...some days...

There are some days that are worse than others. Days when we just wish we could be understood by others- understood by our spouses, children, parents, friends, etc. But… that doesn’t always happen. It’s in those days that we appreciate and give more meaning to the fact that we have such and Awesome God Who understands our being. He knows our hearts and minds- our feelings and emotions… our every thought before we even think it! And thank the Lord that before Him we don’t need to explain ourselves in our own self defense- He knows exactly just how much we do, or on the contrary… just how little. … So here I am! I’m back to blogging. It’s been my new year’s resolution to post something at least once a month… it didn’t exactly work out that way for me last year ;)… or the year before that, but, I’m ready to give it another shot. :) When I write, I’m able to reflect on my experiences. Able to go back in thought and let them sink in deeper. And, as years go by, it’s interesting to go back and read something you wrote a few years back and remember those experiences. Blessings to all! Nat

Change is Good

I realize that I haven't written since more than half a year ago. Although, there were countless moments, lessons, challenges, blessings, and stories to share on here. All, however, were safely brewing in my mind and, now, memories.

Evaluating the past 7 months, I can't believe how much has changed! I'm sure in all of our lives, there have been some sort of shift, progress, slowing down or speeding up. In a Christian person's life, change is good. I believe, it is always for the better.

To name a few things (from hundreds), I am married since June, to the most amazing Godly man, Ive gotten a new job, have moved to a different city, living without having the same friends and family near by, meeting new people, started a different lifestyle of a newly-married couple. Oh, and we got a puppy, but thats just a sidenote. haha

Aside from my changes, my friends have gone through getting engaged (one of my best friends to my brother!), my brother is cancer free!!! Some people have moved, others have passed away abruptly, prayers have been answered, not all of them make sense at the moment....

Change.

Change is beautiful, it has been seen throguhout the Bible and in God's handwriting. Look at the pattern of the day: have you noticed how often the sky changes? Look at the seasons, unpredictable weather...The Bible talks about timing and that there is time for everything under the heavens. Time to laugh, time to cry, keep, throw away, peace and war, ...Ecclesiastes 3

Over time, we have seen how God has allowed our minds to grow, technology to progress, research to flourish...we are capable of reaching, solving, fixing, changing, fighting, and losing much better than 500 years ago...

Everything in our lives is for the better and ordained by God. The key is to TRUST IN HIM!!! To be completely dependent on our God, to search His will in the changes that are happening around us.

Its quite easy to notice that the heart of humanity (if I can say that), has not changed much despite the good changes God has given us. Sin is still very present. We have not become happier, life is not easier for us, we are still stressed more than ever (they have de stressing toys for 5 yr olds~~??!!) we questions, fight on our own, make our own (often selfish) plans and watch the fashion trends repeat themselves.

I know many people who believe change in the world (progress in technology) is bad for the christians, to stay completely away from it. However, discussing with my husband I've now come to realize that we limit God and don't allow Him to reveal Himself in ALL ways, which He can. God has no limits. Remember when God said if the voices will be silent, all creation will rise and shout!!

I know this post is getting a bit long. But What I've learned is that change is for the better, in all ways (even challenges), the world and its changes (liberal views) will keep challenging our faith (which is good), the lessons we learn, the miracles we see, the answered prayers and the ones that are still to be answered, point to God. He is the only One Who is Constant, He is the ONLY ONE we can rely and Trust in. THe ability to see yourself completely dependent on God and the ability to trust His works in our lives will result in a joy and peace more than you will have ever felt.

Blessings to all of my friends! I hope you see the changes in your lives as GOOD! and please share~

…Has Jesus changed your life?

As I was reading a few common verses that we have all probably read at least once at some point, the story of the healed leper stood out to me in a different light. In Mark 2:40-45, A leper comes to Jesus and asks Him to make him clean. Jesus touches him, and the leprosy leaves him. Then, it’s interesting that Jesus tells him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”(vs. 44) The leper, however, leaves and begins to “proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city…” (vs. 45)

As I was dwelling on this though, I felt convicted that I do not follow his example. The leper could not keep what Jesus did for him a secret, and instead he went out and proclaimed it freely. Jesus changed his life… HE made him clean. I can just picture him with eyes wide open, glowing from the miracle that happened, overflowing with joy and running through the streets sharing what Jesus has done for him….

