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Why The Cross?

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Reflect: “Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers. All love that does not take its origin from the Savior’s passion is foolish and perilous. Unhappy is love without the Savior’s death. Love and death are so mingled in the Savior’s passion that we cannot have one in our hearts without the other. Upon Calvary, we cannot have life without love, or love without the Redeemer’s death.”– St. Francis de Sales

Tomorrow our videos series turns to reflect on the stations of the cross, but before we do that I want to encourage you to stop and remember the significance of the Cross. Lent is not only a time to look inward but to look up to the cross and allow yourself to be transformed.

Share: Today when you pray, whether it be before meals, a prayer at your desk, or a prayer in the car, mark yourself with the sign of the cross. Embrace that sign and let it be a talking point with others.

Prayer: Jesus, allow me today to be transformed by the cross. Thank you for your love. Thank you for holding nothing back from me. Allow me to be as vulnerable with you as you were for the world on the cross. I give you this day and all that it holds for me. May I know your love and share it with others.

Watch today’s video featuring Jamie Cleaton:

Today’s Podcast Episode: Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo, the fire and trials of life reveal who we truly are.

Listen to today’s scripture reflection here: https://redeemedonline.com/podcast/march-26-2019/

What the Cross is Really About

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Thought for today:

It is so easy to forget that Jesus died for us as individuals as well as humankind as a whole. We get so caught up in hearing and saying “Jesus loves us” and “Jesus loves you” but we rarely say “Jesus loves me.” It’s almost too daring and too presumptuous that we feel sheepish acknowledging that truth to ourselves.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was for us even if we turn our backs on Him, even if we don’t know Him or love Him back. Jesus’ victory on the cross is what has mending the gap between humanity and our home in heaven with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In acknowledging that Jesus, the son of God, died for me, for you, for us; we are taking the first step to receiving God’s radical love for us.

Action for today:

Take a moment of silence to pause and reflect on Jesus’ love for you as an individual. Let it sink in that He is seeking to have a personal relationship with you and that He was willing to die for you to be saved.

Prayer for today:

Jesus, open my eyes more fully to Your presence in my life, and help me to receive your love and healing.

Quote for today:

blog post #sharejesus mark

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” ― C.S. Lewis (CLICK TO TWEET)

Be a Hero today – #ShareJesus:

Reach out to a family member or close friend and seek to repair a damaged relationship. Ask God for the grace and mercy to begin the healing process.

#ShareJesus is produced in partnership with Franciscan University. Begin your journey with Franciscan at franciscan.edu

How to Carry Your Cross

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Thought for today:

This is it! It’s the final stretch of our increased fasting, prayer and almsgiving as we prepare for Easter Sunday! Instead of dreading the feelings of hunger and going without that little thing we’ve given up, let’s see them as stepping stones to the Father’s heart, who is very much with us today.

Action for today:

Today look for someone (even a stranger) who seems to be struggling. Ask them about their struggle and promise to pray for them. IF you’re bold enough, encourage them that God is close to them in their suffering.

Prayer for today:

Heavenly Father, I joyfully take up every cross that You have asked me to carry. I pray for the faith to take up my future crosses. I know that Jesus is my companion, and that there is great light waiting for me at the end of this darkness!

Quote for today:

blog post #sharejesus ben

“If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you.” – Thomas A Kempis (CLICK TO TWEET)

Be a Hero today – #ShareJesus:

Offer up your burdens today for someone (or a specific intention) privately in your heart.

About the Author:

A youth and young adult minister and educator for over 15 years, Ben is invested in the mission of the New Evangelization. After producing two albums as an independent Christian musician, Ben joined the OCP family and released his album, “Make Your Home in Me,” in 2013. It debuted at #12 on the iTunes Christian charts. In June 2016, he released “Ablaze,” again partnering with Catholic music publisher OCP. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, Ben is a full time itinerant worship leader and speaker. He and his wife and 6 children live in North Canton, Ohio.
www.benwalthermusic.com

#ShareJesus is produced in partnership with Franciscan University. Begin your journey with Franciscan at franciscan.edu 

How will you respond to the cross?

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There’s a fear inside most people of being exposed. What if people saw every part of who I am? Would they love me? Would they hate me?

Bob Lesnefsky 2 #ShareJesus blogToday is honestly a bit of a strange day if you stop and really think about it. We celebrate that our God was completely exposed. He was stripped of his clothing and crucified like a common criminal. He dies.

What is exposed? Not just a man, but the reality of divine love that is greater than anything we could even imagine. On the cross we see not just a naked human body suffering. We see the divine heart of our savior beating it’s every beat for you until Jesus gives his everything.

St. Francis talked about us being naked before God. He sees us for who we are: nothing more, nothing less. Today as you contemplate the cross, allow God to love you for who you are. His love is completely exposed in his suffering body- hold nothing back from him today.

Sharing Online

Are you following us on Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? Pinterest?
For sharing on Social Media today:

Make social media all about Jesus for you today. Fast from anything that distracts you from him. Share as honestly as you can about your relationship with Jesus on social media.

The YouTube link to share with your tweets today is https://youtu.be/fafORvRmYvY Don’t forget to use the #ShareJesus.

Taking it Offline

  • Go to Good Friday services if at all possible.
  • Say a Divine Mercy Chaplet and consider praying the Divine Mercy Novena.
  • Pray with someone today.
  • Share your testimony with someone.
He held nothing back. Don’t hold back anything from him today. He wants your heart. Give it to him. #ShareJesus

Glory of the Cross

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Pete Burak #ShareJesus blogHindsight is a funny thing. Often we find ourselves looking back on a situation that we thought was more than we could bear, only to see it was a blessing from God in disguise. When we are in the middle of suffering, it is very hard to see the good that will come out of it, or see how God could be working to bring us through it. Even when we know that suffering can be good for us, we avoid it at all costs. We are drawn to the good and the glory, but shrink away from the suffering we might have to go through to get there.

In today’s video, Pete Burak (@PeteBurak10) talks about how as humans we are drawn to glory, but at first it’s hard to see how the cross, suffering, and death of Jesus would lead to anything glorious. Yet the paradox isn’t too big for our God!!

Sharing Online

Quick Social Media Tip for today:

What do you share? Like? Retweet? These are good questions to consider when formulating your posts when you are attempting to share your faith. Are they written in a way that if you saw them you would consider sharing or liking them?

For sharing on Social Media today:

1. Where is God in your daily trials? How is He reminding you of His presence?

2. Are you more focused on the suffering you are enduring, or on glorifying God in your trouble?

Sharing Offline

  • When listening to someone else’s suffering today, offer them encouragement and point out ways that God might be leading them through this to a greater glory.
  • When people ask how you are, make a point to talk about your blessings first, before talking about your suffering.
  • It is easy to get annoyed with others who seem to complain about their life often. Make a point to pray for these people, and encourage them.

Whatever you face today, God is present. If God’s glory can be seen in the cross, it can be seen in the mess of our lives too.

I would love to connect with you.

Whether you want to connect with me about #ShareJesus or are looking to connect about a project, contact me to kick things off.

Contact Me