Via Crucis :: Immersion

Sixth Station:  Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns (John 19: 1-3)

The Thorn Crown of the King

 ^1-3 So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, and approached him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face.

The pain that Christ went through as the whip drug across his back, as the thorns dug into his flesh, as he was mocked and scorned and ridiculed. In The Passion of the Christ, this was the most brutally intense scene - the image of the whip, similar to a cat-o-nine-tails with barbs, ripping and rending the flesh from the back of Jesus still haunts me to this day. I cringed and closed my eyes, but not soon enough. Not soon enough. It is a miracle that you survived the scourging. Or is it? Because you did, you died instead upon a cross. Would your sacrifice have led to the redemption of the world had you died at the hands of a Roman whip?


Father God, for His pain I am able to be reconciled to You. Through His suffering I am made whole. By His blood I am white as snow in You. May I never forget his agony. May I always remember that it was for me and all as I, all of humanity, that He was made to suffer so.

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 33 - a quote about faith in __________

"Have faith in God; God has faith in you."
~ Edwin Louis Cole

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Fourth Station:  Jesus is Denied by Peter (Matthew 26: 69-75)

Denial in the Courtyard

 ⁶⁹ All this time, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. One servant girl came up to him and said, "You were with Jesus the Galilean."

 ⁷⁰ In front of everybody there, he denied it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

 ⁷¹ As he moved over toward the gate, someone else said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene."

 ⁷² Again he denied it, salting his denial with an oath: "I swear, I never laid eyes on the man."

 ⁷³ Shortly after that, some bystanders approached Peter. "You've got to be one of them. Your accent gives you away."

 ^74-75 Then he got really nervous and swore. "I don't know the man!"

   Just then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.

How can it be that one of the inmost of disciples, one of those closest to Him, could deny him? Recognized by many and fearful for his own life, Peter denied that he even knew who Jesus was. And Jesus? He knew before that such would happen. Was he surprised when the cock crowed the third time and found that Peter had in fact denied him? Did he speak the words to Peter to give warning of the frail human character, hoping Peter would find a strength to affirm and not deny? Already wounded by the betrayal and the condemnation of the Sanhedrin, was this merely a scratch to the already festering woundedness or was it the knife in the back that trumped all other pain?


Father God, Christ himself states that the only unforgivable sin is the denial of the Holy Spirit. However that may be, keep me ever on guard that I may find strength enough, boldness and courage to never deny who Jesus Christ is to me, for me, and upon me.

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Third Station:  Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin (Luke 22: 66-71)

^66-67 When it was morning, the religious leaders of the people and the high priests and scholars all got together and brought him before their High Council. They said, "Are you the Messiah?"

 ^67-69 He answered, "If I said yes, you wouldn't believe me. If I asked what you meant by your question, you wouldn't answer me. So here's what I have to say: From here on the Son of Man takes his place at God's right hand, the place of power."

 ⁷⁰ They all said, "So you admit your claim to be the Son of God?"

   "You're the ones who keep saying it," he said.

 ⁷¹ But they had made up their minds, "Why do we need any more evidence? We've all heard him as good as say it himself."

You weren't just condemned, Christ Jesus, were you? You were self-incriminating. You spoke no word in your defense, stood silent before those that would accuse, allowed yourself to be condemned. What is one to think of that? What am I to make of that. You willingly walked toward your demise. Am I, as a follower of you Christ Jesus, meant to do the same? If ever a situation were to arise where I am to stand before accusers, would I be able to be so restrained? 


John Ericson spoke of a tale: In a future Earth where to be (as in verb - action) Christian meant to be condemned to death a man was brought before the judges to be condemned. The prosecutor presented evidence of the crimes - the man attends church every Sunday, he reads the Holy Bible and not only reads it but marks it and highlights the book. The man stood before his accusers and waited on baited breath. The judges deliberated and found the man not guilty. The man was at first thrilled but then shocked. He was not condemned? How could this be? The judge spoke, "he does act as a Christian." 


Father God, when it is that I stand accused, may I be so condemned that I am to be put to death for the deeds that I have done.

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 32 - a quote about something you'd sacrifice everything for


“Self-sacrifice is the real miracle out of which all the reported miracles grow”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Second Station:  Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested (Mark 14: 43-46)

A Gang of Ruffians

 ^43-47 No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Judas, the one out of the Twelve, showed up, and with him a gang of ruffians, sent by the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders, brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a signal with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one—seize him. Make sure he doesn't get away." He went straight to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The others then grabbed him and roughed him up. One of the men standing there unsheathed his sword, swung, and came down on the Chief Priest's servant, lopping off the man's ear.

