Conspicuous Places


Dear Christians:

Are you aware of your place in eternity even now?  I speak to those who struggle, through violence, to attain those things which Christ holds in his hand.  For we know about a violence that does not leave marks on the body.

You have heard about the great cloud of witnesses.  Are you aware that their number is not fully comprised of holy servants of God?

These unholy witnesses were present at the crucifixion of our Lord.  They incited the crowd to riot at the burning and torture of our brothers and sisters.  And they have caused a maligning of the way throughout history.

You may be sure they watch us even now.  Every Christian’s weakness is well known.  But so is the strength of our Holy Lord.  And now is our day to bring him glory.

As we have been encouraged before, I bring it again to the forefront.  As we serve our Lord with all the faithfulness we can muster, it is good to remember that we walk in highly conspicuous places.

The Little Boy


In his striving to understand, man finds himself woefully lacking in wisdom.  By this perceiving, a man is forced to humility.  Pride grows tall on ignorance; a fertilized garden for weeds.

Shall we then make no attempt to understand?  Shall we close our lips lest our ignorance be revealed?  How should such a thing be, when all men are of the same stock?

The folly of men will judge other men.  By all means then, judge me.  Read my words and point your finger.  What is that to me?

———————-
I am but a little boy. 

My understanding is so small.

So I gladly display my severe lack. 

That my God maybe great in all.

Winter


Holy Father I thank you for your majestic wisdom.  You tell us truly, that we are all without excuse before you.  For the things you have made, and the place where we live, testifies brilliantly of your Holiness.

You have caused all men to consider these things.  Not one man lives, but that he considers the nature of the place you have caused him to live.

You have written this way in unmovable stone, and it will not be taken out of the way.

Sovereign Father, by the mercy of your Holy Son, I come to you for explanation.  In your righteous expectation we are to understand and to obey.  So I am right to expect an answer.

In all that you have done, creating this place. you have made all things as they appear.  You are righteous Holy Father.  Therefore what you have done is what must be done.  But I have failed to grasp the meaning of Winter.

I understand that you are pure and pure light; the Light of righteousness, life, holiness and eternity.  And so you have made the snow to fall pure and white, virgin and innocent.

Your righteousness is deadly to all that stands against you.  For sin cannot appear before your Holy Throne.

In my imagination I perceive that the heat of our judgment to be burning and endlessly hot.  Yet with all that could be we find things as they are.

My mind is betrayed by a lack of understanding.  How is purity that appears in the coldest and deadliest of times?  Yet it does not appear in the time of heat.

It is not possible that this can make no sense.  It is therefore the weakness of my mind to fail to understand.

————–

In the purity of winter man is forced to rest on the previous days of labor.  It is a time of extensive difficulty.

If he has prepared well, survival is guaranteed, but for the weakness of flesh in disease and sickness.  But if he has failed to provide, during the time if necessary labor, difficulty will increase even unto death.

To venture into the purity provided, a man must be properly clothed.  Anything less then what is appropriate will surely demand too much.

It is a time of forced rest.  The time of preparation is past.  It is the severest season of testing.  And brilliant purity will force it on all.

————

You are Holy and true.  You have set a place which is unavoidable to all men.  You will command and we will appear before you.  The labors of our days will be tested.

If we have prepared in your Holy Son, we are dressed in his pure clothing to protect us from the onslaught of your judgement.  But who can stand that day without your loving compassion?

It is a time of abject horror for those who have not considered its demands.  And no man can provide for himself the things that are necessary.

————

Hide me in your majestic shadow Sovereign Father.  Dress me with the strength of your Holy Word, even Jesus your Holy Son.  Have mercy for my weakness.  I appeal to you by your promises. 

You are True, Holy, Righteous, Pure, Eternal, and your compassion is endless.  I run to you, that you may burn away to things that are displeasing.  That what remains may live.

All my letters are signed, “By His Grace”.  You taught me to do this many years ago.  May my soul appear before you with that signature.  For salvation belongs exclusively to God the Father and God the Holy Son.