Oh, Heart,
is it happiness you seek?
Happiness highly desirable
yet dependent?
Elusive happiness?
Happy chasings of things outside yourself?
Oh, frivolous pursuit!
Oh, Fleeting Fates!
Oh, Fickle Muses!
Oh, changing time and seasons!
Oh, whims and peculiarities of others.
Oh, Heart!
The perhaps, the unhaps.
To erase,
to replace the UN.
Happy-chance relies on happenstance.
The right things need to HAPPEN,
oh, Heart,
for happiness to come.
Aye, to come, yet it so quickly goes.
It often flees and will not stay in permanence
because something else happened
unforeseen,
or didn’t,
or someone loved,
or did not,
or quit,
or gave up,
or did not last,
or passed.
*
But,
Oh, Heart!
Have you considered Joy?
Joy is different.
It’s beyond definition, although the world tries to define it,
confine it,
call it an emotion.
The world calls it synonymous with happiness,
But it is far from the same.
Joy is elementally incomprehensible if you don’t have it.
Oh, Extreme,
Oh, Deep,
Oh, Profound,
Utterly overwhelming at times,
but not captive of time,
nor whims of others,
nor Fates and Muses,
nor the chase, nor bruises,
save the Great Chase of Christ,
oh, Heart,
when you slow, and turn,
and let Him catch your tattered strings,
and you let Him in,
and you see, and touch, and savor
His Joy,
and suddenly it is yours,
Oh, Heart!
Oh, Abiding gift!
Is it, then, Joy you might seek?
Joy so independent of what has happened,
is happening,
will happen?
Joy in knowing,
in enjoying a walk with Jesus,
joining with Jesus,
rejoicing in Jesus?
Great delight,
rich fullness,
exceeding gladness, oh, Heart?
Inside your own walls!
Happiness multiplied X times!
To have happiness and Joy together,
oh, Heart, is a precious gift.
But, take heart,
joy persists even in sadness.
No one can steal your Joy
unless you let it be taken.
There is unhappiness But there is no unjoy,
Joy wells up from deep inside,
Overflows to the outside,
is a living, life-giving, sustaining thing;
is abundant, noticeable, contagious,
is independent of external forces.
As happiness is precarious,
Joy is precise.
As happiness happens to you,
Joy jumps with you.
“Happiness” is referred to about 30 times in the Bible
while “Joy” occurs about 300 times!
Happiness runs through your fingers the harder you try to hold it.
Joy wells up, overflows cupped hands,
and is unlimited at its source.
Oh, Heart!
Let the Lord remake you to contain
even a small grain of the Joy in His glory.
Happiness comes from what happens, oh, my Heart,
Joy comes from Jesus!
*
Listen, Oh, Heart!
Happiness flows in and flows away.
No one knows if it might stay.
But Joy!
Joy, oh Heart, ever bubbles from its Source.
Welling up endlessly, any time of day.
Happiness depends.
But because He lives in you,
Oh, Heart,
Your Joy will never end.
(I’m using quotation marks because I’m trying to teach myself to use the words “love” and “hate” appropriately, that is to save them for situations in which their true meaning applies)
What I really mean to say is that I like mountains intensely. In my book, one can only love living entities that one can have some sort of relationship with, like God (especially Him), a person, or perhaps a pet. Of course the words love and hate can be used metaphorically and that’s the way they are most often used. You hear it umpteen-zillion times a day. (Wink) I, myself, hate that. Oops, I dislike that. It is so common we don’t even notice the frequency of “I love it when”…., or, “I hate it when”. It’s annoying when I hear “I just love your hair, and that purse, I just love that, that’s to die for!”. We all do it, but how did we get so far from the true usage? Love God with everything you’ve got. Love your neighbor as yourself. That’s a tall enough order for the word “love”. Hate the sin, love the sinner! Another mighty tall order, yet, in those two sentences are found the true meaning and usefulness of the words love and hate.
