CONTEMPLATING THE CROSS: A 40-DAY PILGRIMAGE OF PRAYER

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Permalink Reply by Clark Wade on February 1, 2009 at 1:34pm

Permalink Reply by Clark Wade on February 3, 2009 at 10:59pm

Dearest beloved of His Majesty,

We will be starting “Contemplating the Cross” Feb 25. Here is a schedule that I have worked out for everyone who would like to feel they are on the same page. My math is not real good so if anyone sees a problem with this, be sure to let me know. It runs in six-day increments except for the first four days.

Days 1-4: Feb. 25-28
Days 5-10: March 2-7
Days 11-16: March 9-14
Days 17-22: March 16-21
Days 23-28: March 23-28
Days 29-34: March 30-April 4
Days 35-40: April 6-April 11

Don’t stress about sticking exactly to the schedule. You might have days where you will have more time and will feel like doing more than one day at a time. Just follow your heart and the Spirit and everything will turn out all right.

I pray that everyone who signed up for this group will be able to read this book along with us. If you didn’t get the book, I know you will still be much blessed if you will follow the journal entries, and feel free to contribute, as you will be able to follow along with scripture pertaining to His “Agony in the Garden,” “The Arrest,” “The Trials,” “The Sentencing,” “Calvary,” “Crucifixion and Resurrection.”

There is also lectio divina, practices for each week that Tricia includes. I know some of you will be doing this with others, so hopefully this will even create greater depth of this experience with them as well.

And I am going to attempt to put in an appropriate graphic for each of these pivotal events along our journey together as well. I don’t know how that’s going to turn out, but I’m going to give it a try. I’ve just never done anything quite like this online; so much of this is experimental.

Above everything else, may we come to know His crucifying love for each one of us in ways we could never fathom before. May our very hearts be broken and remade according to His own image as we behold Him who died that we might have life “in Him.”

“Greater love has no man than this, that He gives His life for His friends.” John 15:13

Your brother,

Clark

P.S. I feel much honored to be in such blessed company.


Ron Kellington said:

So, then, based on what Clark said on the main page, we will begin this on February 25th... and end 40-days later on
April 11,2009. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 25 February 2009 and ends on 11 April 2009, which is the day before Easter.

On the general wall I pointed out that: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Lent ends before evening prayers on Holy Thursday, when the Triduum begins... that would be the day before Easter.
( The Easter triduum, marking the days of Jesus' passion and resurrection, is the most important time of the church year. It begins with the evening Mass of Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes on Easter Sunday evening. ) Since I'm not Catholic, I'm not really sure what that means..... It's more as a F.Y.I.

So, the dates for 2009 are: Lent begins on Feb.25,2009 and ends on April 11,2009.

I ordered my copies of Contemplating the Cross: A 40 Day Pilgrimage of Prayer by Tricia McCary Rhodes fromAmazon

Permalink Reply by Tricia Rhodes on February 17, 2009 at 12:43pm

Dear brothers and sisters,
Clark invited me to join in and I just want to say I am deeply blessed already by your desire to press into the beauty of the Passion of Christ. I was radically and permanently transformed the first time I sought to do this, and every Lenten season has unveiled greater mysteries about our God and His love for us. I am eager once again for the season to start. Though I'm not sure how often I'll post, I am planning on dropping in just to glean from the treasures you all share.
In His amazing grace and unfathomable love,
Tricia Rhodes

Permalink Reply by Clark Wade on February 17, 2009 at 3:26pm

Welcome Tricia,

It's a real blessing to have you join us here, and I know what you mean about being "eager once again for the season to start." This is my 4th year of "Contemplating the Cross" and looking so forward to what our brothers and sisters will be sharing with us on their journey as well.

Now here is a quote from Anthony Bloom's book "Living Prayer" that I have on the first page of my journal on this 40-day pilgrimage of prayer that I would invite all of you to ponder as we approach our time together with our Lord in His suffering:

"No one is taking my life from Me. I lay it down of Myself.” It is love that makes us one with the object of our love and makes it possible for us to share unreservedly not only the suffering but also the attitude towards suffering and the executioner...He was dying willingly, of His own accord for the salvation of the world; His death was this salvation and therefore those who believed in Him and wanted to be one with Him could share the suffering of His death, could undergo the passion together with Him; but they could not reject it, they could not turn against the crowed that had crucified Christ, because this crucifixion was the will of Christ Himself.

“But to share with Christ His passion, His crucifixion, His death, means to accept unreservedly all these events, in the same spirit as He did, that is, to accept them in an act of free will, to suffer together with the Man of Sorrows, to be there in silence, the very silence of Christ, interrupted only be a few decisive words, the silence of real communion: not just the silence of pity, but of compassion, which allows us to grow into complete oneness with the other so that there is no longer one and the other, but only one life and on death.”

