The SIGN of the Cross .... brings LIFE in place of Death ! The Pascal LAMB+ Brought LIFE instead of Death. That is why we love HIM+ through our repentance and obedience. ~ ~ ~ Lenten Meditation (Please ignore airplane ).

The SIGN of the Cross ... Being Carried !

The PASCHA Preparation Season  

~ ~ ~ Commonly called Lenten Season ~ ~ ~

The SIGN of the CROSS... being carried !

The LORD, our RIGHTEOUSNESS

+  +  +

We have completed the season when most followers of Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA have forsaken their normal routines  and stopped --- at one point or another --- to remember His+ Incarnation, around the time of the Roman taxation of the Jews living under the rule of Rome in Israel  ... most likely after the time of the in-gathering of the fall harvest.

Whatever we choose to call it --- "Christmas" or "Advent" or The Incarnation+ Season --- , we simply remember the approximate time of His+ coming to earth, being born as a babe in a humble setting, and donning the human robe of flesh to become the SECOND ADAM+.

It pleased Our FATHER Who art in Heaven to deliver mankind from sin, death, the satan, Sheol, and the grave through Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA. 

Thus, HE+ became Incarnate as the SECOND ADAM+ to suffer human death ... but this human death was unlike any other: HE+ rose triumphant, bodily. 

Death had NO dominion over HIM+. Furthermore, neither did the satan because the wicked one could find NO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS in HIM+. Death, then , could not holdHIM+.

In addition to that wondrous fact, The Risen LORD was pleased to bring all the Righteous Dead out of Sheol withHIM+, taking captivity itself captive and moving it 

up... up... up ... 

out of the heart of the earth and into the Paradise of GOD (ALAHA ), which is in Heaven ... that Heaven in which no un-righteousness dwells.

According to Scripture, however , Our Incarnate LORD didsomething else for us when HE+ submitted to the Crucifixion ... something that some followers of Y'SHU+have missed !

Y'SHU+ the M'SHIKHA 

became the LAW INCARNATE+ 

... as precisely as HE+ had become The WORD+ Made Flesh, The Living MILTHA+ of ALAHA , as the Aramaic / Syriac states.

For, what IS the WORD+  .....

 but the LAW INCARNATE+ ? 

That WORD+ is the LIVING Word+ which became flesh and dwelt among man, full of Grace and Truth.

+  +  +

Yes, the LAW is dead. It does not give us LIFE, nor does The LAW of Moses helps us to obey it.

But wait... it still retains something precious for us. 

It retains GOD'S standard 

of RIGHT vs WRONG. 

Even though Our LORD fulfilled the LAW, HE+ did not change the standard of what GOD considers RIGHT and what GOD considers WRONG !

No, indeed, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST established the LAW.  

So, where did HE+ establish  it ? 

HE+ established the LAW in our hearts !

Let us pray: 

Forgive me LORD, for setting aside Thy+ Holy Word... The Word that was given to me for my perfection, for my understanding of RIGHT vs WRONG. 

Help me to understand where I sin against Thy+ Holiness. Help me to understand Thy+ Ways. 

I humble myself before Thy+ Holy Word, knowing I have fallen short of keeping it hallowed within my heart, that I might not transgress against THEE+. 

Show me Thy+ Standard as I read Thy+ LAW... and Thy+ Standard is JESUS. 

Through Whose+ Holy Name I pray... 

Amen. 

x

Pascha Meditation

Lenten Meditations from the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ morning prayer station at the 9 O'clock hour... the hour of the morning sacrifice in the Temple.

Thank you, O HOLY fATHER, that Your Beloved SON+ , as the perfect SON+ of GOD, revealed Your power... saying I AM... causing the armed band of men to fall to the ground backwards.

.

Yet, HE+ did not use this great power for HIMSELF+, revealing HIMSELF+ to be the obedient and perfect SON of Man... still loving HIS+ disciples to the uttermost, HE+ requested the armed men to "Let them go" ... and thus, HIS+ frightened disciples could flee away.

~

Our Gracious and Merciful LORD carried it all on HIS+ back. In the midst of the garden terror, HE+ showed HIS+ great power ... what HE+ had the power and authority to do... if HE+ had so wanted. But instead, HE+ agreed with HIS+ FATHER upon the plan to rescue man from the grip of satan. Nothing could veer HIM+ from this plan... not even HIS+ own well-being. Like a good parent, HE+ protected HIS+ spiritually sleeping, helpless, disloyal, and ineffectual disciples with HIS+ authority even in the midst of HIS+ own anguish.

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Are we like HIM+ ? Are we growing into HIS+ image and likeness as we work for the Kingdom? May Our Dear LORD JESUS help us to mature as HIS+ disciples matured, that HE+ died not in vain.