I’ve gotten slightly off the trail. Let’s get back on it: If there were inanimate objects I could love, however, they would be “the mountains”. I have had, and am having, some wonderful real and metaphorical relationships with them, a few notable individual mountains in particular. If I had a “bucket list”, being in the mountains would be on it right after being with my people.
Mountains have real and metaphoric value in my life because they emphasize several opposing concepts:
Ascending and descending.
Higher and lower.
Danger and safety.
Climbing and falling.
Struggle and peace.
Beauty and desolation.
Heaven and Earth.
Spirit and flesh.
Good and evil.
And the awareness of the proximity of life and death.
I could expand this list almost endlessly, but you get the point.
Recently, the subject of death has been on my mind. My post, http://gloryteller.com/2013/03/25/one-last-mountain/, uses ascending a mountain as a metaphor for death. Perhaps it will become more than a metaphor. Perhaps I will “meet Death” on the slopes of a real mountain. Most likely it will be a metaphoric mountain that will claim my bodily life.
When I was transformed into a believer, my many and various fears were either taken away completely or were significantly diminished. My almost obsessive fear of death was one that was removed. All that is left is the natural, instinctive, compulsion to preserve my bodily life. Death, to me, is the necessary step I must take to reach Paradise, Heaven, and eternal life in the presence of my Lord and my Heavenly Father. Yet, it dawned on me that perhaps I’m taking death too lightly. Is it really a natural part of life? Is there nothing that can be done about it? If it is normal and natural, should anything be “done” about it?
I subscribe to the school of thought that death is a corruption thrust into a creation that was perfect before selfishness turned into sinfulness and spoiled the whole plan. I also believe that there is something that should be, and can be, done about death, and that is to believe, and believein the Savior, who was sent to vanquish it. Death is the consequence of our sinful nature, but He accepted true death in our places, so that we would not have to face the permanent consequences of our selfishness. Jesus defeated selfishness with selflessness! Everything that should and could be done about the problem of death has already been done! Problem solved! Done! Over! Finished! But only for believers in the One who did it perfectly and died for it perfectly! (I’ll leave it to you to discern and comprehend the larger, more complex, concept of death beyond the relatively simple death of a body.)
So, that being said, perhaps I still don’t really know enough about death, nor the process through which it will take me. Perhaps when the moment comes, I’ll be unprepared and I might succumb to fear, or find out that everything I thought I knew was wrong. It only happens once, and, although there are those who claim to have returned to their bodies, or returned from Heaven or Hell after they died, I suspect that death is an individually unique occurrence to which the testimonies of others have little value. There is only one person I personally know who has returned from death – my Lord and Savior, Jesus. I only trust what He said about it. That is recorded in the New Testament.
To climb a mountain, it is vital to be prepared. It’s interesting that the word “vital” comes from Latin roots meaning “relating to life, or the quality of being alive”. In my case, it means being able to preserve my life and my ability to stay alive throughout the whole journey; until the adventure is completed. I must pack the essential food, water clothing, and first aid supplies. I must have a map of the area and the route to the top either in my “head” or in my pack. I must be in good physical condition. I must have a positive mental attitude. I must have skills and knowledge, and be able to use them wisely. I must read extensively about the subject. I also must know how to pray and talk to the only One who will be my companion all the way. There will be only one chance to “get it right”.
Preparing to summit a mountain is like anticipating both bodily and metaphysical death – knowledge about what will kill you, makes you stronger. The stronger you are, the more likely a good outcome. The Bible says every person will die, then live again in an eternal body. The only question is “ which of two eternal ‘places’ will a person exist in after that”. I choose life – abundant life – with God.
Yes, that metaphoric mountain rises before me, and yes, evil will stalk me all the way up, but, before me, Jesus walked, and fell, and died, and lived again on that final mountain so that I would need to fear no evil; so that I would not have to fall, and break, and die before reaching the summit. His Spirit will accompany me and I will rely on His strength as I get weaker on my journey to the top, where He, Himself, awaits my arrival. From this land’s end until The Endless Land, I will trust God and believe in The Son of Man, and that not a moment too soon, for now, day breaks the gloom of night, and I can begin to see my humbling, huge, sobering, mysterious, towering, massif on the horizon.
