Tag Archives: Religion & Spirituality

Winter 2011

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Drifted House

Image by Just Us 3 via Flickr

Those who we regard as “those in the know” say that this winter will be harsh.  The animals seem to agree.  Bugs are more plentiful this spring and summer.  And I felt a tiny bit of stiff water droplets on the porch railing this morning.  Hard winters mean tough times for everyone. 

Add this tidbit of information to the political, financial, and social scenes and you will come away with a sense of foreboding for what might happen this winter.  Gold is soaring upward due to the markets in the world.  Corruption is over running righteousness in the leadership of every organization.  Islam is busy taking over countries which will allow them access to tons of munitions and political clout in the world.  Politically correct speech is demanding an end to the absolute nature of truth.  While investments are losing their value in markedly dynamic free falls, unemployment and foreclosures are continuing to rise. 

This winter poses a serious threat to far more people and families than I’ve ever seen in my life.  Wouldn’t this be the correct time to seek the Lord Jesus?  Wouldn’t it be a great time, this fall, to slam your body to your knees and ask for salvation?  No one boards up a window after the hurricane passes through, in the hopes of keeping the blasting wind out.  Well, not the wise anyway.  Today would be a really great time to seek Jesus.

By His Grace.

Creation to Now and Beyond

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The Garden of Eden from the Très Riches Heures...

Image via Wikipedia

Creation to Now and Beyond.

 

Millions have questioned the statements regarding the time it took God to create the universe and the earth.  They suppose that God is limited to our time and resources.  He made the stars.  He made the earth.  He made the sun and moon.  He made the water, clouds, and land.  And He made all the plants, animals, and even man.  He has done this and He did it according to His powerful hand.

Shall you continue to speak of God as though He were limited as we?  Do you know or remember the story we are told of how Jesus calmed the storm?  He spoke to the sea and the wind and immediately there was calm.  He did not let the storm die down while he held on frantically to His people in the boat.  He did not allow the little boat to float in the air while the sea tossed.  And He did not create a bubble of protection around the boat from the wind.  He spoke to the wind and seas and they simply stopped their thrashing about.

The clouds were not permitted to float on in their course as is the nature of things.  And the waves were not allowed to slowly cease their tossing.  When He spoke they simply obeyed.  Shouldn’t this tell us something about the Lord’s power? 

And why did He provide the proof of His Majesty like this?  Was it so those men wouldn’t die?   No!  He is the Lord of Life.  What is it to Him if men die?  They come to Him.  And did we forget that He raises the dead any time He desires?  He did this to prove to them that the Father of all life was within Him, testifying to the Glory that is Jesus.

What do you say concerning Jesus?  What do you say concerning righteousness, holiness, and sin and death?  He was.  He is.  And He will come.  There is life in your hands right now.  And He is demanding that you accept this word of truth: 

He has made you that you might worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  He has provided proof of His Glory all about you.  His demand will remain upon you all the days you live here.  And the demand will be sealed at the moment of your death.  Jesus has come to testify regarding the Father’s will for man.  And this testimony was supported by various signs and wonders, which came from the Father of Life.  For those who believe, Jesus is God.  And He is God regardless of your willingness to believe. 

So why focus on the things unknown or debatable?  Why not focus on what is currently both in your hand to do and that which is demanded of you?

May You bless these words Father.  In the name and power of Your Holy Son Jesus, Your Christ.  Amen.

 

By His Grace.

Beaten

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Beaten!  His skin ripped open to show what’s beneath.

The shame of rotten lips assailed His ears.

They hung Him exposed.

Then they railed at inaction.

Silent of protest, the Lord endured.

Like a lamb He was led to the slaughter.

The understanding of His Father filled Him.

From the foundation of the world, was this Lamb accused.

For you He endured.

For you He obeyed.

For the Father’s wisdom reaches out into eternity,

And does not flinch from truth.

What is written is written, both scorn and love.

What will you say with your flesh blessed life?

Will you say you can add to this perfect torment?

Will you work to gain what Jesus offers?

What horrible beating will you invent that you might ascend?

Jesus paid the price in full.

“It is FINISHED!”

 

Glory is His Name!

He delivers what cannot be known.

