“so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you…” Is.54.9 ESV
If we want God’s forgiveness, He tells us that in Christ we are sure to have it. This is the simple good news that God is communicating to us--that in Christ He is reconciling the world to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us. Of course, God has every right to be angry with us. We all have rebelled, gone our own way, and messed up His world. I think it is good for us to know this about ourselves; otherwise, we will not seek His forgiveness. But once we own up to our rebellion, and respond to His gracious offer of peace, we can sure that He forgives us, and He forgives us everything. He is not angry with those in Christ. Let me repeat it to my soul. He is not angry with me. He is not angry. I, like many others, lived for years under the threat of God’s wrath but now in Christ, I have some unlearning to do. Jesus has met every condition of the peace treaty but one. We accept the offer, the offer found only in His hand. 1/29/2009 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sometimes we must unlearn what we have learned especially when our circumstances have changed.
“so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you…” Is.54.9 ESV
If we want God’s forgiveness, He tells us that in Christ we are sure to have it. This is the simple good news that God is communicating to us--that in Christ He is reconciling the world to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us. Of course, God has every right to be angry with us. We all have rebelled, gone our own way, and messed up His world. I think it is good for us to know this about ourselves; otherwise, we will not seek His forgiveness. But once we own up to our rebellion, and respond to His gracious offer of peace, we can sure that He forgives us, and He forgives us everything. He is not angry with those in Christ. Let me repeat it to my soul. He is not angry with me. He is not angry. I, like many others, lived for years under the threat of God’s wrath but now in Christ, I have some unlearning to do. Jesus has met every condition of the peace treaty but one. We accept the offer, the offer found only in His hand. 1/29/2009 ts
If we want God’s forgiveness, He tells us that in Christ we are sure to have it. This is the simple good news that God is communicating to us--that in Christ He is reconciling the world to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us. Of course, God has every right to be angry with us. We all have rebelled, gone our own way, and messed up His world. I think it is good for us to know this about ourselves; otherwise, we will not seek His forgiveness. But once we own up to our rebellion, and respond to His gracious offer of peace, we can sure that He forgives us, and He forgives us everything. He is not angry with those in Christ. Let me repeat it to my soul. He is not angry with me. He is not angry. I, like many others, lived for years under the threat of God’s wrath but now in Christ, I have some unlearning to do. Jesus has met every condition of the peace treaty but one. We accept the offer, the offer found only in His hand. 1/29/2009 ts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"God counts the tears of women" -Kabbalah
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…” Is.53.4 ESV
If it were not enough for Christ to bear our sins, He also bore our sorrows. If we believe these words, then the disappointment of parents, the disillusions of youth, the despair of every lonely person, indeed all the weight of human grief, is felt by His tender heart. No sadness in all the earth escapes Him, no tear unnoticed. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, surely He weeps beside us at the grave of those we love. Man of sorrows is etched on His brow. Jesus not only carries our griefs, imagine the multitude of His own. If no sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, think how great His pain must be to share even the suffering of animals. But Jesus is doing much more than just feeling our tears, He is mixing them with His own and doing so, changing them as acid is neutralized by salt. He bottles them one tear at a time and turns them somehow to glory. 1/28/2009 ts
If it were not enough for Christ to bear our sins, He also bore our sorrows. If we believe these words, then the disappointment of parents, the disillusions of youth, the despair of every lonely person, indeed all the weight of human grief, is felt by His tender heart. No sadness in all the earth escapes Him, no tear unnoticed. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, surely He weeps beside us at the grave of those we love. Man of sorrows is etched on His brow. Jesus not only carries our griefs, imagine the multitude of His own. If no sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, think how great His pain must be to share even the suffering of animals. But Jesus is doing much more than just feeling our tears, He is mixing them with His own and doing so, changing them as acid is neutralized by salt. He bottles them one tear at a time and turns them somehow to glory. 1/28/2009 ts
"God counts the tears of women" -Kabbalah
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…” Is.53.4 ESV
If it were not enough for Christ to bear our sins, He also bore our sorrows. If we believe these words, then the disappointment of parents, the disillusions of youth, the despair of every lonely person, indeed all the weight of human grief, is felt by His tender heart. No sadness in all the earth escapes Him, no tear unnoticed. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, surely He weeps beside us at the grave of those we love. Man of sorrows is etched on His brow. Jesus not only carries our griefs, imagine the multitude of His own. If no sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, think how great His pain must be to share even the suffering of animals. But Jesus is doing much more than just feeling our tears, He is mixing them with His own and doing so, changing them as acid is neutralized by salt. He bottles them one tear at a time and turns them somehow to glory. 1/28/2009 ts
If it were not enough for Christ to bear our sins, He also bore our sorrows. If we believe these words, then the disappointment of parents, the disillusions of youth, the despair of every lonely person, indeed all the weight of human grief, is felt by His tender heart. No sadness in all the earth escapes Him, no tear unnoticed. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, surely He weeps beside us at the grave of those we love. Man of sorrows is etched on His brow. Jesus not only carries our griefs, imagine the multitude of His own. If no sparrow falls to the ground without His notice, think how great His pain must be to share even the suffering of animals. But Jesus is doing much more than just feeling our tears, He is mixing them with His own and doing so, changing them as acid is neutralized by salt. He bottles them one tear at a time and turns them somehow to glory. 1/28/2009 ts
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
"Got you covered red leader." "I don't think I'm read-leader." "Roger that, Stray Dog" Thumbwars
"Got you covered red leader." "I don't think I'm read-leader." "Roger that, Stray Dog" Thumbwars
“…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Is.52.12 ESV
I realize that there is no reason, that I should apply these words to my life. That is, there is no reason in and of myself. Why should God watch my back? Why should He run ahead and clear the way for me? I’ve done nothing to deserve such protection from Him. Nothing that is, except accept the offer of Christ. And that, dear friend, makes all the difference in the world. Because of the Lord Jesus, we have every reason to count these words of assurance as words spoken to us. We are blessed with every blessing in Him. Jesus is our reason before God when we have no reason in ourselves. Go for it, God’s got your back. 1/27/2009 ts
“…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Is.52.12 ESV
I realize that there is no reason, that I should apply these words to my life. That is, there is no reason in and of myself. Why should God watch my back? Why should He run ahead and clear the way for me? I’ve done nothing to deserve such protection from Him. Nothing that is, except accept the offer of Christ. And that, dear friend, makes all the difference in the world. Because of the Lord Jesus, we have every reason to count these words of assurance as words spoken to us. We are blessed with every blessing in Him. Jesus is our reason before God when we have no reason in ourselves. Go for it, God’s got your back. 1/27/2009 ts
"Got you covered red leader." "I don't think I'm read-leader." "Roger that, Stray Dog" Thumbwars
"Got you covered red leader." "I don't think I'm read-leader." "Roger that, Stray Dog" Thumbwars
“…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Is.52.12 ESV
I realize that there is no reason, that I should apply these words to my life. That is, there is no reason in and of myself. Why should God watch my back? Why should He run ahead and clear the way for me? I’ve done nothing to deserve such protection from Him. Nothing that is, except accept the offer of Christ. And that, dear friend, makes all the difference in the world. Because of the Lord Jesus, we have every reason to count these words of assurance as words spoken to us. We are blessed with every blessing in Him. Jesus is our reason before God when we have no reason in ourselves. Go for it, God’s got your back. 1/27/2009 ts
“…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Is.52.12 ESV
I realize that there is no reason, that I should apply these words to my life. That is, there is no reason in and of myself. Why should God watch my back? Why should He run ahead and clear the way for me? I’ve done nothing to deserve such protection from Him. Nothing that is, except accept the offer of Christ. And that, dear friend, makes all the difference in the world. Because of the Lord Jesus, we have every reason to count these words of assurance as words spoken to us. We are blessed with every blessing in Him. Jesus is our reason before God when we have no reason in ourselves. Go for it, God’s got your back. 1/27/2009 ts
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Awake, thou wintry earth-- laugh forth Your ancient gladness! Christ is risen. Thomas Blackburn
For the Lord…makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord…” Is.51.3 ESV
I have always liked the saying that “memory is the power to gather roses in winter.” Last night I walked into a Home Depot, took one breath of its sawdust smell, and was overcome with pleasant memories of home projects that Brenda and I have worked on through the years. Talk about roses in winter, it was a moment of intense joy to me, so much so, that I literally stood there for several moments and inhaled the precious memories. The fragrance of our faith in Christ is able to transform every wilderness and every desert into a garden of Eden. Such is the gracious work of God, so that storms may rage around us but joy and peace reign within us. And, let us not sell short these wonderful words to comfort in this life alone. The resurrection of Christ means that these marvelous metaphors will pass into the morning of reality where winter will truly give way to an eternal spring. 1/26/2009 ts
