If he is blessed whose feet brings Good news, what do we call the feet of those whose feet do not?
From where does Good news come? From where does “the other” originate?
Daily Archives: July 3, 2014
Pliablility, Willing Capitulation
I’m sitting at warehouse waiting to the time I can leave. The engine is turned off and the windows are open. The doors to the warehouse are also open.
I can hear a radio playing as they work. The sweet sounds of an emotional song drift through the air. And a thought surprises me at its appearance.
I don’t listen to the radio except when I come near someone else. I do not let music effect my emotion. And when I do, it is not the music to grabs my attention. The lyrics hold far more value to me. The music is the gift wrap for the message. What’s inside is rarely godly.
That’s just the way it is with me whether good or bad. But the striking thought is, that is not the way it is with America (perhaps the entire world).
It is as though man needs music like he needs water, sleep, shelter, clothing and food. Lacking or void of the promise of God, they search desperately to be filled with anything of perceived value. Even most Christians find it difficult to be inspired without the sound of Christian music. To me it is like audible pornography. Once a man learns to love it, he cannot seem to find the strength to cease.
I am not boasting of my situation. I am who God has caused me to become. But I recognize that the striking diffirence would not be seen if I too allowed myself to inspired by music. Again, God has done this in me.
I am also struck by the awareness that men cannot turn away from music. And I cannot understand why silence is such an abomination. But that’s the way it is, isn’t it.
What does that mean? It means that because of man’s compulsive behavior with music he is vulnerable through that door. Whatever the song says, he thinks. Tell me that’s not exploited.
Would silence lend itself to conscious prayer or introspection? Is that what’s going on? Has anyone else even thought this through, that they may have answers?
If you would be free then be free! Put away all the things that manipulate your mind. If today’s music is not of men, what is it? And if it is of men, can it be of God?
Where is strength? Is it found in the testimony of others, whether good or bad. Do we really have such little strength that we require the manipulation of others? Are we really afraid to think for ourselves? Are we terrified of the unveiling judgment of God?
To find out, just shut off the music for a month. Then you will know what YOU are made of, and not what everyone else tells you you must be.
Perhaps I read this wrong. Perhaps the music was sent by God. What do you think?
Preparation
Is there a sane man who will go out to cesspool, cover himself with filth, then go immediately to be seated as a royal guest at a royal banquet? Don’t men go through all pains to clean themselves in the best of possible ways? Don’t they make every effort, lest even a hair be out of place?
The royalty of men is not to be compared to the royalty of the living God. Many men think they will be seated at the royal banquet of God; the wedding banquet at which no sin will sit.
“Come and let us reason together, says the lord.” There is a promised dressing for the most earnest of men. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But how shall a man dress himself today?
There is a Royal Proclamation to be made in this place. How shall a man proclaim what he is not willing to hear? And if he has not allowed himself to be dressed for royal proclamation in this place, how shall he expect to be dressed in the royal garment of the Royal Banquet?
Preparation is now. Preparation does not begin at culmination. They are two distinctly different times and places. Is there more that can be said?
The Way it is
The gravel lays where it is placed and is forced to be ground to powder. Once a majestic singular mountain, it is now but blowing dust in the open space. Dust that is now forced to mingle and no longer be singular.
Raindrops fall by orders from creation. They take their place together to create a body of water that was not before. What was taken away is giving back. A brief independence is forced to reunite.
Tree roots split dirt and rock to produce obedient fruit. In its proper time the fruit appears and does not fade until ordered to fall. With a crash the limbs shatter on the ground. What was once tall and magnificently beautiful becomes rot for the growth others.
Three specimens to show God’s will dictated. He alone is life, there is no life apart from him. Yet what shall be said of man?
His body follows the dictates of God: to grow, to do, and to die. But man is not faithful, as all creation endures. He contrives means of rebellion.
How many ponder these things as they sit in open places? How many allow themselves to be struck by the nature of sin? And how many of those will fall on their face and beg for mercy?
Salvation belongs to our God and to the lamb. What errant creature is able to save himself?
Words From There 