Permalink Reply by Tricia Rhodes on February 20, 2009 at 3:53pm

Thanks Ron,
It is a privilege to be a part of a group of people who so dearly want to press into the beauty of our Lord. Just read your thoughts on Christ's love for the church and clearly you have much to share with us. And I love BC Canada -- I'll be in Vancouver at the Unite! in Worship Conference in May.
In His amazing grace,
Tricia

Permalink Reply by Clark Wade on February 24, 2009 at 4:28pm

SHOW ME YOUR WAYS, O LORD, TEACH ME YOUR PATHS; GUIDE ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME, FOR YOU ARE GOD MY SAVIOR, AND MY HOPE IS IN YOU ALL DAY LONG. Psalms 25:4-5

INVITE JESUS TO OPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL EYES IN A NEW WAY. WELCOME HIM AS YOUR COMPANION AND GUIDE ON THIS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.

DOES THE THOUGHT OF THE CROSS TOUCH YOU DEEPLY OR HAS FAMILIARITY WITH CHRIST'S DEATH PRODUCED COMPLACENCY? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE GOD TO DO WITHIN YOU THROUGH THIS JOURNEY? from Contemplating the Cross by Tricia McCary Rhodes

Permalink Reply by Clark Wade on February 25, 2009 at 12:21pm

OH LORD MY REDEEMER: as I journey with You to the cross, to Your sufferings and Your passions, I pray that Your pains and anguish and crucified love will bring me to the place of finality—the finality of my own will to be that of Your will, my own feelings, to be that of Your feelings, my own thoughts, to be those of Your thoughts.

Oh Lord, even now, I pray this journey will open such a wound of repentance in me that will never be healed-utterly. Lord, I come to You in dust and ashes, even the lowest dust at the foot of Your cross, and here I crumble at Your feet-a spent man, so in need of all that You are. I am the thief at Your side who has stolen sin’s pleasure for its season, only to be left still bereft and empty of the fulfillment I thought it would bring. And now I know sin’s ultimate wage is always despair and death which is separation from Your sweet presence.

I see my lack, my bankruptcy when I look into the eyes of Your immaculate fullness. Oh how black and empty my soul is without You—My Jesus. Show me I pray the depths of the fall that still lies within me—even as one who claims to follow you. Oh Lord, show me Your revulsion at the sins in my life I take so lightly. Grant to me dear Lord Jesus a full repentance in order that I may be a partaker of Your holiness—not merely as a judicial position, but in the reality of Who You are, of Your nature in me.

My Lord, if I’m to follow You on this journey, then my first stop is Gethsemane—or “Place of Crushing.” Give me Jesus, my own place of crushing for my sins and disobedience. Let me feel the weight of my guilt even in the garden of complacency, comfort and ease. Cleanse my heart by godly grief and sorrow over who I am without You. But do not leave me in my sorrow I pray. For You are the healer and restorer of broken hearts. A broken and contrite heart You do not despise. My Lord, I would not trade a single tear wept in repentance for a thousands joys of this earth.

I do confess to You my Redeemer, my heart has forgotten its first love for what You went through at Calvary. It is so covered in religious minutiae I can scare find it myself. But You can. My God! My Jesus! Lover of my soul! Seek me. Find me until I see myself again—but only in You. I ask You to melt the rocky places in my heart by Your suffering. Render my heart into blood and water rather than stone and thistles, until my self-life, my self-seeking life exists no more. Love me into the image of Jesus Christ. In the faithful name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Permalink Reply by Mitzi Cox North on February 26, 2009 at 11:47am

Father...I thank You for giving us Your Son...Jesus Christ.
I love You and I love Your Son and I love Your Spirit. I pray for your guidance and support as we make this journey together. I know there will be times of sadness and grief as I see my Lord taking upon Himself the sin of this world, the rejection of Your people, the humility of the Cross, the separation of Your life, the consequences of sin, the absence of Your presence, Your total abandonment of Him, and the absolute lonliness He must endure. I ask for Your presence to go with me.

I ask for your mercy and grace as Your Spirit reveals my true character to me. I pray that You might lift me up from the darkness and sorrow of repentance and show me Your forgiveness and love. I have cried to know Your heart, to know Your thoughts, to know You....and to have Your light shine upon the thoughts and intents of my heart. I have asked to go to the cross with Christ and to experience His sufferings and to drink of the cup that You gave Him. I have asked to be broken for Your pleasure.....I have asked to have my love for You proven....I have asked for all things that pertain to death to be taken away....I have asked to know Christ in a fuller measure...

Father, I'm sure you'll know how much I can bear...thank you for Your Comforter during these times. My heart is ready for the journey.

Permalink Reply by Clark Wade on February 26, 2009 at 3:55pm

DAY TWO: MAN OF SORROWS

A personal note: Oh what a precious time with our Lord this morning. I typically give 45 minutes for reading and prayer, but this morning, I just wanted to linger so much longer. Tears of repentance, joy, and gratitude welled up within me. Oh what a Savior we have! Oh what a heavenly Father we have! Praise Him!

THE WORD OF THE CROSS IS FOOLISHNESS TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, BUT TO US WHO ARE BEING SAVED, IT IS THE POWER OF GOD. I COR. 1:18

What does this mean to you?