I have always liked the saying that “memory is the power to gather roses in winter.” Last night I walked into a Home Depot, took one breath of its sawdust smell, and was overcome with pleasant memories of home projects that Brenda and I have worked on through the years. Talk about roses in winter, it was a moment of intense joy to me, so much so, that I literally stood there for several moments and inhaled the precious memories. The fragrance of our faith in Christ is able to transform every wilderness and every desert into a garden of Eden. Such is the gracious work of God, so that storms may rage around us but joy and peace reign within us. And, let us not sell short these wonderful words to comfort in this life alone. The resurrection of Christ means that these marvelous metaphors will pass into the morning of reality where winter will truly give way to an eternal spring. 1/26/2009 ts
Awake, thou wintry earth-- laugh forth Your ancient gladness! Christ is risen. Thomas Blackburn
For the Lord…makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord…” Is.51.3 ESV
I have always liked the saying that “memory is the power to gather roses in winter.” Last night I walked into a Home Depot, took one breath of its sawdust smell, and was overcome with pleasant memories of home projects that Brenda and I have worked on through the years. Talk about roses in winter, it was a moment of intense joy to me, so much so, that I literally stood there for several moments and inhaled the precious memories. The fragrance of our faith in Christ is able to transform every wilderness and every desert into a garden of Eden. Such is the gracious work of God, so that storms may rage around us but joy and peace reign within us. And, let us not sell short these wonderful words to comfort in this life alone. The resurrection of Christ means that these marvelous metaphors will pass into the morning of reality where winter will truly give way to an eternal spring. 1/26/2009 ts
I have always liked the saying that “memory is the power to gather roses in winter.” Last night I walked into a Home Depot, took one breath of its sawdust smell, and was overcome with pleasant memories of home projects that Brenda and I have worked on through the years. Talk about roses in winter, it was a moment of intense joy to me, so much so, that I literally stood there for several moments and inhaled the precious memories. The fragrance of our faith in Christ is able to transform every wilderness and every desert into a garden of Eden. Such is the gracious work of God, so that storms may rage around us but joy and peace reign within us. And, let us not sell short these wonderful words to comfort in this life alone. The resurrection of Christ means that these marvelous metaphors will pass into the morning of reality where winter will truly give way to an eternal spring. 1/26/2009 ts
Monday, January 26, 2009
“Pray that I may receive that divine assistance without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain.” Abraham Lincoln
“Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?” Is.50.2 ESV
God has asked this question to many people facing many different trials—refugees oppressed by war, sinners oppressed by sin, those suffering various addictions, a wife under the hand of a cruel husband, a child with abusive parents, thousands under religious persecution, or precious souls being smothered by anxiety or crushed by depression. No matter what oppresses God offers His redeeming power to all who will ask for it. Not everybody wants His kind of help and so tragically, oppression continues to oppress many. What kind of help does God offer? Divine help of course, for this is the only help He can really give, help governed by absolute goodness. C. S. Lewis pointedly remarks that God’s help is “the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from… Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger — according to the way you react to it.”1/24/2009 ts
God has asked this question to many people facing many different trials—refugees oppressed by war, sinners oppressed by sin, those suffering various addictions, a wife under the hand of a cruel husband, a child with abusive parents, thousands under religious persecution, or precious souls being smothered by anxiety or crushed by depression. No matter what oppresses God offers His redeeming power to all who will ask for it. Not everybody wants His kind of help and so tragically, oppression continues to oppress many. What kind of help does God offer? Divine help of course, for this is the only help He can really give, help governed by absolute goodness. C. S. Lewis pointedly remarks that God’s help is “the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from… Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger — according to the way you react to it.”1/24/2009 ts
“Pray that I may receive that divine assistance without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain.” Abraham Lincoln
“Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?” Is.50.2 ESV
God has asked this question to many people facing many different trials—refugees oppressed by war, sinners oppressed by sin, those suffering various addictions, a wife under the hand of a cruel husband, a child with abusive parents, thousands under religious persecution, or precious souls being smothered by anxiety or crushed by depression. No matter what oppresses God offers His redeeming power to all who will ask for it. Not everybody wants His kind of help and so tragically, oppression continues to oppress many. What kind of help does God offer? Divine help of course, for this is the only help He can really give, help governed by absolute goodness. C. S. Lewis pointedly remarks that God’s help is “the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from… Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger — according to the way you react to it.”1/24/2009 ts
God has asked this question to many people facing many different trials—refugees oppressed by war, sinners oppressed by sin, those suffering various addictions, a wife under the hand of a cruel husband, a child with abusive parents, thousands under religious persecution, or precious souls being smothered by anxiety or crushed by depression. No matter what oppresses God offers His redeeming power to all who will ask for it. Not everybody wants His kind of help and so tragically, oppression continues to oppress many. What kind of help does God offer? Divine help of course, for this is the only help He can really give, help governed by absolute goodness. C. S. Lewis pointedly remarks that God’s help is “the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from… Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger — according to the way you react to it.”1/24/2009 ts
Saturday, January 24, 2009
“Smile You're on Homeland Security Camera.” Smiley tee shirt
“…your walls are continually before me.” Is.49.16 ESV
In these uncertain times, it is good to be reminded that faith in Christ constitutes a contractual arrangement with His Father. One aspect of this incredibly beneficial covenant is the fundamental promise of God’s provision and protection. And, as nothing takes God by surprise, nothing is coming against us that He is not able to handle. But every contractual arrangement has two sides to it. It is important for us to realize that God guides as He provides and if we do not listen to His counsel, we may suffer for it. I read recently where one politician said, “Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them.” Any parent knows that intruding is often apart of protecting. In my experience, God does not mind intruding on my affairs at all, especially to point out when I am acting foolish. We may take comfort from knowing that God is handling things outside our control but when He points out a hole in our wall and tells us to plug it, we had better do what tells us to do. 1/23/2009 ts
In these uncertain times, it is good to be reminded that faith in Christ constitutes a contractual arrangement with His Father. One aspect of this incredibly beneficial covenant is the fundamental promise of God’s provision and protection. And, as nothing takes God by surprise, nothing is coming against us that He is not able to handle. But every contractual arrangement has two sides to it. It is important for us to realize that God guides as He provides and if we do not listen to His counsel, we may suffer for it. I read recently where one politician said, “Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them.” Any parent knows that intruding is often apart of protecting. In my experience, God does not mind intruding on my affairs at all, especially to point out when I am acting foolish. We may take comfort from knowing that God is handling things outside our control but when He points out a hole in our wall and tells us to plug it, we had better do what tells us to do. 1/23/2009 ts
“Smile You're on Homeland Security Camera.” Smiley tee shirt
“…your walls are continually before me.” Is.49.16 ESV
In these uncertain times, it is good to be reminded that faith in Christ constitutes a contractual arrangement with His Father. One aspect of this incredibly beneficial covenant is the fundamental promise of God’s provision and protection. And, as nothing takes God by surprise, nothing is coming against us that He is not able to handle. But every contractual arrangement has two sides to it. It is important for us to realize that God guides as He provides and if we do not listen to His counsel, we may suffer for it. I read recently where one politician said, “Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them.” Any parent knows that intruding is often apart of protecting. In my experience, God does not mind intruding on my affairs at all, especially to point out when I am acting foolish. We may take comfort from knowing that God is handling things outside our control but when He points out a hole in our wall and tells us to plug it, we had better do what tells us to do. 1/23/2009 ts
In these uncertain times, it is good to be reminded that faith in Christ constitutes a contractual arrangement with His Father. One aspect of this incredibly beneficial covenant is the fundamental promise of God’s provision and protection. And, as nothing takes God by surprise, nothing is coming against us that He is not able to handle. But every contractual arrangement has two sides to it. It is important for us to realize that God guides as He provides and if we do not listen to His counsel, we may suffer for it. I read recently where one politician said, “Homeland security must protect citizens, not intrude on them.” Any parent knows that intruding is often apart of protecting. In my experience, God does not mind intruding on my affairs at all, especially to point out when I am acting foolish. We may take comfort from knowing that God is handling things outside our control but when He points out a hole in our wall and tells us to plug it, we had better do what tells us to do. 1/23/2009 ts
Friday, January 23, 2009
A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body. Joseph Addison
“Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Is.48.18 ESV
