Righteous Lame.


broken_foot_2

Image by DaveCube via Flickr

You walk through life and ponder your fate.

By the things that are now in your hand.

And you look round at “yours”, boasting proud of your name.

But have you looked to Heaven’s True land?

“Religion is mine!”  You proclaim with great pomp.

And you boast of your future great fame.

We are sin from the start, and will not mount the stars

Without eating dirt, whence we came.

Consider the Lord and His wonderous fame.

Look long into His Glorious Name!

We are dust from the first.  He is God, so proclaimed.

Render your self “Righteous Lame”.

 

By His Grace.

Put up or Shut up.


A corrupted JPEG photograph. Result of a photo...

Image via Wikipedia

As I respond to comments, the words sometimes astound me.  I know it’s not me who is responding.  It’s a lead conversation.  The Lord is in the concepts.  And He allows me to interpret what’s being spoken from Heaven.

I posted something in response to a comment today that has really caused me pause.  “If I wanted to tear down any social structure I wouldn’t use a direct attack of hacking limbs or even banishing them from society in general.  I would infiltrate their group, act like them enough to get honors, then allow myself to be seen corrupting their code of honor.”  What shall we say to that?  If this statement doesn’t provoke a serious look at our motivation and “belonging”, we’re in serious trouble.

Christians:  If you find yourself bringing shame to the name of Jesus, you alone will answer for it.  In the mean time you help the enemy block the door for those trying to enter.  And you do yourself untold harm when you appear before Him.  Let me say this please.  And take note that I don’t give a rip what you might think of me for saying this.  If you’re doing harm to the body of Christ in this world, it would be better that you pull away from the body and stop telling people you’re Christian.  At least the Lord would be able to see that you care enough about His honor to suffer loss.  If you can’t keep your lust under control, if you can’t keep your loose tongue sealed behind those quivering lips, if you just can’t seem to stop bringing shame to the Lord, then step away.

Do you think I say this without personal experience in this matter?  I’ve gone through more than a decade of isolation because I saw myself doing more damage than was reasonable.  I know we all slip.  I’m not poking at that.  I’m looking intently into the eyes of those who believe it’s ok to do anything they please or say anything they want, and still allow others to think you’re a Christian.

I could say so much more about this.  But I think I’ve said enough to have my head delivered on a platter by those who hate the Holiness of God. And if you continue to draw a bad name to Jesus, you’ll eventually look much like that picture above.  While you should have been a clear message to the world through your display of Christ, we can’t make heads or tails of your testimony.  And you will be held accountable for all of it.

 

By His Grace.

Time


Slow Time in Wrist Watch on Dry Leaf

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

You have today.  And even “today” is a generalized word.  You have the “now”.  You do not own what happened.  And you do not own what is to come.  It is like time is a wind which blows against your face.  You have the movement which touches your skin, and no more.  What is behind you only carries your scent.  What lies ahead only holds a promise.  You have the moment only.

Reach back one second and grasp anything.  You can’t.  You have regrets you call your own.  But you can’t hold them in your hands.  And you can’t change their outcome.  Reach ahead and embrace what is coming.  You can’t.  You have promises you can see coming.  But you don’t own them yet.  And the best you can do is prepare to embrace what comes.  What you’ve done is done.  The past is a recorded and untouchable testimony to the life you’re leading NOW.  And the future only promises something is coming. 

But there is something you can do for your “time” situation.  You are invited to own what comes.  You don’t need to simply hope.  I testify to everyone (as do all Christians who weather life in Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit), that you don’t need to encounter life as a rock or a tree.  You can know that what you encounter has purpose and eternal meaning.

Right now, you search yourself for the strength to encounter the next moment.  And you know that you prepare and fight the “now” without a firm grip.  Jesus has done what you are trying to do in your own strength.  And His promise to guide you is real.  The fear of what you’ve done.  And the fear of what is coming are both too much to bear.  You can experience the freedom from fear that you’re holding too tightly. 

Simply turn your life over to the one who has made the promise of eternal life.  He has promised from Heaven and He cannot lie.  You don’t need to be tossed back and forth from what is coming and what has gone.  You can experience the freedom you’re looking for.  It’s found in Jesus, the Christ of God.

By His Grace.

Wait


Stones on a Rocky Ocean Beach

Image by epSos.de via Flickr

The Lord gives strength to those who wait for Him.  He is the source of a power beyond the understanding of both the world and His people.  He is able to do far more than we are able to ask.  For He alone lives in eternity and knows the true demands of this place in which we live.

Are you floundering in the Christian walk?  Look to Him and wait.  Speak of your troubles and voice with your bound tongue.  You can’t express your sorrow or confusion?  Speak to Him.  Then wait.  The answer is approaching.  Just wait.  You are not who you were.  And you are not who you will be.  The situation you find yourself in is not eternal.  It has an end!  But He who calls you from Heaven is eternal and has no end.

Wait for the Lord.  Allow yourself the patience required to wait for Him.  Your help is approaching from the distant shores of Heaven.  Pull up a grain of sand and just wait.

 

By His Grace.

The Lord Has Done This!


The Lord!  The Lord has done this!

My soul is at home while my body sucks dust.

Where your treasure is, so your heart will be also.

I am a citizen of heaven proclaiming the unseen.

Considered a fool among men, my lips stammer His Glory.

I have seen with my blindness a promise of He who cannot lie.

And my hands reach out frantically to touch the feet of The Righteous One!

No longer do I belong to this world of foolishness and sin.

I am His! 

The Lord!  The Lord has done this!

 

 

By His Grace.

The Noise Not Heard.


Animated noise

Image via Wikipedia

Only sounds close reach my flesh.

The older I get the closer they must be.

Yet there is noise upon noise.

The older I get the less I hear

Of the noise the world affords an ear.

It’s the voice of God I seek.

And no ear will serve me well.

Rattle and prattle your wicked noise of hatred.

The din will rouse no saint.

There is a noise of always which rings with joy.

And no clanging will drown it out.

Speak, my Lord, I listen with heart.

Your ways and Your words are so welcome.

Turn back the rustle and bustle.

Let the voice of God stir my soul.

 

By His Grace.