Daily Archives: January 29, 2020

Jesus rose from the dead. Its the foundation of what Christians believe. But is it really so amazing? Thats an unorthodox question, I know: but why? Why, as Christians, should we believe that Jesus Christ is God because he rose from the dead?

The fact that Christ rose from the dead isnt all that miraculous. Yes, Ive never met a resurrected guy before, but there are plenty of stories in the Bible (and outside the Bible) of people rising from the dead.

If rising from the dead is the foundation of faith, then why arent we worshiping Lazarus, after all?

If it isnt the resurrection that a Christian should base their faith on, then what? Its what came after. The part of the story that almost feels like a mere footnote; the part that some of the gospel writers didnt mention at all; and the part that doesnt even have a holiday attached to it. What is it? The Ascension.

Jesus didnt just raise from the deadhe Ascended into heaven.

But what does the Ascension mean, and why does it feel like just a footnote?

Before getting into why the Ascension is so important, its worth taking a detour to speak to the elephant in the room: Jesus ascended into heaven, so why werent people talking about it? Whats more impressive after all? A guy coming back from the dead or a guy straight up walking into the gates of heaven?

The Ascension may not be the most talked about event of the gospels, but it certainly was spoken of. Luke mentions it. So does John. And depending on where you think the Gospel of Mark ended, he did too. And lets not forget the dozens of places it is mentioned outside of the gospel.

The reason it doesnt take a more upfront role is twofold. One: it probably wasnt all that impressive. It wasnt like Jesus strapped on a pair of hover shoes and road up into the sky shooting lasers out of his eyeballs for all within a 300-mile radius to see.

The Ascension was a deeply personal event that was more for his core team of disciples to witness, and then tell the world about.

In reality, theres nothing to say he Ascended at all; the word Ascension is a reference to going to heavennot the action in which he got there. The Ascension could have been a portal opening to heaven for all we know.

And two: the resurrection was more important to the Gospel audience. In terms of the story, most new believers were most impressed by the resurrection account, and so thats what they were told.

The resurrection is important, but its nothing without the theology behind the Ascension.

So if the resurrection is what attracted new believers, but its nothing without the theology of the Ascension, then why is the Ascension so important?

We all know that Christ died for our sins; anyone whos spent an hour in Sunday school can tell you that much; but Christ went beyond that: he defeated death. He fulfills the promise to return to the Father, and he is no longer bound by Earth. Heaven is boundless. Christ can now travel anywhere and to anybodyfully accessible all the time.

But more significant than all of that is the fact that he ascended into heaven with the promise that something else would descent down on us: the Holy Spirit. With the Ascension, God is something that can manifest inside of us through the Spirit.

We dont know what the Ascension looked like, but we do know what Christ did before he left. And its moving.

He could have given his greatest sermon right before he leftand, depending on how you look at it, he did. He knew he was leaving. It was time to leave his disciples with parting words. But he didnt use words: he used an action. His final act on Earth wasnt a speech: it was a blessing. Luke 24:50 says he, lifted up his hands and blessed them.

There were words spoken. But its the action that is important to the Gospel writer. But its even more moving than that. His hands are risen in this moment. Who cares, right? Not exactly. This is a pretty small bunch. Jesus could have just as easily put his hands over themthat is what would have been expected. But instead the blessing is separated from themand even more: over them. Its as if hes not just blessing the disciples: hes giving a blessing that radiants over them to the entire world.

After the Ascension theres something else thats important. The disciples seem instantly changed. You see a change happening after the resurrection, but there still seems to be reservations and confusions.

When Jesus Ascends, the disciples get it. Luke 24:52 says that they worshipped him. Jesus isnt the teacher anymore; hes not the prophet; he is God. They are worshiping the way you worship God alone.

Jesus could have risen from the dead then Ascended into heaven instantly, giving the Holy salute to anyone there to witness it. But he stayed for 40 days. He gave his final teachings in those 40 days, and those teachings transformed the scarred and confused disciples into men of action who were prepared to go into the world.

Easter is a, no doubt, an important holiday, but when you want to dig in deep and really understand the closeness we can have with God, then look to the Ascension.

More:

Whats So Great About the Ascension - RELEVANT Magazine

Ascension St. John, operator of Ascension St. John Medical Center, has been involved in a pair of recent leasing transactions.

Ascension St. John has entered into a 10-year lease at the former headquarters of U.S. Beef Corp., 4923 E. 49th St., and adjacent warehouse. Ascension also has leased the 14th floor of Davis Tower, 1924 South Utica, to Professional Engineering Consultants.

