True Meaning ...

This past week
I have really been focusing on 
THE CROSS
and 
leaning into JESUS!
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I've looked at the true meaning of the CROSS, the message of the CROSS, the history of the CROSS, and the purpose of the CROSS, especially how all of this personally is for me, as I reflect & read all that's in The Blue Book (by Jim Branch)

and all that a *precious sister in Christ 💚shares in scripture verses & songs

{I even ventured into Sacred Texts archives momentarily}-best to scroll quickly & catch what might appeal to your view-
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{there were a few Substacks that caught my eye this week, also on The CROSS}
I read the one by Pastor Rich, which made me explore furtherNot sure if you can read them without a Substack

Substack Articles:
"The CROSS, the Crook and the Crown"Tony, Christianity Now
"Christianity without a CROSS"Stephen R Briar, The Abbey
"The Garden Beneath the Cross"Pastor Rich Bitterman, Old Paths & New Roads
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My conclusion is that I cannot summarize or frame in my own words, 
the powerful place of the
CROSSofJESUS CHRIST
for me, to me
better than one of the choruses of the famous hymn*shared by my sis

"... So I’ll cherish the old rugged CROSS, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown."

there are others and more than these listed:

"Beneath the CROSS of Jesus""In the CROSS of Christ I Glory""The CROSS we all were There""Fore'er Victorious CROSS"(Forever)"Take Up the CROSS""Lift High the CROSS"
{I'm sure that you can think of many more}

[even Spotify ] [image credit: Lifeway Worship]
Some Newer Ones:
"Lead Me to the CROSS" (2007)"At the CROSS" (2008)(2014)"Mighty CROSS" (2017)"To the CROSS I Come""Thank You for the CROSS""The CROSS of Christ" (2015)"The Power of the CROSS" (2022)

"The CROSS" (2024)

"... Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16

Anyways, the reason I came to share today was not to share on "The CROSS" but if you need a summary "10 Things You Should Know about The Cross" (Crossway) will cover it. I choose to linger in listening to the various "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" as I look forward to an upcoming summer study with Love God Greatly (LGG) on one of my 2025 One Words, and it will start June 9th ... there's a teaser sample of 2 weeks at You Version. And of course, there are others on this at You Version (bible.com) like this 31 day one. This was my reason in coming to Blog today ... but because The CROSS is so predominant in my mind & heart this week, I spent my time there "At The CROSS" with Jesus! {not sure which one I like better - by Hillsong, or Chris Tomlin?} However, I really should have shared more on the personal meaning yet I know that each of us have our own "story" of the true meaning, purpose and message of the CROSS of Jesus Christ in our lives. And it's unique to our inner beliefs and living. There was one person I heard of long ago, now gone on to be with Jesus, who personally carried the Cross around the world. His name: Arthur Blessitt! You'll be blessed if you read about his journey, or refresh your memory of him. I know that each of us bear a different kind of CROSS - maybe not a physical one like Arthur's, but another kind of physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual cross, leaving scars or wounds that need His healing, and still (sorry to say) hardly compares to The CROSS of Christ & the suffering He endured for us, to no fault of HIS! HE became an Innocent sacrifice exchanged for our redemption & our eternal life with God! Oh, for the CROSS! Christ's victory over sin & death completed in His Resurrection.

What a Savior!