The Wonderful Cross

Sorry for the long break, no excuses...just haven't got around to posting! I will try to be more consistent - but no promises!

I read recently that "most Christians tend to rush right past the cross because they are in such a hurry to get to the resurrection. But you can't have the resurrection without first tasting death." Those words have really been on my heart these past couple of days.

I have been in a very dry spell when it comes to my time alone with God, this Lenten season has came and almost passed without any real time spent in the Word or in prayer. I didn't give anything up for Lent, although I rarely do but I appreciate the practice when done with the right spirit and attitude. Yet I don't want Easter Sunday to pass just like any other Sunday.

Easter - 2008
(Curious to see his reaction this year!)

It is hard to focus on the true meaning of any holiday in this day and age. There are Easter baskets being sold everywhere, even on the side of the road!, huge Easter egg hunts with the eggs being dropped from helicopters, and no emphasis whatsoever on why we even celebrate Easter. So even though, I am going to take Nathan to his first egg hunt tomorrow morning and try to get a picture of him with the Easter bunny, I am going to quiet my heart and focus on the true meaning of this weekend and what it means to me as a Christian.

As a fan of both hymns and worship music, here are two of my all-time favorites:
(pause the music player on the right to hear only the music video in this post)

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.