At the East 49th Street location, Ascension will occupy all 33,930 square feet, primarily for its subsidiary R1, which handles various office functions. U.S. Beef became Arbys largest franchisee in the country before announcing the sale of all 368 of its restaurants to a subsidiary of Flynn Restaurant group in December 2018.

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Adwon Properties assisted both parties in that transaction.

St. John Health System merged with Ascension in 2013.

Over at Davis Tower, Professional Engineering Consultants will occupy 8,200 square feet. Nearing the completion of an extensive renovation, it is also home to Prosperity Bank, Ascension-St. John Administration, Lohrey & Associates, Don P. Quint & Associates, Sen. James Inhofe, Gates, Winden & Associates, P.C, Prescott Capital Management, Atherton Restaurant Systems Inc., Stolper Asset Management, Bluestem Escrow & Title and other local businesses.

PEC was represented by Tracy Ellis with KW Commercial. Amanda Adwon with Adwon Properties, Inc. represented Ascension-St. John.

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Two announced leases in Tulsa involve Ascension St. John - Tulsa World

GONZALES After studying and fine-tuning a list of proposed school construction projects, the Ascension Parish School Board's Strategic Planning Committee on Tuesday approved a final list of projects it hopes will be funded with a property tax renewal the school district plans to bring to voters in May.

The committee recommended a list of 14 projects, totaling $140 million, to the full School Board, which will vote on it at its next meeting, on Feb. 4.

DONALDSONVILLE An Ascension Parish School Board committee on Tuesday recommended that a bond election proposed for the spring call for exten

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The list, which was drawn up with the help of school district planning, construction and maintenance staff, includes:

$79.5 million for new high school to be built on Parker Road in Prairieville.

$27 million in renovations at East Ascension High School.

$7.5 million for artificial turf at each of the four existing high school stadiums, as well as the one that will be built at the new high school.

$4.4 million for a classroom addition at St. Amant Primary.

$2.3 million for improvements at Donaldsonville High School.

The School Board is planning to put a proposal on the May 9 ballot to extend an existing 15.08 mill property tax to fund bonds for $140 million in construction projects that would include those listed above.

The board plans to hold a series of special public meetings, beginning in March, to discuss the proposed ballot measure and project list with Ascension Parish residents.

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Project list for tax renewal going to voters in May OK'd by Ascension schools committee - The Advocate

ST AMANT, La. (WVLA/WGMB) An elementary school about 40 minutes from Baton Rouge is closed on Tuesday after a fire damaged one classroom.

That classroom in Lake Elementary School is considered a total loss.

Parents from the school received this message from the principal:

Dear Lake Lions,

This evening, there was a fire at Lake Elementary School that was contained to one classroom. The cause is not yet determined, but we are very fortunate that early assessments indicate only Classroom 119 in the fifth grade hall was impacted.

Out of an abundance of caution, we are going to cancel school at Lake Elementary School on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Students and staff attending the BETA Convention tomorrow can still depart from the Lake Elementary parking lot. There will be no access to the building.

We are expecting to resume normal operations on Wednesday, but a final decision will be made after a thorough assessment is completed.

Special thank you to the St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department for their quick response and actions to protect our campus.

Sincerely,

Jeremy MusePrincipal

Ascension Schools provided an update on whether classes will resume on Wednesday at Lake Elementary.

We are expecting to resume normal operations on Wed., but a final decision will be made after a thorough assessment is completed.

Special thank you to the St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department for their quick response & actions to protect our campus.

Jeremy MusePrincipal (3/3)

Read more here:

School in Ascension Parish closed on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution - BRProud.com

Friday, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System (UABHS) and Ascension St. Vincents are entering into a strategic alliance.

The two hospital systems announced that the alliance will increase access to high-quality, innovative medical care through multiple outlets and health programs.

Pending appropriate approvals, including the approval of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, the new strategic alliance will enable the two entities, which have a long history of collaboration, to further enhance patient care and address Alabamas most challenging health threats.

The two nonprofit companies announced that the new alliance will utilize innovative strategies to address health disparities, mental and behavioral health, and diabetes, with an emphasis on expanded access for poor, vulnerable and rural populations.

As health care continues to evolve, it is important for health systems to work with each other to provide innovative, person-centered care, said UAB Health System CEO Will Ferniany. It has always been our shared commitment with Ascension St. Vincents to remain on the forefront of this vital health care transformation.

Ascension St. Vincents and the UAB Health System have a longstanding, very positive relationship, said Ascension St. Vincents Health CEO Jason Alexander. We look forward to continuing to build on the complementary strengths of both organizations to serve the increasing needs of residents across our state.

Through closer alignment of each organizations many locations, specialties and expertise, the health systems will strive to better accommodate patients, Ferniany said.