MY REDEEMER. Yes! I was one of those who thought Your cross was foolishness. And that is the natural bent of the flesh. And for me, such foolishness is rooted in fear. Whereas all demons, all darkness, all sin avoids the searing "Word of the Cross!" But now, I say with all my heart, thank You my blessed One for the Cross, that whereas I once was perishing, on my way to hell and sinking beneath the waves of my own beguilement and enchantment with sin and separated from your grace and holiness, I am now, even this very moment, being saved, by Your Cross--the very power of God. Yes! Beloved of the Father! Christ in His weakness! Christ in His kenosis! Christ in His humility! Christ in His submission to Father's will! Christ in His suffering love! Is the Power of God!

MY SOUL IS DEEPLY GRIEVED TO THE POINT OF DEATH”

What might Jesus have been mourning in that moment?

Perhaps our Savior not only suffered the penalty of our sins—but experienced grief—holy grief (dictionary defines grief as violent sorrow) over them as well. “He shall see the fruit of the anguish of His soul and be satisfied.”

Oh Lord, My Redeemer—You not only suffered the penalty of my sins—the penalty and punishment that was my due—but did You travail in sorrow over them as well? Did You weep hot tears for me when my own heart was too heard—too calloused by sin? Oh man of sorrows, wash away the hardness of my heart with Your tears. Oh Lord, grant me I pray the gift of Your grief and sorrow. Pour my heart out until nothing is left that is me, and fill it again with everything that is You. I pray this in Your matchless name Jesus. Amen

Permalink Reply by Ryan Huling on February 26, 2009 at 6:40pm

I was deeply moved by today's contemplation. When asked to think about the losses in my life. A lot of painful memories came rushing in. It was a painful time. I thought about times of terrible rejection and lonliness and the phrase "utterly forsake" came to mind. Jesus was utterly forsaken. by his friends at his time of greatest need. Jesus knows what it's like to be rejected more than I ever will. He can identify with me. So thankful for a friend like Jesus. I also just thought of the redemption and new life He gave me. He died to give me. I have been bought with a price. the precious blood of Jesus. What a Savior! Praise Him! Without Him where would I be?

Permalink Reply by Mitzi Cox North on February 26, 2009 at 7:07pm

Contemplating the Cross- Day 2
"My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death" Mark 14:34

Father, I cannot understand those words. I have deeply grieved from the loss of loved ones...my earthly Father, a child, other family members, best friends...but I can never say ...to the point of death. I do not and cannot understand that kind of grief. (I pray for others who might have experienced this or are now experiencing that kind of grief. I pray that You would comfort them and lift them out of the darkness and sadness they are experiencing. I pray that You would somehow bring them peace.) Father, I cannot claim to understand the kind of love that Jesus has and had for You. I would like to know that I have that same kind of love for You, but if it had to be proven, I'm concerned I might end up like Peter. I pray that my faith would not fail..

I do not think there is anyone that could have chosen Your will in this situation...only Christ could have done this. Your will was His only concern. He knew this was His destiny from ages and ages past...but He was grieved to the point of death. He knew something was going to take place that we do not and will never know thanks to his becoming the sacrificial lamb. He knew to choose Your will was to become sin for the world and He knew that would mean separation from You and from Life. He knew it would mean to descend into the lower bowels of the earth and confront the host of hell. He would have to pay the price for the sin of the world....the rejection of the only Living and True God. The tragedy was about to play out. He would experience death for all. He was " The Man of Sorrows."


The moment that had been prophesied of since the beginning of time is now upon Him. And the God that created all of heaven and earth, things above and below the earth, and everything in the earth is now beholding His own destiny with great sorrow and grief. What must the angels been thinking? Were they awaiting His command to come to His aid? Were they grieving as He was? And what about You, Father? What must You have been feeling? The Son of Your Love, Your annointed One, agonizing within Himself....but vowing that Thy will be done.

Father, I pray for compassion for the world...for those who do not know You or Your Son. For He died for all of us...You loved us all....let me not tread upon those who He died for. Help me to love all, even as He loved and gave Himself for all. For He's not willing that any should perish. Help us to honor His sacrifice by loving others....

Permalink Reply by Mitzi Cox North on February 27, 2009 at 12:28am

Contemplating the Cross- Day 3 - Only the Father
"Remain here and watch with me."
"Could you not watch for one hour?"

Lord, so many times I too have fallen asleep when I had purposed in my heart to pray without ceasing. Forgive us for our failures. Forgive us for not being steadfast or persistent in our prayer life. Forgive us for choosing the pleasures of the flesh over the solitude of the spirit.

How often you ask for very simple things...but we are either unwilling or too busy to obey. Help us to have an obedient spirit that will be quick to obey in all things. I pray, Lord, that we might come to the place where we realize our life has no meaning ...no value...outside of obedience to You. Help us see that obedience from the heart is the purest form of love.

Keep us in Your love....

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