Hey, what is shakin’ where ever you are? Have you been watching the college basketball tournament? I have watched a bit…all I can say is down with Duke…down with Duke! It feels like so long since I have written and I know that if you are a Christian, God has done some wild things in your life or taken you on a journey since then and if not, God is asking you, “Why won’t you accept these gifts I give you?” We have a patient God. Trust me…if anyone could exhaust his patience I would have already. It took me 19 years of my life to start understanding what it truly meant for for Jesus to die for me, and I still am not even close to understanding the implications!
The first thing I am going to do…after I finish weeping and crying for joy at Christ’s feet for a hundred years is take a run with the risen Jesus and experience unpolluted air and a body with some actual flexibility and praise God not only in my heart but with words to his face. He’d give me advice on my form and encourage me like he does now and I’d say, “Oh, so THAT’S what you were talking about!” Where would I run? To the chorus of trillions of angels and people praising God as one! NO racism but all races! NO communication barriers that are leapt upon by the Devil who loves it when we argue and go to bed angry at our brothers and sisters (can you recall a miscommunication? I bet.)
So, what are the facts? “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”-1Corinthians 2:9
Also, as Paul questions, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” Do you think that you deserve to go to Heaven because of how many times you prayed today? Or how someone insulted you and you turned the other cheek? Or because you work so hard at your job? Or because you have so many friends? Or maybe even because you fulfill your church box checklist each week? I have a running check list, yesterday the box: “Whistle at a raccoon while sitting in a tree while he walks under you and convince him you are a large bird,” was checked.
How valuable is the cross…to you?
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Because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” So go and live in these implications, not out of obligation, but out of freedom.
By the way, if someone beat up your wife, would you stand by and walk away? Or would you fight the guy? If you truly loved your wife, you would stand up for her. In the same way, we are God’s bride; we who have been welcomed to the family. We are being insulted, persecuted all over the world, killed, shot, mutilated-read Hebrews 11:36-38 or CNN. You think when God comes back he is not going to conduct holy wrath on all who do this? A loving God will. A loving God will also send his love, his son to die for all these sins and pour his holy wrath on him in ways we cannot imagine…this is a passionate God.
Back to the implications of the future we are promised! You’ve heard it; imagine Jesus Christ wiping away your tears forever and healing your deepest scars and satisfying your longings. Imagine never longing for companionship again because it is always satisfied. Imagine if that desire in every man’s heart to win…at everything, is finally quenched when we touch Jesus’ scars and stand in his victorious rays! I am still learning more great things that God promises for us who perservere in the faith…tell me more things please!
I leave with one final comment from Simon Peter, that burly fisherman who is just like you and me who denied Jesus three times, yet stood firm to the end after Jesus was raised from the dead and had a short meeting with him. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”–2 Peter 3:18
I hope you are smiling as you revel in the implications of Heaven. I hope it shows you how quick this life is and how the pains we go through will be more than worth it in this life and when we kick the bucket. Just a shout out real quick to Seth Barnes Jr.-the guys in my hall and I had a day of solitude with God in the wilderness yesterday! It reminded me so much of the good times in Nicaragua with the scorpions and howler monkeys and the great teaching I had!
A shout out to Bill O who is famous for having great conversations over coffee, and Mrs. Marshall who is famous for those cookies (and of course her joy found in Jesus), to Pastor Nathan who is leading the charge back home and who belongs on a Harley, to my old pa and my mutha who meant right, and I thank God that he had you read this.
Have a wicked wonderful wild week (adjectives compli(e)ments of my hall friends).
Love Joe Cartier IIIVVVI
