April 8 Raised with Christ

Col 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
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Hmmmm... what did the Apostle Paul mean when he said that I have been raised with Christ? It is Easter Sunday. We know this... He is Risen!

And me? How does this effect me?

My sins were on that cross with Him when He died. He arose and conquered sin.

I accepted Christ's work on the cross for my sins by asking God's forgiveness and for Christ's work to be applied to my heart. In that, I renounced my sin and a sinful lifestyle.

Therefore I have been raised with Christ too. Wow.

Where is my wonderful Lord now? At the right hand of God.

Where should my heart and mind be? My thoughts, my heart, my passions ought to be set and intentional toward higher things.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.

Post note: I hope to continue with a devotional daily blog like this after Easter. I will have a link to this site.

This photo was taken in our living room this morning. We have the grave and the crucifix set from Fontanini. Everyone seems to go hog wild on Christmas decorations. I have started collecting some spiritual themed Easter decorations for our home. I get them mostly on e-bay as they are pricey items. http://www.fontanini.net/ The Easter stuff is in the Life of Christ series.

April 7 The Wait

Ro 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

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When I was little, I heard that God answers prayer in 3 ways. "Yes," "no," and "wait awhile."

Some days it feels like I'm always waiting. Waiting for God to show me His will. Waiting for Him to answer prayer. Waiting for Him to help a challenging situation be more tolerable.

But waiting is what we do. There's something about faith in the midst of patience that God likes. The disciples and His followers actually lost hope after Jesus died. They forgot His promise to rise again.

Sometimes waiting feels like God forgot. Like maybe He died and is buried in the tomb. He'll never deliver.

Wait.

This photo was taken a couple mornings ago in our backyard. The tulip has unfolded now - but I had to WAIT for it!

April 6 Thorns Hurt

Mt 27:29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said.
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The Soldiers
Hands struggled
To twist
Thorny branches
Around
The Prize
Is ready
In a purple robe
He is crowned
See the glistening
Red jewels

Thorns hurt. When I tried to prune some wild rose bushes in our back yard, my hands hurt for days.

Thorns hurt. He suffered. He was mocked and teased. He was brutally killed. He died.

For me.
For you.

This photo was taken in our back yard this morning of the wild rose bushes.

This poem was written by me in a college creative writing class during Easter.

April 5 Brokeness

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

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Today is Maundy Thursday. On this day of Holy Week the church reflects on the night Jesus was with His disciples celebrating passover right before He died on the cross.

Jesus took bread and broke it. Was He thinking at that moment what it would take to break Him?

He knew He had to die on the cross.
He knew that He would raise from the dead.

He knew that He would live eternally.
He knew this sacrifice would save me from my sins.
He knew He would be broken for me.

Some days I feel broken, beaten down and discouraged. We all do. But on days like that, I usually pray more asking for God's help. When I feel like I can't do it, I come to Him.

Curiously, in the Psalms, God reveals how much He appreciates a broken attitude. Thank you, Lord for modeling brokeness for me.

Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

This photo was taken yesterday morning in our backyard with a communion set.

April 4 Christ's Love

II Cor 5:4 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all.

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Christ's sacrifice for all mankind is such amazing love.

This is what must drive my Holy week... my life.

Help me, Lord, to love others like you do.

Motivate me. Compel me.

Worship chorus:

Amazing love, how can it be, that you my king would die for me. Amazing love, I know it’s true. It’s my joy to honor you. Amazing love, how can it be that you My king would die for me. Amazing love, I know it’s true. It’s my joy to honor you. In all I do I honor you.

Photo taken this morning in our flower bed.

April 3 Perishable

1Cor 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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Grass. Sometimes beautiful and lush. Sometimes full of dandelions, or brown and patchy. When we lived in San Antonio, TX it seemed impossible to have nice grass. Even with TruGreen Chemlawn, and all their advice, we still had dying patches.

The Bible tells us that grass will wither (Is. 40:7). It is perishable. So are people according to Psalm 103: 15.

The cross of Christ is not a perishable thing.

We are. Especially without the cross.

By the blood of Christ on the cross, we are given eternal life. That's amazing. That's powerful.

If one doesn't know about this, it sounds absurd.

Don't perish. Embrace everlasting life.

For me.

For you.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (King James Version)

This photo was taken last Saturday morning in the meadow near our home.

April 2 In His Steps

I Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

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This verse was the inspiration for the book, "In His Steps" that spearheaded the question, "What would Jesus do?"