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These positive changes will strengthen our ability to better serve our community, Alexander said. Our expectation is that, through this alliance, both the UAB Health System and Ascension St. Vincents will be better positioned to carry out our missions.

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UABHS and Ascension St. Vincents leaders both say that the new alliance will enhances their longstanding relationship and affirms each organizations ability to help patients receive the right care in the right setting at the right time, including those who need highly specialized care.

Ascension St. Vincents and UABHS have worked together successfully in many ways, including neonatal and anesthesia services. Currently, Ascension St. Vincents facilities receive admissions from UABs Gardendale Emergency Department and UAB faculty perform surgery at Ascension St. Vincents One Nineteen.

Alexander said that a closer alignment with the UABHS supports Ascension St. Vincents ability to achieve its strategic goals for the benefit of everyone the health system is privileged to serve.

Ascension St. Vincents joins a growing number of health care organizations to expand collaborations with the UAB Health System to improve health care delivery to Alabamians.

UABHS facilities will retain the UABHS or UAB Medicine brands. Ascension St. Vincents facilities will be Ascension St. Vincents. The two entities stress that this is a strategic alliance and not a merger.

Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told the Alabama Political Reporter, The strategic alliance will allow both entities to put patients health and wellness first, which will help improve the quality of life of patients in Birmingham and central Alabama.

UAB is the largest employer in the state and is already by far the largest healthcare provider. The entities they bring in to the alliance include: UABHS; UAB Hospital; University of Alabama Health Services Foundation; Medical West Hospital; Callahan Eye Hospital, Clinics and Ophthalmology Services Foundation; Gardendale Freestanding Emergency Department (FED) and Clinics; Highway 150 Clinics and Medical West Freestanding Emergency Department; and Acton Road. Ascension St. Vincents brings a number of hospitals and clinics into this alliance. They include: Ascension St. Vincents Birmingham; Ascension St. Vincents East; Ascension St. Vincents One Nineteen; Ascension St. Vincents St. Clair; Ascension St. Vincents Chilton; Ascension St. Vincents Blount; Ascension St. Vincents Trussville; and Ascension St. Vincents Medical Group. In addition while the Cooper Green Authority initiative is not part of the alliance, operations will be coordinated to enhance services for Cooper Green patients.

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UAB Health and Ascension St. Vincent's form strategic alliance - alreporter.com

GONZALESIt was easy for people to write off the East Ascension girls basketball team early in the year. Graduation took its toll after back-to-back trips to the LHSAA tournament.

A 1-5 start did not help the Spartans, either. Instead of reloading, it looked like EAHS was locked in a rebuilding season. Fast-forward six weeks and the Spartans are on the fast track.

UL-Monroe signee Sadie Williams scored eight of her 15 points in the second quarter to help power East Ascension past McKinley 47-39 in a District 5-5A game played Tuesday night at EAHS. It was the ninth win in 11 games for the Spartans.

We could have finished a lot better, EAHS coach Dennis Chandler said. We could have shot free throws better and done a better job of boxing out under the boards there at the end.

But this really is one of our better games. We had LaGrange (4A power) on the ropes right here in this gym and let them off. And we lost to Lee (defending Division II champion) at their place at the end. I liked the effort we got tonight.

"Weve got a decent little program going. A program goes from year-to-year by playing defense, rebounding and making easy shots. I thought we did those things.

Aja Causey added 13 for the Spartans (11-7, 3-0). Texas A&M signee Kenyal Perry had 15 for McKinley (12-9, 0-2), while Rutgers signee Erica Lafayette added 13.

The keys to success in this game were simple. The Spartans claimed the lead in the first half and limited chances for Perry and Lafayette. The combination of the two made it difficult for the Panthers to cut the lead below eight points.

We struggled executing the things we needed to execute, first-year McKinley coach Temeka Johnson said. Against a veteran coach and an experienced team like that you have to make sure you do everything you need to do. Tonight we did not do that. The good thing is there is always another day, another game and a chance to learn from this.

East Ascension built a 27-19 halftime lead. McKinley scored first in the third quarter to cut the Spartan lead to six. EAHS remained confident, often breaking down the McKinley defense to get an easy basket.

Williams was assigned to guard Lafayette, who has been one of her summer AAU teammates. Williams complimented her teammates on their helpside defense.

Were just trying to when games, Williams said. In the playoff rankings (power ratings) we're low and were trying to work our way up. The emphasis stays a lot on practice, which is harder than the games. Were trying to come together as a team so we can make a playoff run.

Link:

East Ascension girls grab early lead, remain consistent in win over McKinley - The Advocate