Being grateful....

The other night we were watching fireworks for Independence Day. - As most Americans do.

We hopped in the car, and were in search for a good location for fireworks... we knew about where they would be launching the fireworks, but we didnt want to get so wrapped up in the crowd, so we went a little further out to find a good spot... anyways- well we ended up along the sidewalk along the road, we had a good view...
Well we set up our chairs, like many of the people around us.
There was a family- near us- I assume it was a mom, dad, and a 10 year old son (or he looked about 10... 11, maybe 12.???)
I knew immediatly that this kid was going to be loud and would be bothersome duuring the firework show, he climbed up in the tree, and his parents didnt stop him, they said 'son get down' in the most calm and gentle voice, they said it a couple of times... he did not obey. (didnt surprise me... since it was obvious that they were not in control.) he was quiet for the majority of the show... but it was towards the end of the show--- it was a 20 min show, and about 5 mins before it ended the boy yelled out "THIS IS SOOOO BORING!!!" the parents asked "well what did you think it would be?" ... "Some kind of laser show...."
"No, this is fireworks....but the finale will be coming up soon."
"what's a finale?"
"when it is almost over"
"oh ok... and is that when the fire works will look like cartoon characters or something?"
"No, just when they will start to shoot off really fast"
"oh. well let me know when that is, because I want to go."-- he proceeded to run around and climb the tree again.
about 1 minute later, the finale began.
the dad hollered out "OK, this is the finale!"
he came back to watch... about 5 seconds into it.. "HOW BORING!"

I couldnt believe what I was hearing.and just how ungrateful this kid sounded. and how just the parents basically just stood there...

Maybe it is because fireworks are one of my favorite things to watch... always has been. I've LOVED the Fourth of July- I love the sight of the American Flag waving, I love waiting for it to get dark enough for the fireworks to begin.love watching them shoot in the air and explode into many colors, and different shapes. I love hearing the big "BOOM" .....
maybe just me.

when I heard this boy - being "bored" by it all... really made me realize the future generations, having to be constantly entertained... and everything has to be bigger and better..

a memory raced to my head -- when I was in Mexico on mission trip... I went on a few mission trips to Mexico... my church would have a team go down there and build little houses and would also have different medical teams. I was always on the construction team. Every year the kids would FLOCK to us, they'd want us to kick around the soccer ball, or do hula hoops, or give them a hug and they were facinated with BUBBLES! (this has always surprised me....do you think kids in america would be so fascinated with the simplist things.... bubbles..????[not many.])




As American's we have so much. Even if you have the littlist. I can almost guarantee you have more that the poverty that there is in other countries.
I have seen homes without running water, using outhouses. homes that are Made out of scrap wood, cardboard,even a roof out of car hoods... and what does your house look like?Bricks? plywood? Windows? doors? oh, a concrete foundation? wow. Carpet? tile? Oh, you have running water? actual bathrooms???
Every single time I went to mexico to build little homes--- "Casitas"- the family that we built them for, were so incredibly grateful for what we had done-- and guess what-- it really wasnt that much...  it was a cinderblock home, on a concrete foundation, with a tin roof. 2 doors- 2 windows. I cannot remember the exact dimensions- I want to say it was maybe 10 ft x 8 ft, then 8ft tall??? I cant remember... but thats approximately of how much they were...
the families LOVED IT!- it was so simple... you would think that you would have given them a mansion. It was incredible to watch the homeowners - they would watch us build their new home, many tears were shed because they were so happy for their new home.
You have to really take a step back, realize that these conditions are what they live in every day.. this is the normal... they have very little.
makes me realize of how much we do have in America. how much freedoms we have, and how well we do have it.
We forget that our everyday lives - our normal- is so much better than many others.






With technology now... I feel that kids - in particular--- want to be entertained "right now"... immedietly. they arent growing  up with having to wait, on anything, everything is handed to them that instant. (this doesnt apply to ALL kids... but just seems like alot of them... you know?)
They have to be entertained in the car, they cant entertain themselves.- Portable DVD players, Gameboys, PSP whatevers... ipods, Ipads... to keep them entertained... in the car, even if you are just driving down the road, out comes the dvds and gameboys.
constantly needing to be entertained.
I'm not perfect- but I know growing up my parents didnt shove a dvd in our face, or a gameboy or whatever. -- If we were out and about running around- I was looking out the window.
If we were on a car ride- I was reading a book. or we were playing various car games- which kept us all entertained, and really had us bonding. and yes, mom would even sing car songs... songs that no one else knows besides our family... I think.  haha.. anyways...
I feel like so many parents shove something in their kids face as if it was a "pacifier.." to pacify them, to keep them quiet.and not bother them.
The kids want things in an instant. right then right there. - like that kid that wanted to be entertained with lasers and cartoon character shaped fireworks... always want to be entertained. constantly bored, nothing to do...

