Good Friday “Holiday”
What the heck is Good Friday? Oh yeah, another day off from work! How many “Holidays” do we celebrate, without really doing anything to commemorate them or knowing what they are about? What is Good Friday anyway? Well, for Christians, Good Friday commemorates not just a historical event, but the sacrificial death of Christ, which with the resurrection, comprises the heart of the Christian faith. On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified and died and on Easter Sunday, he rose again to everlasting life.
Say what? All of Christian faith is boiled down to what takes place today and on Easter Sunday. Jesus was the only Sacrifice needed to enable 
people to have a proper relationship with God
Now this is the good stuff, the paradox. Just as the result of Adam’s trespass (sin) for all men brought condemnation, so also the result of Christ’s act of righteousness was the justification that brings life for all men. The “one righteous act” offered to all, was Christ’s death on the cross. One brought death; the other brings life. The provision in the one righteous act, therefore, is potential and it comes to the entire human race as the offer and opportunity which are applied only to “those who receive” Jesus as Lord and Savior.
God gave proof of His love by having Christ die in the place of humans “while we were still sinners”. Because of the sinner’s response by faith to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, God has declared him righteous. Since the divine dilemma of justification has been solved on the basis of Jesus’ shed blood, believers will never be condemned to hell nor will they be the objects of God’s coming Tribulation wrath.
So does this sound like mumbo jumbo? Well it isn’t, it is brilliant! No one could ever make a story like this up! If you have never heard the story, or only know it superficiously, take a look at it again with fresh eyes. Marvel at the paradox, the simplicity, the love that was conceived for us. Yes, you and me. May you have a blessed Good Friday and Easter as you reflect on the love that was poured out for you.
Multitude of Counsel
I have been in the middle of change in this period of my life at work and at home. The changes are requiring me to make decisions that impact the lives of many others. At times, I am overwhelmed and partially paralyzed by so many choices that lay before me. I would continue to drift in that direction if I was not purposeful in sorting out these issues. It seems as if I cannot make some of those decisions fast enough, others require me to wait on the decisions of others, and yet others take considerable more time to sort out.
The ones that take longer to sort out require me to weigh multiple options. Many times, I am choosing between a good option and another good option and I need more information to help make the right choice. The right choice isn’t necessarily the expedient one. I love to get the perspective of others. I seek the insights of others and try to look at the issue from their side of the fence. I am a feedback junkie. In the Bible it states: Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Being out there on your own is a very dangerous place to be.
After getting all that input, the ability to stop and slow down completes this process. It is when I am in those quiet times that I am able to hear that still small voice of God. Following that peace helps to confirm and solidify those tough decisions that need to take place. I am thankful for His peace that is a guidepost in my life. May you take the time to slow down and listen to Him and follow the direction that He can only give.