The Cross Matters

Last night Jeff and I watched the movie The Passion of the Christ.  Although this movie is quite graphic and difficult to watch, I make myself because it reminds me in a very real way all that Jesus endured to not only pay the price for my sin but the sins of everyone in the world. I like to, need to, watch because it brings me back to the very strong reality that the mocking, beating, scourging and His final death on the cross was barbaric, brutal, inhumane and horrifically painful. It was not pretty. It was not a basic and simple execution. It was bloody and violent.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. 

He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:5 NLT

Why? Why would I want to watch this?

Action Always Beats Intention.

Think about that for a minute. That simple statement packs a powerful punch.

Speaking volumes of truth it stabs at my heart more than just a little.

Relating to it in a number of ways I intend to eat healthier, lose weight, exercise more, read more, pray more sincerely, read my Bible every day, go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier in order to get all these good intentions done!

But…

Focus 2013 – What’s God Up To?

Have you ever noticed that when God whispers, He has a way of bringing it around time and again?

It never fails, when God whispers to me on a particular issue, I hear, read and see it in just about every way imaginable. A blog post, a quote on twitter, facebook, a movie line, through a Sunday message, in a book, devotion or scripture I'm reading, a conversation with a friend – the list goes on. Probably because I’m so hard headed I have to be reminded often! It’s as if God’s asking, “Are you listening? Did you get this?”