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For many in the Christian Faith this week is called Holy Week. It is a week that draws our attention toward the Cross and what our Savior, Jesus Christ did for us there.
This past week, I attended the Mount Hermon Writers Conference for the very first time. It was rather strange not to be in my home church for Palm Sunday, and yet it seemed fitting for the season I am in. With all the craziness of life, and even attending a conference, my focus and attention has been drawn again and again to the foot of the cross. You could say the cross has been beckoning me. The Palm Sunday service during the conference brought memories of my childhood church experiences rushing back as we sang hymns, and the organ pipes reverberated through the sanctuary.
This past Palm Sunday, I woke early, way before the sun was even up to make the trek to the top of the mountain. About 20 other brave souls and I began the climb to the top so we could watch the sunrise and worship at the Cross. There was an excitement within all of us, but at the same time a Holy reverence had settled deep in my soul. Truth be told, I wanted to stay in bed where it was warm. I wanted more sleep. I didn’t want to walk in 37-degree weather, up to the top of the mountain, but something was beckoning me. I couldn’t escape this pull deep within my spirit to get to the cross.
Tweet ThisAs I made the trek toward the cross that morning, my mind was on that Palm Sunday so many thousands of years ago, as people were celebrating and shouting Hosanna to the King of Kings.
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee” (Matthew 21:8-11).
Then my mind move forward through the events lined out in Scripture and how quickly the tide turned against Jesus, and yet, He remained focused.
They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” (Mathew 27:22b – 23).
Even in the difficulties and the weight He was about to bear, the cross was His Focus.
Even in the rejection He knew was coming by the ones He loved, He loved.
Even in the pain He knew was coming, He pressed forward.
He endured because to the core of who He was, the cross was beckoning Him.
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Mathew 26: 38-39).
When I made it to the top of the mountain that day, the cross was beckoning me, it was calling to me. There was a hush that came upon us all as we gazed out over the valley and the view as the sun rose but my eyes kept turning toward the cross.
Sunrise at Mt. Hermon
These words from the chorus of Jeremy Riddles Song “Sweetly Broken” seem to fit what my heart was feeling that day.
AT THE CROSS YOU BECKON ME
YOU DRAW ME GENTLY TO MY KNEES AND I AM
LOST FOR WORDS SO LOST IN LOVE,
I AM SWEETLY BROKEN WHOLLY SURRENDERED
As we look forward to celebrating our Risen Savior on Easter Sunday, let us all remember:
- I Live because He LIVES!
- I can endure, because He endured.
- I love because He loved…
May you too be drawn to the cross this week, and every week.
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
I have been teaching these classes internationally for the last 10+ years equipping and training believers in discerning the Ways God speaks. God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
2. My new membership site, d2htrainging.com has official opened, I invite you to check it out today. It will help you develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
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Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
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Not a faith post but a Spring decorating post. I think that’s family friendly, yes? Happy Easter dear Debbie and blessings on Restoration Church’s services.
He is risen indeed.
Yes, of course its family friendly and any post you have will always be welcome here. I am so very glad to have you join us here. Happy Easter and thanks for the blessing over our services. XoXo
I love when the cross beckons us. What a wonderful experience on Palm Sunday to climb to the top of the mountain. I pray we’ll all have similar spiritual experiences on this coming Easter morning. Thanks for sharing this, Debbie.
Lisa, it truly was a wonderful experience. I pray you too have a similar spiritual experience this Easter as well.
Great post to inspire reflection on all that Jesus suffered for us. May your celebration of resurrection be sweet and joyful!
Thank you Michele, I am glad it inspired reflection for you. May your celebrations be sweet and joy-filled as well.
As it does every year, the cross pulls me. Each Lenten season I wonder if holy week will do its usual tugging, pulling, and drawing me in. It never fails. Good Friday will find me observing silence between 12 noon and 3. Sad Saturday will find me busy and preparing. But, SONday morning. Ah! Sonday morning – never ceases to bring elation to my spirit. He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Susan, I love your heart and I love your traditions, steep in much research and yet very personal and meaningful to you, I can tell. Yes, SONday morning is a time to celebrate! Blessings my friend.
What a wonderful (and cold yes) experience! I think this is where my heart has been too. It doesn’t matter what is going on, I feel that sense of closeness with Him too. I keep repeating, “I don’t want anything more than You” over and over, and it is true. Thanks for this Debbie.
Meghan – while it was cold, I didn’t notice it very much once it began and we got to the top to stop and then once I made it back to my room. LOL I love that God has already been moving upon your heart and beckoning you to Himself. Blessings
Debbie, I felt like I was right there with you climbing to the top of the mountain. I wish I were. Your experience sounds fabulous. Thank you for pulling us with you as you head toward the cross.
Blessings,
Maree
Oh Maree, I wish you could have been there with me too. Then we could have shared in the experience together and met face to face. Who knows maybe this next year our paths will cross as we do life. Blessings upon you as you look toward the cross as well. Blessings
What a beautiful way to spend Palm Sunday morning! The cross where Jesus died, it does call us to offer ourselves anew, doesn’t it? Thank you for bringing us along with you, as you journeyed up the mountain. May I continue to follow Jesus as He leads me also! He is risen indeed!
yes Bettie, it sure does. I am glad that you could make the journey with me through my words as I journey up that mountain this past week. May I too (and we all really) continue to follow Jesus as He leads. Hallelujah He is Risen!
Beautiful, Debbie! Your story reminded me that taking up my cross is going to require sacrifice, but the sweet reward is soooo worth it.
Happy Easter to ya. 🙂
Oh Lyli – thank you so very much and I am very honored to have you join me today at my new linkup. Yes, the rewards for taking up our cross are most definitely sweet and worth it. Blessings and Happy Easter to you as well.
Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful Easter. Very nice words that you have posted today.
Thank you Patrick! You have a blessed Easter as well.
Back to share another. The story of The Ragman. Amazing. <3
YAY! I am so glad you linked up The Ragman – I was reading it last night via the email that went out after you posted it. It truly is an amazing piece.
Debbie, this is so full of hope and encouragement. This statement leaves me so profoundly grateful for all Christ did for me…”Even in the rejection He knew was coming by the ones He loved, He loved.” Thank you for the link-up sweet friend! Happy Easter!
You are so welcome Crystal! I am glad that you were encouraged and I thank you for linking up with me on Thursday’s – Happy Easter to you as well my friend.
Thanks for hosting and happy Easter!
thanks Donna 🙂
What a lovely and encouraging post! I’m so glad you shared your heart today!
Thank you so much Patricia, and thank you for stopping by to read what was on my heart.
Debbie, we’re neighbors at Meghan’s blog. Have a great week-end!
yay for having friendly neighbors. thanks for stopping in Donna