Peace and righteousness go hand in hand, which means that if we hold one, we will certainly be held by the other. Both spring from obedience to God and both are the constant companions of it. Judicially, it is not “our” obedience that secures peace with God or the righteousness that is needed to approach Him. Jesus gives this peace and this righteousness as gift secured by His death and life. He gives it freely to all who trust Him. Still, there is a practical side to peace and righteousness, which has everything to do with our obedience. This means that when we walk rightly, peace walks with us. This does not always mean that when we do right, the circumstances around us will be peaceful. If Jesus taught us anything, He taught us that some of the time our circumstances may turn down right hostile because we did what was right. The peace that attends the righteous walk is mainly a good conscience and the smile of His Spirit in our heart. 1/22/2009 ts
Peace and righteousness go hand in hand, which means that if we hold one, we will certainly be held by the other. Both spring from obedience to God and both are the constant companions of it. Judicially, it is not “our” obedience that secures peace with God or the righteousness that is needed to approach Him. Jesus gives this peace and this righteousness as gift secured by His death and life. He gives it freely to all who trust Him. Still, there is a practical side to peace and righteousness, which has everything to do with our obedience. This means that when we walk rightly, peace walks with us. This does not always mean that when we do right, the circumstances around us will be peaceful. If Jesus taught us anything, He taught us that some of the time our circumstances may turn down right hostile because we did what was right. The peace that attends the righteous walk is mainly a good conscience and the smile of His Spirit in our heart. 1/22/2009 ts
A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body. Joseph Addison
“Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Is.48.18 ESV
Peace and righteousness go hand in hand, which means that if we hold one, we will certainly be held by the other. Both spring from obedience to God and both are the constant companions of it. Judicially, it is not “our” obedience that secures peace with God or the righteousness that is needed to approach Him. Jesus gives this peace and this righteousness as gift secured by His death and life. He gives it freely to all who trust Him. Still, there is a practical side to peace and righteousness, which has everything to do with our obedience. This means that when we walk rightly, peace walks with us. This does not always mean that when we do right, the circumstances around us will be peaceful. If Jesus taught us anything, He taught us that some of the time our circumstances may turn down right hostile because we did what was right. The peace that attends the righteous walk is mainly a good conscience and the smile of His Spirit in our heart. 1/22/2009 ts
Peace and righteousness go hand in hand, which means that if we hold one, we will certainly be held by the other. Both spring from obedience to God and both are the constant companions of it. Judicially, it is not “our” obedience that secures peace with God or the righteousness that is needed to approach Him. Jesus gives this peace and this righteousness as gift secured by His death and life. He gives it freely to all who trust Him. Still, there is a practical side to peace and righteousness, which has everything to do with our obedience. This means that when we walk rightly, peace walks with us. This does not always mean that when we do right, the circumstances around us will be peaceful. If Jesus taught us anything, He taught us that some of the time our circumstances may turn down right hostile because we did what was right. The peace that attends the righteous walk is mainly a good conscience and the smile of His Spirit in our heart. 1/22/2009 ts
Thursday, January 22, 2009
“It ain’t the heat; it’s the humility.” Yogi Berra
“Come down and sit in the dust…” Is.47.1 ESV
It is a good thing to humble oneself. It is an entirely different matter to be humbled. Better of course to humble oneself than to be humbled. God promises grace to the humble and whether we realize it or not, when God humbles someone He is also being gracious to them, if only to help them learn humility. Sometimes the best thing the Lord can do for us is to knock our feet from under us. Sitting in the dust reminds us that we were made from dust. Let me then practice humility before the Lord least He find it necessary to humble me. And how do I practice humility? Could it be that humility isn’t some virtue we attain, as it is a proper perspective we come to recognize about ourselves. Grace alone defines our whole relationship with God and service alone, our whole relationship to others. 1/21/2009 ts
It is a good thing to humble oneself. It is an entirely different matter to be humbled. Better of course to humble oneself than to be humbled. God promises grace to the humble and whether we realize it or not, when God humbles someone He is also being gracious to them, if only to help them learn humility. Sometimes the best thing the Lord can do for us is to knock our feet from under us. Sitting in the dust reminds us that we were made from dust. Let me then practice humility before the Lord least He find it necessary to humble me. And how do I practice humility? Could it be that humility isn’t some virtue we attain, as it is a proper perspective we come to recognize about ourselves. Grace alone defines our whole relationship with God and service alone, our whole relationship to others. 1/21/2009 ts
“It ain’t the heat; it’s the humility.” Yogi Berra
“Come down and sit in the dust…” Is.47.1 ESV
It is a good thing to humble oneself. It is an entirely different matter to be humbled. Better of course to humble oneself than to be humbled. God promises grace to the humble and whether we realize it or not, when God humbles someone He is also being gracious to them, if only to help them learn humility. Sometimes the best thing the Lord can do for us is to knock our feet from under us. Sitting in the dust reminds us that we were made from dust. Let me then practice humility before the Lord least He find it necessary to humble me. And how do I practice humility? Could it be that humility isn’t some virtue we attain, as it is a proper perspective we come to recognize about ourselves. Grace alone defines our whole relationship with God and service alone, our whole relationship to others. 1/21/2009 ts
It is a good thing to humble oneself. It is an entirely different matter to be humbled. Better of course to humble oneself than to be humbled. God promises grace to the humble and whether we realize it or not, when God humbles someone He is also being gracious to them, if only to help them learn humility. Sometimes the best thing the Lord can do for us is to knock our feet from under us. Sitting in the dust reminds us that we were made from dust. Let me then practice humility before the Lord least He find it necessary to humble me. And how do I practice humility? Could it be that humility isn’t some virtue we attain, as it is a proper perspective we come to recognize about ourselves. Grace alone defines our whole relationship with God and service alone, our whole relationship to others. 1/21/2009 ts
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
“I want to die young at a ripe old age.” Ashley Montagu
“even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.” Is.46.4 ESV
God assures the trusting soul that though everything changes around us He does not. He remains as good and loving to us when we are fifty as when He first introduced Himself in the womb. We may be fickle in our love for Him but He promises to carry His own from womb to wheelchair. As I look at my aging skin, the graying of my hair, the weakening of my eyes, it is good to know that His love is the one constant in my life. He was my first breath; He will be my last. His wind filled the sails of my youth; His gentle breeze refreshes me this day. Breathe on me Old Faithful Friend until my old age passes into youth again. 1/20/2009 ts
God assures the trusting soul that though everything changes around us He does not. He remains as good and loving to us when we are fifty as when He first introduced Himself in the womb. We may be fickle in our love for Him but He promises to carry His own from womb to wheelchair. As I look at my aging skin, the graying of my hair, the weakening of my eyes, it is good to know that His love is the one constant in my life. He was my first breath; He will be my last. His wind filled the sails of my youth; His gentle breeze refreshes me this day. Breathe on me Old Faithful Friend until my old age passes into youth again. 1/20/2009 ts
“I want to die young at a ripe old age.” Ashley Montagu
“even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.” Is.46.4 ESV
God assures the trusting soul that though everything changes around us He does not. He remains as good and loving to us when we are fifty as when He first introduced Himself in the womb. We may be fickle in our love for Him but He promises to carry His own from womb to wheelchair. As I look at my aging skin, the graying of my hair, the weakening of my eyes, it is good to know that His love is the one constant in my life. He was my first breath; He will be my last. His wind filled the sails of my youth; His gentle breeze refreshes me this day. Breathe on me Old Faithful Friend until my old age passes into youth again. 1/20/2009 ts
God assures the trusting soul that though everything changes around us He does not. He remains as good and loving to us when we are fifty as when He first introduced Himself in the womb. We may be fickle in our love for Him but He promises to carry His own from womb to wheelchair. As I look at my aging skin, the graying of my hair, the weakening of my eyes, it is good to know that His love is the one constant in my life. He was my first breath; He will be my last. His wind filled the sails of my youth; His gentle breeze refreshes me this day. Breathe on me Old Faithful Friend until my old age passes into youth again. 1/20/2009 ts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
God’s creative hand may be seen even in the imaginative arguments of the atheist.
“I equip you, though you do not know me.” Is.45.5 ESV
The world is full of athletes, songwriters, performers, artist, architects--a host of people possessed with incredible talent yet sadly who do not know the God who blessed them with it. I have listened with utter amazement to some beautiful piece of music and could not help but wonder if the composer knew their Composer. What beauty and wonder spring from the world of men and women made in the image of God. He is the fountainhead of all these refreshing streams. How tragic that someone would create or express such beauty, yet never know the One from whom all beauty flows. 1/19/2009 ts
The world is full of athletes, songwriters, performers, artist, architects--a host of people possessed with incredible talent yet sadly who do not know the God who blessed them with it. I have listened with utter amazement to some beautiful piece of music and could not help but wonder if the composer knew their Composer. What beauty and wonder spring from the world of men and women made in the image of God. He is the fountainhead of all these refreshing streams. How tragic that someone would create or express such beauty, yet never know the One from whom all beauty flows. 1/19/2009 ts
God’s creative hand may be seen even in the imaginative arguments of the atheist.
