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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #470 April 23, 2002 Old Woodwork The old church was run down and no longer in use. The once bright exterior was a faded white in the few places that paint remained. The door was unlocked, and the hinges screamed from disuse as it opened. It smelled like an old church, you know that combination of dust and old wood that smells both stale and sacred at the same time. The sunlight streaming through the one stained glass window, danced across the sanctuary floor. Most of the other windows had been boarded up, but some light managed to sneak in through the cracks. The old pews and pulpit were made of hardwood; probably oak, but time had discoloured them so it was impossible to tell. They looked almost black; whatever colour they had been to begin with was buried under layers of dirt and age. It seemed such a waste. A little maintenance and the building and furniture would have been quite serviceable and lovely. The discoloured wood got me thinking of the cross. We have this vision of a cross that was crafted just for the crucifixion of Christ. I think the reality was quite different. The Romans were very practical and I find it hard to believe they would have made new crosses for each crucifixion. After all they were only used to kill criminals, why waste them after being used just once. The cross he died on probably wasn’t like the nice, neat, clean one that hangs in most sanctuaries. It would have been roughly shaped enough to do the job, no fine wood working wasted on common thieves and enemies of the empire. The cross Jesus carried had probably been used many times before and was likely used many times afterwards. It was probably stained with the blood, sweat and waste of its victims. It had been dragged around and lay in the dirt as each new person was nailed to it. Even in His final death and suffering, He probably suffered on a second hand cross, after being scourged with a whip that had chewed apart many backs before his. In the same way, our walk as Christians won’t always be nice, neat, tidy and new. There will be pain as we grow and unpleasantness to deal with. Some will laugh at us and ridicule us for our beliefs. We may be typecast as narrow minded and judgemental. We will see a hurting and lost world through different eyes. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25 NIV There is a cost to following Christ, but there are riches and rewards beyond imagination both in this world and beyond. Until next time, when you are struggling with one of those painful moments remember what He went through for you. Hallelu Yah Kevin After having said it will be painful and not always easy, it seems a strange time to ask you to consider following Christ. Sometimes life with Him is hard, but life without Him is hopeless and devoid of reward. He is the way to love, forgiveness and eternal life. Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your prayer concerns and praise reports email us at corbin_writer@shaw.ca If you enjoy this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://hundred-acre-woods.com/magic-list/lists/ or email me at corbin_writer@shaw.ca Archived issues of Gleanings From The Word can be found on our web site http://gleanings.jesusanswers.com To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@shaw.ca or write us at Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8
© 2002 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Ministries International All Rights Reserved
Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your prayer concerns and praise reports email us at corbin_writer@shaw.ca To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2002 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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