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“There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death . . . the narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life.” Matthew 7: 13-14(The VOICE) The lesson quoted above is one I have thought…
“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 I enjoy the Olympics every time they roll around. This year I had more time for watching the amazing events. Sometimes I witnessed an event live, as it was happening, with no idea what the final result would be. Sometimes I saw the rebroadcast, knowing who had won, yet still watching with interest to see how it transpired. While viewing events in which I knew the results, I stayed calmer and better focused, observing details that I might have…
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46 (NIV) Throughout scripture we read of God’s arms, face, eyes, breath, and other body parts that describe his presence in our lives. Though God is spirit, the descriptions of his body help us relate to the way he works in our lives. God’s hands signify protection, power and action. In the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke this assurance, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch…
“When Jesus received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 (NKJV) For over 30 years as a classroom teacher, in late May or early June, I ended my marathon of planning, teaching, managing, and organizing by packing up our classroom. Another school year finished always felt like a victory. As Jesus breathed his last breath upon the cross, the full realization of his mission manifested and he honored God’s work through him with the words, “It is finished.” What exactly was “it”? A human…
“After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’” John 19:28(New American Bible, Revised) Remember dot-to-dot puzzles? Scenes incomplete until we followed the numbered dots with our pencils and drew lines to make a picture. The statement from Jesus “I thirst” is not only a request from a dying man, but it also represents a dot from Psalm 22 connecting the threads of God’s sovereign plan to save his children. Walking through the Psalm, we discover a God who lives close to the details of…
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Matthew 27:46 (NIV) The scripture above hits us like a punch in the stomach. Jesus, God’s beloved son, feels forsaken by God? His words of suffering demonstrate the harsh side of humanity; the darkness that invades when life caves in on us. And yet, his words bring hope in understanding the God who suffers for the ones he loves. Jesus’ exact words come from the first verse of a Messianic Psalm (Psalm 22)…
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” John 19: 26-27 The retelling of Jesus’ crucifixion in the Bible mentions people following him, both women and men; onlookers standing below the cross as he suffered. John tells us more about the people witnessing his death; Jesus’ mother, Mary, Mary’s sister, Mary Magdalene and his disciple, John. In John 19, Jesus sees his mother nearby calls to her, “Woman, here is your son.” indicating that John will take care of…
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 It is hard for us to imagine the offenses that would drive a culture to crucify its people. Crucifixion in Jesus’ day was used mostly for non-citizens, slaves or those of low social standing. Possible criminal acts included inciting violence, stealing, disobeying, running away from a master or threatening the security of the government. Jesus was not crucified alone. Luke’s account tells of two other criminals hanging on crosses with Jesus. One criminal insults Jesus by telling him to bring all of…
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:24 Jesus’ final act of love came upon the cross. With a brutal sacrifice, his gentle love poured over the earth in a brand new way. In seven instances, Jesus spoke from the cross and during these 7 weeks of Lent, we will study his words, gleaning the essence of his final messages to us before his death. Hanging from the cross, Jesus continued his mission to love and to save by speaking these words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know…
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV) The verse above helped me understand that walking with Jesus and learning from Jesus was a beautiful way to live life. However, about 10 years ago, the verse became even clearer to me as I herded first graders on a school field trip. Our small group of kids absorbed the sights in an outdoor farm museum set in the 1850’s.…
Christian poetry on Christ Art
https://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/journal/notjustawaterfall
Janice Gibson was an elementary school teacher for 33 years and used Jesus Christ as a model for her interactions and instruction with students. She is also the author of Spiritually Fit: God’s Workout for You available on Westbow Press Amazon or Christianbook.
Living 4 Him 