As I stood in line, waiting my turn, all I could hear was the continual pounding of nails throughout the large auditorium.  Over 3500, all or most who had written things that they were fearing in the future, issues and choices they wanted  forgiveness for and any other struggle or challenge they were wrestling with.  All written on little cream coloured cards.  All being nailed to the cross.  As I drove my nail into the cross, there was a sense of freedom and a sense of forgiveness.  As I walked back to my seat, looking at many tear stained faces, I thought of a verse from the great hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul”.  Listen to the lyrics, “My sin oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin not in PART but the WHOLE, was nailed to the cross and I BEAR it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, ho my soul.”  Are those not awesome words.  My sin not in part but the whole.    When Jesus died on that cross, it was not for some of our sin but for all of it and when we pause and confess as an act of faith we are granted and recieve immediate forgiveness.

Last evening we listened as Brian Bulger shared his testimony with humour and honesty and candor.  Brian is a trophy of the grace and healing of God.  I was so proud of Brian and was so glad that  serve on the same team at Lakeside with him.

Maybe today you are wrestling with a fear or doubt, a sin or a struggle, with something from your past that has created all sorts of unhealthy guilt or shame or regret.  Simply come to the cross once again.  Receive the forgivenss that come and the freedom and the healing.  As Brian said last night – forgiveness comes through confessing to God and healing comes when we confess to others.  Great truth.  Give it a try.