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Archive for June, 2014

That’s What I’m talkin’ ’bout

Posted in Beauty, General, God Thoughts, Grace, Sustaining, Work of the Holy Spirit, tagged , , , , , , on June 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »

It was what church should be: lively discussion about the truths of God’s Word, challenging preaching that conveys God’s truth, hugs and handshakes, words of encouragement, a little extra effort to reach out to the hurting among us, words to get one thinking and rethinking, offers and procedure for help, appointments to get together later in the week to further the effect. God used my brothers and sisters to bless my wife and me both in terms of ministry offered to us and ministry offered for us to do. Was it perfect? Certainly not. Was it Spirit-led? More than I’ve seen in quite a while. Was it encouraging? Very. Was it an indication of things to come? Hopefully and in the longer term, absolutely. Was it a fluke? Not if we continue praying as I know for a fact was happening this past week. It reminds me of a quote we heard in VBS this past week: “Our good is for God’s glory; God’s glory is for our good.” I give Him the glory for all that He is doing at His church in this locale and know that it will in turn be for our best. May it draw others in to hear and taste the Gospel.

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Oh, America

Posted in Cultural commentary, General, God Thoughts, Poem, tagged , , on June 12, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Oh, America
  Not in praise of thee
Not the replica
  Sea to shining sea
 
Morally bankrupt
  No basis for law
Justice you corrupt
  From evil you draw
 
Death you promote
  And promiscuity
Truth is all but banned
  Scant integrity
 
Self-esteem the rule
  Less accomplishment
Spur acting the fool
  Spurn real achievement
 
Destroy family
  Children rule the roost
Dad the enemy
  Immodesty boost
 
Many a problem
  I’ll not mention here
Prosperity trim
  For the future fear
 
How fell this great land
  City on a hill?
Hear this reprimand
  If a conscience still
 
God is rejected
  Acknowledged no more
His law ejected
  Truth dismissed as lore
 
Time and chance create
  Says the scientist
God’s people berate
  Tolerate the rest
 
Turn from foolishness
  Acknowledge God now
Receive God’s kindness
  Before Jesus bow
 
Then dispense justice
  Teach the truth to all
Before the great crisis
  When this land will fall

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Life Begin

Posted in General, God Thoughts, Outdoors, Poem, Why?!, tagged , , , , on June 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »

For those of you who understand, this is the season for poems, when the moments of musing through many days ooze out during hours of forced repose. Here is the most recent that hearkens back to Spring’s delights:

Life begin
  and again
When Spring sprung
  and birds sung
Blooms no lack
  eggs will crack
Life renewed
  beauty viewed
Why this show?
  ebb and flow?
Could it be
  God’s plan see?
Life from death
  Christ’s last breath
Rose again
  life begin

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Stroke of the New Year

Posted in General, God Thoughts, Poem, Sustaining, Why?!, tagged , , , , on June 7, 2014| Leave a Comment »

The New Year started with quite a jolt
Not yet awakened to the day were we
When lesser mind from greater did molt
And confusion reigned as up went our plea
 
Fears and regrets won much of the day
Consequences realized and unforeseen
Extend forward in what we must pay
In tears and stress and oft puzzling scene
 
Week by week understanding more words
Paying bills on a month to month basis
Each day try words that curdle like curds
Prayer moments that connection retraces
 
God ordained all from start to finish
For His glory and our good He has planned
His provision and presence relish
From hard changes peaceful righteousness gained

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Of His Grace

Posted in General, God Thoughts, Grace, Sustaining, Work of the Holy Spirit, tagged , , , , on June 6, 2014| 1 Comment »

Partakers of grace by God’s decree
Participators in grace freely
Profoundly touched by His sovereign grace
Provides, motivates to run the race
 
Manifold grace for every challenge
Manifest grace on Spirit’s works hinge
Modeling character of God’s grace
Molded by His image we embrace
 
God’s grace worked out through His providence
Good gifts and guidance in evidence
Gone is condemnation and sin’s rule
Goal Christ’s likeness as with flesh we duel
 
On God’ grace through each day we will rest
Onslaught in the battle of each test
Ongoing refinement of this jewel
One day glory when Christ comes to rule
 
Philippians 1:3-14 seems to me to be saying that partakers of grace are participators in grace.
The God who decrees and predestines us to receive grace also enables and guides us in the living out of grace.
 

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Overflows from the Heart

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart…" Matthew 15:18

CreatorWorship

Pointing to the One who made, saved, and sustains