What happend to bonding together, talking? and teaching your children valuable lessons... like being thankful for what you have.
I know when I complained about 'being bored' -- guess what I got to do-- chores around the house-- chores that were of course appropriate to my age- but still was able to learn a lesson - when I was bored... don't tell mom, or she'll tell me to dust. haha. nah- but I think it helped me in the long run - I was able to 'help' mom out and do things kept me occupied, and was learning general household duties, and what was to be done.

Guarantee you those kids I saw in mexico--- remember- they didnt  need a gameboy or iPod... or iPad... they loved bubbles. and time hugging on us, and spending time playing games together.

I think we all could learn a lesson from this...
being thankful for what we have.
We need to Thank God for providing what he has provided for us, and what He will provide in the future.
(and we need to pass that along to others, and the children)
We are to Thank God in ALL circumstances.

Sorry for kind of jumping around today - I really feel like we should be thankful for what we have, and really should take time to realize what we do have, and how we can change that, and change that for future generations.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Welcome to the fishbowl

I was listening to the radio yesterday, when the dj said the title of the new Kenny Chesney album... entitled "Welcome to the Fishbowl".... the dj explained that the reason why he titled that was because these days, with technology we are all visible- everyone can watch what we're doing--- (basically)

this sparked an idea/thought... its so true.

Growing up we always had some kind of animal around--- Dogs, cats, bird, rats (yes... trust me they were my brother's.) Hampster, turtle, ducks, hermit crabs, fish....

focusing on the caged animals, bird, rats, hampster, turtle. hermit crabs, fish... they all were exposed... that was their home. the cage /tank... we could peek in at any moment and see what they were up to. they  were exposed... we can look in - see them.

very much like people today... "oh whats up with so-and-so?"--- well let me check her facebook, and see what she's been up to... not enough info on her facebook page?- I'll message her to see what shes been up to, and how she's doing....

With technology the way it is today - everyone knows our business... that is-- depending on what we CHOOSE to put out there... 

Facebook, twitter, google +, Pinterest, myspace (is that still around?), Blogging, LinkedIn, flickr, photobucket,shutterfly... dont forget about the dating websites... eHarmony,ChristianSingles,Match.com....

How much do we put out there for people to see.... and why do we do that? and how can we use social media to be more effective-

Instead of using it for us... why not use it for God????

I'd be the first to admit that I spend alot of time online---

Pinterest. Facebook.Google+... (and currently Theknot.com, weddingwire.... )

People keep up with others--

there are people that I know as aquatinces.. went to school with or something- and I know more about them... I know where they work, where they have worked, I know their relationship status, I know their favorite tv shows, movies, I see pictures of them of what they do on the weekends, I see the videos that they post, I see the language that they use, I know their political stance, I know their beliefs. I know what they ate for breakfast this morning. I know where they will be this weekend. I know where they are now. I know who they went to dinner with last night and where.... and that place seems to be a favorite of theirs. I know where the pictures were taken, I know their work schedule.I know where they like to shop, I know when they come home... \ thats just from Facebook... what about Twitter... can see their thoughts, complaints, and everything that they say... then google + i can see what they say, pictures, who they "hangout" with on video chat, can see everything. - what about Pintrest? I can see foods tthey like, quotes they like, houses they like, what they want their house to look like, fashion that they like, how they want to raise their kids, their dream wedding...... then of course for the dating sites-- their personal information...  Scary, Huh?

Am I able to see them talk about God? - some people, yes... others-- I see them more complaining, updating their status about watching "true blood" or "the amazing race" or the ballgame...

Some people it is hard to tell what exactly they believe in-- are they really followers of Christ???

Anyways-- what are you portraying on your facebook?

can people see that you are truly a follower of Christ?

its not about putting that mask on either-  of how we are viewed by others--- but its a matter of actually living it out... living out what God is doing inside us.

I dont know if that makes sense... but I just feel like so often, we want others to see how well we are doing-- the things we are purchasing, the shows we are watching, and just that worldly things, instead of what God is truly doing in our lives-- and living it for God, instead of living for our 'friends' to see....

- and while we are at it, Giving all the Glory to Him, and sharing His love with others...

anyways- something to think about. :) not only about God - but also our safety. Sometimes people know just too much about us. (especially if you dont "private" your profile... there are creeps out there... sometimes it is best not to let your 'friends' know everything you are doing, you never know who is out there watching...)