Holy week is the perfect time for me to reflect on this. Christ's life wasn't an easy one - especially His last week before His death. He was misunderstood, set up, betrayed by friends, beaten...

Yet in everything that happened He kept the faith. He stayed close to God the Father. He prayed. He loved those around Him. He was gentle and kind.

Help me, Lord, to follow in Your steps.

This photo was taken yesterday at a castle a couple miles from our home. The date on the crucifix is 1704.

April 1 Palm Branches for the Lamb

Rev 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

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Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week. Our last week of Lent.

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (John 12:13, Psalm 118:25-26)

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." (Rev.5:12)

The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29) is worthy of my praise. Telescopically from Palm Sunday in Jerusalem, to thousands of years as the church celebrates this day, to my own homage in my heart, to the end of the ages when people from every nation and language honor Him.... He is worthy of all praise.

This is the refrain of one of my favorite hymns:

Refrain
I will praise Him! I will praise Him!
Praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
Give Him glory, all ye people,
For His blood can wash away each stain.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/w/iwillpra.htm

This photo was taken recently near our home.

March 31 Draw Near to God

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
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I approach the end of Lent... heading in to Holy Week. For five weeks I've meditated on nails, blood, suffering, my sinful nature... these things that have put my Lord on the Cross.

Life has joy, life has sorrow. Some days these past five weeks have been hard. Life is like that. This devotional site has often been the highlight of my day. It reminds me of the strength that comes from my Lord in spite of any struggles I face.

I love today's verse.

Draw near to God.
Draw near with a sincere heart.
Draw near with full assurance.
Draw near in faith.
Draw near cleansed.
Draw near without a guilty conscience.
Draw near washed pure.

Draw near.

I do, Lord.

Today's photo was taken this morning at a brook in the woods behind our house.

March 30 Come Closer

Ephesians 3:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

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"If God seems far away, guess who moved?" I heard this quote for the first time when I was in high school. It was on a group of stickers I put around my space.

There are times in our life that God seems far away. Before come to know Him in a personal way. When we are living a life that isn't pleasing to Him. When we are depressed and don't care about much of anything.

But He made a way for us to be so close to Him. Through His blood, He is our dearest friend. He is closer than a brother. He is never far. He is as close as we let Him be.

I need to sense your presence, Lord, in a fresh way. Teach me how to draw closer each day.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

This photo was taken recently a block from our house (the other direction from the sheep). The horses are far away in the pasture.

March 29 Pampered

Ephesians 1: 7-8a In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us.

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Women, what makes you feel pampered? Chocolates? New jewelry? A day at the spa?

Guys, what makes you feel grace and love lavished upon you? You come home from a tough day and the wife has bread in the bread maker? Steak and ribs? A back rub? A hike to the top of a mountain?

God has forgiven us. Redemption in this verse implies the Old World concept of being released from a terrible prison sentence.

Released from the prison of our sins. Paul uses the term "riches" related to God 6 times in the book of Ephesians. God is so good to us. He longs to lavish His grace and love on us.

Let Him.

He did it.

For me.

For you.

March 28 Crucified with Christ? WHAT!?

Galatians 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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So I go to the garage, looking for a rough piece of wood. Can't find that. Instead I find a nice smooth piece for woodworking. That'll do. Next I place my hand on it and imagine the nail... that large rusty nail probably covered with tetanus germs slamming into my wrist or my palm.

Wake me up from this nightmare!

Such a pretty verse, sung so sweetly by Phillips Craig and Dean. Sorry, I can't seem to find a good clip of it online to share!

How horrifying to imagine myself crucified. And yet that is the attitude I should take about my sins. Put them to a horrible death. Live for God. He did it. With His strength, I can live for Him.

This photo was taken this morning with wood from our garage. Taken with my left hand.

March 27 The Price

1Co 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.


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How much for my soul?
How much?
How much did He pay for my Soul?

A coin here.
A bill there.
My tax return.

How much did He pay for my Soul?

The blood.
His blood.
That messy stuff.
From His hands.
From His feet.
From His side.

How much for my soul?
How much?
How much did He pay for my Soul?

This photograph was taken this morning in the dew. My husband recently had a business trip to Turkey and brought back this lovely coin purse. The shiny coins and bills are a mix of Euros, US dollars and cents, and Turkish change.

March 26 The Joy of the Prize

Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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The JOY set before Christ? Was that like a medal that awaits at the finish line of a race? The medal was my Salvation? Yes, that must be it!

