The Gift Exchange (John 1: 14, 10: 29)

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" - John 1: 14.

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand" - John 10: 29.

He - God's gift to us,
wrapped in crimson pain,
in tears and sweat
and glory
"The only Begotton - full of grace
and truth."

We - God's gift to Jesus,
wrapped in scarlet sin,
in doubt and fear
and wonder.
Chosen children, bought by love
and grace!

-- Marlene Chase

PS. This was part of my devotional for the day. Source "Words of Life"

Here At The Cross - RENEWAL!

God is calling out to each of us —‘come to the cross.’ He wants you there, not to observe it or analyze it, but to leave something there! God wants to tidy up all those things that keep you & I from really loving Him and knowing you are walking in His will.

God chose you in the most costly way possible. It happened on a cross of splintered wood. Jagged nails, Indescribable pain, All for you. All so God could win your heart and you could freely live for Him.

Listen again to Jesus’ words:

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8: 34, NIV)

WHAT CAN YOU & I LEAVE AT THE CROSS?

We can leave all our bad habits, mistakes and anxieties at the cross.

BAD HABITS

Leave our selfish moods and white lies. God wants them. Our binges and bigotries - Hand them over to God. Every failure and disappointment - He wants every single one. Why? It’s because God knows we can’t live with them and his commitment to us is to: “remove our sins” (Romans 11:27). This happens when we bring our bad habits and leave them at the cross.

MISTAKES

We hear it often said, “We all make mistakes!” That phrase can often be used as a smokescreen for the things we’ve done wrong. God sees through our smokescreens. He sees the truth of our lives and our sins.

God sees all our mistakes, he wants the mistakes we have made and the ones we are making! Are you making some? Are you drinking too much? Are you involved in violence? Are you cheating at work or in your marriage? Are you mismanaging money? Are you mismanaging your life? If so, don’t pretend nothing is wrong. Bring your mistakes and leave them at the cross.

ANXIETIES

All too often, we carry sins, faults, troubles and worries. These anxieties Jesus offers to lift off your shoulders. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

You & I do not have to carry any of these things any longer than we want to, for Jesus Christ is waiting to lift them from us, and to wipe them all away. All we have to do is ask - Here At the cross.

The Message of the Cross is the message of God’s forgiveness. God loves us so much, that he gave his Son at the cross for all the struggles we face. You & I can have true and real joy when you come first and leave all our sin and burdens at the cross.

Burdens are lifted At The Cross!

Here At The Cross - CHALLENGE!

I walked one day along a country road,
And there a stranger journeyed, too,
Bent low beneath the burden of His load:
It was a cross, a cross I knew.

Refrain

“Take up thy cross and follow Me.”
I hear the blessèd Savior call;
How can I make a lesser sacrifice,
When Jesus gave His all?

I cried, “Lord Jesus,” and He spoke my name;
I saw His hands all bruised and torn;
I stooped to kiss away the marks of shame,
The shame for me that He had borne.

“O let me bear Thy cross, dear Lord,”
I cried,And lo, a cross for me appeared,
The one forgotten I had cast aside,
The one, so long, that I had feared.

Here At The Cross

There was no crown for Him of silver or of gold
There was no diadem for Him to hold
But blood adorned His brow and proud its stain He bore
And sinners gave to Him the crown He wore.

Refrain:
A rugged cross became His throne
His kingdom lives in hearts alone
He wrote His love in crimson red
And wore the thorns upon His head

He did not reign upon a throne of ivory
But died upon the cross at Calvary
For sinners there He counted all He owned but loss
And He surveyed His kingdom from a cross.

No purple robe He wore His bleeding wounds to hide
But stripes upon His back, nail pierced and riven side
And from the wounds there flowed a crimson, cleansing stream
That was the cover for the soul unclean.

Standing Somewhere In The Shadows

Standing somewhere in the shadows you'll find Jesus
He's the only one who cares and understands.
Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him
And you'll know Him by the nail prints in his hand

In The Shadow Of The Cross

Reflection For March 28

In the shadow of the cross let me hide,
There the Savior for my sins bled and died;
There the precious, cleansing fount
Flows so free from Calv’ry’s mount,
In the shadow of the cross let me hide.