Staying focused on God

Last night I realized that I was spending way too much time thinking about the wedding... just thinking about dresses, colors, flowers, details--- especially for the past week or so, but definitely the past... what 4 weeks now!
Today I have declared myself a 'wedding free' day- today is a day where I am not to think about the wedding, nor am I to look up anything about wedding stuff. I love it all... I think TOO much. I love looking at wedding stuff, so pretty, just still dreaming about mine, and getting ideas about what we would like to have.
This has all stemmed from something I've continuously heard over the past few days "Be Still and Know that I am Here...."
"BE STILL" has been on my heart primarily. so I am FINALLY going to listen to God.-
I will be still. I feel that God is primarily telling me this with the wedding planning stuff.
After all I do have lots of time --- (yes, i know that i can't doddle... but I have 11 months.)
I feel that I am going to need like 1 day maybe a week to completely ignore wedding stuff and focus on God. -- I just feel right now I am getting caught up in all of this, and before it gets out of hand, I can go to God, focus on him, be rejuvinated, and get back into planning, but still focus on Him.

I've been so focused on wedding, and just other things, that  I have not been going to Him when I should have been. I will admit that. and Im so glad that I have realized that.

So this is what I am struggling with.

Maybe you have something in your life, that is over taking it and distancing yourself from God???

Is He telling you to "Be Still" ?

Yes, we have to get things done, but we have to remain focused in Him, and go to Him.

A day, an hour, a week, every morning, whatever, maybe we need to put stuff aside that is putting a barrier between us and God, set everything aside and go to Him, in Prayer, worship, fellowship, and have a relationship with Him.

What are you focusing on?

More Good News...

Yes, I know I havent  had an 'inspirational' post yet since our engagement... But I do have more good news.

Yesterday evening I was notified that I am accepted into The Kings University at Gateway.

This is something that I have felt that God has been calling me to do for over a year now -  March, or early April of last year (2011) I felt a calling to go into the Ministry - specifically Young Adult Ministry. I feel like there is a need for young adults (college age, 20-Somethings) to get (re)Connected to church and to God.  I was looking into schools in the area so I could begin my schooling with all of it - when just a couple days after I began to research - Gateway announced that they would be launching a university soon. ---
I have to tell  you more about that... it was probably a moment in my life that I'll never forget. -
Normally I would go to the Young Adult service that Gateway has on Tuesday nights "Seven" - but this particular Tuesday, for some reason I wasnt able to get over there in time or something - I don't remember the circumstances. - but I was cooking dinner (Spaghetti if I remember correctly) I had the computer going, so I could watch Seven online - I had it going in the living room, right there by my kitchen in my apartment - I was cooking dinner, had bee listening to the worship music, then once the worship music ended one of the pastors got up for announcements - thats when he mentioned 'to stay tuned, but Gateway would be launching a university in the coming months... I RAN to my computer (the whole 5 steps from my stove to my desk.) and as he was talking ( i cant remember what all he said ) I was jumping up and down, I had this feeling in my heart, a feelign that is so tough to really describe - but almost as it was saying... "THIS IS FOR YOU!" just THIS WAS IT... I was Jumping up and down, continuously - (realizing that I had neighbors below me a stopped jumping) but it was such a feeling in my heart that this was something I was to persue. I was so excited about what was going on, i barely ate my dinner (that is definitely saying something... ) and then I was wondering if I should just go up to the church to see if they had any other  kind of information -- i decided against going up to the church. Shortly after the announcent - maybe a few days or a week or something, they announced it officially online - and they had a video -  and they even had an 'informational meeting'  I immediatly signed up for that. Mom and I went. they had some good information - some info that I had already learned from online.  But it was really good. I really felt that this was definitely for me. Several months continued to pass, I would check on a weekly basis to see if there was any devopment - They had been trying to get everything going so that classes could begin Sept 2011- but ultimately they had to push it out to a year later - Sept 2012. They had a meeting this spring a "launch party" - it was really great - it was so neat to see the people there that were interested in TKUG - and it was all ages - 'just graduted from High school', "college age" - a little older than college age", " then older adults" -- All ages.. was really neat to see. There was a large turnout- which was great - everyone was excited, eager to listen and hear what they were saying - everyone was hanging onto every word that was said. - well at least I was. I still was so excited... and began to get just a tad nervous like "this is really happening!! " :)
I began my application process and that is when I recieved word yesterday that I was accepted.
I had been talking to a guy at The kings  -- when just about 3 hours later, as I was getting off work, I literally was pulling out from the parking garage when I saw an email on my phone - Saying "congratulations!- you've been accepted."
Steve had just gotten off of work, and I was awaiting his phone call. - I was tempted to just call him, but I waited for about 1 minute, and that is when he called me - so I was able to tell him my wonderful news, of getting accepted.
He was and still is so excited for being accepted and everything. [its so wonderful to have a future husband be so supportive in my calling and dreams - he always has been supportive in this, and has been with me through basically the whole process. Its been so wonderful.]

Still more excited than I could ever express,and yes that tinge of 'nervousness' of "wow... this is actually happening. I got in. I'll be taking classes for my calling that God has set before me........wooooow....." but this has been an amazing experience.

Ok - So It looks like I'll most likely be beginning classes July 23rd of this year. I'll be taking 2 classes at a time. Yes, it will take me awhile. Im very aware of that. It will be a fun adventure.