+ + +

PASCHA Meditation

These meditations are from the 3rd Hour Prayer Station (9 a.m.) of the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+

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Heavenly FATHER, we come before THEE to remember the 3rd hour of the ancient day, the hour of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple... that same hour that your Beloved SON+ , The LAMB+ of GOD that takes away the sins of the world, was offered up on the cross for our sakes.

.

We thank THEE for the great drops of blood HE+ shed in the garden of Gethsemane, after praying all through the night... then facing the men who had come with swords and clubs to violently take HIM+. (...to be continued...)

 .

Can we even imagine the immense physical anguish Our LORD endured when HE+ sweat great drops of blood in the garden that night? It is a true medical condition that happens to the human body when great distress comes upon a person. Can we imagine the  terror HE+ voluntarily embraced, knowing full well EXACTLY WHAT HE+ SAID "YES" to ... in order to deliver us from the grip of satan, hell , and the flesh?

.

Let's put our mind to it. Let's put some thought onto what Our LORD embraced for us... and then , let's thank HIM+ every morning at the 9 O'clock Hour that HE+ steadfastly and determinedly DID what HE+ set out to do: to deliver us by the means of HIS+ own death and resurrection. Bless GOD! We could not deliver ourselves. 

+  +  +  

Set Apart.... A Vessel Meet for The MASTER+ ...

Psalm 119:57

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THOU+ art my portion, O LORD:

I have said that I would keep Thy+ Words.

.

Forgive me, LORD, for ignoring Thy+ Word to turn the other cheek,  as THOU+ hast done toward THINE+ enemies. Forgive me, LORD, for hotly refusing to go the second mile, as THOU+ hast done with Thy+ disciples.

.

Change me into Thy+ likeness and image, O LORD, as it pleases THEE+. Yes, I have said that I would keep Thy+ words.
.
Help me to do what I have promised THEE+, for all Thy+ marvelous benefits towards me. Great is Thy+ faithfulness; The LORD is my portion saith my soul; therefore, I will trust in THEE+.

.

I do from henceforth

set apart
my heart

for THEE+, O LORD.

.

+ + +  

Passover 2011

Meditation #2

Set Apart...  

REAL TIME... via the CHURCH Calendar

+ + + 

We Christians do things differently.  We keep our own time... REAL TIME... via the Church Calendar. We don't mark our days or months by the moon, the sun, nor by the Heavenly Lights or stars. We don't mark the celebrations and feast days observed on the masonic calender. We don't celebrate dead ... twice dead... national heroes' birthdays, death days, or battle days. The worldlings do all that, in every country. 

.

We Christians are strangers and pilgrims here upon planet earth and mark our days by the events important in the HEAVENLY KINGDOM. Thus, we observe the dates related to CHRIST'S ministry here upon earth: Advent, Incarnation, Transfiguration, Pascha Passion, and the GREAT RESURRECTION.  We also mark Ascencion Day and Pentecost. All these days or seasons related to the key person who changed ... and will soon change again... HISTORY ON PLANET EARTH.

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So, on March 9, 2011, the 4th day of the week [known on the pagan calendar as "Wednesday"], will begin the season of deep repentance of the Pascha [ Passover ] with Ashes marking our foreheads in the sign of a cross.  Lent is the common name for the Preparation for the Passover, but lent is derived from a German word which simply meant "spring." Hence , we will call this season the Preparation for the Passover Passion.

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May The LORD help each one of us during this REAL TIME to deal with our hidden natures, our self-centered lives, and any self-indulgences we have allowed ourselves... all of which hinder our nearness to The LORD.

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May The LORD help each one of us to get into REAL TIME, the Eternal time-frame and mind-set, during this season before HIS+ death and Resurrection.

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May the LORD help us to SET APART time for HIM+... so that we may truly become a people set apart ... a peculiar people... of The LORD.

.

An Invitation

Sister Judith Hannah will be sharing meditations as The LORD gives them to her.  OTHERS may feel free to write a meditation  also and email it to her, for posting on the blog. [Please do not send something NOT original, however, like an article read somewhere else.] If someone has an inspiring photo, also original and not lifted from some other place, that original photo may be sent along to her email address: srjudhan@yahoo.com  with a note of explanation, to be posted, if appropriate.  

The HELP ME's...

 

LORD JESUS CHRIST, Eternal SON+ of GOD The FATHER,

please be merciful to me,

a sinner.

.

LORD JESUS CHRIST My KING+,

help me not to sin.

.

LORD JESUS CHRIST my Life,

help me to deny myself and take up the Cross daily and follow THEE+,

O LAMB+ of GOD,

in the straight and narrow way that leadeth unto Life;

which THOU+ hast marked out for us

with Thine own feet.

.

LORD JESUS CHRIST my Light,

help me to partake of Thy Divine Nature,

and to be conformed to Thy Image and Likeness.

.

