“IF I HAD A THOUSAND LIVES TO LIVE I'D GIVE THEM ALL TO MY LORD - HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME - HE'S MADE THE GOOD TIMES OUT NUMBER THE BAD - HE'S BEEN THE BEST FRIEND THAT I EVER HAD - I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD." Judy Marshall BMI
Last weekend we had the privilege of worshiping at the Restoration Church of Auburn, Alabama thanks to our friends Valarie and Trent. The experience, (as with all real encounters with God) was one of the transforming variety. It was obvious that their praise and worship team is both gifted and called to assist the congregation in coming into a mindset, and heartset of His presence. He was certainly there!
I say thank you to Pastor Mark Jenkins and his beautiful and talented wife Nicole for their hospitality at God's house. Thanks goes out to them also for the music CD which includes them performing an incredibly anointed version of the song above, which in turn led me to write this journal item today.
Actually, we were in Auburn for a weekend retreat at Linda and Roy's, (simply amazing people) who I now have in my life thanks to my wife, Dale. I already love them both as if we've been life-long friends, and I say thank you for all they did / do for us. One of the highlights of the trip was the dinner party which was held Saturday evening in honor of my bride and our very special friend Fran. In just a few short weeks they'll be forever united through a kidney transplant operation, thus we celebrated, and a large time was had by all!
I already know that the words thank you are not nearly enough to express Fran's gratitude for Dale's willingness to give of her body, nor are they full enough to express Dale's appreciation to God for choosing her to carry out this wonderful act of love. Yet, thank you is what we have in our vocabulary to express our appreciation, so it must suffice once again in these situations.
Since I was first introduced to Dale she has been so at peace with her decision to do this because she knows beyond doubt that she is being led by the love she receives through Christ our Saviour. After months of testing, numerous evaluations and vile after vile of blood being drawn, last Thursday Dale finally got the call she always knew in her heart would eventually come. She was an accepted donor!
The celebration began while she was still on the phone with Mary Ann, the transplant coordinator from the Kirklin Clinic at UAB. She put the call on speaker phone and as the good news came across I simply swept her up in my arms and we danced in a joyous circle filled with both tears and laughter. What a time of celebration! I say thank you to Mary Ann for all she has done in this situation, especially the love and kindness she's shown my beautiful bride throughout this process. We've come to see just how special she is as a person that's so gifted and absolutely right for her position at this clinic. She's treated Dale like anything but simply "another donor."
I want to say thank you also to all the friends that came out Saturday night – especially those that prepared the scrumptious food items, which I partook way too much of. What the heck, it was a celebration! What's interesting is that there was never any discussion about what the mood of the party (which had been put into plan several weeks ago by Linda) would be like if the news Thursday had been the opposite. It was simply a given that it was going to happen, and we were going to celebrate.
This wasn't merely a case of us being overly naïve, for we all know this is potentially a life and death situation - especially since we now know that of all the patients recovering in the step-down unit with Fran after her last transplant (a mere seven years ago) she is the only survivor. We celebrate her life, her toughness, and God's mercy - all evidenced fully in this situation. We understand the seriousness of Fran's current health and we thank you God for your steadfastness in the situation.
On the other side of the coin there are folks (both family and friends) which we've encountered over the past month that don't believe the things going on in our lives are the "right" choices. They think the decision we made to marry before the surgery and Dale's decision to give her kidney to Fran are not sensible ones. Not because they don't care about Fran or because they don't like Dale or I, yet it's because they choose to focus more on the potential negative effects these decisions could have on us.
Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not being critical of those that care enough about Dale to speak words of caution and concern out of love. I take issue with the ones that have (for a lack of a better way of describing it) simply "attacked" her. Attacking her character, her values, her intelligence, her faith, even attacking her commitment to Christ. Some of it has been nothing less than ridiculous! One even went as far as to suggest that Dale was only giving up her kidney because of some selfish desire to make herself look good to others - as if she were giving away an expensive dress to be sold at the Saturday morning church sale to impress the congregation. Please!
The fact is that Dale refuses to allow anyone around her to make a big deal out of her giving away her kidney. She won't tolerate any non-sense to be spoken about how this is something "special" on her part. I guess I'll be in trouble for even mentioning it in this journal item, but her donating a kidney to Fran is not the point I'm trying to make here anyway. Oh yeah, I want to say thank you to the folks that have shown that they are not on-board with the things going on in our lives as well, for I suspect deep-seeded in their minds and heart they only want the best for us.
