God will not erase the shame of our past.    Every action and word is written on the very fabric of our soul.  But he fosters a love within us by teaching us how to write with extreme care. 

We learn to live as he lives.  And in that there is no longer any shame.

The old man sat in his rocking chair recounting his marvelous deeds to his young grandson.  By the end of his recounting one could surmise that this man has been instrumental in the Roman war against the Gauls.  Or that surely he lept over a 5 story building from a hand stand!

At the conclusion of today’s exposition,  the young boy simply stared at the old man’s eyes.  “What’s the matter with you boy didn’t you hear a single word I said?”  The old man was obviously irritated.

The grandson open his mouth and let the words go without regard to what would come next.  “Grandpa I love you, but I can’t respect anything you’ve told me.  I don’t doubt that you could have done all these things.  But you have taught me one thing that is more valuable than all the others.  You have taught me that if Christ Jesus isn’t first and best, then nothing we do is of any value.”

The old man just sat there stunned.

Someone said, “There is faith in God!”  Because he had some.

Another man answered,  “Yes there is!”  Though he had none.

I am going to say something that is likely to land me in a bit of hot water.  But how is it new that the words I write are not readily welcome among men?

Since I was a boy I have heard people Iament over the loss of a loved one.  There is a time for deep sorrow when a loved one leaves this place of testing.  I am not referring to that time of deep grief.  I know personally that death can deliver a shocking blow to the mind and heart.

I am speaking of that pining away that so many do.  If the Lord allowed them five hundred years of life here everyday would be filled with remorse.  It is not possible that such hopelessness is good.  And it never speaks of anything past the grave.

Now here is what will get me into trouble.  I mourn the loss of no man.  If they are in heaven I will soon be joined with them forever.  If they are in hell I will soon forget their name forever.  I mourn for what I have never seen.  I mourn to receive the promise.

Let each one do as the heart dictates.  But there is vastly more potential in mourning for the promise of God then in the passing of men.

Life can be likened to a barber.  Some barbers are highly skilled, they are quite capable of fashioning tiny fibers into just the right appearance.  Others ingeniously fashion a bowl shaped like a head.  Of these you should run away.

I see someone who posts his credentials before you read his article.  Let me read your article without your credentials.  If it is true I will agree.   If it is not your credentials will not help you.

I too have credentials.  To what end are they valuable except that I know how to spell?