Forgiveness

He Couldn’t Stay on the Cross

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After the crown of thorns

And after they beat our Lord

And after He cried “I thirst”

And a bitter cup was offered

After the nails were driven

And the thief cried, “Remember me!”

At the foot of the cross they gambled

While He gave His life on the tree

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Then soldiers were sent to see

If their deadly job was done well

They came and pierced His sweet side

Through that wound His blood was spilled

Then a thunder cloud roared overhead

While they stood looking up at the cross

And Jesus hung quietly still

While His friends thought all was lost

But He couldn’t stay on the cross after darkness

Was the rule they required that day

So Joseph of Arimathea

Came to take Him away

He couldn’t stay on the cross after nightfall

While he waited for Easter’s bright dawn

And the mighty breath of the Spirit

And the angel who rolled back the stone!
Dearest friends: In honor of our Lord I post this simple poem as a remembrance of all He has done for each of us. Have a blessed Easter and may you pause to reflect deeply on Jesus who has become our life through His astonishing choice to give us His on the cross!

God’s Idea of Everything!

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In the past I have to confess that my imagination on the word “everything” ran pretty shallow. My mind seemed to fill in the blank line of everything with ideas like – a nice house, a slightly newer car, or a big raise at the end of the month. But the way I thought ran into the brick wall of reality. Not that God hasn’t blessed us over the years by meeting our family’s needs in every one of these areas -but God’s everything has always been so much bigger than mine.

When the death of a loved one or a family crisis leaves me struggling just to get out the door then things that truly matter suddenly take on the luster of the eternal value system of Jesus Christ. On Calvary, all that was of greatest value to God was given for us on the cross. Jesus prayed for another way to give us eternal life, but none was found. When He bowed His head to say , “It is finished,” He wasn’t thinking of a Cadillac in front of our home or a college diploma on our wall. The “Everything” of God was given to us that dark moment when He had nothing left for Himself. In a heartbeat that stopped we were granted not only life that would be eternal but also Joy to face any sorrow- Peace that calms fearful storms- Love that stands by our side through the battle and forgiveness that welcomes His lost children home!

Blossoming Hope

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And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.  Luke 23:3

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For those of you who like me are gardeners you know that Tulips, Daffodils and other tuberous flowers are never planted in the spring. Instead we go out to dig up some corner of the garden at the end of October. At that time there are no blossoms whatsoever in the flowerbeds, but the earth is still slightly warm from the summer’s heat and it offers the perfect place for bulbs to make a home. Autumn rains then soften the bulb and while no one is watching it sends out tiny roots into the surrounding soil. Then, winter’s wind and cold freeze the ground solid. The tiny tendrils are locked in an icy embrace for four to five months. It would appear to the unknowing observer that there is no hope for beauty or blossom. Yet all the while, under the surface God does His mysterious work. Then we look out the window one early April morning and suddenly the bulbs amaze us with their brilliant yellows, whites and reds!KIMG1163

In the same way as the tulips and daffodils were planted so our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave forgiveness in the face of cold hatred, scorning and mocking. He freely forgave with no apparent hope of anyone accepting the pardon He gave. He was planted in the ground and then not only on the third day when He arose but on every day when His forgiveness blossoms in a heart His act of love continues to yield an abundant harvest!

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