p><p><br></p><p>Lay me on the ground</p><p>And fly me in the sky</p><p>Show me where to look</p><p>Tell me, what will I find?</p><p>What will I find?</p><p><br></p><p>Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down...</p><p><br></p><p>Love is in the water</p><p>Love is in the air</p><p>Show me where to look</p><p>Tell me, will love be there?</p><p>Will love be there?</p><p><br></p><p>Teach me how to speak</p><p>Teach me how to share</p><p>Teach me where to go</p><p>Tell me, will love be there?</p><p>Will love be there?</p><p><br></p><p>Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down...</p>

<p>If God had a name what would it be?</p><p>And would you call it to his face?</p><p>If you were faced with Him in all His glory</p><p>What would you ask if you had just one question?</p><p><br></p><p>And yeah, yeah, God is great</p><p>Yeah, yeah, God is good</p><p>Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah</p><p><br></p><p>What if God was one of us?</p><p>Just a slob like one of us</p><p>Just a stranger on the bus</p><p>Tryin' to make his way home?</p><p><br></p><p>If God had a face what would it look like?</p><p>And would you want to see</p><p>If seeing meant that you would have to believe</p><p>In things like heaven and in Jesus and the Saints</p><p>And all the prophets?</p><p><br></p><p>And yeah, yeah, God is great</p><p>Yeah, yeah, God is good</p><p>Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah</p><p><br></p><p>What if God was one of us?</p><p>Just a slob like one of us</p><p>Just a stranger on the bus</p><p>Tryin' to make his way home?</p><p><br></p><p>Just tryin' to make his way home</p><p>Back up to heaven all alone</p><p>Nobody callin' on the phone</p><p>'Cept for the Pope, maybe in Rome</p><p><br></p><p>And yeah, yeah, God is great</p><p>Yeah, yeah, God is good</p><p>Yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah</p><p><br></p><p>What if God was one of us?</p><p>Just a slob like one of us</p><p>Just a stranger on the bus</p><p>Tryin' to make his way home?</p><p><br></p><p>Just tryin' to make his way home</p><p>Like a holy rolling stone?</p><p>Back up to heaven all alone</p><p>Just tryin' to make his way home</p><p>Nobody callin' on the phone</p><p>'Cept for the Pope maybe in Rome</p><p><br></p>

<p>The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood to reveal God’s neighboring presence. God has joined us as us in order to rescue us and the world. The infinite took on the finite. Immortality took on mortality. The eternal took on the earthly. The God of creation moved into the neighborhoods of our creation in order to rebuild our neighborhoods. God is here. God’s neighboring presence is here with us and for us in order to remake us. In and through Jesus, God joins us in three movements. God joins us in life (incarnation) to be with us and we awaken. God joins us in death (crucifixion) to rescue us and we believe. God joins us in new life (resurrection) to transform us and we participate.</p>

<p>When by the grace of God we realize that who we've become is not who we are supposed to be, the good news is this: We can put our trust in Jesus, be reborn, and begin the salvation journey of becoming the person we were always meant to be.</p>

<p>Can the gospel be told as a tragedy? Obviously. And it certainly was by the Apostles. Before we jump to the triumph of the resurrection we must first face the tragedy of the cross.</p>

<p>The gospel is the divine comedy that begins with a ninety-year-old woman having a baby and concludes with a slain lamb overcoming all the monsters of the abyss. This is the divine comedy we’re invited join by simply believing that Jesus is Lord, and the joke is on the devil.</p>

<p>In a Voyage and Return story the central character travels out of their familiar, “everyday” surroundings into another world completely cut off from home. This other world is strange, different, exotic, and perhaps at first, exhilarating. But eventually a shadow intrudes. Things begin to change…for the worse. The traveler increasingly feels threatened or trapped. At some point they will need to return home—but enriched and transformed. Unlike the Quest plot, the journey away from home is usually by accident or a mistake—they pass through the looking glass, fall down the rabbit hole, or stumble through a wardrobe into another world. There will be adventures and dangers, but the story ends with the hero returning home, now with greater wisdom and a newfound appreciation.</p>

<p>"You seek a great fortune, you three who are now in chains. You will find a fortune—though it would not be the fortune you seek. But first, first you must travel—a long and difficult road, a road fraught with peril. You shall see things wonderful to tell. You shall see a cow on the roof of a cotton house, and oh, so many startlements. I cannot tell you how long this road shall be, but fear not the ob-stacles in your path, for fate has vouchsafed your reward. And though the road may wind, yea, your hearts grow weary, still shall ye foller the way, even unto your salvation." </p><p>-O Brother, Where Art Thou?</p>

