Friday

If you get a chance, search for this poem on youtube. Our church shows it on Good Friday, and it always proves very powerful!

It’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming—

It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a coming.

It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.

And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Now it’s Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn’t the only thing that was shaking because now it’s Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it’s Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it’s Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.
It’s Sunday, and the crucified and resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It’s the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.

Different

After talking with that cute guy in my picture tonight, I came to re-realize (is that even a word?!) how wise God was when He made men and women differently. What would I do if my boyfriend personalized every comment I made (like women do)? What would we do in a conflict if we both stonewalled (like men do)? God was such a genius to make us different.

But why do women often think the way God made men is wrong? And why do men often think the way God made women is wrong? It's not wrong. Just different!

I've been listening to the Love & Respect cds a lot lately and have been astounded at the accurracy of the speaker's points. I come to see again and again how well men and women compliment each other and how each gender, male and female, reflect aspects of the God we love!

He is so good to us! He reveals Himself to us through each other! Oh how He loves us!

Waiting

I went to the doctor today to get some bloodwork done. Unfortunately, I had gained a lot of weight. I am constantly tired, even to the point of exhaustion and fatigued, no matter how much I sleep. In addition to gaining weight, I've lost my appetite. I usually eat one meal a day, not because I starve myself, but because food rarely sounds appetizing. My moods swing drastically up and down, and loved ones tell me that I act and behave differently. I am becoming "spacy", not remembering assignments or even what I did the day before.
I don't want to complain, but I feel like shouting at God "Tell me what's wrong with me RIGHT NOW!!!" Instead, I don't have a choice but to wait. Wait patiently on the Lord.

A family that is close to mine recently had to make some tough life-changing decisions. Each member wanted their own way, and the dilemma grew bigger and bigger. Eventually, they decided to draw lots, which I had only heard of in the Bible. Guess what they drew?

"Wait"

Two days later, God opened the door and made their choice so clear, no family member could deny it. By waiting, they were able to follow God's will for their family.

Waiting is so hard, but God promises that all will work out for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. He doesn't say that all will immediately work out for the good, but He does promise good.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord!
Our God!
You reign forever!
Our Hope, Our strong Deliverer!

You are the Everlasting God!
The everlasting God!
You will not faint, You won't grow weary.

You're the Defender of the Weak
You comfort those in need
You raise us up
On wings like eagles.