Under ‘I Thirst’ , the quote, “I am afraid to drink, afraid to grow in you, afraid of being loved, cared for, understood”, hit me like a brick to face.
Hearing an open and soft heart be so raw and honest about their fear to develop into something different; to carry that cross is shattering me.
I am not so sure. I’m afraid. I’m afraid of doing what no one in my family has ever done. I’m afraid of the what is coming. I’m afraid of hope.
I’m just a little girl terrified as she stands before the cross.
I think we end up on our own crosses at various points in our lives. Sometimes we put ourselves there by the choices we make. Sometimes we end up there because of the choices others made for us. Sometimes we put others there, too. I don’t think we can help it. Even if we consciously seek to be better people - that sometimes becomes its own torture device.
“Our judgement will always end up in the suffering and death of God.” You said on that video you made about crosses.
I agree.
That’s why I need grace. Because some days I got it. I can rock it and some days I couldn’t find my ass with both hands.
Thank God for Resurrection and the chance to just try it again.
Scott’s observation “That even in the midst of injustice, forgiveness is the foundation of The Kingdom of Heaven.” Truly resonates for me. I have long thought that this forgiveness offered from the Cross to those murdering Him was the moment when Jesus became the Christ, and the most stunning of all Jesus’s miracles.
This is so real and raw. I felt the wind taken out of me a few times reading these statements and thinking through the honest questions in some of them. Thanks for posting this for this week. Powerful way to move through Holy Week. Wow.
I had to look up the word "carceral" even though I was a prosecuting attorney for about twenty-five years. My only hope in this life and the next is in our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous!
Scott’s images are so powerful! A cross is a place of death, the cross is a place of suffering. The result of crucifixion (and repentance) is transformation, a new creation, a new heart.We trust, we submit, we cry out — and God does the work. We bear the pain, but He heals.
Carrying on is proof both that you are not forsaken, and that you are not deluded. In my own life I have allowed delusions to lead to crushing defeats many times over. But I have come to believe that’s precisely why there is something better and higher than the frail side of our human spirits that so often leads us astray. I believe that the meaning of being saved is that there is always a door to lead us out of the place we have shut ourselves into.
Of course, the alternative is also possible, which is why real and tangible doubt is a necessary part of my faith journey. Doubt includes periods of very real desolation. Believing something to be true is very different from ‘knowing’ something to be true. For me, faith is the former.
I have experienced many instances where I can point to the hand of God acting directly in my life. In times of doubt, I can easily explain them away mathematically.
I’m glad that I have faith (however frail) rather than certainty
I was reflecting on this with our global online Host Team Life.Church/Church Online, a few days ago. Even for those who might be a little ""squeamish", it helps to look at the Crucifixion in as realistic a way as possible.
Quite a lot of us, still get our thoughts on the Crucifixion, from our "forced" experience before Confirmation, otherwise known as Sunday School. As Children most of the message and the realism of the event, was probably lost. I mean, He's the Son of God...How BAD could it have been.
REALLY BAD...made even worse by the fact that Jesus knew this was going to happen, and how, and to what extent. Only offering a meek challenge when He talked with "Dad" in the Garden. But all of this was necessary for him to take from ALL OF US, all of our Sins...
A helpful way of looking at the concept is in 1 John 1:5-10.
It may also be helpful, I used it as an analogy when I was posted as a Congregational Deacon in Troy, NY. Everyday, again all of us, make a choice through our life decisions, to either follow Jesus' "lead" or each of us taking our own nail, drive it deeper in His flesh.
So, yes, by all means soak in the majesty that is "Resurrection Sunday. Also from Troy, bop a couple of beach balls around the sanctuary to demonstrate how happy you are. But, please, if you would, remember and do not forget, what it REALLY took to get Him there.
I am feeling so battered. Body parts seemingly out of warranty, despite all my decades of maintenance. Friends who have moved or drifted. This brings it home, lifts it up and offers healing. We so much need each other - even, or especially, if the other is alien or threatening. Thank you so much for this; absolutely the best way into Holy Week. PS: LOVE the picture!
Sharing the inmates’ reactions to the beautiful (and hopeful) images makes this the most meaningful Holy Week devotional I have ever read. I plan to save it to my “favorites” and re-read it in future years. I hope that the young men (or perhaps middle aged by now) felt the forgiveness that is offered to each one of us, in spite of the bad decisions we have made!
From www.prisonpolicy.org I found that over 1.9 million people are incarcerated at various levels and degrees in the United States. It is estimated based on current algorithms that no less than 50,000 of incarcerated people are innocent. I’m sure it was no different in Jesus time. When I went to prison, I was ready for a change in my life. Christ provided that change. He not only changed my views, my beliefs, and the course of my life. He changed my outcomes as well. He continues to carry me through this journey each and every moment. Thank you Father for this day, thank you for all the blessings that you send our way. In Jesus’ Holy Name, this I pray. Amen
Nadia - oh my. What a gift you have given us. What a gift those men were willing to give us too. These are beautiful - life giving - these will become my favorite Easter week readings. Thank you. Thank you.
We are all related. Take my thirst. Trauma. When 2 or 3 of us show up in honesty and humanity, Jesus does too.
Come Jesus! Help us be honest. Help us be human toward our fellow humans. Help us come together in small bunches. Help us listen. I am not sure about a sacrificial atonement any more. I really don’t want religiously built faith of half truths. But honest spiritual reality, honest humanity, forgiveness, yea, I could use that.
Under ‘I Thirst’ , the quote, “I am afraid to drink, afraid to grow in you, afraid of being loved, cared for, understood”, hit me like a brick to face.
Hearing an open and soft heart be so raw and honest about their fear to develop into something different; to carry that cross is shattering me.
I am not so sure. I’m afraid. I’m afraid of doing what no one in my family has ever done. I’m afraid of the what is coming. I’m afraid of hope.
I’m just a little girl terrified as she stands before the cross.
That's one of the most sincere prayers I've ever heard. Blessings
Amen.
I think we end up on our own crosses at various points in our lives. Sometimes we put ourselves there by the choices we make. Sometimes we end up there because of the choices others made for us. Sometimes we put others there, too. I don’t think we can help it. Even if we consciously seek to be better people - that sometimes becomes its own torture device.
“Our judgement will always end up in the suffering and death of God.” You said on that video you made about crosses.
I agree.
That’s why I need grace. Because some days I got it. I can rock it and some days I couldn’t find my ass with both hands.
Thank God for Resurrection and the chance to just try it again.
Scott’s observation “That even in the midst of injustice, forgiveness is the foundation of The Kingdom of Heaven.” Truly resonates for me. I have long thought that this forgiveness offered from the Cross to those murdering Him was the moment when Jesus became the Christ, and the most stunning of all Jesus’s miracles.
This is so real and raw. I felt the wind taken out of me a few times reading these statements and thinking through the honest questions in some of them. Thanks for posting this for this week. Powerful way to move through Holy Week. Wow.
I had to look up the word "carceral" even though I was a prosecuting attorney for about twenty-five years. My only hope in this life and the next is in our Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous!
Scott’s images are so powerful! A cross is a place of death, the cross is a place of suffering. The result of crucifixion (and repentance) is transformation, a new creation, a new heart.We trust, we submit, we cry out — and God does the work. We bear the pain, but He heals.
I wish I had the faith to say “My God, why have You forsaken me”
Instead, I find myself uttering “You are deluding yourself, there’s nothing there”
Doubt can be crippling - but I carry on, even if I am deluding myself.
Carrying on is proof both that you are not forsaken, and that you are not deluded. In my own life I have allowed delusions to lead to crushing defeats many times over. But I have come to believe that’s precisely why there is something better and higher than the frail side of our human spirits that so often leads us astray. I believe that the meaning of being saved is that there is always a door to lead us out of the place we have shut ourselves into.
there is always a door to lead us out of the place we have shut ourselves into. ... love that!