<p>Rags to riches is the familiar story where we begin with an apparently ordinary, insignificant person, overlooked or even dismissed by everyone else, who suddenly takes center stage and is revealed to be someone quite extraordinary. And the greatest rags to riches story is the gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth.</p>

<p>The greatest stories, epics, and myths offer a profound insight into the deepest longings of the human heart, for as Ecclesiastes says, “God has placed eternity in their hearts.” In analyzing the great stories we discover that there are seven basic plots: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. All of these plots point to the true story, the true epic, the true myth that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this sermon we look at the gospel as Overcoming the Monster.</p>

<p>The gospel is first and foremost a story—it’s the story of Israel, the story of Jesus, the story of God saving the world. And this story is what all the great stories in one way or another point to—because, indeed, Jesus Christ is Lord of the Story.</p>

<p>The unique way Christians talk about God is found in ancient language. We say God is a Holy Trinity. We believe the one true living God, the creator God, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob has been revealed in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe in one God, one divine essence and substance in three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity is important and essential because it tells us who God is and subsequently who we are. </p>

<p>The church born on Pentecost -- the very first church -- devoted itself to four things:</p><p>1. The Apostles' Teaching (Didache)</p><p>2. The Fellowship (Koinonia)</p><p>3. The Breaking of Bread (Eucharist)</p><p>4. The Prayers (Liturgy)</p>

<p>Tanakh is a Hebrew acronym for the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings/Psalms. After his resurrection Jesus told his disciples, "Everything written about me in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. If we want our minds to be opened to understand the Scriptures, there’s one essential key: The aim and end, the Alpha and Omega, the promise and fulfillment of all Scripture is…Jesus Christ!</p>

<p>The Apostle Paul speaks often of the mystery of Christ as the supreme revelation of God, but this in not a mystery we can place under our control. In his poem The Magi, William Butler Yeats aptly describes the incarnate Word born at Bethlehem as "the uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor."</p>

<p>The landscape of our current culture seems to be filled with fury and it has left the condition of our souls vexed with anxiety. If we trust and follow Jesus, the one who cares for our soul, he will lead us, as the Good Shepherd, out of the landscape of fury and into pastures of peace.</p>

<p>Do you believe in ghosts? The disciples may have. Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, they wrongly assumed he was a ghost. This opens the door for Jesus to assure them(and us) that he has risen indeed. If Jesus has been raised, then death has been defeated, and we need not fear. Therefore, Jesus continues to ask "Why are you frightened?".</p>

<p>One way to think about the resurrection is to see it as Jesus’ first step towards ascension. Another way is to think of the resurrection of Jesus like a wormhole, a tunnel through time and space. From this perspective, Jesus went into death creating a passageway from this broken down world into God’s new world where all things are new again. In stepping through that doorway into the place where God the Holy Spirit is making all things, we have the opportunity to participate with the Spirit. We participate by stripping off everything associated with our old sinful nature and putting on our new nature created to be like God. We strip off everything that doesn't look like Jesus so we can be like the God revealed in Jesus. A new life is waiting for you. Are you ready for it?</p>

<p>Turning and turning in the widening gyre</p><p>The falcon cannot hear the falconer;</p><p>Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.</p><p>-W.B. Yeats, The Second Coming</p><p><br></p><p>In him all things hold together.</p><p>He is the head of the body, the church.</p><p>He is the beginning,</p><p>The firstborn from the dead.</p><p>-St. Paul, Colossians 1:17–18</p>

<p>ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p><p>Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor discuss The Harrowing of Hell in this special Good Friday episode. This is the last episode of conversations based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. We hope you have enjoyed this series and invite you to subscribe for future related content.</p><p><br></p><p>GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd</p><p><a href="https://wolc.com/twbtw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wolc.com/twbtw</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>Jesus Christ—the Logos made flesh—is the true icon of the living God. The world has at last truly seen God. And what is the climactic, definitive moment of God’s self-revelation in Christ? It’s the central event in the gospel story—the crucifixion. The cross is the pinnacle of divine self-disclosure.</p>