First of all, He had my salvation (and the world's) in mind when He headed to the cross. It helped Him endure the cross. It helped Him get over the shame of taking on my sins and the sins of the world. He thought of ME and what He'd do for me and it got Him through the worst day of His life. His death.

Because He got through it by thinking of me, I can get through anything by thinking of Him!

When I fix my eyes on Him, and what He made it through to do for me... I can get through my own suffering and inadequacies.

OK, this photo is not going to win any contests. Here's the story. I took an award my son got in high school this morning after I wrote the devotional. I photographed it by our ivy in the sun to get the medal to shine. Of course my reflection ended up in it, taking the picture. Yet, I thought... how appropriate! I am the prize, the medal, that Christ thought of when He went to the cross. So the photo works for today!

March 25 Oh Joy

Romans 5:11 We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
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Reconciliation is making a relationship smooth between two people. I need this, through the grace of our Lord, for my daily relationships. But I also need this on a much bigger level. With Him.

Because of the cross, I am now reconciled... my relationship is smoothed over, with Him...God. My relationship with Him is pure and right. Nothing between us. And that is joy.

I think of the chorus of this hymn... "Nothing Between."

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,

So that His blessed face may be seen;

Nothing preventing the least of His favor,

Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

http://www.hymnal.net/cgi-bin/hymns/index?t=h&n=372

The photo of today was taken at lunch time. I bought some German frozen fries yesterday that look like smiley faces. They were so cute I had to take their photo. They were delcious. Husband ate them with ketchup. Yum.

March 24 Leap For Joy

Hebrews 10: 17b-18 "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

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There's so much in these verses related to things I have been meditating on.

God will remember my sins no more! (Help me not to dwell on them either). Yippee!

AND when these sins have been forgiven, there is no longer any need for further sacrifices. Once and for all. The book of Hebrews makes that so clear. Christ doesn't need to die again and again. And that lamb that is leaping? Well, he will never need to be a sacrifice on the alter for someones sins.

Shout to the Lord! Leap for joy! My sins are forgiven, and it is no small matter.

http://www.spiritandsong.com/jukebox/songs/66872

This photo was taken last week a block from our home. This was the only successful photo that captured the spring in the step of the lambs. They jumped straight up. They kicked their hind legs. They ran into each other and butted heads. What an example of sheer joy to be alive.

March 23 Far and Away

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us...
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Sometimes I just can't let go, Lord. When I am called up short I feel just terrible. I am a people pleaser. I think I am a God pleaser too. I really, really want to keep in Your favor and live right.

But that means letting go and feeling the freedom of forgiveness when I've told You I'm sorry for my sins. Sometimes when I've gotten angry, or done something else that displeases You... I ask for Your forgiveness. Then I just can't let go. I keep thinking about it.

I must believe YOU when you tell me these sins are now GONE!

Song by Audio Adrenaline

They're all behind you

They'll never find you

They're on the ocean floor

Your sins are forgotten

They're on the bottom

Of the ocean floor

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/OceanFloor.asp

Childhood song:

Gone, gone, gone, gone
Yes my sins are gone.
Now my soul is free
And in my heart's a song.
Buried in the deepest sea
Yes that's good enough for me
I shall live eternally
Praise God
My sins are
G-O-N-E, Yes my sins are gone.




I took this photo about 2 weeks ago in a town on the Mosel River in the region of Bernkastle-Kues. I took it from a castle on the hill. Looking over the hills and the river is a small reminder of how far the east is from the west - the great expanse.

March 22 Whiter than Snow

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

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Once again, late March, I awoke to snow coming down. Changing my selected verse for today to Isaiah 1:18, I ran outside to find a fresh illustration.

What do you think about the garbage cans? You can see the snow coming down... the patterns of the white stuff dancing around them and settling on the lids. Snow makes even garbage cans look interesting.

Similarly Christ covers our garbage with His purity. But He does more than cover it. He transforms it to be whiter than snow. Like it is no more.

This photograph was taken in our neighborhood a few minutes ago.

March 21 Once and For All

Hebrews 10:10 ...We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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"Jesus, could you die on the cross again? My friend just sinned again."

How preposterous!

Yet why doesn't Jesus need to die each time someone becomes a Christian, or each time someone sins? If you read the verses before this verse, you find that Jesus came voluntarily as God to the cross. (Hebrews 10:5-10)

A blood sacrifice for sin was required by God in Old Testament times. A sheep, pigeons, or even a young bull. It was like a temporary patch on a tire. Jesus, being fully God, and fully man, was a perfect person without blemish. His sacrifice on the cross was considered supreme. God. The perfect sacrifice. Once and for all.