Jesus changed my life… HE made me clean…HE Died for me…HIS Precious Blood washed away my sins…HE gave me life, eternity…the promise of salvation… and yet… where is my testimony?....
I felt convicted that for some odd reason I don’t share this news with others…
Where is my joy? Where is that passion that would burst the good news outward, and drive me running through the streets proclaiming what Christ has done for me…? Why do I keep it as a “secret”, and act as if it’s just a simple thing…? A miracle has happened! Jesus came into my life!!! I’m free to live eternally!!!....

O Lord, I Pray for such a passion… Please fill my heart with courage to share the news of my salvation with those who need it most…

Thank YOU!

Spread it! Sharing My Experience.

I will never forget this March of 2011. Honduras missions trip. Roughly 3,000 patients seen and 700 comming to Christ. It has changed my life, forever.

God blessed me with this opportunity, and even more, He reminded me of what I have, and what I cannot live without.

This trip was His mission continuing in my life, and His rich, pure, holy blessings pouring out of mortal dependent imperfect creatures like myself. It was truly humbling.

There were moments when I caught myself losing heart, becoming impatient, sensitive, irritable, stressed...the stronger relationship with God,l the more I did His will, the more I saw how much I do not reflect Him. How His love has covered my all sins...how patient He is with me, how tolerant and how merciful...

God changes my heart and improves me daily...He reminds me of His wisdom, His blessings, He calls me back to Him when I am distracted...He reveals Himself to me. He is my happiness, my only true joy. All of Truth is in Him.

The Joy we have from God, we gave away with every word and touch to the poor people of Honduras...It was not ours to keep...it never is.

I pray for many many more opportunities like this in my life. Part of it, of course, is the amazing outcome of my spirit and heart. He never fails to do His mission within me.

JAMES 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

What is your mission?

I recently had the chance to come up with a mission and vision for my life. More information on what it is will be below this article. A life without a specific mission, is a life wasted. I am a changed person because I have a mission/vision for my life. I no longer waste time doing what I am not called to do. With a lot of prayer and reading of the Word you can come up with your own statement. Blessings!

Some tips in how to formulate your mission/vision statement:
http://www.lifetoolsforwomen.com/p/write-mission-vision.htm

Define “Christian”...

I asked a friend a simple question, so I thought, in the middle of a conversation: “Are they Christian?”
Her answer wasn’t “yes” or “no”, but: “Define Christian…”
A little odd at first it seemed to me, but then I began thinking…
Well, how should I define myself…what did I mean by asking that, and …can one really know for sure about another if they’re Christian…?
For a minute there I sat just thinking, you clearly can’t define a Christian by saying they attend a church, or that their family was Christian…they dress appropriately, act mature, or even say their Christian… one is not defined a Christian based on if they pray, or fast, or even preach…for all these things can be misleading. What if one’s kind, and sweet, and goodness- never curses… or if one knows the Bible very well and even uses it occasionally for his purpose…what if one says he knows so much about a God…but is HE his God?...What if… one lives his life just thinking he’s a Christian…And can one live accordingly abiding Scriptures, and yet not be a Christian?
What is then…what word, what phrase…what sentence can define a Christian?

Give Thanks

How was your Thanksgiving day? Was it one more memorable day to be reminded how blessed you and your family are? I had a wonderful time being with an amazing family that invited me, my family and several friends to their Thanksgiving dinner. We were a diversified bunch, with Slavic and American guests all gathered together at this event. We had a great potluck dinner with lots of psalm singing, sharing the significance of Thanksgiving, and what we are thankful for. We all agreed to the fact, that we should be thankful for all the things we take for granted in our daily lives. One elderly Slavic woman pointed out that she is still tremendously grateful for the abundance of bread because in her childhood she lived through a time when there was literally nothing to eat. Her father passed away from hunger and to this day she is afraid to even drop one crumb on the floor because she values what God abundantly provides on America's tables! She said that if she sees food on the floor, she will move it to where the birds can eat it. Wow! Another young woman shared how she is thankful that God gives her hope. Hope in the future and hope for her life. A man shared how he is thankful for his wife of 22 years and for God being so patient with him throughout his life.
I am thankful for one more year of God providing His mercy and grace to me. I am thankful for His Word that tells of examples of men and women who have lived their lives and have left their lessons for me to learn. I am thankful for my family and that my parents are happily married for 30 years now. I'm thankful for my fiance, who I treasure as my gift from God.

