Sunday, November 16, 2008

The Shade of the Cross

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. First of all, I kept re-reading my post about fear to help calm myself and secondly it's much harder to post here than on my chatter blog. I want this blog to be a blessing and a ministry to anyone that reads it, so I take that challenge very seriously. I'm just glad I'm not a preacher that has to prepare a couple messages a week. Gives me a whole new respect for their calling. So with that being said here we go.

Back in the summer, my sister-in-law and I and some other friends drove over to see the large cross in Groom Texas. It was not terribly hot that day, but was very bright and sunny. As we were walking around and looking at the statues, the sun started to bother my eyes, so I said, "I'm going back in the shade of the cross." Tina said,"That would make a good song title. Why don't you write one." Well, I don't think I'm up to that challenge yet, but I have been thinking about "the shade of the cross" ever since. I kept thinking, what a great place to be. If you are in the shade of something you have to be very close to the object. What better place for a Christian to be than in the shade of the cross. Of course I was talking literal that day in Groom, but am using it figuratively today. If we stay close to the cross, we have to stay close to Christ. God promises in his Word Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 KJV Staying close to the cross gives us boundaries. If you think of a literal shadow, once you step outside the shadow, you've lost your protection and comfort. Isn't that a terrible thought when you apply it to your relationship with Christ? I don't know about you, but I need His comfort and protection. So let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Heb. 10: 22a, 23 NKJV He has promised, if we draw near to Him, he will draw near to us.


The shade of the cross,

Is where we long to be.

Draw close to the Savior,

He's waiting there for thee.

He offers love and protection,

His Word gives us direction.

His promise is to draw near,

we've nothing to fear.

We have the shade of the cross

because He paid the cost.


So I'll meet you in the shade of the cross.









4 comments:

Tina said...

Love it! Awesome! Need the encouragement!

Unknown said...

Thank you for a lovely message. I just received an email yesterday with many pictures taken at Groom. Isn't it amazing how things can travel round the world(australia) these days. Yes, we need to stay in the shade of the cross for sure. I am having trouble getting this post to accept me .Seems something has changed in the set-up. I will keep trying. Jennifer

Linda said...

test to check on commenting.

Mike said...

Hi, found your blog via a Feedjit feed link on Amarillo area blogs.

I love to go to the Groom Cross. I've never been particularly religious, but I certainly feel spiritual while I'm over there. There have been times when I'm moved to tears just thinking about it all.

I love to go over there early in the a.m. when there are (usually) not any people there. It's better for taking photos, plus I love the silence.

Won't leave a link, but if you want to, follow my profile and visit my blog and use the search feature for "Groom Cross" and see the dozen or so posts I've done about it.