Cover Us

"When Pilate saw he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's (Jesus') blood,' he said, 'It is your responsibility!'  All the people answered him, 'Let his blood be on us and our children!'"

Matthew 27:24-25, NIV

I was reading this yesterday and today in my Bible. Both times, I was struck by the people's line.  "Let his blood be on us and our children!"  Oh, Jesus.  I know the people meant they would stand responsible for the death of Jesus.  But that cry, the cry of my heart....let your blood cover me and my children, Lord.

In the Old Testament, there was a mercy seat, literally translated "atonement place."  It was kept inside the Holy of Holies on top of the ark of the covenant, the place only a priest could go, and only one day a year.    That priest would sacrifice a bull and sprinkle it's blood on the mercy seat.  This sacrifice would stand for the priest and the people of Israel.  Now, the ark of the covenant contained the 10 Commandments and Moses' staff.  The blood covered the law that every person has broken.

Every year, the priest had to do this. Hebrews 10:4 says "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."  Verse 3 says those sacrifices were "an annual reminder of sin." Every year, the bull was insufficient.  A bull is not worth a person! And the price of sin is a person's death.

As God looked down on the bull's blood covering the Ark, He saw the law was temporarily covered in an insufficient way.  Christ was our sacrifice.  He was a human being.  He was perfect and spotless.  He is sufficient.  As our eyes are opened to the Gospel and we die to ourselves, Jesus's blood covers us in a way much fuller than the bull's blood can.  If I am dead, and Christ lives through me, then God sees Jesus's blood covering my sin.  He sees Jesus instead of my filthiness.  He sees righteousness and perfection instead of me.  Oh, Jesus.  May Your blood be on me and my children. Cover us.

Only gonna get get what you give away...give love

Ghana is in 38 days!

I cannot tell you how excited I am. But after spending five minutes with me and realizing that is all I will talk about, you'll probably figure it out :)

Olivia, Hillary, and I are going to be staying in an orphanage for two months, loving on kids.  Oh, Jesus, I am so happy. These kids need love, and the Lord has been filling my heart with His love my whole life, and especially speaking love over me this last year.  I believe it has been in specific preparation for this trip.

Today, I got a yellow fever shot...ugh...and bought seven skirts.  I cannot wait.  I just can't!

Here are some things that we could use prayer for:
1.  Most importantly, that we would emotionally connect with the children, and have many opportunities to talk about Jesus with them.
2.  Raising the rest of our funds.  The very last bit is due when we get there.
3.  That the Lord would continue to prepare our hearts in whatever ways they need it.
4.  That we could let go of any anxiety.
     (Wanna know what I am most afraid of?  Being away from my family and Chris will be brutal, of course, but I am most scared about having to eat different food, especially fish.  I guess I should be happy that's the most pressing matter!)

Thanks for your prayers! :)