I have sat in the darkest nights and I know I am not alone. I have been through many sleepless nights, I know I am not alone. In the days of agony and despair…even if I felt alone, I know I was never alone. In the days of confusion, the days of solitude and absence –yes in those trying days, I know I have never been or will never be alone.

There are many of us, that have those moments when we think no one sees or we go through those contemplative conversations with God. There are those days where even “church” just doesn’t seem to help. That friend can’t help with the venting again. There seems to be little comfort with any outstretched hand. We read. We pray. Then we just pause.

So he wrote these words for us to be reminded, we only pause and pick right back up. Everyone has those moments where that pause feels like a lifetime of aching. It feels like an eternity. That pause is painful.

Selah.

“But as for me afflicted and in pain—May Your salvation, God protect me.
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
The poor will see and be glad—You who seek God, may your hearts live!”
Psalm 69:29-32 [New International Version] Continue reading

This week we share during holy week, the last 7 words of Jesus during crucifixion and death. The words are as follows:

THE FIRST WORD
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Gospel of Luke 23:34

THE SECOND WORD
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Gospel of Luke 23:43

THE THIRD WORD
Jesus said to his mother: “Woman, this is your son.”
Then he said to the disciple: “This is your mother.”
Gospel of John 19:26-27

THE FOURTH WORD
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

THE FIFTH WORD
“I thirst.”
Gospel of John 19:28

THE SIXTH WORD
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished;”
and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.
Gospel of John 19:29-30

THE SEVENTH WORD
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Gospel of Luke 23:46

Jesus came to the end of Himself. Surely, in life there will be those moments where you will come to the end of yourself too. No one is exempt from that truth. This is the one I had to elaborate on. The surrendering one… Continue reading

The last of the 4 grounds to sow on is good rich soil. If you haven’t caught up with this week’s theme of, “The Parable of the Sower” here are the links:

The Beaten Path

Gravel Ground

Among the Thorns

When there are many other grounds to sow seed on–the one that reaps the harvest and has that apparent overflow is the good rich soil. This brings the fruit …all the good fruit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:22-24 [English Standard Version]

Anything contrary to that, then we understand we are falling on one of the other three grounds. That could be handled, it is not difficult and it certainly isn’t impossible. 🙂 You can find a way to get to this ground. You just need to bring an open heart to God and allow Him to do the rest. Continue reading