A Cursed Christ

Christa has specified more than once that I not drink coffee after 11am. I had one cup at 11:18am today and it allowed for a very productive evening tonight... including some carry over into this morning. I am still up at 1am. She is right, and she normally is. I will finish my cup by 9am from now on, babe.
She is sleeping one room over from me while Elliot sleeps in his new room in the basement, just below where I now sit. He is such a big boy, sleeping in the scary basement. Christa, you are a wise, 9-month pregnant wife and I love you.


Christa and I talked at length tonight about the pains of childbirth (Genesis 3:16). Her labor is around the corner and she is anxious and afraid, understandably so. I wanted to encourage her but I had no wisdom so we opened scripture and read a couple Psalms together.
While her contractions are slowly getting stronger, I pray she sees the Lord in her pain and believes. I pray she believes that she can't labor in fear and apart from God's strength. She is weak but he is strong. Childbirth is a terrible thing. The Fall described in Genesis 3 is the first great tragedy of humanity. Man was driven out of Eden and in Genesis 6, God greived for what man had done. Satan's deception and the first couple's fall was horrific, and as sons of Adam we are affected today. Cursed we are, but God, is rich in mercy. We will be praying and singing and pleading for mercy in a hospital room very soon.


I watched 127 Hours tonight and was extremely moved by James Franco's character, Aron Ralston, and the certain death he faced in a lonely Utah canyon. I wish I could have seen the movie without knowing the end and how he would eventually free himself. But this desperate, dying young man saved himself, nearly at his last breath and it was powerful.


Aron Ralston broke his own bones to safe himself. Christ broke his own body to save every one but himself. This is Jesus' answer to the Father's grief become wrath for our sins; we were cursed but Jesus' work allows God to show us mercy. Jesus became a curse and redeemed us to God (Galatians 3:13). God pour out your mercy on mothers and blessed be your name.