If there is a positive to all of this it is - that with each new verbal attack about our decision to marry before the transplant or her willingness to give up a body part to a friend we've found that it merely draws us more deeply into an intimate state of being. We're both firm in our belief that it is God's will we're following, and earthly responses have no influence over our lives. He truly is our audience of one. We thank you Lord for your faithfulness, and direction away from confusion and into an arena of peace and sound-mindedness. If you're in a similar situation then let me encourage you to be resolved in your position to do as God has called. Never give in, or give up!
John 15: 9 -19 "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done—kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love. "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.
This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you."
From The Message translation: the underlining is my own.
"IF I HAD A THOUSAND LIVES TO LIVE I'D GIVE THEM ALL TO MY LORD - HE'S BEEN SO GOOD TO ME - HE'S MADE THE GOOD TIMES OUT NUMBER THE BAD - HE'S BEEN THE BEST FRIEND THAT I EVER HAD - I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU LORD...THANK YOU LORD"
Whether you agree (or even care) about the things going on in our lives just know this - if we had a thousand lives we could live, we would live each one for God and then for each other, and I suspect (no, I know) that if Dale had a thousand kidneys to give, she'd give each one of them to someone in need - like our beautiful friend Fran.
For that is who He has made us - so we simply say Thank You Lord! doug
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ya-Ya
Even before I met Dale in person she was already telling me all about her "Ya-Ya" sisters. I guess I really have been living a tunnel-visioned life for a long time now, I didn't have a clue there were movies and books detailing the divine secrets of the Ya-Ya sisterhood. It wasn't because of a “man-thang” it was due more out of a “lost in my own little world-thang.”
Yvette, Andrea, and Georgia who along with their sorority sister Dale make up the local chapter of the Ya-Ya's here in Oneonta. What an interesting and lengthy plethora of stories they have to share about their adventures as well as their many misadventures. I'm convinced I've only heard those at the tip of the iceberg so far and can't wait to hear more. Afterall, I can always use new material for my writings.
Anyway, I watched the movie this week for the first time. It took me three attempts to get the whole thing in (but I did it, so men that just goes to show you how you can too) and I actually enjoyed it very much. I believe I liked the character James Garner played the most. Maybe, for me anyway that was the person that came closest to representing me in the movie. Ever think about how we look for that? If you have your own reasons for never watching this movie then let me suggest - you should really consider giving it a view, I believe its well worth the time. It's full of real life, messed up love, and the importance of working through all of the "stuff" in order to become healthier, happier, and more secure with the person we truly are.
_____
Sunday I began reading from the 1st. book of Chronicles (I know, its really not my favorite either) and I found that David, the mighty warrior that he was had his own little group of Ya-Ya's. In the 11th. chapter the writer goes into full detail (names and personal information) about David's closest allies, and in this mix was what he simply referred to as “The Three”. These were the mightiest of the mighty. An elite army of only three men that handled all of the Black-Ops for David. They were well known for thier slaying of hundreds, upon hundreds in battle. These guys were more than warriors and conquerers, they along with David made up the Ya-Ya's of thier day.
What's interesting is that only two of them are mentioned by name here. Jashobeam the Hacmonite, and Elezar the son of Dodai. The writer details the most significant reasons they were chosen to be in this prestigious group, yet the third guy remains nameless as far as I know. If you know of a place where he's mentioned please share this with me - I sure couldn't find it. I would love to know who this mystery warrior was. These guys would put their lives at risk for David at even the slightest hint from him, and it says that he truly appreciated their loyalty. (Read verses 15-19 to see what I'm referring to.) They were Ya-Ya's through and through.
The writer goes on in that same chapter to list some forty warriors by name who stood toe to toe with David's enemies, time and time again. Always declaring that the Victory was God's, and God's alone. Yet, still no mention of the name of the third member of the Ya-Ya's. You get the idea that this small over-sight (as I choose to see it) bothers me just a bit? I know, its the "little stuff" I have issues with. Dale reminded me of this again just this morning. I'm working on it honey!
sidebar: something I can't remember reading before, in the 22nd verse of that chapter it talks about how Benaiah, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel (and one of "the thirty") chased down and killed a lion despite the slippery conditions from the snow on the ground. Snow – it mentions snow on the ground, now that's something I don't often think about when recalling the adventures as well as the misadventures of young David and his battling band of Ya-Ya's. It also says that Benaiah slayed a man that stood seven and a half feet tall, which I bet really hurt the Philistine's chances of taking home the Olympic gold medal in basketball that year. Not funny, I know.
