Monthly Archives: June 2011

A Christian President?

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Seal Of The President Of The United States Of ...

Image by DonkeyHotey via Flickr

In this world we will find murder, chaos, and trouble in every shade of hatred.  It spills out it’s sticky substance on all humanity.  And in every fold of man we will find evil corruption.  We are forced, by the nature of our world, to choose what is best from what is worst.  And so our plight will continue.  We don’t vote for the best.  We vote for the best of the worst.

I consider the field available.  What do I see?  I see the horrors of selfishness on the horizion.  The next president will not do any better than the last.  Even if this next is Obama.  So we are left with a bad choice, from the bad choices which will be presented to our table of society.

We eat, then, from what is provided.  And we will all certainly be forced to eat.  The hunger of society demands a leader.  I would rather eat, however, from the table of one who at least cleans the dishes.  If we must be led by someone, I would rather it be someone who proposes we turn from evil and reach our filthy hands toward God.  At least, in that choice, a standard appears which calls for an end to hatred.  And this calling is directed to each individual.  While it ignores the general flavor of humanity.

This is my choice.  You have yours.  Just dropping a dime to help bring clarity to calamity.  Regardless what happens, we appear to be in a ship  called “trouble” together.  At least, in Christianity, we have the framework of hope.

By His Grace.

The Gentle Breeze of God

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Path Through Culbone Wood

Image by me'nthedogs via Flickr

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

I sit this morning and ponder my bruised mind.  Why do I do these things?  I want to do what is right.  But I am forced along by what I don’t understand.  The Apostle Paul spoke about sin living in him that causes him to do what he does not want to do.  We are caught in a horrible fixture.  We learn to listen to what the Lord speaks, both through His word and in our soul.  But we often find we have wandered off the path a bit.  In a frantic scramble, we trace our way back.  Then, out of breath from the struggle, we sit to ponder why we wandered.

We are not yet perfected in our worship of Jesus.  But as fast as we can, when we find our way gone wrong, we recover and make amends as we are able.  It is the Spirit of God who enlightens the horror of sin in a man.  He alone can show you what needs fixing.  And by the Grace of God, you are bid to take part in this dance of salvation.  “Let’s work hard on this today”.  Though you didn’t realize why you did those things, God will show you.

Listen to Him and live.  Stop your ears and you remain in death.

By His Grace.

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Put up or Shut up.

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A corrupted JPEG photograph. Result of a photo...

Image via Wikipedia

As I respond to comments, the words sometimes astound me.  I know it’s not me who is responding.  It’s a lead conversation.  The Lord is in the concepts.  And He allows me to interpret what’s being spoken from Heaven.

I posted something in response to a comment today that has really caused me pause.  “If I wanted to tear down any social structure I wouldn’t use a direct attack of hacking limbs or even banishing them from society in general.  I would infiltrate their group, act like them enough to get honors, then allow myself to be seen corrupting their code of honor.”  What shall we say to that?  If this statement doesn’t provoke a serious look at our motivation and “belonging”, we’re in serious trouble.

Christians:  If you find yourself bringing shame to the name of Jesus, you alone will answer for it.  In the mean time you help the enemy block the door for those trying to enter.  And you do yourself untold harm when you appear before Him.  Let me say this please.  And take note that I don’t give a rip what you might think of me for saying this.  If you’re doing harm to the body of Christ in this world, it would be better that you pull away from the body and stop telling people you’re Christian.  At least the Lord would be able to see that you care enough about His honor to suffer loss.  If you can’t keep your lust under control, if you can’t keep your loose tongue sealed behind those quivering lips, if you just can’t seem to stop bringing shame to the Lord, then step away.

Do you think I say this without personal experience in this matter?  I’ve gone through more than a decade of isolation because I saw myself doing more damage than was reasonable.  I know we all slip.  I’m not poking at that.  I’m looking intently into the eyes of those who believe it’s ok to do anything they please or say anything they want, and still allow others to think you’re a Christian.

I could say so much more about this.  But I think I’ve said enough to have my head delivered on a platter by those who hate the Holiness of God. And if you continue to draw a bad name to Jesus, you’ll eventually look much like that picture above.  While you should have been a clear message to the world through your display of Christ, we can’t make heads or tails of your testimony.  And you will be held accountable for all of it.

