A Good Friday Tribute



Hello Cottage Friends,

Thank you so much for the kind, loving and encouraging comments you left on my last post. They have blessed me and lifted my spirits, and I'm so grateful to each of you for reaching out to me with support. You all are very dear to me.

This week while reading through my older journal entries I came across one from August 2019. I'd like to share it with you on this Good Friday as a tribute to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that it will bless you as I honor Him.


August 5, 2019

Each day is an opportunity to grow closer to God. To bypass this earthly vessel with all its flaws and scars, and join with the Spirit in worship and praise of the Creator. It is a mystery how the Spirit of God lives within His beloved children. Those who have been "born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13)

Why does man fight to have answers to all his questions about God? Why do we try to bring Almighty God down to our level of understanding? 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

The older I get the more satisfied I am with not having the answers to the mysteries of my faith. I don't need to understand everything that God does, all that He allows. It is enough for me to know that He is sovereign. That He will do what He will do, in His time, in His way. I can sing "It is well with my soul" because I fully trust in Him. I have seen His faithfulness in my life. I have experienced His unconditional love. Even when I was living in rebellion, He loved me. He never took His eyes off me. How can I question the goodness and love of my heavenly Father when He has always only been kind to me?

I stand in awe of the One who gave up everything to redeem me. To redeem all sinners from the pit of hell, if they will put their faith and trust in Him, in Jesus who died so that we might have life. And have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

The abundant life is not about money or fame. It's not about success and notoriety. The abundant life is the life we live in Christ. The marvelous truth that the One who conquered sin and death, who rose again to life on the third day, is living in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives strength when we are weary, hope when all seems lost, love when we feel unlovable, joy when we are downcast. His love is eternal, His presence is forever, there is nothing that can separate us from Him, no power can overcome His love and goodness, His mercy and grace. Though the enemy would try to dissuade us from the truth that God loves us, that He has only the best for us, we know better. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

My life has meaning because God has chosen me. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
I am chosen.
I am holy and blameless before Him.
I've been adopted by my Father in love through Jesus Christ.
I am blessed in the Beloved.
I am redeemed through Christs' blood.
I've been forgiven of all my trespasses.
I am the recipient of His lavish grace.
I am united in Christ to the praise of His glory.
I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
My inheritance is guaranteed until I acquire possession of it, to the praise of HIS glory!

This is the truth of who I am! I am a child of God. The daughter of the King! 

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Amen!

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ere such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
and find that I may truly live.

O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near
And bless your name.

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live.

O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near
And bless Your name.

O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live.

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

O the wonderful cross
O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

(Editor's Note: Lyrics from The Wonderful Cross written by Chris Tomlin, J.D. Walt, Jesse Reeves (from the original hymn When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts).



29 comments

  1. Yesterday, tomorrow and forever! ❤️

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  2. SO beautifully written! Yes, my sins are gone, my soul's set free! Praising our Savior all the day long.
    Happy Happy Easter to you!

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    1. Yes, Linda, you understand what "freedom in Christ" means. Hallelujah!

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  3. It is very hard sometimes, to be wholeheartedly faithful and a believer. It is hard, but I try. When we get knocked down so many times, it's sometimes hard to believe that He is really there for us. Have a nice Easter with your family! Marilyn

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    1. It is hard sometimes, Marilyn. There have been times in my life when my spirit was crushed to the point where I questioned if God really cared about me. When I catch myself thinking that way I stop and remember that Jesus Christ endured the pain of the cross and separation from His Father so that He and I could have a relationship. That is amazing love! If I'm in the midst of something that wrenches my gut, I remember that Christ bore the shame of the cross for me. That is amazing love! He could have called 10,000 angels to come to His rescue, but He stayed there on the cross for us. For you. For me. I'll be praying that God manifests Himself to you in a way that you will find it easy to believe that He is really there for you. Because He is! Hugs, Nancy

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  4. This is lovely Nancy. Our faith gets us through all things, the good and the bad in life. I am reflecting this weekend on how we will sacrifice our being together with family and friends for Easter but will spend the time reflecting on the blessing of our love in Jesus to sacrifice for all of us. Happy Easter.
    xoxo
    Kris

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  5. This is so timely and so beautifully written. I can feel the power and conviction of your words.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Donna. I am persuaded that there is no better life than the one we live in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you.

