Oh The Blood!

Easter is upon us! I love this time of year! I love the new life that Spring promises. There is so much symbolism to be found in Spring, and I'm so glad that it's finally here. Well, almost….

This weekend was beautiful for both body and spirit. 

This weekend was Palm Sunday, and I lifted my own palms in praise to Him whose palms were pierced. HIS body was broken so that MY body could be whole again. 

And what is there for me to do but be thankful? Oh how I raise my palms even higher! Hosanna!! Hosanna!! [literally: a joyful exclamation of adoration and praise] My heart cries Hosanna.

And I kneel at the cross and I nail to the cross all that is holding me back from my Hosanna. I feel renewed. I feel refreshed. I am ready.

But it's only Tuesday and I'm already ungrateful. And what was it that took me down?

Snow. 

Snow in April. A little inch of pure white covering the ground this morning and my shouts of Hosanna have become sighs of frustration. Oh heart - why must you be so fickle?

I myself have to admit that the brown dirt and the patchy grass and all the leaves and sticks that make up our yard leave something to be desired. Surely it would take a keen eye to find any beauty here. 

But isn't my heart just the same? With it's dirty past and broken patchy pieces and all the sin and the stains? Surely it would take a keen eye to find any beauty there. Well… more than a keen eye. 

A Master's eye.
A Creator's eye.
A Lover's eye.

And He saw something there - amidst the broken - something worth more. More than the whipping. More than the spitting. More than the piercing. More than the bleeding.

And He tenderly wrapped my dirt in something pure and white and clean so that I could stand before the Father unashamed with my lifted palms. He washes me. And He covers me. 

I guess the snow isn't so bad, is it?

Today, I will choose Hosanna!

In So Many Words

Well, it seems I haven't officially blogged for about six months. I'm hoping to change that. Oi. 

As December drifts away and a brand new year rings in I always look forward to hearing the "One Little Word" that God has chosen for those around me. God has chosen. Don't get it wrong - you have nothing to do with it! The Holy Spirit is the one who leads us to The Word and He is also the one who will lead you to your word. 

My word is always revealed to me through God's Word.

In 2011 it was ABOUND. "And this is my prayer: that your love may ABOUND more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." Phil. 1:9

In 2012 it was BELOVED. "I am my BELOVED's and he is mine." SOS 6:3

In 2013 it was NOURISH. "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and NOURISHment to your bones." Prov. 3:7-8

Typically, the word that speaks to me appears directly in the Word. It surprised me that this year God and I formed a single word based on a handful of His Words. So that His Word could become my word…. in not so many words. 

The Scripture that stood out to me in December is found at the end of Galatians. I haven't done a whole lot of studying in the book of Galatians, but I know that Paul talks to the churches about getting swept up in legalism. There was a Jewish-turned-Christian culture in Galatia that was a little confused and Paul speaks out against them in this book. 

"Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Gal. 6:12-14

I am right there with you Paul! 

I want to boast in Jesus. 
I want to be crucified to the world. 
I want to rebel against my current culture. 

Because let's face it - our culture has already gone downhill fast and apparently hasn't reached rock bottom yet because they still aren't standing on the Rock. But I chose the Rock many years ago so why do I still eye that slimy pit? 

A little earlier in the same chapter….

"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Gal. 6:8-10

And that was it.  

Sow to please the Spirit. 
Do not grow weary. 
Keep doing good.
And do not give up.
Do not give up.
Do not give up.

be DILIGENT.