Re-posted for R. L., a dedicated reader who liked the way this format “walks” across the page.
It’s actually a quirky glitch in the WordPress transposition of the way I really wanted it displayed.
I only recent conquered one
Not so distant past
But each peak now seems harder than
Was climbing up the last
Perhaps I’m almost finished
My climber says I’m not
My will is not diminished
My body not quite shot
But one can hardly ever tell
When one’s nice trail will end
What waits beyond horizon’s hill
Or ’round next river bend
And there will be that one higher
More fright’ning to attempt
Looming there one last hard climb
Where no one is exempt
Daunting doubts I reckon
Uncertain and unknown
Cold airless shadows beckon
To scale it all alone
You fool you will not be alone
The trail well-marked and lit
The crags will have beginner’s holds
You surely will not slip
Up toward my final peak
The one on which I’ll stay
I’ll wait until He finally speaks
Then lifts my soul away
Thus will it be that in the end
I’ll rest there where He Is
In the beauty of the Endless Land
With Him and all of His
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think, in some way, about Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Today is no different.
But wait, it is different, for today is the church’s official celebration of that creation-changing, world-changing, life-changing Day.
Today, let there be loud singing and joyous dancing.
Let there be massive celebration over all the Earth, for our Jesus is alive!
Let there be all of that but, most importantly,
let Him be the Lord of your life.
Rejoice, My Soul – All People, Rejoice!
I celebrate this holiest
Of all the days of holiness,
For as the sun appears to rise in the East,
The Son of God did arise
On Easter – Resurrection Day,
The greatest Day the Lord Has Made.
I rejoice and I am exceedingly glad in it,
For my Savior lives!
Oh, Lord, He lives!
Now and forever, He lives!
And because He lives,
So can I!
For my heart, too, was sealed
With hardened stone,
And in that darkened tomb
Dwelt death.
With tender touch He moved
The hardened part away
To let in light and life
So death was put to death.
The Holy Spirit Jesus sent
Was sent to live in me.
As Christ began to breathe again
I felt my spirit leap.
It leapeth still in Heaven’s realm,
So graciously removed from hell
That I can only raise my hands and say,
“Rejoice, all people, rejoice!
Hallelujah, praise God, rejoice!”
For our Savior lives and breathes in us!
He arose!
He conquered bitter death and saved!
He does that still, today!
The ferry to safety was ready to depart.
Special admission only.
One ticket stand.
I had not the standing,
Nor the price of admission.
I stood forlorn in fear,
I would be tortured and killed.
Then a Man stepped up.
He gave me His ticket with a smile.
He paid my price.
I stood astonished,
Forgetting even to thank Him,
As they cruelly beat Him down,
Dragged Him away
To what fate I couldn’t know,
Didn’t want to guess.
In horror, I watched
As I walked backward
And stepped onto the boat.
He has shown up twice in my latest posts.
Who is he?
Readers, meet Xian.
This is his story:
When I first started reading Christian-oriented material, “Our Daily Bread”, for example, I used symbols to mark and highlight passages that were important and inspiring. I used the five-pointed star: It is easy to draw without lifting the pen, but it has pagan connotations, so I went to the six-pointed star:
Two triangles, voila – a Star of David. But that takes a little too much time to draw, so I went to the asterisk:Three quick, simple lines that intersect. My ODB, and books, and Bible are full of them. However, for some reason, (who can explain ME) I recently began to take the X out of the aster, and just use that. I may well have been led to do it:So there it is. X .
