Setting the tone

It’s a heavy week in the Christian world. There are so many moments — highs and lows — and I feel them.

From Jesus coming to the people, riding on a donkey…

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest!”

to the dark days of deception and distance and darkness and death…

to the Resurrection!!!

And everything in between! So much is happening.

And while we can read about it sometimes we can even feel it. It may feel more real as we sit in a worship service during this week and hear The Word preached or it may be wrapped up in our confession or creed or a hymn. It can also be felt and, maybe, better conceptualized when we see a re-enactment or watch a film about it —

For me, at least, it is so hard to imagine the triumph of this week in the midst of the deep darkness, but it is worth wrestling with. It helps me understand just a little bit more about the depths of God’s love for me and what He has done for me.

The sacrifice. The death. The resurrection.

God’s provision for us is all encompassing. It is the beginning and the end.

He is the beginning and the end. And everything in between.

May your week be filled with awe and wonder at the heights and depths of God’s love and provision for you!

Holy Saturday

Imagine walking through Jesus’ time as one of His disciples.

It’s been quite a week with the triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper to the washing of the disciples’ feet to grappling with the betrayal of Judas to the murder of Jesus, and now, here we are — it’s Saturday. So much has happened. can we believe there will there be a resurrection?

We see things from a much different viewpoint. We have the blessing of God’s Word to tell us it happened…Jesus was raised from the dead!

But, there are times in my life when I in a place where I can Hosanna all day long. Or I am trapped in the of darkness and grief of Good Friday. And, other times when I am dwelling in the Resurrection Joy.

It has been an unusual week. Where have you found yourself on this continuum of emotions and experiences?

I know the Resurrection is real. And yet, if I am honest, I find myself getting stuck in places here and there along the week.

Sometimes I am…

Encouraged.

Heartened.

Devastated.

Guilty.

Lying.

Betraying.

Watching.

Waiting.

Sad.

Sleeping.

Disheartened.

Hopeful.

Lost.

Confident.

Surprised.

Joy-filled.

Where are you today? God loves you exactly where you are. I am so thankful that how I feel does not negate the Truth of what God has done and is doing!

Revelation Song ~ Phillips, Craig, and Dean

Ransom the Captives

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel
Translated: John Neal, 1818-66

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

I am so thankful Jesus came to set the captives free! I love my freedom in Christ but there are times I still head towards captivity.

For the love of all things pure and beautiful, I don’t know why!

I trip up and get trapped in my own sins and selfish desires. And I often forget to extend the grace and forgiveness so freely given to me. And back to captivity I go.

Thank you, God, for providing the ransom for my life through the death and resurrection of Jesus!

Come, Lord Jesus!
Liz