AUTHOR: mrjwhit~ TITLE: I stray from my usual posts DATE: 4/06/2009 06:32:00 AM ----- BODY:

Today I am veering from my usual blog-isms on Crossfit and Running. Not sure what you all will think about it so if you might be offended by Christian speak, please tune in tomorrow or Wednesday for our regularly scheduled “Beat Jason up broadcast.” This week is Passion Week, the week before the celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day 2000 years ago that Jerusalem celebrated the arrival of Christ as a coming Savior and King. Many at the time thought that Jesus would come and seize the reigns of government, take control and restore Israel. Well, as you know the story…he didn’t do any of that that week. Matter of fact Jesus’ approval ratings sank so quickly in 5 days that by Friday the same people who were crying “Hosanna!” on Sunday were crying “Crucify Him!” on Friday. Talk about fickled people! What do we learn from this particular week? What was God trying to show us? He could have easily done all that the people wanted and more, but why didn’t He? I believe that God wanted to show us one aspect of His name this week. “Emanuel, God with us”. Jesus wanted to show that He was God and that He was right in the midst of the mess with His people. He was there not to change the situation, but to demonstrate that if our focus is on Him and not our situation we have the ultimate peace. He has always shown that peace is not the absence of adversity around us, but the presence of God in us in the midst of adversity. So what does this have to do with us today? Well, we are in the midst of very unique times. These are times, which try our nation, our communities and churches. I don’t know about you, but I have a LONG list of stuff I need Christ to come and change. But what if He doesn’t? The likelihood is that He’s not going to change the current situation like I’d like it anyway. But what does He want me to focus on? He wants me to focus on Him. There is so much that He’s doing and has done in this world that the foolishness of today really pales in comparison. God is with me…what a profound concept. (I needed to know that for my “abuse-fest” workout this AM! LOL!)

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