You knew I would get around to this, didn’t you…..I began to think about how the X in Xmas stands for Christ. I found that the X is actually Chi, the first letter in the Greek word, Χριστος. I hope I got that right, because, hey, it’s Greek! Anyway, that Greek word means Christos – the anointed One – which is a translation of the Hebrew “Messiah”. The X in Xmas is derived from the Chi (pronounced “Ki” which rhymes with “my”, or “guy”) in this word: Χριστος. X came to denote “Christ” sometime in the sixteenth century. Xmas is often misinterpreted as a modern secularization of “Christmas”, thinking that it is an attempt to remove religion from the holiday. If it is, it has backfired! “Xian” has been used as an abbreviation for “Christian”, as well. These are merely abbreviations, not to be used in formal writing, and words are symbols, so maybe it is much ado about nothing, but the things words stand for, especially when they stand for people, and God, and Godly concepts, are important. But I diverge.
One morning, I looked at the X and saw a figure with hands raised. I don’t know what made me put a head on it, but that’s what I did. A trinity of lines.
It came to life! Xian was born! (You can surely tell that art comes naturally for me).
Xian has since become just slightly more than a symbol to me, more than a stick man. He is naturally worshipful. You can see how he surrenders his all to the Almighty. His hands are raised in surrender and praise. He somehow expresses “giving glory to God in the highest”. Sometimes I call him “Chi – my kind of guy”. Three simple lines with a lot of heart.
Oh, my Father-God and my Lord, Who walks the vast halls of Heaven,
Where You live, and breathe, and reign sovereign
Over everything finite and eternal.
From where You speak,
From where You write Your Word,
From where You see all, know all, and do all,
From where You give Your unfathomable grace,
Your mercy, and forgiveness,
From where You open Your hands and pour out goodness,
And from where You sent Your Love Incarnate, Immanuel.
Your name is Holy.
Let me kneel humbly, respectfully,
In reverence to Your glorious name.
May Your kingdom, Your realm, be established,
May Your kingship be proclaimed,
May everything You desire to happen
Be done here on Earth, just as it is in Heaven.
I ask that You continue to provide all I need
In the form of wholesome food and water to nourish my body,
As well as The Living Bread, and The Living Water,
And understanding of Your Word, with personal revelation,
To nourish my soul.
I ask that You help me remember how You paid my debts
On the horrible cross of torture.
How You took my sin upon Yourself, Jesus,
How You gave Yourself in propitiating atonement, and in conciliation,
And appeasement, for my trespasses against You, Father-God.
Help me Lord to continue to learn to forgive others their debts against me,
Their trespasses, wrongs, crimes, and sins against me,
Just as You have so mercifully and graciously forgiven mine through Christ.
I ask You, Lord, to lead me away from the temptations of this world.
Help me keep your Word, Your principles, in obedience.
Lead me through the minefields, the snares, and the pitfalls,
For they are many, and my enemy shows me only the bait,
But hides the trap well.
Protect and deliver me from that devil, from that evil one, in Jesus name!
And finally, Almighty Father, I want to proclaim Your Kingdom.
It is the Kingdom of kingdoms, and You are the King of kings!
I proclaim that Your power is absolute. It is the power that created
Beautiful Creation in its entire completeness.
It is the power to create human beings in Your image,
Human minds, souls, and hearts.
It is the awe-inspiring, miraculous power to change those hearts,
And save those souls.
And, I proclaim Your Glory, Lord.
How can I explain Your Glory?
It is too beautiful, too splendidly colorful, too exquisitely bright!
It blinds my eyes, baffles my mind, closes my mouth.
It is love unleashed, fervent, and intense.
It is Your inexplicable mercy, and grace, and kindness, and generosity.
It is as inexplicable as You, my God.
You’re glorious in Your Glory.
You ARE the Most High Lord, Holiness Itself, Ancient of Days, The Great I AM.
Yes, Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory,
For all time, and through unfathomable eternity.
You are my ABBA, my Heavenly Father-God to Whom I pray this prayer.
In Jesus’ most holy name.
Amen, and Amen.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
Way beyond my understanding.
All I know is
It was a miracle that remains
And the miracle was a gift
Delivered to crumbling doorstep
Outside my sagging door locked tight
Nailed shut,
Yet breached,
It sat inside on rotting floor
Shining to be opened.