It will get crazy - I will have to work at balancing everything : School, studying, planning wedding, spending time with my wonderful Fiance, work, family.... who knows what else. I've done it before-- well minus the planning wedding part. but I think I can do it :) ("I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!")

I know that It will truly be an amazing season - I know that God has some amazing things in store for me. I cannot wait to see what He has planned for me.

...Because I want to share with the whole world.

The day after I posted my last post the man of my dreams, the man that God intended me to be with, the man who will stand beside me for the rest of our lives .......proposed to me.
Of course I said "Yes."
It was the most wonderful moment of my life (so far... I know that in the future I'll have other 'most wonderful moments')

As one person said to me on facebook, "Maybe you should have written in the blog about "the one" sooner!!!" Maybe I should have...
-haha!-
But I know that Steve waited until the 'perfect timing'

We both knew  very shortly after we began dating,  that we were perfect for each other, and we knew that this was 'the real deal' and we were both done looking for a spouse... we just knew. It's hard to explain if you haven't been there... but we did. and we do 'just know' --- we get along so well, we work out any problems/differences immediatly, we dont wait before it blows up... but all in all, we 'just knew'
I had heard of people "just knowing" that they met the right person, I've rolled my eyes, I'll admit that.. thinking 'oh yeah.. SURE....." then begin talking to people and say "that wont last long... like they know that is the person for them after a month...."

Its true. It happens.
Happened for Steve and I, at least. :)

Our families both think that we are 'great for each other' and after announcing our engagement to at least my grandparents, and other family members they all bascialy said "thats no surprise, it wasnt a matter of 'if' but WHEN..." was comforting to know that they all Knew that we were perfect for each other.

If you're interested in the proposal story you can find it on our Blog. :)

So since this is all going on in my personal life,  you may be seeing posts that relate to relationships,engagements , preparing for marriage, and stuff like that, since thats what I'm going through. I'll try to make sure to do 'normal' stuff too though.

all in all everythign that I do write about, It will be something that will be placed on my heart by God.

Thank you to everyone for the well wishes, the prayers, and everything during this time.

Dating?Single?... Guard Your Heart.

This is a topic that has touched my heart, and you may see more about it later... in fact you can probably count on it. This is intended for teens, singles, young adults, if you're dating.... most likely for girls, (since I'm writing from a girl's point of view) but I think guys can learn from it as well....

if you arent in that category, dont feel left out, you can still read :)

I by far am not perfect, nor have I been, I want to put that out there right now. One thing I've realized... you can change. you can turn around. It's never too late.

No matter how far you think you are... you can still change.
You can have a relationship that God intended.

maybe you are in a relationship and you're reading this, and you know that it is not the kind of relationship that God has intended for you.
you can change.
You can turn around. But its your decision. no one elses. If you want a change for your life, you will have to take the first step to turn around or do what you need to do. No one else can make that decision for you.

Maybe you are single and are yearning to be in a relationship with someone... I hope you can gain some perspective on all of this.


I've been in relationships, I've dated. I've been with guys who I knew I wasnt going to marry, and yet I still was in a relationship with them.

I know that Im not the only one here. I know people personally and people that I hear about,

... But I think that there is alot of people that struggle with this - They struggle in relationships.They struggle with dating, and wanting to date.They struggle with being with someone because they feel that they 'have to' or feel obligated to. They struggle because they know that that person is not helping them in any way.

Most people (especially in their younger years - teens and young adults) they think whats best for me right now... they think in the moment, not the future.
I know I did. it was selfish. - I was thinking about what I wanted right then. I never thought about how it would effect my life in the future... 
Like many people I dated a few guys in high school, and a few after. A few of them were long term, a few of them were very short. I do not know the psychology behind it all, but im sure you could do some kind of analysis on it... at times I wonder "why was I even with that guy..." -- because at that time I saw something in him... people around me may have said "what do you see in him?" or "why are you with him" or "he isnt good for you."

What did I do? ignored them. I thought I knew everything...boy was I wrong.

I wasnt thinking. it didnt even cross my mind that this guy was not for me, this guy is not the guy that God intended for me to be with....
I was a teenager, wasnt thinking about the man that God intended me to be with.... wish I would have, though... oh I wish I would have, would have been so much better.[but everything happens for a reason]
it would have been better because I wouldnt have wasted time, energy, feelings, and heartache afterwards. I would have really been preparing my heart for that man that God created for me. not living in the moment, and not following God.

Speaking from a girls point of view, well at least mine. I just feel like so many young women are with a guy... just to be with a guy...to have that 'facebook relationship status' of  "in a relationship"... you're taken. you aren't single... you have someone that you are with.  being "in a relationship" isnt always that great.

Sometimes being in a relationship actually hurts us, sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes it hurts us mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.

