(lent) 13

13.


the unluckiest number. Hotels notoriously do not have a floor labeled the '13th' floor. Friday the 13th is also known as an unlucky day (thanks in part to the campy Friday the 13th horror film franchise)

the number of Dan Marino, the second most prolific passer in NFL history. Although he had great statistics and numerous chances, he was never able to lead the Dolphins to a Super Bowl victory.

the age in which one becomes a teenager.

the youngest age to see a PG-13 movie. this new rating was introduced in 1984 after parental uproar over excessive violence in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins. The first movie to be branded PG-13 was Red Dawn. The First PG-13 movie I saw was Police Academy 2.

the name of a mildly controversial film about life as a Thirteen year old.

the amount of the original colonies in the United States. (Can you name them?)

number of loaves in a Bakers Dozen.

Apollo 13 was the only unsuccessful mission by the United States of America intended to land humans on the moon. The mission launched on April 11, 1970 at 13:13 CST. The explosion of an oxygen tank on April 13, 1970 caused severe problems before the astronauts were able to return to Earth. The events were later captured on celluloid by Ron Howard in 1995. the film starred Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Gary Sinese and received critical acclaim.

The fear of the number 13 is called Triskaidekaphobia.

number of total people in Jesus' entourage: him + the 12.

the chapter in John when Jesus flips what it means to be Master. He flips it when he humbles himself and begins to serve them, washing the disciples feet. right then and there, an example is set for the disciples. leaders serve. Right then and there Jesus empowers them to 'do as I do.' plain and simple.
the faith Jesus had in the 12... the faith He has in you... to go and do likewise... to 'do as I do.' do you believe it? do you perceive it?
Here we have Jesus saying 'you can do what I do.' and later on he'd remind them 'anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.' (John 14:12)

empowering. encouraging. do we have faith in Jesus? He has faith in us! He has faith in YOU! embrace that.

the number 13 should not be feared. this message should not be feared. clinch this message in your hand. keep it close to your heart... and may you be compelled to act upon it, knowing full well that Christ believes in you.

go. serve. lead. for Christ's sake.