I wish I lived in or near Wilmore, Kentucky. Why you ask? Because then I could attend the Ichthus Music Festival. The artist lineup is incredible. Skillet, Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Newsboys, Superchick, Francesca Battistella, and Josh Wilson are just a few of the folks performing. I also like the fact that Chick-fil-A is one of the sponsors. That company is very consistent with its message and it is always grounded in Christianity. Their boldness deserves to be recognized and supported. Anyway, back to the festival and all that it involves. They also have an outstanding array of speakers including Dave Ramsey. The Ichthus Music Festival is the oldest and longest-running Christian music festival in the nation. It was started in 1970 by an Asbury Seminary professor Dr. Bob Lyon and a group of his students as a positive and redemptive response to the 1969 Woodstock Festival in Upstate New York. Did you know that ichthus is Greek for fish. It was the symbol that Christians used to indicate that they were hosting gatherings. They had to utilize the symbol because of the persecution that was going on at the time. Does it feel like history is repeating itself? The other thing that I found unique about the music festival is the code of conduct. All in all, this looks like a can’t miss event. Now if I could just get to Wilmore.
I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...
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