Refrain:
In the shadow of the cross I will rest,
For with everlasting peace I am blest;
Here I dwell in love unknown,
Streaming down from heaven’s throne,
In the shadow of the cross I will rest.

In the shadow of the cross, blessed place!
Living only for the Lord, by His grace;
What He says I’ll gladly do,
Ever standing firm and true,
In the shadow of the cross, blessed place!

In the shadow of the cross, safe retreat,
Ever sitting lowly at Jesus’ feet;
While His presence is so near
I shall never, never fear,
In the shadow of the cross, safe retreat.

In the shadow of the cross, here I meet,
In communion with my Lord, oh, how sweet!
And my soul is borne above,
While I revel in His love,
In the shadow of the cross, here I meet!

Here At The Cross - WAITING!

Lord, I come to Thee with an aching heart,
I am waiting at the cross;
I confess my guilt, and with sin I part,
I am waiting at the cross.

Refrain:
Waiting at the cross, waiting at the cross,
Waiting at the cross for Thee;
Waiting at the cross, waiting at the cross,
Waiting at the cross for Thee.

I forsake the way I am walking in,
I am waiting at the cross;
Save me now, I pray, from this load of sin,
I am waiting at the cross.

I am bound, O Lord, but I come to Thee,
I am waiting at the cross;
It was there Christ suffered in pardon me,
I am waiting at the cross.

I repent, O Lord, as Thy word commands,
I am waiting at the cross;
Oh, release my heart from its sinful bands,
I am waiting at the cross.

--Barney E. Warren

Here At The Cross - LIGHT!

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrew 12:2

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8


Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Was it for sins that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut His glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man, His creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears.
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.

Here At The Cross - MIGHTY POWER!

What can take a dying man and raise him up to life again?
What can heal a wounded soul?
What can make us white as snow?
What can fill the emptiness?
What can mend our brokenness?
Brokenness

[Chorus:]
Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross

What restores our faith in God?
What reveals the Father's love?
What can lead the wayward home?
What can melt a heart of stone?
What can free the guilty ones
What can save and overcome?
Overcome

[Chorus]
It's a miracle to me [2x]
And It's still a mystery [2x]
It's a miracle to me
The power of God
For those who believe

Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is .......
Mighty is.......
Mighty is the power of the cross

Thank You for the cross [2x]
Love the cross [2x]S
o Powerful...... ohhhhh yeahhh
What can take a dying man?
And raise him up to life again?

Worship You Jesus
By your wounds we are healed
By your wounds we are saved
Mighty is the power of the cross [2x]
Thank You Jesus for the Holy cross

--Chris Tomlin

Here At The Cross - The Charm Of The Cross

Many thoughts stir my heart as I ponder alone;
Many places attract me with charms all their own;
But the thought of all thoughts is of Christ crucified,
The place of all places, the hill where He died.

Refrain
O the charm of the cross! How I love to be there!
With the love that shines from it, what love can compare?
The seal of my ransom in Calvary I see,
All my sin, O my Savior, laid upon Thee!

’Tis the end of my sin and the source of all grace;
’Tis the word of God’s love to a prodigal race;
’Tis the greatest, the grandest gift God could impart,
Surpassing my reason, but winning my heart.

For the sake of the Christ and the love of His cross
I have yielded my all and not reckoned it loss;
There’s a place in my heart which the Savior must fill;
No other can take it, and none ever will.

Here At The Cross - A PRAYER.

Open our eyes, Lord;
The shadow of Your Son's cross encompasses all the world.
Lift our hearts, Lord.
Help us to bear the tragic burden of these moments.
Stir our souls, Lord;
That we may pursue with renewed strength the paths You have laid for us.
Direct our minds Lord:
Beyond the dimness, into a fuller understanding of Your will.
Lead us, Lord;
To make a renewed commitment to Your Son.

Here At The Cross - LOVE!!!

The power of the Cross is love – the love that suffers for the sake of others, love that accepts rejection and keeps on loving, love that gives everything.

Here At The Cross - MERCY & GRACE!

March 21, 2009 Reflection

AT THE CROSS

I know a place, a wonderful place
Where accused and condemned
Find mercy and grace
Where the wrongs we have done
And the wrongs done to us
Were nailed there with Him
There on the cross

At the cross (at the cross)
He died for our sin
At the cross (at the cross)
He gave us life again

I know a place, a wonderful place
Where accused and condemned
Find mercy and grace
Where the wrongs we have done
And the wrongs done to us
Were nailed there with You
There on the cross

At the cross (at the cross)
You died for our sin
At the cross (at the cross)
You gave us life again

Here At The Cross - MERCY!

March 20, 2009 Reflection

Because of the mercy of the cross, you and I have received grace, mercy, and forgiveness, so that we are set free from the tyranny of our sin, and are liberated to live a new life in Christ. It’s very good news – but it is only half of the story.

I believe that, while there are no pre-conditions to receiving the mercy and grace of Jesus, there are expectations . On the cross, Jesus didn’t lavish his mercy and grace on us simply for our benefit. The Mercy of the Cross should inspire us to do as Jesus did – to in turn show mercy and grace to others. Just as Jesus forgave all those who had harmed him, you and I are to show those who may have harmed us mercy and grace, as well. It is the least we can do.

As those who have received the mercy of the cross of Jesus, we are morally bound to extend that same grace, mercy and forgiveness to others. We are to be as generous to others as God has been generous to us. As it says in Ephesians 4:32: “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” In fact, there is a direct relationship between receiving and granting forgiveness. In the prayer our Lord taught us to pray which we recite every Sunday, we say “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” - In other words: “Forgive us our sins – to the same extent that we forgive others.” Thanks to the cross of Jesus, we are freed to forgive others in Jesus Name, and we are expected to do just that.

Yes, we are morally bound to forgive others. It is our duty – our obligation – if we want to claim the mercy of the cross for ourselves.

Here At The Cross - Saviour!

William Booth - "It is because Jesus did come down from the Cross that we believe in Him."

Yes, He could have saved Himself - but if He had, He could not have saved anyone else!

Here At The Cross - Jesus Will Meet You There!

Kneel at the cross,
Christ will meet you there,
Come while He waits for you;
List to His voice,
Leave with Him your care
And begin life anew.

Refrain
Kneel at the cross, (at the cross)
Leave (ev'ry care) ev'ry care;
Kneel at the cross (at the cross)
Jesus will meet you there. (meet you there)

Kneel at the cross,
There is room for all
Who would His glory share;
Bliss there awaits,
Harm can ne'er befall
Those who are anchored there.

Kneel at the cross
Give your idols up,
Look unto realms above;
Turn not away
To Life's sparkling cup,
Trust only in His love.

Here At The Cross - GRACE!

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt – isn’t that great news? Jesus' blood on the cross paid for all our sin – it is ALL covered by His Amazing Grace; His Marvelous, Infinite, Matchless Grace!

Here At The Cross - No Turning Back!

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly,
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty.
And men despise the Saviour I've adored.

I'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost, I
'll not turn back, whatever it may cost,
I'm called to live, to love and save the lost.

If doors should close then other doors will open,
The Word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.

If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I'll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master's name.

Here At The Cross - LOOK!

Another quote from Billy Graham -

"Here was the Son of God dying on a Cross which was made for the viliest of sinners. Here was the act of substitution raised to the highest degree. Here was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sin of the world. Here was the blood of God poured out in selfless love for a dying, hopeless, doomed world."

Here At The Cross - 'I LOVE YOU'

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’'' - Billy Graham

Here At The Cross - There Is Room!

The cross upon which Jesus died
Is a shelter in which we can hide
And its grace so free is sufficient for me
And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea.