Testament also can mean covenant. Have you ever thought why they call the two parts of the Bible the Old Testament and the New Testament? It is about the covenants God makes with man.

When Christ came, and sacrificed Himself, a new covenant was established that wiped out all the old ones. The old ones merely give us the history and the need for the new one.

Jesus. The New Testament.

This photo was taken recently in the field about a block from our house.

March 20 You Light up my Life

I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
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I have always loved kaleidoscopes. Last year my husband gave me one for Christmas. If you don't look at the light, you can barely see the vibrant colors in it.

Jesus, the Light of the World, brings vibrancy to my life when it seems darkest. Yesterday several issues made me feel very heavy. But I started the day with devotions and extra prayer. As the day wore on, it became obvious that in the difficulties, He was with me. Unexpected things happened to make it better... mainly from that "fellowship" with others.

Thank you Lord. You transform my life everyday! Help me to walk in the light, expecting to see you brighten my path.

This photo was taken through my kaleidoscope looking out the window into the sun.

March 19 Tulips in Snow

Ps 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
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Snow fell while the sun was shining as I awoke this morning. The tulips bursting with color peaked out and inspired me with their hardiness. They seem to be enjoying it!

That coat of snow makes everything look like a fantasy world that's clean and fresh.

Hyssop, referred to in my verse of the day, is what the Old Testament priests used to sprinkle the blood on items in the temple to symbolically cleanse them. (See blogs of last week)

I'm made whiter than snow. Hard to imagine. With the sun shining on it, it makes my eyes hurt.

That's pure. You are doing that for me, Lord?

For me.
For you.

This photo was taken this morning about an hour ago. The one on the bottom is what I saw opening my window this morning.

March 18 What Love Is

I John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
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We all know John 3:16, but who looks at I John 3:16? It, too, is about Jesus' supreme sacrifice on the cross. It goes further.

Amazing. Lay down your life for your brothers following My example.

Lord, it is hard to love like You do, sometimes. People disappoint me. I disappoint me. We're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.

I guess that's the point. I wasn't perfect when You died for me. That was why You did.

Help me to love others who fall short of my expectations.

This photo was taken in the Catholic church near our home. The Jesus and friend in the stained glass panel illustrates today's verse.

March 17 Only Son

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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There's something about babies. As a child I loved books of animals and their babies. I loved to go to the North Dakota Winter Show and see the new baby pigs, lambs and calves.

Today I wandered to a nearby sheep pen and caught a few really new lambs with thier mothers. Something precious about those new babies. And the momma sheep were so concerned that I not get too close.

It is normal to want to protect your baby... especially if it's the only one you have.

How astounding that God the Father sent His only Son to earth as a sacrifice for our sins. Why? So that WE won't perish, but have eternal life.

His only son.

For me.
For you.

This photograph was taken today near our home. I hope you won't get tired of seeing more of my adorable lamb photos in the days to come!

March 16: Context of Suffering

I Peter 2: 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

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Evaluating Bible verses in their context is an important element in studying God's Word.

This passage in I Peter sounds a lot like Isaiah 53, if you read the verses around it, too. If you read the verses before it in I Peter chapter 2, you find Peter is telling them to follow Christ's example of suffering as a way to live righteously.

Christ died for our sins to give us eternal life. He also died for our sins so we can learn to walk in righteous on a daily basis as a Christian.

This photograph was taken at our local Catholic church.

FEEDBACK: For those of you who read this post regularly, please give me feedback! I'd like to know for future use what you like about it, and how I can improve. Only a few return on a regular basis and I'd like to give more to folks to return to. The address: widowanderings@hotmail.com

March 15 Precious Lamb

I Peter 1: 18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

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Redeemed. Another big word associated with "Salvation," like "Propitiation" which I studied last Sunday.

Here's Webster's Online dictionary.

a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin3: to change for the better : reform4: repair, restore5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good : fulfill6 a: to atone for : expiate b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrieve
synonyms see rescue

OK, so Christ bought me back from the debt I owed to God. What debt? The debt of death for my sin. (Romans 3:23). It seems to work to say that by Jesus' work of Salvation on the cross, I was repurchased, cleared of my blame/debt, reformed, repaired, restored, fulfilled.... rescued!

God didn't do this with something perishable like milk, or even a gold watch or a diamond necklace. But with the perfect sacrifice of precious blood from the Son of God. Wow.

This photograph was taken from the stained glass windows where we attend church.

March 14 Messy stuff

Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
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As a nurse, blood does not make me squeemish. It stains a white uniform unless you treat it before you wash it. It is sticky and unpleasant to handle. And from my days in the Emergency Room, I witnessed if you lose too much of it, there is no more life.

The life is in the blood. The blood symbolizes life. That is an Old Testament concept. The sacrifice of blood for sin symbolizes a life given to make up for breaking the rules.

In Old Testament law, sprinkling blood on various articles in the tabernacle symbolized cleansing it. Forgiveness for an infraction against God's law was done through blood sacrifice.

An old hymn sings, "There is power, power wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb." Another one sings, "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus."

Blood. It's sticky. It's ugly. In movies, it's graphic. And yet... because of it, we have life.

The life is in the blood. Eternal life.

This is another photo I recently took at our local Catholic church.

March 13 The Fireman

Galatians 1:3c-4 The Lord Jesus Christ, ...gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.

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A Fireman. That's what Jesus is. My hero. The One who rescued me by giving His life to save me.

Why did you think they call it "Salvation"?

Jesus saves.
He saves me from the consequences of my sin.
He saves me from a destructive personal lifestyle.
He saves me from going to hell.

A fireman.

For me.
For you.

This photograph was taken on our recent trip to Paris. It is at the Church Sacre Coeur overlooking the city. Because of crowds for a concert, the firemen were there.

March 12 Pour Jesus

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

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There's a hymn called "Ivory Palaces."

Out of the Ivory palaces

Into a world of woe,

Only His great eternal love

Made my Savior go.

I find it hard to visualize the splendor of heaven. Clouds, streets of gold, grand palaces, musical instruments and millions of angels dressed in white splendor... But where did Jesus live in heaven? In a mansion? A castle? A cave of fluffy clouds and light? How did He feel the night He was born into a cold stinky stable?

I think of difficult places where I have lived. I think of times I had culture shock. "Why am I stuck here?" I've asked. Did Jesus feel that way on the cross? He left such splendor, and He was King of kings and Lord of lords. Next thing you know, He's on a cross with people jeering.

Though He was rich, yet for my sake He became poor... so I could have eternal life in that heavenly splendor that He once again calls home.

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Philippians 2: 5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/v/ivorypal.htm

This photo was taken in the center of our town, depicting a broken vessel, one spilled out and one standing up. It makes me think of Christ emptying Himself.

March 11 He's Got You Covered

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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In Him.

Jesus, perfect God and perfect man. He was the Good Shepherd who became the Lamb of God. The perfect sacrifice who took on the sins of the whole world. By dying on the cross He became a sacrificial sin offering for me. For you.

Why the frog under the cake dome?

When I was a missionary in Africa, I taught an Old Testament class. During a section on the tabernacle, I discovered the French word for top of the the Ark of the Covenant was "propitiatoire." It made me think of the English word, "propitiation." I knew since I was a little girl that Christ was sent to be the propitiation for our sins (I John 4:10 KJV). I knew that was a big word that meant He saved us.

I dug deeper, and found that the root of the word propitiation was basically "covering."

"He who had no sin, became sin for us." He took my sin, applied it to himself, and got on that cross. He became an offering for my sin.

Then He said... "I've got you covered, Diane." I have taken your sin and made it My offering. When you are in Me, I cover you. You become My righteousness."

2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

In Him.

He's got you covered.

This photograph was taken in our backyard this morning with our son's plastic toy frog under my cake dome.

March 10 The Good Shepherd

John 10: 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

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I have not talked with our German shepherds. (I don't speak German). Would they lay down their life for their sheep? I don't know. Maybe yes, maybe no.

In some parts of the world, some shepherds would. Their livelihood and reputation depends on it.

My Shepherd laid down his life for me. I am one of His little lambs and He delights in me. If I were His only lamb in the bunch, I know He would give Himself for me again in a heartbeat. He's that kind of shepherd.

This photograph was also taken near our home in Germany. I hope you're not tired of my sheep photos! I love this one with the little lambs. I especially love the two little ones at the far back center, completely at rest. That's what I want to look like when I'm trusting my good shepherd. If you double click on the photo you might see it better. Then click the back button on your brower to go back to the blog.

March 9: Lamb of God

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
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So young, so fresh. The young lambs, so innocent, were used for sacrifices. Lambs about a year old. Fresh, yet nicely developed.

