Tag Archives: Sin

Warped And Fractured

*This Thursday’s 4/10/14  Writing prompt: Broken
This prompt is inspired by themes of Lent. Week #5 of {The Journey Series}, the journey to Easter.

 

 

BROKEN

This world is warped and fractured.

Oozing the pain of days gone bad.

One just needs to turn on the TV to hear the world crying.

At times the agony seems far away and sometimes…

it grips you. Personally.

The world breaks you.

The delicate shards of life scattered at your feet.

Will this world ever be whole again?

Will life be as it should? As it was meant?

When sin blackened our days, did it also steal our future?

Millions searching for purpose in this life…….

And the tear streaked faces and hardened hearts look for the answer.

And The Word echoes across the barren broken soul.

And when He (Jesus) had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.…  Luke 22:19 

Christ’s broken body…given for You. Christ took your (and my) place on a rough, heavy cross, that day on Calvary.

The perfect life, laid down for the imperfect. The sinless One sacrificed because of the darkness of a sin broken world, full of those who desperately need Him.

Jesus chose to be broken and poured out……for you…..for me.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 NIV

As we walk towards Resurrection Day, let us remember the great sacrifice that Christ made for us. The suffering was great for sins that He didn’t commit.

A pardon given, because of His love. 

 

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The Day That Changed The World

Looking towards Easter…..the holiest of days.

The day of resurrection. The day that Jesus overcame.

The day that changed the world. Forever.

 

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Sin Sickness

Let’s face it.

For all the beauty that is in this world…

every gorgeous sunrise, every mountain peak, each newborn baby…

all those things that bring fleeting, tenuous, joy…

There is also pain.

This world spins crazy on its axis, and sometimes the spinning can make us sick.

Sick with worry, sick with sorrow, sick to death.

This is how the world was then, too.

When Christ came.

Sin sickness since the day the stench of it permeated the earth.

When the deceiver asked the woman and man to defy.

And their “yes”, bit hard into sin.

And ever since, mankind has known full well what sin feels like.

Roman soldiers, people crying, “Crucify Him!”, a governor who wanted no part of it.

Heavy wooden cross beam, splintered wood, and blood.

The sin of the world on His shoulders, separation from His Father……

and Jesus tasted darkness that day.

The bitterness of a world gone bad.

His perfect sacrifice, for a world that knew Him not.

Killed. Buried. Left in a dark and silent tomb.

Sin mocked. The deceiver lied. The world waited.

The disciples questioned, the women cried. The world waited.

On the third day, the tomb was empty.

Jesus was not there. Death could not keep Him. The tomb could not hold Him.

He is alive! He stands victorious.

We can face this world on days that are hard and uncertain

Because our Savior lives!

 

11 Now Mary (Magdalene) stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.      —John 20 NIV

White As Snow

A thick blanket of snow is covering the yards and farm fields as far as my eyes can see. The morning sky leaks a pinkish hue as a frozen blue haze fills the air. The picture outside my kitchen window shivers cold. Inches of white snow, with more to come, later in the week. This winter has been a perpetual snow globe.

A cold January with beautiful sunrises

A cold January with beautiful sunrises

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I admire the exquisite beauty of God’s handiwork, the phrase “white as snow” keeps going through my mind.

Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;                               
    plead the case of the widow.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.     Isaiah 1:17-18 NIV

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 NIV

Dark and ugly, my very nature screams for its own way. Selfishness, mistakes, poor choices, decisions that could have and should have been different. Things that I think, that I dare not say aloud. I long to do the right things, but I always end up falling back into what is easy, what I know, what I live with….sin. All those things that are not pleasing to my Heavenly Father.

But, the Lord says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”.

Forgiveness. Purity. A new start.

A fresh beginning in Him, and through Him and because of Him.

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Today I am thankful for: 

* a snug, warm house

* comfy sweatshirt

* fuzzy socks

* mittens that keep my fingers warm

* snow covered fields

* a shoveled out driveway

* icicles hanging from the eaves

* a happy heart

* the smell of fresh brewed coffee

* health of my family

* my God who loves me enough to clean me as white as snow

Sin Sickness

Not Jesus' tomb, but a tomb none the less.

