The Crux of the Universe

The pivotal point of the Universe, is an old gnarled cross, empty, ultimate place where all infinities meet. Infinite love as he took the heavy burden of horrific regrets that humanity carry. Infinite healing and wholeness as he took our wounds in his stripes on a beaten back.

Crucial Center

The core of spirituality is in the cross and resurrection leading to the exchanged life of the Holy Spirit; the crux of history is the Cross; the crucible of character is the cross; the journey is the way of the cross entwined with the songs of resurrection; the power of our daily death is the authority of humility, love and sacrifice.

Pain, suffering, bitterness, hurt, sickness can be brought to the cross.  And from the cross receive forgiveness and healing. Then flows the resurrected life of the Spirit.

The slums are places of intense pain, and deep bitterness. Their very existence may be because of neglect by ruling authorities but rapidly progresses to contexts of oppression by those authorities or other self-appointed authorities, drug gangs or slum lords who step into the vacuum. The structural brokenness leads to drunkenness, rape, violence, and in their wake almost every one you work with is in deep pain. What is the role of the church, the Spirit, and the pastor in bringing healing?

First and foremost is the healing of the spirits of those traumatized. That healing is found in the cross as they lay the pain on him who carried all our pains, all our griefs, all our wounds, all our sicknesses. And in his forgiveness is the freedom to forgive those who damaged, those who wounded the abuse of fathers; the deceit of others; the bitterness of others: all forgiven, as we have been forgiven by some sinless man taking all this gunk in his being and dying for us.

Spirit – uality

The Cross cannot be disassociated form the Resurrection and Pentecost. Coming to the cross precedes knowing the Spirit – that divine presence of his Spirit promised after he rose, who comes in when we lay our burdens at his feet, and turn from our sins into light from our pursuit of darkness. Infinite destiny as that Spirit leads and reveals.

We rise from the foot of the Cross with the promised Holy Spirit indwelling us. He gives life to our bodies. He heal the scars. His ongoing presence daily confirms the forgiveness. His life is exchanged for our life. His Spirit gives life not only to our deadened spirits but to our physical body.

In place of alienation he brings us into community with others, instead of retreat into ourselves we are constantly reaching out to others. In place of the bitternesses and the blockage of spirit caused by carrying wounds he brings forgiveness and an openness to others. In place of pain, he brings deep healing of spirits, far beyond what counselling and psychology can do, as his overwhelming presence comes again and again. The darkness inside is turned to light The inflexibility of judgemental spirit is turned into grace towards others. So the walk in the Spirit begins, that love, joy, peace, faithfulness, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control…. that mark those who walk in the Spirit.