Chorus
There's room at the cross for you
There's room at the cross for you
Though millions have come, there's still room for one
Yes there's room at the cross for you.

Though millions have found him a friend
And have turned from the sins they have sinned
The Savior still waits to open the gates
And welcome a sinner before it's too late.

The hand of my Savior is strong
And the love of my Savior is long
Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain,
The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.

Here At The Cross - Life For A Look!

There is life for a look at the Crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved,
Unto Him Who was nailed to the tree.

Refrain
Look! look! look and live!
There is life for a look at the Crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee.

Oh, why was He there as the Bearer of sin,
If on Jesus thy guilt was not laid?
Oh, why from His side flowed the sin-cleansing blood,
If His dying thy debt has not paid?

It is not thy tears of repentance or prayers,
But the blood, that atones for the soul;
On Him, then, who shed it, thou mayest at once
Thy weight of iniquities roll.

Then doubt not thy welcome, since God has declared
There remaineth no more to be done;
That once in the end of the world He appeared,
And completed the work He begun.

Then take with rejoicing from Jesus at once
The life everlasting He gives;
And know with assurance thou never canst die,
Since Jesus, thy righteousness, lives.

Here At The Cross - All Is Covered!

Far dearer than all that the world can impart
Was the message came to my heart.
How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone,
And Calvary covers it all.

Chorus
Calvary covers it all,
My past with its sin and stain;
My guilt and despair
Jesus took on Him there,
And Calvary covers it all.

The stripes that He bore and the thorns that He wore
Told His mercy and lover evermore
And my heart bowed in shame as I called on His name,
And Calvary covers it all.

How matchless the grace, when I looked in the face
Of this Jesus, my crucified Lord;
My redemption complete I then found at His feet,
And Calvary covers it all.

How blessed the thought, that my soul by Him bought,
Shall be His in the glory on high;
Where with gladness and song, I'll be one of the throng
And Calvary covers it all.

Here At The Cross - LOVE

I trust as you reflect on these words, they will bless your heart as they did mine.

Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

In The Shadow Of The Cross - We Are Forgiven!

It is the Cross that beckons us to redemption and life eternal with God.

Jesus Christ came to live amongst us for one purpose...that we might believe in Him as our Lord and Saviour and that through Him, our sins would be forgiven. But it is not His birth that saves us, but it is in His death on a Cross. It is through His shed Blood that our sins are forgiven and we can live in victory.

The power of the Cross is where we are forgiven. Keith Getty wrote along with songwriter Stuart Townend the following beautiful praise hymn.

“The Power of the Cross"

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath-
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God-slain for us.
What a love!
What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Here At The Cross - FORGIVENESS!

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

“Father"

These are the first recorded words we have from Jesus on the Cross. He begins with a prayer to our intimate heavenly Father. He does not address His beloved disciple John, nor the grieving women who followed him nor the religious leaders, nor the sinners on each side, nor the gawking crowd below. Jesus did not look at the people around Him, but up to the Father above. He will only be able to see the people around Him in proper perspective when He focuses on the Father first. Are our first thoughts toward God in everything?

“Father, forgive them"

But there's more. While in excruciating pain, Jesus asked God to forgive His tormentors. I don't know about you, but in the midst of the pain, especially when I am on the receiving end, I find it difficult to think about forgiveness. Christ's pain wasn't even over yet, it had just begun! The people on the receiving end of God's forgiveness certainly didn’t deserve it. They didn’t even ask for it. It wasn't even a past event. More was to come. Yet He still asked the Father to forgive them. What amazing grace! What amazing love! I believe that this may be the most powerful example of grace and forgiving love in the whole Bible.

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing."

Did the soldiers, the gawkers, the Jewish leaders, the angry spectators, fully comprehend the consequences of their actions? We don't know all the reasons they were there on that day at the cross. All we need to do is to think about ourselves a little. How often do we actually think through the repercussions of what WE do? We may think we are doing the right things. We have noble ambitions. We may be protecting the truth. We may be Standing up for righteousness. Making sure the wicked don't go unpunished. Our reasons may even be less than honourable or outright rebellious. In the end it doesn't really matter why they were there. They thought they knew what they were doing, but in the eternal scheme of things they had no clue!