God Wants to Make an Example of Us

I wanted to share a message I heard from a pastor that really spoke to my heart this past Sunday. He told us that he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and that he was encouraged by the doctor's to get surgery to remove the cancer from different parts in his body. The issue was that he had to get so many areas inside of him removed, he wondered if there will be anything left inside of him to continue living. He remembered that one man from his church had cancer and had went through surgery five years ago (I believe I heard right that it was 5 years ago). The pastor went to this man to ask if the surgery helped in any way and to seek his advice. In the end, the pastor was encouraged enough to go through with his surgery.
When the pastor was almost about to leave the hospital to go home after his hospital stay, he found out that the doctor's could not remove the tumor (that has grown to the size of a fist and grew into the main artery leading to the heart which could cause severe bleeding and death if the artery was punctured while cutting out the tumor) and closed him back up again without doing anything.
In the end, the pastor said that he realized that God makes examples out of those people that die early from cancers or other diseases. God wants us to be examples to others and this is including even in a state of illness or early death.
I listened to this pastor, and I understood his message well. God wants me to be an example to others even through my sufferings. He made this pastor be a living example of a man with a terrible sickness, but one who was THANKFUL to God for sending him trials and worries. The pastor was most likely heard and understood on a much deeper level that day because of his personal testimony and his reaction to it.

Amazing Little Storyteller :)

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

When Tragedy Strikes a Church Family

It seems that at times a congregation takes one hit after the other. Deaths in the congregation, tragic accidents that leave a member paralyzed, numerous families losing their jobs to the recession, and the list goes on and on. One can't help but stand in disbelief of the never ending grief that this causes. The hardest thing is to understand why. Why!

But I realize that my job as a believer in Jesus Christ is to have faith. Yes, I can think about the many reasons of why this would happen, but I will exhaust myself and most likely never come up with a definite reason. I, as a mere speck on the face of this globe, will never be able to fully know why God permits such things.

When I imagine myself looking through God's lens at this world, I realize how undeserving I am of even turning my face towards heaven and asking "Why?" But God gave me His answers in His Word. What my human grain of a brain does understand is that the church is the body of Christ. Unity is needed in His body, but when there is disunity, God corrects.

What I see is the transformations that occurs in the body of Christ.Through the pain and sorrow, a people come together and unite as a family. Helping hands reach out to those that were forgotten and needy. Selfish needs take the last row of priorities-others are priority now. Money going to personal needs is now redirected to where God needs them at the moment. In a time of trials, God can teach numerous lessons at once. But we are perfected, we are made better after our walk in the valley of the shadows. I am not a prophet nor am I giving an answer in how to interpret trials. All I can do is direct you, dear reader, to the Bible through which we can glimpse in God's lens.

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of. -Charles Spurgeon

ЕГО ПОМОЩНИЦА

Here is a very fun blog by a Russian homeschooling mom. Enjoy!
http://pomoshnitsa.blogspot.com/

Video Speaks for Itself part 2

Video Speaks for Itself Part 1

Something to Think About

The sin of Pilate:
What it means for us today

In John 19:11, we read that during the trial and crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus replies to Pontius Pilate: “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

The Greater Sin

So first, we must ask: what specific sin is Jesus referring to here, by saying “the greater sin”? Today it’s common to hear that all sins are the same and that there is no such thing as a greater sin or a lesser sin. However, if this were true – Jesus would not have used the term “greater sin.” But what is this sin Jesus is describing? Is He saying that only the Jews are responsible for delivering their Messiah to be crucified? Or is Pilate also guilty of sin, to some extent, for his role in the crucifixion of Christ.

Matthew Henry, the famous preacher and Bible commentator from the 1600’s explains this passage, saying: “First, it is plainly intimated that what Pilate did was sin, a great sin.” He then paraphrases Christ’s words, to express the meaning more clearly: “He that delivered me unto thee lies under greater guilt; for thou as a magistrate hast power from above, and art in thy place, thy sin is less than theirs who, from envy and malice, urge thee to abuse thy power.”

