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Have you taken up your cross?  Tell me about it. Describe it to me. Where did you find it? In physical pain, through loss of family or relationship, in occupation; by impediment, ruin of security, poverty, weakness of your flesh, or persecution? How big is God...to you? Multiply that by an infinite number and you describe Him closer than you originally thought. His love for you is equally infinite and matchless. My understanding of the manifold mysteries of God limit me from adequately describing how He works, but I can tell you why: His incomparable love for you! Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. His charity is unceasing toward you. The cross is His way to infinite love, to paradise, to glory, to joy. It hurts, but it hurts like heaven. The cross leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Only the beloved of God, in harmony with their cross, realize and embrace this principle:  we carry in our body ...

No one understands the passion of Christ so thoroughly or heartily as the man whose lot it is to suffer the like himself. The cross, is always ready; it awaits you everywhere. No matter where you may go, you cannot escape it, for wherever you go you take yourself with you and shall always find yourself. Turn where you will—above, below, without, or within—you will find a cross in everything, and everywhere. You must have patience if you would have peace within and merit an eternal crown.              - Thomas a Kempis        (The Imitation Of Christ) You may ask what has brought you here, but the most important fact, for now, is Who has brought you here. You have heard that God’s love for you is indescribable. The cross that you bear is an act of His love. It sounds strange and you may think opposite, but His love for you has led you here. You thought that you were trapped in sin, assured of misfortune, and convinced of...