XMAN -- JDC

WILL THE CHAIN BE BROKEN?

2012-02-27T14:50:00.001-08:00

WILL THE CHAIN BE BROKEN?

A broken chain means that some load has been dropped, or something stuck in the mud is still trapped, or some secured ship is adrift. A weak link has caused failure. Imagine a human chain linking hands stretching into the torrent to rescue a poor soul in danger of being swept away and drowning! If a link is broken then all below that link is lost?!

Maybe it would be more helpful to compare this inter-generational rescue effort to a tree. From the roots, through the trunk, into the limbs flow nutrients from the earth. Every year each tree limb adds three or four new branches. What fruit will never be realized because a limb was broken off by a wind storm? What flowers will never be enjoyed because of some diseased branch? I have known whole families of reprobates because some grandfather took a wrong turn. And, I have seen families that seemed so tuned to heaven because of a good foundation and network of believers. Jesus speaks of the vine and the branches. But, he also speaks of pruning and piling the branches for the fire. Then, there is the redeeming analogy of grafting. Much to think about?

Or, one could view this concern like an irrigation system in a field – not an overhead spray, but a system of canals and berms. Life giving water flows from the reservoir through the canals, through the ditches, through the channels, until all the field is supplied. If one ditch is dammed, then a whole section of the field will wither and die. It is a damnable situation.

Fathers love their children and pray for them. To mind comes the Prodigal Son’s father. How many days did he strain his eyes on the horizon looking for his son? (Lk.15) The patriarch Job would regularly intercede sacrificially for his children. (Job 1:5) John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3Jn.1:4)

I pray for my grandchildren’s grandchildren, even though I will never meet them in this life. I want to meet them in the next life! Sometimes I go backwards two generations and pray back down the chain and pray for cousins. Pray for in-laws. Pray for nephews and nieces. Pray …

Will the chain be broken? Satan takes our broken chains and uses them to bind us. Surely, Jesus has come to release the prisoners and declare freedom. He breaks those chains. But, let’s keep the heart chain strong. May He bind our wandering hearts to Himself. I have seen double-linked chains, every link connected to two other links, not just one. (maybe an Uncle as a spiritual mentor, and he has been praying for years for your mom!) And, I have seen chain nets! Like a safety net.

And, know that Jesus is the cosmic Master Link! He holds it all together in some mysterious way. ”And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)” (Col. 1:17 Amplified Bible) It is not all up to us, by any means. But, we are his links to those around us.

Another generation wailed out the mountain song, "O, The Circle Won't Be Broken" in its hope for an unbroken chain. Pray. Pattern. Plead, if need be! Will faith die or thrive in their hearts?

Practicals: 1. Personal devotion, 2. Marry a faithful believer, 3. Teach children, 4. Share cross-generation – nephews, cousins, …

Prayer – “Father, bless this family that we, all, may be saved, sincere, solid, spiritual, sold-out, sanctified, seeking-first, surrendering, sober, serious, sharing, single-minded … may this chain be secure and stretch to your strong hand.”

Do you have “B.O.”?

2012-02-24T16:16:00.005-08:00

BOLD, BULL-HEADED OBEDIENCE

Do you have “B.O.”? By this I mean bold obedience! brash obedience. belligerent obedience. even, bull-headed obedience.

I remember times when our kids were young and we trying to teach them to eat healthy foods. Jeremiah, as a child, would sit for an hour in defiance before he would let a nasty, un-kosher (?!) green vegetable enter his mouth. Maybe, like Daniel, he was deadly determined to eat only clean foods (Dan.1:8)?! He was like Simon Peter (Acts 10) refusing to “kill and eat” anything unclean. (It has come back to haunt him; little Samuel will eat very little besides chicken nuggets and rice!) But, this trait, this rebelling against hell, has a lot of merit, spiritual stubbornness!

In his encouragement for believers to live sanctified lives, the Hebrews’ writer challenges, “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Heb.12:4) Recall the response of the three Hebrew youths who were told, on pain of death, to bow to the idol – “17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan.3:17-18) The king went into a rage because of their impudence! No, they were not disrespectful, but certainly were defiant. Remember the similar situation with Daniel – “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (Dan.6:10) Daniel, again, was true to his God, regardless of the consequences. Also, consider the commitment of the Apostles when ordered by the Jewish leaders to stop preaching about Jesus – “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” and then they added, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.” (Acts5:29-30) ouch!

Do these images resemble our response to sin and Satan?! Or, does “wimpy-wavering” more accurately describe us? Maybe even “rebellious returning”? Scripture talks about a dog returning to its vomit, a washed hog to the mud. (2Pet.2:22) Ugh! (disgusting visual image?!) But, does that resemble your response? Instead of retorting, “get behind me, Satan” (Mt.16:23), are we more likely to respond like Peter, “I do not know the Man” (Mt.26:74)?!

From where does this B.O. come? A clue can be seen in the way Jesus responded to temptation from Satan – “…it is written …” (Mt.4) Putting on “the full armor of God” (Eph.6:11) will go a long ways in this spiritual combat. The psalmist, wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Ps.119:11) Surely, the heroic stories of such stalwart saints can stir our hearts to bold obedience! Also, Paul tells us the very grace of God is key – “¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2) But, such resolve and strength generates from above. “greater is he in us…” (1Jn.4:4) reveals the source. And, the fact that “I can do all through Him, who strengthens me” (Phil.4:13) should embolden me. Yes, even the archangels call on the Name when confronting evil forces. (Jude 9) “Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” (Jas.4:7) Indeed, our B.O. is a sweet aroma to our Lord. Let’s say “No” to Satan, and “Yes, sir” to Jesus!

