It is Finished

I picture him alone in the garden, head in his hands wrestling with his own humanity - Jesus, the King of Kings and Jesus, the Son of Man. Knowing what was to come and asking for strength, he poured out his heart to the only one who understood. His spirit, soul, and body in perfect agreement as he boldly declared, "Not my will, but yours be done."

Betrayed by a friend, mocked and beaten, then found guilty by those who prided themselves on the rules of religion. The angry mob shouted, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!" Jesus stood tall and silent. The prophetic words echoed deeper truth than his accusers realized. Cover us! Cover our children!

It had been the plan all along.

Led to a hill and humiliated before all, he refused to draw upon his power to summon thousands of angels to save him. Instead, breathless and bloody, full of anguish but never losing hope, Jesus declares, "It is finished!" The culmination of the greatest rescue operation ever planned. Every ounce of love the creator of the universe had, poured out one crimson drop at a time. For me. For you.

"It is finished!" The last sacrifice was slain. The gap between holiness and sinfulness erased with one final heartbeat. The sky darkened and the earth trembled as tears of sorrow and joy flowed from Heaven.

What response could possibly do justice to the depth of this sacrifice?

Believe that it is finished. Trust and refuse to live in condemnation. Accept his forgiveness and love. Walk boldly in the freedom that was purchased for you. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords believes you are worth dying for.




(Luke 22:42, Matthew 27:25, John 19:13)

*THE Relationship

An argument to start to the day, an unexpected twist in the plan, a little behind in time, and I was tense. When I noticed my teeth were clenched it was too late. (Place hand over mouth here to keep the scream inside.)

I needed some chocolate. I needed to escape the chaos. I needed a friend to pour out my woes upon. All my options felt somehow hollow. I knew they would not really fill the empty place at the moment.  

I needed... Jesus. I needed to lean fully into the relationship that has never let me down, or left me alone. In my mind I was drowning in a sea of "why me, why today's" and his hand was reaching out to pull me up and out of the storm. Would I grab on or turn away to food, to fleeing, or to other relationships? Breathe, a little slower this time.

I accepted the hand and grasped the love offered to me every moment of every day. The argument still happened, plans were still changed, and we were still late, but I remembered what was truly important in that moment: a relationship of pure love and forgiveness. Then, and only then, could I go about my day at peace.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deut. 31:8 NIV) 

I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:6-8 NIV)

"There is always sufficient reason for despair, but there is never sufficient purpose." ~Robert Brault

Jesus, I can breathe easily in our relationship. You are always beside me whispering love. Help me learn how to overflow with the same love onto those around me. Amen.

*Originally Posted on 8/15/12

In the Forgetful Forest

I read it in a Dora book (of all places), and I had to pause for a moment to reread the truth of what was written. My daughter begged me to keep going. I just stared. It said, "In the Forgetful Forest, you can forget all kinds of things. It's important to remember who you are, what you want, and where you're going."** The characters in this book were traveling through dangerous terrain which made them forget all kinds of things. To open the door which led them out, they had to recite who they were, what they wanted, and where they were going. To ensure they would not forget, they kept repeating these truths over and over.

Now, I have no idea if that writer is a believer, but what a picture of the world we are in now and the importance of claiming truth! Some days it is easy to be caught up in all that is going on in the physical world around me. Demands do not stop coming my way. Distractions beg for attention left and right. It would be easy for me to forget what is true, what is more real than what my senses tell me.

I have to fight to remember who I am, what I really want (what God wants), and where I am going someday. It takes time in the Bible, pouring over God's promises and basking in His love. I go to God in prayer and ask, "What do you want in this situation, in my life?" When situations around me look grim, relationships are hard, and evil seems to be winning, I claim the truth of how this story is going to end. Victory is sure! Love incarnate has already had the final say, and when our eyes are opened to a world more "real" than the one we live in now, we will say, "Yes, this is where I have been heading the whole time."

Who am I? I am sinner saved by grace, fully reconciled to God through his gift of Jesus. I am confident the Holy Spirit is inside of me, guiding me into all truth. I am a force for the Devil to reckon with.

What do I want? I want to radiate God's love to as many people as I can. I want to walk so closely with Jesus, that the peace I experience can not be explained any other way. I want his glory to shine as others follow behind me on this adventure toward eternity.

Where am I going? Step by step I am moving closer to the love of my life. One day I will see him face to face and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Remember what the Lord your God did... Deut. 24:9a

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chron. 16:12

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations. 1Chron 16:15

Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome... Neh. 4:14b

So, what is the danger in forgetting? What do I do if I have strayed from the straight and narrow?

