Accepted in the Beloved

When we face the greatest Authority in the world, the most absolute Ruler in the universe, the One who can determine our eternal destiny, the One who tolerates no sin and Who knows us thoroughly - when we face Him and find not eternal damnation and consignment to a fiery hell, but total love, forgiveness and acceptance, what can we do but fall down at His feet and worship Him forever and ever?

Foolishness

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Cor. 2:27-31)

Better to be foolish, better to be base, better to be despised, better to be nothing and to glory in the Lord, than to be wise, and lifted up, and of great reputation, and to be something, and to glory in self.

The Mind Of Christ

But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16)

"The purpose of God is not to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God." ~ Oswald Chambers

Every Tongue and Tribe and Nation

Last night we had the first combined service of our anglo and latino churches. There was such a wonderful spirit present as we met in the Latino church hall, learned a little Spanish, worshipped in English and Spanish, heard a message in both languages and shared communion together. There were people from Honduras, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.S - and even a couple from New Zealand!

There was a great turnout from both churches and we came together as one in Christ. We bridged the language and culture barriers and reached out to people different from ourselves in an atmosphere of love and acceptance.

You couldn't help but feel that this was not only a foretaste of heaven but also a glimpse of the unifying power of the Son of God, who can bring disparate people together and make them one. It makes me want to work to see His Kingdom established here, in this earth, now.

Let's be about the Father's business.

How Tedious And Tasteless

This poem/hymn is by John Newton. It always animates my spirit to know that those who have gone before shared the same longing that we know for the sweet Presence of Jesus. Jesus never changes - He's the same yesterday, today and forever. And, oh, I love Him.

How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see,
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers
Have all lost their sweetness to me.
The midsummer shine shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay -
But when I am happy in Him,
December's as pleasant as May.

His Name yields the richest perfume,
And sweeter than music His voice;
His presence disperses my gloom,
And makes all within me rejoice.
I should, were He always thus nigh,
Have nothing to wish or to fear;
No mortal as happy as I,
My summer would last all the year.

Content with beholding His face,
My all to His pleasure resigned,
No changes of season or place
Would make any change in my mind:
While blessed with a sense of His love,
A palace a toy would appear;
All prisons would palaces prove,
If Jesus would dwell with me there.

Dear Lord, if indeed I am Thine,
If Thou art my sun and my song,
Say, why do I languish and pine?
And why are my winters so long?
O drive these dark clouds from the sky,
Thy soul cheering presence restore;
Or take me to Thee up on high,
Where winter and clouds are no more.

Sacramentality

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

I read last night that the word "sacrament" comes from the words "sacred" and "mental" - keeping the sacred in mind. That's something we need to do all the time, not just in some select ceremonies.

Maybe that comes from my Quaker upbringing (the horse and buggy guys are Amish, not Quaker).The Quakers have no sacraments; their founder, George Fox, said that communion and baptism are internal works and don't need external substitutes.

I wouldn't propose eliminating sacraments - but I am in favor of keeping our minds stayed upon Jesus.

Lots Of Rain

I've enjoyed the rain this week. We don't often get a steady, soaking rain; it usually pours down like a flood for five minutes and leaves the streets wet and steamy, but this rain is a slow and gentle watering.

I like this scripture from Psalm 72: "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth."

We need Him continually, like this rain - not a 5 minute downpour, but a life-long soaking.

The Promises Of God

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Cor. 1:20)

The promises of God are in the Man, not just in the Book. We can't approach the Kingdom of God the way we'd approach an academic subject and try to cram a lot of stuff into our craniums. It's not up to us, it's up to Him. And He's in us. And all the promises will come true as we take our place in Him.

It's not a matter of learning all the promises and holding them up before God and waving them in His face and saying "But you said ...!!!!" as I've been taught in the past. It's a matter of taking my place in the young Prince of the Universe and letting Him outwork His wonderful purposes in my life.