Today will be busy. I'm headed to Chattanooga for a bridal shower. My cousin, Andrew is getting married. So, the girls are having a shindig for Jessica. It'll be a good time and I'm looking forward to it. We'll be spending the night and coming home Saturday afternoon.

No matter how busy the day is, I want my mind to be focused on what today is. Good Friday. It seems our sinful world with its improper priorities has no longer deemed this day a holy day. Doug has to work in fact. But regardless, I want my focus to be on the hope I have because God sent His Son to die for me. In my sin, I was without hope and on a path to hell to serve the sentence I deserve. But because God loved me, He offered me Life! He took my place and redeemed my life with His. He took all the wrath that I so rightfully deserved, and sacrificed His life for mine. And because He is almighty, He came back to life. I do not love or serve a powerless, dead man. I serve a Savior who prepares a place for me and sent His Spirit to dwell and live with me. Because of His atoning grace, I want my life to be one that dies to myself and my desires, and gladly obey Him!

THE LOOK

I saw one hanging on a tree
In agony and blood
Who fixed his loving eyes on me
As near his cross I stood
And never till my dying breath
Will I forget that look
It seemed to charge me with his death
Though not a word he spoke
My conscience felt and owned the guilt
And plunged me in despair
I saw my sins his blood had spilt
And helped to nail him there
But with a second look he said
“I freely all forgive
This blood is for your ransom paid
I died that you might live”
Forever etched upon my mind
Is the look of Him who died
The Lamb I crucified
And now my life will sing the praise
Of pure atoning grace
That looked on me and
Gladly took my place
Thus while his death my sin displays
For all the world to view
Such is the mystery of grace
It seals my pardon too
With pleasing grief and mournful joy
My spirit now is filled
That I should such a life destroy
Yet live by Him I killed