LIFE REFLECTIONS

H.U.M.B.L.E.

God want's us to be H.U.M.B.L.E.!

"H" is for the HUMILITY to acknowledge we are sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ is his name!

"U" is for UNITY. He wants us to be united as brothers and sisters in love. He wants us to "bear with one another lovingly". (See EPH 4:1). We must "bear with one another" because we are sinners with the strengths and weaknesses that come with being human.

"M" is for MISSION. We must understand His mission for us as a Church community and as individuals in the Body of Christ. We must continuously seek God's will in our lives and then DO IT! ("When all is said and done, more is said than done!")

"B" is for BOLDNESS. We must be bold in sharing God's love with others. We must be willing to take the risk of being rejected. Rejection will happen to us just as it happened to Jesus. We never know how the Holy Spirit may be using us to plant seeds in another person's life even though we may initially experience rejection. Be BOLD for Jesus!

"L" is for LOVE. Love God will all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. P.S. - Don't forget to love yourself. God made you in His image!

"E" is for EVANGELIZE! It is the mission of the Church and everyone in it. Tell the world and those around you that God loves them, that Jesus loves them so much he died on the cross for them and that he sent the Holy Spirit to purify us, to make us holy and to empower us to carry out his mission for us with charisma!

Remember, God wants us to be H.U.M.B.L.E.

Humility, Unity, Mission, Boldness, Love, Evangelize!







WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE

I've heard that phrase so many times. I've used it myself. When you think about it, it's not much of a request and yet, we often fail to respond to it. I'll admit it. I've probably even groaned or moaned when someone asked it of me. "When you have a minute, will you read this for me?" "When you have a minute, call your Dad just to check on him." "When you have a minute, spend some time with the kids. They've been asking for you." "When you have a minute, call your doctor for the results of those tests." A minute. That's all they are asking for and yet, we think our lives are so busy and out of control that they might as well ask for a day, a week or a year of your time. None of it is possible. Or we think everything else is more important. How sad. It only takes a minute to read the following. Perhaps you'll realize how rushed your life has been and how easy it is to change it. When you have a minute, why not follow through on one of these: It only takes a minute to make a difference in the world. It only takes a minute to calm a fear. It only takes a minute to make a child feel loved. It only takes minute to hold a hand and make the pain go away. It only takes a minute to say, "I'm sorry" and prevent a lifetime of regret. It only takes a minute to stoop down to see the world through the eyes of a child and in doing so change how they see you. It only takes a minute to dial the phone and say, "I just called to say "I love you!" It only takes a minute to stop what you are doing and really listen to what someone is saying. It only takes a minute to smile and get one in return. It only takes a minute to forgive. It only takes a minute to ask to be forgiven. It only takes a minute to send an email to all the people in your address book and say, "I just wanted to take a minute to tell you how incredible you are. I am blessed to have you in my life." It only takes a minute to say a prayer. It only takes a minute to say, "Thank you, God" but a lifetime to list all the reasons.







I HAD YOU ON MY HEART

I asked the Lord to bless you As I prayed for you today To guide you and protect you As you go along your way.... His love is always with you, His promises are true, And when we give Him all our cares You know He will see us through.

So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, Just remember I'm here praying And God will do the rest.

* Although things are not perfect

* B ecause of trial or pain

* C ontinue in thanksgiving

* D o not begin to blame

* E ven when the times are hard

* F ierce winds are bound to blow

* G od is forever able

* H old on to what you know

* I magine life without His love

* J oy would cease to be

* K eep thanking Him for all the things

* L ove imparts to thee

* M ove out of "Camp Complaining"

* N o weapon that is known

* O n earth can yield the power

* P raise can do alone

* Q uit looking at the future

* R edeem the time at hand

* S tart every day with worship

* T o "thank" is a command

* U ntil we see Him coming

* V ictorious in the sky

* W e'll run the race with gratitude

* X alting God most high

* Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but ...

* Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

"I AM too blessed to be stressed! The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

Love and peace be with you forever,
Amen."







PONDER THIS

TAKE A DEEP BREATH BEFORE READING THIS

There was an atheist couple who had a child. The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord. One night when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other and the dad shot the Mom, right in front of the child. Then, the dad shot ! himself. The little girl watched it all. She then was sent to a foster home. The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church. On the first day of Sunday School, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her. The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, "Does anyone know who this is?" The little girl said, "I do, that's the man who was holding me the night my parents died."



If you believe this little girl is telling the truth that even though she had never heard of Jesus, he still held her the night her parents died, then you will forward this to as many people as you can.

Or you can delete it as if it never touched your heart.

Funny, isn't it?

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.


Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.


Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. (Or is it scary?)


Funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God).


Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.


Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week. (Are you laughing?)

Funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.

Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me. (Are you thinking?)







THE ROOM

This isn't your typical "send this to everyone" email. It's pretty powerful. The story behind the story "The Room," 17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer, It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote."

It also was the last.

Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School.

Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers, his homework. Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life.

But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it, " Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.


In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger" "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched ," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.

One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.

Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With."

The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards.

I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments, couldn't bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.

His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ---Phil.
4:13

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

If you feel the same way forward it to as many people as you can so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?





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DON'T GO SO FAST

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and drove the Jaguar back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar.

The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message.

"Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.....







VIEWING LIFE'S UPS AND DOWNS

"I lift my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?" (Psalm 121:1)

Sooner or later, everyone finds himself in a place where all hope is gone. Illness, often, or unemployment that stretches on and on through month after discouragement month. Divorce, maybe, or the terrifying waywardness of a beloved child. You've tried everything you or anyone else can think of, many times, but you've finally reached the end of your rope.

God is at the end of that rope, as God has been at every point along it. When you've done all you can, all that remains is to turn it over to God. Does this mean that you'll get your heart's desire? No -- if that were so, the millions of people whose families prayed with everything that was in them for a healing and didn't get one would still be alive. You don't know in advance what your help will be, or from which direction it will come. But in unexpected deliverances and in anguished defeat, that which comforts and stays with us is God. Perhaps God will join your rejoicing. Perhaps God will share your sorrow. In your life, you will surely know both of these ways of feeling God's presence.

I think the question we can best explore with God is not so much "What will happen?" as it is "What can happen in this situation?" God is not an appropriate subject for fortune-telling; God is a God of prophecy, of discerning meaning and the potential for good in everything that happens, the good and the bad. Viewing life's ups and downs in this way opens my eyes to possibilities I would never see if I located God only in the those moments in which I got my way.







THE STORY OF SOUL

There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden. He was whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the Lord, but he was a baby Christian. As Soul was walking, a beautiful and seductive woman came out from behind a tree. Soul was very startled. He said, "Hello, I'm Soul, what is your name?"

She replied, "I am Temptation, I have what you want."

"What do I want?" replied Soul.

"You want to do all things which are of the flesh," said Temptation.

Soul replied, "O.K., lead me."

So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh. When Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation. Condemnation said, "Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation."

Soul said, "Yes, who are you?"

"I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation. We work hand-in-hand." Then Condemnation jumped on Soul's back and began to beat him. He hit him in the face and kicked him when he was down. This went on for several days.

On about the third day, a man named Mercy came running and said, "I command you, Condemnation, to stop beating Soul."

Condemnation snickered, "Make me."

So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two.

As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of Mercy. Mercy walked up to Soul and said, "I have dealt with Condemnation before. He should not show up around you anymore."

Soul replied, "How can I ever thank you?"

"Well," replied Mercy, "I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption."

Redemption walked up and said, "Hello Soul, I see that you are not doing well."

Soul replied, "Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet you Redemption."

"Well", said Redemption," I am glad to meet you. Are you ready to accept me?"

"What do you mean?" asked Soul.

Redemption said, "Well, when you accepted Jesus and decided to walk with Him, then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I am a part of Jesus' love. I help you feel forgiven. You will never have to deal with Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but I have someone I would like for you to meet who can help you with that. His name is Grace."

Grace walked up to Soul and said, "Hello Soul, I have been waiting for you. As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet you. I will help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as it comes up. The last person we want you to meet is Faith."

"Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your beliefs strong," said Faith.

Soul began to cry. When he began to cry Redemption said, "This is what we were here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith and gives you his Mercy. Jesus loves you Soul."

Soul said, "I love you, Jesus."







SIMPLE THINGS

Funny. Seems like the more life gets complicated, the more I appreciate the simple things. In case you're not sure what I mean, I'm referring to those little things in life we often brush off, failing to recognize the importance of such things as an hour of peace and quiet, a steeping cup of our favorite herb tea, a relaxing hot bath with no interruptions, a good book, fresh, crisp bed sheets, a good belly laugh, or a tasty home-cooked meal.


Perhaps the wisdom that often comes with age has allowed me to see what is significant, and what is mere lip service, fluff, and vanity. If this is the case, then thank goodness for every new wrinkle I receive, for I would gladly exchange youthful hair or skin for the ability to live better and love more. What good is outer beauty if there is no one to share all the blessings and joys life has to offer? What purpose does joy have if we are too blind to see it?


