Matthew TwoSix:ThreeNine

 This morning as I sit down to write this, our nation celebrates our Independence Day. A country born on the ideals of freedom for all. I might suggest it is an ideal we still strive to achieve.  This 4th of July is a bit different than most.  To the south of us loomes a tropical system.  It brings wind and massive amounts of rain with it.  As it passes over the Carribean Islands we pray for the people who call those islands home. We ask for their safety from harm and the impacts of this storm.  Independence Day is a celebration of a bond of an oppressor broken.  The Monarchy in England strived to take care of itself at the expense of the colonies in the Americas.  As our forefathers signed the Declaration of Indepence, they announced that those they represented were free from this bondage of oppression. The ideal of freedom is realized only through Christ. At our baptism, we make a similar statement as our country's forefathers did. W...

A tool of corporal punishment. A means to an end. Punishment for wrong doing. Death. In Florida and other states they used to call it "Old Sparky". It was used to complete the punishment of those sentenced by the courts to death.  For over 76 years it was the tool used to kill criminals in Florida. The cross. A tool of corporal punishment. A means to and end. Punishment for wrong doing. Death. In the Roman Empire crucifixion was the preferred means of punishment. A criminal was beaten then hung on the cross.  Hung by being nailed to the wood. The cross then erected for all to see. The criminal would be left there to bleed and suffocate to death.  I'm not sure about you, but just the thought of the electric chair gives me the heebie-jeebies. If given the chance to simply sit in Old Sparky, I'm not sure I could muster the courage or would have any interest in doing so.   I imagine the cross brought similar emotions to the people of Jesus' time. I can...