Among the multitude of funny-placed skeletons in the Halloween display of a neighbor’s yard was this intriguing plastic gravestone prop: “Death is but a passing through a door that opens to a new life.” Hmmmmm…. well true… I found this one not hilarious like the “Anita Shovel” fake gravestone – but a tough of truth – even if meant to be spooky…

I think we need to think of a new life in our future – a secured one by the sacrifice of Jesus – and a certain one not by our bravado or our horror-focus – but instead by asking the Lord to find us willing to be in repentance (as David would write in the Psalms): The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise.

So, yes – our perfect “back up” plan is our PERFECT Savior – and our perfect primary plan too, of course. In other words, our Alpha and Omega of a Savior is where we are coming and going – from dust to dust…

And not to be morbid – although we know that we joke so much at Halloween – really that is where we have to find relief – in our Savior – and in a “here today – gone tomorrow – new life forever” mentality. We can not live without courage in both the here and now – and in the future some how. Courage, Strength, Contrite hearts – broken spirits – and a joy that will keep us going crossing over the end breath to the forever breadth of new life.

I am in NO rush to my time ending here on earth – and yet must be SO EXCITED to have a forever in PERFECTION of Jesus – meanwhile I will pray the song of David – “Create in me a clean heart” – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, oh Lord, And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. – Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, And renew a right spirit within me.”…

And for this perfect back up plan – let us not be afraid but be grateful that the Lord will cover us with His Forgiveness – as we pray for mercy and grace – to wash us clean from what we have done and failed to do – to make a clean new person in us from pulling us from the quagmires of life – clearing all the crud underneath the fingernails of our life stories – and wipe clean the old dredged up ugliness in the past. We pray Lord for this renewed spirit – and the whole kit and kaboodle of new life.

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness…

Amen

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Psalm 51 NKJV

A Prayer of Repentance

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.