In my own life, one simple thing that I have always valued was cooking our evening dinner. Certainly, there are those days I'm too tired to cook, or simply don't feel like putting a whole lot of effort in to it, but, in general, I've always gotten a certain degree of satisfaction from cooking for my family. I suppose it sounds silly, but I've always felt that if my husband can work hard all day, the least I can do is to offer him something tasty to come home to. For me, cooking dinner is about more than just putting food on the table It is an act of love and self that takes time and energy to give.


This is exactly what I mean about appreciating the small things. How many people today will simply eat to fill their belly, not really appreciating the effort put in to the act? How many people will eat supper today and give no thought whatsoever to the millions of people in Third World countries who have no food to eat?


Ah, the things we take for granted.


Life can be so good if only we open our eyes to its many joys. In similar manner, our relationship with God is another aspect of life we often overlook, yet critically need!


Call on Him today!







REMEMBERING 911

As we mark the first anniversary of the tragic events of last September 11th we may recall in disbelief, the feelings of the images that filled our television screens as we witnessed horrific acts of terrorism and valiant acts of heroism.

On that day there were many heroes that died and many stories of people who phoned loved ones with messages of intense love, with voices of calm in the midst of terror. Many survivors continue to give witness to the grace and presence of God, as their source of peace and calmness during those horrific moments.

As we pause to remember, let us not re-live the pain but let us build confidence that in the midst of our life's suffering and difficulties that often come without warning, God's presence is with us and with His help, we will survive. May we never again witness such horrific acts as we did last September 11th.

Let us remember our God is a loving God who is always with us. Let us always give witness to God's presence in our life. Let us always call out to Him in faith, Lord Save Us!

Lord Save Us! God Bless our Heroes! God Bless our Survivors!








REMEMBRANCE AND REVERENCE

With special remembrance and reverence we enter into this month when we commemorate the unspeakable events of last September 11, 2001. Our hearts continue to be filled with sorrow and heartfelt prayer as we remember the thousands who perished as well as their loved ones left behind. This first anniversary is a time to testify how much the love of Jesus Christ triumphs over that day of unmitigated hate.

The trauma of September 11 left us overwhelmed with a sense of excruciating powerlessness. But we had to do something. So what did we do? We rushed out to donate blood. We gave a flood of blood---so much that the blood banks surged to overflowing. Somehow we knew that the little wounds opened in our arms would help to heal others. The gift of blood is the apt antidote to infamy.

How many of us are so much more compassionate, understanding, gentle, caring, tenderhearted, and forgiving now than we were before September 11? The world sorely needs this love. Let us, then, not be too quick to shed our wounds. Let us not be hasty in spurning suffering. For as Pope John Paul reminds us, "as the individual takes up his cross, spiritually uniting himself to the cross of Christ, the salvific meaning is revealed before him...It is then that man finds in his suffering interior peace and even spiritual joy...In suffering the person discovers himself, his own humanity, his own dignity, his own mission.

If nothing else, the suffering of the cross convinces us like nothing else that we are not alone.







WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN

Not too long ago I had "one of those days."

I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline.

I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged.

I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times.

I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine.

By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner.

Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store.

Nix the soup idea.

Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans. I grabbed the Tupperware container from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned.

My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars.

Really frustrated now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips.

Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull.

The bag didn't open.
I tried again.
Nothing happened.
I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle.

With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high.

I was left holding the bag, and it was empty.

It was the final straw.

I let out a blood-curdling scream.

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help. Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips.

My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment.

He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process!

I stared.

I fumed.

Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile.

Eventually, I had to laugh.

And finally, I decided to join him.

I too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed.

I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.

So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this:

Has God ever stomped on your chips?

I know that in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess.

What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.

Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all.

Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way he did.

There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond.

Do I trust Him?

Even when He's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations?

Even when He's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping?

Can I embrace what He's offering? Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancing with my needs in mind?

I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk.

Sometimes I dance.

I'm working on doing more dancing and less sulking.

I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him.

Even when the chips are down.







WHY ME?

When I hated you, you loved me. When I did you wrong, you did good unto me. When I gave up, you came along and picked me up. Now all I can say is thank you. Now all I can wonder is why me?

When I drank to much, you put me in a treatment center. When I was promiscuous, you protected me from disease. When I judged others, you showed me my need for forgiveness. Now all I can say is thank you. Now all I can wonder is why me?

In my sins I spit on you and mocked you, In my rage I nailed you to a tree In your pure love you didn't spit back, You just looked up and prayed for me. Now all I can say is thank you. Now all I can wonder is why me?

The answer is as simple as your beloved name Jesus, the Lord, who saves me from my shame. Abba, the one who makes it rain on me again. Holy Spirit, the one who heals me and makes amends.

Why me? because I'm bad, and I need you. Why me? because I failed, and couldn't save myself. Why me? because YOU WANTED TO, and that's good enough for me.