Anyway, back to when I was watching the Ya-Ya flick - I began to ask myself, who are my Ya-Ya's? Who can I count on in times of trouble, despair, and heartbreak? Who would be willing to stand toe to toe in battle with my enemies simply out of the love they have for me? Ask yourself that question. You probably already know the answer. I, on the other hand had to think about it for a bit. I guess because I've had careers where I had to relocate a lot over the years I've been a little less diligent in maintaining true friendships than I should have been. I guess I've even failed to do that lately as well. Actually, I got to thinking that if we allow such things as travel distance and busy work schedules to be determining factors in our relationships there's probably something screwed up to begin with. For real friends are supposed to be hidden safely in our hearts irregardless of circumstances and situations – they're just always supposed to be there, period, no matter what.
I've found that for me my Ya-Ya's are the same three which are talked about so much in the book “The Shack”. I may have a very different description of them mentally, but the Son, The Father, and The Holy Spirit make up the divine sisterhood/brotherhood of my life. They were there for me even when I wasn't there for them. They were there for me when I wasn't sure I believed they truly existed, or even that they truly loved me. They were there when I doubted that I could count on them, or trust them. They are simply always there for me, and today I'm so thankful for them - my personal Ya-Ya's!
_____
I admittedly have “trust issues” and they've prevented me from letting people get really, really close to me. This has prevented me from joining in on a blood-sharing swearing in ceremony with my own band of earthly Ya-Ya's. For far too long I've secretly held onto mistrusts even toward those that only want to love me with the purist of intentions. This I know – this God knows. But this He also knows - I want to get better at it. I want to let go of all the things from my past that have harbored the damaging feelings of mistrust which the enemy has impregnated my mind with for far too long. I want to let go, and trust in my true Ya-Ya's, both the earthly ones as well as the heavenly ones.
And this I know above all - He is my Ya-Ya! He is my El-shaddai. He will stand toe to toe with my enemies and will deliver victory over such stuff as mistrust and fear. For His word reveals to us/me that the battle became Victory at the site of an empty tomb some two thousand years ago. I simply need to always rest in the knowledge that He goes before me!
_____
For two weeks I had planned the biggest surprise I could think of for Dale. She and I had agreed that we just wanted a small wedding with only our very speical friends Linda and Roy there to act as witnesses. Outdoors, early in the morning, looking out over a beautiful river – simple, very simple. It was to be just us as we stood before our Saviour and Deliverer to proclaim His greatness and thank him for the gift of true love which He's so divinely imparted to us. Because of this, we told very few friends of our plans. We just didn't want to cause any hurt feelings since we weren't inviting anyone. Yet, I knew how much it would mean to my beautiful bride if her Ya-Ya sisters were there. So I began to communicate in secret with them. Late night texts and awkward phone conversations while Dale was in the room all added up to being able to accomplish the one thing I knew she would be willing to forgive me of for keeping a secret from her.
On that beautiful Saturday morning her sisters got up early and made the lengthy drive over to Chattanooga, and there they hid behind a block wall as we rounded the corner. Something was said and Dale turned to see in total shock and surprise the girls she loves so much. Once again, as they have always done in the past they were there for her for no other reason than out of pure love. All any of us could do was cry. She told me what I already knew "I couldn't have given her any better wedding gift."
I don't know how long it took us to gather ourselves back together, but the wedding went off perfectly just as God had promised to deliver. What an amazing Father, one who gives us gifts the magnitude of Ya-Ya's and true love. It allows things such as mistrust, fear, and not knowing the name of the third warrior of David's inner circle to be seen for what they truly are - of little importance.
Today, with His blood flowing through me I reach out for your hand and take the oath of friendship with you. I choose to make you my Ya-Ya, and I hope you'll offer me the same.
Lets celebrate.
Ya -Ya!!!!
_____
Oh yeah before I forget I thought I would include the vows Dale and I shared with each other that day. Please pray that we never turn our face from the One that has called us into His ministry, and has given us the promise that we have a place in His kingdom. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did.
Doug's vows:
Today marks the day that will forever define the joining together of two hearts that have longed to be truly loved. I so admire the beautiful woman God has made you. I'm in awe of the blessed woman Christ sacrificed his life for, and I celebrate the strong woman in which the Holy Spirit resides.