[If you are with a guy/girl that hurts you in those areas, then he is not the one for you. I can guarantee that. and no, you cannot change them.]
You are supposed to lift each other up, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, not tear the other person down. you are supposed to support one another and just help each other along. Both... not just one person.

You may be better off by having that 'single' status.
 the guy/girl  that you are with may completely demolish any kind of morals and standards that you had... they may take advantage of you, they may cross a boundary that you are not ready to cross...  you may think in your head "it will be better later" or "ill get used to it." You may believe their lies or change your life to fit them. You may think to yourself "oh well they'll change." [when will they change?]  you may think "oh they will be better if we move in together / get married"  [will it?]
I know that these things happen. I've been there, done that... these are thoughts that I've had. Im going to be honest... I wish that I would have seen things before things got worse.
I wish I would have just kept that 'single' status and waited for the guy that God intended for me to be with.
I know that "things happen for a reason"- but the things that we choose to do should not become excuses for 'things happen for a reason."

Im going to share a life story here.

After being in relationship after relationship, and was no longer in one.. I began to pray for the man that God was preparing for me.

 I met the guy that God was preparing for me just a bout 2 months after I began to pray. (God was working on me during that time too)
When Steve and I first began to date, just a few dates in, Steve told me that he had never been in a relationship before...
I asked why.... (this was all odd to me, seemed like everyone around me had been in some kind of relationship at least in high school or something...) nope. not Steve.
He said that he really wanted to be in a relationship with someone that he could see himself marrying one day... the person that God intended for him to be with....
[now this was an inspiration....]
kind of took me by surprise. like I said, everyone that I've known has at least had some kind of relationship in middle school, high school, college.

[and I had wished that I would have done the same, would have been good...]
but its something that we all need to realize...
I wish more people would learn at a young age. really take it to heart... like what Steve did.
[waiting to really date until you found someone that you really felt like they would possibly be the person that you are to marry one day.]

I know that I'll be talking about all of this in the future, and will have more verses, but for just this post, I want to really take to heart one verse:

Throughout life we hear the word "love" thrown around  with very little thought.
When in actuality it is supposed to mean something very deep, not just "I love ice cream"...
We should be living to find that ONE love.. that one person... not a shallow love, but a deep love...
Does that make sense?
now I know this is sounding like I'm saying not to date, I am not.. just saying guard your hearts when you do date, if you know that this person is not the right one for you... then its time to drop them, and move along.
Just guard your hearts and dont just give your heart away in a heartbeat.
save your full heart for that one person that God intended for you.
Don't give your heart away like its meaningless. [its not, you're more than that... you know this]
There are girls out there, [you know who you are] who have reached an age where they think that they wont ever meet a man, they wont ever get married, they will end up like a crazy cat lady, single, lonely... and wont ever meet that guy.
Dont give up. no sense in that.

God is preparing your heart for that man/woman.
and God is preparing your future husband/wife.
Please don't take it personally that you wont ever find anyone.

Want someone that you can spend eternity with, someone that will lift you up in all circumstances. Someone that will pray for and with you. Someone that is right FOR you. Someone that God created just FOR you.

Don't be rushed.

All in time everything will happen. There's a time for everything.

So once again, be careful who you date. Guard your heart. and pray for your future spouse. They are out there... :)

Do Everything Without Complaining

The last month or so I only have been writing about Jesus' walk to the cross. It was very much on my heart to write about His walk and details on it. It was important to me to not do any other post during that time, because I know if I would have had a "break" in there while writing about His walk to the cross, I know that I would have never finished it. It was very much on my heart to make sure to finish it.




We've all heard people, we've all said it.... 

^{"ugh its so hot!"
"Why doesnt my phone EVER work!""
""whay are my bills so high?
"gas is too expensive."
"I'm hungry"
"I want chocolate"
"My feet hurt from these shoes"
"my husband/wife makes me so mad"
"the kids are driving me crazy"
"I hate having to wash the dishes/laundry..."
"I am too fat."
"I dont want to workout.
"im too tired..."}


This is just a short list of things that we hear on a daily basis.

A few weeks back seemed like all I heard was negativity - just everyone was complaining about something, including myself. It really was getting to me and getting to my spirit, just had a negative outlook on everything. I was trying to figure out why all of a sudden I felt "blah" just everything was going wrong, I realized that I had woken up fine, and everything had gone great, but as soon as I got around some people, who were complaining, and they were constantly complaining, I fell into their negativity. When I realized that it was their negativity that was overflowing into my positivity... I stepped back, took a deep breath, and then got on the internet. I looked up "Bible verses about complaining."- it brought up a verse - that was like "HELLO!!!"

^{Philippians 2:14}
 Do everything without grumbling or arguing

Can't get much more simple than that...

reread it... DO EVERYTHING WITHOUT GRUMBLING OR ARGUING.....

DO EVERYTHING!
Not just somethings, not just at times that you want to, or when your spirit is 'negative'
but NEVER grumble or argue.

