Easter Mercy

I don’t usually share my poems. I am not a poet. What I am is a lover of words. Poetry is a great medium for emotional parts of life, imagery that cannot hold verbose language or an intense framework of dialogue.

As we head into Easter, let’s share the story of Christ’s sacrifice. And remember all Jesus did to redeem us from the bondage of sin.

Ragged Cross

Come to the cross.

Kneel at its rugged base.

Stretch out your hands,

Feel its ragged edges.

This cross is for you.

Upon it Christ died.

His blood flowed,

Dripping endless mercy

And redemption for all.

Now share God’s grace,

Tell all about His sacrifice.

Then live its mighty message.

Grace, mercy, and eternity.

Power of His Love

Love so divine,

Shed for you and me.

Love changing power,

Transforming and cleansing.

Power of the cross.

Power of salvation.

Given for us to receive.

How Can This Be?

Jesus hung on a cross of suffering and shame.

Punishment for criminals, enemies of the state.

How can this be?

A man of honor, love, grace, and mercy.

Humble, sin-less, son, brother, and friend.

How can this be?

An ancient plan, devised in holy whispers,

Prophesied throughout the ages to fruition.

How can this be?

God took something horrific and cruel and

Turned it into something beautiful and holy.

How can this be?

How can we look upon that rugged cross

and see redemption and mercy?

How can this be?

This is what God does.

That’s the love of the Father.

He can change a thunderstorm into a rainbow.

He can take the cross and place His son on it,

Giving the ultimate gift to believers,

Offering His Son as a sacrifice to save mankind,

To defeat Satan and bring victory to death.

If God can do all this for you and me,

He will do exceedingly more.

This is the glory of God.

This is what He does.

With a deeply grateful heart, I thank you, Father, for Your sacrifice upon the cross. Your blood cleansed my sin and made me worthy of forgiveness. Let me always remember the price you paid because of Your great love.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.

Happy Easter! God bless you,

Angela

Trusting God Through Cancer: Surviving on God's Word

Cancer touches everyone whether we like it or not. Cancer is the dreaded word. No one wants to deal with it, but we need to look it straight in the eye. Who knows if the next doctor’s appointment will verify that you or your loved one has cancer.

Ed Adams has offered us a beautiful book to examine cancer up close and personal from the stories of survivors who have found their strength and encouragement from God, faith, friends, and associates. 

A few authors revealed the words we associate with cancer: scared, shocked, and hopeless, but an overwhelming number spoke about the power of hope that poured over them while they were going through diagnosis, tests, chemo, radiation, loss of jobs, etc. The reader is given an intimate look at the heart of people going through devastating times, unknown times. And yet, each proclaimed a victory!

Paula Vera stated, “I believe God uses our prayers and the prayers of others to draw us to Himself for healing, guidance, and for everything. I praise God for His salvation, for His guidance, for His sovereignty, for His abundant love and grace for me, and for the future that I can share with Him in heaven.”

  

Byron Pink offered his favorite hymn. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” And this is the wonderful message Ed Adams has compiled into real-life stories to help change our minds from cancer-hopeless to cancer-hope. 

On a personal note.

I worked in Hospice for fifteen years. This book is a sparking gem, a ray of hope. It’s an excellent book to give to those who are journeying through cancer, those who are caregivers, Hospice/home health workers, and anyone who ministers to someone with cancer. 

Don’t wonder what to say to a cancer patient or their loved ones. The authors who told their stories have offered the strength and encouragement to face difficult days and the enrichment of a newfound life in Christ. At the end of each story, each author shared their favorite Bible verse that emboldened them, reminding them of God’s love, grace, and mercy. The book offers you a template to encourage and help people realize that their illness does not define who they are, only their strength and courage in faith defines who they are.

God bless you,

Angela

Trusting God Through Cancer by Ed Adams

Amazon link to book: 

https://www.amazon.com/Trusting-God-through-Cancer-Collection/dp/1547154969/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506454942&sr=8-1&keywords=ed+adams

Ed Adams' Facebook Author page: 

 https://www.facebook.com/praisestogodworthy/

Living Under Grace

How differently would we live today if we truly believed we were living under grace?

Most of us believe we are living with and in grace, but under grace takes on a whole new meaning. These three little prepositions are cantankerous little words that can cause a slight variation in meaning.

Living under grace means to see everything in life in the light of God’s grace.

Wow!!! Can you imagine that? Our eyes trained to see everything under the perspective of our Lord. The beauty of the world reflected in the face of a beggar. Love raining down on the just and the unjust. Trust flowering among those who distrust. Faith showered on a refugee camp. A church youth group thundering in to a small Appalachian village to minister to impoverished kids.

For once the world would be seen with a different lens and ministered to from God's perspective.

Grace is:

Sitting on my back deck, I envisioned a new world order where people would see things boldly. Strife would be at a minimum. Discord would be settled with a handshake. Anger would be dissolved in simple words like, “I’m sorry”.

What a joy to be a Christian writer and seek to see beyond troubling news and a fractured culture. I’m going to stay on the deck and watch the golden eagle riding the afternoon wind or try to catch a glimpse of the little red fox that has been hiding behind my azalea bushes.

Even if I can only escape for a little while, I want to cherish grace. It’s a gift. And sitting under it means I can take my time unwrapping it and think about Jesus’ life, how He loved so much that He died for those who loved Him. It’s hard to comprehend such a sacrificial act, but looking out over the river living under grace, I feel Jesus wants me to savor the gift and revel in the love, so that I can leave and take it with me and extend it to others.

There’s lots of room in living under grace. I encourage you to find your place to reflect on it and invite others to join you. I’m thinking we can change our small world and gain a new perspective.

I’m living under grace. Join me,