Life for All

When Jesus our Lord followed his father in total obedience to the cross, he struck a blow that divided all time and that pierced the heart of death down to the very depths of hell. Death no longer has power over humankind, nor does sin. In the moment that Jesus said, "Thy will Father, not mine" and also "Forgive them, for they know not what they do," and then breathed his last breath the earth shook with a violent quake. In that moment, the battle over sin and death was won.

Jesus died, but Jesus also rose from death to eternal life.

Before that great act of love, human's lived in sin with no way out. With that act, now we have a choice. The gift of justification and life is freely given, all we have to do is freely receive and walk in life each day.

Angry God, Loving and Merciful God

Numbers 1:1 - 3: “Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then the fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah because the fire from the Lord had burned among them."

The story of the Hebrews in the dessert traveling with Moses to the Promised Land is a picture of God that I find troubling. He is so harsh and angry consuming people with fire and opening the ground and swallowing them.

I relate much more to the merciful God that takes my sins and throws them into the sea of forgetfulness. Nature does have consequences for bad choices and governments do have laws that punish wrong doing. It is necessary to keep order and peace. But I wonder how to incorporate this angry God image into my life. Should I?

For me, God has been my strength and shield. I relate to him as a child to a father. I feel that I experience his lovingkindness. I have heard people talk about dispensations to explain that God was one way in the Old Testament times and different in New Testament times. The Bible also states that God never changes. I like the idea that God never changes. I like the way Jesus in the New Testament writings introduces the father image of God to us when he teaches the prayer we call "The Lord's Prayer."

I don't want to pick and choose which parts of the Bible I believe or don't believe, but have over the years begun to see the Bible more like a friend and a trusted counselor than a magical book of immutable laws. The Bible comforts me and graces me with the stories of God and people and as miraculous as it is that we have these wonderful writings, I keep in mind that they were written from the human side of the relationship. I wonder how God's personally written book of all these times would read? And I consider that Jesus, the human image of God to be a window into God's perspective. I look at Jesus and read the words which are attributed to him in the Bible to get a fuller picture of God.

The living Bible, and I don't mean the printed translation, is written in the interactions that each of us has with God in our daily lives. The Bible didn't stop on the last page of the book, but continues each day as we walk hand in hand with Him.

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (Words of Jesus)

Psa 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Micah 7:18-19 "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that."

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind."

"Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Attributed to Jesus of Nazareth as he spoke the Sermon on the Mount. The Message Bible translation.

I wonder what would happen in the world if international diplomacy were governed by this thought? And what would happen in every city if each individual strove to walk this way? And what would happen to me if I would live this each day?

Loose Threads

In my morning devotion a memory surfaced of the time that Cory Ten Boon spoke at my college campus during a chapel in the late 1970's. She said that our lives are like a weaving of which we only see the underside. We see loose ends and threads crossing every which way in seeming randomness. But one day as we approach our time of passing God turns it over and shows us the beautiful work he had made. Maybe this is the comfort that people experience as they come close to passing, the comfort from God as he reveals to them the beauty of the life they have lived and they see how precious life has been and they rejoice.

Here is the poem on which Corrie's talk was based:
My life is but a weaving between my God and me,
I pick out the colors and He weaveth endlessly.
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, and I within my heart,
Forget He sees the picture, and I see only part.
But the dark threads of sorrow, are as needful in the skillful weavers hands,
As the threads of gold and silver, in the pattern He has planned.
Not till this life is over, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas, and explain the reasons why.

Lost and Found

Have you misplaced or lost something lately only to find it randomly after having given up your search? Did you feel happy and relieved when you found it? God never quits searching for us when we stray from him. When we return, even the angels rejoice! Luke 15:1-10. Salvation is not a one time event but a lifetime journey. We are too quick to let brothers and sisters in the faith go when we think they have strayed, but our Lord never gives up and continues to seek them.

We can be deadly hard on ourselves when we slip. Sometimes the last person to forgive you is the one looking back in the mirror. Isn't it good to know you can be forgiven more than once because there would not be many of us left in the faith if salvation were a one-use only coupon. There is no expiration date on our Lord's gift to us and we can use it daily.

