Tomorrow I’m going to be preaching on Genesis 28:10-22, the text where Jacob has a dream involving a ladder — or as some translations have it, a stairway — to/from heaven. “Sure the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”
I’ll be interviewing Jack Maxwell, one of the most creative people I’ve ever met in my life. Jack has for many years taken notes on my sermons. But his note have no words: they are images and pictures. Many readers of this blog have seen Jack and Jill drawing while at preach at Highland or at Zoe conferences.
Jack has been working on the statue that is going on ACU’s campus. (Some of you may have seen the early stages between the Bible building and the new Williams Performing Arts Center.) His artwork seeks to recreate this amazing passage where God breaks into the sleeping world of a fugitive named Jacob.
I’m pretty sure this statue and the environment around it will become a favorite place on the ACU campus.
Now you’re talking my language. Some good old rock n’ roll. Well, I guess Led Zepplin is not necessarily good, but they are old.
Jacob’s ladder: Children’s Toy or Stairway to Heaven–I’ve intended to preach on that topic for some time. Thanks for the post and the reminder.
Speaking of artists, did you see the article on Harding University graduate and Juilliard voice teacher, Stephen Smith (’72), in the latest Harding magazine?
Quite an interesting story and one that might somehow fit into Jacob’s ladder.
Every church should have a Jack and Jill.
Peace.
Sounds like it is going to be a great day at highland tomorrow. I have seen Jacks work, he is good. Led Zepplin great too. RockOn Mike!
Led Zepplin, Stairway to Heaven, Jacob’s Ladder, Jack and Jill —-What have you been smokin’ man!
Theres a preacher whos sure
All that glitters is gold
And he’s preaching on a stairway to heaven.
When he gets to the invitation song he knows
If the hearts are all closed
With a word he can get what he came for.
Ooh, ooh, and preaching on a stairway to heaven.
I am looking forward to when “Balck Dog” will be played at weddings.
“Black Dog”
Well..U2 has been making some church appearances lately why not Zepplin…I got to admit you got my attention…Its a preacher trick…I am so excited to hear what Jack has to say!
I got to spend time with your amazing wife, sister-in-law and niece last night!
Oh great! Thanks, Mike! I’m about to walk out the door for church, and I have “Stairway to Heaven” ringing in my head. Well, I guess that’s better than AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell”.
Mike,
Led Zepplin huh? Is that going to be playing as the background music at Highland? That would be SWEET!
P.S. I had this awful dream, no, nightmare, that Highland had been taken over by the crazed dictator Mike Cope. I have weird dreams abroad.
Mike, would you please share the link to Jack Maxwell’s blog?
For the last year and a half I have been teaching a few guitar lessons. I finally have a student learning “Stairway”. I’ve been trying to figure a christian version of the song. It is such a great song for guitar. Most of what I play these days is Praise and Contemprary Christian. Rock On, Mike
What was that song playing during the PowerPoint of Jack working on the sculpture?
Praise God that you are finding ways for people with “creative gifts” to ministry through what God has given them!