Jesus was about 33 years old when He went to the cross. He was in the prime of His life. And He gave Himself up for the world.

For me.
For you.

What would it have been like to walk with Him when He was a human being? The wisdom. The gentleness. The glint in His eye.

His laugh? I love the scene in the Passion of the Christ when He laughs with His mother at the table. So full of life!

And yet, He went willingly as a lamb to the slaughter, to the cross. An early death for a man.

For me
For you.

So full of life. Eternal life.

This photograph was taken in the meadow behind our house a couple of weeks ago. I like the young lambs under the dark tree. Reminds me of the young Christ under the gloom of the cross.

March 8 Baaaa...

Isaiah 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

********************************************************************************Why did God lay my sins on Jesus at the cross?

Because I went astray.
Because I went my way.
Pride. Selfish. Stubborn.

Two weeks ago the sheep were in the pasture. The sheepdogs seemed to revel at nipping the sheep's heels. The woolly ones appeared aimless and dumb as rocks. The German Shepherds got them exactly where they needed to be. The shepherd merely stood at his car, nodding at the sheepdogs.

Those dumb sheep are a lot like us.
We don't know what's good for us.
We wander and explore.
We're stubborn and convinced we know what's right.

But the Good Shepherd, who is also the Lamb of God, laid down His life for His sheep.

For me.
For you.
Thank you, Lord.

John 10:11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

This photograph was taken about two weeks ago when we had sheep and young lambs in the meadow behind our house.

March 7 He Will Carry You

Is 53: 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

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Isaiah, a couple hundred years before Jesus was born, explained the "why" of the cross in chapter 53.

He took our sins upon Himself. He carried our sorrow. Not just for us but for the world. Even more amazing is that in that single day on the cross, He took upon himself the sins and the cares of the whole world.

I am so thankful that He understands every depth of sorrow I could have. He has been betrayed, mocked, assaulted, misunderstood, abandoned by family and friends, in physical distress, tired and at the end of himself... Surely he understands whatever I will go through.

Chorus of a song by Scott Wesley Brown

If He carried the weight of the world upon his shoulders,

I know my brother that he will carry you ...

If He carried the weight of the world upon his shoulders,

I know my sister that he will carry you ...

This photo was taken at the Catholic church in our town.

March 6 Touching His Hand

John 20:25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
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I sat down this morning and visualized being with the Lord in heaven. He takes my hand. I look at His scar and realize how He got it.

"Did it hurt, Lord?" I ask. What a stupid question. Of course it did! It went through sensitive nerves in His hands. I trace the outline with my finger. Tears form in my eyes. "Thank you, thank you, Lord."

He did this for me.
For you.

This photo was taken this morning... my hand with our son's hand. I held the camera in my left hand to get the shot!

I am not Catholic. I have been raised in the mission oriented Protestant denomination called The Christian and Missionary Alliance (www.cmalliance.org). This is our church today as well.

Aspects of Catholic/Liturgical church tradition have been helpful in developing my spiritual walk with God. I've taken advantage of Advent and Lent to prepare my heart for a deeper understanding of Christmas and Easter. This is generally not a part of most Evangelical church discussions. I don't necessarily follow the traditional Liturgical tradition exactly either. But what I do enriches my spiritual life.

The visualization meditation today I learned at a Catholic monastery in Atlanta Georgia (Monastery of the Holy Spirit http://www.trappist.net/).

Pray, meditating on a Scripture passage. Place yourself as one of the Biblical characters or a servant observing the passage first hand. Think of the sights, the smells, the sounds. Talk to the Lord.

I meditated on the doubting Thomas conversation. My thoughts and prayers turned to what it might be like to be face to face with the Lord in heaven. It was a powerful prayer time.

March 5 In the Clouds

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

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Wonderful! The prophecies from the Psalms and Zechariah brought us to the cross through John's eyes (see previous blogs this week). Now we anticipate (through the author, John, again) when He comes in the clouds as the triumphant, Risen Christ, to gather His own.

Having been a missionary, I long for people from all people groups of the world to know Christ as their Lord. This verse thrills me. God's desire for all nations to come to Him and worship is fingerprinted throughout the Scriptures. "So shall it be! Amen."

This is a favorite worship chorus to me:

Our heart our desire

Is to see the nations worship

Our cry our prayer

Is to sing Your praise to the ends of the earth

That with one mighty voice

Evey tribe and tongue rejoices

Our heart our desire

Is to see the nations worship You

http://www.audiblefaith.com/pages/sg200977

This photo was taken last week near our home. We've been having stormy weather with amazing clouds.

