Daily Archives: May 1, 2014

A Fillament of God

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Stopping for gasoline in my small country town, I came upon a startling revelation.  As I went in to pay for the gas, I passed a man coming out.  When he saw me he quickly turned his head away from me and down.

I paid for the fuel and walked back to the little truck.  For some reason the man had not left.  Instead he was on his way back into the store.  And so we passed again.

This time the man’s aversion was radical.  There was no question he preferred any place but there.   Frankly, I was surprised he did not turn around and get back in his car.

Neither of us spoke a word, the first time or the second.  His pain was so obvious I did not desire to add to it by saying hello.

I wear a dark blue ball cap.  On the cap are the words “Think Eternity”, and a small cross.  The power of those words and the symbol that accompanies them caused the man his obvious anguish.

As I drove away I pondered the man’s life.  He has friends.  He has relatives.  He has those who love him.   He has a history and a reputation.  In short he has what he considers “a life”.

But if he cannot bear two small words and a symbol on the hat of a man, what will he do when he is face to face with a blazing glory of God?

That man is the most pronounced reaction I have ever seen.  Most people avoid my eyes.  But I have never seen anyone react that violently on the inside.  It gives me cause to ponder who I am becoming, by the strength of God within me.

I am like the filament of a lightbulb.  What chases the darkness away is not the glass.  It is the blazing fire within.

The filament does not perceive what happens beyond its light.  And it does not command or control those who live in darkness.  The filament simply blazes light.  And it does not consider its value.

The value is perceived by he who placed the light.  And it is used by those who live in darkness.

We are the light of the world, by Christ who lives within.  We testify with words and actions.  But the testimony within us speaks soul to soul.

Every tree is shaken.  Excuses evaporate like a drop of water on a hot burner.  And the hearts of men are starkly revealed.

May God receive the bounty that is rightfully his.  All glory to the Father through the Son, by his people and the might of His Holy Spirit upon us.  Amen.

Courageous Vagabonds

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I took my early morning coffee to the back porch which overlooks the woods.  As I stood, I began to be aware of the chirping of Robins, Blue Jays and a variety of other birds.  My memory came alive; I remembered their absence in winter.

Such Birds travel south when it begins to get cold in the north.  There they eat and sleep in comfort.  But has winter dissipates, certain birds return to the north.

Immediately I understood.  God showed me a parable of the gospel.

God has made creation as he has made it.  The birds are given wisdom according to His will, that they may not gather together in comfort and security. 

Certain numbers of birds are compelled to be courageous vagabonds.  They hate the gathering together in warm security and plentiful food.  They prefer an arduous flight north.  They are not like their other brothers of a feather.

As it is among these birds, so it is among men.  God gives wisdom to some and calls them to become courageous spiritual vagabonds.  They cannot stand the mass of men.  They are compelled, by the very nature God has given them, to seek a different place.

They themselves are men.  But there is a distinct difference.  Such “called out” men are not afraid to risk death for what is better.  They do not count themselves as different.  They simply are.

Such things are on display for all men to see.  All creation resounds with the story of Christ Jesus.  Look with understanding and you will see.