Within the Lines

Do we believe in the cross anymore?

(an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend reiterating, perhaps more clearly, thoughts I attempted to blog on Wednesday...)

I tried to convey on my blog (but failed miserably, I think) that (husband)'s faith is really inspiring to me right now.  At first, he really struggled with being out of control and vulnerable and scared and not wanting to go wherever this is going.  But more and more I see rising in him a strong trust in God, a surrender to whatever will glorify Him.  It's still difficult, but he's becoming more and more insistent on trusting God regardless the outcome, and even irritated at those who expect (and demand) God to answer in a certain way.  We have evangelicals (family and friends) rejoicing over our insurance coverage and the somewhat good partial-report from the colonoscopy, ignoring our talk of trusting God regardless of whether or not insurance is available and believing in His care and goodness even if the report from the test were "bad".  On the other side, we have charismatic/pentacostal friends "claiming" healing, "cursing" cancer, etc, without pausing to ask God for His leading, seeking His Kingdom, or indicating any acceptance of God's work and glory thru trial.  We're sort of in the middle, feeling like uncertain little kids, putting our hands halfway up to ask stutteringly, "b-b-but doesn't the Bible indicate that we will suffer, that God's glory is not in ways we imagine, that the cross is our lot in life, that we should look to being counted worthy to suffer?  maybe...?"

The daily cross..

{ 04:11, Thursday, May 10, 2007 } { Posted by BlueApple }

Jesus tells us in the Gospels, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14, 27).Taking up one’s cross daily means we are to embrace suffering daily. And we do it as a final surrender to Christ. We do this out of love - not sentimental love as sentiment is a feeling. Real love is a choice and one we make every day. As a Catholic we believe that suffering has great value and can be offered to God for the good of the world. I mean...if you are in pain (can be physical or spiritual) anyway..why not offer it to God. The best example is Jesus' agony in the garden. He faces certain death with fear of a man wholly alive and asks that this cup be taken away. But then he takes that resistance of his will up into a choice motivated by love for his Father..."Not thy will by thine by done."

Untitled Comment

{ 06:50, Friday, May 11, 2007 } { Posted by gokings13 }

Sit down and ask God what Scriptures He wants you to share. Write them down......memorize them.

Then when no one wants to Give Him the Glory.....when they are finished blathering.......raise that hand and say "this is what the Word of God says". Speak His Truths!!!

Laura