March 4 Love is Nails

John 19: 36-37 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
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Yesterday's scripture is quoted by John who was at the cross when Jesus died. Scripture quotes Scripture.

In college I discovered CS Lewis had some poetry. Not his best writings, but they made me think. He wrote a poem on Love. Here's the last verse.

Love's as hard as nails,

Love is nails:

Blunt, thick, hammered through

The medical nerve of One

Who, having made us, knew

The thing He had done,

Seeing (with all that is)

Our cross, and His.

This photo was taken this morning in our basement.

March 3 The One they Pierced

Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
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Telescopic. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah looks through his futuristic telescope and says what God reveals.

Jerusalem and the Jewish people have had trouble following God in the 6th century B.C. But God will pour out His spirit. They will understand.

But wait, there's more. The Messiah will come in a few hundred years. Nails through the hands and feet (John 19:37). The Roman guards did it. But the Jews, well, they pushed for it. But didn't my sin and yours drive Him to the cross as well?

But wait, there's more. Fast forward to the end of days. The Great Tribulation. The Apocalypse. Now that's REALLY what Zechariah was writing about and he knew it (see Zechariah 12:1-9).

Someday all will see the One they pierced. "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2: 10-11).

This photograph was taken yesterday at a church near our town. It clearly shows the pierced hands and feet of our Risen Lord.

March 2 Pierced

Isa 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

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What does it mean that Jesus was pierced for our transgressions (sins)?

The online Merriam-Webster says pierce means:
1 a: to run into or through as a pointed weapon does : stab b: to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully2: to make a hole through : perforate3: to force or make a way into or through.


In the Hebrew language, which the Old Testament was written in, the word for pierce implies death, often violent with perforation.

Rather ugly thing they did to the God I love.

God's Salvation according to Isaiah 53:5

... He was pierced to death for our sins
... This punishment He accepted brought us peace (with God)
... His deadly wounds on the cross healed* us (from our fatal diagnosis of sin's consequence)

Pierced.
For me.
For you.
This photo was taken at the Catholic Church in our town.

*This verse also tells us that there is physical healing in the work that Christ did on the cross. Some theologians would say it is related to illnesses that are a result of our sin. Others such as A.B. Simpson, founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, would argue that Christ's healing is in His atonement. This thought is often coupled with James 5:15-16 which says: "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

March 1 When I am Afraid

Psalm 22:16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
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Lord, you were surrounded by those bent to harm you. As dogs bare their teeth at their prey, you were hounded and snarled at. You must have felt cornered and under assault.

When I feel just a little afraid, looked down upon or under a verbal thrashing, remind me that you understand. Comfort me. I trust you.

Psalm 56:3 3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in you"

This photograph was taken of a painting in the Catholic church in our small town in Germany.

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Notes on Psalm 22. I have chosen passages referring to the Messiah being pierced to focus on this next week. As I studied this verse, I found that the Hebrew word of the original language used for "pierced" in this Psalm is different from all the other ones in the Old Testament and is rather vague. Even so, this Psalm is quoted a lot by New Testament authors and Jesus Himself quoted it while on the cross.

The commentary "Hard Sayings of the Bible" is helpful. It was published by Intervarsity Press in 1996. Editors are Walter Kaiser Jr, Peter Davids, FF Bruce and Manfred Brauch.

"Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David went beyond the boundaries of all his own sufferings as he pictured the one who would suffer an even greater agony.

Yes, David did see the sufferings of that final one who would come in his life; but he also saw that the Messiah would emerge victorious, with a kingdom that would never fail." p 267.

I encourage you to go to the right box for Biblegateway.com and check out the entire Psalm 22.

Feb 28 Intentional

Isaiah 53: 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him

and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.(New Living Translation)

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
(New International Version)
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On Purpose. Deliberate. Pre-meditated.

Intentional.

I have been mulling on this all week. God wanted this to happen.

The NIV Bible says "It was God's will to crush him." Why? Jesus' sacrifice on the cross became an offering to God. For me. For you.

Not only that, eternal life for those who accept that offering. The "many descendents"? Who's that? It is NOT the biological children of Jesus (contrary to recent popular media). It is the myriad of spiritual descendants who become God's children by His blood offering.

My heart is grateful, in awe, that God orchestrated this.

This photo was taken at a women's event I attended recently.

