[dutchess]

As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ please stop in and join us in prayer and meditation with the Stations of the Cross. May God bless you and yours. Also a special prayer for our military families past and present. Thank you all for being part of our FR Family.

(we are changing the format slightly by not starting with the military heading which will resume next Monday)

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday !

70 degrees as I post this, headin' for - whoa! - 88 degrees today ! Possible T-Storms.

WFAA-TV says it's 64 right now. Hmm? That seems more likely . . .

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[firewalk]

Good morning

Thanks for the ping Dutchess...hope you have a nice day

[FreeTheHostages]

[iceskater]

Thank you for this. Since I didn't grow up in the Catholic tradition, I never knew, until today, just what the Stations of the Cross is. Thank you for enlightening me.
Have a wonderful Easter.

[Dubya]

Great post. I am joining all of you in prayer.
I am off to work right now. Be back later.
Dub

[Billie]

Dutchess, Finest FReepers All, please allow me to use my full ping list to get a bit sappy today....

Today's thread, and all our previous threads before this make my heart nearly burst with pride. When I say how much I appreciate all of you - Lori, daisy, dansy, dutchess for your incredible presentations; and JohnHuang and Free, for your incredible weekly and/or semi-weekly writings and essays; Aquamarine, Ladtx, jwfiv, Pippin, LadyX, Freedom'sWorthIt, Libertina, MollyPitcher, JustAmy, DiverDave, Louie, WVNan for your wonderful help in writing a profile or sharing a story; and those who started with us ten months ago and are still with us today; those we've picked up along the way; not to mention all those who've graciously stepped into the spotlight - I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I APPRECIATE YOU!

Kudos, Sistah Dutchess, your presentation today has to be 'right up there' with the best we've had.

[Diver Dave]

Beautiful thread today, dutchess. Thanks for all your hard work putting it together. Looking forward to the contributions of others leading up towards Resurrection Day.

[grantswank]

HOLY WEEK

+ a holy week


a holy week
has stolen in
upon the hour glass again

reminding us that price was paid
so dearly for our damning sin.

a holy week to contemplate
the wonders spilt upon the soul

to give us hope, to plant us peace,
to heal our hearts, to make us whole.

a holy week to sit and watch
beneath the cross in shadows there

as meek and humbled 'neath his frame
we take in death, the cross' stare.

a holy week has broached us new
by father's beck'ning overtures

for those with faith to understand
the son's pure grace upon us pours.


_______________



+ i think that i shall never see


i think that i shall never see
the crumbling of a tattered tree

as when i spied on calvary
the likes of wood in twisted spree

as if its limbs were bent from birth
to grow as gauntlet for his bow,

as if its carriage bent intent
to carry blood to painful low.

of carrying upon his head
the sins of mortals such as i

who rant and rave to selfish be,
lost souls intent our spites to spy

out cheapest coins betrayal planned
while lying through hypocrisies.

around and 'round the limbs twist hard
as knowing that they bear in arms

our greed, our pettiness, our lies
corralled within our secret charms

that prance about religious strut
as if we reached the pinnacle

of righteousness while all the time
we carved our souls for self's small swirl.

i think that i shall never see
a burdened wood like calvary

i think that i shall never see
a burdened wood called calvary.


_______________



+ there is a hope


there is a hope
that comes upon

the soul at night
when demons crawl

and winds would howl,
when hours are long.

there is hope
that comes upon

the soul at night
when heaven's love

takes pity on
the frettings, cares

imprisoning
so as to fright

with death's mean sting,
with hauntings rare.

there is a hope.


___________________


+ i caught his glimpse



i caught his glimpse, but just a look,
that lingered on his bloodied face

as he peered down to ground below,
his eyes but wet with tears immersed.

i caught his glimpse, but just a look,
an awful hurt impressed upon

his face, a dreaded memory
stamped deep upon my nighttimes tossed

for lack of rest because i know
he bore for me my pride, deceit,

my fabricated falsities
as if religious to appear

before my peers, as if to think
i hid from him the truth, the spears

that drove into his wounded side,
that brought to fore his holy tears.


_______________________



+ i wonder why



i wonder why he loves me so
and why he cares for soul of mine

when i have scolded him, denied
him more than thrice, for sure, for sure,

and yet he hangs there still for me
and yet he hangs there still for me

as if i counted for a worth
a pence, a crusted slithery dime,

as if i were a care for one
so holy as the son secure

who sacrificed his arms and legs,
his torso young upon a tree.

i wonder why, i wonder why
and so it is at night i cry

to moon and stars and owls that howl
to city streets that bye and bye

will leave me to my utter wail
that claims his love, his mercy still

that claims his love, his mercy still.

______________________

poems by J. Grant Swank, Jr., Pastor, New Hope Church, Windham ME

[Diver Dave]

The following is an adaptation of an message delivered by Dr. Tony Campolo. In his message, he tells of a sermon he heard by a black preacher entitled, "It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming." I first heard it back in the mid-eighties while attending a Christian Worker's Conference when Dr. Campolo was the keynote speaker.

On the sixth day...

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin'

Jesus celebrates Passover with his disciples

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He teaches love and humility by washing the disciples' feet

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He ordains the Lord's Supper (I Corinthians 11: 23-25)

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He has a farewell address and intercessory prayer with the disciples

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

His agony in Gethsemane

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is betrayed

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is brought before Caiaphas at first dawn, Jesus avows His Messiahship and Godhead. He is condemned for blasphemy and mocked

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He brought before Pilate for sentence of crucifixion. Pilate sends Him to Herod; Herod sends him back to Pilate

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

Pilate releases Him, but the Jews demand Barabbas

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is beaten and scourged, thirty-nine lashes of the whip with small jagged stones embedded in the strands. The stones tear His flesh

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is mocked by Roman soldiers with a scarlet robe. A crown of thorns is jammed upon His head

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is forced to carry His own cross to the city gate. He stumbles and falls. He is relieved by Simon of Cyrene.

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is taken to Golgatha where he is laid upon the cross. A nail is driven into each hand and his feet. The cross is placed upright and Jesus is crucified

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He is mocked and cursed by passersby

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

The penitent thief is promised paradise

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

His garments are divided and auctioned off

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He commends His mother to the care of John

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

Darkness over the land from the sixth to ninth hour. Jesus cries out in a loud voice, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI" which is "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?"

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

He utters, "It is finished"

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

His final words, " Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" and He gives up the spirit. The veil of the temple is rent

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

His side is pierced by the soldier's spear and the blood and water flow from the wound attesting His death and the truth of the Scripture

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

His body is taken down from the cross. He is wrapped in burial cloth and buried in a borrowed tomb. A large stone is rolled in front of the tomb and sealed.

It's Friday, But Sunday's Acomin

[Budge]

Thank you for posting the Stations of the Cross.

[grantswank]

+




SATURDAY’S MEADOW

I left the bartering, the press.
I went awandering in the woods
A solitary place to find

Where no one interferes with me
And no one asks me not to cry
For I was left with Rabbi gone

And mission closed and nothing left
To make a sense of day or night.
I need this meadow here, unwind.

I need this chance to throw my head
Against day’s door and weep and stare
For all unraveled last night—done.



+