Somehow in my early faith walk, I got the impression that if you stumbled in your faith that was it. You had thrown away your salvation. Though God is perfect and without flaw, and could find more things to condemn us for than we can even know, he forgives us. So should we forgive ourselves and others. Jesus said to be perfect as our father in heaven is perfect. Since I can not imagine coming close to God's perfection, I have come to believe that Jesus was referring to forgiveness. We can forgive like God forgives. Matthew 5:48

The completed chapter five of Matthew is a picture of forgiveness that few have lived out in their lives. It takes faith that God forgives and he does so in advance of our repentance. Read Matthew five and be challenged in your faith to step up to a new level of forgiveness for yourself and for all those around you.

Be blessed today and know you are forgiven and go and share the joy of forgiveness with everyone you see.

Be Still, Stand Firm

When the Israelites had their backs to the Red Sea and the armies of Pharaoh bearing down upon them, Moses told them to not be afraid, to stand firm, to be still. How many times in life would that approach calm and strengthen me during a time of strife or challenging circumstances if I would remember to have faith and simply be still? Worry and fear are antithetical to the peace of faith. It is up to me to choose which I want in my day, fear or faith. Today I will practice choosing faith.

When we face times of change in life, it's easy to be fearful. Change is unsettling, but it doesn't have to be a negative time. When change comes in life, look to the One who is always constant and unchanging. When change comes, I am going to remember to "not be afraid, stand firm, be still." When we are still we can see God's hand working in our lives. When the tempest hits, that is the time to seek silent meditation and prayer.

Today I will set aside a time to meditate and simply be still. I do not know how to meditate, but I will practice!

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” -Psalm 46:10, NIV

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” -Exodus 14:13-14, New Women's Devotional Bible

Your gift from Jesus

God loved the world so much he gave his son so that all who would believe may have eternal life. Jesus loved us so much he gave us his peace which surpasses all understanding and life full of abundance.

I have been thinking about the word "habitation" recently and the concept of fully inhabiting my life. I have been worrying about several things. I have been walking through a period of grief. My house has been cluttered with so many physical things from the past just as my heart and mind has been cluttered with so many thoughts and emotions from my past. This year I am going to work on accepting God's gift of salvation fully in my mind and heart and also at accepting Jesus' gifts of peace which surpasses all my understanding. I want to live abundantly and to fully inhabit my life and home.

I am going to learn to "let go and let God" work in my day this day and each day forward. Holding on to things from the past has weighted me down. I will trust God's care for me.

Thank you Lord for loving me so much, beyond what I can comprehend. I love you Lord!

John 14:27 (NLB)

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 10:41-42 (NRSV)

But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Matthew 6:26-30 (NRSV)

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NRSV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

He carried me on his shoulders

Thought for the day: "There is a good reason God calls his people sheep. Sometimes they act baa-aaa-ad and wonder away from the paths he has mapped out for them. A good shepherd will relentlessly search for a wayward sheep. Sometimes, if the sheep refuses to follow his master, the shepherd takes drastic action. The shepherd breaks the sheep's leg, places it upon his shoulders, and carries the sheep until it learns total dependence. This is tough love - the shepherd breaks the sheep to make sure it will always follow the shepherd." - New Women's Devotional Bible

This sounds strong-handed, but the shepherd knows if the sheep wanders on it's own, it will be devoured by wild animals. Isaiah 53:6 - "We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

God's love holds us close. He carries us on his shoulders when we fall. He forgives, redeems, and protects. And he takes our iniquities to the cross. This is God's perfect love. Since our Lord loves and forgives us, so should we forgive each other. Christians are too quick to banish as lost those that have stumbled but God bears them up and restores them.

Take the pledge! A prayer a day in 2012

God only knows what would happen if you prayed! Prayer changes you for good. Start small. Tiny prayers pack power because you are connecting with our unlimited Heavenly Father. The style of your prayer is not the most important thing. If you like formal prayers, find one you like and start there, maybe the Lord's Prayer. Or if you want to get personal, try simple conversation with God, like you would talk to your best friend. One prayer a day for 2012, unimaginable changes! Only God knows what can happen this year and he loves to talk with you in prayer.

