“Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call! What we believe is this: If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word. When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us. From now on, think of it this way: Sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to you; God speaks your mother tongue, and you hang on every word. You are dead to sin and alive to God. That’s what Jesus did.” Romans 6:8-11 (The Message)
Stand…
“The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.” Romans 8:23-25 (The Message)
Real
Today is Good Friday, a day to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
We have no trouble visualising the “Jesus as God” part of the equation – there are so many paintings across the ages that give an ethereal depiction – but we sometimes find it harder to remember the human side of Jesus. He was fully God, but also fully Man, able to identify with us and reconcile us to God. He is not remote – He knows our weaknesses, and has compassion for our frailties.
I came across this song recently, and thought it was a reminder of the man Jesus – the one who had a real, flesh and blood body, who lived a real life and took on real suffering for us, bled real blood for us, who had a real mother he loved as a son.
Real pain.
Real blood.
Real love.
For us.
Perhaps we gloss over the real story because it’s easier to distance ourselves; to not have to engage our emotions or think about what it really means for us.
If tradition is right, both about Mary’s age when Jesus was born, and Jesus’ age at his crucifixion, I am now about the same age she would have been when she watched her little boy die, in blood and pain.
I don’t know how I could have handled that. But it makes it seem more real. And it compels a response, one way or another.
A Blessed Heart
As a reminder of God’s blessings to me, I found this stone on my walk today…
… while listening to this song.
May you be richly blessed!
Catching Up…
…with assignments, with my spirit, with other things…
Isn’t it a beautiful day today? It’s grey and gloomy and cool, and I have been revisiting songs that I love. There’s still a lot to do, but I’ll get there.
I do like rainy days. They’re quieter. And softer. If you’re feeling a bit too gloomy, though, here’s some colour 🙂
Yes, they’re real, although I don’t know how they got the colour in there – I would think it’s something to do with dye and split stems…
The end of the year is coming, and all the “have to” deadlines seem to be hammering on the door. I got some hours done last weekend for my course. It wasn’t as bad as I’d thought it might be, and I got to meet wonderful people – even had a cuppa together on the last day. One of the things I miss with online study is input and encouragement, given and received, in actual classrooms. I got some of that last weekend, and it was invigorating… hasn’t yet translated into actually finishing work (but there’s still time!) 😀
The Sunday was all about case-taking, which I felt I’d already done by the time I got in. I sat down on the train, which was mostly deserted, and inadvertently caught the eye of an old bloke sitting three seats away. He started talking and didn’t stop until we got to Roma Street. I could tell you his life story… He was on his way to Dreamworld last week, but seems to have had quite an interesting life. People are, on the whole, lovely. And quirky, surprising, and fun.
Yesterday I didn’t make it to church, but I watched some stuff on TV/DVD, and sat on the patio listening to God songs. Sometimes you just have to stop and breathe.
Went to the markets at church Saturday night. My regular chauffeur wasn’t available (he was in Brisbane with Sweet Bean for a seminar) so I took the bus – more walking than I’m used to, but fun. Got a stack of Christmas shopping done, and got to try gluten free doughnuts (yay!). Lovely, but why does gluten free often also mean extra sugar (and oil, in this case)? Glad I could try one, though – I had “Paris Time” flavour – lavender, pistachio and vanilla bean.
What else have I been up to? Went to a cafe a couple of weeks ago…
And it was in a book shop! What more could you want?
Went for a walk yesterday and came across a garage sale. There were two tables of freebies, and I got a stack of sale stuff for $5, including a body pillow and case. Took it home and put it through the wash, came out good as new.
Still grey outside. Here’s a sunny day flower…
…and a hopeful song.
Jumping In
It’s been a while since I’ve been here – I’ve been such a procrastinator lately… today I got some note-taking done, and have been working my way through textbooks, but it’s been very slow. There’s not really enough time to lose! Nevertheless, I’m bingeing on Antiques Road Show at the moment… pleased with the work I did today, though.
Loving my breakfast! 🙂
I’ve been overhauling my eating patterns lately – problems with gut health, mostly by slipping into lazy eating with not enough nutrients and too much sugar. I’ve been enjoying sauerkraut, and substituting milk when I can. More veg, trying for gluten free – seems to be working…
Overall, my health seems to be on an upward turn. I went to a healing meeting at church a couple of months ago, and have since had substantial relief from the chest pains I’d been having over the last year or so – yay! That is a huge benefit, which I am grateful for – I have whole days where I just revel in feeling well, and have started doing exercises again. There’s still a lot of work to do, but it seems doable now. Sometimes, the state of my health feels like this…
… only not as cute.
Trying to get out and about more. We went to our favourite cafe, where they do a great range of gluten-free (and often dairy-free) food.
The chai latte was made on almond milk, which I found a tiny bit “thin” in flavour for the spices.
The views from our table –
It’s generally peaceful there, but more so this time, as we were the only customers for a while.
So – onward into the rest of the term. Hopefully full steam ahead!
Breathe, And Be Still…
The holidays have started – for Sweet Bean, anyway. He finished up with a Sports day at his Community Homeschool day on Thursday. I think it’s the first sports day he’s ever been to – he won ribbons – excitement! 🙂 After a shaky start to the term he ended up accomplishing more than he thought he could, as well as getting a good report.
As for me, I finally got to do a couple more of my clinic practice days (I was unable to get there last time). Not only did I pass both days (while enjoying them as well), I managed the travelling, even though I had to walk from the station to the college and carry all I needed for the day. That’s the first time in a long time I’ve managed long days away from home and the strength needed to get there and back! I’ve taken it easy for the last two days…
There’s more work to be done, so I don’t get two weeks holiday. I’m feeling more confident, though.
Here’s a couple of songs I’ve been enjoying lately. Have a listen (and click through to YouTube to hear some more…)
Coming Up Roses
Aren’t they beautiful?
I got them at church a couple of weeks ago, and they were just the sort of cheeriness I needed! I don’t usually like pink and orange together, but these just looked right.
Here’s a close up.
🙂
Here’s another couple of photos taken later in the week, when the roses had opened out more.
I’ve been meaning to write for a while, but haven’t had anything much to say… I’ve just finished an assignment, though, so I’m feeling good! Most of this last week I’ve had more energy and less pain than has been the case for a while – I’ve done a bit of walking and other exercise, and I even did both a load of washing and folded it with no major problems! I’m off to a healing meeting at church tomorrow night, so feeling hopeful about that…
Still, my life has a lot of roses, even if the thorns can crop up unexpectedly.
One of the nice parts of the week was going out for a coffee.
Citrus cakes – dairy free and gluten free. Yum!
Here’s to the flowers, sunny days, and opportunities to grow and bloom. 🙂