 

By His Grace.

Shoot for the Floor and That’s What You Hit.

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Patio with stone tiled floor, Hawaii.

Image via Wikipedia

What right does someone who is yet not Holy have to speak of Holy things?  He not only has the right to speak of such things, he has an obligation.  After all, which of us has attained to the Holiness of God?  And what athlete trains with tinker toys when working toward fitness demanded by the olympics?  And if a thing is not yet perfected in it’s invention, do the inventors refuse to speak of the “ideal” product?

So what shall we conclude?  We are forced to say that to speak of anything less than Holiness will only cause us to approach the “something less”.  We attain toward that which is our ideal.  And we accomplish that attaining according to our desire. 

Let people speak of anything less than the Holiness of God  as their desire, and something less will be the outcome of their endeavors.  In short, we become more and more like the One we hold as our target.  The Christian world will often be caught holding up a small slice of Christ’s expectations for His people.  And to this standard the general Church aspires.  Items in the Christian experience such as mercy, generosity, prayer, truth, and a sinless obedience to Christ, are sincerely admirable.  But the over all goal is to give our best shot at becoming Holy.  And what shall we reply to the statement, “I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”  (Leviticus 11:44)

May all God’s children aspire to what is “other” in this life.  The rewards of Christ hinge on our being separate from the world.

 

By His Grace.

Estranged, But Never Alone.

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Alone he sings

I find something rather puzzling in my experience of Christ Jesus and His “Called out ones”.   I stand alone as though I were cast out from everyone in Christ.  And there’s no doubt that the non-believers hold me in contempt.  The latter is as it should be.  The former gives me a bit of pause.  I accept the Lord’s leading without reservation.  And I’m not here to gripe about what I receive.  But, as much as I try, I can’t seem to gain acceptance from God’s family. 

If I were face to face with my brothers and sisters, there would be no indication that I don’t fit in.  But in the “real world”, (that is, outside the traditional Church environment) I walk alone.  And regardless how I try to “fit in”, there are no companions in The Faith to walk with.

This is a curious plight.  I don’t feel slighted in the slightest.  And I hold no one at fault.  But, for the life of me, I can’t find an explanation.  I might point out my quirks.  But everyone’s got them.  About the only thing I can look to as partially to blame is my focus on what is Christ Jesus.  Perhaps I would have better fit in in another part of history. 

Regardless.  I do enjoy a vibrant life in the Lord.  And perhaps it’s proper that I should feel shorted in anything else.  I will take what is given me and rejoice in this estranged life.  For God knows all.  And He is able to save by leading us into the life of His choosing.

By His Grace.

Time

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Slow Time in Wrist Watch on Dry Leaf

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

You have today.  And even “today” is a generalized word.  You have the “now”.  You do not own what happened.  And you do not own what is to come.  It is like time is a wind which blows against your face.  You have the movement which touches your skin, and no more.  What is behind you only carries your scent.  What lies ahead only holds a promise.  You have the moment only.

Reach back one second and grasp anything.  You can’t.  You have regrets you call your own.  But you can’t hold them in your hands.  And you can’t change their outcome.  Reach ahead and embrace what is coming.  You can’t.  You have promises you can see coming.  But you don’t own them yet.  And the best you can do is prepare to embrace what comes.  What you’ve done is done.  The past is a recorded and untouchable testimony to the life you’re leading NOW.  And the future only promises something is coming. 

But there is something you can do for your “time” situation.  You are invited to own what comes.  You don’t need to simply hope.  I testify to everyone (as do all Christians who weather life in Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit), that you don’t need to encounter life as a rock or a tree.  You can know that what you encounter has purpose and eternal meaning.

Right now, you search yourself for the strength to encounter the next moment.  And you know that you prepare and fight the “now” without a firm grip.  Jesus has done what you are trying to do in your own strength.  And His promise to guide you is real.  The fear of what you’ve done.  And the fear of what is coming are both too much to bear.  You can experience the freedom from fear that you’re holding too tightly. 

Simply turn your life over to the one who has made the promise of eternal life.  He has promised from Heaven and He cannot lie.  You don’t need to be tossed back and forth from what is coming and what has gone.  You can experience the freedom you’re looking for.  It’s found in Jesus, the Christ of God.

By His Grace.