LDG5

Tuesday, Lenten Day 12, LDG5-12

1) Old people who are particular

2) lunch with friends

3) two computers for file transfer

4) the ability to say no

5) stories of love and inspiration

LDG5

Monday, Lenten Day 11, LDG5-11

1) tax refunds :D

2) my puppy dog

3) quick and easy microwave lunches

4) lazy days

5) dr. pepper!

contemporary stations - station six, scourged and crowned with thorns

i was but a child.

separated yet a part

isolated but within

bleeding and broken

shredded and torn

at seven i turned to you

you were an adult

separated yet a part

isolated but within

bleeding and broken

shredded and torn

you alone can understand

for you have endured

i was but a child

they told me nothing of you

but i knew you

you were an adult who suffered as i

and you knew me

they tried to keep me from you

"he is not for you" said they

but on that day i cried out for you

from within their midst i sought you

from my pain and in my anguish i shouted

"i believe in you, jesus christ!"

i was but a child

beaten to near death for my outburst

you were an adult

beaten to near death for you silence

through your suffering you know the pain of living in life

through your suffering you understand

you were beaten and left broken and bleeding for me

for the "rest of the world" but ...

... not just the rest of the world ...

for the entire world

your suffering, my deliverance

lord jesus, thank you for your sacrifice - for your suffering, for your enduring such harshness and such pain, ridicule and punishment, torture and defilement. for it is only through your hurt that a hurting world full of hurting people could be reached (that you could reach anybody so injured as i).

Contemporary Stations - Station Five, Judged by Pilate

Held to blame stood the blameless, guilt upon the innocent. Horrifying shouts for death from riotous crowds. There you stood, before the Prefect of Judea, Pontius Pilate (who washed his hands clean of the deed). You the innocent to be tried and judged guilty. Aching heart, beating full in my chest ... I wonder at the sacrifice; you who is the perfect gift of love to be condemned for the likes of me.

I have done many a horrific deed; stains upon hands that have partaken in much wrong doing. I am the guilty, not you! And yet, there you stood before Pilate - accused, convicted, condemned. All for love ... all for redemption ... all for salvation. My salvation, my redemption (love? for even me?). Lord Jesus? how could you ... ? why would you ... ? I cannot ever repay the debt you have covered.

Father God, let me be judged - the sinful creature I am - not your son ... let not innocent blood be spilled for my crimes! I am a child of God because of your sacrifice, Lord Jesus; accused, convicted, condemned - to death ... my death ... to yet live eternally with you in heaven. Father God, thank you for the atonement that I am not worthy of through the condemnation of the innocent.

LDG5

Saturday, Lenten Day 10, LDG5-10:

1) Wonderful support

2) Funerals

3) Birthdays

4) Husbands that remember the little things

5) Kitty Cats that are so entertaining

Contemporary Stations - Station Four, Denied by Peter

I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Christ to walk his last week of life knowing that he was to be betrayed by someone close to him, condemned by priestly authorities, and denied by Peter, his right-hand man. How, Lord Jesus, were you able to sustain yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually?

You were betrayed and taken before the courts of the Sanhedrin where you were condemned - guilty with no chance of being proven innocent; yet the most grievous injury had to be the denial by Peter. Peter was the natural leader of the disciples, your chosen twelve who were your ever present and constant companions for three years. With Peter's denial came the rejection and denial of the remaining eleven. All fled in fear that night ... none stood by your side ... not a one remained beside you in your defense.

I faced them, in the large room, confessing my "sin" before the entire group of friends - I too had been betrayed and condemned. My punishment was to stand before them all and confess. Confession of crimes I did not commit, sins that were not mine. And I did - stand before them all; acquaintances and friends, those I thought of as family and she whom was my best friend - and I asked for forgiveness. And they? ... some fled (fear?), and some walked out the door (anger?), and those closest to me turned their backs to me (shunned). And I? ... slouched and slunk out the door past them, head down and fighting back the bitter angry tears ... and I thought "but I asked for forgiveness."

Lord Jesus, you knew of your denial and were prepared. You gave warning to your closest friend to prepare him for the guilt that he would carry. And you forgave him; when next Peter would look upon you, shame weighing heavy on his countenance, you offered him redemption. Father God, I have not been able to forgive as your Son has; I cannot let go of the hurt caused me and I carry such anger that it separates me from you. Lord Jesus, teach me the way - your way - to a right spirit and a healed body, mind, and soul.

Contemporary Stations - Station Three, Accused by the Sanhedrin

I stood before them, my three accusers, silent and dumbfounded; the only sound beyond their accusations were my sobs between heartbroken tears. In their minds I was guilty before I even entered the room; I wronged them and their angry words forbade any plea of innocence that I could render. And so I stood there ... shoulders slumped, head dropped, eyes diverted, tears falling to the floor as I accepted their verbal assault ... for there was nothing more that I could do.

And Jesus Christ stood before those who would accuse him; alone in a room with angry voices crying outburst upon outburst, insult upon insult, and accusations that would ultimately bring about his death. Betrayed and abandoned by his closest companions, Christ stood silent before the Sanhedrin that hurled their vehement lies. Did he know fear, the fear that I felt as I stood before my accusers? Could he have defended himself in the wake of such a chaotic trial? Could he have said anything that would have appeased the accusers and yet not denied himself? No! And I know this because there was not anything that I could have said that would have stayed the angry voices that assailed me.

I know not where my strength came from, Father God, but I know that you - through Christ Jesus - were there with me - my comforter and my redeemer. On Christ the solid rock I stand and yet how many times do I turn and leap off of that rock, sinking in the sand and longing for salvation? Father God, continue to uplift me and support me when I cause my path to become quicksand.