Sunday, March 29, 2015

Hosanna in the Highest...

Today is Palm Sunday and one of my favorite days of the year. Why?  Well... for me, it starts in these marvelous verses: 


I finally understood the glories of this verse when I started writing stories years ago.  It's only a hobby of mine, but I learned a lot about what makes a good story... a good plot. I learned about what draws people into the story, and what makes them satisfied with the end of the story.

You see, it's all about the hero (or heroine). The entire story -- from beginning to end, from setting to other characters to whatever troubles need a hero -- it's all designed for the hero. The magnitude of the problems besetting the world sets the stage to show off the power and strength of the hero. Everything leads toward the final climax, when the hero overcomes all and saves the world. Everything. It all points to the hero, and it's all about him.

That's what this verse is saying about Jesus.

All things have been created through Him and for Him.

Because He is the hero of History.  His story.

All of history is about Him.  At the end of time, the grand finale of the story will come.

And when the people of Jerusalem spread their palm branches and shouted praises, it was a foreshadowing of that day when the entire world will see Him in all His glory.  For there will come a day when there will be no one who does not see and know that He is Lord. The ultimate Hero. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus.

I love Palm Sunday because we celebrate the one time in history when humanity recognized their King for who He Is.

Hosanna in the Highest!

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

In the falling apart moments...

I read an article this morning that a few Christian friends shared on Facebook. These few don't share much, but when they do it, it's always worth checking out, so I did.

Please read it. It's a story, and not a long one.  And worth it.           >>>

<<<               Okay... now that you've read it...                                                                                                                       
What are you thinking right now?

Me... I'm thinking of my fellow Christians. What if we took it one step farther?

What if, instead of simply stopping our judgment and keeping our mouth shut, we can instead stop our judgement and let the Holy Spirit fill out mouths?

What if, in each situation that we are tempted to judge... maybe, if we ask the Holy Spirit, He would give us powerful words of encouragement that we can speak and offer instead of those judgmental thoughts that we all know go through our head initially?

Can we show others that there's a different kind of Christian... a kind who loves and cares and is more likely to give grace than anything else?

I have the feeling that God is just waiting for us to be willing...
Sponsor a Child in Jesus Name with Compassion