“I equip you, though you do not know me.” Is.45.5 ESV
The world is full of athletes, songwriters, performers, artist, architects--a host of people possessed with incredible talent yet sadly who do not know the God who blessed them with it. I have listened with utter amazement to some beautiful piece of music and could not help but wonder if the composer knew their Composer. What beauty and wonder spring from the world of men and women made in the image of God. He is the fountainhead of all these refreshing streams. How tragic that someone would create or express such beauty, yet never know the One from whom all beauty flows. 1/19/2009 ts
The world is full of athletes, songwriters, performers, artist, architects--a host of people possessed with incredible talent yet sadly who do not know the God who blessed them with it. I have listened with utter amazement to some beautiful piece of music and could not help but wonder if the composer knew their Composer. What beauty and wonder spring from the world of men and women made in the image of God. He is the fountainhead of all these refreshing streams. How tragic that someone would create or express such beauty, yet never know the One from whom all beauty flows. 1/19/2009 ts
Monday, January 19, 2009
“ There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” Peter F. Drucker
“Your foundation shall be laid.” Is.44.28 ESV
What are my plans today or this next year? What decisions am I making that will determine the course of my life? We are told to commit our intentions to God and trust that He will bless them. I don’t thing that most people are foolish enough to believe that God brings about all the plans that are committed to Him, at least not always the way we envision them. It is promised that if we want His help He will give it but this may very well mean that He will tweak the execution of our plans, even the plans themselves with the wisdom of His foreknowledge. It would also seem prudent that we consider the foundation under any house we intend to build. Father has made it abundantly clear that He wants us to build our lives on the foundation of His Son. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we know deep down that some plans just don’t fit on the foundation of Christ, no matter how we disguise them. But we may be certain that all acts of Christian love fit nicely upon that foundation and just as certain that Father will participate in blessing them. 1/16/2009 ts
What are my plans today or this next year? What decisions am I making that will determine the course of my life? We are told to commit our intentions to God and trust that He will bless them. I don’t thing that most people are foolish enough to believe that God brings about all the plans that are committed to Him, at least not always the way we envision them. It is promised that if we want His help He will give it but this may very well mean that He will tweak the execution of our plans, even the plans themselves with the wisdom of His foreknowledge. It would also seem prudent that we consider the foundation under any house we intend to build. Father has made it abundantly clear that He wants us to build our lives on the foundation of His Son. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we know deep down that some plans just don’t fit on the foundation of Christ, no matter how we disguise them. But we may be certain that all acts of Christian love fit nicely upon that foundation and just as certain that Father will participate in blessing them. 1/16/2009 ts
“ There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” Peter F. Drucker
“Your foundation shall be laid.” Is.44.28 ESV
What are my plans today or this next year? What decisions am I making that will determine the course of my life? We are told to commit our intentions to God and trust that He will bless them. I don’t thing that most people are foolish enough to believe that God brings about all the plans that are committed to Him, at least not always the way we envision them. It is promised that if we want His help He will give it but this may very well mean that He will tweak the execution of our plans, even the plans themselves with the wisdom of His foreknowledge. It would also seem prudent that we consider the foundation under any house we intend to build. Father has made it abundantly clear that He wants us to build our lives on the foundation of His Son. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we know deep down that some plans just don’t fit on the foundation of Christ, no matter how we disguise them. But we may be certain that all acts of Christian love fit nicely upon that foundation and just as certain that Father will participate in blessing them. 1/16/2009 ts
What are my plans today or this next year? What decisions am I making that will determine the course of my life? We are told to commit our intentions to God and trust that He will bless them. I don’t thing that most people are foolish enough to believe that God brings about all the plans that are committed to Him, at least not always the way we envision them. It is promised that if we want His help He will give it but this may very well mean that He will tweak the execution of our plans, even the plans themselves with the wisdom of His foreknowledge. It would also seem prudent that we consider the foundation under any house we intend to build. Father has made it abundantly clear that He wants us to build our lives on the foundation of His Son. I think if we are honest with ourselves, we know deep down that some plans just don’t fit on the foundation of Christ, no matter how we disguise them. But we may be certain that all acts of Christian love fit nicely upon that foundation and just as certain that Father will participate in blessing them. 1/16/2009 ts
Saturday, January 17, 2009
“None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but to praise.” Fitz-Greene Halleck
“the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” Is.43.21 ESV
Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord.
Let me praise You by being fully present in every moment. Let me extol Your Name by loving life. Let me pay tribute to Your benefits by savoring them in every breath. I would commend Your great love by my attentiveness to needs of others. I would honor Your truth by integrity and honesty in my dealings. Direct me to laud you as much in sorrow as in laughter, speak well of You in silent forbearance, and mention your goodness in loving action. Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord. 1/15/2009 ts
Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord.
Let me praise You by being fully present in every moment. Let me extol Your Name by loving life. Let me pay tribute to Your benefits by savoring them in every breath. I would commend Your great love by my attentiveness to needs of others. I would honor Your truth by integrity and honesty in my dealings. Direct me to laud you as much in sorrow as in laughter, speak well of You in silent forbearance, and mention your goodness in loving action. Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord. 1/15/2009 ts
“None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but to praise.” Fitz-Greene Halleck
“the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” Is.43.21 ESV
Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord.
Let me praise You by being fully present in every moment. Let me extol Your Name by loving life. Let me pay tribute to Your benefits by savoring them in every breath. I would commend Your great love by my attentiveness to needs of others. I would honor Your truth by integrity and honesty in my dealings. Direct me to laud you as much in sorrow as in laughter, speak well of You in silent forbearance, and mention your goodness in loving action. Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord. 1/15/2009 ts
Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord.
Let me praise You by being fully present in every moment. Let me extol Your Name by loving life. Let me pay tribute to Your benefits by savoring them in every breath. I would commend Your great love by my attentiveness to needs of others. I would honor Your truth by integrity and honesty in my dealings. Direct me to laud you as much in sorrow as in laughter, speak well of You in silent forbearance, and mention your goodness in loving action. Let my praise be more than just words deserving Lord. 1/15/2009 ts
Friday, January 16, 2009
When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it? Eleanor Roosevelt
“He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth…” Is.42.4 ESV
How would you describe your sense of fair play? When I look at mine, I'm rather keen on it but not so keen when it comes to the rights of others. Oh, I try to treat people fairly with whom I have dealings, mainly because I want them to treat me fairly. But do I care for the just treatment of others outside my own relations? If I see myself, as God would have it, then I would understand that I am always my brother’s keeper, and in that sense, all men are my brothers because all men are made in the image of God. Jesus spoke often about seeking justice, not only our own but also for others. The Lord would have our sense of fair play spill over on those around us. When we see injustice, and it is in our power to do something, we should be as quick in our response to remedy it for another, as we would for ourselves. God often gives influence to some so they may speak for those who have no influence. God defends the helpless and the needy and He often does so using our hands, and our voice. Is there a task of justice that He would have you seek for someone this day? 1/14/2009 ts
How would you describe your sense of fair play? When I look at mine, I'm rather keen on it but not so keen when it comes to the rights of others. Oh, I try to treat people fairly with whom I have dealings, mainly because I want them to treat me fairly. But do I care for the just treatment of others outside my own relations? If I see myself, as God would have it, then I would understand that I am always my brother’s keeper, and in that sense, all men are my brothers because all men are made in the image of God. Jesus spoke often about seeking justice, not only our own but also for others. The Lord would have our sense of fair play spill over on those around us. When we see injustice, and it is in our power to do something, we should be as quick in our response to remedy it for another, as we would for ourselves. God often gives influence to some so they may speak for those who have no influence. God defends the helpless and the needy and He often does so using our hands, and our voice. Is there a task of justice that He would have you seek for someone this day? 1/14/2009 ts
When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it? Eleanor Roosevelt
“He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth…” Is.42.4 ESV
How would you describe your sense of fair play? When I look at mine, I'm rather keen on it but not so keen when it comes to the rights of others. Oh, I try to treat people fairly with whom I have dealings, mainly because I want them to treat me fairly. But do I care for the just treatment of others outside my own relations? If I see myself, as God would have it, then I would understand that I am always my brother’s keeper, and in that sense, all men are my brothers because all men are made in the image of God. Jesus spoke often about seeking justice, not only our own but also for others. The Lord would have our sense of fair play spill over on those around us. When we see injustice, and it is in our power to do something, we should be as quick in our response to remedy it for another, as we would for ourselves. God often gives influence to some so they may speak for those who have no influence. God defends the helpless and the needy and He often does so using our hands, and our voice. Is there a task of justice that He would have you seek for someone this day? 1/14/2009 ts
