Getting the Point

Sweating Blood

As I walked under the thorny mesquite trees in my friend's yard I felt as if I had been transported in my spirit to the Mount of Olives. I had already been thinking about the crown of thorns when I saw these red berries that reminded me of Jesus praying alone before his arrest. They appeared like drops of blood dropping to the ground. I imagined the disciples all fallen asleep instead of keeping watch, and Jesus wrestling with God: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel came to strengthen him to walk out the impending arrest, judgment, scourging, and crucifixion. Scripture says he was exhausted by sorrow.

A footnote in the NIV says there is a phenomenon called 'hematidrosis' where the actual mingling of blood and sweat can occur in the cases of extreme anguish, strain or sensitivity. Yes, I think this situation of Jesus in Gethsemane would apply, don't you?

Yet, when they came to arrest him, there was one with Jesus who rose to his defense by cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Jesus touched the man's ear and healed him. In spite of what lay ahead, Jesus was not self-centered, but God-centered and fortified.

Terrified about something? Sweating blood? Dear ones, there will be suffering.
We, as God's children, can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
He grows us to be more than conquerors.

A Crown of Thorns

I spent some time meditating and praying under all the thorns of the mesquite trees in my friend's backyard yesterday afternoon. Can you imagine the beating and mocking that Jesus took, before they even got to the business of twisting together the crown of thorns?

The scourging bloodied him beyond recognition, but the afterthought of the thorns pressed into his head...the scene breaks my heart. But, thank God, we know that is not the end of the story.

The one they mocked as THE KING OF THE JEWS is Christ our Lord and King! Surely he is with us always, to the very end of the age.

Wings of the Morning

I photographed these pelicans and the gull on the east coast of Florida. The pelicans made me giggle. They seemed to enjoy posing for me.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Ps. 139:9-10

Many Sparrows

A friend brought a 'Bird' book to church to help me identify the hawk in a previous posting. It got me to thinking about some of the beautiful birds I have photographed in my travels. The top one is a Downy Woodpecker, and the second is a Steller's Jay. Both of these beauties were in my friend's front yard on Evergreen mountain in Colorado.

The third is a duck that made a beautiful reflection as he paddled through the autumn colors mirrored by trees alongside a lake in Central Park in New York City. It was a delightful surprise to see such a pastoral sight in the middle of a sprawling, buzzing metropolis.

Whether the 'sparrow' be found on a mountain or in a city, God knows every one.

Five sparrows are sold for only two pennies, and God does not forget any of them. But God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

God is our keeper and protector. He is in control, and knows what we need.