My eyes can't get enough of your beauty. My thirst for your kisses will never be quenched. My eyes will never grow tired of the sound of your laughter. My arms will always ache with emptiness when we're apart, and even though some may think it's unmanly to admit this, I have butterflies in my stomach as I stand here looking into your eyes this morning. My feet will never grow weary or be still as long as you'll continue to join me on this journey.
God's Will is our navigator – His Grace will forever save us – His Love will sustain us – and His presence is our destination.
Your unconditional love is my only request, yet my unconditional love is only the beginning of the gifts I have to offer you in return. Our friendship sets us apart from the norm, and it's our commitment to each other that draws us so close together. Our sense of humor gives us the right perspective on life, and it's our intimacy which gives us the fulfillment we've always desired. I love you more today than ever before, yet less than what it'll be when we get to where we're going.
Dale's vows I am my beloveds and he is mine.
I thought I knew what love was before but I had only dreamed of what it could be, what it should be, and what I wanted it to be, until God brought you to me I had never known it.
Now, I know of what it was I dreamed.
The “dode” love God created is to be between a man and a woman. If only the whole world could know and receive the same gift from God that he has given us.
You are the mirror of myself - my twin - born of love from God's own heart. You, Doug are the greatest blessing He has ever given me. I promise you I will never insult our Lord by returning void his precious gift, one I never deserved in the first place.
As you and I have discussed many times, God in His infinite wisdom brought us together and we know to thank Him and honor Him for this blessing will take the remainder of our lives.
To you, Douglas Sharp I commit myself - mind, body, and spirit before God and these witnesses with all the love I have to give unconditionally until the end of my days, I swallow the key!
I am highly blessed among women! I am my beloveds and he is mine.
Ya-Ya!
Yvette, Andrea, and Georgia who along with their sorority sister Dale make up the local chapter of the Ya-Ya's here in Oneonta. What an interesting and lengthy plethora of stories they have to share about their adventures as well as their many misadventures. I'm convinced I've only heard those at the tip of the iceberg so far and can't wait to hear more. Afterall, I can always use new material for my writings.
Anyway, I watched the movie this week for the first time. It took me three attempts to get the whole thing in (but I did it, so men that just goes to show you how you can too) and I actually enjoyed it very much. I believe I liked the character James Garner played the most. Maybe, for me anyway that was the person that came closest to representing me in the movie. Ever think about how we look for that? If you have your own reasons for never watching this movie then let me suggest - you should really consider giving it a view, I believe its well worth the time. It's full of real life, messed up love, and the importance of working through all of the "stuff" in order to become healthier, happier, and more secure with the person we truly are.
_____
Sunday I began reading from the 1st. book of Chronicles (I know, its really not my favorite either) and I found that David, the mighty warrior that he was had his own little group of Ya-Ya's. In the 11th. chapter the writer goes into full detail (names and personal information) about David's closest allies, and in this mix was what he simply referred to as “The Three”. These were the mightiest of the mighty. An elite army of only three men that handled all of the Black-Ops for David. They were well known for thier slaying of hundreds, upon hundreds in battle. These guys were more than warriors and conquerers, they along with David made up the Ya-Ya's of thier day.
What's interesting is that only two of them are mentioned by name here. Jashobeam the Hacmonite, and Elezar the son of Dodai. The writer details the most significant reasons they were chosen to be in this prestigious group, yet the third guy remains nameless as far as I know. If you know of a place where he's mentioned please share this with me - I sure couldn't find it. I would love to know who this mystery warrior was. These guys would put their lives at risk for David at even the slightest hint from him, and it says that he truly appreciated their loyalty. (Read verses 15-19 to see what I'm referring to.) They were Ya-Ya's through and through.
The writer goes on in that same chapter to list some forty warriors by name who stood toe to toe with David's enemies, time and time again. Always declaring that the Victory was God's, and God's alone. Yet, still no mention of the name of the third member of the Ya-Ya's. You get the idea that this small over-sight (as I choose to see it) bothers me just a bit? I know, its the "little stuff" I have issues with. Dale reminded me of this again just this morning. I'm working on it honey!
sidebar: something I can't remember reading before, in the 22nd verse of that chapter it talks about how Benaiah, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel (and one of "the thirty") chased down and killed a lion despite the slippery conditions from the snow on the ground. Snow – it mentions snow on the ground, now that's something I don't often think about when recalling the adventures as well as the misadventures of young David and his battling band of Ya-Ya's. It also says that Benaiah slayed a man that stood seven and a half feet tall, which I bet really hurt the Philistine's chances of taking home the Olympic gold medal in basketball that year. Not funny, I know.