How would you describe your sense of fair play? When I look at mine, I'm rather keen on it but not so keen when it comes to the rights of others. Oh, I try to treat people fairly with whom I have dealings, mainly because I want them to treat me fairly. But do I care for the just treatment of others outside my own relations? If I see myself, as God would have it, then I would understand that I am always my brother’s keeper, and in that sense, all men are my brothers because all men are made in the image of God. Jesus spoke often about seeking justice, not only our own but also for others. The Lord would have our sense of fair play spill over on those around us. When we see injustice, and it is in our power to do something, we should be as quick in our response to remedy it for another, as we would for ourselves. God often gives influence to some so they may speak for those who have no influence. God defends the helpless and the needy and He often does so using our hands, and our voice. Is there a task of justice that He would have you seek for someone this day? 1/14/2009 ts
Thursday, January 15, 2009
“Faith gives to men on earth the protection of the God of heaven.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand…” Is.41.13 ESV
When our daughter Sarah was a child, we took her to watch the July 4th firework’s show on the 15th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta Georgia. Hundreds of people and a hundred foot drop off the bridge into the river meant that Brenda always held one her hands and I the other. Sarah never gave a thought to her safety and enjoyed the show nestled between us. Our heavenly Father often leads us into places which require His guidance and protection. Jesus assures us that we have it. We have in Christ the heart of a Father and the strength of the Lord God and are secure beyond measure. Our divine Dad holds us by the hand and never relaxes His grip, not for a moment. He does not want us to worry about our security but trust Him with childlike faith. He is the Good Parent, ever watching, leading, protecting and providing. Wherever you are this day in the obedience of faith the Lord God holds you by your right hand. Enjoy the show! 1/13/2009 ts
When our daughter Sarah was a child, we took her to watch the July 4th firework’s show on the 15th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta Georgia. Hundreds of people and a hundred foot drop off the bridge into the river meant that Brenda always held one her hands and I the other. Sarah never gave a thought to her safety and enjoyed the show nestled between us. Our heavenly Father often leads us into places which require His guidance and protection. Jesus assures us that we have it. We have in Christ the heart of a Father and the strength of the Lord God and are secure beyond measure. Our divine Dad holds us by the hand and never relaxes His grip, not for a moment. He does not want us to worry about our security but trust Him with childlike faith. He is the Good Parent, ever watching, leading, protecting and providing. Wherever you are this day in the obedience of faith the Lord God holds you by your right hand. Enjoy the show! 1/13/2009 ts
“Faith gives to men on earth the protection of the God of heaven.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand…” Is.41.13 ESV
When our daughter Sarah was a child, we took her to watch the July 4th firework’s show on the 15th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta Georgia. Hundreds of people and a hundred foot drop off the bridge into the river meant that Brenda always held one her hands and I the other. Sarah never gave a thought to her safety and enjoyed the show nestled between us. Our heavenly Father often leads us into places which require His guidance and protection. Jesus assures us that we have it. We have in Christ the heart of a Father and the strength of the Lord God and are secure beyond measure. Our divine Dad holds us by the hand and never relaxes His grip, not for a moment. He does not want us to worry about our security but trust Him with childlike faith. He is the Good Parent, ever watching, leading, protecting and providing. Wherever you are this day in the obedience of faith the Lord God holds you by your right hand. Enjoy the show! 1/13/2009 ts
When our daughter Sarah was a child, we took her to watch the July 4th firework’s show on the 15th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta Georgia. Hundreds of people and a hundred foot drop off the bridge into the river meant that Brenda always held one her hands and I the other. Sarah never gave a thought to her safety and enjoyed the show nestled between us. Our heavenly Father often leads us into places which require His guidance and protection. Jesus assures us that we have it. We have in Christ the heart of a Father and the strength of the Lord God and are secure beyond measure. Our divine Dad holds us by the hand and never relaxes His grip, not for a moment. He does not want us to worry about our security but trust Him with childlike faith. He is the Good Parent, ever watching, leading, protecting and providing. Wherever you are this day in the obedience of faith the Lord God holds you by your right hand. Enjoy the show! 1/13/2009 ts
“Faith gives to men on earth the protection of the God of heaven.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand…” Is.41.13 ESV
When our daughter Sarah was a child, we took her to watch the July 4th firework’s show on the 15th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta Georgia. Hundreds of people and a hundred foot drop off the bridge into the river meant that Brenda always held one her hands and I the other. Sarah never gave a thought to her safety and enjoyed the show nestled between us. Our heavenly Father often leads us into places which require His guidance and protection. Jesus assures us that we have it. We have in Christ the heart of a Father and the strength of the Lord God and are secure beyond measure. Our divine Dad holds us by the hand and never relaxes His grip, not for a moment. He does not want us to worry about our security but trust Him with childlike faith. He is the Good Parent, ever watching, leading, protecting and providing. Wherever you are this day in the obedience of faith the Lord God holds you by your right hand. Enjoy the show! 1/13/2009 ts
When our daughter Sarah was a child, we took her to watch the July 4th firework’s show on the 15th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta Georgia. Hundreds of people and a hundred foot drop off the bridge into the river meant that Brenda always held one her hands and I the other. Sarah never gave a thought to her safety and enjoyed the show nestled between us. Our heavenly Father often leads us into places which require His guidance and protection. Jesus assures us that we have it. We have in Christ the heart of a Father and the strength of the Lord God and are secure beyond measure. Our divine Dad holds us by the hand and never relaxes His grip, not for a moment. He does not want us to worry about our security but trust Him with childlike faith. He is the Good Parent, ever watching, leading, protecting and providing. Wherever you are this day in the obedience of faith the Lord God holds you by your right hand. Enjoy the show! 1/13/2009 ts
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
“What delights us in visible beauty is the invisible.” Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
“Behold your God!” Is.40.9 ESV
Henry Longfellow said, “The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Stars become visible at night and God becomes visible with faith. We see Him in all creation and in every act of providence. God can be seen with telescope and microscope. Consider the greatness of the universe yet He pitches it as a mere tent, numbers and calls each star by name. Look also how intricate and delicate the planet He fashioned for us. The cosmos of atoms, the endless array of tiny organisms, the mysteries of genetics—every infinitesimal thing reveals His infinite majesty. Behold your God’s greatness; behold also His goodness? The birds of the air and the plankton in every ocean feed from His hand of providence. He not only created trees good for food but also made them pleasant to the eyes, and succulent to the taste. Our canvas is painted with the brushstroke of millions of colors, fragrant aromas and the symphony and melody of sound and song. Each of these rewards us with a breathtaking view of the invisible God. Behold Him! 1/12/2009 ts
Henry Longfellow said, “The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Stars become visible at night and God becomes visible with faith. We see Him in all creation and in every act of providence. God can be seen with telescope and microscope. Consider the greatness of the universe yet He pitches it as a mere tent, numbers and calls each star by name. Look also how intricate and delicate the planet He fashioned for us. The cosmos of atoms, the endless array of tiny organisms, the mysteries of genetics—every infinitesimal thing reveals His infinite majesty. Behold your God’s greatness; behold also His goodness? The birds of the air and the plankton in every ocean feed from His hand of providence. He not only created trees good for food but also made them pleasant to the eyes, and succulent to the taste. Our canvas is painted with the brushstroke of millions of colors, fragrant aromas and the symphony and melody of sound and song. Each of these rewards us with a breathtaking view of the invisible God. Behold Him! 1/12/2009 ts
“What delights us in visible beauty is the invisible.” Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
“Behold your God!” Is.40.9 ESV
Henry Longfellow said, “The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Stars become visible at night and God becomes visible with faith. We see Him in all creation and in every act of providence. God can be seen with telescope and microscope. Consider the greatness of the universe yet He pitches it as a mere tent, numbers and calls each star by name. Look also how intricate and delicate the planet He fashioned for us. The cosmos of atoms, the endless array of tiny organisms, the mysteries of genetics—every infinitesimal thing reveals His infinite majesty. Behold your God’s greatness; behold also His goodness? The birds of the air and the plankton in every ocean feed from His hand of providence. He not only created trees good for food but also made them pleasant to the eyes, and succulent to the taste. Our canvas is painted with the brushstroke of millions of colors, fragrant aromas and the symphony and melody of sound and song. Each of these rewards us with a breathtaking view of the invisible God. Behold Him! 1/12/2009 ts
Henry Longfellow said, “The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Stars become visible at night and God becomes visible with faith. We see Him in all creation and in every act of providence. God can be seen with telescope and microscope. Consider the greatness of the universe yet He pitches it as a mere tent, numbers and calls each star by name. Look also how intricate and delicate the planet He fashioned for us. The cosmos of atoms, the endless array of tiny organisms, the mysteries of genetics—every infinitesimal thing reveals His infinite majesty. Behold your God’s greatness; behold also His goodness? The birds of the air and the plankton in every ocean feed from His hand of providence. He not only created trees good for food but also made them pleasant to the eyes, and succulent to the taste. Our canvas is painted with the brushstroke of millions of colors, fragrant aromas and the symphony and melody of sound and song. Each of these rewards us with a breathtaking view of the invisible God. Behold Him! 1/12/2009 ts
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
“Let him fear this; for it will come to pass that every braggart will be found an ass." Shakespeare
“And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices…” Is.39.2 ESV
Jesus taught that true love does not envy or boast. When Hezekiah was showing off his treasure, he was not only boasting, he certainly wasn’t loving his children or nation. Years later, enemies enticed by the treasure, would invade and enslave Israel, all because Hezekiah was strutting his feathers. Envy looks at what others have; boasting says look at what I have. Both of these actions fill the air with the stench of selfishness. Bragging is one of those things that bring about the exact opposite of what it seeks to do. One who brags seeks admiration but no one admires a braggart. On the other hand, true love gives itself away, and finds joy in return. 1/9/2009 ts
