During the recent Lenten season, I woke up early for work each day (well, almost each day) and spent time with God and studying His Word before leaving the house. While the light of day was still an hour away, and only God, Bailey, and Jack keeping me company (well, actually, Bailey and Jack ditched me once they realized I was not going to spend time with them, what a bunch of lazy mutts), I learned a lot about the life of Christ I never knew. I must admit there were moments of doubt, but I kept my faith and continued my journey.
Things began to take on a whole new meaning. Everything from my drive to work, to worship at and away from church, to time spent with my family. During this time I realized how much power the Cross has, how letting it into my life has directly changed my whole being.
Then came the Tenebrae service (Good Friday) at Deerbrook (our church). What a powerful service it was. Remembering the entire process Jesus went through to save us. Looking at pictures of the cross; looking at the large wooden cross on stage, draped with some red fabric; amazed at the cross Kirt built, hung from the ceiling; feeling the cross around my neck; they all rendered me speechless. Could I have done that? Could I have sacrificed so much?
Over the last few weeks, Angie and I have been connected to three deaths. It started with a dear friend of my mom's, Kathy. Cancer attacked her, basically out of nowhere, and took her in under two weeks. She was one of the nicest, most sincere friends of my mom's that I had the pleasure of knowing. Then, one of my great friends, Carlos, lost his father. Although I did not know him, I felt like I did through Carlos' many stories and updates. Finally, a man named Josh, originally from Nevada, MO was tragically killed in a car accident. Josh was a freshman tuba player in the Nevada High School Band when Angie was a senior. He idolized Angie and aspired to be just like her. When he was killed, he was on his way home to eat dinner with his wife and three-year old daughter. These things always seem to happen in threes. Only by the power of the cross can we be comforted that these three warriors for God are dancing on the golden streets of Heaven.
I will try to continue my journey through the Bible in the coming weeks. So far, I feel more blessed each day and I attribute it to the time I have spent understanding His overall plan. Usually when I pray, I thank God for not making the path through life clear; if it was, we might take advantage of that and give up on some of the battles He expects us to fight. It feels good to work for it.
Things began to take on a whole new meaning. Everything from my drive to work, to worship at and away from church, to time spent with my family. During this time I realized how much power the Cross has, how letting it into my life has directly changed my whole being.
Then came the Tenebrae service (Good Friday) at Deerbrook (our church). What a powerful service it was. Remembering the entire process Jesus went through to save us. Looking at pictures of the cross; looking at the large wooden cross on stage, draped with some red fabric; amazed at the cross Kirt built, hung from the ceiling; feeling the cross around my neck; they all rendered me speechless. Could I have done that? Could I have sacrificed so much?
Over the last few weeks, Angie and I have been connected to three deaths. It started with a dear friend of my mom's, Kathy. Cancer attacked her, basically out of nowhere, and took her in under two weeks. She was one of the nicest, most sincere friends of my mom's that I had the pleasure of knowing. Then, one of my great friends, Carlos, lost his father. Although I did not know him, I felt like I did through Carlos' many stories and updates. Finally, a man named Josh, originally from Nevada, MO was tragically killed in a car accident. Josh was a freshman tuba player in the Nevada High School Band when Angie was a senior. He idolized Angie and aspired to be just like her. When he was killed, he was on his way home to eat dinner with his wife and three-year old daughter. These things always seem to happen in threes. Only by the power of the cross can we be comforted that these three warriors for God are dancing on the golden streets of Heaven.
I will try to continue my journey through the Bible in the coming weeks. So far, I feel more blessed each day and I attribute it to the time I have spent understanding His overall plan. Usually when I pray, I thank God for not making the path through life clear; if it was, we might take advantage of that and give up on some of the battles He expects us to fight. It feels good to work for it.
