Yesterday we drove from Madrid to the south coast near the city of Malaga for a weekend retreat. (The picture at left is from our tour in downtown Madrid.) We are on the Mediterranean Sea, and even got to dip our feet in last night. This morning we had one of those amazing discussions about the cross, and eyes were opening around the room like I rarely witness. People were in tears, and even my translator could hardly contain himself. God just dumped an amazing amount of his grace into the room.
I sat there amazed, knowing that this was a very special moment in some people’s lives and that it had nothing to do with me, but what God wanted to share with some people. When we dismissed at the end not a soul moved. Finally one person said, “We are undone!”
And it was true. I am amazed that God lets me be part of stuff like this. But we have truly been taught an inadequate view of the cross that makes God the angry judge, rather than the loving Abba. Some people love it that way and will fight to the death to preserve what they believe to be an adequate view of God. The cross was not God crushing an innocent victim, but substitutionary atonement in the truest sense. Jesus took our place in the healing of our sin and shame, so that we could draw near to his Father, our Father, without fear and without shame. It is truly the most amazing story.
Thanks for spreading the freedom dear brother. How awesome it must be to share that with such hungry people.
Bless you!
In a week we will be spending the weekend with a couple (relatives by marriage) who cut off contact with us two years ago due to our “inadequate” view of God. Since I am in a role that gives me opportunities to teach my “heretical” understanding of substitutionary atonement as healing and victorious rather than punitive, then I was deemed unworthy of the courtesy of even a face-to-face dialogue for the sake of relationship. Now, others in the extended family have invited us both to spend a weekend at a retreat in the mountains, and it seems that this couple have agreed to come even though we plan to be there as well! May Father’s grace and love flow freely through us, and bring this painful separation to an end at last, not just in physical proximity, but in relational peace and friendship! And may these dear people come to know Father and Son and Spirit in all the fullness that we have been growing to know and trust, in part due to your sharing with us over the past several years, even as you are doing in Spain right now!
In the simplicity of a true and intimate love for Jesus, this report has brought tears to my eyes. It is almost as if I was there partaking in His presence with you guys. Wayne, I simply love what God has you doing among the body. What a privilege and what a God’s eye view of the body over the whole earth as you travel. Amazing!!!
Thanks fo sharing this Wayne. The message of the cross is for a reason good news. This is the desire of His heart…to overwelm people with such a love. This man Jesus…and His love 4 us….wrecking!
Thanks for spreading the freedom dear brother. How awesome it must be to share that with such hungry people.
Bless you!
In a week we will be spending the weekend with a couple (relatives by marriage) who cut off contact with us two years ago due to our “inadequate” view of God. Since I am in a role that gives me opportunities to teach my “heretical” understanding of substitutionary atonement as healing and victorious rather than punitive, then I was deemed unworthy of the courtesy of even a face-to-face dialogue for the sake of relationship. Now, others in the extended family have invited us both to spend a weekend at a retreat in the mountains, and it seems that this couple have agreed to come even though we plan to be there as well! May Father’s grace and love flow freely through us, and bring this painful separation to an end at last, not just in physical proximity, but in relational peace and friendship! And may these dear people come to know Father and Son and Spirit in all the fullness that we have been growing to know and trust, in part due to your sharing with us over the past several years, even as you are doing in Spain right now!
In the simplicity of a true and intimate love for Jesus, this report has brought tears to my eyes. It is almost as if I was there partaking in His presence with you guys. Wayne, I simply love what God has you doing among the body. What a privilege and what a God’s eye view of the body over the whole earth as you travel. Amazing!!!
Thanks fo sharing this Wayne. The message of the cross is for a reason good news. This is the desire of His heart…to overwelm people with such a love. This man Jesus…and His love 4 us….wrecking!
This brought tears to my eyes too.
I pray blessing on these brothers & sisters in Spain.
This brought tears to my eyes too.
I pray blessing on these brothers & sisters in Spain.
Thank you for sharing Wayne! It is very encouraging to hear how our Father is touching others in such a beautiful way!
Thank you for sharing Wayne! It is very encouraging to hear how our Father is touching others in such a beautiful way!