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  6. Easter blessings dear Nancy. Those really are powerful, well-written words.
    Stay strong and be well.

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  7. Beautiful you are, in your faith Nancy.
    Gods Blessings.

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  8. Beautiful post, Nancy. God bless you this Easter!

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  9. Dearest Nancy, it is so refreshing to see your blog post come in. Blogging for me hit a happy peak years ago then suddenly, many bloggers who made my experience just dropped out, and though I also dropped out of a weekly routine of blogging, I still watch to see who has published their thoughts.

    I too have come to learn more ABOUT Jesus as I age, but you hit on a very truth point here that speaks to me heart. I often try to understand God within the small, limited parameters of my mind. HOW CRAZY IS THAT! Letting go and just admitting that I don't know is liberating in itself. The only way that's every been able to happen is when I either go through a circumstance that leaves me powerless in my own strengths and understanding, and just go beyond what I think I can do. The result? I am able to do more than imagined.

    Bless you as you reflect on what no man or woman has ever done except Jesus: to rise, rise, rise.

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  10. This is a beautiful and timeless message dear Nancy, thanks for reposting. Have a lovely Easter ~ FlowerLady

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  11. A sweet tribute to our precious Savior! All glory and praise to Him as we celebrate the risen Christ. Easter blessings to you, Nancy!

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    1. And to you, as well, Pam. Thanks for visiting! Hugs.

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  12. your virtual friends send you a hug just when you need it the most.

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    1. Thank you, Susan. Hugs are always welcome. :) God bless you.

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  13. Beautifully written as usual, Nancy. Have a Blessed Easter!

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  14. Thank you Nancy. A beautiful reminder to stay in faith.

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  15. Oh, Nancy, I always loved getting your posts, and was thrilled to open up the one earlier that bared your heart about the place you are in right now...My heart stopped. But the Joy of the Lord IS your strength, and you are in GOOD HANDS!. I was going to share a song that I thought would bless you.....only to see in this post that you are already familiar with Chris Tomlin!!!!! THANK YOU for sharing your life, and know there are many friends holding you up in prayer.

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    1. Barb, I'm humbled by your words. And very grateful for your friendship. Yes, Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite Christian artists. I often find comfort in his songs. Hugs

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  16. This will bless your soul: CREATION CALLS 2 on YouTube. I tried to copy.paste the link, but I'm just not savvy enough! but this VIDEO WILL MAKE YOUR SPIRIT SOAR!!!!

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    1. Oh, yes, Barb. I'm familiar with that song. Thank you for the reminder so I could watch the video again today. It is so powerful. Here's the link in case any reader wants to view it:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGvfdtI2c0

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  17. I have been blessed richly by this post, Nancy! There's a big smile on my face because i just read Leslie Anne Tarabella's post where she writes of the assurance of the Holy Spirit here on earth in our lives and then to read what you wrote about this great mystery. How can it be? I don't know either but I know I can trust that it is true. I love your list of blessings and am grateful to claim them too.

    The main hymn my mother requested for her service was It Is Well With My Soul.

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  18. Beautiful post, Nancy, wishing you a blessed day.
    The Wonderful Cross is one of my favorites.
    Carla

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  19. Such a beautiful post, Nancy. I'm glad that you and Dennis are well and safe in these strange strange times.
    Amalia
    xo

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  20. Nancy, I have been following your delightful blog for a number of years now. I met you n Estes Park in 2012 before you moved to Oregon. My husband and I moved back to Colorado from Washington state 2 years ago and are in Loveland. I am wondering how I might email you? I think you are living nearby. Warmest Regards, Diane

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    1. Thanks for reaching out, Diane. I'll send you an email. Hugs.

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