I'll have an order of Christianity, hold the cross.

Post found here.

I read a post I had written before, it speaks of the fact that Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to achieve his mission, one that would bypass the cross. A legitimate temptation for Jesus, who while fully God, was also fully man. No cross means no suffering. What a deal!

But Jesus said, "No deal!"

He knew that to eliminate the cross was to fail. Can we think any less?

How did he do it? How did he overcome that immediate temptation and press on? Satan was not aware of one important thing about Jesus. He saw the cross as joy. "Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

How could the cross be a joy? Was it because he was going to be so happy he gave me salvation? I don't think so. I think it was because Jesus was not focused on himself (or me for that matter), but on his Father and the mission God gave him. Jesus relished in doing the work of God, no matter the cost.

We too, are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. (Matt 10:38; 16:24 for starters) If we look at the cross, that is very unappealing. If we look at ourselves, it is still unappealing. But if we look to Jesus, if we understand that our cross is not ever going to be as big a burden as his. Even in death, we do not have to suffer the consequence of the sin of the world. I can and should take up my cross because I am focused on God the Father, and God the Son. I can bear my cross, because God has promised to see me through.

Try as you might, if you do not have the cross, you do not have Christianity.

Feels Like Home

It has been over 5 years since I last posted. (I feel like I am in a confessional, telling the priest when the last time I have been to confession.) A lot has happened in that time. A lot.

So I am on the internet, and for some reason, I am looking at old posts and reading several. I find that I am thankful that I have recorded some of the thoughts I shared. Others, maybe not so much.

I started this blog after going through a messy situation with a church we were invited to attend, and did attend for a while. Reliving some of that was painful, yet convicting. It seems that God has reawakened me regarding my zeal for him. So today I post again. Maybe tomorrow or a few times in the future too. I don't know. But today I am thankful that I have recorded these thoughts, so maybe in the future I will be thankful for what I am recording now. And maybe it will help someone else who might stumble who is in a similar situation.

Not sure what these posts will consist of. Probably thoughts on what I am currently reading. Maybe some of my own spiritual journey and struggles. Possibly revisiting some old posts and thoughts.

I had thought about starting over with a new blog. But somehow this is what seems right. It feels like home.