The Scripture also clarifies the sin of Pilate in Acts 4:26-27 where the apostles quote from Psalm 2, saying “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together.”

So the Scriptures clearly lay sin to the charge of Pilate for his role in the crucifixion of Christ; but what of the Scripture in Matthew 27:23-25? Here, we find Pilate replying to an angry mob wanting to crucify Christ. He says: “Why, what evil hath he done?” And then, the Scriptures record that “He took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and our children.”

So did this act of Pilate washing his hands really clear him of any sin in the crucifixion of Christ?

Let’s take a look:

Power and Responsibility

The Scriptures show that Pilate was in a position of power where he could either crucify Christ, or protect Him, as Pilate himself acknowledges: “Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” (John 19:10)

He rightly knew that he had been given the power in his position, as Romans 13:1 says “There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

However, rather than using his power to –one-- directly crucify Christ, or –two-- to directly protect Christ, Pilate foolishly tried to come up with a “third option” and tried to stay “neutral” by washing his hands and letting the Jews “see to it”, regarding the crucifixion of Christ.

But did God accept Pilate’s “third, neutral option”?

Let’s see what the Scriptures say:

The Bible teaches that with the power Pilate had, came a responsibility to enforce justice, as Romans 13:3-4 continues: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

In this passage we learn two main points:

First, that the term “Minister of God” is used twice here. In Greek, the word “minister” here is “deaconos” – where we get our term “deacon” in the church. And the same term is used by Paul to describe Timothy a “minister of God” or “deaconos of God” in 1 Thess. 3:2.

Second, we note that According to God, these “deaconos of God” are there to do two things: to punish evil, and to protect those who do good. A civil ruler, as a “deaconos of God” is there as a “A revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil,” and one who praises those who do well, “for he is the minister of God to thee for good.”

Therefore, those who are God’s ministers in the Church have a specific duty, and those who are God’s ministers in the civil government have a specific duty, assigned by God.

And so we see that as a “deaconos of God”, Pilate sinned by abusing the power God had given him, by his presiding over the scourging and crucifixion of Christ, an innocent man. Pilate even admitted: “I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him.” (Luke 23:14) Yet he allowed him to be killed.

Matthew Henry further comments on this passage: “See here the baseness and injustice of Pilate, that he would suffer one whom he believed an innocent person… to be thus abused and trampled on by his own servants. Those who are under the arrest of the law ought to be under the protection of it.”

So while it may be argued that the Jewish leaders who brought Jesus to Pilate to be crucified bear a “greater sin”, it cannot be avoided that Pilate still bears sin for his allegedly “neutral” role of washing his hands and claiming, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person.”

This is a good application of the principle in Scripture of two kinds of sin: sins of omission, and sins of commission. A sin of commission is one we actively commit, such as the committing of the act of adultery, or lying. However a sin of omission is a sin because we failed to do something we should have done. This is the case with Pilate – he failed to use his power to protect Christ, and the Scripture lays this sin to his charge.

As James 4:17 says, “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

APPLICATION:

So then, how does this apply to us today?

We might easily apply it to our rulers today, who give in to the wishes of the majority and political pressure, even when doing so is unjust.

As we see in Mark 15:15, Pilate gave in to pressure: “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabas (a murderer) unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.”

Pilate’s move to deliver Jesus to be crucified was done out of a willingness to appease the people, rather than out of a willingness to do justice. How often do we see this same sin repeated by our political leaders in America today?

But is this the only application? Are the only political decision-makers we have, those sitting in the Capitol? Who makes laws in our land?

Well, if you consider Proposition 8, which defined marriage as a man and a woman – we find that no one in the State Capitol voted on this. Instead, Proposition 8 was decided and made law directly by every citizen.

You see, in America, we have a government that is of the people, by the people and for the people. Our constitution gives each citizen the power to make decisions by voting, making each citizen play an active part in the law-making process. Unlike in many other countries, American citizens have been given more power – and because of this power, more is required of us – just as more was required of Pilate, because of the power given to him. As Jesus said in Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much shall be required.”