Jesus taught that true love does not envy or boast. When Hezekiah was showing off his treasure, he was not only boasting, he certainly wasn’t loving his children or nation. Years later, enemies enticed by the treasure, would invade and enslave Israel, all because Hezekiah was strutting his feathers. Envy looks at what others have; boasting says look at what I have. Both of these actions fill the air with the stench of selfishness. Bragging is one of those things that bring about the exact opposite of what it seeks to do. One who brags seeks admiration but no one admires a braggart. On the other hand, true love gives itself away, and finds joy in return. 1/9/2009 ts
“Let him fear this; for it will come to pass that every braggart will be found an ass." Shakespeare
“And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices…” Is.39.2 ESV
Jesus taught that true love does not envy or boast. When Hezekiah was showing off his treasure, he was not only boasting, he certainly wasn’t loving his children or nation. Years later, enemies enticed by the treasure, would invade and enslave Israel, all because Hezekiah was strutting his feathers. Envy looks at what others have; boasting says look at what I have. Both of these actions fill the air with the stench of selfishness. Bragging is one of those things that bring about the exact opposite of what it seeks to do. One who brags seeks admiration but no one admires a braggart. On the other hand, true love gives itself away, and finds joy in return. 1/9/2009 ts
Jesus taught that true love does not envy or boast. When Hezekiah was showing off his treasure, he was not only boasting, he certainly wasn’t loving his children or nation. Years later, enemies enticed by the treasure, would invade and enslave Israel, all because Hezekiah was strutting his feathers. Envy looks at what others have; boasting says look at what I have. Both of these actions fill the air with the stench of selfishness. Bragging is one of those things that bring about the exact opposite of what it seeks to do. One who brags seeks admiration but no one admires a braggart. On the other hand, true love gives itself away, and finds joy in return. 1/9/2009 ts
Monday, January 12, 2009
“I can't believe you people. I come for you, and you want to stay, I let you stay and you want to go.” The movie “Meet Joe Black”
“Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.” Is.38.5 ESV
When King Hezekiah was told he would not recover from his illness, he tearfully turned his face to the wall and asked the All Mighty to remember him. As a result, God promised him fifteen more years in this place. Do we not all hold on to life for dear life? Christians affirm that life in glory is far superior to this one, yet when it boils down to it, few of us are ready to let go of this place. God sympathizes with us and though He doesn’t commonly grant fifteen more years to everyone, He patiently prepares us for our appointment with the inevitable. But God has also prepared death for us. His sympathy is best reflected in that He has submitted to the curse of death in the death of Christ. In doing so, He reversed it so that death does not carry us away from life but to it. The question is are convincing our heart to believe what is in our head and convincing our head to believe what is in our heart. According to Jesus, this subtle difference has something to do with where our treasure lies. Our peace with death or lack of it is found in that difference and reflected in our everyday pursuits. 1/8/2009 ts
When King Hezekiah was told he would not recover from his illness, he tearfully turned his face to the wall and asked the All Mighty to remember him. As a result, God promised him fifteen more years in this place. Do we not all hold on to life for dear life? Christians affirm that life in glory is far superior to this one, yet when it boils down to it, few of us are ready to let go of this place. God sympathizes with us and though He doesn’t commonly grant fifteen more years to everyone, He patiently prepares us for our appointment with the inevitable. But God has also prepared death for us. His sympathy is best reflected in that He has submitted to the curse of death in the death of Christ. In doing so, He reversed it so that death does not carry us away from life but to it. The question is are convincing our heart to believe what is in our head and convincing our head to believe what is in our heart. According to Jesus, this subtle difference has something to do with where our treasure lies. Our peace with death or lack of it is found in that difference and reflected in our everyday pursuits. 1/8/2009 ts
“I can't believe you people. I come for you, and you want to stay, I let you stay and you want to go.” The movie “Meet Joe Black”
“Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.” Is.38.5 ESV
When King Hezekiah was told he would not recover from his illness, he tearfully turned his face to the wall and asked the All Mighty to remember him. As a result, God promised him fifteen more years in this place. Do we not all hold on to life for dear life? Christians affirm that life in glory is far superior to this one, yet when it boils down to it, few of us are ready to let go of this place. God sympathizes with us and though He doesn’t commonly grant fifteen more years to everyone, He patiently prepares us for our appointment with the inevitable. But God has also prepared death for us. His sympathy is best reflected in that He has submitted to the curse of death in the death of Christ. In doing so, He reversed it so that death does not carry us away from life but to it. The question is are convincing our heart to believe what is in our head and convincing our head to believe what is in our heart. According to Jesus, this subtle difference has something to do with where our treasure lies. Our peace with death or lack of it is found in that difference and reflected in our everyday pursuits. 1/8/2009 ts
When King Hezekiah was told he would not recover from his illness, he tearfully turned his face to the wall and asked the All Mighty to remember him. As a result, God promised him fifteen more years in this place. Do we not all hold on to life for dear life? Christians affirm that life in glory is far superior to this one, yet when it boils down to it, few of us are ready to let go of this place. God sympathizes with us and though He doesn’t commonly grant fifteen more years to everyone, He patiently prepares us for our appointment with the inevitable. But God has also prepared death for us. His sympathy is best reflected in that He has submitted to the curse of death in the death of Christ. In doing so, He reversed it so that death does not carry us away from life but to it. The question is are convincing our heart to believe what is in our head and convincing our head to believe what is in our heart. According to Jesus, this subtle difference has something to do with where our treasure lies. Our peace with death or lack of it is found in that difference and reflected in our everyday pursuits. 1/8/2009 ts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
"I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Mary Queen of Scots
“Because you have prayed to me…” Is.37.21 ESV
How many things are influenced in this world because we have prayed to God? How many things are left without this influence because we have not? I am not sure we will ever be shown the answer to the latter but we may at least embrace with our heart the worth of these words, “Because you have prayed to me.” Let us listen to them so that we will know the potency and potential of our prayers. Let us gain a vision for all the goodness that God desires to accomplish though them in the lives of those we love. Let us answer every encouragement in our heart to pray and we may be confident that the Lord will act “because” we have prayed. Imagine that day when we will sit with Jesus in review of our lives and hear Him say, “Because you prayed to me all this was done.” 1/7/2009 ts
How many things are influenced in this world because we have prayed to God? How many things are left without this influence because we have not? I am not sure we will ever be shown the answer to the latter but we may at least embrace with our heart the worth of these words, “Because you have prayed to me.” Let us listen to them so that we will know the potency and potential of our prayers. Let us gain a vision for all the goodness that God desires to accomplish though them in the lives of those we love. Let us answer every encouragement in our heart to pray and we may be confident that the Lord will act “because” we have prayed. Imagine that day when we will sit with Jesus in review of our lives and hear Him say, “Because you prayed to me all this was done.” 1/7/2009 ts
"I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Mary Queen of Scots
“Because you have prayed to me…” Is.37.21 ESV
How many things are influenced in this world because we have prayed to God? How many things are left without this influence because we have not? I am not sure we will ever be shown the answer to the latter but we may at least embrace with our heart the worth of these words, “Because you have prayed to me.” Let us listen to them so that we will know the potency and potential of our prayers. Let us gain a vision for all the goodness that God desires to accomplish though them in the lives of those we love. Let us answer every encouragement in our heart to pray and we may be confident that the Lord will act “because” we have prayed. Imagine that day when we will sit with Jesus in review of our lives and hear Him say, “Because you prayed to me all this was done.” 1/7/2009 ts
How many things are influenced in this world because we have prayed to God? How many things are left without this influence because we have not? I am not sure we will ever be shown the answer to the latter but we may at least embrace with our heart the worth of these words, “Because you have prayed to me.” Let us listen to them so that we will know the potency and potential of our prayers. Let us gain a vision for all the goodness that God desires to accomplish though them in the lives of those we love. Let us answer every encouragement in our heart to pray and we may be confident that the Lord will act “because” we have prayed. Imagine that day when we will sit with Jesus in review of our lives and hear Him say, “Because you prayed to me all this was done.” 1/7/2009 ts
Friday, January 9, 2009
Possessing a childlike faith is not the same as possessing a childish one.
“But they were silent and answered him not a word…” Is.36.21 ESV
There are times when the mature thing to say is to say nothing at all--silence can express so much. I would think this proper when someone scorns our faith in God. I am not referring to sincere questions about faith, mind you, but supercilious ones. Didn’t Christ remain silent before those who mocked Him? We have heard it said that some things should not be dignified with a response. This is just another way of saying that the answer to a silly question would be a silly answer. Our faith in God appears silly when we get into juvenile arguments about it. The louder someone gets in the defense of something, the easier it is to wonder, not only if its true but if they themselves believe it. After all, when was the last time you heard someone loudly arguing that two plus two are four. A mature faith in God is like a well-traveled highway. You don’t argue that I-20 leads from Birmingham to Atlanta when you just traveled it this morning. 1/6/2009 ts
There are times when the mature thing to say is to say nothing at all--silence can express so much. I would think this proper when someone scorns our faith in God. I am not referring to sincere questions about faith, mind you, but supercilious ones. Didn’t Christ remain silent before those who mocked Him? We have heard it said that some things should not be dignified with a response. This is just another way of saying that the answer to a silly question would be a silly answer. Our faith in God appears silly when we get into juvenile arguments about it. The louder someone gets in the defense of something, the easier it is to wonder, not only if its true but if they themselves believe it. After all, when was the last time you heard someone loudly arguing that two plus two are four. A mature faith in God is like a well-traveled highway. You don’t argue that I-20 leads from Birmingham to Atlanta when you just traveled it this morning. 1/6/2009 ts
Possessing a childlike faith is not the same as possessing a childish one.
