Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Beautiful, Terrible Cross

This is a post from a little over a year ago.
I think it is quite fitting to re-post during this holy week...
...the story of the cross is ever fresh and new.
So I'm sharing this today on Stephanie's Roses of Inspiration link-up.
~
And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 
~Matthew 10:38


It stands high on a hill in the center of a cemetery. 


I have lived here for nearly 22 years and had never seen it until a couple of weeks ago. 

Like many of us do, I went out driving around looking for some beauty to uncover. 
I was following the sunset in hopes of capturing it before it was gone.

In the direct path of the setting sun, I followed an unfamiliar road up a hill,
 and into the entrance of a cemetery
where there was a paved, narrow road along it's circular perimeter. 
As I followed it, I kept looking to my right, trying to get a glimpse of the waning sunset. 
After a few minutes, I stopped my car and got out, still looking towards the west. 

By then, the clouds that had been predicted had moved in and it was nearly dusk.
I had missed my opportunity.
I turned to get back in my car and it was at that moment that I noticed it.
It had been on the opposite side of where I had been looking the entire time...
...and as I turned around, there it stood, right in front of me. 

From where I was standing, it didn't look that tall. 
I started walking towards it and the closer I got, the taller it became. 
It was at least 25 or 30 feet high by the time I reached the base. 


It was a glorious but also sobering sight as I stood in awe of the huge stone cross, 
looking up, with the then dark and cloudy sky swirling as a backdrop. 
I was immediately reminded of what that day must have been like when Jesus was crucified. 


It was a beautiful sight.

 It was a terrible sight.

Beautiful, because of the sacrifice that was made all because God loves us so much—
our sins forgiven forever by this one moment in time. 

Terrible, because of the pain and torture that Jesus, our Lord had to endure 
to accomplish His Father's will.


 Beautiful Terrible Cross 
~by Selah


There is a beautiful terrible cross
Where though You committed no sin
Savior, You suffered the most wicked fate
On the cruelest creation of men

Yet on that beautiful terrible cross
You did what only You could
Turning that dark inspired evil of hell
Into our soul's greatest good

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross

There on that beautiful terrible cross
Though darkness was strong on that hill
You remained sovereign, Lord, still in control
As Your perfect plan was fulfilled

We see the love that You showed us
We see the life that You lost
We bow in wonder and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross

Oh, we gained the riches of Heaven
Jesus, You paid the horrible cost
We stand forgiven and praise You
For the beautiful terrible cross
For the beautiful terrible cross

In the cross, in the cross
Be my glory ever
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river

Beautiful cross
Terrible cross
Beautiful cross
Terrible cross
I went back to the cemetery last evening. 
The sun was just beginning to set.
 "...the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 
but to us who are saved it is the power of God." 
~1 Corinthians 1:18
May your week be blessed, sweet friends.

25 comments:

  1. How beautiful. Thank you for sharing the message and hope of the cross, Debby. I wish you a very blessed Sunday and week ahead.

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  2. Beautiful,terrible cross. I am so thankful for the sacrifice made on that cross long ago.Where would I be without that?

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  3. So beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

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  4. Hi Debby! I'm so glad you went back! I liked the first set of photos because I could see the marble veins in the cross. But the second session just thrills me, and I think it's the power of creation vs. the power of the cross.
    What a find...God knew he was going to give you a gift when you started out in your car. We just never know what it will be, do we? Always more than we could ask or imagine.

    Happy Super Bowl Sunday :)
    Ceil

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    1. Ceil, I like that comparison you made about the two photo sessions. God never fails to surprise us by giving us inspiration...if we recognize it...just like that sweet pic of your little son wearing his daddy's shorts and his mama's shoes! By the way, no Super Bowl for me...I watched the Puppy Bowl, lol! The hubs was working and I had the TV all to myself :)

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  5. Just wonderful...what a sight to see. I believe that it must make an impact on all who see it in person, but also to those you have shared it with. Beautiful, terrible...great thoughts.

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  6. Oh my.....the photos put chills on me.....I love the poem.....it's how I feel....it's beautiful and terrible. When I watch the movies of the crucifixion I am ashamed......ashamed at my excuses when I don't want to go to church, ashamed of my excuses.......period. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post my friend......you have a gift. Love and hugs!

