cross

For the Joy Set Before Him

He knew where he was going when he rode into the City of Peace that received him with such welcome: shouts of joy based on false expectations,praise that would dissolve to bitternesswhen his peace was not what they’d hoped for.He knew that they would turn on him,following their leaders, men jealousof his power and risingContinue reading “For the Joy Set Before Him”

cross-eyed I had no clear vision life was a cross I had to carry and I was cross at the tangled criss-cross web of weariness and crass emptiness (clouded crock) case-hardened then cross my heart it came across brand new old and rugged time-testedChrist’s cross his cross purposescrossed over from heavento clean and fill metoreContinue reading “Cross”

What He Wants

every weakness self-pity selfishness laziness procrastination lost opportunities hurts inflicted back-stabbing shaming ungracious picky hateful oozing woundsmisunderstoodbetrayedminimizedmalignedignoredsoul sufferinglonely depressedbattereddeceivedundressedall fell on himthe crushing weightof meannesscorruptionpaindespairthank youseems so smallto sayso minimalagainst the massof grief What grace, yes, amazing grace, was poured out on us through Jesus’ death on the cross! It saves any wretch who comesContinue reading “What He Wants”

Man of Sorrows

And this is comfort: that when the children cry the Man of Sorrows suffers too. Eternity encircled and enclosed the crossbar of his suffering with the pain of ages, all our griefs and every ruination choking out the Breath of Life. Heart broken under awful weight of every horror, crime and burden, he was crushed.Continue reading “Man of Sorrows”