Are

you

“little stinker”?!

FAT SECTION IN HEAVEN?

2012-02-18T16:08:00.006-08:00

FAT SECTION IN HEAVEN?

I once upon a time was in a cult. They used the name “Jesus” often. But after awhile, I began to seriously wonder about them. When they had weight scales at discipleship meetings, the warning signals began to get deafeningly loud! I strained to remember Jesus adding rule #11, “thou shalt not be fat.” Really! Where is GRACE in all this? (there were a lot of issues; this one is only illustrative)

The point of this diet-diatribe is not obesity. But, seriously, in some cultures and times fatness has been seen as a sign of success and health! (think Samoan or German?!) And, for crying out loud, they do make caskets in XL. Feasting can be seen as gluttony or as good times. Sure, the Beijing Olympics Stadium architects had to broaden the seat sizes for non-Chinese guests, but …

My point is this -- being patient with shortcomings and failings. I am reminded of David’s comments in Ps.103,

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

Do we recognize that “we are dust”?! Are we patient with others, and even oneself? With their shortcomings and even failures? Maybe it is somebody’s speech? (I work in a paper mill!) maybe it is their dress-code? (drooping pants laws?! Come on, now!)

I am reminded of our Savior’s prayer on the Cross – “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk.23:34) Contrast that with the attitude of the Twelve – “Lord, do you want us to bring down fire?!” (Lk.9:54) Jesus rebuked, “… you do not know what of spirit you are…” (forgotten they were of the Holy Spirit? Or, following the spirit of this age?! Or both? Hmm?) Jesus looked out over the crowd, later to reject him, and sighed, with compassion, “…they are like sheep without a shepherd…” (Mt.9:36)

In striving for holiness, do not become a Pharisee! In a word, “judgmental”. I remember a deep conversation I once had with a struggling saint. She confessed that her greatest sin was “judging others”. Before me was a person sold out for Jesus. She took seriously God’s charge for his people to be sanctified and holy. And, she had difficulty dealing with other believers who had a divided allegiance. And, she was right. We ARE called upward. Wallowing in weakness for years is NOT good. But, neither is a merciless ministry.

From a personal vantage, one must lie – you have to lie to others and keep them at arm’s length, and you have to lie to yourself! That is how penitents distort into Pharisees – they lie to themselves and others. The truth is this -- I am “like other men”! (Lk.18:11) I just need to admit it to myself, and others. I am a sinner. The first step in the 12-step process is what?!

Another time we will grapple with the balance between excellence and acceptance. Neither Troy nor Athens was balanced. The Stoics and Epicureans both were eccentric. Ascetics and Antinomians need to work out their differences, for sure. An “accountability group/partner” is not so somebody can have the dirt on others. It is because "we are but dust". But, for now, loosen up a little bit?! Your belt and your bias.

Show Yourself!

2012-01-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder why God does not make himself more obvious. Sure, the signs are obvious and undeniable, to any honest and humble heart. But, who has a pure heart, to see God?! Why is He not more like the movie title, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”?! Where is the lock that fits my key? Some things fit, but, I have more questions than answers.

Really, why can’t God just break into our TV’s with a “sorry to interrupt your regularly scheduled program, but tonight I am bringing you a special message from the real White House; …”?!! Now, that would get our attention, right? What if, everywhere, around the globe, at 3 p.m. local time, each time zone in turn, He appeared on all channels, in everybody’s own language? After about the third time zone from the dateline, most people would be tuning in. By the time it got to NYC, most people would have already listened to the BBC! I can hear it now – “no, I’m serious; turn on your TV! Google it and you can watch the youtubes with translations! I’ve heard it in Japanese, Chinese, Hindi – look for the Australian video, you can understand it!! God said …”

God could do this. But, he chooses not to, seemingly. As I pondered this question, driving to work one morning, eastbound, the rising Sun, nearly blinding me, forced me to lower my visor. I wanted to stare into the brilliant orange fireball, but to do so would be hazardous. It was beautiful, but too much for my retinas and was overloading my optical nerves. It hurt to stare, but the beauty was overwhelming. Like a moth to a flame I was feeling, drawn but dancing around, attracted but afraid!

So many have incredible stories of contact – trances and séances, anointings and appointings, visions and decisions, “over here” or “over there”. Yet, I do sense you in the smile of a newborn. I hear you in the silent glance and held hands of an old couple. The stars can be heard praising on a clear, cool night. Sometimes a song or even a good movie can stir my spirit to touch the ethereal. And, when I read of the Nazarene, I muse, “yes!”

But, when I turn to the glare and the noise, it gets extremely dark and quiet. Like one trying to appreciate the delicate flavor of a mushroom cream after a jalapeño appetizer, I am left frustrated. It will take a while to cleanse my palate to “taste and see that he is good”. Like one trying to appreciate the intricacies of Bach after years of over-amped BTO, elusion leads to delusion. A little too much AC/DC, and far too little "JC"! We have taken the wrong exit, and we are on a "Highway to Hell"! And like the people at Sinai, we ask not to meet. Like the garden stumble, we fall back in fright, only to attack.

Create in me a new heart. Give me ears to hear. Turn and heal me. I will listen for the whispers. I will watch for the shadows. Open my eyes that I may see.

Show Yourself!

The Old Ones Are Dying

2012-01-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

THE OLD ONES ARE DYING

(Vertice, Gilbert’s wife, was buried yesterday, 01/21/12)

At work, in the Lime Kiln Mud Room, waiting on my co-worker, John, I began to wander to scenes from my younger years. “Is Gilbert alive?” was the question twisting my mind. As I get older, I have trouble remembering who has left, and who remains. Gilbert was the preacher who baptized me, two weeks after my 13^th birthday. Years later, he also performed my wedding to Melanie. In many ways he has been a mentor. I still remember his advice to a teen boy considering ministry – “If you can do anything else, then do not preach.” (some 40 years later, I still find myself not wanting to do anything else, although I am.)

Snapping back, “is Gilbert still walking among us…” A year ago, last October, we buried Rupert, my 83yr old dad. At work, this month, we lost a co-worker, in his 50’s, to cancer. At the Christmas dinner, for the paper machine crew, I skipped meeting the retirees who were invited. Somehow, I did not want to walk over from the pulp mill. It was not laziness. Soon enough, I will be stepping through the doors of retirement and …

Sometime during my senior year in high school, in the football locker room, I sat alone, dealing with the relentless advance of time. I had just made a great tackle, on the practice field, and coach rewarded me by sending me to the showers, letting me skip wind-sprint drills that ended practice. But, I was not feeling fortunate. Rather, I sat there, alone, in the dark, sweaty locker room ruing, even lamenting, the knowledge that I had only two games left, and then, it was over.

Gone?! “…teach me to number my days…” (Ps.90:12) is the advice/warning that echoes in my head. The words “…your life is but a vapor, a mist…” (Jas.4:14) take form in the haze. To be sure, the “sting” (1Cor.15:55) is gone; it will be nearly euphoric. Like some Valhalla seeking warrior, I welcome the final battle. In victory, pulling him close to me, although it means grasping his sword edge, I want to spit in Death’s face as he vanquishes me. Remember Obiwan’s esoteric answer? “you cannot imagine…” Then he quietly drops his defenses and allows Vadar’s light-saber rage.

Images of three departed, yet present, warriors haunt me. Moreso, I am reminded of the Good Shepherd’s confident boast, “…no man takes my life, but I gladly lay it down…” (Jn.10:18)

For now, I will cherish each breath, each moment, each day He gives me. I will choose to have a good attitude. I will pray for good health and, moreso, a good heart. Life is too short to be negative and down. I will raise my head, in positive praise, and sing the victor’s anthem. I will make each day count.

Recently, I gave in to the nagging of my wife and mother, and the advice of my daughter, and went to the sleep clinic. I now have a “snorkel” and sleep in deep-space cryostasis as we transport to the next destination. (weirdo) My oldest son asked, “…why did you give in?” (he knows how stubborn I am.) With a grin, I responded, wryly, “I want to play the last quarter full-speed.” He smiled, knowlingly. But, now with good REM, I can fully face the new day!

Soon enough, I will be with them. Somehow, recently singing “Precious Memories” with the rural Tennessee church we sometimes visit, seemed to be especially bitter-sweet. Questions of legacy and replacements nag my thoughts. Sometimes, I question that I may be a “weak-link” in this inter-generational hand-off. I do not want to fumble the ball! Let’s run the race with perseverance and focus. The grandstands are full of cheering fans, all-stars from the past. (Heb.12:1) And, soon enough, they will run onto the field to celebrate the victory!

Christmas Gifts

2011-12-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS GIFTS (or, a father’s Xmas wish)

At our family Xmas party, looking around the room filled with family, I asked the youngest, “would you rather have this bowl of chocolate, or a signed, blank check?” Of course, he reached out for the treat, oblivious to the value of the paper. Point being, how often do we opt for the immediate over the immortal, the exciting over the eternal, the trash over the truth?

Xmas means gifts! (To all, except scrooges!) Where did this get started? Some would point to St. Nicholas. (4^th cent. bishop who secretly gave gifts to his church flock) Others would look deeper to the Magi. (what three gifts?) But, the “root” of this Xmas “tree” is God himself!!

Gift-giving is a big deal in December, but, moreso it is an important theme in Holy Writ. -- Matt.16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” And, Isa.9:6 “… to us a child is born… a son is given…” And there is the crucial theme verse -- Jn. 3:16 “God loved us so much that he gave his own son…”

The Father gave, but make no mistake, it runs even deeper -- Jn.10:1-18 “good shepherd … no man takes my life; I lay it down freely…” (Jesus gave his life; it was not taken from him.) The Apostle Paul gets to the crux with his crescendo -- Rom.6:23 “… free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” One of my touchstone passages, Eph.2:8-9 “saved by grace through faith… it is the gift of God” -- this free gift is both our faith, and our salvation! Look around! How few have faith in their heart. And, how weak is the faith that flickers in too many hearts. What a great gift is belief!

Challenge: John writes that he has no greater joy than to hear that his children are faithful. (3Jn.4) As Job sacrificed continually for his children, daily I pray for my children. The gift of FAITH I would pass on. (and, so would fathers gone home from among us.) Joshua’s challenged -- “choose ye this day…” yet, too few choose, or, even feel the need to choose, … What will it be? Chocolate ice cream, or the real treasure? Let this choice, for faith, be intense, as Paul challenges -- Rom.12 “give your life as a living sacrifice” And, then pass on this precious gift of faith! Mt.10:8 “freely you have received, freely give…” Oh, and one more! Acts 2 “…you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
²⁴Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
²⁵And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

TERMITES IN THE TEMPLE

2011-11-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

TERMITES IN THE TEMPLE

Why would a man continue to smoke and drink after nearly dying?

One cigarette seems harmless enough. One drink hurts little.

But, over a lifetime of abuse, taste is dulled and wind shortened.

The joy of life has been robbed by the polluted pleasures given.

It makes no sense that one cannot see this happening.

Then, I stop to consider the little “cigs” in my life.

What bad little habits are robbing me of the abundant life? What “termites” are slowly, but surely, undermining and destroying the life God had planned for me? A little here and a little there and a lifetime has been wasted. What might have been will never be realized.

Thinks on things above …

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1Cor.3:10-15)

sin can be so insidious, so subtle, so sneaky, so saturating, so ...

we can seemingly get away with it for years, but it is eating a hole in our hearts, in our mind, in our soul. it is frightening what can be going on under the surface, undetected, but destruction that is untold in its magnitude.

I have to wonder how my heart responds incorrectly to my world because of the sin that infects me. I have to wonder how my thought processes are distorted because of sin that has crept into my life, or worse, I have invited. One begins to rationalize, excuse, redefine, ...

It reminds me of cancer. So many people are in the latter stages of the disease before they are even aware of the problem.

Let us regularly go the the great Physician for checkups and for the meds we so desperately need!

Solomon was a fool?!

2011-11-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

Solomon Was a Fool

Quick, who was the wisest man ever? Many would answer “Solomon”, and with some good reason. But, in another way, Solomon was a fool. How so? Old SS’ers surely remember the story of the two mothers, one of whom had lost her child and secretly swapped the dead infant for the other. Solomon was confronted with the task of determining who was lying. (This was in the pre-DNA-testing days.) What to do?! “Split the child in two halves and give them each a part,” was his unbelievably wise response. The liar sneered, “sure, I will take half” But the true mother cried for mercy and sobbed, “give the whole child to the other woman…” You see, God had given Solomon a wise heart as he humbly requested – 1Kgs.3:12 “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” Solomon was the wisest in the earth – 1 Kings 4:29-30 “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.” Indeed, Solomon’s reign was a great time for God’s people -- 1 Kings 4:25 “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” The Temple of God was built under his direction. Great sacrificial worship was offered up. 2 Chronicles 9:22 “And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.”

But, as the Apostle Paul chided the Galatian believers, “…you started out so well, but…”

Nehemiah 13:26 “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.” 1 Kings 11 -- "But king Solomon loved many strange women … Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods ... and his wives turned away his heart. 4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 7Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded."

The source of the troubles of Solomon could too easily be blamed on women. The real issue is faith. These women were not believers in the one true God. And, moreso, Solomon the Wise foolishly chose to experiment with substitutes for the fear of God. We read in Ecclesiastes how Solomon began to experiment with pleasure, wealth, whatever he desired. Some of his pursuits were seemingly harmless, even noble, like work and education; but they became substitutes also. But, in the end he finally concluded, recognized and acknowledged that fearing God and obeying Him is what it is all about.

Jesus says we should learn from the life of Solomon. Matthew 12:42 -- “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” And, Jesus (the one greater than Solomon) has summed up life with two commandments – “love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love others as yourself”. But, what do we love?! For what do we hunger and thirst? What causes us to pant like a deer? Is it anything beside God? Anything else is a substitute confusing our appetite like a drug or poison. It dulls our desire for what really fulfills and nourishes. And, then we can become an addict that has lost control and is slowly poisoning himself. Or, we can go to the last chapter, and learn from the wisest man in the East -- Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Thoughts for further study:

“fool for Christ”

Marks of a fool?! (“fool” comments in Proverbs ) vs. “bear in my body the marks of Christ”

fool, fake, failure, faithful-fighter

Rupert – Gone Home, One Year

2011-10-26T19:58:00.001-07:00

The morning started with me telling the maintenance manager thanks for stocking “goatskin gloves” which are durable but comfortable; but more importantly, they pulled up a forgotten memory of my daddy giving me my first pair when I was a student-worker in the 70’s. As I drank my coffee at 9am break, I remembered daddy buying me a cup of coffee at the mill storeroom, for 10 cents, one of those same summers.

Everything we did today brought silent, secret smiles to my face – the nonsense of the crew banter (daddy loved to horseplay), someone quoting a “Lonesome Dove” line (one of RD’s favorite mini-series), the stock washer wires and lip seals we had to do today (a pulp mill scene common for daddy). I got out of my pickup truck this morning thinking of daddy as I was listening to Jeremy Camp wailing “Jesus Saves”; and, I had several opportunities to share a Tony Evans’ quote with contractors around me. Again, Rupert was “apt to teach” (an elder for several years) and often placed “toilet-truth-tracts” for stall-throne reading better than the graffiti! Mischievousness is not the only thing he passed on to me!

Sometimes, I see RD in the shadows of the pulp mill basement, aligning a pump, as I walk through, looking up and smiling at me. You see, today, 10/26/11, is the first anniversary of the departure of my daddy, Rupert Dickson Cornelson. He has gone home; but, his shadow and memories remain strong.

Battle Scars

2011-10-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

Down my back are long, rakish claw marks. These are from running away, but not fast enough. About my neck and face are fang wounds that have healed over. These are from looking at the demon a little too long, sometimes even foolishly embracing the disguised “from-the-pit bull mutt”. In my heart are streaks of hardened tissue. These are from damage cause by taking in poison from the pit. And, in my head are misfiring neural circuits that have to be re-routed because of demonic input that has left viral attacks of confusion and distortion, which have needed isolation and neutralization. They must resemble dead cancerous tissue that threatens relapse, but lies dormant, at best. Deformity and disfigurement have replaced the pristine original of youth, before the demons came. These words come to mind -- “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom.7:24)

Resonating in my ears are the words from the Book, “…soldier not entangled…” [“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” 2Tim.2:3-4] But why have I so often forgotten or ignored this warning and advice? Far too often I have returned from liberty that enslaved me! On leave I have left my mind? In the name of fun I have acted a fool. So many others act far worse? But, they are only more derelict and deceived? What does the phrase mean, “The sin that so easily entangles…” [Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.Heb.12:1] I sit at the medic office, and examine the pictures of heroes of previous years of the war. Medal of Honor recipients! What focus! What fearlessness! What fervor! What fidelity! And now I need a shot. Maybe I should just be shot?!

Let’s think about this for a moment. I do “bear in my body the marks…” of some previous battles. [“From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus”. Galatians 6:17] Lord knows, some of these scars I got trying to do the right thing! Turn off that blaring radio and ignore that lying “Hanoi Jane”. There are things I have lost in this war, things I have left behind, things given up. Some victories have been glorious. Does some failure define character? I am no fake! I just fumble sometimes. What of the struggles that have ended with the enemy running?! Me and the “mighty ones” have come through some pretty difficult conflicts! But, then there are the times I ran or played dead while the battle raged around me. No full-blown treason, but would that be any worse? The CO has even complimented me a few times. But, does he know the whole story? Likely he does. But, he still lets me go out on patrol. I am just glad to be a part of this god squad. I cannot undo yesterday, but today is a new day (which He has made).

Sometimes my mind wanders to thoughts of “civilian affairs” but, I will put back on my boots, my flack-vest, my tactical gear, my helmet, and pick up my rifle and take the next hill. Let me be the faithful foe, that when my feet hit the floor every morning, it causes the Snake to announce, “Hell, he’s up; let’s go, you imps, now!”.

Bring on the scars! Let’s blast them back to Hell, where they came from! Hllljh!

Harpies, Demons, and Sirens

2011-09-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

Harpies are locked away in the cage, screaming and cursing;

The demons have been sent back to the pit, hissing and roaring.

Sirens are still singing in the mist, tempting onto the rocks.

But all ears are securely covered, and eyes look up and away.

And, they all are hardly heard over psalms being hummed.

The source of the anger and pride surely remains at large;

But, the knife will no longer be turned destructively inward.

Instead, eyes have been removed and the heart circumcised.

And the knife itself is cast into the furnace of forgiveness.

Transformed into prayers
and pity, it heals, not harms.

There never really were any lies; but, the imposter is gone.

The true man, a failure, but no fake has been raised up again.

Some sort of Solomonic foolishness was substituted for a while.

But true Wisdom has regained the throne, forgiving and healing.

Regrettably, the larger truth is hidden by a deceptive, smaller truth.

But, as always, reality shines through the darkness lighting the way.

Honesty and humility, hunger and home-sickness are the keys.

May mercy be shown to us all as we focus ahead and above.

Lord, cage the harpies, banish the demons, squelch the sirens.

AT THE CROSS – 4 X 4

2011-09-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

(This devotional is the culmination of mental meanderings based on a comment the preacher made last Sunday;
sorry it is outline form, but maybe could be a sermon outline?! Probably needs to be four lessons)

1. At the Cross, God’s wrath was …

1.1. Stirred/incited/enraged

1.1.1. “what are they doing to my son?!”

1.1.2. Finger was on the ultimate button!

1.1.3. “I could have called ten thousand angels…” (Mt.26.53)

1.1.4. The Temple-cleanser could have cleaned house!

1.2. Stayed/stopped/sandbagged

1.2.1. “Father, forgive them …” (Lk.23.34)

1.2.2. “not my will, but thine be done” (Lk.22.42)

1.2.3. Imagine God’s hand holding back the heavenly holy hordes!

1.2.4. He could have washed his hands, like Pilate, of the whole mess

1.3. Satisfied/paid-off/ransomed

1.3.1. “it is finished” (Jn.19.30)

1.3.2. Devil bought off

1.3.3. Aslin shorn and slain for Narnians

1.3.4. “he paid a debt he did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay…”

1.4. Shalom’d/calmed

1.4.1. “peace be still” (Mk.4.39)

1.4.2. Threshing floor of Araunah (1Sam.24.16)

1.4.3. Serpent lifted up in camp (Num.21.9; Jn.3.14)

1.4.4. God had “counted to ten” and relented

2. At the Cross, God’s holiness was …

2.1. Stretched/tested/ (He did it all!)

2.1.1. Priest (Heb.4.14;10.12)

2.1.2. Sacrifice (Heb.7.27;10.12); “Lamb of God”

2.1.3. Altar (Heb.13.10)

2.1.4. God, being appeased

2.2. Serious/somber

2.2.1. Sin is no joking matter

2.2.2. Many a lamb was bled-out making this point

2.2.3. The Lamb of God has died!

2.2.4. A healthy fear of falling into the hands of a Holy God would do us all good

2.3. Stern/solemn

2.3.1. “Not bood of bulls and goats…” (Heb.10.4)

2.3.2. “no angel his place could have taken…” (Heb.1)

2.3.3. If there is any other way (Gethsemane plea)

2.3.4. Sweat drops of blood?! (Lk.22.44)

2.4. Substituted

2.4.1. You need an A+; only way is to cheat!

2.4.2. “imputed righteousness” (Rom.4.11,22)

2.4.3. Unless your righteousness exceed Pharisees -> r. of Christ(Mt.5.20;Phil.3.9)

2.4.4. Abram believed – acct’d righteousness (Jas.2.23)

3. At the Cross, God’s love was …

3.1. Slain (my beloved son…) Love personified

3.1.1. “…this is my beloved Son…”

3.1.2. Except a seed die – mighty oak

3.1.3. Came back, even more passionate

3.1.4. Obi-Wan Kenobi killed “cannot imagine how powerful”

3.2. Shown/evidenced/proved

3.2.1. Jn.3.16 this is how much God love the world…

3.2.2. Farmer in winter trying to lure birds into barn…become a bird?! Jesus?!

3.2.3. “If while sinners, how much more…” Rom.5.8-9

3.2.4. “…no greater love…” (Jn.15.13)

3.3. Sealed/made sure/assured

3.3.1. The old, rugged cross is the ultimate Mizpah (Gen.31.48)

3.3.2. Redemption Rainbow! Not destroy the world

3.3.3. Ebenezer is raised. (1Sam.7.12)

3.3.4. “divorce is not an option” (counsel in side room before wedding)

3.4. Strutted/shown-off/swaggered/exalted

3.4.1. The best, ever July 4^th has nothing on Good Friday!

3.4.2. Post-lent mardi gras parade?!

3.4.3. Imagine all the angels doing a fly-over making the Blue Angels blush!

3.4.4. Million-Dollar Band would stand in awe at this half-time show!

4. At the Cross, God’s power was …

4.1. Surrendered/susceptible’d/vulnerable’d

4.1.1. “bull in the ring, with hands tied and blind-folded!”

4.1.2. Armor was off; warrior down

4.1.3. Aslan on table with demons dancing on him

4.1.4. Wallace rode into camp with hands in air.

4.2. Stealthed/secret-ed/sneaked/Trojan-Horse’d

4.2.1. Ultimate double-reverse halfback-pass!

4.2.2. Greatest “Sting” of all eternity!

4.2.3. Aslan awoke and stormed onto the battlefield

4.2.4. On the third day, Satan surely roared, “he did what?!”

4.3. Shouted/Screamed

4.3.1. “death has died!”

4.3.2. Passover lamb slain and train leaving bondage, get on board.

4.3.3. Day of Atonement - annual ritual, imagine the excitement then

4.3.4. “we are the champions, my friends; you are the losers…” Queen

4.4. Showered/Spread/scattered/ strewn/sown to all who’d receive it

4.4.1. Imagine Disney’s gates opening crescendo-ing with Tinkerbell’s magic touch

4.4.2. Pyrotechnical angel set off the fireworks, with warheads attached! Demons retreating!

4.4.3. “To all who believe, God gave power to become… (Jn.1.12)

4.4.4. “God is not willing that any should perish…! (2Pet.3.9)

THEY REMEMBER WHAT WE FORGET?!

2011-09-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

Two-year-old Isabella called out, “what a pretty moth…” But, her twin brother, Daniel, stopped her, warning, “Bella that’s not a moth; it’s a wasp! It will sting you; and, you will die and have to go back to heaven…” Whoa! Such theology from a two-year-old?! (not bad entomology, either) But, I stop to ponder, does he remember something I have forgotten? Or, was it just a strange choice of words?

Songwriters have penned such lines as “Puff, the magic dragon …A dragon lives forever but not so little boys …One grey night it happened, Jackie paper came no more, And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar. “ that decry the innocence of childhood lost. Similarly, Peter Pan risks disappearing if children cease to believe. Wendy grew up. We too “grow up” and forget. We can no longer see the angels?! We become “adult” and seek “adult” things.

Abraham was chosen to keep alive among man, in our hearts and minds, a knowledge of God. A remnant was chosen from among wayward Israel for this same grand purpose. Too often, the people were rebuked with such words – (Dt.32.18) “Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. (Isa.17.10) You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.”

A better day is coming! The Messianic prophet has foretold – (Isa.11.9) They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. With this “full knowledge” (of things forgotten?!) the prophet speaks of a time when natural (?!) enemies will dwell in harmony – (11.6) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. … ⁸ The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.” And, for now, a better life awaits each of us as we set our eyes on Him.

I am reminded of Solomon’s warning – Eccl.12.1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come … 6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken … 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” The apostle Paul warned, (2Cor.6.1) As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. (2) For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

I want to go back home! I am suffering homesickness. I have almost forgotten what it looks like?! Oh, I do not want to live long enough, or travel far enough, to forget home! I am just a pilgrim progressing back. Lord, guide me.

WE ARE NOT ALONE

2011-08-31T19:26:00.001-07:00

“diyin bahashnee” were the words he taught me. Ever feel like an outsider? Like you just do not quite fit in? like you are different? This could be a very good thing! But, it can be depressing and confusing. God did say it is not good to be alone, although solitude has its time and place also. But, I am talking about that left-out feeling a believer gets when he thinks the whole world is dark and godliness has become a joke. For me, sometimes this comes after a mountain top experience, for some odd reason. Other times, it comes on slow but forcefully, like sliding into a tar pit.

Elijah suffered this after his God-glorifying victory on Mt. Carmel. ((1Kgs.18) Hundreds of false prophets had just lost the truth contest. The false prophets had cried all morning long for their gods to answer them. They had wailed, screamed, mutilated their bodies – but silence was the only reply they got. Then Elijah prepared his offering and humbly, but confidently, called out in prayer. Heaven’s fire consumed the offering to the LORD, the wood on the altar, the altar, the water in the trench around it! The people immediately acknowledged what their hearts surely already knew -- “When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” (1Kgs.18.39) The false prophets were put away.

And, yet, in the next chapter we see Elijah dejected and depressed – (19.9) There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (10) He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” After a great show of His power, God comes to Elijah in a small voice. And he tells him, (19.18) Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Sometimes I feel like Elijah. At work, the conversation can get extremely vulgar and ungodly. Even some churchmen join in the fray, occasionally. Sometimes I even snicker at the nonsense. I begin to feel like just Lot whose soul was vexed by his townsmen. (2Pet.2.6-8) I find my faith failing and my joy flagging. I lose sight of the Author and Pioneer (Heb.12.2) and focus on the darkness, losing my way. Like Peter, I begin to sink into the waves upon which I have focused, instead of the Master, who quells it all with a “Peace, be still”! (Mk4.39) Instead of looking up, I look down, and I look back.

Recently, I was having one of those days. A rough, tattooed, tobacco-spitting, construction worker approached me (I am thinking, where is this going?!) and apologized for any bad language he might have used around me. His co-worker had informed him that I did his marriage ceremony a few years back. “I’m sorry; I’m just a construction worker; and, I did not know you were a preacher…” “Relax, my friend…I’m used to it…” I told him.

Now get this – the next day he approaches me again, and says, “let me teach you some new words.” (OK, now what?!) “diyin bahashnee” is written on the corner of a box he has torn off. He explains – “diyin” = God, and “bahashnee” = praise!! (in Navajo) He explains that he has been on 8-9 mission trips to a Navajo reservation. WE ARE NOT ALONE! He and I have become good friends, fellow-believers. When we meet, we smile, knowingly! God sent him to encourage me in my pity party. (I kept the box top)

Jesus said that he would not leave us as “orphans” (Jn.14.18) but send his Spirit; and he promised that he would “always be with us, to the end of the age” (Mt.28.20) Never forget this. And a powerful way he reminds a down disciple of this truth, is another believer who comes alongside and lifts him up. We are not alone. Look around and be a Barnabas. Let the Lord use you to help another struggler. And, “diyin bahashnee”!

GOD HAS PUT YOU WHERE YOU ARE

2011-08-27T18:39:00.003-07:00

“God has put you where you are.” With these words, Kevin, a co-worker, confirmed my suspicions. God really is running the show! Two other crew members were sent to the woodyard to help on the south crane. That left us two alone waiting for the cleaners to finish the cooking-liquor heater. Then we could close up the top of the heat exchanger. So, we descended into one of those rare deep discussions one gets to enjoy with a friend.

I commented about a church looking for a preacher. We talked of the search process used by different denominations. He turned the discussion, soon enough, into questions about the lack of good that comes out of “organized” religion. By this he meant mega-churches, with doctors for pastors, and micro-managed multiple programs – versus – small country churches with farmers sharing from the Bible what is on their heart. But, a church split had left him cold for years. I commented that he had lost his faith that God was working in all of this; and similarly how He was working in my job reassignment from planner to mechanic, even though it made me extremely angry, doubting God was in control. I told him that I wanted to get to the point where I could thank my former boss, who scuttled my career, for letting God use him to move me into a new ministry!

Next, my friend began to share how the fire had gone out, for him. I shared with him my prayers to God to bring back the twenty-year-old in my heart. I told him that prayer is his best bet. We talked of the beatitude, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst…” and I thought of King David’s plea for God to create a new heart in him. I told him music helps and how a good “Creed” song can make me “flame on” (like F4’s Johnny Flame). And, we talked of the need for positive peer pressure from fellow believers. It is far too easy to follow the carnal crowd.

I think it was at this point that Kevin made the comment, “maybe God has put you where you are?! Here in our crew as a missionary to a bunch of rednecks?” And I agreed, adding that one does not take a light and put it under a bushel. My previous job had kept locked away in an office, cut off from personal-interaction/ministry! The light was on, in my head! God DID move me, much like he moved Joseph. “…you meant evil, but God meant good; He sent me here to spare life…” Kevin reminded of conversations about not having to go to China to be a missionary. We prayed together before leaving to finish the liquor heater job.

After the job, I mentioned Paul’s quote that “God has appointed times and places for us that we might search for him.” (Acts17:25-27) I shared how that I’d like to see us all together on that great Day, “the pulp mill crew”! I told him of an old hymn, “You Never Mentioned Him to Me” and how we would focus on the positive flip, we WILL mention Him. And we tried to remember the words of Higher Ground -- “I’m pressing on the upward way…” Kevin reminded me that he poked me already, in our morning crew meetings, about the “Daily Bread” readings, and that I needed to run with the ball. I left work, walking through the basement of the pulp mill humming, “this little Xn light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…”

FLAME ON!

Blogs, Web-pages, and Forums

2011-01-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

back! been hanging out in forums, mostly.
but, I may try to muse here again, from time to time.
I like it at GraceCentered.com, and often visit.

Blogs are just more like a front porch shared ice tea;
and forums more like a coffee-shop where anybody is likely to drop in.

let's share the love of God however and whenever we can.

HUNTING AND FISHING

2008-01-11T06:37:00.000-08:00

HUNTING or, “specialized city-slickers” or, “theologians”
When I was a kid in the ‘60-70’s, I was introduced to hunting.Since I grew up in the woods, it meant dropping off one’s school books, letting the beagles out, and tromping off into the woods behind the house – no special permission, no hunting club, no 4-wheeler, no special “mossy-oak” gear. I had a great time, killed many a rabbit, and enjoyed being outdoors. Aw-w-w, the smell of wet bottom-land, the muskiness of pine forest floors, the dryness of hardwood aromas.Now, I boycott hunting. The woods are full of ignoramuses that have the best trophies hanging on their walls that money can buy. They congregate, segregate, vegetate, animate, specialize, industrialize, then tell lies. They shoot farm-raised deer from heated shooting-houses over planted bait fields with rifles sighted-in at 150 yards. Then they farm out the carcass to processing houses while they go get drunk. Whoopee.But, try to talk to them, and one gets a rude shoulder. It is a bit like an irish imp snaring rabbits on the crown’s estate, to them. But, they are experts who do not really know shoot from shinola.Theology is really my point. I have done both: solitary stalk hunting and organized club harvesting, with a simple SS upbringing and a near DD. Two groups, two spins, two results? I long for a cool morning, walking through a river swamp, listening to the little hounds, waiting for a canecutter to circle back.But, it seems the out of town tags have filled the parking lots and are shooting up the woods. maybe I am just an old redneck. But, I keep listening for the breeze in the tree tops.

RESTORE WHAT, OR WHAT IS RELIGION ALL ABOUT

2007-08-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Work is hectic this morning.
We have a maintenance planner school later today and job aids are screaming to be written. But, at least we are past this cycle of machine outages. It is too hot to be inside a paper machine.

Please, let me skip past some of the banter about our role in “benevolence”; and whether it is us, or God, or us & God(?!) Let me go back to some earlier comments about the “main thing .. to seek and save the lost”, the “everlasting quality … obedience”, the twin responsibilities of evangelism and discipling new believers.

I heard sermons growing up about the big three: evangelism, benevolence, and edification. Somewhere along the line I heard this expanded some:

3 - Evangelism , Edification , Benevolence
7 - Evangelism, Service, Worship, Education, Discipleship, Fellowship, Holiness
8 - Evangelism, Discipleship, Stewardship, Bible knowledge, Sanctification, Prayer, Fellowship, Worship

I am always running around inside my head and began to question if there should be some order, some causal relationships, some hierarchy. Somehow, shouldn’t LOVE be on this chart, overtly and obviously?

And, I would also wonder about Jesus’ motives being more than just confirmation of his ministry. The word “compassion” keeps coming up! Jesus did good for reasons of compassion (and confirmation).

I guess, my question is (my wife made me boil-down my turmoil to this one question), “what is religion really all about?” (please do not pick on the word “religion”; use a different one if you must). What should we be trying to restore is simply another way of asking this question, in my mind. Is it all about obedience? Contemplation? Service? Mortification? Worship? Is there some BALANCE to be struck?

“He has showed you, O man, what is good …” “ the great commandment is …” “pure and undefiled religion is …” – such verses resound in my head. The judgement scene in Mt. 25 is about helping those in need; but there is something about watchfulness and stewardship.

Maybe, it is a right-brain/left-brain thing? Maybe it is a Eastern vs. Western difference of approach. (sometimes I listen to Ravi Z. and he has little use for Eastern thinking) Have you ever watched “What Dreams May Come” or “The Fountain”? It will stretch your mind on the after-life.

“But, Jerry, just stick with the Book” someone would surely be quick to suggest, and rightly so. But, you know, I have seen some paradigm shifts in my own head and wondered what else is not so sure. For example, the eschatological mental paradigm construct that is so common in Evangelical thought, dispensationalism. Most of the people in the fellowship I know are quick to dismiss this. But, many sincere believers are absolutely convinced of this whole framework (or, some version of it [pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib….]). Closer to home, what of the “Pearl of great price” and the merchant? Who is the merchant and what is the pearl?! (be careful) And, also, what is the role of “law”? Is it a road to God, or more like a reagent to reveal? (yes, even the “new law”)

I once had a lengthy discussion with a Sephardic Jew who was looking for the Messiah in his life-time! After reading the NT, he thoughtfully asked, “what if…?” (he had a paradigm shift to make!) Some Jews are looking for a movement, not a man as the “messiah”.

Maybe, another way of putting all this, is, is it more musical or mathematical? (I know some musicians mechanically read the notes and painfully move through; and some mathematicians see visions of numbers in color) I once heard a sermon about the different walks with God: heart people, soul people, mind people, strength people. (you know the reference) The comment was made that problem is that most church leaders are “mind people” working like engineers or managers.

What is religion really all about?

wolf in sheep clothing

2007-04-25T07:21:00.001-07:00

Jesus-that does not sound like something I would say

2007-04-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

GRANDSON

2007-04-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

LINES OF FELLOWSHIP

2007-04-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have a dream

What is the RM? I mean fundamentally?

A couple of quotes from a blockbuster film:
Marcus Aurelius: "There was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile. ..."

Maximus: "Marcus Aurelius had a dream that was Rome, Proximo. That is not it. That is not it! ..."

of course, MLK,jr. had a famous sermon by this title, “I have a dream” powerful, convicting, moving, disturbing, intriguing, inspiring.

but, what are “we”? fundamentally? How do we define ourselves? by tangible, logical lines of doctrine; or by something more solid, but less discernible? Are we just another denomination with an identifying set of doctrines (can you say “creed”)? Or, we held together by principles despite differences on the surface?

even to ask the question, is to run the danger of defining a denomination! if one lives in flatland, then one sees things in two-dimensional format. but, if the Spirit of God has opened ones eyes to see the warriors on the hills, then one walks in faith. "Open my eyes, that I may see,glimpses of truth Thou hast for me..."

just dreaming?!"

You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one" -- John Lennon

Humility and honesty
Hungry and homesick

jdc