Fruitful Words

Last week in one of my classes that topic was discussed. The typical answers are the Romans and/or the Jews. It always amazes me when I hear about how people/groups throughout history have been so murderously preoccupied with persecuting the Jews for this act.

But what about God the Father’s place in this magnificent event? Jesus’ part? And how did I contribute to Jesus’ death? Seems like these are the ones who should be held “responsible.”

God the Father. God’s love caused Him to send Jesus to the world to be the atoning sacrifice for sin. That means it was God’s will that Jesus die on the cross. Why? I John 4:14 says, “the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

God the Son, Jesus. John 10:14-20 records that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came to bring His Sheep into the pen by means of laying down His life for them. And He does this willingly. How does this metaphoric language translate into plain English?

Jesus willingly, knowingly, purposefully, and lovingly allowed Himself to be crucified so that those who belong to Christ (past, present, and future) could be freed from the bonds of death and have eternal life with Him. I once heard a song about how Jesus didn’t need to be nailed to the cross because His love would have kept Him there.

Read these words of Jesus in John 10:18, “No one takes it (my life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Me. Isaiah 53:5-6 gives us some information.

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.

I killed Christ with my sins. And as a former sinner, what else could I do but sin? Now as a Christian, I have the power, desire, and ability to choose to behave differently, although not perfectly.

After thinking about my part in Jesus’ death and what Jesus gave me anyway, I just have to humbly thank Him in prayer and song.

Here are some songs I’m singing today:

• How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
• Thank you for the Cross
• Make My Life a Prayer to You

What songs would you add?

We are a hurting people. Left to ourselves we tend to be destructive. We tend to isolate and envelope ourselves within a bubble of silence behind a mask. Or maybe this is only true of those I know?

I am a hurting person and left to myself I tend to be destructive. I tend to isolate and envelope myself within a bubble of silence behind a mask.

That’s why when I’m hurting, when I’m down I need help . . .

• Help to break out of that silence . . .
• Help to correct my thinking . . .
• Help to organize a doable to-do list . . .
• Help to go to God in humble confession . . .
• Help to love myself . . .
• Help to take that one next step.

(more…)

I turned in my Old Testament Exam on Thursday.

Studying Kings through Song of Solomon brought me to me knees more than once. I can so identify with the many miss-steps the Israelites took.

• The many times they turned their back on the One True God and followed their own ways.
• The many times they acted as if God was nothing more than folklore.

These books show many vivid examples of what happens when man abdicates personal responsibility and how God’s divine initiative keeps His people from exterminating themselves.        

Studying Kings through Song of Solomon brought me to me knees more than once. I am so grateful for the Love that pursued them and me while we were taking those miss-steps.

• The many times the One True God sought to catch my attention.
• The many times He showed He was more than enough.

Ponder the following song and allow yourself to be caught by God.

What if you’re right by Nichole Nordeman
He was just another nice guy
What if you’re right
What if it’s true
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true

What if He takes His place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love, and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then

*But what if you’re wrong
What if there’s more
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for
What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He’s more than enough
What if it’s love

What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That’s all you find

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told
And retold

*Repeat

‘Cause you’ve been running as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land
For so long
But what if you’re wrong

What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He’s more than enough
What if it’s love

What if it’s love

Hold Me, Jesus, and be my Prince of Peace. (Lyrics)

Jesus, You make me want to be Brave. (Lorna of Rancho, this one is for you.)

Help my faith to be active, Lord, and not useless like a Screen Door on a submarine. (See more… for lyrics.)

(more…)

Newsboys have a humorous recap of Jonah’s not so deluxe accommodation back to God’s plan. Click on the (more…) tab to read the lyrics.

If you missed any of Pastor Mike’s sermon’s on Jonah, go here to our church podcast site to download one or all four of the sermons.

(more…)

 Know why I have to read the Gospels every once in awhile?

So I can read about Jesus. And think about Him. And be amazed all over again at Who He is and what He’s done - for me and for you.

Tonight I played (not well but with feeling) some Christmas songs on my piano. Again - they point to Jesus, the Saviour, Healer and Lover of my soul.

And then I played “Mary Did You Know” about 11 times. It recounts some of the miracles of Jesus. Since I’ve read the Gospel of Mark about 4 times these past 8 days, I can vividly picture Jesus doing them. What a love Jesus has for us! (more…)

Check out these Michael W. Smith songs.

Agnus Dei You Tube video and and lyrics.

Awesome God You Tube video and and lyrics. Edited to add: This video does show some graphic clips. Click this to hear just the chorus - very moving.

Open the Eyes of My Heart You Tube video and and lyrics.

Here I am to Worship You Tube video and lyrics.

Forever We Will Sing You Tube video and and lyrics.

Draw Me Close to You You Tube video and and lyrics.

Breathe You Tube video and and lyrics.

Sigh. Music can point me to God. I feel ready to meet my world now. How about you?

Sometimes . . .

•  . . . Sometimes my heart spills out a grief I thought I had secretly locked away.
• . . . Sometimes I am overburdened with physical & emotional pains and I just know it’s gonna always be this way .
• . . . Sometimes my best intention or action is not good enough to heal a broken relationship.
• . . . Sometimes my “addictions” are stronger than Christ’s power in me. And I’m ashamed to admit that.
• . . . Sometimes my loneliness and depression envelope me to the point of blackness.
• . . .  Sometimes I need a fresh, tangible, personal touch from God.

Can you relate, sister? Will you join me as I Cry Out to Jesus?

Scroll down on this link and you’ll see the words and You Tube video for this song from Third Day.

If I may help you carry your burden, please email or call me. It would be my privilege to pray and love on you.  :-).