<p>ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p><p>Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor explore themes from the Lord of the Rings epic by J.R. Tolkien and more specifically how power should be handled by those who follow Christ. This episode continues conversation based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.</p><p><br></p><p>GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd</p><p><a href="https://wolc.com/twbtw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wolc.com/twbtw</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p><p>Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Derek Vreeland discuss the wild images and stunning message of the book of Revelation. This episode continues conversation based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.</p><p><br></p><p>GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd</p><p><a href="https://wolc.com/twbtw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wolc.com/twbtw</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>ABOUT THIS PODCAST</p><p>Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Derek Vreeland explore topics ranging from the betrayal by Judas to the Protestant presumption that there can be no salvific work after the moment of death. This episode continues conversation based on Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.</p><p><br></p><p>GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd</p><p><a href="https://wolc.com/twbtw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wolc.com/twbtw</a></p><p><br></p><p>FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA</p><p>Facebook: https://<a href="http://www.facebook.com/wordoflifechurch" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/wordoflifechurch</a></p><p>Instagram: https://<a href="http://www.instagram.com/wordoflifechurch" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/wordoflifechurch</a></p><p>YouTube: https://<a href="http://www.youtube.com/wolctv" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/wolctv</a></p><p><br></p><p>PASTOR BRIAN ZAHND ON SOCIAL MEDIA</p><p>Facebook: https://<a href="http://www.facebook.com/brianzahnd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/brianzahnd</a></p><p>Instagram: https://<a href="http://www.instagram.com/brianzahnd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/brianzahnd</a></p><p>Twitter: https://<a href="http://www.twitter.com/brianzahnd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/brianzahnd</a></p><p><br></p><p>CONNECT WITH A PASTOR</p><p>Do you need prayer? Are you new to Word of Life Church? One of our pastors would love to connect with you. Fill out the form at <a href="https://www.wolc.com/connect" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.wolc.com/connect</a></p><p><br></p><p>ABOUT WORD OF LIFE CHURCH</p><p>Word of Life is located in St. Joseph, MO. We are seeking to be an authentic expression of the Kingdom of Jesus in the 21st Century. You can learn more at <a href="https://www.wolc.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.wolc.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>GIVE</p><p>To make a financial contribution to the ministry work of Word of Life Church visit <a href="https://www.wolc.com/give" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.wolc.com/give</a></p>

<p>ABOUT THIS EPISODE</p><p>Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor discuss the role of beauty in the Christian faith. This conversation continues to discuss themes from Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.</p><p><br></p><p>Watch this episode on at <a href="http://youtube.com/wolctv." rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Youtube.com/wolctv.</a></p><p><br></p><p>FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA</p><p>Facebook: https://<a href="http://www.facebook.com/wordoflifechurch" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/wordoflifechurch</a></p><p>Instagram: https://<a href="http://www.instagram.com/wordoflifechurch" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/wordoflifechurch</a></p><p>YouTube: https://<a href="http://www.youtube.com/wolctv" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/wolctv</a></p><p><br></p><p>PASTOR BRIAN ZAHND ON SOCIAL MEDIA</p><p>Facebook: https://<a href="http://www.facebook.com/brianzahnd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/brianzahnd</a></p><p>Instagram: https://<a href="http://www.instagram.com/brianzahnd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/brianzahnd</a></p><p>Twitter: https://<a href="http://www.twitter.com/brianzahnd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/brianzahnd</a></p><p><br></p><p>CONNECT WITH A PASTOR</p><p>Do you need prayer? Are you new to Word of Life Church? One of our pastors would love to connect with you. Fill out the form at <a href="https://www.wolc.com/connect" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.wolc.com/connect</a></p><p><br></p><p>ABOUT WORD OF LIFE CHURCH</p><p>Word of Life is located in St. Joseph, MO. We are seeking to be an authentic expression of the Kingdom of Jesus in the 21st Century. You can learn more at <a href="https://www.wolc.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.wolc.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>GIVE</p><p>To make a financial contribution to the ministry work of Word of Life Church visit <a href="https://www.wolc.com/give" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.wolc.com/give</a></p>

<p>"Beauty demands to be noticed; it speaks to us directly like the voice of an intimate friend. If there are people who are indifferent to beauty, then it surely because they do not perceive it." - Roger Scruton, Beauty</p>

<p>ABOUT THIS PODCAST - Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Jacob Taylor sit down for a conversation about theodicy and centered on the idea that only the suffering God can help. This conversation continues to explore themes from Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent. </p><p><br></p><p>GET THE BOOK - The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd <a href="https://wolc.com/twbtw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://wolc.com/twbtw</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>Once a symbol of imperial terror, the cross has become the eternal symbol of divine love. When we look upon the cross today, we don’t see an instrument of torture and death; we see the supreme demonstration of God’s love. We see the lengths to which God will go to save the world.</p>

<p>Brian Zahnd, Cole Novak, and Derek Vreeland explore the paradox of God revealed in the crucifixion of Christ on the cross. This conversation continues to explore themes from Brian's new book The Wood Between The Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross. Follow for more episodes each Thursday in Lent.</p>

