BAM! I Nail His Hands to the Cross!

Good Friday is here! I don't understand. How did they sing praises to Jesus one day and crucify Him a few days later?

But isn't that what I do every day?

Waking up praising Him for the new day, I open His Book, speak to Him, listen to Him, sing praises to Him, smile, and enjoy the sweet peace of knowing Him.


Energized, I begin my day joyful. Without warning my Cheerios spill and I grumble that there are none left. Walking into my food pantry, I look at the bursting shelves and say There is nothing here to eat.

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

I walk into my packed clothes closet and think I don't have a thing to wear.

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

I think about my neighbor who is sick. Oh, I do need to bake her a casserole, but I have so much to do today.

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

The phone rings. Sigh. A telemarketer trying to make a living. No compassion here. Rudely, I interrupt and hang up the phone too hard.

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

My friend is sad and lonely. I must call her, but I never seem to find time. Although, there is time to watch that mindless TV show and allow actors I'd never invite into my house take a comfortable seat in the family room of my mind.


BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

Why is that person driving so slowly? Come on get a move on, I don't have time for this slowness.

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

Looking in the mirror, I notice the gray and the nose too big and the body too fat. I wish I was prettier.

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

The politician I don't favor is giving a speech. I have my opinions! I don't agree with his political viewpoint. I think bad thoughts about him, but have I ever prayed for him as Jesus tells me to?

BAM! I NAIL HIS HANDS TO THE CROSS.

His blood is on my hands.

BAM! JESUS NAILED MY SIN ON THE CROSS! HALLELUJAH! GLORY TO THE KING OF KINGS!!!

Thank You Jesus for shedding your blood for the forgiveness of my sins. Forgive me when I sin and endure so little when you endured it all.

Do we want splashes of serenity in our lives?  May we stop nailing his hands to the cross and start living in obedience to Him.

Serenity Came Down at Christmas

Today I welcome the man who has splashed me with serenity and love for 41 years. Recopied from the C&MA Northeastern District newsletter, may its truth give us cause for pause.

Another Advent season is upon us and with it the joyful
expectation of, and preparation for, the celebration of our Savior’s
birth. This Christmas day as Elaine and I are gratefully recalling the birth
of baby Jesus, we will also be excitedly awaiting the birth of baby Isaac, our eighth grandchild who is due to arrive December 27th. As have our other
grandkids, we know Isaac will light up our lives in wonderful ways.

The light a newborn brings to his family is dazzling but it pales in comparison to the light that came into the world with the birth of Jesus Christ. Though not often regarded as a Christmas hymn, P.P. Bliss’ “The Light of The World” conveys a powerful Christmas message:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The light of the world is Jesus.

The darkness of our sinful world is pervasive. Every day reminders of that
truth come to us through our newspapers, televisions, computers, and smart
phones. Just when we think sin has hit us with its best (worst) shot, some
new headline or news thread reminds us that Satan is as active as ever. He
still prowls around like a lion, looking for someone to devour. Every
depressing, even disgusting, account of his successful attacks reveals how
desperately people need to come from the darkness of their sin into the light of God’s love and mercy through Jesus Christ.

As we all move through this precious season of the year, may our eyes,
minds, and hearts be fixed on Jesus, the light of the world. May our lives and our churches shine the brilliant light of our Savior into the darkness of our world as we remember these darkness-piercing words from Dwight Hall’s
song, “Lord, in This Urgent Hour.”

Millions are lost from Thee,
Great God of Majesty,
Oh, Savior, set them free,
Great God of love.

Lord, let your light shine through us,
Dan

My Sin Nailed My Love to a Cross

The up and down emotions of this Easter week, leave me sad. I can't bear the thought of the One I love most being nailed to a cross. I believe and I rejoice at Jesus' Resurrection, but my sin nailed my Love to a cross. It breaks my heart.

Had I lived in those days, where would I have been that week?

The day He rode a donkey into town, I suspect I would have led the parade of followers celebrating Jesus as the King. The Messiah. The Savior. The One Who came in the Name of the Lord.

And I ask myself, What would I have been doing the following Friday when the crowd shouted, "Crucify Him!"

People cheered Him one week and crucified Him the next. Many who loved Him, abandoned Him. They abandoned Him.

It's unthinkable, but would I have denied Him too? Absolutely not! But isn't that what I do each time I sin? I forget about HIM. I abandon Him. I deny Him. Forgive me, Lord.

I am so sad Jesus had to die, but I am filled with joy! His death led me to God. "For Christ died for sins...to bring you to God." (1Peter 3:18). Hallelujah to my Savior! My King! My Messiah. My Jesus!!!

Jesus is not a splash of serenity. Jesus is my Serenity. Is He yours?

Elaine