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/

Love Never Forsakes

Last year my heart broke when Dylann Roof on June 17, 2015 walked into a Charleston, SC church and began shooting. In less than a year, there have been many more shootings. Mass shootings are described as four or more people shot in one incident. It’s becoming more frequent and more deadly.

On June 12, 2016, in the wee hours of the morning at an Orlando, Florida nightclub, the deadliest mass shooting attack in American history occurred.

I was brokenhearted. For the lives lost, and the man who did this atrocious act of violence. Every deceased person had someone that loved them, and their hearts are broken, too.

On Tuesday, I was standing in line at a store when I overheard a conversation on the shooting. It was ugly and mean. There seemed to be little remorse for the victims, and an almost acceptance of the tragedy. Their laughter caught me off-guard as they speculated that maybe a Muslim could have killed people based on their sexual preference or orientation.

At first, I got sick at my stomach. I knew these people went to area churches. But the absolute worst thing was, for just a moment, I leaned in and let Satan tip my ear to hear their horrible accusations. It was an ungodly conversation with ungodly thoughts. I’m so blessed that I immediately took my thoughts captive, reigning them back under God’s authority.

Folks, John 13:34-35 states:

“Love one another; as I have loved you.”

Jesus does not segregate or isolate a particular people. He said, “Love one another; as I have loved you.” It’s all inclusive. It doesn’t say “leave out the sinner” because if we did that we would have to eliminate everyone, including ourselves.

This mass killing and all the other heinous acts committed across our vast land have left people devastated. Their loved ones are dead. Murder has left fear in the hearts of many. Some wonder if their lives will ever be the same again.

Jesus asks us to love one another as He loves not to justify a killing or a killer’s intentions. There is no justification.

We have to keep our eyes on God, not on sin. We have to preach the good news of the gospel to our hearts first in order to remind ourselves how much Jesus sacrificed for all of us.

At church on Sunday, the Praise Band played Meredith Andrews song, “Not For A Moment”. The words are so right to sing over God’s children who are deceased, and to those who feel they have been left in a dry and thirsty land, wondering how they can possibly move forward.

They can, but it’s with God’s mercy, love, and grace. They need our outpouring of love and prayers.

Hope you are able to view the video and let the words sink deep into your soul. We’ve all been in the throes of heartbreak. Let our heart always break for the things that breaks Jesus’ heart.

Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0cvWImVjA

Not for a moment will God forsake us. God bless you,

"