All of Me

All of Me

What was the excuse He gave that day when he rose from the table determined to betray? The Passover lamb had just washed his feet, wiped them dry and said, “One is not clean.” But it wasn’t only for this sinner Christ bore the shame. His stripes and lashes wore my...
The Great Exchange

The Great Exchange

My pastor calls it the Great Exchange; the way God gave everything in order that you and I might gain from His loss. As I read the scripture about Christ and the thief on the cross, I’m struck by the truth of the Great Exchange and the scandalous love God has...
The Valley of the Shadow

The Valley of the Shadow

The place name dogged me all week–my thoughts returning again and again to the words of John 18:5. When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into...
The Valley of the Shadow

The Gift of Hope

I read the child’s name and my throat constricts.  The words seem detached from the page and I wish I could wrap my hand around each letter–crushing the message they bear.  Dead.  Eight year old.  Mother attempted to revive. Pausing, I think of my own...