(Photo credit: callmetim)

Let’s face it.

For all the beauty that is in this world…

every gorgeous sunrise, every mountain peak, each newborn baby…

all those things that bring fleeting, tenuous, joy…

There is also pain.

This world spins crazy on its axis, and sometimes the spinning can make us sick.

Sick with worry, sick with sorrow, sick to death.

This is how the world was then, too.

When Christ came.

Sin sickness since the day the stench of it permeated the earth.

When the deceiver asked the woman and man to defy.

And their “yes”, bit hard into sin.

And ever since, mankind has known full well what sin feels like.

Roman soldiers, people crying, “Crucify Him!”, a governor who wanted no part of it.

Heavy wooden cross beam, splintered wood, and blood.

The sin of the world on His shoulders, separation from His Father……

and Jesus tasted darkness that day.

The bitterness of a world gone bad.

His perfect sacrifice, for a world that knew Him not.

Killed. Buried. Left in a dark and silent tomb.

Sin mocked. The deceiver lied. The world waited.

The disciples questioned, the women cried. The world waited.

On the third day, the tomb was empty.

Jesus was not there. Death could not keep Him. The tomb could not hold Him.

He is alive! He stands victorious.

We can face this world on days that are hard and uncertain

.Because our Savior lives!

11 Now Mary (Magdalene) stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.      —John 20 NIV

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That Friday Morning…

Sherman Oaks Elementary School

Friday morning began like any other day. Parents dropped their young children off at school. Teachers arrived for another

day of workbooks, activities, chubby pencils, and pink erasers. The seconds ticked on the clock as the school hummed with the busyness that only those in an elementary school can fully understand.

He showed up, full of anger…hell bent.

Lives lost. Futures changed. Hearts broken. Tears flowing.

A large, irreparable tear in the fabric of so many lives.

People don’t understand. They want answers to the why. Why did this happen? WHY?!!! They demand someone tell them how a young man could kill? How so many young children could be dead? How teachers are now gone? How did we get to this point?

The pain is raw and gaping. The pictures of those lost, breaks our hearts.

We are indeed, broken.

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Some would say, How can we be thankful on this day? How can we give thanks in the midst of grieving?

It is when we are thankful on the other 364 days a year, that we are more prepared for that one horrible day.

God is still good. He is still here. He has not forsaken us. He gives us things everyday to be thankful for. When we walk with Him on the good days, when we see His hand in the sunshine…it gives us the ability to trust Him in the darkness. When we don’t understand the why’s, when the pain seems unbearable, when our bodies are wracked with sobs…..

We can trust Him.

But, some will say, “Why wasn’t God there?”

To them I reply, “God was there.” He is Emmanuel-God with us.

We live in a broken world, where sin happens. Evil is real. Most days, we as a people, are able to “forget” this. Push it down. Not acknowledge it…but, it is there. Always there.

It is because of that sin…that brokenness…that Jesus came. We celebrate Christ’s birth during this season. He came into this world because we needed Him. We could not, would not, get out of this sinful mess on our own. The gap was too wide, the chasm too deep…between us and God. Sin has a horrible way of doing that. It divides. It hurts. It leaves us empty. Jesus knew this. He knew we needed Him to step into this world. To take our place. To be that bridge between us and God.

God was there on Friday.

Just like He was there, the day His own son died.

For us.

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Today I am thankful for:

* God who is here in the midst

* Jesus, who came as a baby…

* that Christ is the bridge

* for He is the One that redeems

* one day when sin will be no more

* knowing He is there, even in the darkness, when I can’t see Him

* children who make me smile

* anticipation leading up to Christmas day

* movie night with friends

* early morning emails

* rainy Mondays






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Not Getting What I Deserve

Christ in Gethsemane (Christus in Gethsemane),...

I’m glad I don’t always get what I deserve.

Oh, sure. I am a law abiding citizen and a productive member of society. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter and a friend. I am a special education teacher, many times assisting those that have no voice. I believe people would tell you, if asked, that I am a good person.