But Christ's concern wasn't the "Why?" When faced with persecution, with trials, with pain, our first response is to ask God "why?" Maybe we want to understand to have a reason to grant forgiveness! But Christ's didn't need a reason. True love doesn't need a reason. His first response was reconciliation, forgiveness, grace!

That’s the first and final conclusion of the cross – grace. God loved us first, taking the initiative to reconcile with us, even at the greatest possible cost to Himself.

May this time of reflecting, 'in the shadow of the Cross, be a time of reconciliation for all of us! Don't ask for an explanation. Don't try to understand. Don't wait for someone to ask you for forgiveness. Don't focus on what is happening around you. Focus up to your heavenly Father. Look up in prayer on their behalf. When you do, you will find the grace to take the first loving steps toward loving forgiveness for those around you, regardless of what they are doing, or why they are doing it. Simply forgive and leave the rest up to God!

FEEL THE NAILS

They tell me Jesus died
For my transgressions
That he paid that price a long, long time ago
When he gave his life for me
On a hill called Calvary
But there's something else I want to know

Does he still feel the nails
Every time I fail
Can he hear the crowd cry "Crucify" again
Am I causing him pain
Then I know I've got to change
I just can't bear the thought of hurting him.

It seems that I'm so good at breaking promises
And I treat his precious grace so carelessly
But each time he forgives
What if he re-lives
The agony He felt on that tree

Holy, holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy Holy
Holy is the Lord

Do you still feel the nails
Every time I fail
Have I crucified you Jesus with my sins
Oh I'm tired of playing games
I really want to change
I never want to hurt you again

Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord

Written In Red

In letters of crimson God wrote His love
On a hillside so long, long ago
For you and for me Jesus died
And love’s greatest story was told


I love you, I love you
That’s what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
I love you written in red


Down through the ages God wrote His love
With the same hands that suffered and bleed
Giving all that He had to give
A message so easily read


I love you, I love you
That’s what Calvary said
I love you…
Oh precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fountain I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus


I love you, I love you
That’s what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
I love you written in red

There Is A Redeemer

There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Jesus my redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done.

When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that Holy Place.

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done.

There is a redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy One,

Thank you oh my father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done.

And leaving Your Spirit,
'Till the work on Earth is done.

Take Up Thy Cross

Take up thy cross, the Saviour said,
If thou wouldst My disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after Me.

Take up thy cross; let not its weight
Fill thy weak soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart, and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
The Lord for thee the cross endured
To save thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross, then, in His strength,
And calmly every danger brave; '
Twill guide thee to a better home,
And lead to victory o'er the grave.

Take up thy cross, and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only he who bears the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.

--Charles W. Ev­er­est

“And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].” - Mark 8:34 (Amplified Bible)


“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18 (New International Version)

Beneath The Cross Of Jesus

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
And the burden of the day.

O safe and happy shelter,
O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where Heaven's love
And Heaven's justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch
That wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Savior's cross to me,
A ladder up to heaven.

There lies beneath its shadow
But on the further side
The darkness of an awful grave
That gapes both deep and wide
And there between us stands the cross
Two arms outstretched to save
A watchman set to guard the way
From that eternal grave.

Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me:
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess--
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

--Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869

At The Cross

Alas, and did my Savior bleed,
And did my Sov'reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Chorus:
At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut his glories in,
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man, the creature's sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calvary's cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne'er repayT
he debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,'
Tis all that I can do.

Alternate Chorus:
Oh, the Lamb, the loving Lamb,
The Lamb on Calvary;
The Lamb that was slain,
That liveth again,
To intercede for me.

Isaac Watts

Chorus: Ralph E. Hudson

In The Cross Of Christ I Glory!