This is a command. this isnt a suggestion, this is God commanding us to do everything, no matter what it is without complaining.

When things go wrong, or the way we dont want, or something, USUALLY first instict is to complain, grumble, argue...
(are you guilty of this?)

I am going to admit that I complain alot. I really do. and this is something that has hit me, that I really need to work on.I have recognized that. and I have already begun.

I have found that it's best to think first before you speak.
(simple? no.)
but think : "is this a positive thing to say or a negative thing?" or "am I complaining or arguing?"  or  that old saying "What Would Jesus Do?.... Would Jesus say something like this... "if Jesus was here, would I still complain about this?"
you get the idea.

If the statement is negative, turn it around into something positive.

or if you cant think of anything positive do as I know my parents used to say

"if you cant say anything nice, don't say anything at all...."

It starts with your mind, starts with your outlook on life.

If you look with a negative outlook on life, then you're going to see negativity... if you look with a positive outlook, you're going to see positivity.... Starts with you.
and you get to decide on how you are going to do things.

Even though those around us effect us and how we are, dont use that as an excuse to be negative. Use that through good to make a difference....

God uses the good bad and ugly situations all for good.

God works through us in all things that we are going through. And when our focus is on grumbling, complaining, that does not lead us to God. We are not putting God first in those situations, we are focused on us, how we feel. which can lead to many things, such as selfishness,anger, gossip, and such, Rather than giving our praise to God, having compassion and forgivness as God has intended.

Set a different pace for those around you.
If you are like me and are surrounded by people who complain, set a different pace--- instead of participating, maybe say something positive. begin to bring in positive into our lives.
Stop looking at things through a negative view point.

I know I'm tired of all of the negativity in the world, Im ready to see some positive attitudes.

Are you?

"It is Finished"

We have made it to the final hours.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the last hours of Christ's Life.

If you have not been following, please know that I have been writing about the last hours of Christ's life. feel free to go back in the older posts to read about all that has happened so far.

I have  been going through a book written by Dawson McCallister "A Walk with Christ to the Cross." I highly recommend it.

Friday 3-6pm

Even at the most painful time - Jesus was still  caring for others. 

From the slits of his beat up eyes, He sees His mother, Mary, standing before Him.

Then all of a sudden everything changes.

Although its mid day - late in the afternoon... remember its about 3-6pm that evening. and then all of a sudden darkness envelopes the city - Pitch black!Perhaps it was Gods way of saying that his Son was about to go through some terrible darkness.

Matthew 27:

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^[d]

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit

The crowd misunderstood Jesus call. They thought He was calling out to Elijah to help Him. 

A Jewish tradition taught that Elijah would come before the Messiah and introduce the Messiah to the poeple - The crowd at the cross thought that this was a joke that Jesus would be calling out to Elijah at this time.

John 19:29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus turned to the soldiers and said "I'm thirsty" Then He was offered a sponge filled with sour wine, just enough to loosen His dry and swollen tongue.

Then in victory He yelled out "IT.... IS..... FINISHED"

In the original language, its actually just one word "Tetelestoi." it was said in the context of "it's paid in full" or "Perfect completion." 

Jesus had completed the work that God had sent Him to do. and Jesus surrendered His spirit and died.

This is the conclusion to my series on Christs walk to the Cross. The story continues on with Him rising from the day a few days later.

Perhaps in the future I will write on the ressurrection, but I feel that up to this point is where we need to leave off for now. 

I dont know where you are in your faith. but I do hope that this has helped you in some way. I know that for me, I have had a different perspective of Jesus over the past month or so especially when I sing, or hear when someone says about "Jesus dying for us." puts it in a different perspective of how much pain and suffering He really went through during this time.

The Criminals

We are getting close to the end of looking at Christ being crucified. If you haven't been following along, I suggest that you go back in the past posts, and take a look at the details of Jesus' walk to the Cross.
I have been reading the book "A Walk with Christ to the Cross" By Dawson McCallister. A book that I highly  recommend.
So, continuing on  -
Jesus spoke while He was on the cross. He never wasted words, but when He uttered something from the Cross, it meant just that much more because He was going through so much pain and suffering.
In order to speak he had to lift himself up against the spike that was through His feet, then expand His chest to get air in His lungs, and then push the air out while forming words. Each sentence took  an incredible amount of effort.

The first statement he says: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke
 23: 34) Jesus kept on saying that. -- he may have rested for awhile and  then lifted Himself up and then said it again.
But what was Jesus saying here? Was these people really  worthy of forgiveness? Didn't they know what they were doing?
Their hearts were very hard they had spiritual blindness, and no, they didn't know that they were crucifying the messiah. they thought that they were doing God a favor

"Along with Him they crucified the criminals, two robbers, on on either side of Jesus in the middle. [and the scripture was fulfilled that says , 'And He was numbered with transgressors.'] (Matt 27:35a; 38; Mark 15:27-28; Luke 23:33; John 19:18)

It was to be for humiliation - the Jews wanted Jesus to be humiliated- to make sure he was in the middle of two  robbers.
The crowd was able to get very close to them, maybe within 6-7 ft of them, this allowed them to be able to see everything that Jesus was going through.
There was an inscription above on the cross above His head it read :
THIS IS
JESUS OF NAZARETH
THE KING OF THE JEWS.

it was written in the Jewish language, Latin and Greek.