But, what does that mean? Being a good person?

Society calls me a good person….but, I know that I am a sinner. I was bound by my guilt. Even if no one else knew my heart…I did. I knew, and the picture wasn’t always pretty. My thoughts aren’t always pure. My anger sometimes boils over and I say words that I wish I could take back. I am chained to my sin, it is a part of me…..but, it no longer defines me.

My sin condemned me to death. I was not worthy to stand before a holy and just God. What I deserved was separation….but, instead He gave me redemption.

I was redeemed. Saved. Changed.

Yes, I still sin. I’m not perfect. I make mistakes. I do things I shouldn’t and don’t do things that I should.

Jesus stepped in. He took my place. It is HE that covers my sin, so that when the Father sees me…..He sees me through the filter of His perfect and blameless Son.

I didn’t deserve this, it was because of His love for me, that I am one of the redeemed.

Thank God, I don’t always get what I deserve.

… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God  Romans 3:23  NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 NIV

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23  NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  Romans 10:9-10  NIV

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Today I am thankful for:

* grace, amazing grace

*redemption

* love, always love

* things I don’t completely understand that leave me in awe

* sunny Monday mornings

* hot tea to soothe a sore throat

* a box of tissues for a stuffy nose

* a warm bed, messy with sheets and blankets

* family time and shared memories

* smiles…the best accessories

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Stoning

Stones

Last Saturday I attended a women’s conference. One of the speakers talked about throwing stones, as she carried a large rock onto the stage with her.  It was not the kind of rock one skips across a lake, but one that is thrown at others.

Her illustration made me think.

What a horrible way to die. Slowly. Each blow from a rock, leading to bruising. Breaking. Pain. Until mercifully, it was over. In times past, and still in some countries today, stoning is for those that have broken the law. Committed an unpardonable sin. Those that throw the stones are sure that they are right. That they are above this sin. That punishment is due.

And, the stones are heavy and cold in their hands.

As I listened to the woman speaking, I was reminded of something.

I have been like that woman. The lost. The sinful. The one who made mistakes. My wrongs were not always known to others, but, still there….marking me….as the one that was (and is) covered in the grime of sin.

And, I also must admit that I’ve picked up the stones. I have been the one holding the rocks, to bash them against another. To break them. Holding on to the belief that they deserve what they get.

And the tears fell.

Aren’t the ones casting the stones just as needing of forgiveness, as the one who cowers in the midst of the the angry circle?

We have all sinned, and we are all helpless to save ourselves………

that is where His grace comes in. Amazing grace.

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

   9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  John 8  NIV

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For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23  NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

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He Delivers

Today at, A Holy Experience,  we will be finishing our writing on the practice of fasting.

I know there are many people that choose to “fast” for this season. To give up something… or to let something go. I don’t celebrate Lent in this way. Although, there is something to be said for preparing ones self in the days leading up to Easter. To look inwardly (each of us personally) and know what our heart holds. It is when we are honest and see ourselves for what we truly are….that we can begin to understand the need for a Redeemer.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Romans 7  NIV

Last week, I started a new health and wellness program. After much reading and researching, I have committed to this program. I knew that I would have to give up things that I have grown to love. Things that are unhealthy, and bad for me, but that I’ve allowed to set a precedent in my life.

And it is hard.

The body wants, what the body wants. Temptation is all around. There is never a greater battle to be fought, than the one that we fight within ourselves. I can understand what Paul meant when he said that he wants to do the right thing, but he keeps doing the things he doesn’t want to do. It becomes more and more, not about giving up sugar or processed foods, but about me. My opportunity is to lay even this seemingly simple, mundane thing down at the feet of Christ. To know within myself that I, not only can’t do this eating program alone, I would miserably fail.

Thank the Lord, that He did not leave me a prisoner to my own sin. Not to fight my own battles, whatever they may be, not to struggle with the day to day events that are frustrating…or those incidences that leave me feeling insecure or unsure.

