Recently I was watching Guarding Tess, starring Shirley Maclean and Nicholas Gage, and, chuckling at a particular scene, it struck me that often we think of ourselves more highly than we should. We've all done it at one time or another. Throughout the first part of the movie, Tess Carlisle, a kidnapped former first lady, argues constantly with the Doug Chesnick, the head of her secret service detail. However, when it comes down to it, Doug cares about Tess and she not only knows it, but she actually likes him (though no-one there knows why!). The scene I was chuckling at was the one where Tess is dug up out of on old barn, and rushed by medivac to the local hospital; well almost. As is to be expected, the CIA, the FBI and all the other hotshots that have been "leading" the search for Tess, hop into the helicopter, and it takes off, only to come right back down again. The helicopter pilot tells the hotshots to get out of the helicopter, because Tess wants Doug and the rest of her secret service detail in the chopper with her. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us to think of ourselves as you would have us think of ourselves. Help us to place the needs and wants of others in front of our own. Put us in the place that you have set for us. Amen.

He took His cross
as best he could
(cross-bearing was
so new to him)
How could He tell the torturous load
of rough hewn wood
on that rutted road
where He was led,
would saw His shoulder
till it bled;
and then…
He fell.

Of all the curious,
crowding round,
who
stepping out, stooped down
to do
what Simon did long years ago?
-But He, who
staggering beneath our cross,
fell, too.

by Ruth Bell Graham

Have you ever had a problem you felt you couldn't share? Or that you were on your own? Jesus had a time like that too. Jesus had almost everyone against him, and he was on trial for crimes that he didn't commit. He was on his way to die, and he was forced to carry a heavy load of wood; his cross.

For some, this next idea might seem a little sacrilegious. But for a man who has been severely beaten, Jesus did very well. He was able to carry his cross part of the way. He stumbled and fell. Jesus wasn't able to carry his own cross the whole way. And so, God doesn't expect us to carry our cross all by ourselves. In fact, he even makes an offer to help us. You see, God knows our limitations. He was one of us; fully human but all God as well. And so, he doesn't expect us to do anything that he couldn't.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you are there when we need you. Thank you that you help us when we need it. Help us to help you carry the crosses of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

What is the truth? According to one dictionary, the word truth is defined as "the quality or state of being true." But what does that mean?

A woman was brought before Jesus. The teachers of the law knew about her. She should have been stoned. The law said so. But she was faced with the truth, her own weaknesses, her own faults.

She faced the truth. The woman knew she was wrong. The woman knew what the punishment was. If she didn't, she could have guessed. There were probably people ready with stones. And the law is the law, right? But Jesus, who is the Spirit of the Law, bent down and started to write in the dirt with his finger. But he also gave an answer.

His answer is the truth. Only those have no sin are allowed to pass judgement, and he is the only one without sin. When others judge you, you judge yourself. But when you have done something wrong, no matter how unforgivable, he is there. He'll love you and he'll forgive you like no one else can. And no bail needs to be posted. All we need to do is accept his gift of grace. It's a gift and we just need to take it or leave it. That is the truth.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you are the truth. Thank you that the truth is what sets us free. Help us to live and be examples of your truth: to be forgiving and loving people. Amen.