The Romans would put a sign telling the criminals crime, bur Pilate didn't post a crime, but instead gave Him  a title.


When the soldiers crucified Jesus that took His clothes, then divided them up into four equal parts.and the rolled dice to see who would get each part. They left out the undergarment, however which was of one piece, woven from the top down. "lets not tearit," they said "but roll for it, to see who will get it." SO the Scriture was fulfilled that says "they divided my garments among themselves, and for My clothing they rolled the dice." (Matt. 27:25b; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34b; John 19:23-24)

So there are four soldiers that are guarding Jesus. and they took His last earthly possessions as He hung on the cross. One guy got his sandals, another His belt, one got his head gear, and the last one got His robe.  But then a problem arose - seems that a follower of Jesus made him a seamless undergarment - so the gambled for it.  and fulfilled what it says in Psalms 22:18.

Most scholars believe that He was stripped naked hanging there on the cross. We know that it says in 2nd Cor. 8:69 "you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich,  yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich"
He became so poor that he lost everything on earth, for us to be rich. Rich in love and in Christ, not rich as in money  or stuff.

There was alot of mocking at Jesus even as he hung on the cross, not able to breath... If he was truly the Son of God, then He ought to come off the cross. But since it wasn't happening, then they concluded that it was fake.
If Jesus had come off the cross they still wouldn't have believed Him. ... their hearts were totally hardened.

Jesus was dying of thirst, he had lost alot of fluids from the beatings and current state. His tongue was so dry it swelled and stuck to the roof of His mouth. and what did  the soldiers do? they stuck their wine to his libs and they mocked Him if you're the king of the Jews, save Yourself. - come off the cross and we'll get you something to drink....

Everyone was telling Him to get off the cross - and if He did, they all would believe - why wouldn't He come down?
It wasn't His weakness that kept Him there, but His strength.  - Plus no one was going to tell God what to do. -- and 3 days later Jesus showed His strength and was resurrected.4
If Christ had come off the cross, then our sins wouldn't have been forgiven, we'd be going to hell.
He loves us so much that He stayed up there on that cross bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders and through all that pain. He bared the pain so that we don't have to go through the pain of hell

The two criminals that were on both sides of Him during that crucifixion . these guys were more than just petty thieves, more than just breaking into homes and stealing. these guys were murderers.  they would rob people and then kill them.  Scholars believe that they were followers of Barabbas ( the thief that Pilate let loose in stead of Jesus) So there's Jesus, with murderers on  both sides.

It has been said that maybe Jesus was placed in the middle of two very bad people ,we can see that Hes there for you, no matter how far away from God you are, no matter how 'bad' you've been.  He came for sinners, all sinners.

There hung the criminals- and they had a glimmer of hope -- they were hearing everyone yelling out to Jesus, that He could save himself, so they said  "if you're the Messiaen, then save  yourself and us !"
Of course He didn't.
both of them began to  insult Jesus, so there's Jesus with everyone yelling at him and taunting him... and his just strung out there, naked and all...
Both thieves had very different roads that led to eternity.  One said "yes" to Jesus; and the other said no.
Taking a look at the one that said 'no' first, - He gave out insults, mocked him.
Even though he said "save me" - he was not saved.
Sure you can say the words to Jesus "save me" but its not about the words you say it but a matter of if you feel it. This thief was  a matter of a selfish plea rather than out of subission to Christ. We know that he died an unsaved man, because Jesus didnt  answer him.

{let that be a lesson to all of us, we can say the words all we want, but in the end its about what it is in our hearts}

Criminal #2 was a different story.
Luke 23:

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.^[d]”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We do not know exactly what caused this criminal to see something different about Jesus - Could have been the sign that hung above Jesus' head that read "JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS" - Perhaps he had thought to himself 'maybe He is..."
maybe it was the Patience and Silence that Jesus had.
Maybe it was Christs prayers for His enemies forgiveness.
Maybe it was Him crying out to God - When Throughout all the pain and suffering that He was going through, He was still crying out to God saying "Father give them another chance"

How do we know t hat this criminal was saved by Christ? -
We see him stand up for Christ. -- Hes the first one since Pilate's initial response. - The first one since the Garden of Gethsemane  who has taken a stand publicly for Jesus.
He was telling the other criminal 'cut it out - don't you fear God since  we're under the same sentence?"we are going to die. Don't you feel anything about meeting God?"
then he confessed his own sinfulness - in front of everyone -
then said to his friend - we're being punished right we're getting what we deserve.
Then he recognized Jesus for who he was. and then said to him - "remember me when You come into your kingdom." - He doesn't say  I want to sit beside you, or I want to be someone big in your kingdom, but just remember me. that's it, just remember me.

