Musings of a New Heart and a Partially Renewed Mind

[UntoHim]

Thoughts on Passion Week

Father give me the passion of your Christ
when hearts are troubled, when angst and fear reign
Now may peace that passes all understanding
then a holy passion fan into flame

Father give me the passion of your Christ
who for joy set before a cross endured
Now precious blood cleanses all who come
speaking better things than Able's for sure

Father give me the passion of your Christ
who lived and loved, selfless and unreserved
Now let this same mind be also in me
humbled, not to be served, but to serve

Father give me the passion of your Christ
when hearts and minds fall to flesh and to sin
Now I would be as the prodigal's father
who welcomed with loving embraces for him

Father give me the passion of your Christ
who suffered and died for righteousness' sake
Now may I pick up my own cross as well
taking the path that my Savior would take

You can tell a lot about a person when you find out what they are passionate about. Young lovers are passionate about each other...at least until the honeymoon is over. Some kids are passionate about growing up to be something or someone. Some young professionals are passionate about making it to the top of their profession. Some people are physically gifted, and their passion is expressed on the fields and courts of competition. Some people are passionate about the arts...expressed in words on paper or a computer display, paint on a canvas, the formation of various materials or musical notes from various instruments or from their voice. Some people are passionate about building something for God.

We know that God is a passionate Being, because we are made in his image and after his likeness. Just as a living Being has created living beings, a passionate Being has created passionate beings. So it should be no wonder to us that when God's own son appeared he would be found to be the most passionate of men. Yet just as the Lord Jesus became angry, but did not sin, he expressed various other forms of human passion, but did not sin. In fact his passion accomplished just the opposite, and to the benefit of both God and men.

We have now entered a season of angst and fear, the likes of which most of us have never seen. In the days leading up to the crucifixion, our Lord experienced such angst and fear, even to the point that "his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground". His passion and commitment towards his Father and towards a sinful and lost world were tested to the uttermost. This week, as we meditate on and remember the ultimate sacrifice of the Son of God, may we pray that we have the very same faith, passion and commitment. Now may I pick up my own cross as well, taking the path that my Savior would take.
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[Truthseeker]

Amen hallelujah.

[Sons to Glory!]

Praise the Lord that for the joy (us!) set before Him, He endured the cross!

[Cal]

Good stuff, Unto. Thank you.

[UntoHim]

Resurrection Day

Out of billions to come and go
why should I be someone to know

Who is this man you're mindful of
and visit with such grace and love

So I shall wonder at your choice
and listen for that still small voice

But alway eyes upon the cross
and only glory in that loss

For I am but one breath away
then wait for resurrection day

Ballad of A Cross and A Crown

This is the ballad of a cross and a crown
and the man who was so punished
though no fault in him was found
The scoffers would mock him
even his own would flee
Still with his last breath
"Father forgive" was his plea

This is the ballad of a cross and a crown
and the man who dreaded the first
then in the garden fell down
For he knew Abba Father
and he knew his good will
So he stood in our place
he stands as our Advocate still

This is the ballad a cross and a crown
and those who must pick up their own
and come follow him now
For a cross must come first
only then comes reward
Along with a cherished
"well done" from our Lord

This is the ballad of a cross and a crown
and a man who took on the first
in glory wears the second now

-

[UntoHim]

To everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to break down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to count as lost,
a time to keep and a time to discard,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

I think we're all feeling a little fragile and a little vulnerable these days. I think this is how the author of Ecclesiastes was feeling when he wrote the words above. For me, this has been a season of reflection and backtracking. The future looks uncertain, even for those of us who have put our faith in God and in his Word. "Be anxious for nothing" seems to have temporarily become a burdensome demand, rather than the comforting and reassuring words they were meant to be. I see a lot of discouragement. I see a lot of anxiousness. I see a lot of walking wounded, even in those of us who have been healed.

O wounded one come to the Son
the chains that hold you can now be released
No need to run for He has overcome
so your striving and struggling can now cease

O wounded one come to the Son
by whose wounds and scares you have been healed
Come see his face at the throne of grace
then soon to you the Father revealed

O wounded one come to the Son
on his lovingkindness you can depend
Throw off all fear then boldly draw near
for your Savior is calling you his friend

O wounded one come to the Son
and humbly bow here at Jesus' feet
Abandon your sin and come learn from him
for He is lowly, for He is meek

O wounded one come to the Son
O child, his work in you is not complete
There is more grace and there is more truth
all for you if his Kingdom you will seek

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[Sons to Glory!]

Really good bro, really good! Ditto regarding seeing so many "walking wounded." Thanks for sharing.

Let me also say that through this time I've experienced something about having many of the "props" removed, especially in my Christian walk. That is, I've been exposed a bit as to how much my BC (before corona) Christian life was propped-up with so many weekly Christian activities. Through all of it though, Christ still lives in me.