Thanks!
Of course, the alternative is also possible, which is why real and tangible doubt is a necessary part of my faith journey. Doubt includes periods of very real desolation. Believing something to be true is very different from ‘knowing’ something to be true. For me, faith is the former.
I have experienced many instances where I can point to the hand of God acting directly in my life. In times of doubt, I can easily explain them away mathematically.
I’m glad that I have faith (however frail) rather than certainty
Priceless ❤️🙏🏼 thank you so much
God bless you
I was reflecting on this with our global online Host Team Life.Church/Church Online, a few days ago. Even for those who might be a little ""squeamish", it helps to look at the Crucifixion in as realistic a way as possible.
Quite a lot of us, still get our thoughts on the Crucifixion, from our "forced" experience before Confirmation, otherwise known as Sunday School. As Children most of the message and the realism of the event, was probably lost. I mean, He's the Son of God...How BAD could it have been.
REALLY BAD...made even worse by the fact that Jesus knew this was going to happen, and how, and to what extent. Only offering a meek challenge when He talked with "Dad" in the Garden. But all of this was necessary for him to take from ALL OF US, all of our Sins...
A helpful way of looking at the concept is in 1 John 1:5-10.
It may also be helpful, I used it as an analogy when I was posted as a Congregational Deacon in Troy, NY. Everyday, again all of us, make a choice through our life decisions, to either follow Jesus' "lead" or each of us taking our own nail, drive it deeper in His flesh.
So, yes, by all means soak in the majesty that is "Resurrection Sunday. Also from Troy, bop a couple of beach balls around the sanctuary to demonstrate how happy you are. But, please, if you would, remember and do not forget, what it REALLY took to get Him there.
"...Friday's here; but Sunday's coming..."
My God, these words are powerful and redeeming. Went straight to my heart this morning. Thank you for waking me up and getting me off the sofa. ✝️💟
I am feeling so battered. Body parts seemingly out of warranty, despite all my decades of maintenance. Friends who have moved or drifted. This brings it home, lifts it up and offers healing. We so much need each other - even, or especially, if the other is alien or threatening. Thank you so much for this; absolutely the best way into Holy Week. PS: LOVE the picture!
Sharing the inmates’ reactions to the beautiful (and hopeful) images makes this the most meaningful Holy Week devotional I have ever read. I plan to save it to my “favorites” and re-read it in future years. I hope that the young men (or perhaps middle aged by now) felt the forgiveness that is offered to each one of us, in spite of the bad decisions we have made!
From www.prisonpolicy.org I found that over 1.9 million people are incarcerated at various levels and degrees in the United States. It is estimated based on current algorithms that no less than 50,000 of incarcerated people are innocent. I’m sure it was no different in Jesus time. When I went to prison, I was ready for a change in my life. Christ provided that change. He not only changed my views, my beliefs, and the course of my life. He changed my outcomes as well. He continues to carry me through this journey each and every moment. Thank you Father for this day, thank you for all the blessings that you send our way. In Jesus’ Holy Name, this I pray. Amen
Nadia - oh my. What a gift you have given us. What a gift those men were willing to give us too. These are beautiful - life giving - these will become my favorite Easter week readings. Thank you. Thank you.
We are all related. Take my thirst. Trauma. When 2 or 3 of us show up in honesty and humanity, Jesus does too.
Come Jesus! Help us be honest. Help us be human toward our fellow humans. Help us come together in small bunches. Help us listen. I am not sure about a sacrificial atonement any more. I really don’t want religiously built faith of half truths. But honest spiritual reality, honest humanity, forgiveness, yea, I could use that.
"I’m pretty glad to know thieves will be in paradise."
"Father, take my spirit as they take my life."
wow!