The conscience is quickened.

The heart is reborn.

Good is seen against the bad.

And hope springs up from desperate thrashing.

What is the response from those touched by this hated One?

Shall we fight along side He who was considered too ugly to live?

Shall we washed hogs return to the mud?

Though the answer can be spoken here.

The answer remains in the actions and thoughts of those who receive.

He is Glory!

And He is allowed to judge all.

For He is WORTHY!

By His Grace.

New Lives for Old!

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By speaking openly for the Lord I realize I have taken the place of a saint who is now with the Lord.  And this causes me to wonder who will take my place when I pass through The River?

They say he ran a carnival, he used to come to town
‘Til one September afternoon he shut it down
They tell me something happened, some say he lost his mind
Now most September afternoons this is what you’ll find
An old man on the corner where he used to sell his show
Now he shouts what sounds like foolishness
As the people come and go

CHORUS:
New lives for old
Warm hearts for cold
Have I got a deal for you today
C’mon, step right this way
And get your new lives for old

He puts it in the paper, he goes from door to door
The people say he’s such a fool to come back for more
Old friends are mostly puzzled, they don’t know what to say
Cause ever since that afternoon he’s just been that way
It’s like the old man died and someone came to take his place
Now he just stands out there bellowin’
A smile upon his wrinkled face

Repeat CHORUS

Remembering the story as I once passed through that town
I thought I ought to stop and see if he’s still around
There was someone on that corner where I heard he’d always stand
And he chuckled when I asked where I could find the man
He said “Thank God that crazy fool finally died last spring”
And I said “I’ll take up where he left off then
‘Cause I’m pushing the same thing”

Some concepts are worthy of repeating:

“New Lives for Old” by Wayne Watson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtrU4Ln-r9A

In Charge of a Star

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The oldest star of our Galaxy: HE 1523-0901

Image via Wikipedia

It would be to our advantage to make sure that our religion causes us to do what is right before the Father’s eyes.  It is not possible that religion can suffice in itself. 

Suppose an Angel was told to take charge of a star and make sure it burned with the certain intensity that God ordained it should.  It would be good for that Angel if he monitored the star and feed it according to the will of God.  But suppose that Angel said to himself, “The star is mine to watch over.  God has considered me a great Angel because I am in charge of a star.  And suppose that thought became the singular reason the Angel remained near the star.  In time he did not feed the star the proper amount of energy sustaining elements.  Instead, he simply maintained it as he desired or remembered.  Either the star would burn too brightly or begin to dim.  What do you think the Lord will say concerning that Angel’s work? 

To bring this thought down to earth consider that the star the Angel is placed in charge of is a star not visible to earth.  Much like this blog.  I write as I feel led.  And I write that anyone reading might be compelled to consider the Lord.  What does it matter to me if no one reads it?  I am given this task of building a resource for the Lord.  Regardless the popularity or visibility.  And if I fail to continue to build it, I alone will answer to Him.  It is not my responsibility to provide the eyes of those who might benefit from this blog.  It is only my responsibility to continue to build it.

I could stop building posts here.  But wouldn’t that become a thing of the past?  Something I rely on to have done.  Perhaps some would read what was written and walk away with a renewed spirit for what they gained.  But would I be able to tell the Lord that I kept my place?  Or would I have to confess that I built for a while but no one came to visit.  So I stopped building.  That’s not what I want to be telling the Lord who made His way all the way to the cross and allowed the third nail to penetrate His body.  It would be better for me to be able to say “It is finished”, when I can no longer add to what He has allowed me to watch over.

Isn’t that what religion can become?  We begin to attend the needs of our religion as we see fit.  We no longer desire that it should match the Lord’s desire and demands; which are in place due to His wisdom.  It is wise for us to consider the Holiness and Purity of the Lord as we attend our religion.  We are the ones who will be held responsible for what we know to do.  Whether we succeed or fail to deliver our full attention to what we know is right, we will be held responsible.  Be careful that you do not fall into disrepair for lack of understanding.  You alone are the one who will answer for what you do with what you have been given.

By His Grace.

Stay or Leave, He is Glorified.

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Photo taken by Graham Kingsley

Image via Wikipedia

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.