Praise the Lord for this new day. The Good news is that while we were yet in our sin Christ died for us. Herein is love.... Our hearts belong to Jesus. Yesterday was Valentine's Day. It was the coldest Valentine's day here in Central NY. The Lord blessed us in His house. Our heats were strangely warmed by the power of His Holy Spirit. My wife, who is one of the best cooks, made a very special V-Day dinner. It was sumptuous. Our youngest daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Tom, celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary yesterday. Their lovely daughter Lindy is growing up like beautiful rose.
We are driving back to Boston today for my further treatment. We will be there through March 1. The Lord has made ample provisions for us. Please continue to pray for us. We are standing on the promises of Jesus. I will be posting brief messages on Face Book from time to time.
One of the Hard Sayings of Jesus our Lord: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Mathew 16:24 To deny yourself and pick up your cross of suffering means many things: It means to put your own plans, pleasures and priorities on hold. It means to put the need of others first, before your own needs. It means to take care of those people whom God has put at your doorstep.
I have been thinking of beautiful stories of people who have been carrying genuinely heavy crosses:
I know of a man who cares for his ninety-four year old father who is dying. The burden is heavy. I know of a family who recently cared for their ninety-eight year old mother as she slowly died. The burden was heavy. I know of a young woman who took family leave from Boeing to care for her dying mother for weeks and months. The burden was heavy. I know a family taking care their Alzheimer's afflicted mom at home. I know of children who are caring for their parents who have been married for 69 years and who are in their nineties. I have known of so many almost numberless, who minister and care for their loved ones and families and even neighbors with sacrificial love and devotion. None of these crosses were made out of lightweight aluminum; none of them were made out of Styrofoam. These crosses were all heavy, heavy like wood.
We can talk about parents who care for their sick children. To truly love is to carry the burden and pain of childhood. It is at the heart of love. Then, there are illustrations of “I want to help you carry that heavy cross.” I am thinking of a woman whose husband had Alzheimer’s Disease. The burden was genuinely heavy and friends said to her, “Let us help carry that cross. Let us help you carry that burden. It is too much to carry for person.”
I think of a friend who had the hepatitis and was dying of a liver disorder. The people in church said, “Let us help you carry that cross. Let us help you carry that burden. It is too heavy for one person to carry.” I think of a woman whose husband was dying of cancer and friends said, “I We want to help carry that cross. That cross is too heavy for one person.” Not light-weight aluminum. Not painted Styrofoam, but wood.
St. Francis of Assisi said; “It is in giving that we receive. It is in dying that we are born to a new and living hope.” Jesus said, “He who loses his life will find it.”
The Gospel of Jesus is the great invitation to live as Christ lived, to love as Christ loved. There is no greater love than this than a person lays down his life for his friend. The Gospel is that great invitation to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ.
In Christ,
Brown
https://youtu.be/qC1IllbwX4w
