THURSDAY April 29, 2010

THE CROSS (Crabb Family)

To some it's just an emblem a formality.
It's a symbol that's been used so frequently.
Many blaspheme and despise.
Though it's ancient, it abides.
A shrine to death that stands for life to me.:

There was a cross made for the Son of God at Calvary.
Two pieces of rough timber on a hill.
Through His hands and through His feet,
He took the nails for you and me.
Angels watched as He died for the lost.
Though He could have walked away He chose the cross.
You see why this old emblem is so dear to me.
It stood for suffering, yet it brought us peace.
It bridged the gap for me.
Offered cleansing for our sins.
An icon that reminds us that we're free.
God forbid that I should ever let my memory fade.
But forever keep the cross in view for that's where I was saved.

I was with my mother and my granddaughter yesterday and today I am still exhausted.  Both of them are precious to me and I enjoy them soooo much….but….today my body “feels” more than I can even express in words.  Sometimes words aren’t adequate to express my thoughts and I think today is one of those days.  This song and listening to it is healing to my existence.  I will cling to “The Old Rugged Cross”………….And……again I think….God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, why do you continue to pursue me?  And the Lord would say to me…….because I know how much you need me.  Yes, indeed Lord, I need you so much.  The Cross…..though you could have walked away, you chose the Cross.  You took the nails for you and me.

“I want Christ in my life. I want to be set free from all flesh. So I’m going to move forward, into his presence and claim my possession. I want Jesus to be my all, my only source of satisfaction.” David Wilkerson…..I could not have expressed my “feelings” better than David Wilkerson, a brother in the Lord that I admire and respect.  Sometimes the thought that I am the only human I know that struggles with the flesh comes into my head.  One time a pastor that I loved and appreciated said, “there’s only about five cents worth of difference in all of us.  When I see those who have conquered some of the flesh that I struggle with, I think, “no way”….They have arrived, they are more “spiritual” than me.  Even as I write my journals and let you hear my cry, I begin to allow the Holy Spirit to renew my mind and remind me that I am free.  Because of the Cross, I am what I am.  I become open and let you see my wounds.  No matter what I “feel”, the fact is Jesus passionately loves me.  His love for me is not contingent on my behavior or my own opinion of my behavior.

Jesus, I ask You to quicken my body, this earthly suit that you have given me.  I agree with one of the sisters that you have put in my life.  I believe that you are healing the diabetes and strengthening my heart.  I will cherish that Old Rugged Cross, till my trophies at last I lay down, I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross and exchange it someday for a crown.  If you are reading this journal, will you agree with me that I will be healed?  I’m not too proud to admit that “I want Christ in my life. I want to be set free from all flesh. I want Jesus to be my all, my only source of satisfaction.” Today I am

Being pursued,

Mary Ann