Friday, March 21, 2008

Fluffy post/serious post..two posts in one!

I really do want to write a shallow, funny post, but serious subjects keep floating to the top instead. I guess that's just how it goes for now. But I'm sure I'll be back with things that are amusing soon.

Like how Rod, in planning a little camping trip to the lake yesterday, invited everyone.....to a cabin that sleeps 10. I believe he invited about two dozen too many.

Whoops.

Somebody let their enthusiasm for family get-to-gethers interfere with their basic math skills. Gotta love him. That's what I keep telling myself, over and over, as I make the obligatory phone calls with the proper conciliatory tone.


Actually, 99.9% of the time, it is no struggle to love Rod at all. He is just a big bundle of goofy goodness.


I, however, am a different story entirely. I'm positive that half of all Rod's prayer time must be spent in begging God to help him figure out HOW HE CAN LOVE SOMEONE WHO JUST SPENT $85.00 ON SANDALS. (Okay, to be honest, he doesn't know quite yet that I spent $85.00 on sandals, but he will eventually.When I tell him....at just the right time. Hopefully, he'll be awake. I'll keep you updated. In case you need to search for my body in our new garden area. I'm just saying.)


Okaaaaay. Switching gears. (Don't you like how I warn you, rather than just change subjects all willy-nilly , like I do in real-life conversation?)


Last night I went into prison and brought the DVD, Mel Gibson's "The Passion" in for the ladies. I did notice that over 100 women signed up to come in and watch, rather than the normal 30 or so that usually attend Prison Fellowship with us.(You'll be relieved to know that I was able to "woman up" and swallow my bitterness and envy that they don't all fight to get in the room when I am leading a lesson.....This is about JESUS, after all. And I hope you know I am so kidding. No envy. No bitterness. Amen)


Wow. Can I just say WOW. I am sitting here with my fingers poised over the keyboard wondering how I am going to communicate the total awesomeness of being there and sharing this story together.


Some of us prayed before hand. A couple ladies, not staying for the film came in when they saw the crowd and asked me to just pray with them. I was privileged.


We cried as Jesus was betrayed by his friend. We cried when Peter denied knowing him. We flinched and wept as Jesus was beat so unmercifully. The gal sitting next to me, weeping until her eyes were red and swollen, just rocked back and forth in her chair and whispered, "Thank-you, Jesus," each time he was struck.


All of the scenes when Jesus was with his mother were particularly difficult for these women who have little, if any contact with their own children.


When he was crucified, the entire roomful of prisoners, some believers, some not yet, were in tears.


The fact that he died for us, while were yet sinners, was not lost on this crowd. How obvious it was to all of us that he chose to die, that he loved us and forgave us, even as he was being tortured and killed.


It was a truly remarkable time, and although we were "cried out" and emotionally drained afterwards, we were also thoughtful and grateful.


Basically, we had us some church in the prison last night!
Have yourselves a wonderful Easter, everyone!!




"Behold,I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.


I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Rev.22:12-13

8 comments:

E said...

AMAZING!

Amy Guerino said...

I'm so glad you used that movie in your ministry. It is so powerful. You gave them a Good Friday service and I know we didn't have "some not yet" believers at ours last night. They will be in my prayers.

Jess said...

oh, diane. i love hearing about your time in the prison - i just always picture it in my mind... the woman rocking back and forth, saying "thank you, Jesus." wow.

Happy Easter to you, friend.

He is Risen!

love

jess

E said...

Happy Easter, Diane! Have a blessed day!

Wendy said...

That was so awesome, Diane! God is doing a big work with those women through you. Bless you for being the willing instrument.

I pray you, Rod, and all your family had a joyful Easter. Blessings to you, my friend.

Wendy said...

Oh, and good luck with teling Rod about the sandals. I hope he takes it as well as Eric did when I told him I spent $142! (Okay, it wasn't one pair of sandals, it was several outfits, but that's still a whole lot to me.) :)

Michelle said...

What can I do, possibly in this world, that would afford me an invite to this lake, this cabin that sleeps ten, for an inspirational weekend. Your family and mine.

I have a 14 yr old that I might be willing to trade! Popularity, poor grades, thinks her mother has horns........and all!

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

What a powerful evening that must have been! Wish I could have been there!!