In other words, all citizens are rulers, because all citizens in America have been given the power to make decisions with their vote. And just as Pilate was given the power to make decisions in his position – both citizens in America and Pilate are both held accountable for how they use the power that has been given to them.

The most clear example of how citizens exercise their role as rulers is seen when we look at Proposition 8, or Proposition 4, two years ago.

With Proposition 4, voters tried to create a law to help stop the “legalized” killing of children through abortion. In these cases, millions of Californians voted and made decisions about whether these laws should come into effect or not. Each citizen, with the power to vote, was responsible for the law passing or failing.

And just like with Pilate, in these cases, citizens took one of three options:

1. Voted yes, to pass the law.
2. Voted no, to reject the law.
3. Neutral: didn’t vote.

But are only those who directly voted “yes” or “no”, responsible for the outcome? Looking back at Pilate, we find that he was responsible for his “neutral” role in letting others decide the fate of Christ.

So what about the millions of Christians who failed to use their power to vote to help stop the killing of children through abortion? Proposition 4 failed by just 2% in 2008. If it would have received just 2% more votes, it would have passed, saving the lives of countless innocent babies.

If just 2% of the millions of Christians who didn’t vote in California took a few minutes of their time to vote for Proposition 4, countless lives of innocent babies would have been saved, today, and tomorrow and the next day, for however long the law would stay in effect.

But where were these Christians?

Does the sin of Pilate apply here? Are Christians who refuse to use the power they have been given to vote guilty of doing as Pilate did by letting other people decide and “see to it”? By letting other voters “see to it”? Are they attempting to stay “neutral” by thinking they can wash their hands of any guilt?

You decide.

Written by Luke O.

Evangelism at Your Dinner Table-Jesus Style

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:16-20

Evangelism. Oh how little time there is for us to grab some tracts, walk down the street and actually tell people about Jesus. How often the thought pervades that almost everyone knows God and there is no point in telling people about Him. The fears...how to approach, how to know all the answers, where to find the right tracts, the right words...where are they? On top of it all, the neverending deficit of...TIME. If only I had time!

I recently listened to Doug Phillips' talk about the family table. The family table is where families gather to see each other face to face, talk, share stories, laugh, and...eat (for those of you who forgot that such a practice still exists :) Most importantly, the family table is where the bond of family is formed, strengthened, and cultivated. It has been proven that families that gather as a whole family at a dinner table each day, have children who have a closer relationship to their parents and don't form unhealthy habits such as drinking and smoking. Wow! How sad, though that so many families nowadays have abandoned such a great practice that helps to strengthen the family!

Even more amazing is how this practice has been modeled for us even in Jesus' day! Jesus himself met with his disciples around a table. We notice Jesus even gathering at a table with the pharisees! During this time, with food and plenty of fellowship, Jesus accomplished much! His disciples were profiting from questions and answer sessions from their Teacher. They enjoyed the blessing of food with Jesus, as well as having His undivided attention and hearing his amazing wisdom. They learned a lot from those times!

Now imagine, this: you and I taking this idea and carrying it out into action! That's right ladies! Cook up a delicious meal, set the dinner table all fancy (light the candles if it makes it cozier) and invite your coworker, friends from college, neighbor, or even your dentist. Let your family environment be a witness to these lost souls. It doesn't take a lot of words to evangelize to those folks who SEE what a Christian family is really like. Sometimes all it takes for an unbeliever is to be in a Christian home for one or two hours! Now that is an amazing example to the world!

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Woman arrested, Jesus porn destroyed; city seems to have broken its own law - Atlanta Faith & Family | Examiner.com

Woman arrested, Jesus porn destroyed; city seems to have broken its own law - Atlanta Faith & Family | Examiner.com

THIS HITS HOME>for many believers

"Men and women can understand the progmatic notions of: faith, can decide that they life that, can commint themselves to a religious joourney, and remain completely unchanged by the power of God....

you decided that church ought to have a place in your life, for whatever reason. The spirit of God is at work within your heart says "Come one, let's get serious." So you begin to get serious. Youve come a long and you've decided that theres a measure of pragmatism in what's being said. Afterall, it's a peace of mind, and I like peace of mind. Afterall, it gives me a sence of equilibrium in my week, and I like that. Afterall, it kind of reinforces family... and I think family is important. And it also says to me, there's purpose out there.