<p>The cross of Christ is the wood between the worlds.</p><p>There is the world that was and the world to come,</p><p>and in between those two worlds,</p><p>is the wood upon which the Son of God was hung.</p>

<p>It's nearly impossible to comprehend how shocking Jesus' call to "take up your cross and follow me" was to a first century audience. It would not have been heard as a call to a pious spirituality. It could only be understood as a call to martyrdom. And what could be more shocking than that?</p>

<p>The Uncreated Light of Tabor illuminates the Old Testament. The Light brighter than the sun that shines from the face of the Transfigured Christ turns the Old Testament into a brand-new text. At the Transfiguration we learn that Jesus is the telos of the Old Testament.</p>

<p>Everyone is searching. Everyone who hasn't given up and succumbed to despair and surrendered to nihilism is searching for something. And ultimately, whether they know it or not, they're searching for Jesus.</p>

<p>The fame of Jesus spread throughout Galilee, then Judea, then the Roman Empire, and then throughout the whole world, so that Jesus of Nazareth is far and away the most famous person in history. Fame is connected with fascination. We're fascinated by famous people—we want to know more about them. And fascination with Jesus Christ is the essential thing. But wherein lies the fame of Jesus? What is Jesus famous for?</p>

<p>To follow Jesus is to embark upon the risk of becoming—it’s the lifelong journey of becoming who you are meant to be. And this journey is always a risky adventure. There are gains and losses, successes and failures, victories and defeats. Sometimes you walk on water for ten seconds—and the next moment you're crying out, “Lord, save me!” And in that moment of risk Jesus does save you. But the greater truth is this: As long as you're moving toward Jesus, there’s really never any risk at all.</p>

<p>The story of Jacob's Ladder in Genesis has a powerful influence upon our theological imagination:</p><p><br></p><p>It speaks to us of the reality of another world called heaven.</p><p><br></p><p>It speaks to us of another order of being called angels.</p><p><br></p><p>It speaks to us of the possibility of a ladder of interaction between these two worlds.</p>

<p>One of the reasons that after nearly fifty years of following Jesus and after over forty years of full-time ministry that I’m not bored, burned out, jaded or cynical, is that many times and in many ways—including by dreams—I’ve been warned and wooed by the Holy Spirit to travel by another road.</p>

<p>Ours is an age of acute empirical perception that affords spectacular scientific and technological developments, but our age is also an epoch of dire spiritual dullness leading to a deep poverty of the soul. This lack of spiritual perceptivity engenders a profound sense of emptiness and meaninglessness. To recover meaning we need to rediscover the paths of unseen existences.</p>

<p>Monsters</p><p>Dave Matthews Band</p><p><br></p><p>Broke old toy soldiers lined up one, two, three</p><p>Little kid and everything I did just to save my paper queen</p><p>'Cause love won't let me go</p><p>Yeah, no army's gonna save my soul</p><p>'Cause love won't let me go</p><p>Nothing in the closet</p><p>Nothing underneath the bed</p><p>Just the monsters in your head</p><p>I hear strange voices at every step I take</p><p>No, you can't cross the ocean if you can't get past the break</p><p>Even if fear don't put you down</p><p>Won't you lean on me while I'm around</p><p>Oh, no rope to hang the dead</p><p>No line to save the drowning man</p><p>Just the monsters in your head</p><p>Nothing in the closet</p><p>Nothing underneath the bed</p><p>Just the monsters in your head</p><p>See killer's eyes and painted faces</p><p>The Devil wants your soul, but Jesus saves</p><p>Traffic jam is an angry maze</p><p>The Devil wants your soul, but Jesus saves</p><p>Chutes and ladders, pick-up sticks</p><p>Counting cars and counting bricks</p><p>Driving past the ol' five-and-dime</p><p>Can't get nothin' for a nickel since a long, long time</p><p>I won't let you down</p><p>Nothing in the closet</p><p>Nothing underneath your bed</p><p>Just the monsters in your head</p><p>No rope to hang the dead</p><p>No line to save the drowning man</p><p>Just the monsters in your head</p><p>Love won't let you go</p><p>Love won't let you go</p>

<p>The Holy Trinity is a sanctuary of perfect love where there is never any fear, discord, or sorrow. It is from this sanctuary that the the Holy Spirit is sent as the Paraclete—the one who comes alongside to help us.</p>

<p>John the Evangelist originally concluded his Gospel with chapter twenty. But sometime later, perhaps to affirm the leadership of Peter and to dispel a rumor about himself, John wrote and additional chapter -- a chapter that can be described as a lovely coda.</p>