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On April ninth we concluded that we can, and should, find ourselves crucified with Jesus, so this morning we will ask ourselves another question...  are we resurrected with Him as well, and what does that mean in our lives.

In celebration of Holy Week, and Easter, I wanted to do something a bit different this morning. Instead of our typical devotional message I have prepared something special that I hope you will enjoy and contemplate throughout the remainder of the week.

We have entered Holy Week, and during this week we live and are crucified with Christ during His final days. We follow Him through the joy of His arrival in Jerusalem, to the last supper, His anguish in Gethsemane, the capture, trial, and scourging of our Lord, and then we join Him on the cross for His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Have you seen Jesus? I am not talking about the feeling that comes over us when we first believe in faith, but in a one on one encounter with the risen Lord. When it occurred did it change your life forever; greater even than even the moment you first believed?

I am lost in thought this morning regarding the gift that was given us from the cross. We all know that Jesus suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, to release us from sin and death, but there is more.

This morning I read of Jesus, before the passion, allowing Peter, James, and John to see Him speak with Elijah and Moses on the mountain, and He was transfigured right before their eyes. Even His clothing glowed... yet He commanded them not to tell anyone of this until He had risen from the dead... why the silence?

I am resting in the shadow of the cross this morning. My thoughts are on Jesus, the cross, and what that moment, in human history, when Christ hung from it means to you, me, and the world. Jesus was not a victim, the cross was not imposed upon Him.

We are approaching Holy Week and Easter so my mind dwells on the activities that are about to transpire. This morning I am concentrating on the Garden of Gethsemane and the sorrow and agony that Jesus faced there.

This morning I am contemplating that time when our faith moves into its maturity and we leave the close care of our Lord and the nursery which is our church, to test our spiritual wings within the world. Are we ready for what lies ahead? Is our faith ready to become real and not just theory?

This morning I am contemplating those things of faith to which we become blinded. I recall the words of Jesus regarding Jerusalem and ask myself if this could happen to me as well. Could my religion become my hindrance?

What is the focus of our life? Is there something or someone that fascinates us beyond anyone, or anything, we have ever known? Is it something of this world, or God and Jesus? Are we spiritual in our journey through life?

We live in a time of reconciliation, a time when we are being called almost hourly to make intercession through prayer for those who are different from us. Whether it be a difference in righteousness, finances, race, color, nationality, or faith... interceding is of God and through it we are taught to love one another.

Is Jesus pleased with us as intercessors? Do we find it within ourselves to pray for sinners, or do we judge when we should be praying for them? Do we only want to intercede for the righteous at the expense of the sinner?

Are we making intercession for others? Do we even know how to pray in such a manor? I worry about this often as I watch us attempt to pray for one another. Are our hearts in worship as we lift up prayers for those in need? Is there anyone even attempting such prayer?

On the 24th of this month I wrote of encountering Jesus in front of a jewelry store. It was an unexpected encounter, that taught me a great deal about myself and my faith. Today I would like to explore those sudden and unexpected appearances of Jesus further.