A Tiny Prayer

The Lord's Prayer

Make it personal:

My Father, who is in heaven,
I respect and revere your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give me this day my daily bread.
And forgive me my trespasses,
as I forgive those who trespass against me.
And lead me not into temptation,
but deliver me from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen

Christmas Eve 2011

Tonight is Christmas Eve. I am preparing my home for Christmas day and for celebrating with my family. The lights are twinkling on the tree. Food is prepared and waiting in the refrigerator. I am busy cleaning and will also be wrapping presents.

It's easy to get caught up in the activities of preparation, but I will also pause to prepare my heart and spirit. This is the night of our dear savior's birth. It's a special time. It is a time of renewal.

My youngest daughter is at odds with me right now and has uninvited herself to our Christmas day dinner and tree sharing. She was unreasonable and I wanted to strike back emotionally, but I paused and then caught myself. She made me very angry. I had helped her all week by taking care of my grandson even though I have recently sprained my ankle and am not up to my best activity level. I enjoyed my time with him and I believe he had a very good time with Nana and Papa.

On the last morning when his mother was to be picking him up which was Friday, he asked to go see the ducks at our local park. We also wanted to go to the doughnut bakery afterwards and get a doughnut and hot chocolate. I called my daughter and told her our plans and she thought it sounded fun for him. She told me she would be by in about an hour.

Just as we were heading towards the doughnut shop, she called and wanted to pick him up right then. We invited her to have a doughnut with us, but she refused. I asked her to meet us at the doughnut shop but she refused. I had made a promise to my grandson which I didn't want to break. He is two and a half and broken promises are hard to take plus I want him to know he can count on Nana being true to her word.

So I took him to get his doughnut. My daughter was outraged and angrily told me she would not be coming to my house on Christmas. I did what I thought was right. I knew it would not take long to get a doughnut for my grandson and I was fulfilling my promise to him. I put myself at odds with my daughter though. It was a tough choice to make, but I remember as a child when an adult I loved made a promise and never kept it. It hurts. I want to avoid that with my grandchildren. 

I finished wrapping presents about 2:30AM. At first I thought I would only wrap presents for the family members I knew were coming and then go to bed sooner. Once I got started, I was thinking about Christmas without my grandchildren and it made me sad. I decided to take a step of faith and I went ahead and wrapped everyone's presents and took them all to the tree and placed each one under the twinkling lights. At 2:30 I sat down and pulled out my phone and started writing a text message.

I wrote, erased, stopped, wrote erased, rewrote and around 3:30 finally had a simple message. It was a message from which I had stripped all the explanations and self-defense, and blame. I simply said, "we are having lunch at 12:30. I love you and your children. The fifteen minutes I asked for on Friday was not for me but was to keep a promise I had made to your son that I didn't want to break."

UPDATE: The first person who knocked on my door on Christmas day was my daughter. I was surprised and thankful. We had the best family Christmas we have had in a very long time.

The lesson I am learning to put in practice is "When in doubt, walk in love. When you are hurting, walk in love. When  you are angry, walk in love. When you don't know what to do, walk in love."

"We love, because he first loved us." - I John 4:19

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NRSV)
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
-1 Corinthians 12:27 (NRSV)

Each of us is unique and created with unique abilities. Together we make up the body of Christ. Each is important to the health of the body. We should be encouraging each other and supporting each other. There is no room for factions, envy and strife. Yet in the world we see many different congregations of faith.

It makes sense that there would be many ways to worship together. People of like interests will naturally congregate together. As long as we all understand that there are many ways to worship and serve our Lord, I have no challenges with there being thousands of denominations. It's when any one group feels they are better or the "only" way to serve God that I cringe. The God who created millions of flowers, birds, insects, and beings of every type has room for all of us to be individuals.  Our God loves variety. One only has to look at creation to see the possibilities are limitless in God's world. Let's celebrate the beauty of our differences and realize that together we form a chorus of wonderful worship.

Rather than pointing a finger at someone else's seeming short comings, look up and raise all fingers to God in praise that he loves us all with total grace. 

Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
-Acts 3:19

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

-Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)

The Hour has Come

Jesus prayed, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want."
-Mark 14:36 (NRSV)

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake." And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."
-Mark 14:32-42 (NRSV)

Being a christian is not always the easy road in life. Some people believe that if you have faith in God and believe in Jesus as your savior that no bad thing will come your way.

When hard times beset them, they are confused and at a loss at how to proceed. When it is a friend going through a hard time, they wonder what the friend has done to cause their hardship. There are times and places in each of our lives where we must pass through a narrow entry way; a place where friends and family may not follow. If we are to be in God's will at these times, we must keep looking forward and not turn back to long for what we are leaving behind.

Jesus was so stressed about facing his week of passion that he sweat great drops of blood while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew that he would endure brutal punishment and then have to leave his earthly life behind. It was a narrow path that only he could walk. He laid down his will to choose the Father's will. By doing so, he made a way for all of us to become God's children.

Footprints in the Sand

If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.
-Psalm 27:10 (NRSV)

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
-Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)

It has become part of the American Christian lexicon - Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson. Mary wrote the poem as a teenager in the depression era out of her own internal struggles. She shared the poem with others to encourage them in time of need and then at some point, she put the piece of paper on which she had written the poem away in a valise to be long forgotten.

The poem took on a life of it's own and traveled far and wide bringing encouragement to the down-hearted. Mary freely shared her poetry with others with never a thought of copyrights.

Others tried to claim authorship of the poem. It was in 1980 when after losing her husband to heart disease while going through family mementos that she again discovered the old valise of her teenage poems. There lay the original copy of "Footprints in the Sand" where it had long been waiting for her return. Forensic specialists examined it and determined that it was indeed original and she was able to obtain a copyright of authorship over fifty years after penning it.

She had lived a full life and had gone through many troubled and also many happy times. I imagine that when she finally had her poem authenticated it was a fulfillment of sorts of the poem itself. How happy it must have made her to be able to hold it to her heart from which it originally had sprung all those long years ago.

Footprints in the Sand has encouraged me through my own times of difficulty. It is a simple, yet powerful poem. It helps me to remember, even in my darkest hours, that the Lord Jesus is with me - either walking beside me, or carrying me in His strong arms when I am too weak to walk.

Pray about it: Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for being by my side at every moment. You give me strength when I am weak and lighten my burdens when they are heavy. Help me to always remember that you will never leave me or forsake me. Let it be! Amen.

"Why are you afraid?"

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
-John 14:27 (NRSV)

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Mark 4:35-41 (NRSV)

There was a terrible time in my life when everything seemed to be falling apart. I felt as if I had lost myself. I made some desparate decisions that lead to calamity. I felt alone with no where to turn. Rejected by friends and facing divorce, I was soon to learn that my father had been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. My mother on hearing the news fell down with a massive heart attack. My husband left and I was unemployed with two small children and many bills to pay.

One day I could simply not face life and I pulled the covers of my bed over my head and curled up in a ball extremely depressed. I simply could not go on and had no strength of my own. I did not know what I would do. I called out to the Lord in my dispair. It was at that moment that I felt the peace of the Lord and almost heard his voice comforting me and telling me get up and walk with Him.

Even though I felt everyone had rejected me, the Lord Jesus did not. He picked me up and took my hand and walked with me. With His peace and kindness, I made it through that very difficult time in my life.

He has blessed me richly with a loving husband and a career that is very rewarding professionally and financially. I went from being alone and pennyless to being happily married, completing a college degree and obtaining a professional career where I earn twice annually what my mountain of debt once had been. The Lord gave me peace and strength during a terrible storm without which I would not have been able to go on in life. I did not deserve His love or His help, but He never rejected me.

Pray about it: Lord Jesus, help me to know your peace in every situation. Let it be! Amen.

Read about it: John Dear's book, Jesus the Rebel: Bearer of God's Peace and Justice, will challenge you to bring the gospel message into your everyday life.