Anyway, back to when I was watching the Ya-Ya flick - I began to ask myself, who are my Ya-Ya's? Who can I count on in times of trouble, despair, and heartbreak? Who would be willing to stand toe to toe in battle with my enemies simply out of the love they have for me? Ask yourself that question. You probably already know the answer. I, on the other hand had to think about it for a bit. I guess because I've had careers where I had to relocate a lot over the years I've been a little less diligent in maintaining true friendships than I should have been. I guess I've even failed to do that lately as well. Actually, I got to thinking that if we allow such things as travel distance and busy work schedules to be determining factors in our relationships there's probably something screwed up to begin with. For real friends are supposed to be hidden safely in our hearts irregardless of circumstances and situations – they're just always supposed to be there, period, no matter what.
I've found that for me my Ya-Ya's are the same three which are talked about so much in the book “The Shack”. I may have a very different description of them mentally, but the Son, The Father, and The Holy Spirit make up the divine sisterhood/brotherhood of my life. They were there for me even when I wasn't there for them. They were there for me when I wasn't sure I believed they truly existed, or even that they truly loved me. They were there when I doubted that I could count on them, or trust them. They are simply always there for me, and today I'm so thankful for them - my personal Ya-Ya's!
_____
I admittedly have “trust issues” and they've prevented me from letting people get really, really close to me. This has prevented me from joining in on a blood-sharing swearing in ceremony with my own band of earthly Ya-Ya's. For far too long I've secretly held onto mistrusts even toward those that only want to love me with the purist of intentions. This I know – this God knows. But this He also knows - I want to get better at it. I want to let go of all the things from my past that have harbored the damaging feelings of mistrust which the enemy has impregnated my mind with for far too long. I want to let go, and trust in my true Ya-Ya's, both the earthly ones as well as the heavenly ones.
And this I know above all - He is my Ya-Ya! He is my El-shaddai. He will stand toe to toe with my enemies and will deliver victory over such stuff as mistrust and fear. For His word reveals to us/me that the battle became Victory at the site of an empty tomb some two thousand years ago. I simply need to always rest in the knowledge that He goes before me!
_____
For two weeks I had planned the biggest surprise I could think of for Dale. She and I had agreed that we just wanted a small wedding with only our very speical friends Linda and Roy there to act as witnesses. Outdoors, early in the morning, looking out over a beautiful river – simple, very simple. It was to be just us as we stood before our Saviour and Deliverer to proclaim His greatness and thank him for the gift of true love which He's so divinely imparted to us. Because of this, we told very few friends of our plans. We just didn't want to cause any hurt feelings since we weren't inviting anyone. Yet, I knew how much it would mean to my beautiful bride if her Ya-Ya sisters were there. So I began to communicate in secret with them. Late night texts and awkward phone conversations while Dale was in the room all added up to being able to accomplish the one thing I knew she would be willing to forgive me of for keeping a secret from her.
On that beautiful Saturday morning her sisters got up early and made the lengthy drive over to Chattanooga, and there they hid behind a block wall as we rounded the corner. Something was said and Dale turned to see in total shock and surprise the girls she loves so much. Once again, as they have always done in the past they were there for her for no other reason than out of pure love. All any of us could do was cry. She told me what I already knew "I couldn't have given her any better wedding gift."
I don't know how long it took us to gather ourselves back together, but the wedding went off perfectly just as God had promised to deliver. What an amazing Father, one who gives us gifts the magnitude of Ya-Ya's and true love. It allows things such as mistrust, fear, and not knowing the name of the third warrior of David's inner circle to be seen for what they truly are - of little importance.
Today, with His blood flowing through me I reach out for your hand and take the oath of friendship with you. I choose to make you my Ya-Ya, and I hope you'll offer me the same.
Lets celebrate.
Ya -Ya!!!!
_____
Oh yeah before I forget I thought I would include the vows Dale and I shared with each other that day. Please pray that we never turn our face from the One that has called us into His ministry, and has given us the promise that we have a place in His kingdom. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did.
Doug's vows:
Today marks the day that will forever define the joining together of two hearts that have longed to be truly loved. I so admire the beautiful woman God has made you. I'm in awe of the blessed woman Christ sacrificed his life for, and I celebrate the strong woman in which the Holy Spirit resides.