So, it is in the giving up, I find the pouring out. In the laying down, I find the rising up.

And it is in Christ, I find that He alone is who I need.

13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4 NIV

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The Relationship Is Real

Hands

Image by Aurelijus Valeiša via Flickr

What does it look like to believe?

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This is one of those questions that people say not to talk about. Don’t discuss religion. You’ll get people all riled up. Just discuss the “easy” stuff of life. Make people laugh. Whatever you do, don’t discuss faith! Please don’t mention the name of Jesus Christ. That could put people right over the edge. They might even hate you. And you know what? That might be true…..but, I will not deny the name of Jesus. I cannot. Once He touches a life, one is never the same…and people notice.

Belief. Faith. Hope

What is it? Why have it? What is the point? Why does it matter? I’ve been asked those questions many times throughout my life….because most people are searching. Whether they fully admit it or not. They want a purpose. They want to know that there is something more than what they wake up to each day.

Because, let’s face it. Life can be, and usually is, hard. Even people that seem to “have it all”, wonder if “all” is ever enough?

I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t deny it. I don’t follow Him because I’m “uneducated”, “weak”, or “as a crutch”. I don’t love Him because I’m forced to, or acknowledge Him because I have to.

My faith is important. My relationship with Christ, real.

I believe because…

While I was still living my own life, my own way, on my own terms…..God loved me. Even when I didn’t love Him back. I was a sinner….born into sin. Selfish, wanting my own way. Daily, struggling with my own thoughts and actions…sometimes out loud…and sometimes only to myself.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8 NIV

He loved me. I didn’t need to bring Him presents, He didn’t require money, I didn’t have to be perfect and have my life together before He accepted me. He loved me. Broken, me. Sinful, me. Lacking, me. Imperfect, me.

Sin was a horrible thing that kept me from God. I couldn’t save myself from it. It was a part of me. A thing that still darkens my heart….because I am not perfect. I needed a Savior. One who is perfect. One who understands the state I am in. One who could take my place before a Holy God.

Fallen, broken and  dying….I wanted more.

I needed more….more than I had, because what I had wasn’t what I needed.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23 NIV

A gift.

For all eternity.

I surely wasn’t deserving of it. That is the thing…it was freely given. I just needed to say “Yes” to what He was offering.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10: 9-10 NIV

Being a Christian doesn’t mean I am perfect….far from it! It doesn’t mean that life is always wonderful. I still have days where I hurt. Or am confused. Or battle within my own self.

The difference is that I acknowledged those things…..and I am forgiven.

Forgiven. That is no small word.

And for me, it has made all the difference.

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What does faith look like to you? What does it mean to believe?

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I Still Have A Lot To Learn

Cross-shaped window inside church in Hicksvill...

Image via Wikipedia

Today, at A Holy Experience, we are spending our second Wednesday talking about forgiveness. To be honest, I have sat at my computer for quite a while this morning, struggling with what to write. I wanted to write something deep and comforting. Something helpful and yet profound. Frankly, it all fell flat.This is not the day for that.

I struggle with forgiving others. I understand about forgiveness. I understand that unforgiveness can cause resentment and bitterness. I get it. I do.

And yet…..

the hurt feelings

the betrayal

the lies

the pain

the harsh words

the moments lost

the feelings forgotten

The human part of me wants for the offender to hurt…as much as he/she hurt me. It is an ugly feeling. One for which I am not proud. It makes me feel less, to even admit it. Would it make me feel better? Would it? Would it be settled in my mind if I felt like the offender had their fair share of hurt?

No, probably not.

And the truth is I am no better. I’m sure in my lifetime I have said a lot and done plenty that has left other people raw and wounded. My words have the ability to cut deeper than any knife.

And I am ashamed.

My eyes skimmed across this scripture…and I didn’t feel quite so alone. We humans have a lot to learn, much to be reminded of…

7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.  Daniel chapter 9  NIV

God is merciful and forgiving…

He who had never sinned, humbled himself to walk among sinners.

His love was so great…

His forgiveness so immense…

And I need to be more like Him.

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How do you forgive?

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