Grace Walk
Walk with Me and work with Me--watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won't try to lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.

-Matthew 11:29-30 The Message


Hidden Treasures
One of the most satisfying aspects of writing
is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures
that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.

-Henri Nouwen in Bread for the Journey

A Modern Day Psaltery
David wrote psalms to express
what was in his heart.
Seeing no need to hide what he felt,
he wrote with sincerity, and with no hidden agenda.
What he felt was never taken against him.
Pray, dear reader, discern my heart between the lines.
Dinah Maria Craik couldn't have said it better:
"Oh the comfort -- the inexpressible comfort
of feeling safe with a person --
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,
but pouring them all right out, just as they are,
chaff and grain together;
certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
keep what is worth keeping,
and then, with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away."

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Walkway Reflections 6: The Curse










For me, thorns represent the wrong and sinful choices I have made in my life.

The predisposition to self-focus. Self-centeredness. Careless words I have uttered and which have hurt others. Impulsive decisions I have made, instead of praying through and asking God for wisdom. Things I have regretted saying, or doing. Unkind and impure thoughts that have crossed my mind.

Failures and shortcomings. Inadequacies. Inconsistencies.

There are so many ways by which sin bears fruit in my life...

And how often have I felt so helpless to undo the wrong choices I have made in the past, the consequences of which I now have to face and live with!

What a relief to know that Jesus carried and bore the curse of sin upon Himself.

Every step of His way to the cross, Jesus endured, to buy back my freedom from the effects of sin.



Walkway Reflections: Introduction
Walkway Reflections 1: The Garden
Walkway Reflections 2: The Betrayal
Walkway Reflections 3: The Trial
Walkway Reflections 4: The Verdict
Walkway Reflections 5: The Whip
Walkway Reflections 6: The Curse
Walkway Reflections 7: The Cross
Walkway Reflections 8: The Two Simons
Walkway Reflections 9: The Crucifixion
Walkway Reflections 10: The Mother
Walkway Reflections 11: The Promise
Walkway Reflections 12: The Darkness
Walkway Reflections 13: The Cloth
Walkway Reflections 14: The Table

1 comment:

Heart2Heart said...

Lidj,

That crown of thorns looks so painful with each barb and I can only imagine how horrible and painful it would be to have it thrust on your head and imbed in your skin.

Jesus was so amazing for all the pain He endured because He loved me so much!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat