Monday, April 27, 2009

The driving power


"God has appointed a Day in which He will judge the world, and we sigh and cry until it shall end the reign of wickedness, and give rest to the oppressed. Brethren, we must preach the coming of the Lord, and preach it somwhat more than we have done; because it is the driving power of the
gospel
. Too many have kept back these truths, and thus the bone has been taken out of the arm of the gospel. Its point has been broken; its edge has been blunted. The doctrine of judgment to come is the power by which men are to
be aroused. There is another life; the Lord will come a second time; judgment will arrive; the wrath of God will be revealed. Where this is not preached, I am bold to say the gospel is not preached. It is absolutely necessary to the preaching of the gospel of Christ that men be warned as to what will happen if they continue in their sins.

"Ho, ho sir surgeon, you are too delicate to tell the man
he is ill! You hope to heal the sick without their knowing it. You therefore flatter them; and what happens? They laugh at you; they dance upon their own graves. At last they die! Your delicacy is cruelty; your flatteries are poisons; you are a murderer. Shall we keep men in a fool's paradise?
Shall we lull them into soft slumbers from which they will awake in hell? Are we to become helpers of the their damnation by our smooth speeches?

"In the name of God, we will not."

--Charles Spurgeon

(Photo credit: JupiterImages.org)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

A soft conscience

This was so convicting, and so good, and so true, I just had to share it with you all.

May we all be inspired to live by these principles each and every day!




How to Keep Your Conscience Soft

(from the article "A Seared Conscience" by Charles Finney)

  1. Embrace reason. Listen to and love wisdom and light. Move towards and lean into correction.
  2. Quickly turn from anything that you get a "prick in your heart" about.
  3. Keep the promises you make to God.
  4. Examine and notice the quality of your speech and actions. "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." and "A tree is known by its fruit."
  5. Do not indulge in known sin.
  6. Do not make hypocritical professions of love and friendship. Don't do things just because they are "socially polite".
  7. Love the truth even if and when it isn't comfortable or "flattering" to your ego.
  8. Do not be self-indulgent.
  9. Keep your heart a beautiful place. Avoid, at all cost: pride, vanity, jealousy, ambition.
  10. Always let your words be encouraging and helpful to others. Build others up.
  11. Don't make excuses for sin.
  12. Be quick to do your duty.
  13. Always side with the truth. Do not defend error.
  14. Be quick to recognize and remove the plank in your own eye, and then help your brother if needed.
  15. Reprove and correct those who are in sin. Don't let "things" go.
  16. Love correction yourself.
  17. Honor God in your speech and actions.
  18. Embrace the Holy Spirit and His direction. Lean into, warm up to it, to HIM.
  19. Desire to be holy in all areas of your life and find ways to sow the Spirit in every area.
  20. Keep things plain and simple when you talk.
  21. Be honest in everything.
  22. Do good to all men. Be thankful for everything people do for you, and look for ways to bless them.

(Photo credit: JupiterImages.org)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

To all of my blog readers...


"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the
God of Jacob protect you.


May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from
Zion.


May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans
succeed.


We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our
banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from
his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.


Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name
of the Lord our God.


They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm."

(Psalm 20:1-2,4-8)




(photo credit: JupiterImages.org)

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Life is so short



Me and my Aunt Sally. Boy, did I love my Aunt Sally. As you can see, the bonding began early :)

My Aunt Sally passed away about six months ago, when she was only 66 years old. It came as quite a shock, and I was pretty much devastated when I heard the news. We weren't expecting her to die so soon. I mean, we knew she wasn't all that healthy, but I didn't think she was that bad off.

Now it's too late.

Too late to tell her I love her one last time. Too late to thank her for the care she showed to me through the years. Too late to give her one last hug.

And too late to make sure she knew where she was going.

We had all told her about the Lord many times; I remember once, when I was still pretty young (about 9, I would say), we were at the wake of...ummm...I think she was my great aunt? Or great great aunt? I'm not sure. But anyway, I hardly knew her, so that's why I don't exactly remember! :S But at any rate, we were there, and so was Aunt Sally. We both wanted to take a breather, so we went outside and sat on the front porch swing of the funeral home. She began asking questions, and we both sat and talked for a good hour or so, as I shared with her, in simple, childlike words, my faith and the faith that could be hers, too. I believe a seed was really planted that day, and I can only hope that she heard and received the Word of the Lord.

We talked to her a few more times in the years that passed between that day and the day she died, but we didn't have many opportunities to see her. I wrote her letters every now and then, and we did our best.

But one day, about a month before she died, I suddenly had a feeling I should write to her, giving her the Lord's Good News once again. I just had a strange feeling that I should.

And, I'm very ashamed to say, I ignored that feeling.

I wish I hadn't. So badly. I'm ashamed of it, I've cried over it, and I've repented of it. And I know I'm forgiven; but it still hurts.

So the day we got the phone call from my Grandma, telling us that she had died, I was heartbroken. I sobbed from the bottom of my heart; shedding tears for what may have been, and what I had ignored. And hoping that she still heard and received the Lord before it was too late.

Looking at this picture of me and my Aunt Sally today brings back a flood of memories. Good ones, and not-so-good ones. Happy laughter with her, and the realization that she wasn't doing so well, and probably wouldn't live to see my children, young as she was.

And I ask this question of you, my dear reader: What have you done today to influence the heavenly Kingdom of the Father? Honestly. I know that sounds cliche, but be honest with yourself.

At any minute of any day, any family member or friend (or even enemy, folks) could slip away into hell, to be tormented and separated from God forever and ever. Hell never ends; there is no dying, no relief. And that is all anyone has to look forward to in the second life, if they don't realize the path they're heading down and repent, accepting the gift the Lord has graciously offered to them. Jesus didn't die for our sins to earn some kind of brownie points with His Father. He didn't have to do what He did. There was nobody, nothing forcing Him to do it. There were no personal benefits to be gained with that choice. There was nothing.

He chose do die for us. Because He chose to obey His Father, Who was His Life and His very fulfillment.

And, because He loved us.

Now that is the punch-line. Because He loved us. And mind you, we didn't love Him first.

His only reason for being tortured in our place was L-O-V-E. And that is love to the ultimate.

But it didn't stop there. He was raised from the dead, and is now seated in heaven at the Right Hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. His love didn't stop at Calvary. No, it continues on just as strong, just as sure, just as full, and just as beautiful, today. His love never changes, it never fails, it never runs out. However, if we want to accept His gift and take part in a beautiful, divine relationship with Him, He expects us to do our part, too. But even there, He doesn't want us to do it ourselves. He wants to be our lifeline; our shield; the Horn of our Salvation. Our rock; our fortress; our deliverer. He says that no temptation has befallen us except that which is common to man; and even Jesus Himself was tempted with everything you have been tempted with. Only He did not sin, and He wants to be there, right at our side, to enable us to do the same. Inevitably, we will fall at times. But that's only because our stubborn, rebellious wills will not always accept His help, and will charge right into sin anyway, like it or not. But even then, His love never fails. His love is unconditional, and He promises that if we repent of, and confess, our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. That's a promise, and He also promises never to break His promises.

So my question is, how can we, having accepted the gift He's given to us, thank Him occasionally, then go on with our busy lives and not spreading the word? Don't you think that if someone pulled up in their driveway to find a brand-new, sparkling Mercedes in their driveway with an offer to give a brand-new, sparkling Mercedes to all your friends, family (and even your enemies), if they wanted it, you would be telling them about it, and with great gusto?

So why do we find it so hard to spread the word about something even better than a brand-new, sparkling Mercedes?

That's my question.

And that's my challenge.

To myself -- and to you.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Are you amazed?





Happy Resurrection Day, dear friends of mine!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

Stormy hearts

Have any of you ever heard of The O'Neill Brothers?

As I type, I listen to the soulful strokes of the piano keys...such beauty that is drawn out from the huge box of wood and ivory! :) I am a huge fan of piano music. However, I'm not necessarily into 'classical' music. I prefer the spontaneous, beautiful, passionate tunes that express one's heart, not one's knowlege of rhythym and the theory of music. Not that rhythym and music theory are less beautiful; they're simply not my style. I like the stuff that keeps you guessing, if you know what I mean. You never know what will come out of the instrument next. :)

But, back to my original point...The O'Neill Brothers are two (somewhat young) brothers who have produced many albums of beautiful, passionate music -- for every occasion, preference, and time. They have everything from lullabies, beautiful wedding/reception pieces, heartfelt funeral pieces, hymns, instrumental 'oldies', Holiday music, love songs -- you name it! They even have an album with fitting pieces for summer, winter, spring, and fall. I love the summer album. :) There is one particular song that I adore. It's called Stormy Weather. So full of passion, sorrow, joy, ecstasy, and pain at the same time. Sound strange? Well, it is rather hard to explain. In a small way, it seems to cover all the moments in life. The reminiscent ponderings, the joyous moments when you're ready to scream you're so happy you're alive; the tears that come from deep, deep inside you, and the incredible sorrows that life sometimes, inevitably, brings one's way.

I relate to this song, especially at this time in my life. It seems that around every corner, there are extremes that jump out at me. Reminiscent ponderings -- yes, very much. Joyous moments? Yes! Tears and sorrow, Yes, yes. Each of these have been flooding my heart as of late.

Sometimes it's just a gentle drizzle of rain. Now don't even try to tell me that sometimes, when it's been raining for what seems like a month, and sunshine hasn't showed its face in what seems forever, it isn't easy to end up feeling a little glum. And such is life.
And then there is the joy of several fingers of sunlight reaching through the clouds, making the rain seem like diamonds falling from the cloudy skies.
And then comes the rainbow. Promise. Hope. Relief floods you, as you realize the rain truly may not go on forever!
And then there are the real storms, when the blasts of thunder shiver through your entire body. Lightning rips through the sky, slashing the blackness in two. The hair on the back of your neck stands up as electrons shimmie through the atmosphere. The winds whip and race and cackle through the trees, and you shiver as you try to sleep through the blackness of the night.
Suddenly the light falls across your face as a warm hand on your forehead. You slowly open your eyes and realize that the storm is over, and morning has come. You throw the window open and take in the fresh, clean breeze. The earth is refreshed, washed of the dust and heat. You step outside into the cool, damp grass and feel the warm, damp, clean earth beneath your feet. You run to the sunrise and spread your arms out. Throwing your head back, you laugh.

The storm will always be there. The rain, the wind, lightning, thunder -- all of it. The fear, passion and anger of the fury brewing charge you with volatile emotions. And then it's all over, and you are reminded once again that God is there with you, even in the midst of the storms.

And eventually, after you've been through enough storms, the fear and volatile feelings melt away and you remember that no matter what happens, God is always there, and He knows what has happened, what is happening -- and best of all, what will happen. But the trust doesn't always develop fully till you've seen enough storms, and seen the outcome.

"For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will
bring
you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but
with
everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the Lord your
Redeemer. "To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters
of
Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be
angry with
you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be
removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of
peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on
you. "O afflicted city,
lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you
with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with sapphires. I will make your
battlements of rubies, your
gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of
precious stones. All your sons
will be taught by the Lord, and great will be
your children's peace. In
righteousness you will be established: Tyranny
will be far from you; you will
have nothing to fear. Terror will be far
removed; it will not come near you. If
anyone does attack you, it will not
be my doing; whoever attacks you will
surrender to you. See, it is I who
created the blacksmith who fans the coals
into flame and forges a weapon fit
for its work. And it is I who have created
the destroyer to work havoc; no
weapon forged against you will prevail, and you
will refute every tongue
that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants
of the Lord, and this
is their vindication from me," declares the Lord. "Come,
all you who are
thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come,
buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend
money on
what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen,
listen
to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of
fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make
an
everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I
have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the
peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do
not know you
will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One
of Israel, for he
has endowed you with splendor." Seek the Lord while he may
be found; call on him
while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and
the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy
on him, and to our God, for he
will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways," declares the Lord. "As the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are
my ways higher than your ways and
my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain
and the snow come down from
heaven, and do not return to it without watering the
earth and making it bud
and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and
bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not
return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose
for which I sent
it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and
hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the
field will
clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and
instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown,
for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
(Isaiah
54:7-55:13)

A fun snippet of a day...



Just funnin' I guess... :)