“But they were silent and answered him not a word…” Is.36.21 ESV
There are times when the mature thing to say is to say nothing at all--silence can express so much. I would think this proper when someone scorns our faith in God. I am not referring to sincere questions about faith, mind you, but supercilious ones. Didn’t Christ remain silent before those who mocked Him? We have heard it said that some things should not be dignified with a response. This is just another way of saying that the answer to a silly question would be a silly answer. Our faith in God appears silly when we get into juvenile arguments about it. The louder someone gets in the defense of something, the easier it is to wonder, not only if its true but if they themselves believe it. After all, when was the last time you heard someone loudly arguing that two plus two are four. A mature faith in God is like a well-traveled highway. You don’t argue that I-20 leads from Birmingham to Atlanta when you just traveled it this morning. 1/6/2009 ts
There are times when the mature thing to say is to say nothing at all--silence can express so much. I would think this proper when someone scorns our faith in God. I am not referring to sincere questions about faith, mind you, but supercilious ones. Didn’t Christ remain silent before those who mocked Him? We have heard it said that some things should not be dignified with a response. This is just another way of saying that the answer to a silly question would be a silly answer. Our faith in God appears silly when we get into juvenile arguments about it. The louder someone gets in the defense of something, the easier it is to wonder, not only if its true but if they themselves believe it. After all, when was the last time you heard someone loudly arguing that two plus two are four. A mature faith in God is like a well-traveled highway. You don’t argue that I-20 leads from Birmingham to Atlanta when you just traveled it this morning. 1/6/2009 ts
Thursday, January 8, 2009
“The greatest thing in style is to have a command of metaphor.” Aristotle
“For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…” Is.35.6 ESV
Are these words above to be taken as a poetic description of a spiritual reality or should we understand that when Christ returns waters will literally spring forth in the wilderness. These words of Isaiah’s prophecy were certainly applied to the first coming of Jesus by the writers of the New Testament. I guess in that sense, we should take them to be metaphors of spiritual realities. Isn’t it true that everyone who has experienced the peace of Christ in the midst of sorrow and suffering, has tasted something of what these words are attempting to describe? And, what would we prefer, the metaphor or what the metaphor is describing? If you think about it, what good is a perfect world with streams flowing in the desert with an imperfect soul that cannot enjoy them? Of course our hope as Christians is that the healing of our souls will one day culminate in the complete healing of creation and that in His second coming, we will at last sit by real streams in the desert having livings streams in our heart—a perfected soul living in a perfected world. 1/5/2009 ts
Are these words above to be taken as a poetic description of a spiritual reality or should we understand that when Christ returns waters will literally spring forth in the wilderness. These words of Isaiah’s prophecy were certainly applied to the first coming of Jesus by the writers of the New Testament. I guess in that sense, we should take them to be metaphors of spiritual realities. Isn’t it true that everyone who has experienced the peace of Christ in the midst of sorrow and suffering, has tasted something of what these words are attempting to describe? And, what would we prefer, the metaphor or what the metaphor is describing? If you think about it, what good is a perfect world with streams flowing in the desert with an imperfect soul that cannot enjoy them? Of course our hope as Christians is that the healing of our souls will one day culminate in the complete healing of creation and that in His second coming, we will at last sit by real streams in the desert having livings streams in our heart—a perfected soul living in a perfected world. 1/5/2009 ts
“The greatest thing in style is to have a command of metaphor.” Aristotle
“For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…” Is.35.6 ESV
Are these words above to be taken as a poetic description of a spiritual reality or should we understand that when Christ returns waters will literally spring forth in the wilderness. These words of Isaiah’s prophecy were certainly applied to the first coming of Jesus by the writers of the New Testament. I guess in that sense, we should take them to be metaphors of spiritual realities. Isn’t it true that everyone who has experienced the peace of Christ in the midst of sorrow and suffering, has tasted something of what these words are attempting to describe? And, what would we prefer, the metaphor or what the metaphor is describing? If you think about it, what good is a perfect world with streams flowing in the desert with an imperfect soul that cannot enjoy them? Of course our hope as Christians is that the healing of our souls will one day culminate in the complete healing of creation and that in His second coming, we will at last sit by real streams in the desert having livings streams in our heart—a perfected soul living in a perfected world. 1/5/2009 ts
Are these words above to be taken as a poetic description of a spiritual reality or should we understand that when Christ returns waters will literally spring forth in the wilderness. These words of Isaiah’s prophecy were certainly applied to the first coming of Jesus by the writers of the New Testament. I guess in that sense, we should take them to be metaphors of spiritual realities. Isn’t it true that everyone who has experienced the peace of Christ in the midst of sorrow and suffering, has tasted something of what these words are attempting to describe? And, what would we prefer, the metaphor or what the metaphor is describing? If you think about it, what good is a perfect world with streams flowing in the desert with an imperfect soul that cannot enjoy them? Of course our hope as Christians is that the healing of our souls will one day culminate in the complete healing of creation and that in His second coming, we will at last sit by real streams in the desert having livings streams in our heart—a perfected soul living in a perfected world. 1/5/2009 ts
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
“If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning.” C. S. Lewis
He shall stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness. Is.34.11 ESV
The Bible tells us when God created the heavens and the earth they were at first formless and empty, translating the Hebrew words, tohu bohu. It also tells us that when God judges the world at its end, He will stretch a line of confusion (tohu) and emptiness (bohu) over it. Emptiness will be all that remains of man’s faithless accomplishments under the sun, tohu bohu. The grand experiment of life under our own rule will come to its end. How many times must we repeat this experiment in futility before we finally understand that the results will always be the same? Tohu bohu! A zero is always a zero until you put the One in front of it. 1/4/2009 ts
The Bible tells us when God created the heavens and the earth they were at first formless and empty, translating the Hebrew words, tohu bohu. It also tells us that when God judges the world at its end, He will stretch a line of confusion (tohu) and emptiness (bohu) over it. Emptiness will be all that remains of man’s faithless accomplishments under the sun, tohu bohu. The grand experiment of life under our own rule will come to its end. How many times must we repeat this experiment in futility before we finally understand that the results will always be the same? Tohu bohu! A zero is always a zero until you put the One in front of it. 1/4/2009 ts
“If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning.” C. S. Lewis
He shall stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness. Is.34.11 ESV
The Bible tells us when God created the heavens and the earth they were at first formless and empty, translating the Hebrew words, tohu bohu. It also tells us that when God judges the world at its end, He will stretch a line of confusion (tohu) and emptiness (bohu) over it. Emptiness will be all that remains of man’s faithless accomplishments under the sun, tohu bohu. The grand experiment of life under our own rule will come to its end. How many times must we repeat this experiment in futility before we finally understand that the results will always be the same? Tohu bohu! A zero is always a zero until you put the One in front of it. 1/4/2009 ts
The Bible tells us when God created the heavens and the earth they were at first formless and empty, translating the Hebrew words, tohu bohu. It also tells us that when God judges the world at its end, He will stretch a line of confusion (tohu) and emptiness (bohu) over it. Emptiness will be all that remains of man’s faithless accomplishments under the sun, tohu bohu. The grand experiment of life under our own rule will come to its end. How many times must we repeat this experiment in futility before we finally understand that the results will always be the same? Tohu bohu! A zero is always a zero until you put the One in front of it. 1/4/2009 ts
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
“If you ever need a helping hand you'll find one at the end of your arm” Yiddish Proverb
“Be our arm every morning…” Is.33.2 ESV
Whatever we do, let us do it wholeheartedly and with all our might. And, whatever task we undertake, let us trust the Lord for strength as we do it. What I mean is that we may ask for God’s help just as we ask anyone for a helping hand. The testimony of God’s people assures us that no task is too great, even more amazing to me, no task is too small that God will not honor our request for help. We may wonder, would the All Mighty lend His might to help me find my glasses? To answer that, just ask yourself if you would deny a friend your help if they asked the same of you. Jesus has already told us that if we, being the evil sort we are, give assistance to others when they ask, how much more should we expect God to lend us His helping hand when we ask it of Him no matter--how great or small. 1/3/2009 ts
Whatever we do, let us do it wholeheartedly and with all our might. And, whatever task we undertake, let us trust the Lord for strength as we do it. What I mean is that we may ask for God’s help just as we ask anyone for a helping hand. The testimony of God’s people assures us that no task is too great, even more amazing to me, no task is too small that God will not honor our request for help. We may wonder, would the All Mighty lend His might to help me find my glasses? To answer that, just ask yourself if you would deny a friend your help if they asked the same of you. Jesus has already told us that if we, being the evil sort we are, give assistance to others when they ask, how much more should we expect God to lend us His helping hand when we ask it of Him no matter--how great or small. 1/3/2009 ts
