Commandment #6 - Smashing The Wheel of Misfortune with the Devastating Renewal of Calvary

Thanks for your prayers for our family over the past two weeks.

Fortunately, for at least a few days we have stopped the cycle of one catastrophic spin after another of the Wheel of MISfortune.

Still sorting through a lot of tragedy with friends which is messy but always ripe soil for encountering God’s intimacy and compassion.  So, despite no new major outbreaks of really rough situations, we are definitely still wading through a lot of mess – but good mess cuz in a lot of ways we’ve seen gospel in that mess.  Again – thanks for your prayers!

As I reflected this week on some of the rough stuff I’ve observed recently, I found myself invigorated and inspired by the message’s call to follow Christ to Calvary and love others with the humility that comes as one who lives beneath the cross. 

1 - Paraphrase - “The law is fulfilled in love" and that love which fulfills the law is made possible by the savior who gives us a new heart. 

My response – “I have been crucified with Christ. And I no longer live. But Christ lives in me.” – Believe it, live it, love it. 

2 - This is my re-writing of something he said (kind of like a paraphrase w/ a tinge of artsy fartsy metaphor) – “The pathway to the life of God is paved through His love poured out through His body/His people.”

My response – Lord, God – please lead me down the excruciating and necessary path of calvary so I can commune with your body broken and blood shed and make all things new by being poured out like you.

3 - "Hear confessions as one who lives beneath the cross."

My response - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourself .... look not only to your own interests, but the interests of others."