Monthly Archives: September 2011

A Rock is Just a Rock.

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Image by louisvolant via Flickr

A curious problem is beginning to gel in my mind.  By “gel” I mean I think I’m grasping the importance and answer to a problem that plagues all men, but especially Christians.

If we allow ourselves to interpret what we do as who we are we will surely learn to hate ourselves when we find we can’t do any more.

I’ve seen many come to anger, bitterness, hatred, and selfish thinking, when they come to the place in their lives where they are no longer able to accomplish what they thought was their strength.  The allowed themselves to become identified by the work they could accomplish. 

Beyond the power of words to convey, it is important to remember that a servant is not a king.  You are only a servant.  And you will wear out.  You have no right to claim praise for what you do.  Doing good deeds is what is expected of you.  And the fact that so many don’t do what is good should not allow you licence to consider yourself a “good person”. 

The one who remembers this will enter into inability with peace.  When life brings you to that place where you can’t do anything to be proud of (and it surely will), you will become a servant of inability.  Any other approach will lead to everything negative.  A rock is a rock, regardless where it finds itself.  Be like that in your heart.  And remember that Jesus is the Lord, not you.

 

By His Grace.

Stay or Leave, He is Glorified.

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Photo taken by Graham Kingsley

Image via Wikipedia

My eyes have seen another morning. 

Precious will it be.

To speak of things eternal,

To lift up One called “He”.

I crave a day when eyes will open.

And never more will shut.

To speak a praise eternal,

To lift up One called “He”.

 “23But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. ”  (Phillipians)

By His Grace.

He IS!

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A multi-volume Latin dictionary (Egidio Forcel...

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Who has words of thanks like that of the Holy Spirit of God?   Who can measure his tongue in the rhythm of eternal words?  Who can speak the language of God as we express His beauty to each other?  What item shall we hold up to describe the nature of God’s sacrifice? 

In this land of shadows, who can match His voice?  He is the One.  And nothing we can contrive, sense, nor imagine shall come near the true expression of He who IS.  A land in which even our praise is tainted by pride, selfishness, a certain blindness restrained by the will of God as the sea is restrained by sand.

HE IS!  HE WILL FOREVER BE!  We are the ones who’s names must be accompanied with a qualifier.  Yet He IS.

By His Grace.

Age is Not Equal to Wisdom.

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Old Man Cactus

Image by Bill Gracey via Flickr

In my foolishness as a young man I sought the eternal wisdom from those with white hair.  I knew they had lived long enough to pass on something of value.  But I found no one.  I was sure there was a truth to be known.  And I guess it was the movies and stories about “wise men” that echoed in my head. 

Where was that wise man?  I remember being disappointed as I encountered one after another and found nothing.  I watched them drink till they were drunk.  I heard them cuss more than I did.  I heard thousands of dirty jokes from their lips.  I heard them hate others with a love for hatred.  I heard them speak of money and social standing as if they were more precious than life itself.  But I knew all this was a lie.  Where was the wise man?  Perhaps he was on a mountain in some remote village.  But he was not near enough to me to listen to what was true.  So I went about my business of living with a certain abandon and a deep sense of loss that there was no one to speak of those wise truths.

It’s my turn now.  My hair is becoming white with age.  And the wrinkles on my face speak of years spent.  Someone is watching.  And deep inside, that someone is desiring to hear the wisdom of age.  Am I able to deliver what they seek?  Am I willing to deliver what is true and lasting?  Ponderous thoughts to think.  Such a beautiful responsibility. 

Father, wisdom comes from You.  The knowledge of eternity is hidden in Your Holy Spirit.  I ask You to cause me to be and become a blessing for those who seek what is true.  By the Holy Name of Jesus, I ask your mercy.  Amen.

 

By His Grace.

American Security. What a sham!

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De Dijkpoort in Hattem

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America is ruined.  A people spoiled by law.  As a basket of fruit might rot if left unattended.  If we speak of what is true we are shut down because we are not allowed to offend another’s mind.  Our speech and actions have become limited by the desires of sinful men.  No longer is the Word of God allowed to roam the streets.  Wisdom is no longer welcome at the city gates.  And can anyone point to a place in any city or town where entrance is required?

Where have we provided security for what is true?  Where is the guard in the watchtower who proclaims the approach of lies?  It is too late.  The enemy has been granted access to our most precious places.  How can we now point to an enemy who would destroy what is good?  He is now among us ruling and guiding the people into what is foolish and deadly.  Lost!  Lost is the hope of redemption for the security of truth within the houses of this once great nation. 

Is there any hope left?  Sadly, not for the nation itself.  But for the individual citizen there is still hope.  Turn to truth.  Abandon the way of lies and seek the Truth of God in Jesus.  In this there is hope.  But if you look for hope from the laws of America you will find none. 

By His Grace.

Bloody knives.

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knife

How blessed are those who know the judgment of God while still alive here.  To see the horror of their sin before they see the face of He who will judge.

I stood, this morning, with a heart aghast!  My sins so blantly laid at my feet.  Oh that my sin were something I could lay my hands on; perhaps as a part of my body black with sores.  I would gladly reach my hand to that place and rip it out myself!  But I fear it would completely cover my body from head to toe.  Then what could I do to rid myself of what now is a stench to my nostrils?  “Woe to me!  Woe, because I cannot undo what I have done.  I cannot straighten out one minute of my life, let alone my years of sins! 

I am glad to see and know that I am in such a state of affairs.  To know that what we are is a hopeless people.  Without Jesus and the Holy Spirit, how can we know we are in such disrepair?  To know that sin infests us like hideous bugs in our flesh.  To stand with a willingness to rip out that which offends.  How blessed is he who knows these things.

It is as if I had murdered.  I stand with the bloody knife in my hand and come to my senses.  My eyes widen and my mouth opens without sound.  I realize what I have just done and am murdered by myself in my own heart! 

OH! Lord have mercy on this man of foolish intent!  And is not this awareness a rending of the heart?  Those who witnessed and gave their bid for the crucifixion of the Lord went away beating their breast at what they had done.  This is sin!  This is a blessing of knowing the judgment before you arrive;  that you might beg for mercy and understanding before you see His face.

 

By His Grace.