They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them. Neh. 9:17*

Return to truth. Thank God for his forgiveness provided for you two thousand years ago. Then keep walking through this forgetful forest, repeating who you are, what you want, and where you are going.

Almighty God of love, may we never forget your truth. I pray you will help us to hold onto who we are in you, to be mindful of what you want for us, and to rest in the hope that this forest will one day pass away. What you have for us is a home so full of love we can not begin to comprehend. Amen.


* All scripture referenced from the NIV Bible
** "Dora in Wonderland" by Mary Tillworth

One Day Closer

The wonder of twenty-four

Always forward, flowing

Increments given to me

In amazement I see

One day closer to you

Eternity beckons

Glorious day without end

A secure home awaits

A glimpse of your face

One day closer to you

Tick follows tock

Comes back round again

My future is set

Far from finished yet

One day closer to you

Not only the days

Clarity shines through

My heart aligned above

More filled with your love

One day closer to you

One day nearer in time

One step closer in spirit

Every moment a choice

Today I hear your voice

One day closer to you

Casting My Cares, Reeling in Peace

My whole family gathered around the table to celebrate my Father's birthday. His favorite cake was passed around as laughter rippled down the long table. Yet, one person could not be there: my Dad.

Honoring his memory that evening was my Mother's idea. She wished for each of the grandkids to share a happy time they remembered with him. Some were too young when he passed to know him, except through the eyes of others and pictures that hung on the wall. Many positive things were said. I am grateful for that focus.

See, my Father got many things wrong, but he got the most important thing right. He said yes to Jesus many years ago. I have no idea who I would be today if it were not for this decision he made. I do not agree with a lot of choices he made after that, but I choose not to let that be my focus. I am eternally thankful that he followed his heart and found the cross.

When I dwell on what is going wrong around me, my downturned eyes and heart make it difficult to praise my maker. Freedom comes when I turn to thankfulness, and joy quickly follows.

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. (Proverbs 11:27 NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

So, in memory of my Dad and his love of fishing, I commit to:
Cast all [my] anxiety on [Jesus] because he cares for [me]. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
And I will reel in joy, peace, and thankfulness.


Jesus, thank you for orchestrating the events of my life as you have. You have all wisdom and knowledge far beyond my understanding. Help me as I continue to give you my cares and receive your peace. Amen.

Whiter Than Snow

Dirty snow banks lined our street. The plow had come through and thrown salt, dirt, and snow in heaps, leaving more than a few mailboxes hanging on for dear life. One of my least favorite parts about winter, I thought. Coupled with cloudy days on end and frigid temperatures, I had had enough.

Then a less than jolly weatherman broke the news: brace yourself for six more inches overnight. Great, just great. Now I know why someone planned a feel-good holiday smack dab in the middle of this dreary month.

When I glanced out the window the next morning, I was mesmerized. Piles of pure white fluffy snow graced every tree, every branch. Sun glistened diamonds sang a song from every corner of my yard. *"Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow. Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." 

The filth from the day before was gone. Everywhere I looked, I saw a fresh beginning. And I thought, What if I started every day in this way? What if I actually believed what the Bible says about his mercies being new every morning? What if I gave those around me the same grace? 

Can I start each day as it's own possibility, rather than hanging onto the mistakes of yesterday or trying to figure out tomorrow? Do I understand forgiveness enough to believe that a perfect man on a cross + crimson blood = a pure heart?

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." (Lamentations 3:19-24 NIV)


Jesus, your blood covers all of me. Somehow in that process, I come out clean. Thank you for a tangible reminder of your grace and love. Help me to extend that to those around me who need it most. Amen.

*"Whiter Than Snow," Hymn by James L. Nicholson

Who He Says I Am

I am an expert at letting myself down. I have high standards which I routinely fall short of. Too often I listen to the lies that are whispered, most certainly, by the enemy of all things good. Then, I start to doubt who I am and what I am here for. Continuing down this train of thought, I arrive at worry and fear.

How do I turn the impending wreck around before it is too late? I return to truth. I fill my mind and heart with what the Word of God says about me. Here are some reminders I needed today.

I am:

• designed by him
• the crown of creation
• very good
• created in his image
• loved
• forgiven
• promised eternal life
• fully known
• free to choose 
• redeemed
• never alone
• a reflection of him
• not hidden from him
• encouraged to come to him boldly
• a daughter of the king
• a dwelling place for his Spirit

I can be at peace because of who he is and what he has done for me.


You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways. 
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
(Psalm 139:1-5 NIV)

Thank you, Lord,
for timely reminders
of truth, and wisdom
to turn from lies.
Amen.