Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope you are having a fun day filled with lots of love!!
Just a reminder…don’t forget to take some time to love on Jesus too! He sure showed us a lot of love when He died on the cross for us.
One of the things that I like to do is read Psalm 145 to the Lord. I keep a copy of it on my refrigerator. Download a free poster with Psalm 145.
Our town is blessed with the Explorations in Antiquity Center. If you aren’t able to go to the Holy Land, it’s a great substitute! One of the most profound experiences I’ve had is when I went on a tour and dinner there. Oh my goodness, it was powerful! Just explore their site and find out allll about it!
http://www.explorationsinantiquity.net/
But, one of the most powerful experiences I had while there was when the tour guide stood us in front of the cross.
Dr. Jim Flemming, founder of the center, “has worked and lived in Israel since 1973. As an archaeologist he has helped coordinate 12 excavations in Israel. He has been Lecturer in Archaeology at the School for Overseas Students at the Hebrew University in Jeruslaem, and Professor of Geography and Archaeology at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Advanced Theological Studies.” So, needless to say, he has put some major research into constructing this center.
The depiction of the cross here was unlike any of the traditional crosses I’d seen. The tour guide told us that back then, crucifixions were done on existing trees. The part of the cross that Jesus would have carried was the cross bar. And the small wooden bar at the bottom wasn’t a place for Jesus’ feet, but instead it would have been where his bottom would have kind of sat (or propped). This was so that the death would be prolonged. Just hanging without this would have meant a much a much quicker death. He said Jesus arms were actually hanging above him, instead of straight out to the side, like I’ve always thought.
Tears filled my eyes as I listened to the guide. Imagining Jesus hanging there in that position. Jesus went through even more pain than I’d even previously known and all because of my sin. If that doesn’t make you want to avoid sin, I don’t know what else would. Every time I sin, I think Jesus had to die for that! I sure want to strive to live a righteous life and bring Him glory.
I blogged earlier this week that I’m reading Shepherding a Child’s Heart. In it, it lists that our parenting goal should be centered around:
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”
That should be all our goals! “Let my life song sing to You!” (song from Casting Crowns)
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
hey love the blog
love,
Caitlin and Ann