Reverential Awe of God Leads to Understanding

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. -Psalm 111:10 (NRSV)

Now this is the commandment -- the statutes and the ordinances -- that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, so that you and your children and your children's children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. -Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (NRSV)

We are to love the Lord with fear. Fear has several meanings, one being to have "reverential awe" as is shown in the definition found on Dictionary.com (1). "Reverential awe" of God is the beginning of wisdom."

If we truly see God for who he is we are just beginning to have wisdom. Looking deep into God brings us understanding. We must spend time communing with God to have wisdom and understanding. How do we "commune" with God?

Let’s look more closely at the words “fear” and “commune”. It helps while meditating on a passage of scripture to really think about the words in the scripture and words that come to mind while reading the scripture. Many times the words we use have deeper meanings than we first realize and we can glean understanding by looking at definitions, synonyms, and even by researching the original language of the Biblical text.

Going to Dictionary.com (2), we find the following definition for "commune":

1. To converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings.
2. To be in intimate communication or rapport: to commune with nature. –noun
3. Interchange of ideas or sentiments.

American Heritage Dictionary (3) proposes the following for "commune":

1. To be in a state of intimate, heightened sensitivity and receptivity, as with one's surroundings: hikers communing with nature.
2. To receive the Eucharist.

American Heritage Dictionary (4) provides the following for "Eucharist":

1. A sacrament and the central act of worship in many Christian churches, which was instituted at the Last Supper and in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed in remembrance of Jesus’ death; Communion.
2. The consecrated elements of this rite; Communion.

The Online Etymology Dictionary (5) provides the following for "Eucharist":
"sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the Communion," c.1350, from Gk. eukharistia "thanksgiving, gratitude," later "the Lord's Supper," from eukharistos "grateful," from eu- "well" + stem of kharizesthai "show favor," from kharis "favor, grace," from PIE base *gher- "to like, want". Eukharisteo is the usual verb for "thank" in the Septuagint and N.T.

We are to fear God, meaning we should have reverential awe of God. The Bible says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” I propose that we must commune with God to gain wisdom. When we commune we converse or talk together with God, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; we have an interchange of thoughts or feelings. This could mean prayer or actual conversation, talking with God from the heart. Also, the word commune relates to the Eucharist or communion sacraments. Part of communing with God is partaking of Communion, a service in which we remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The etymology of Eucharist contains the ideas of thanksgiving and gratitude, grace and favor. We need to commune with God with an attitude of awe, thankfulness, and gratitude. We need to be in prayer and communication with the Lord. We need to be participating in the service of Communion. We need to be aligned with the sacrifice of Christ and to be thankful and grateful for his sacrifice for us. These acts are the beginning of wisdom and by spending time with the Lord in this way we gain understanding.

Citations
1. "fear." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 05 Mar. 2008.

2. "commune." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 05 Mar. 2008.

3. "commune." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 05 Mar. 2008.

4. "Eucharist." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 05 Mar. 2008.

5. "Eucharist." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 05 Mar. 2008.

We are adopted into God's family as his own children

Paul wrote, "I am convinced that neither death nor life . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-Romans 8:38-39

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
-Romans 8:12-17 (NRSV)

Once as a small child I went grocery shopping with my mother. Not wanting to sit still in the cart, I complained until my mother let me out to walk beside her. Being curious about all the things around me, I let go of my mother's hand and looked at all the pretty things. When I looked back, being just a small child, all I could see was a sea of legs. I could not find my mom and was afraid. A kind person saw my plight and took me to the front of the store where the manager announced me as a lost little girl over the loud speaker. Soon my mother was there to get me.

My mother had not left me. I had turned my attention away from her and wandered off. When I cried, help was there and I was soon rejoined with my mother.

As a parent myself I was often fearful of losing my own child in a crowd. I was always attentive to her whereabouts and would never have left her to wander. Times are such these days that a parent fears not that a child will simply get lost, but that someone will take the child and do deadly harm. Because of this concern, I would simply not go places where it would be easy for my child to wander off.

As my child grew and went to day school, I soon realized that she would go many places without me. I could no longer be with her at all times to protect her. While she was in elementary school, I could be confident that teachers would always be watching. After school she was in a study hall and would be supervised until I picked her up to take her home.