My eyes can't get enough of your beauty. My thirst for your kisses will never be quenched. My eyes will never grow tired of the sound of your laughter. My arms will always ache with emptiness when we're apart, and even though some may think it's unmanly to admit this, I have butterflies in my stomach as I stand here looking into your eyes this morning. My feet will never grow weary or be still as long as you'll continue to join me on this journey.
God's Will is our navigator – His Grace will forever save us – His Love will sustain us – and His presence is our destination.
Your unconditional love is my only request, yet my unconditional love is only the beginning of the gifts I have to offer you in return. Our friendship sets us apart from the norm, and it's our commitment to each other that draws us so close together. Our sense of humor gives us the right perspective on life, and it's our intimacy which gives us the fulfillment we've always desired. I love you more today than ever before, yet less than what it'll be when we get to where we're going.
Dale's vows I am my beloveds and he is mine.
I thought I knew what love was before but I had only dreamed of what it could be, what it should be, and what I wanted it to be, until God brought you to me I had never known it.
Now, I know of what it was I dreamed.
The “dode” love God created is to be between a man and a woman. If only the whole world could know and receive the same gift from God that he has given us.
You are the mirror of myself - my twin - born of love from God's own heart. You, Doug are the greatest blessing He has ever given me. I promise you I will never insult our Lord by returning void his precious gift, one I never deserved in the first place.
As you and I have discussed many times, God in His infinite wisdom brought us together and we know to thank Him and honor Him for this blessing will take the remainder of our lives.
To you, Douglas Sharp I commit myself - mind, body, and spirit before God and these witnesses with all the love I have to give unconditionally until the end of my days, I swallow the key!
I am highly blessed among women! I am my beloveds and he is mine.
Ya-Ya!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Time stands still - 2009
It’s a little past eleven o'clock this morning and Jesus of Nazareth has been hanging from the cross for more than two hours now. This morning as been filled with many strange, yet thoroughly predicted events. Some of us have simply gone about as if it were just another day, but for him it was the beginning of a new covenant. I've only been awake for about six hour now but the thought of how his day started much earlier (for he’s been up all night) has flowed in and out of my thoughts several times already.
What started out as an after-dinner prayer session in the garden has now come full circle through one mock trial after another. Not a defender or friend found anywhere at this point, only those wanting to persecute and punish him for the vicious crime of love. Alone again, just as he was last night while praying so earnestly as the blood and sweat poured through his skin.
Many of us can tell someone exactly where we were when the news of 911 reached us, or what we were doing when we heard President Kennedy had been shot, or what our reaction was to hearing that the wall dividing Germany finally fell - but how many of us will pause long enough to recount the events of this day in history. Where were you on this day - today?
Before seven o'clock this morning he had already been held up to the crowds awaiting outside the ruler's chamber, only to be denied recognition in exchange for the release of Barabbas, (a known killer and thief) the first man to be saved by this Saviour. At that same time this morning Dale and I watched the sun rise over the shoreline of a beautiful and serene lake in an area of Alabama appropriately named "All Good" and my heart was being drawn nearer to his. A Good Friday indeed!
Already he’s endured unimaginably cruel whippings, and beatings to the point layer upon layer of skin has been stripped from his body. He's suffered through shameless acts of disgrace before rulers, priest, and judges of this world throughout the night, yet he's maintained his dignity – he's stayed true to himself and his purpose. Unlike most of us, he never resend his position or calling, he never cowards down to appeasement, he simply continues to march in cadence with the beat of a warrior's drum.
By seven-thirty he's been sentenced to death - I was fixing pancakes and bacon for breakfast, while she checks her email and does some on-line banking. He's facing not a normal execution, but rather a vile and cruel one set aside for the worst of all criminals – the hideous Roman crucifix. I imagine it takes quite a bit of time as the guards select just the right cross from the pile of readied lumber outside the wood-worker's shop for which to hang a son of a carpenter claiming deity. They want to insure the heaviest and largest would be thrown across his shoulders, yet the weight of the wood is the least of the load he bears this morning.
The executioners meticulously see to it that his punishment is carried out so completely in every way. Despite being tired, hurt, and dazed, he simply relies on the strength of his purpose to keep moving forward – to his point of destiny. No sleep for over twenty-four hours , beaten down, blood flowing profusely from the stripes upon his body. His face is battered and swollen from the closed-fist beatings he's taken as a cloth is wrapped around his eyes (supposedly to hide the identity of his attackers), yet he knows each one. Dried spit now stains his cheeks as a robe of ridicule is placed over his shoulders. There is no one with him 'cept the Father. All the while this morning around this time I go about loading and unloading the dishwasher trying to wrap my heart around this scene playing out in my mind.
