where do we go from here?

here is a clip from a spiritual community in granger indiana. they did a series called 'sex for sale' a few months back, and looked at heartbreaking effects of sexual sin...which touch all of us in some way. 

ImNotBuyingIt.com Video from Granger Community on Vimeo.

this easter week takes us to 'good friday,' an ironical name for the day that jesus christ was beaten, mocked, whipped, tormented, crucified and abandoned on a roman cross (some 2000 years ago). for centuries people have commemorated this day by considering this king, jesus, who took on their sins...and the sins of the world. Christ-followers believe this roman cross symbolizes literally God's willingness to take the penalty of sin upon Himself. rather than punishing each person for the dastardly repercussions of their neglect, abuse, addiction, objectification, hatred, judgement, lust, and pride, pride, pride, God cast His holy judgement upon His only Son, Yeshua, and offered us sweet reprieve, amazing grace, full forgiveness...a renewed connection with the Father, Yahweh.

when's the last time you honestly considered your own sin . . .those of commission and omission--the things you do that you know are wrong, and the things you neglect to do that you know are right? when's the last time you slowed down enough to look at how your selfish choices have impacted others, as well as yourself and your relationship with God? when's the last time you considered how ego-centric you have become?

the reality is that we are all connected. all of us are brothers and sisters whose choices impact the other. when we become self-focused and ignore the plight of those around us . . . we forget the plague of suffering sin afflicts upon those who have no protectors. it is all of our responsibilities to look after the needy . . . and when we forget the weak, we forget jesus' sacrifice & God's insistence that EVERYONE matters. 

today and tomorrow, there is an experience designed to help you remember. from 6pm-9pm tonight and from 7am-2pm tomorrow the crossing will hold a 'good friday experience' that walks each of us through the final hours of jesus' life. i just walked through it myself and after witnessing Christ's suffering sacrifice, i am appalled by my pride, my arrogance, my willingness to live in comfort rather than mirror my savior by serving, alongside Him, those who are enslaved--literally and spiritually--by sin. please join me in remembering today, that even in our shameful sickness . . . we are invited to receive the body and blood of jesus, broken and shed on the cross, as our atonement . . . our way to be at-one-again with God. may we never forget what it has cost for us to freely know God's love.