Feb 27 Silently to the Slaughter

Isaiah 53: 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

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Jesus, Son of God was flogged and beaten; marred beyond description. He was God but He chose to take it. The week before He was telling off the Pharisees at the temple. Not so on the way to the cross.

In the movie, "The Passion of Christ," we see Him crawl to place Himself on that piece of wood. He silently and willingly went to His crucifixion. Because it was for me. For you.

Ten Thousand Angels (by Ray Overholt)
Refrain

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

Click here for the rest of the words and the melody of the song:

http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/angels.html

This photo was taken about 2 weeks ago. We looked out our back window and saw the meadow filled with sheep and new lambs. I grabbed my camera went out there. They were there for 2 days and we haven't seen them since.

Feb 26 What Lent is All About

Isaiah 52:13-14 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him --his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness--

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Another Old Testament passage foreshadows the crucifixion.

The disfigurement of Christ's body is not a pleasant thought. Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ," graphically depicted how He was abused. It became visual to many of us for the first time as we watched that rendition of Christ's death on the cross.

But Jesus' abuse and pain is what lent is all about. Remembering. Letting what Christ has done soak into my heart for 6 weeks before the celebration of Easter morning.

Let me remember, Lord, and be thankful.

I took this photograph last Friday in our town. The gnarly bushes illustrate the stifling pain of the cross.

Feb 25 The Curse, The Blessing

Psalm 109:25,27, 28a I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads. Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it. They may curse, but you will bless...

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They cursed the Christ, but God Almighty blessed their curse. By His act of sacrifice for us on the cross, our sins are forgiven. God allowed it.

"It is your hand... that YOU, O LORD, have done it." (Psalm 109:27)

Why?
For me.
For you.

In church circles we casually parrot, "All things work together for good..." (Romans 8:28) but this is the ultimate example, isn't it?

This photograph was taken after a snowfall at a small lake near our house. The mirror of the tree represents to me how the same event can be seen in two ways.

Feb 24 Feeling Forgotten

Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

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"God, why are you so mean to me?" A couple times I've asked God this audacious question. He who knows all appreciates honesty. I love King David's Psalms for fresh, raw candor. Psalm 22 is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament. A lot in it applies directly to Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus quoted this verse on the cross. It fit. That's how He felt too.

He understands hard times. He understands when it feels like God has abandoned you. Or even when you just feel alone.

This photo was taken Feb 17th at the Pantheon in Paris. The height of the ceiling and columns made me feel small.

Feb 23 Planned Since Creation

Genesis 3: 14-15 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! ...I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
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Long, long ago in a land far, far away... the first couple ate forbidden fruit. God carefully explained the string of consequences for this first sin that hurled mankind into a bent towards disobedience.

To the snake Satan used, God hinted at the cross. This is mindboggling. Thousands of years before Jesus Christ's birth (yes, an offspring of Eve), this titanic showdown is alluded to.

During Jesus' lifetime, Satan repetedly tempts him, teases him and eventually crucifies He who is equally Son of God and Son of Man. Satan strikes His heel. He wounds him. He thinks Jesus is snuffed out forever.

Then from the grave, He conquers death. He lives forever. He saves mankind from their sins. Take that, oh you wiley snake, you! Stomp. Crush.

The photograph was taken in the woods behind our house in Germany a week ago. We've only had 2 days of snow this year.

Feb 22 In a Single Day

Zechariah 3:9b " 'I will engrave an inscription on it,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day."
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Isn't it amazing that the Old Testament clearly looks forward to the Salvation work that God has planned toward Jesus' death on the cross? This verse quotes the direct voice of God. The LORD Almighty.

Who will see that sin is removed? The Almighty.

How long will it take? A single day.

At the cross He hung for a day
A single day
To remove sin
For me
For you

The photograph was taken in October at the Himmerod Abbey in the Eiffel Region in Germany.

Feb 21 Gentleness and Encouragement

Isaiah 42:1ff "See my Servant whom I uphold; my Chosen One in whom I delight. I have put my Spirit on him... He will be gentle... He will encourage the fainthearted..." (Living Bible)
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Jesus was chosen and sent by God. One reason was to be an encourager. He is gentle. He encourages the fainthearted. How we need His encouragement for our lives. I love His gentleness speaking to my soul. I need this in my life that can get overwhelming and chaotic.

I long to pour out that gentleness and encouragment on others, too. Be my model, Lord.

"He won't be satisfied... until even distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in Him." (verse 4).

Give us a heart beyond ourselves, Lord.

The photograph was taken in December at a fishing village off the east coast of Mallorca, Spain.