4th of July thoughts

1) Let freedom ring

2) Meat, beer, gunpowder... 'Merica.

3) Wichita is a war-zone on the Fourth. Like if there was murder anywhere, anywhere, no one would know until 3 days later. Shoot, a whole house could explode and neighbors wouldn't be the wiser.

4) I heard a loud bang while driving. Normally I'd think my car was going to crap. Yesterday I just looked up.

5) I like that tons of places are closed on the Fourth.

6) 2 words: mortar shells

7) What would happen if that fell over and shot in my direction?

8) Taught the nephew how to throw lil popers at people's feet... Judge not.

9) The day after the Fourth of July is offically (at least in my brain) fun sock day.

10) In completely unrelated news: I still want to see Brave.

Altar of Propitiation

Today is the day we celebrate and remember a death.

Today is the day we fight to see clearly.

Today is the day we remember blood and gore.

Today we look at brutality and murder.

Today we look at lying and slander.

Today we look at our own hands covered in blood.

Today our hearts are pure.

Flogged, to the point of unrecognizable. Nailed to a piece of wood like a hunk of meat. Left to die in agony. This is the scene of salvation.

It’s not beautiful. It’s dirty.

It’s not cute. It’s hideous.

You don’t want to hug it.

You don’t want it on your carpet.

Yet it is the supreme center of all of our reality. Hope of all our lives. The salvation of our souls.

It’s more important than our clothes, and more impactful than our friends. It’s more gorgeous than the stars, and more empowering than positive thinking.

While breaking it makes whole.

While turning upside down it turns us right side up.

While making us weep it makes us laugh.

While showing our failure it shows us our righteousness.

Here, on the Alter of Propitiation, the Lamb is slaughtered. All his blood is poured out until his veins run dry. Everything he ever was, all his perfection and goodness is extravagantly spilled to assuage the right wrath against sin.

Messiah, the longed for Deliverer.

Christ, the coming King.

Jesus, the Son of God.

Today, he is publically portrayed as crucified.