Betrayal ... that's a hard concept, a hard word - harsh. Betrayal denotes a back stab and it implies by a friend. Judas was one of the close, one of the twelve. The treasurer. Trusted. Did Jesus confide in him? Did Jesus seek his counsel? Traveling together for three years together, living together for three years. There must have been a closeness in their relationship. 


I remember watching Jesus Christ Superstar, which portrays Judas as almost the innocent scapegoat. We all, of course have a purpose in bringing the Kingdom of God. Because he was fulfilling a purpose does that make him blameless? And Jesus? Hurt not by the betrayal but by the affection offered prior to the arrest. Betrayed in a very intimate way. 


May I always be aware of my words and actions; may I never intentionally betray another.


Father God, guard my words and my deeds. Keep me ever mindful that what is said and what is done could cause irreparable harm to another.

Via Crucis :: Immersion

First Station:  Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-41)

^36-38 Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."

 ³⁹ Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?"

 ^40-41 When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."

 ⁴² He then left them a second time. Again he prayed, "My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I'm ready. Do it your way."

 ^43-44 When he came back, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground one last time.

Sorrow that is crushing the life out of me. I have been there as well ... moved through the spaces of darkness that Jesus encountered in the garden on that fateful night. The amazing thing is that Jesus was there ahead of me, Jesus walked through that darkness and place of deep sorrow ahead of me. Jesus is there to guide me out of that darkness. Jesus not only walks ahead of me, but he lifts and carries me through the deepest of places. He willingly gave up himself for me. ME!


May I be so willing to give up myself for You, Lord Jesus.


Father God, give me the willing spirit to go into the darkest of places if that is where you need me. Equip me to be a guide to those who struggle still in the deepest of sorrows. Help me carry those too weak to walk the path on their own.

Via Crucis :: Immersion

Via Crucis :: Immersion is an experiential Stations of the Cross. Via Crucis is based on the 14 Stations of the Cross … remixed. 


Via Crucis :: Immersion is a pilgrimage. A journey into the heart of God. It is an immersion into the suffering of Jesus and a discovery of our own brokenness. It is Christ’s passion.


The Via Crucis is a pilgrimage. As much as it is a journey of remembrance for what Christ has done; it is also a journey into the heart of God and what the Spirit is doing today. We enter the Way of the Cross in many ways – some in arrogance and self-assurance, some with deep wounds and pain, some with malaise and distraction – but hopefully in the midst of it we all discover our brokenness and our blessedness. We identify our pain with the suffering of Christ and we also realize our place as the beloved of God.


[Once again I will be participating in this blog event and since there are fourteen stations I will have to play catch-up. I should have started on Monday and today is Wednesday. So I hope to post two stations today for Monday-Tuesday and two stations tomorrow for Wednesday-Thursday.]

You in me as I in you

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 31 – a quote describing your favorite pet

“No heaven will not ever Heaven be, unless my pets are there to welcome me.”
~ Unknown

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 30 – a quote about something you hate

"The individual who is habitually tardy in meeting an appointment, will never be respected or successful in life." 
~ Wilbur Fisk

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 29 – a quote that can always make you smile

[Gwen and Jason encounter the chompers] 
"Gwen DeMarco: What is this thing? I mean, it serves no useful purpose for there to be a bunch of chompy, crushy things in the middle of a hallway. No, I mean we shouldn't have to do this, it makes no logical sense, why is it here? 
Jason Nesmith: 'Cause it's on the television show. 
Gwen DeMarco: Well forget it! I'm not doing it! This episode was badly written!"
~ Galaxy Quest 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 28 – a quote about something you are afraid of

"Insects are my secret fear. That's what terrifies me more than anything - insects."
~ Michael O'Donoghue 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 27 - a quote describing you and a family member


"me without you is like:
shoes with no laces,
a nerd with no braces,
asentencewithnospaces."
~ Unknown

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 26 – a quote about something that means a lot to you

"He who has faith has... an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly."
~ B. C. Forbes 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 25 - a quote that expresses your favourite memory

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose."
~ The Wonder Years 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 24 – a quote about something you wish you could change

"From childhood's hour I have not been as others were; I have not seen as others saw."
~ Edgar Allan Poe 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 23 – a quote to the person that has gotten you through the most

"I'm a damsel. I'm in distress. I can handle this. Have a nice day."
~ Meg, Hercules 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 22 - a quote that expresses your worst memory

"Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn't really about who can own whom, who can do what to whom and get away with it, even as far as death. Maybe it isn't about who can sit can who has to kneel or stand or lie down, legs spread open. Maybe it's about who can do what to whom and be forgiven for it. Never tell me it amounts to the same thing." 
 ~ The Handmaid's Tale, Chapter 23 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 21 – a quote describing something you wish you were better at

"I'm a musician at heart, I know I'm not really a singer. I couldn't compete with real singers."
~ Nat King Cole 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 20 - a quote about something that makes you happy

"But it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."
~ Alice In Wonderland 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

I haven't spoken about therapy in a very long time I see. I thought I'd do a quick update.

I am on the way to wholeness. We had, at one time, added a Tuesday session to the regular Thursday regime. Well, the Tuesdays have completely gone by the wayside AND the Thursdays are now every OTHER week!!

Oh and guess what? Here is a snippet of conversation that we had today:
Dr. T - You are wearing bright colors today.
Me - I'm sure I've worn this dress here before.
Dr. T - Yes well, when I saw you sitting in the waiting room, my initial thought was "glowing".
Me - Glowing?
Dr. T - Yes, you are absolutely glowing.

=^D

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 19 - a quote describing somewhere you'd like to travel

"There's nothing that can match Broadway for stature and dignity."
~ Sammy Davis, Jr. 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 18 - a quote about a habit you wish you didn't have

"Perhaps my nail biting is, in reality, a quite sophisticated thing. Much like: smoking pipes, sipping scotch, and..... such...."
~ Unknown Name 

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 17 - a quote describing your greatest insecurity

"Sadder than destitution, sadder than a beggar is the man who eats alone in public. Nothing more contradicts the laws of man or beast, for animals always do each other the honor of sharing or disputing each other's food."

~ Jean Baudrillard, French philosopher 

Anne Brummel Defying Gravity GREAT QUALITY!!!!!

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 16 – a line or stanza from your favorite song

So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

Defying Gravity, Wicked (Copied from MetroLyrics.com)

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 15 – a quote to a person you do the most messed up things with

"I don't shop because I need something, I just shop for shopping's sake."
~ Cat Deeley

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 14 - a quote to someone who inspires you

"I wish to tell the world that it is not always dark; it is not always a life full of shadows. While [the shadows] are often, there is also sunshine. And rainbows. And flowers."
~ Renee Altson

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 13 – a quote to someone you can never imagine your life without

“That's right," said Eeyore. "Sing. Umty-tiddly, umty-too. Here we go gathering Nuts and May. Enjoy yourself." 
"I am," said Pooh.” 
~ A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 12 – a quote about your most treasured item

"Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch."
~ Tim Berners-Lee

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 11 – a quote that describes something you love


"United Methodist Women – why are we different? We are a diverse group of women who have a single PURPOSE! That is to be in MISSION…Women responding to the needs of people."
~ Fair View UMC, UMW

Hunter Parrish - "Beautiful City" from Godspell on Broadway

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 10 – a quote from your celebrity crush

I don't have a celebrity "crush" so instead I am posting a quote from my favourite celeb!

"But there isn't any second half of myself waiting to plug in and make me whole. It's there. I'm already whole."
~ Sally Field

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 9 - a quote about something you crave a lot

"Conversation is food for the soul" 
~ Mexican Proverb Quote

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 8 - a quote from someone that makes you laugh

"I gotta work out. I keep saying it all the time. I keep saying I gotta start working out. It's been about two months since I've worked out. And I just don't have the time. Which uh..is odd. Because I have the time to go out to dinner. And uh..and watch tv. And get a bone density test. And uh.. try to figure out what my phone number spells in words."
~ Ellen DeGeneres

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 7 – a quote describing someone or something that has had the biggest impact on you

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." 
~ Anais Nin

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 6 - a quote from you favourite band or artist

"Richard and I can think of no better way to spend an hour, than to fill it with music." 
~ Karen Carpenter

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 5 – a quote about somewhere you've been

"All calculations based on our experiences elsewhere fail in New Mexico.''
~ Lew Wallace, New Mexico Governor, April 29, 1881

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 4 - a quote for someone you miss

"Sometimes, no matter how much faith we have, we lose people. But you never forget them. And sometimes, it's those memories that give us the strength to go on."
~ Unknown

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 3 – a quote from a cast member from your favorite show

"It's my belief that cooking is a craft. I think that you can push it into the realm of art, but it starts with craft. It starts with an understanding of materials. It starts with an understanding of where foods are grown."
~ Tom Collichio

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 2 – a quote about you and the person you've been closest to the longest

"Sometimes I think he is so amazing that I don't know why he's with me. I don't know whether I'm good enough. But if I make him happy, then I'm everything I want to be." ~ Angelina Jolie

Lenten Daily Quotes

Day 1 – a quote describing who you were a year ago

"Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent on thorough investigation, it may soon lead to full establishment of the truth."
~ Ambrose Bierce

Air1 - Britt Nicole "All This Time" LIVE