The mightiest of tidal waves. The greatest crash of destruction ever in ETERNITY, the dust of failing- desiring to cover everything. The tumult of violence reaching with all its might toward the threshold of God’s Holy throne!

Every violent thing, held in check by the will of God; “This far you shall come and no more!”


“This is my Righteous Son you have desired. At his feet is your boundary. Here, you are subdued! At the folds of his garment you shall not pass. And those who take refuge within are beyond your reach.  


“This I have spoken. Says the Lord God Almighty. My will is to be done.”

Freedom À la Violence 


“Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself.” Thomas à Kempis 

                          BE SOBER!

There is no one more vile than I. For no one is more adept at destroying the work of God than my selfish nature which lives within me.  


No matter what knowledge I have concerning righteousness, my roommate called selfishness knows nothing, desires nothing, and can produce nothing on his own. At the base of things, he only knows how to play with mud.  


What counsel is there in these things? I see this: be careful not to judge the sinners all around us. For with one touch of the love of God, anyone of them can out strip us with the doings of the Holy Spirit.   Despise the action, but be ready to embrace the actor.  


The one to whom much is forgiven, the same will love much. The one who is released from the deepest and darkest of dungeons will love the open spaces more. He understands captivity, and now embraces freedom with a violence.  


But the one who does not perceive his own wickedness, this one sees no need to praise. Righteous humility eludes him.  


God has raised mighty men from the sewer in the past. Rest assured, he is doing so today.

Helpless?


To the liberal politician. The poor man should say:

“you label me poor. You say I am helpless. You tell me, your education, your wealth, your social prominence, and your vast intelligence are what I need but will never own.  


You tell me you are willing to be my mother, father, and caretaker. You say you will provide everything I need.  


Well, due to your high IQ and obvious power, I’m embarrassed to have to tell you this. I don’t want any of what you offer.  


This may shock you, but I’m prepared to back it up. I’m happy with my cup of coffee in the morning. I’m happy with my friends and position in society. I’m happy to choose my own way. And what I’m learning about life you will never know. 


I have faith in my God, which I know baffles you. It’s a faith you can’t have, because you rely on all your own strength.  


Close your mouth. Keep your placating to yourself. Don’t bother to think that I don’t know you make a lot of money off of me and my friends. No, I won’t vote for you. I would rather vote for the man or woman who gives me the freedom I need to be the man I am.”      

What Kind of Legacy


We all want to leave a good legacy for our children. There is no better legacy to leave them than that our land should be filled with godly love.  

But godly love comes from God alone.  


What better work could we do than to seek God’s face with earnest boldness, willing to receive and sacrifice for his great glory? To purify ourselves by the reading of Scripture and diligent prayer. God will inhabit such people. Godly love will sprout like a healthy crop in spring. And the best legacy possible will be left to our children.  


Could there possibly be a better time?

The Startling Memories


Regrets are easily pushed aside by simply dwelling on something pleasant. But I have in mind a place where pleasant things are no more. In this place, even the memory of pleasant things has been evaporated. In the brilliance of this place, hope has become an Eternal arid desert.  

As I wake this morning, one or two of these regrets come to make a visit. The power of them is devastating.  


Accused! I am accused and have no recourse. I am accused and I am undone. Not only do I remember them, I am forced to admit my guilt.  


And I realize something more. Not only do I remember them, those to whom they were done remember them also. And the witnesses! I dare not forget the witnesses! The testimony against me is everywhere, waiting in silence. The entire world has been witness to my doings!


Then I realize something utterly astounding.


These are just two items in my soul. There are hundreds of thousands more I have forgotten. If these two can devastate my heart, how would I stand against the onslaught of things I have done?


But for the strength of the forgiveness of Christ, I am a walking dead man. Not only I. But every man who has ever lived. Our sins are a mold of guilt that covers our soul. It comes with us to the throne of God. Unseen for now, do we dare be dressed in the filthy things we have done as we stand before him to be Judged?


We need the strength of Christ. More than anything in this world, we need the strength of the forgiveness of Christ!   


Every day that goes by, in which we do not take note of this and respond, is another day that adds to the mold. All the while, the moment of our appearing before the Holy Lord God Almighty does not tarry. It stands in place, where it has always been, and will not be moved!


I don’t write this to scare anyone. The fear will come on it’s own. I write this to wake as many souls as I can. Go to Christ. Accept his mercy. While you can still voluntarily do so.  


Yes we have an option. Remain as you are and appear before God, naked and ashamed.  

Do you hear what I hear?


“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.”

Do you hear what I hear?


“A child, a child, 

shivers in the cold 

let us bring him 

Silver and gold.”


What good is our profit 

When the cross is in sight;


When he strained so hard 

That glorious night?


Let his body be covered 

With bleeding sweat.  


Father’s will to be done!

And yet.


The pageantry of Christmas.  

Some shiny toy, a new dress.  


Does this keep warm 

The Word of God?


Does this help the message

Be cast abroad?


Or is it something deep within;

Someplace that’s hidden

From our sin.  


_______


Do you hear what I hear,

Whispered in the streets?


The silver and gold 

He desires so

Cannot be carried 

By feet.  

________


Believe! Believe!

Deep down in your soul.  


Let the seed of Word

Have a place.  


“Come in, come in.  

Come out of the cold.  


Let me taste 

The meaning of gold.”