To be believed past unbelief
By miracle, not my doing.
Gift
It is salvation wrapped in grace undeserved.
The gift of faith to see hope once unseen. A new heart unchained
Full with compassion
And repentance like a changing wind.
Heart to feel abundant love long unfelt
And mirror eyes to see myself as I am seen
Then others too, the same.
And mercy, charity, a call to pray,
A heart to sing, a heart to praise, Hands to raise, a Book to read
All unwrapped and taken out,
When gift, upon gift, inside gift, unveiled
Then took away all fears and doubts
Healed my aching soul complete
And full and whole, then more, and more
A heart to tell of gifts and Glory, Of His Great Love,
Holding out poor offerings,
And gratitude, a heart of thanks, I thank you JESUS, thank you LORD!
That You should care for me.
To rebuild my house,
To give me gifts,
To give me Yourself.
Oh, Miracles beyond my dull understanding,
Though nothing is beyond Yours,
I can but sit in rejoicing gratitude.
And no better gift
Nor more precious treasure
Could forever enter
Through my splintered door.
During the past three days, my fellow believers and I were greatly blessed to worship under the leadership of Alan and Kathryn Scott from Northern Ireland.
Their messages and their passionate praises of our Lord are outstanding!
Parents.
Published worship singers.
Pastors.
Church planters.
Anointed by Authority.
Royally called.
Radiantly inspired.
Engaging.
Inspiring.
We want more of Him, and they show us there is always more.
People were healed and set to healing.
The broken were lifted up and given hope.
I am happy and humbled to say, “I was one of those”, and I am also one of those who remember Alan’s words, “Life is hard–and God is good”.
Thank You Jesus, for redemption and healing, and thank You for sending the messengers, Kathryn and Alan.
In the book of your life,
Jesus follows you closely, quietly,
As you walk your path.
Turn the pages, He walks with you.
If you run, He runs.
Lie down, and He lies down nearby.
If you try to outrun Him,
Or get away,
He effortlessly stays right behind.
Veer right or left,
He is faithful in the turning.
Stop, and He stops.
Continue in your way,
He continues with you.
But turn around and look back,
He does not turn around.
Not ever.
He looks into your pleading eyes.
Always.
Turning to Him is all He wants.
Asking Him to take the lead
Is all you need.
To write your new page.
To fill the complete book of your Life.
The word “doxology” comes from the Greek words “glory” and “saying”. That sounds a lot like “glorytelling” to me, so lets explore a little deeper.
A doxology is a short prayer, verse, or hymn expressing praise to God. Often poetic, I see it as a triumphant, glorious conclusion to a session of praise and worship of The Triune God by a congregated “body of believers”. Let us review a few of the doxologies available to us to glorify the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit:
This one is a familiar doxology, often added at the end of the Lord’s Prayer: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.” This verse seems to be an addition to the ancient text of Matthew 6:13. I rather like it there. It seems right to say this out loud. It can also be sung.
In the Epistle of Jude, the last two verses are considered to be a doxology: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
This Roman Catholic doxology is sung by the presiding priest after the eucharistic prayer: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever. Amen.
Here is one I remember singing in the Methodist Church of my youth. It is from an unknown author, and is known as “The Gloria Patri” and “The Lesser Doxology”: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, Amen.
Certain Canadian Churches, as well as The United Church of Christ, sing this doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Then there is this one, sometimes called “The Greater Doxology”. It is an expansion of Luke 2:14 : Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the highest)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise You, we bless You, We adore You, We glorify You, We give thanks to You For your great glory, Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Almighty Father. Lord Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You Who take away the sins of the world, hear our prayer. You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You alone are holy, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
This next is an old standard simply called “The Doxology”. I happily sang this in my youth as well. I’m sure you will recognize it. It goes like this: Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
These lyrics were written by Thomas Ken in 1674 as the final verse of his hymn “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun”. The music for “Doxology”, which is sung in many churches today, is attributed to Louis Bourgeois and his “Old 100th Genevan Psalter”, from 1551. Here are the complete lyrics of the beautiful “Awake, My Soul,….” :
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.