This must have encouraged Jesus - this was the first time that someone had ministered to Him since the angels in the garden. Some say that a smile came across His face. - here was a sinner coming home, that the last hour.
Jesus answered the thief... (which is always a good thing.) "I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
there are three elements of good news in this sentence.
1. "Today" not tomorrow, or three days from now -- Crucifixion would often last for days, but His words reassured the man that his suffering would soon be over. (Sure enough the Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals , causing them to suffocate to death.
2. "You re going to be with Me." -- no need to be afraid  that very moment you die Ill be right at your side.
3.  you'll be with Me in Paradise.... a place of joy, beauty, peace.


 

The Crucifixion

Matthew 27:
³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.


Jesus had arrived at the place of the crucifixion, Golgotha, "the Place of the Skull." Some say its named because the mountain resembled the shape of a skull, others  say that it was covered in skulls from those that had been killed by the Romans. We don't know for sure why it was called that.

If Christ hadn't died by late that afternoon (when he did) rather than being buried, His body would have been thrown in the city dump, animals would have scattered His remains... God didn't allow for this. (Acts 2:31 "Nor did His flesh suffer decay")

When the crowd arrived there at Calvary the soldiers offered the victims a drink of vinegar mixed with myrrh. This was a drink to take the edge off from the pain (knockout drink) Christ tasted it, then spat it out -- why would He do this? Wouldn't He want something to take the edge off? Nope. He came to suffer ALL the pain for US!- He wasn't willing to dull His suffering even the slightest bit.

If you know anything about crucifixion, you know its not all fun and games, nor is it pretty and nice. Definitely not the prettiest way to die....
So get ready, this will get intense. While it can be hard to read or even study, its is fundamental to our faith and for us to realize of how much Jesus went through out of His Love for us.
Crucifixion probably began in Persia, Alexander the Great introduced it to Egypt, and Carthage and then the Romans probably learned it from the Carthaginians.
Even though the Romans didn't invent it,  they perfected the torture that was intended for a slow and painful death with more pain and suffering we could ever imagine. It was one of the most cruel methods of execution, normal for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and the vilest of all criminals.In Persia the victim was either tied to a tree or at an upright post, to keep the feet from touching the ground. only later was a true cross used. The upright post (stipes) and a horizontal crossbar (patibulum) there were several variations, based on geographic region and in accordance with the imagination of the executioners.

They threw Christ down onto the crossbar (Patibulum) then they put two "nails" in his wrists.These were not little nails.. these nails were  5-7 inch iron spikes. and about a centimeter in diameter.; we often see images with Jesus having hold in his palms, but the Greek word for palm can also mean wrist. The palm would have been torn, most scholars believe that they were between two small bones on the inner side of his lower arm... they had to be careful not to strike an artery, or he would have bled too fast. Crucifixion is not a quick death.

After nailing His hands, they placed a small block of wood under His back and pusehed His knees towards His chest, and they drove one spike (5-7in long) through both of His feet. The soldiers were carful to keep Jesus' knees high toward His chestwhich would allow Him to push againste the block. this would prolong his life, and the pain.

When the victim's arms and legs were outstretched, the blood would settle toward the bottom of the body - which would cause low blood pressure and a high pulse.- in which the victim would pass out. for this reason, they provided a small block some say it was very sharp...  for the victim to sit on. this kept the blood circulating the the victim would stay conscious in order to experience the intensity of it all.
Often the  pectoral muscles would atrophy (freeze) and we can only imagine the discomfort that settled in the upper arms, neck and shoulders. this meant air would come into the lungs, but not escape, causing them to choke to death. to avoid this, the victim would stand up, placing pressure on this feet in order to relive the pain in the arms and chest...
so as the the victim was struggling and moved in order to find comfort, there was damage to the tailbone since that block that they were sitting on was sharp.
When Jesus' hands and feet were nailed four soldiers lifted up the cross with Jesus on it, and shoved it into a hold dug for the occasion.the jolt of the cross falling into the hole must have been a shock.
This might have been when His bones popped out of joint. ("I am poured out like water, and all my  bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me"Psalm 2:14)

After a few moments on the cross Jesus's body ached violently. nerves in his hands and feet had been shattered, and He began to experience swelling around the joints and His wounds. infection would have quickly invaded His wounds, not only the wounds that he had received getting on the cross, but all the wounds that he had gotten when he was scourged and beaten from the soldiers.

Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, he is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen.
in the next blog post we will look at what Jesus spoke on the cross.
we have almost made it through the crucifixion.