Numbered With The Transgressors

I wasn't going to blog today. I have so much to do, and so much that should already be done but isn't, that somethings just had to give and today it was going to be the blog. 

Then I read Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotional for March 30 Click here to read). When I read Spurgeon's writing, I can't simply skim it or speed read it. His older English obligates me to actually stop all my mental multi-tasking and just focus on what he was trying to say. No zipping through. That's a good thing. We have so many easy to understand paraphrases and translations of the Bible available to us that I think it is easy to "zip through" without completely focusing all of our thoughts on what we read and meditating on it. Reading the works of people like Charles Spurgeon and Oswald Chambers is good mental exercise and builds study skills that I can transfer to my reading of the Bible. 

On my huge list of "things I thought I already knew but seem to keep learning again" is that Jesus doesn't just love me as I understand love, He loves me with an intensity I can't begin to fathom. He didn't just die for me, He also identified Himself with me. 

"Now, when the sinner is brought to the bar, Jesus appears there Himself. He stands to answer the accusation. He points to His side, His hands, His feet, and challenges Justice to bring anything against the sinners whom He represents; He pleads His blood, and pleads so triumphantly, being numbered with them and having a part with them, that the Judge proclaims, 'Let them go their way; deliver them from going down into the pit, for He hath found a ransom.' Our Lord Jesus was numbered with the transgressors in order that they might feel their hearts drawn towards Him." 

He came and was numbered with us, the transgressors. Sometimes we generalize that and forget that He didn't just become a face in a crowd of sinners that suddenly turned on Him. He counted the cost before He came, and did it anyway. He was loving and thinking of every individual one of us while He was being crucified, paying the price for each. Your price. My price. 

Because Christ was numbered with the transgressors, I can rejoice that am numbered with those whom He has made new. 

He is risen! Have a joyful Easter!

I Did THIS for YOU!

Of all the frequently heard sounds in our home: laughter, talking, movies/games, kittens, etc; there is one sound I hate to hear.  I don’t know how to describe it, but if you’ve ever heard it you will know what I’m talking about – that nasty popping noise that occurs when an appliance or electrical outlet “blows up.”  Twice this week we’ve turned on a light switch and heard the “pop” while sparks rained down from the light fixture to the floor.  This morning I lost my kitchen outlet while brewing coffee.  So, in a week’s time we are down two lights and our outlet.  

Yesterday I had to deliver two of our kittens to TASOK so they could go home with their new owners.  We just got a new MAF family this week, the Linds, and I invited Lisa to come along and eat lunch on the campus.  On the way home the car broke down again.  Welcome to Congo, Lisa.  I was very grateful that we were within sight of the house when it happened, but a bit disappointed.  The breakdown meant two things for me. First, David and two friends of ours spent all that time working on it and the problem still isn’t repaired.  Second, I won’t be going to the orphanage for a while.  The car can’t make it that far.  To add to the day’s adventure, my daughter came home with one of the kittens.  The boy who was supposed to get the kitten couldn’t take it home because his father had neglected to tell their driver, who refused to allow it in the car.  

The school musical is finally finished.  Emily had both acting and singing parts in the musical and did a wonderful job.  Yes, I am biased, but she really did do wonderfully!  I imagine that David and I looked pretty goofy sitting in the audience with our big grins and beaming faces.   She is already focusing on her next extra-curricular activity: auditioning for the school talent show and assisting Mrs. Francis with the auditions for the elementary school students.  

Tomorrow our church is meeting at sunrise by the Congo River.  Sunrises make me feel hopeful and expectant.  It’s like opening a present on your birthday and finding inside a gift that someone lovingly made with you in mind.  Tomorrow I get to look out over the vast Congo River as the sun plays on the water, coloring the clouds, and think not just about this beautiful world God made, but also about the sacrifice Jesus made, and in my spirit hear Him saying “I did THIS for YOU!”  Have a wonderful Easter! 

Learning About Lent

Lent (Photo credit: Fr. Stephen, MSC)

Growing up, all I knew about Lent I learned from my Catholic friends who gave up things like bubble gum or soda for several weeks. None of the Baptist churches of my childhood taught or practiced Lent. Here in Congo, we attend an international Protestant church with people from all over the world representing multiple denominations. One result of this is that I hear more about Lent.

Curious, I did a little reading up on it. Lent is not just about giving up something. Observing Lent is about drawing closer to Christ, spiritual discipline, and preparing for the Easter celebration of Christ’s resurrection in the same way that celebrating Advent prepares us for Christmas. It keeps our focus off the secularisms and commercial trappings and on our Lord. Lent is meant to bring about repentance and renewal. It’s about reflecting on and grieving over our sins – something we don’t hear about too much anymore. That one got me. Do I grieve over my sins? Elliot Ryan wrote: “Perhaps, after we examine our hearts and lives, we will be led to cry out to God as David did, ‘Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ (Psalm 51:9-10).” (My new verses for this week's 52 Challenge)

I know repentance is not an annual thing but something I should practice continuously. However, I think having a season of reflection and self-denial and spending that time and energy we would normally expend gratifying ourselves in prayer instead could be valuable and beneficial. I’ve decided to observe Lent this year and see what God will do.

What about you? Were you taught the observance of Lent while growing up? Or recently? Do you believe observing Lent is a good thing?

Sources and related articles:
Why You Should Celebrate Lent - Elliot Ryan's article
Journey to the Cross - excellent devotionals for the Lent season
What is Lent? - a good explanation of the origin and purpose of Lent

The Grave Couldn't Hold Him!

Happy Easter! Our life has been crazy with illness, car troubles, travels, and school. I have neglected my blog. And we are about to hit the road again, but I wanted to share this video with you because I think it is excellent. It is a portion of a sermon by S.M. Lockridge that has been put to music and video. Let me know how you like it.