By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.
In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.
All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.
Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.
I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
There are many doxologies in the Bible, and they are all a blessing to both worshiper and God. I urge you to find and use them.
In conclusion, I would like to offer my own version of “Doxology” in order to replace the word “ghost” (not that there’s anything wrong with it):
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise God, holy Three In One; Praise loving Father, Spirit, Son. Amen, Amen.
LS<
What an honor to proclaim His glory,
In doxologies spoken and sung.
For it’s a pleasure to repeat the story,
Of The Father, The Spirit, and Son.
LS<
Do Not be alarmed by what I have to tell you.
How do I phrase this? ……………………… I’ve been infected.
Years ago, I was exposed. The infectious agent was introduced into my heart through an opening that had not been there before. It was my own doing that it was left open, though. I meant to do it because I had made a choice. I had chosen to invite Salvation in, and thus was exposed to The One Truth, and The Only Life. I was immediately overwhelmed and taken over! Infected! Much like a computer is “infected” by downloading a foreign program that takes over its operation. Much like a human virus that, once inside you, replicates inside one’s cells, not killing, (although I did die to my old self) but changing the DNA. Thus I succumbed.
As a side note, do you know that some scientists propose that nearly 10% of the human genome (the entire “code” of human genetic information) is composed of leftover viral DNA that humans have carried around in their own genes for many thousands of years?
In a like manner, I have been carrying “Heavenly information” left within me by the infecting power of Holy Spirit. I am a Carrier! I have been imparted, and implanted, with belief in the Good News of Jesus Christ! Being a Carrier of information this important, and because of the nature of this glorious infected state, I have a driving need, a compulsion, a commission, to pass it on to others. That’s not so difficult since it’s airborne and contagious. Those who have developed resistance through long exposure to the enemy’s anti-Body, may take longer by varying degrees. But, sharing a few words of my own testimony, of the wonder of my own infectedness, or of Jesus’ great love for the prospective infectee often has the desired effect. The agent I carry is so infective that the mere sight of me carrying this Life, this Joy, is sometimes enough to transfer it. Often, I share a gift of food, or supply needed materials that I’ve liberally infused with Holy infectedness, and they catch it. Other times I have to leave seed and spore of the Good News where the Spirit bids, and He sees to it that it infects and grows in His good time.
I was infected by a Christ-follower. That’s the only way it can be spread, but it can spread fast when fellow carriers each do their part to make more carriers.
The thing is, once this infecting Agent is fully established in the heart, in the very DNA, it is there for good. I mean that in every sense of the word. I have never heard a person say they wish it hadn’t happened. Truth, Salvation, Life, and His unfathomable Love are infectious like that.
“I would rather live my life believing there is a God and die to find out there isn’t than live my life believing there isn’t a God and die to find out there is.” – Albert Camus
This statement sounds good at first glance doesn’t it? Perhaps a good starting point for a journey of faith? If one looks more closely, it is, however, lacking. It barely scratches the surface. What about knowing there is a God? What about knowing God personally? What about knowing we are loved and treasured? What about knowing exactly how He wants us to live our lives? What about knowing that Jesus is our personal Savior, Lord, and risen King? What about reading what He has to say about all this in His own Words? What about knowing exactly who we will face when we die, and also what happens after that?
“I would rather live my life knowing my Creator God, my Lord and Savior, and what He says about Himself – and me – than to live my life wondering and speculating about Him.” LS<
“Oh, Divine paradox that trials may be desirable,
That attack indicates being on the right track,
That oppression can be a positive expression,
That the enemy’s wrath means I’m on the right path,
That God weaves the brambles of satan’s discouragement into a soft, glorious, robe of encouragement.