When she grew into a teenager, she was soon able to go places where there was not an adult I trusted to watch out for her. This brought me many worrisome times. I had to realize that she was an individual who would make her own decisions and that I could not always protect her from herself or from others. I had to trust that my prayers would be heard by the Lord and that heavenly eyes would be watching out for her.

My daughter announced to me one day that she had found her mother. You see she is adopted and had sought out her birth mother without my knowledge. She decided she would move in with her. This was a difficult time for me as I wondered where we stood with each other. Her birth mother was very happy to be reunited with her and showered her with gifts and promises of gifts out of her joy to be able to be with her daughter at long last.

It felt as if I had simply been babysitting my daughter for 17 years until this day that she sought out her birth mother to be reunited. My daughter was treating me as if I were not her mother. I had to turn my fear of loss over to the Lord. I love my daughter with undieing love. No matter what she may do, I will always love her; even if she should walk away and never return.

After living with her birth mother for three months, I received a call from my daughter. She wanted to come home. She realized that I was her true mother, even though I was not the one that gave her birth, I had given her my heart and my home.

This experience helped me understand the love the Lord Jesus has for each of us and how His heart aches when we turn our backs on Him. He does not forsake us. His love is always there and He waits for us to return.

My prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that I will never take your love for granted but will always realize that you love me more than anyone else could possibly love me. You have given everything so that I can be your child, adopted into your family. No matter where I go or what I do, I will always be in your family. Thank you Lord for loving me. Amen!

The most powerful words-Jesus' Mission Statement

Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV)
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

-John 10:10 (NRSV)

Jesus' first act in his public ministry was to proclaim his mission statement: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." In John 10:10 Jesus gives us his vision statement: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

He was purposeful and he was specific. He had a definite distribution plan: recruit 12 people to take the message to the world. For three years he taught the twelve recruits. He lead by example and he gave them responsibilities. He mentored them as they stepped out to follow his lead.

The message never changed. As we are called to follow Him and we too are his disciples and bearers of this mission: to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. We are to let the world know his purpose: Jesus came that (they) those that follow him, may have life, and have it abundantly.

First we must know him, really know him. Second we must live the abundant life. Thirdly, we are to share the abundant life with everyone. Jesus said we are to have life and to have it abundantly.

My prayer: Lord, open my blind eyes to see you fully and free my captive mind that I may understand your mission and how I may live it and share it with all those I meet. Let it be! Amen.

In this season of Christ's passion, think on his words and understand that he came to give us abundant life.

Read more:

This holy week study will give you more insight on the last words of Jesus. The author, Peter Storey, expounds on the meaning in the words of Jesus as he faces his week of passion.

Psalm 51:10-12 (NRSV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
-Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

I am the clay in the master potter's hands

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NRSV)

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

[God] who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
-Philippians 1:6 (NRSV)

Cory Ten Boon was a diminutive little Dutch woman whose family hid Jews in their home during the second world war. Her family was arrested and taken away to German prison camps where all of them died. Cory would have died as well except for a clerical error which released her from prison on December 31, 1944. From that day until she suffered a debilitating stroke, she traveled the world, becoming a “tramp for the Lord,” preaching the message of God’s love and salvation to whomever would listen.

Along her travels she happened to visit the college where I was attending my freshman year and spoke at at chapel service there. She told us a story about a tapestry that represented our lives. This tapestry we only see from the underside as God is adding the stitches. We see the loose threads and all the cross-over stitches and find it hard to see any sense in the design. However when the tapestry is completed and God shows us the upper side from His view, we can see the beautiful picture that He has created. We could never see it from our perspective, only when God reveals His work to us can we see the beautiful picture He is creating of our lives.

Cory knew this very well. She had suffered greatly for the kingdom of God and for doing good to others. Her world was full of choas, but God had a plan for her. She knew first hand, that God directed her life because she allowed Him to stitch the tapestry even when she could not understand the circumstances, she trusted that He had a purpose and a design.

My prayer: Lord, I trust you with the tapestry of my life. Help me to yield to your design and to understand that even when I do not see the full picture that you have a beautiful plan in mind. Let it be! Amen.