Psalm 66:18

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; – Psalm 66:18 (NIV)

The key phrase in this passage is “cherished sin”. To cherish something is to value it, to protect it, to hold it dear. As artist Makoto Fujimora has written, “We, today, have a language to celebrate waywardness, but we do not have a cultural language to bring people back home.” In other words, we have many ways to make rebellion to God normal, and in doing so, have created a dullness in our relationship with God. When we look at the patterns of our life, what do we hold dear? Have we looked at both God and sin too lightly?

Today’s commentary by:Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

My new favorite

Ok so I love love love OrangeLeaf frozen yogurt! It is my new favorite place to go for a sweet treat! They have 24 different flavors and tons of different toppings! My favorite flavors to get are pomegranate and white chocolate! MMM it is soo yummy...and a little healthier than regular ice cream!!!!!!!!

OrangeLeaf Self Serve Frozen Yogurt

 This is the inside...so cool and chic!

 Look at that goodness!

Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was pierced for our transgressions

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

What happens when the judge is also the father of the accused? That was the “dilemma” God had when Adam rebelled against God. God loves his children, but they have sinned against His nature and the punishment for that is death. So He determined to take the punishment of man’s rebellion Himself. Jesus Christ came as a man and took the judgment due to us so that we could experience the favor due to Him. Because of Jesus, we have an open door to the Creator, and that door brings us into peace, healing and restoration. God’s justice and love meet in Jesus Christ.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.

Mark 15:37-39

Mark 15:37-39 – Surely this man was the Son of God!

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:37-39 (NIV)

How could an act of weakness, such as a man dying on a cross, cause this kind of response in an elite Roman soldier? In the Jewish temple there was a place called the Holy of holies. A heavy curtain covered the entrance; separated unholy man from a holy God. When that curtain was ripped in two the separation between God and man was gone. Suddenly the centurion saw what he couldn’t see before: Jesus was not an ordinary man, but God’s very act of reconciliation. Can you see that? Or do you still see just a man on a cross?

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Glorious Day

This song has been on my heart as we approach this Easter holiday. What a very powerful song by one of my favorite Christian bands, Casting Crowns. Jesus paid it all for us on the cross and because of His suffering we have been redeemed! Hope you all enjoy!

This is just a commentary from lead singer of Casting Crowns, Mark giving a little insight on the inspiration to the song

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Judges 6:11-12

Judges 6:11-12 – When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.”

The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” – Judges 6:11-12 (NIV)

The Mideanites were stealing all of the Israelite’s food, so Gideon was hiding in a winepress in order to keep his wheat. Yet when the angel of the Lord appears, Gideon is hailed as a mighty warrior! Even if we feel that we are hiding, the Lord sees much more. God has a vision for our lives that is much greater than what we have the courage to believe about ourselves. So how do we know what God thinks of us? God has given us His word as a way to expose our hearts and lift us to Him. Approach the Scripture today and let God pull you out of the winepresses of hiding and into your destiny.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Sweet sweet poem

I wanted to share this with you, after my husband, Chad had a pretty crappy night, he wrote me this poem! I love this man so much and would go to the ends of the earth for him!!!

Through every light my eyes let pass, I see your face, your smile, your laugh! Your perfect form God blessed you with, he gave me you, my love, my gift. So now I'm endebted for the love I have, and I will always thank the Lord for everything, good or bad! For you are my rock, my shelter, my soul, joined together through the sanctity of whole! Everything is perfect when your near! I cherish each moment, each smile, each tear!