Hallelujah!

“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.”~~Bob Feller
(BrainyQuote)

Today’s word of the day, from Dictionary.com, is one of those words that looks like it should mean something else. The word is tonsorial, and it means, “of or relating to a barber or barbering.”

Today is Deep Dish Pizza Day. Mmmmhmmm. I do love pizza, and I enjoy a deep dish pizza, occasionally.

I did not, as predicted, go to band practice last night. I came straight home from work (well, okay, I did stop at Sonic on the way), we had dinner, watched two episodes of Jane the Virgin, and went to bed at around 8:00 PM. We were both pretty tired. I slept fairly well, and this morning, it’s a mixed bag. Over all, I think I feel better, but I’m at the horrific coughing part of this stuff. It’s good, because it means the stuff is working its way out; it’s bad because it kind of hurts.

The Rangers won Opening Day yesterday, 3-2, vs the Seattle Mariners. It was an interesting day of milestones. Cole Hamels, the winning pitcher, had the first Opening Day win of his career. Felix Hernandez, the losing pitcher, had the first Opening Day loss of his career. The Mariners, who had tied the modern MLB record of nine consecutive Opening Day wins, were denied the record tenth win. And all because of a booted double play ball in the fifth inning. In other words, the Mariners actually lost the game more than the Rangers won it. But, as they say, a “W” is a “W.”

The Red Sox/Cleveland Opening Day game was postponed. Because it was cold. Apparently, it was below freezing, with snow flurries. Hopefully, they will get that game played today. It is scheduled for around 1:00 PM today.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;
for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.
You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!
Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah.
Psalm 44:1-8

Even though there is dismay over what is happening to his people (beginning in verse 9), the psalmist “experiences his present trouble in the perspective of the long-term faithfulness and power of God.” One of our greatest assets is a good memory of what God has done for us in the past.

“By your grace, God, I will meet challenges, disappointments, joys, and sorrows with a smile packed with lively memories of your power and love, knowing that what you were yesterday you will be today and forever, even in Jesus Christ. Amen.”

(From My Utmost For His Highest)

“His Agony and Our Fellowship”

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”
Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
Matthew 26:36, 38

Let us make no mistake. “We know nothing about Gethsemane in personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary stand for something unique; they are the gateway into Life for us.”

Jesus did not fear death on the cross. That is not what caused the agony at Gethsemane. And there was no danger that he would not get through as Son of God. But as Son of Man, it was different. This is where Satan attacked. Back at the temptations, early in the Gospels, it is said, And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13) That “opportune time” was in the Garden of Gethsemane. “In Gethsemane, Satan came back and was again overthrown. Satan’s final onslaught against our Lord as Son of Man is in Gethsemane.”

The agony in Gethsemane is the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Saviour of the world. The veil is drawn aside to reveal all it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony is the basis of the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ is a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that Our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Every human being can get through into the presence of God now because of what the Son of Man went through.

Hallelujah!!

Father, may I take this seriously in my life! This is powerful! There are times when I live as though I do not believe this. The things I go through every day, and my reactions to them, sometimes indicate that I put more stock in the things of this world than I do the Gospel. Burrow deep into my inner being with these truths, Lord, to the point where disappointments in the people and places that I work for do not mean anything. What can they do to me?? Nothing! I am your child, and my destiny is secure, no matter what happens in my daily life.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Grace and peace, friends.