When I was newly born-again I was warned that I would be attacked because the devil considered me vulnerable. It happened several times, but I withstood because forewarned was forearmed! But, as I grew in faith, and with the passage of time, that warning wore off. Now, every time I drop my guard, the debbil is ready and very willing to punch me where it hurts, especially just when I feel I’m getting closer to God. It seems that he attacks when threatened. Doesn’t want to be forgotten by his old pal who has betrayed and forsaken him. He wants his revenge, no doubt. The ultimate stalker. The quintessential murderer. Should we take it as a sign that we are on the “right track” with the Lord when we are sore-oppressed by the enemy? I think so, yes. “Because God redeems even this….”
By this be encouraged, oh People. Be forewarned, and stand your ground.
Remember, the more worthy the adversary, the more cunning and vicious satan’s attack. Be a worthy adversary!
(each time God sits a writer down to write, satan knows he’s lost another fight)
wink
LS<
My Biology Pants For Theology! Yes! I’ve Got To Catch Him!
Oh, my heart,
Oh, my heart,
Oh, my heart!
Why do you race and beat so?
Oh, legs how you run,
You’re chasing the Son,
You’re climbing where you’d never go!
Oh, my chest,
Oh, my chest,
Oh, my chest!
Why do you heave and pant so?
Breaths coming fast,
How long can you last?
In pursuing the One you would know!
Oh, my soul,
Oh, my soul,
Oh, my soul!
Why do you leap and dance so?
Oh, arms how you raise,
Oh, voice singing praise,
Oh, mouth loud and bold are you now!
Oh, my Heart,
Oh, my Mind,
Oh, my Soul!
Why do you long for Him so?
You failed again and again,
Finally let Him come in,
Now there’s nowhere else you can go!
Oh, my Life,
Oh, my Joy,
Oh, my Faith!
Why do you so make frenzied haste?
There is rest here below,
Just be still and you’ll know,
He will wait, then again you can race!
(Can’t you just see Him turn and wink at you as you reach toward Him and He turns, laughs, and speeds playfully away, grinning in approval as you follow precisely in His steps? “Come on!” he shouts. “It’s impossible not to catch me!” )
He came down. Born like us. Born with us. Born for us. Born to and unto us. Wonderful, Mighty, Everlasting, Prince. Immanuel. JESUS! His many names are ONE name, and that name is The Name Above All Names. Glory to God in the Highest Heaven! He. Came. Down!
I don't own, and have no claim on, these music videos. The following are simply links inside my website pointing back to the original locations of the videos. The names of the creators of these videos are cited wherever possible, and only "embedding-enabled" selections are used.
"I AM NOT MY OWN" is the piece that inspired the building of this site. It is the story that this site, as well as my life, is centered around. This letter to you is the one i would most like for you to read out of all the ones you will find here, because it describes how profoundly the works of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can change one human life.
"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. This is fundamentally what Christianity is all about.
"The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. Another converted atheist presents His compelling case for believing in Jesus.
"Left To Tell" by Imaculee Ilibagiza. This profound work is her own extraordinary story of endurance, discovery of the Holy Spirit, grace, healing, and an astonishingly compelling account of the necessity for forgiveness.
Compelling Christian Fiction Reads
"The Shack" by William P. Young.
All criticism aside, and with some discernment, this story forever changed how I see important principles like the Trinity, forgiveness, and the "God kind of love". Remember, it's not Gospel, it's fiction.
"The Circle" 4-book series by Ted Dekker.
A man is the bridge between two very different worlds. Sound familiar? Can he save both? This T.D.work is brilliant in my book.
"This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness" by Frank E. Peretti. Tales of spiritual warfare from a unique perspective. Stirred a small controversy, but sold millions. What are we Christians afraid of? Hey, it's fiction!
It is easy to draw without lifting the pen, but it has pagan connotations, so I went to the six-pointed star:
Three quick, simple lines that intersect. My ODB, and books, and Bible are full of them. However, for some reason, (who can explain ME) I recently began to take the X out of the aster, and just use that. I may well have been led to do it:
So there it is. X .
Alone in the Rockies.