So embracing the validity of all of that...so you've decided, of your own volition...to commit yourself to a religious journey, and you're on it.

But here's the problem: When you started the journey, you were a dreadful swearer, and you swear just as much as you ever did. When you started the journey, you were a liar, and you lie as much as you ever did. When you began the pilgrimige your life was full of bitterness and of envy and of hate and of rebellion and of guilt, and you are still EXACT SAME AS YOU EVER WERE!

And you know it. And youre troubled by it....You have simply recognized the wisdom that is contained in a way of life, but you have never come to learn in Jesus, that way to life. So your faith.. is fatuous. It is resting on MAN's wisdom....it will help you walk the walk and talk that talk and may lead you to the very pit of hell...

That is why Paul trembled at the thought that men and women can so miss the point...as to embrace the shell, and miss the substance. And go on their journey, continually lost...."

"So that your faith may not rest on man's wisdom, but on the transforming power of the Spirit of God."

truthforlife.org Alistair Begg "Testimony of a Preacher"

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 2

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia Part 1

"And I know that I am in a government building and an beautiful one it is and I love your country as well as my own. But I know that in the age that we live in, it is not at all politically correct to say the name of Jesus Christ in places like this -to bring Him into these sorts of meetings, because His name can make people so terribly uncomfortable. But I didn't survive so I can make everyone comfortable-I survived so I can stir things up a bit and I have a great time of doing it!" -Gianna Jessen

Refuse to Let the Scene Be Familiar

The face that Moses had begged to see-was forbidden to see-was slapped bloody (Exodus 33:19-20). The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth's rebellion now twisted around his own brow...
"On your back with you!" One raises a mallet to sink in the spike. But the soldier's heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner's wrist. Someone must sustain the soldier's life minute by minute, for no man has this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds his molecules together? Only by the Son do "all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). The victim wills that the soldier live on- he grants the warriors continued existence. The man swings.
As the man swings, the Son recalls how he and the Father first designed the medial nerve of the human forearm-the sensations it would be capable of. The design proves flawless-the nerves perform exquisitely. "Up you go!" They lift the cross. God is on display in his underwear and can scarcely breathe.
But these pains are a mere warm-up to his other and growing dread. He begins to feel a foreign sensation. Somewhere during this day and unearthly foul odor began to waft, not around his nose, but his heart. He feels dirty. Human wickedness starts to crawl upon his spotless being-the living excitement from our souls. The apple of his Father's eye turns brown with rot.
His Father! He must face his Father like this!
From heaven the Father now rouses himself like a lion disturbed, shakes his mane, and roars against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son seen the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of his hot breath. But the roar shakes the unseen world and darkens the visible sky. The Son does not recognize these eyes.
"Son of Man! Why have you behaved so? You have cheated, lusted, stolen, gossiped-murdered, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent, overeaten-fornicated, disobeyed, embezzled, and blasphemed. Oh, the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name? Have you ever held your razor tongue? What a self-righteous, pitiful drunk-you, who molest young boys, peddle killer drugs, travel in cliques, and mock your parents. Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions, torture animals, and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families, raping virgins, acting smugly, playing the pimp-buying politicians, practicing exhortation, filming pornography, accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics,, founded false religions, traded in slaves-relishing each morsel and bragging about it all. I hate, loathe these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me! Can you not feel my wrath?"
Of course the Son is innocent. He is blamelessness itself. The Father knows this. But the divine pair have an agreement, and the unthinkable must now take place. Jesus will be treated as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed.
The Father watches as his heart's treasure, the mirror image of himself, sinks drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah's stored rage against humankind from every century explodes in a single direction.
"Father! Father! Why have you forsaken me?!"
But heaven stops its ears. The Son stares up at the One who cannot, who will not, reach down or reply.
The Trinity had planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished. The Father accepted his sacrifice for sin and was satisfied. The Rescue was accomplished.

From the book When God Weeps. An account of Christ's death written by Steven Estes and Joni Eareckson Tada.