The Reminder of the Scars

It was a hot, humid Houston summer afternoon, when the best relief from the sweltering heat could be found splashing in the neighborhood pool. My best friend from 5^th grade and I were practicing our version of synchronized swimming with underwater flips. At the end of these routines, we would spring into the air with a gymnastic leap. There were no smart phones to record our graceless routine from that day, but I have a record of our practice session. Above my left eye, there is a 1-inch scar where my head collided with my friend’s teeth.

I was not a girly girl, so at the tender age of 10, I relished that scar on my forehead knowing that one day our military family would leave Texas and my dear friend.  My scar would always remind me of the summer fun my buddy and I had at the pool. Thirty-plus years later, I still smile and think of my dear friend when I look in the mirror.

In a society rife with plastic surgery and photo editing, it struck me how odd it is to treasure my scar. Yet, I am not alone in cherishing scars. Artists today depict the nail-scarred body of Jesus for Christians to remember His great sacrifice on the cross so that we might be saved. After the crucifixion of his precious teacher, Thomas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, insisted on seeing the scars of his master in order to accept his resurrection.

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25

Understanding the power of seeing the scars for himself, Jesus revealed his scars to Thomas:

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27

God sent His only begotten Son to us so that whoever believed in Him would not perish but would have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus is perfect and without sin, but to save us He has the scars of hanging on the cross for our salvation.

²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

I treasure these scars.  The scar on my forehead reminds me of a precious childhood friend and our summer pool days. Jesus' scars remind me of His sacrifice for us and His eternal love.  

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy

Mission Crestwood - God Sightings: Needs Met

 

Mission Crestwood
God Sightings: Needs Met

Books, backpacks, pencils, scissors, paper, pens, and highlighters – the cost of school supplies adds up! Hundreds of families in our community do not have the funds to provide their children with basic supplies for the school year.

When the plea was made at Crestwood Baptist during service to provide not only our “regular donation” to Mission Crestwood, but also an “additional donation” to a local elementary school for supplies, it seemed like a tall order. Thankfully, the shear size of the need did not deter our church. It certainly was not too large a need for our God!

The day after the plea for school supplies was made, a woman stopped by the information desk at church. She inquired as to whether someone could assist her in bringing in school supplies. A helpful church member offered to assist. The donor suggested that a cart might be helpful. After attaining a small cart from the resource room, the church member followed the donor to unload supplies.

As they walked outside with the small cart, the church member spotted a box truck of supplies! What a blessing – the small cart was not going to do the job! They needed reinforcements and help to move the numerous supplies that were left over from the LG&E school supply drive.

Another church member, who heard the plea the day before, had a contact at LG&E who had the supplies and needed the connection to distribute them. There would be enough supplies for both the elementary school and Mission Crestwood! Need met! Again, our God is much bigger than any of our needs!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19

God is working and moving at Mission Crestwood!

We invite you to personally experience these God sightings and point our community toward Jesus at Mission Crestwood on Monday or Saturday mornings from 10-12 or Thursday evenings from 6-8. Just show up and see what God is doing!

http://missioncrestwood.org/the-closet/

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy

What Happens When the Truth is Forgotten?

My high school history students are discovering the atrocities of the 1900s, including the deaths at the hand of the ruthless Russian dictator Joseph Stain. The loss of life under his tyrannical rule is recorded as totaling between 3-60 million individual human lives. Those who opposed him were eradicated … eliminated … exterminated.

This socialist world leader who decided the fates of millions did NOT believe that all humans are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” In Stalin’s quest to industrialize the Soviet Union at all costs, he disregarded the value of his fellow man. His plans omitted the timeless truth that we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” in the image of the Creator of the universe who sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins.

What would our churches, communities, nation, and world look like today if we would all embrace this basic truth? Do not forget the Truth:

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy