Though another year has come and gone
And all are older still
I thank God for His many blessings
Yet still long to know His will.
Each grain of sand falls just as before
Though the space is narrow
Honestly, I feel a great deal less
Than the ever-eyed sparrow.
As age envelopes my mind and body
Life's memories begin to taper
Strivings and plans matter not
As breath turns into vapor.
~ L. Bell (2009)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne
We twa hae run aboot the braesAnd pou'd the gowans fine; we've wander'd mony a weary footSin' auld lang syne
We two hae paidled i' the burn,Frae mornin' sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne
And here's a hand, my trusty friend, And gie's a hand o' thine; We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne.
~ Robert Burns (c. 1700's)
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne
We twa hae run aboot the braesAnd pou'd the gowans fine; we've wander'd mony a weary footSin' auld lang syne
We two hae paidled i' the burn,Frae mornin' sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin' auld lang syne
And here's a hand, my trusty friend, And gie's a hand o' thine; We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne.
~ Robert Burns (c. 1700's)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
For Sale By Owner
Please check out my latest photo album upload. The link can be found on the left side menu (Shutterbug Strikes Again) under the heading FSBO.
REDEMPTION CREATES THE NEED IT SATISFIES
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him." 1 Corinthians 2:14
The Gospel of God creates a sense of need of the Gospel. Paul says - "If our gospel be hid, it is hid" - to those who are blackguards? No, "to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." The majority of people have their morality well within their own grasp, they have no sense of need of the Gospel. It is God Who creates the need of which no human being is conscious until God manifests Himself. Jesus said - "Ask, and it shall be given you," but God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He withholds, but that that is the way He has constituted things on the basis of Redemption. By means of our asking, God gets processes into work whereby He creates the thing that is not in existence until we do ask. The inner reality of Redemption is that it creates all the time. As the Redemption creates the life of God in us, so it creates the things belonging to that life. Nothing can satisfy the need but that which created the need. This is the meaning of Redemption - it creates and it satisfies.
"I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." We preach our own experiences and people are interested, but no sense of need is awakened by it. If once Jesus Christ is lifted up, the Spirit of God will create a conscious need of Him. Behind the preaching of the Gospel is the creative Redemption of God at work in the souls of men. It is never personal testimony that saves men. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."
http://www.myutmost.org/
The Gospel of God creates a sense of need of the Gospel. Paul says - "If our gospel be hid, it is hid" - to those who are blackguards? No, "to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." The majority of people have their morality well within their own grasp, they have no sense of need of the Gospel. It is God Who creates the need of which no human being is conscious until God manifests Himself. Jesus said - "Ask, and it shall be given you," but God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He withholds, but that that is the way He has constituted things on the basis of Redemption. By means of our asking, God gets processes into work whereby He creates the thing that is not in existence until we do ask. The inner reality of Redemption is that it creates all the time. As the Redemption creates the life of God in us, so it creates the things belonging to that life. Nothing can satisfy the need but that which created the need. This is the meaning of Redemption - it creates and it satisfies.
"I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." We preach our own experiences and people are interested, but no sense of need is awakened by it. If once Jesus Christ is lifted up, the Spirit of God will create a conscious need of Him. Behind the preaching of the Gospel is the creative Redemption of God at work in the souls of men. It is never personal testimony that saves men. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."
http://www.myutmost.org/
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Invisible
I have been invisible lately due to late nights at work and busy weekends at home. My house is officially on the market now that most of my chores are done and work is slowly but surely slowing to a reasonable pace. This will be temporary of course but the short breather will be appreciated. I thought of posting a devotion tonight but instead I will post the thoughts on my mind instead.
These thoughts came about due to an email received a short while ago. In short, the email brought to mind the current state of our nation. We are in a spiritual battle, recognized by most or not, and it is clear we are losing. Don't get me wrong, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will ultimately be victorious through Christ's return. But for now, as a whole, America is failing. We are sinking rapidly and our only hope is to return to God.
The message is clear and is what we as Christians should be focused on daily. Get in the Word. Trust God. Rally ourselves for the spiritual battle that has never ceased but has escalated to a point that can no longer be ignored. We are soldiers of Christ and I fear many of us (including myself) have laid the armor down long ago. Complacency always accompanies comfort. We have been comfortable far too long. It's time to equip ourselves for the war that is to come. It is obvious that my generation is weaker than the one before me and those after me are lesser still. And to be honest, without the peace I have in God's providential care, I would be filled with worry for what is to come. Without doubt I and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will be called upon to fight for what is right. Correction, the call has been issued. Are we ready?
We must pray for both God's protection and mercy. We must pray without ceasing.
These thoughts came about due to an email received a short while ago. In short, the email brought to mind the current state of our nation. We are in a spiritual battle, recognized by most or not, and it is clear we are losing. Don't get me wrong, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will ultimately be victorious through Christ's return. But for now, as a whole, America is failing. We are sinking rapidly and our only hope is to return to God.
The message is clear and is what we as Christians should be focused on daily. Get in the Word. Trust God. Rally ourselves for the spiritual battle that has never ceased but has escalated to a point that can no longer be ignored. We are soldiers of Christ and I fear many of us (including myself) have laid the armor down long ago. Complacency always accompanies comfort. We have been comfortable far too long. It's time to equip ourselves for the war that is to come. It is obvious that my generation is weaker than the one before me and those after me are lesser still. And to be honest, without the peace I have in God's providential care, I would be filled with worry for what is to come. Without doubt I and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will be called upon to fight for what is right. Correction, the call has been issued. Are we ready?
We must pray for both God's protection and mercy. We must pray without ceasing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)