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    1. Lisa, the moment I looked up to that cross, this song from Selah came to my mind...the lyrics to the song on the video are actually the "poem". Since I posted this last evening, I had that song on my brain all night and all day today after posting this. when I first heard the song a while back, it took me a moment to accept the the word "terrible" in a song about the cross. But it is just that...beautiful and terrible all at the same time, isn't it? Now, I am hoping to sing the song at church....so beautiful. Hope you feel better soon, friend...you need to just get better already!

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    2. I knoww...I'm much better today thanks!! A little sunshine always helps and hoping no more icy weather! I wish I could hear you sing that song......maybe you could post a video????....:) love and hugs!!!

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    3. Isn't the video showing up on the post? I just tried it and it played fine...let me know if it doesn't work so I can fix it :)

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  7. Hello,

    Wow what an awesome story and testimony!! And beautiful photos! You are so right. The cross is beautiful in that it's statuesque, but terrible because of the suffering of our Lord. What an incredible sight to stumble upon. Visiting from the Sunday Community!
    Come visit me at Judith Riddle Photography.

    Blessings,
    Judy

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  8. This cross is magnificent and that last picture is breathtaking. Selah is one of my very favorite groups--loved the post!

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    1. Elizabeth,

      Thank you for stopping by and your sweet comments. Oh yes...Selah...their music is such a blessing, isn't it?
      Have a great week!

      Debby

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  9. Dear Debby, This was profound! Beautiful and Terrible...
    I am humbled and I bow my head to give thanks.... I am saved! His Blood covers me and it was His blood that washed all my terrible sins away. I look up at the cross with you today!
    There is a river that makes me glad.
    Always, Roxy

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    1. Yes...and amen, Roxy. As the old song says..."What can wash my sins away? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
      Blessings, sweet friend!

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  10. Two sides to the cross story... joy and pain...
    Blessings :-)

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  11. Oh my, this was breathtaking. As in, I literally had a catch in my breath as I looked upon that beautiful cross. It is a wonderful, and terrible, symbol. Your photos were lovely, and I especially love that you found this cross in a cemetery. The devil would have us focus on the *terrible* - the death of Jesus. And yet, the cross standing so tall in that cemetery proudly proclaims that death is not the end of the story. The beauty lies in the aftermath - the resounding Resurrection!

    The SON rose, and we will too.

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. Sharon...absolutely. I'm glad I found it...actually, I think "it" found me :)

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  12. I love the photos! And the blessing you had to have it dropped right in front of you after so long. Funny how things just enter our eyes and our lives suddenly... and are just what we wanted and needed. Thank you so much.

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    1. Yes, Caryjo...it did seem like it was just put there, out of the blue. I don't know how I could have missed it all of that time!

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  13. What a beautiful cross you've captured. It reminded me of the old hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross," one of my favorites.

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  14. I love this post! I was thinking about the Old Rugged Cross hymn as I read it, too. That hymn always makes me cry..... I listened to the song by Selah. I have never heard that. Thank you for sharing this, Debby :)

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  15. Beautiful shots of a magnificent cross Debby. I feel that the savior bares all my burdens on that beautiful, terrible cross. thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  16. I doubt you will even see this, but I am purely awestruck by the beauty of this post.

    I loved the part where it didn't look so large from far away but the closer you got, the larger it got.
    That pretty much sums up my own testimony of salvation in Jesus Christ. The closer I got, the bigger that cross got. The closer I get, the larger it gets yet.

    Thank you so much for this beautiful post.

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  17. Oh Debby, I am speechless right now...... The words...the images...the song...all are humbling, inspiring, and touching. I am overwhelmed by the love our Saviour showed us when He willingly went to the cross...for me, for you, for the world. Oh what grace, what mercy, what LOVE!

    Dearest friend, thank you for sharing this with Roses of Inspiration. I truly NEEDED this right now...this very moment. Wishing you a blessed Resurrection Sunday. Praise the Lord for a living King! Love and hugs to you!

    P.S. -Your giveaway package was mailed off yesterday and should arrive in a few days :)

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Thank you for stopping by today! Your sweet comments are such an encouragement to me.