By eight o'clock he's staggering and stumbling through the streets and across the rocky pathway finally giving in to accept the assistance of a man from Africa whom we know only as Simeon. A bonding takes place that will change lives forever in this fateful appointment as they walk upward to a place and time that history is yet to forget. Eight- thirty rings in with the sickening sounds of the first spike being driven through skin, muscle, veins, and then wood.
This morning it once again resounds in my mind - CLANG - goes the hammer to the nail, as the blood splatters over the garment of the soldier holding it steady against his wrist and hand. His feet are over-lapped and held in place as the third and final spike is driven with tremendous force by the swinging of the heavy hammer. I'm now alone with my thoughts of him as Dale goes about her house-cleaning chores, pausing only long enough to stop by the desk for a hug every now and then. CLANG goes the sound in my mind – CLANG as my body shivers at the sound.
By nine o'clock the cross is raised into place on a hillside sadly called “Place of a Skull” and the bidding begins immediately for his garments, a testimony to the fact that even these deniers knew the importance of the moment – the man. Once in the upright position the blood begins to pour freely from his forehead where the jagged edges of the weather-hardened thorns have pushed through his now fragile layers of skin.
With little earthly life left in him he still finds the mercy to voice forgiveness to a repentant thief hanging beside him. His mother and Mary Magdalene have just finished leading a group of women who love and adore him unlike no other to a hillside just a short distance away to pray to God for mercy to be shown for the one they call Master – friend. I pause from this writing also long enough to pray to him – for the one that is on the cross this morning also sits at the right hand of the Father.
Mid-day approaches and the focus on this torturous death has been temporarily shifted when the sun disappears into the darken skies, the earth shakes violently, and the sound of the thick veil of the temple is deafening as it's being torn end to end capturing the attention of all those giving witness. Suddenly everyone recaptures their focus as the man hanging from the cross shouts (not whispers) - “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.” My Bible says, “and with those words he took his last breath.”
This next part doesn't come from my Bible, but I know it to be just as true - I believe all natural laws were broken and all theories of physics were tossed out the window as time stood still this afternoon to mark the historic reunion of the Creator and his creations. Time stands still again today as I recognize once again the significance of this event on a personal level.
As I write this item the song You are my king (Amazing love) by the group called Newsboys plays repeatedly. I've loved the lyrics of this song since my friend Tom Coleman first played it for me several years ago, and when I sense a need to refocus I simply play it as I am this morning, over and over, and over.
I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King
On this day, the one we call “Good Friday” here in this beautiful place I call home I'm reminded of just how much an honor it is to praise and serve Him with our words and actions. Just a few short days from now the tomb will be emptied as the rock is rolled away and the sound of trumpets will shout He Lives. Yet, on this historically celebrated day around noontime I will stop whatever I'm doing and give observance for the reason that time stood still some two thousand years ago.
I invite you to join me in saying in one accord - Jesus, you are my king!
Amazing love indeed...... I pray Easter-like blessings on each of you this weekend. doug
What started out as an after-dinner prayer session in the garden has now come full circle through one mock trial after another. Not a defender or friend found anywhere at this point, only those wanting to persecute and punish him for the vicious crime of love. Alone again, just as he was last night while praying so earnestly as the blood and sweat poured through his skin.
Many of us can tell someone exactly where we were when the news of 911 reached us, or what we were doing when we heard President Kennedy had been shot, or what our reaction was to hearing that the wall dividing Germany finally fell - but how many of us will pause long enough to recount the events of this day in history. Where were you on this day - today?
Before seven o'clock this morning he had already been held up to the crowds awaiting outside the ruler's chamber, only to be denied recognition in exchange for the release of Barabbas, (a known killer and thief) the first man to be saved by this Saviour. At that same time this morning Dale and I watched the sun rise over the shoreline of a beautiful and serene lake in an area of Alabama appropriately named "All Good" and my heart was being drawn nearer to his. A Good Friday indeed!