LORD JESUS CHRIST my Master,

help me to love like THOU+ lovest,

to keep Thy Words,

to abide in Thy love

as THOU+ hast kept Thy FATHER'S Words

and abidest in HIS love.

.

LORD JESUS CHRIST my Light,

help me to be Thy disciple

with every fiber of my being,

with every moment of time allotted to me,

and to follow THEE+,

O LAMB+ of GOD,

wherever THOU+ goest,

both now and forever,

to endless Eternal Ages.

Amen.

.

+ + +

I am a Worm...

Meditations for the Preparation

of the Great Passover

.

Psalm 22

But I+ am a worm and no man;

a reproach of men,

and

despised

of the people.

.

+ + +

.

Are we also worms

for His Sake ?

.

Are we also reproached of men

for His Glory ?

.

Are we also despised of the people

for His Truth...

as was Our LORD?

.

+ + +

.

If not, why not?

.

+ + +

.

In the name of The FATHER,

Who created thee;

and

His Beloved Son+,

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST,

Who+ saves thee;

and

The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,

Who sanctifies thee.

.

+ + +

.

HIDING IN THEE+ ...

O safe to the ROCK+ that is higher than I,

My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;

So sinful, so weary...

THINE+, THINE+, I would be

THOU+ blest ROCK of AGES...

I'm hiding in THEE+.

Yes, THOU+ blest ROCK of AGES...

I'm hiding in THEE+.

hymn by William O. Cushing

O LORD JESUS, teach me to run to THEE+ at all times, to hide under the shelter of Thy wings. When I am fearful, let me run to THEE+ for instruction. When I am tearful, let me run to THEE+ for counsel. And when I am joyous, may I run to THEE+ to rejoice! THOU+, Who+ has known fears, tears, and joy deeper than I can imagine... or endure... , be pleased to strengthen me, this Thy frail and hidden child. I will ever give THEE+ thanks, O LORD, my ROCK+ and my Deliverer+. Amen.

The Way of The Cross
Pascha Season 2009
Pascha Meditation 2


I must needs go home
by the Way of The Cross;
There’s no other way
but this.
.

.

Today, let us set up stations of the Cross. Our friends in the Roman Catholic and high church traditions have been doing this for awhile in their churches. Likely, we can do this more simply and in a variety of ways in our own homes. Perhaps, too, this would be a more effective way because we are at home more than “at” church.

So, here are some suggestions.

#1 Establish a cross station in each or several rooms of your home. It is good to have one at the kitchen sink, for instance, or where you do the laundry or ironing. Don’t forget the bathrooms or outhouses. Establish one at your husband’s desk or work area, also.

At the station, put up a cross. If you don’t have one for the wall or on a stand, then hang a necklace, chain, or cord with a cross on it. Or, tape up a nice picture of a cross from a greeting card from last Resurrection Season or one that your young people have colored or made.

#2 At each of the cross stations, establish a verse, a Psalm, Scripture, or Meditation (such as “Keep a Clear Eye”) to read. If you have children, appoint them to read, write, or find the meditation. These may change daily or weekly, as you see fit.

#3 Find a bell for each station (some old jingle bells do just fine) to ring before and after your prayer. Again, your children will delight to ring the bell to call to worship and to sanctify the end of it.

#4 Learn to make the sign of the cross over yourself and over your children. Begin or end your worship with it… or whenever the Trinity is mentioned in the Doxology… or whenever The Name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST is mentioned.

No, the sign of the cross is NOT a monopoly of the high church tradition, nor did they invent it. The Early Christians made the sign of the cross often, according to the early writings. Like the cross, it belongs to the entire Body of CHRIST, the whole Christian Church. [An up-coming blog will review what the Early Christians said about the sign of the cross and how they did it.]

#5 Worship individually, together after a meal, or at quiet times through-out the day. We at the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ like to keep a schedule. Ours varies from every 3 hours, starting at 6 a.m., to every hour (on some days). However, spontaneous worship works just as well to keep one’s focus on CHRIST. The important thing is not “when” you do it, but that you DO it… either individually or as a family unit. Set a goal: 3 x a day or 6 x a day, etc.

#6 If you work in public, then establish SOME kind of station there too. The visible witness is essential for you to stay focused on CHRIST while in the busy work world, and for others to see. [It strengthens the hidden Christians and it will give you ample opportunity to witness to the hungry ones.]

May The LORD bless us as we return to HIM+ during these brief minutes of worship throughout the day, throughout the Pascha Season; it is the least we can do.

Dear LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,

We proclaim Thy Name in our homes, in our hearts, in our lives. We cannot imagine living without THEE+. Pull us ever closer to Thy Great Good Heart so that we might find our home in THEE+.

Receive these, our imperfect prayers, O GOD, in the Name of Our Heavenly FATHER, Who created us; His Beloved SON+, Who saves us; and The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
Who sanctifies us.
Amen
+ + +