Good Friday

Wow! What do you say to commemorate the greatest event in the history of mankind? (I know... the Resurrection was really the greatest, but there would've been no Resurrection without there being a Crucifixion first.)

Our pastor's wife said something last Sunday that has really stuck with me. She said something that really bothers her in the story of the Crucifixion is not so much that Jesus died... after all, that's what He came to do, for our salvation... but how awfully rude the people were to him about it. Jeering and spitting on him and beating him and all that... That was not necessary! I've been told that dying on a cross is one of the most painful, excruciating deaths there is. Wasn't that enough? Why did the people have to be so mean to Him on top of that?

As I thought about this, I decided that probably the shadow of the Cross was weighing so heavily on Him at this point in time, that maybe the rudeness was just a minor nuisance... but I also find it comforting to know that He understands when people annoy us and are out-right rude to us. He has been there!

"Oh My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Southern Gospel Music

I enjoy a variety of music, including some Southern Gospel. This past Sunday one of the special songs at church was When He Was On the Cross, I Was On His Mind. It was an absolutely beautiful arrangement done by a ladies trio. So all week that song has been going through my head. This morning I decided to look for the lyrics, so I could actually sing it and not just hum most of it! In looking for those lyrics I came across a really cool site that lists the lyrics to quite a few popular Southern Gospel songs, plus accompaniment midis! It's Dave's Southern Gospel Midi Tracks.

And here are the lyrics I was looking for!

WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS, I WAS ON HIS MIND

I’m not on an ego trip, I’m nothing on my own
I make mistakes and sometimes slip
Just common flesh and bone
But I’ll prove some day just why I say
I’m of a special kind
For when He was on the cross
I was on His mind

A look of love was on His face
The thorns were in His head
The blood was on that scarlet robe
And stained it crimson red
Though His eyes were on the crowd that day
He looked ahead in time
For when He was on the cross
I was on His mind

He knew me, yet He loved me
He whose glory makes the Heaven’s shine
So unworthy, of such mercy
For when He was on the cross
I was on His mind
For when He was on the cross
I was on His mind

Letter Writing

I used to love to write letters. No, I don't mean dash off an e-mail. I mean actually sit down with a pen and a sheet of stationery, an envelope and a stamp! With the advent of cheap long-distance and e-mail, I've gotten out of the habit. I looked forward to getting replies to my letters, usually at least 2 weeks later. The thing I love about email is how instantaneous it is. You hit "Send", the person gets the letter almost immediately (if they're at the computer) and can reply within a matter of minutes. That is fun! Still, there's something about receiving a hand-penned letter in the mail that I miss. As expensive as greeting cards are getting, I think it would be a good idea to take the time to actually write a letter (on nice stationery perhaps) instead. I haven't yet started doing that, but I might. Wouldn't you rather receive a nice chatty letter than a pre-printed greeting card with just a name signed to it? I would!

Here's a good article on The Art of Letter Writing that got me to thinking about this.

Visitin'

This is something I've been wondering about...

Does anyone do much entertaining any more? During the 16 years I've been married, we've done relatively little entertaining... nor have we been invited to others' homes very often. Is that a geographical thing or is it a generational thing? I've always heard about "southern hospitality" but since it's been many years since I've actually lived in the South I wonder if folks down there entertain their friends more than people around here do.

But then again everyone everywhere always seems to be so very, very busy... with work and school and church and recreational activities, that lots of people don't seem to even be in their own homes much any more, much less visiting friends. And when we *are* home we have computers (the internet), dozens of cable channels, videos, etc. to where we don't "need" to visit, or play games, or interact with other people at all to be "entertained." So I wonder... is "visiting" something else that is "gone with the wind?"

Take me back to Mayberry! I'd love to sit out on the porch and rock with Aunt Bea, while Andy plays his guitar, and Barney suggests goin' down to the fillin' station to get a bottle of pop! Doesn't that sound SO relaxing??

Well, anyway, what got me thinking about all of this was the this article: Hospitality vs. Entertaining

Spring Has Sprung!!! ...Where???

This is my house just a few minutes ago. See that bright stuff? That's sunshine! We hadn't even seen that for weeks and weeks, seems like... but with clear skies come cold temperatures. It's below freezing with several inches of snow blowing all over the ground, and icicles dangling off the buildings. I thought spring started yesterday???