Already he’s endured unimaginably cruel whippings, and beatings to the point layer upon layer of skin has been stripped from his body. He's suffered through shameless acts of disgrace before rulers, priest, and judges of this world throughout the night, yet he's maintained his dignity – he's stayed true to himself and his purpose. Unlike most of us, he never resend his position or calling, he never cowards down to appeasement, he simply continues to march in cadence with the beat of a warrior's drum.
By seven-thirty he's been sentenced to death - I was fixing pancakes and bacon for breakfast, while she checks her email and does some on-line banking. He's facing not a normal execution, but rather a vile and cruel one set aside for the worst of all criminals – the hideous Roman crucifix. I imagine it takes quite a bit of time as the guards select just the right cross from the pile of readied lumber outside the wood-worker's shop for which to hang a son of a carpenter claiming deity. They want to insure the heaviest and largest would be thrown across his shoulders, yet the weight of the wood is the least of the load he bears this morning.
The executioners meticulously see to it that his punishment is carried out so completely in every way. Despite being tired, hurt, and dazed, he simply relies on the strength of his purpose to keep moving forward – to his point of destiny. No sleep for over twenty-four hours , beaten down, blood flowing profusely from the stripes upon his body. His face is battered and swollen from the closed-fist beatings he's taken as a cloth is wrapped around his eyes (supposedly to hide the identity of his attackers), yet he knows each one. Dried spit now stains his cheeks as a robe of ridicule is placed over his shoulders. There is no one with him 'cept the Father. All the while this morning around this time I go about loading and unloading the dishwasher trying to wrap my heart around this scene playing out in my mind.
By eight o'clock he's staggering and stumbling through the streets and across the rocky pathway finally giving in to accept the assistance of a man from Africa whom we know only as Simeon. A bonding takes place that will change lives forever in this fateful appointment as they walk upward to a place and time that history is yet to forget. Eight- thirty rings in with the sickening sounds of the first spike being driven through skin, muscle, veins, and then wood.
This morning it once again resounds in my mind - CLANG - goes the hammer to the nail, as the blood splatters over the garment of the soldier holding it steady against his wrist and hand. His feet are over-lapped and held in place as the third and final spike is driven with tremendous force by the swinging of the heavy hammer. I'm now alone with my thoughts of him as Dale goes about her house-cleaning chores, pausing only long enough to stop by the desk for a hug every now and then. CLANG goes the sound in my mind – CLANG as my body shivers at the sound.
By nine o'clock the cross is raised into place on a hillside sadly called “Place of a Skull” and the bidding begins immediately for his garments, a testimony to the fact that even these deniers knew the importance of the moment – the man. Once in the upright position the blood begins to pour freely from his forehead where the jagged edges of the weather-hardened thorns have pushed through his now fragile layers of skin.
With little earthly life left in him he still finds the mercy to voice forgiveness to a repentant thief hanging beside him. His mother and Mary Magdalene have just finished leading a group of women who love and adore him unlike no other to a hillside just a short distance away to pray to God for mercy to be shown for the one they call Master – friend. I pause from this writing also long enough to pray to him – for the one that is on the cross this morning also sits at the right hand of the Father.
Mid-day approaches and the focus on this torturous death has been temporarily shifted when the sun disappears into the darken skies, the earth shakes violently, and the sound of the thick veil of the temple is deafening as it's being torn end to end capturing the attention of all those giving witness. Suddenly everyone recaptures their focus as the man hanging from the cross shouts (not whispers) - “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.” My Bible says, “and with those words he took his last breath.”
This next part doesn't come from my Bible, but I know it to be just as true - I believe all natural laws were broken and all theories of physics were tossed out the window as time stood still this afternoon to mark the historic reunion of the Creator and his creations. Time stands still again today as I recognize once again the significance of this event on a personal level.
As I write this item the song You are my king (Amazing love) by the group called Newsboys plays repeatedly. I've loved the lyrics of this song since my friend Tom Coleman first played it for me several years ago, and when I sense a need to refocus I simply play it as I am this morning, over and over, and over.
I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again
Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You
You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King
On this day, the one we call “Good Friday” here in this beautiful place I call home I'm reminded of just how much an honor it is to praise and serve Him with our words and actions. Just a few short days from now the tomb will be emptied as the rock is rolled away and the sound of trumpets will shout He Lives. Yet, on this historically celebrated day around noontime I will stop whatever I'm doing and give observance for the reason that time stood still some two thousand years ago.
I invite you to join me in saying in one accord - Jesus, you are my king!
Amazing love indeed...... I pray Easter-like blessings on each of you this weekend. doug
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