“If you ever need a helping hand you'll find one at the end of your arm” Yiddish Proverb
“Be our arm every morning…” Is.33.2 ESV
Whatever we do, let us do it wholeheartedly and with all our might. And, whatever task we undertake, let us trust the Lord for strength as we do it. What I mean is that we may ask for God’s help just as we ask anyone for a helping hand. The testimony of God’s people assures us that no task is too great, even more amazing to me, no task is too small that God will not honor our request for help. We may wonder, would the All Mighty lend His might to help me find my glasses? To answer that, just ask yourself if you would deny a friend your help if they asked the same of you. Jesus has already told us that if we, being the evil sort we are, give assistance to others when they ask, how much more should we expect God to lend us His helping hand when we ask it of Him no matter--how great or small. 1/3/2009 ts
Whatever we do, let us do it wholeheartedly and with all our might. And, whatever task we undertake, let us trust the Lord for strength as we do it. What I mean is that we may ask for God’s help just as we ask anyone for a helping hand. The testimony of God’s people assures us that no task is too great, even more amazing to me, no task is too small that God will not honor our request for help. We may wonder, would the All Mighty lend His might to help me find my glasses? To answer that, just ask yourself if you would deny a friend your help if they asked the same of you. Jesus has already told us that if we, being the evil sort we are, give assistance to others when they ask, how much more should we expect God to lend us His helping hand when we ask it of Him no matter--how great or small. 1/3/2009 ts
Monday, January 5, 2009
“There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being - to help someone succeed” Alan Loy McGinnis
“But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.” Is.32.8 ESV
We may well ask what does it mean to be noble. The word is one of those expressions that congers in me some undefined notion of goodness but which I often find difficult to visualize. This particular Hebrew word is often translated “generous” or describes liberality in giving. In other words, a generous person is a noble person. Giving is a noble thing and when we give to others, we are being noble. It may be said that nobility grows out of noble actions. Any resolutions I would make this year that are noble will most likely involve generosity towards others rather than just the usual fair of seeking a personal benefit such as losing weight. Of course looking after your health for the sake of those you love may turn a self centered action into a noble one. 1/2/2009 ts
We may well ask what does it mean to be noble. The word is one of those expressions that congers in me some undefined notion of goodness but which I often find difficult to visualize. This particular Hebrew word is often translated “generous” or describes liberality in giving. In other words, a generous person is a noble person. Giving is a noble thing and when we give to others, we are being noble. It may be said that nobility grows out of noble actions. Any resolutions I would make this year that are noble will most likely involve generosity towards others rather than just the usual fair of seeking a personal benefit such as losing weight. Of course looking after your health for the sake of those you love may turn a self centered action into a noble one. 1/2/2009 ts
“There is no more noble occupation in the world than to assist another human being - to help someone succeed” Alan Loy McGinnis
“But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.” Is.32.8 ESV
We may well ask what does it mean to be noble. The word is one of those expressions that congers in me some undefined notion of goodness but which I often find difficult to visualize. This particular Hebrew word is often translated “generous” or describes liberality in giving. In other words, a generous person is a noble person. Giving is a noble thing and when we give to others, we are being noble. It may be said that nobility grows out of noble actions. Any resolutions I would make this year that are noble will most likely involve generosity towards others rather than just the usual fair of seeking a personal benefit such as losing weight. Of course looking after your health for the sake of those you love may turn a self centered action into a noble one. 1/2/2009 ts
We may well ask what does it mean to be noble. The word is one of those expressions that congers in me some undefined notion of goodness but which I often find difficult to visualize. This particular Hebrew word is often translated “generous” or describes liberality in giving. In other words, a generous person is a noble person. Giving is a noble thing and when we give to others, we are being noble. It may be said that nobility grows out of noble actions. Any resolutions I would make this year that are noble will most likely involve generosity towards others rather than just the usual fair of seeking a personal benefit such as losing weight. Of course looking after your health for the sake of those you love may turn a self centered action into a noble one. 1/2/2009 ts
Friday, January 2, 2009
“Peace is the deliberate adjustment of my life to the will of God.” Anonymous
“Turn to him…” Is.31.6 ESV
A new year dawns and new mercies with it. Let me look to the Lord and consider my life. If we are to follow Christ this year, we must turn to Him each hour. Turning is the essence of repentance. A plane naturally drifts off course and so does every Christian trying to keep in step with the Spirit. It far better to make tiny course adjustments each hour than drift far off line and need a radical course correction at the end of the day. It may seem tedious to manage every thought to the obedience of Christ but no more so than one who leans to fly or drive. After a while, staying between to lines becomes second nature and before long, we will get lost in our conversations with Him perhaps even singing to some song turned up on the airways. 1/1/2009 ts
A new year dawns and new mercies with it. Let me look to the Lord and consider my life. If we are to follow Christ this year, we must turn to Him each hour. Turning is the essence of repentance. A plane naturally drifts off course and so does every Christian trying to keep in step with the Spirit. It far better to make tiny course adjustments each hour than drift far off line and need a radical course correction at the end of the day. It may seem tedious to manage every thought to the obedience of Christ but no more so than one who leans to fly or drive. After a while, staying between to lines becomes second nature and before long, we will get lost in our conversations with Him perhaps even singing to some song turned up on the airways. 1/1/2009 ts
“Peace is the deliberate adjustment of my life to the will of God.” Anonymous
“Turn to him…” Is.31.6 ESV
A new year dawns and new mercies with it. Let me look to the Lord and consider my life. If we are to follow Christ this year, we must turn to Him each hour. Turning is the essence of repentance. A plane naturally drifts off course and so does every Christian trying to keep in step with the Spirit. It far better to make tiny course adjustments each hour than drift far off line and need a radical course correction at the end of the day. It may seem tedious to manage every thought to the obedience of Christ but no more so than one who leans to fly or drive. After a while, staying between to lines becomes second nature and before long, we will get lost in our conversations with Him perhaps even singing to some song turned up on the airways. 1/1/2009 ts
A new year dawns and new mercies with it. Let me look to the Lord and consider my life. If we are to follow Christ this year, we must turn to Him each hour. Turning is the essence of repentance. A plane naturally drifts off course and so does every Christian trying to keep in step with the Spirit. It far better to make tiny course adjustments each hour than drift far off line and need a radical course correction at the end of the day. It may seem tedious to manage every thought to the obedience of Christ but no more so than one who leans to fly or drive. After a while, staying between to lines becomes second nature and before long, we will get lost in our conversations with Him perhaps even singing to some song turned up on the airways. 1/1/2009 ts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
"Wisdom is doing…There is no starting or stopping—only doing.” Peaceful Warrior
“You will say to them, ‘Be gone!’” Is.30.22 ESV
What is hindering me from loving God with my whole heart? What weakness of flesh draws me away from obedience to Him? How am I compromising my faith and devotion to Him? Certainly if I sing, “Jesus paid it all,” let me echo, “All to Him I owe.” But know this and I speak to my soul! Christ is not asking you to feel shame or guilt, but to say to your idols, “Be gone!” He is not asking me to accurately define repentance but to do it. Let me understand yes, that moment is His, but let me be this moment and let this moment simply pass into the next. Connect the dots in my life, O Lord my strength and redeemer. 12/31/2008 ts
What is hindering me from loving God with my whole heart? What weakness of flesh draws me away from obedience to Him? How am I compromising my faith and devotion to Him? Certainly if I sing, “Jesus paid it all,” let me echo, “All to Him I owe.” But know this and I speak to my soul! Christ is not asking you to feel shame or guilt, but to say to your idols, “Be gone!” He is not asking me to accurately define repentance but to do it. Let me understand yes, that moment is His, but let me be this moment and let this moment simply pass into the next. Connect the dots in my life, O Lord my strength and redeemer. 12/31/2008 ts
"Wisdom is doing…There is no starting or stopping—only doing.” Peaceful Warrior
“You will say to them, ‘Be gone!’” Is.30.22 ESV
What is hindering me from loving God with my whole heart? What weakness of flesh draws me away from obedience to Him? How am I compromising my faith and devotion to Him? Certainly if I sing, “Jesus paid it all,” let me echo, “All to Him I owe.” But know this and I speak to my soul! Christ is not asking you to feel shame or guilt, but to say to your idols, “Be gone!” He is not asking me to accurately define repentance but to do it. Let me understand yes, that moment is His, but let me be this moment and let this moment simply pass into the next. Connect the dots in my life, O Lord my strength and redeemer. 12/31/2008 ts
What is hindering me from loving God with my whole heart? What weakness of flesh draws me away from obedience to Him? How am I compromising my faith and devotion to Him? Certainly if I sing, “Jesus paid it all,” let me echo, “All to Him I owe.” But know this and I speak to my soul! Christ is not asking you to feel shame or guilt, but to say to your idols, “Be gone!” He is not asking me to accurately define repentance but to do it. Let me understand yes, that moment is His, but let me be this moment and let this moment simply pass into the next. Connect the dots in my life, O Lord my strength and redeemer. 12/31/2008 ts
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