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,L
o! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

John Bowring (1792-1872)


Galatians 6:14 (New International Version) - "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."

Near The Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

--Fanny J Crosby

The Wonderful Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and blessYour name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Shadow Of Your Cross

Lamb of God, Son of man how you suffered how You bled
With a crown of thorns pressed upon Your head
You chose the road of pain
You walked the hill of all my shame, all my shame

In the shadow of Your cross, I will live for all my days
How could I forget the price You paid
In the shelter of Your love I will give You all my praise
In the shadow of Your cross I will stay

Man of sorrows crucified pure and holy sacrifice
As the hammer hit the nail You offered up Your life
You gave up heaven for Your own
You took our punishment alone
You were so alone

O King of Majesty
Forever I will sing
Of the gift You gave to me
You gave to me

--Joel Engle

In The Shadow Of The Cross

Today, Ash Wednesday, is the beginning of Lent. During Lent I will be doing some meditatiion under the caption - "In The Shadow Of The Cross". I came across the following lyrics by William J. Henry, Published in 1911.


In the shadow of the cross let me hide,
There the Savior for my sins bled and died;
There the precious, cleansing fount
Flows so free from Calv’ry’s mount,
In the shadow of the cross let me hide.

Refrain:
In the shadow of the cross I will rest,
For with everlasting peace I am blest;
Here I dwell in love unknown,
Streaming down from heaven’s throne,
In the shadow of the cross I will rest.

In the shadow of the cross, blessed place!
Living only for the Lord, by His grace;
What He says I’ll gladly do,
Ever standing firm and true,
In the shadow of the cross, blessed place!

In the shadow of the cross, safe retreat,
Ever sitting lowly at Jesus’ feet;
While His presence is so near
I shall never, never fear,
In the shadow of the cross, safe retreat.

In the shadow of the cross, here I meet,
In communion with my Lord, oh, how sweet!
And my soul is borne above,
While I revel in His love,
In the shadow of the cross, here I meet!

MOVE ON!!!

"Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on."Exodus 14:15

Moses had brought the whole nation of Israel, approximately 600,000, to a dead end in the desert. The only thing between Israel and Pharaoh's pursuingarmy was the Red Sea. This was after ten plagues God had inflicted on Pharaoh to motivate him to free the Israelites. Finally, Pharaoh had freed Moses and the people, and they left Egypt. They thought they were home free. "Freedom at last," they said.

But God did a strange thing. He directed Moses to take a route that led to the Red Sea, instead of the northern route around the Red Sea. God explained that He didn't want them fighting the enemies they would have encountered on this route. But still, there was the issue of the Red Sea.

They finally arrived at the Red Sea, and the people were wondering where they would go from there. News hit the camp: Pharaoh had changed his mind. He was coming after them with his army. Panic set in.

God sometimes brings each of us to a "Red Sea" in our life. It may be a work problem that can't be solved. It may be a marriage that seems to be failing. It may be a debilitating disease. Whatever your Red Sea, God tells us one thing: "Keep moving." The Red Sea was before them, yet God was angered at Moses and told him to "Keep moving."

"But Lord, the Red Sea is before me."

"Keep moving."

When we live by sight, we act on what we see. God sets this stage in dramatic fashion. God is into the dramatic. There is no way out without God here. That is just the way He wants it. No one will get glory except God.

A friend once admonished me when I was in the midst of an extremely difficult time in my life, "You must not withdraw from being proactive in your faith just because of this trial that you are in. God's hand is on your life. There are too many who are depending on you to fulfill the purposes God has in your life. Keep moving! Keep investing yourself in others."

I didn't feel like it. I was in too much pain. But I did it anyway.

God met me at the point of my greatest need once I decided simply to be obedient. Getting past myself by investing myself in others helped heal the pain.

There is great healing when we look past our own problems and seek to invest ourselves in others for the sake of Christ. This is when our own Red Seas become parted. We begin to walk to freedom.

But we will never experience the miracle of the Red Sea in our lives if we don't first "Keep moving."

Snow, More Snow Coming!

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