Tag Archives: Christ

Stay or Leave, He is Glorified.

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Photo taken by Graham Kingsley

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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.

Thank You Lord!

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Thank You Trash...

Image by Daniel Slaughter via Flickr

I thank you Lord:

Because I was destined to burn with destruction.  But You told me this was so.

Because I became consumed with my plight.  But You showed me a way out.

Because I couldn’t muster strength to endure Your presence.  But Your love and mercy were so very sweet.

Because I faltered and stumbled, bringing alarm to my soul.  But You gave me tears of repentance.

Because I could not perceive Your forgiveness.  But You cleansed my conscience.

Because I ran about with Great concern for the sins I had held dear.  But You teach me The Better Way.

Thank You Lord God Almighty!  Your Mercy and Wisdom excel!  Thank You, Jesus, for Your hand is powerful enough to save.

By His Grace.

From a Glow to a Blazing Throne.

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Out of Darkness

Holy God of Glorious Light.

How You Shine with Beauty!

You made this place with deft wisdom.

The darkness of man surrounds him.

Impenetrable darkness, no sight to us.

But there is a shaft of light which glows against my pupil.

Dimly I see it glow.

This light leads me to Your will.

And Your Son is beheld!

Holy!  Holy!  Holy, is the Lord God Almighty!

Forever He will be praised by those who have seen this light.

Forever He will hold His children in Love and Power!

You are God!

Blessed, Powerful, Glorious, Eternal, and Hope, is the Name of the Lord!

Here Comes the Next Second in Your Life. Are You Ready?

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The Passage of Time

Image by ToniVC via Flickr

The seconds of a day tick by and we all do as we can, each according to our ability.  Some seconds tick by without fanfare or notice.  Some record a giggle, a tear, a foolish moment, surprise, worry, anxiety, fear, and memories.  Some seconds announce a memorable moment.  These last according to their severity or impact.  Regardless how each second presents itself, time has passed.  And with each passing second we are hurled toward singular moments of enormous importance. 

When someone is shot, there were moments before that led them to that place.  When a car wreck happens, there were moments before.  When we do something really stupid, there were moments before that didn’t announce it was going to happen.  And isn’t that a shame.

And so it goes.  controversy is like that.  We pound our hearts and brains with all we can muster to enter into a contract with each second of our lives.  Struggling to maintain sanity, we live our lives.  Yet time has a way of providing proof that we are not perfect. 

I present this post as a simple notice of something true.  To me it speaks of both my failings and my successes.  But most of all, it speaks of something profound:  The only man to enter life innocent and leave this life the same way was Jesus, the Son of God.  With the Lord Jesus, there is no regret or stumbling.  His performance before His Father was flawless. 

And, by the way, I’m likely about to regret a couple seconds in this very day. 

By His Grace.

Refinement Requires All!

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cigarette

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What have I learned from the past month?  I’ve learned that if I wish to obey the Lord in certain issues it will take everything I am.

I believed I was told to accomplish a personal refinement.  Through a week and a half I allowed myself to endure for His name sake.  For the next three weeks I suffered under horrible desires.  I watched curiously as my mind and body screamed to partake, lest this refinement became more powerful than they.  Anger, confusion, the seeds of hatred germinating, and complete frustration (almost to the point where I couldn’t control the sound  of my voice betraying my inner turmoil.)

Then finally came the wall.  Continue to endure under this pressure and become an angry man, or relent for a while and regroup later.  I have chosen the latter for a while.  So what have I learned?   Did I give up only to never try again?  Am I under a curse because I wasn’t prepared to endure?  I am compelled by the Love of God in Christ Jesus to say “no.”

I have learned that, while salvation by the blood of Jesus is offered to all who believe, there is an “extra” offered to every believer.  The cost of this “extra” is enormous!  And it will cost us the following:  Dedication toward accomplishment regardless the experience.  Continual honor given to the One who calls us toward what is Holy.  A willingness to suffer beyond our perceived ability to endure.  And, quite possibly, a willingness to abandon our present life’s duties for a season.

I said to myself, “You have what it takes.  Why are you faltering like this?”  But what was I to do with the building anxiety, anger, frustration, and lack of will?  I consider that I might have succeeded if I had just pushed one more day.  But what I have done is what I did. 

The glory due those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb is well earned.  Those who over come will be blessed with honor, as the One who bestows this honor is blessed with eternal joy.  Yet, there will be few who find that honor bestowed upon them.  Why?  precisely for the experience I related above.  The battle is harsh and demanding.  And I now know how horrible the battle can become.  And after typing that last sentence, I laugh at myself.  What do I know of suffering for the sake of His Holy Name?

Father in Heaven; Holy Father of Life and life,  I give you praise for the intense place of testing You have created for man.  And I give You Glory for the Perfection of Your Holy Son!  What wonders and marvelous power He embodies!  That He should suffer without fault in this place where I now walk (or crawl on my belly).  You are Glorious!  And Your way is above us as the farthest star in the universe is removed from the chair I now sit in.  May Your Holy Will be done forever!  You Are God!

By His Grace.