Unmerited favour, a gift underserved
Concepts of grace – contained in His word
Grace freely given – in His own Son
The ultimate gift of the Beloved One
Padre
Ephesians 1:6
Gifted
faith
Name
It might seem to many – a thing insane
That I attach such reverence to a name
That they might use day to day
As an utterance quite profane
It is the time though – of the year
When the name is on the radio
Broadcast for all to hear
Of mangers, and wise men, shepherds and more
The radio blasts them out – score after score
And at the end of this season all too brief
The name of Jesus will again come to grief
Why is it that their hearts are so base
That they don’t see the folly and the disgrace?
Padre
Gingerbread Moments
Now’s the season of cocoa and gingerbread
When goodwill is rumored to be spread
Do we take time to stop and take in
How is started and when did it begin?
For in the rush to be festive and bright
We don’t always remember that nativity night
So in your next sweet gingerbread moment
Take time recall that essential component
Padre
The Seed You Sow
Mark 4 :26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
The great commission calls for us to make disciples as we go about the world. We sow the seed is far more ways that we might realise. It is not just in formal “preaching,” but by our professions of faith, and our examples of that faith we show in practice. We often don’t think about that last bit, but it is as much a part of planting the gospel as the things we say. In fact, many in the world are far more likely to give our testimony’s credence based on our actions than our words.
It is up to us to sow the seed, but we need to remember that it is not us that makes that seed grow. It is easy to get frustrated that people are not responding in the way we think they should. But making things grow is not our mission. Ours is to sow, it is God that makes it grow. The harvest is His.
Padre
In The Image
We are in the image of God above
Body, mind, and spirit – made thereof
In our nature united – three-in-one
Not just Christians, but everyone
There is a mission set by Him above
That our actions be driven by
Faith, hope, and love
And as we let this guide us – we will grow
And our godly image – to the world will show
Padre
Thank you Pastor Vince for a thought provoking message
When Things Seem Dark
There are many – who embark
On a downward journey into the dark
Letting fears and doubts lead to despair
Thinking there’s no comfort anywhere
But there is a light that a new way can show
Where hope eclipses the feelings low
For love and compassion are quite real
No matter what at the moment you feel
For God offered you His ultimate gift
Because He loves you
And He desires above all – you to uplift
Padre
A Path Lit
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Yesterday I posted a poem reflecting on the Word of God as the point of our focus and how it opens truths to us. Psalm 119 gives us another perspective as well. God’s law enlightens us. A lamp to our feet and a light to our path. What an interesting idea. I really don’t give much thought to making my way around my own bedroom at night. It is familiar, but I still prefer some illumination if I am going to go downstairs. A light for our feet is a great encouragement as it removes fear. A light to our path is also something to reflect on. Despite knowing my bedroom well, and having confidence in my way around it, it doesn’t mean that I don’t occasionally stub my toe or stumble over an object I forgot had been recently put there. A light for even the familiar path is a blessing.
How much more do we need such lamps and lights as we go through the unfamiliar and chaotic world around us? There are stumbling blocks and pitfalls ever before us. But God’s guidance is provided by His word.
You might venture out into the world at night without a light source, trusting in external illumination. But if there is a blackout do you go out with the same lack of concern? Now, what if you were put in the pitch black depths of a coal mine? Would you step carefreely?
None of us knows what today, much less tomorrow holds. Perhaps its best to be prepared and have a torch at the ready.
Padre
The Real Truths Beyond
I open my eyes and I daily see
A world of temptations calling to me
Be it riches or celebrity
Beckoning – “Come seek after me.”
But for all their glitz and glammor
They are but noise and clamour
Meant to lead me onto paths unstable
And into sinking sands with their fables
But there is a source on which to focus
Offering true riches and treasures for us
For wonderful things are in His instruction
Leading us away from paths of destruction
Taking us to waters still and pastures green
And a home more beautiful than we’ve ever seen
Padre
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18
Tower
When devouring hearts evil intend
When all our efforts fail to defend
There is still a place of sanctuary
Prepared to accept all and any
Who call on His name – the fortress strong
For God will protect those which to Him belong
Padre
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
When Troubles Abound
There is a misconception that if one is in a relationship with God that their lives will be all rainbows, butterflies, and banquets. We only need to read the accounts of the righteous man Job, the trials of the patriarch Joseph, or about the suffering servant which is our Lord to know that this is not the case. While I am not going to spend time here exploring Irenaeus’ arguments as to why suffering and hardship might befall us, it is still relevant that God (as the Lynn Anderson song puts it): “never promised you a rose garden.”
You see God gave us a garden once, and made the rules of tenancy really simple: “Don’t eat from that one tree.” What did we (as humanity) do? We ate from it of course. Since then we have paid the natural and logical consequences of disobedience.
“But that is so unfair,” people protest. Fairness is in reality about justice. Justice says that we should be treated according to a consistent standard of rules or law. We did the crime, now we are paying the fine. Yes, there are others that seem to be even less worthy than ourselves (a human perspective – as all have sinned) that seem to prosper. Just chalk that one up to the “unfairness” of the world we have created from our original disobedience.
The Psalmist was under no delusion of “the Gospel of Prosperity.” Serving God does not give us a promise of those aforementioned butterflies and banquets. It does however give us a promise of God’s care, concern, and provision of our needs.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
The Lord is my shepherd, I will have what I need (not what I greed). He may not give me an earthly mansion, but He will give me safe places to reside, and refresh me when I am feeling the burdens of the world. Even in those dark lonely places – He is with me. And my enemies and tormenters will know He is with me because those needs are being met. He loves me, no matter if it is in the belly of Jonah’s fish, or in Joseph’s prison cell. But best of all – there awaits a place me which humbles any garden (rose or otherwise), for it is in the dwelling place of the Lord and it is forever.
Padre
Some musings on trials and struggles.
Padre's Ramblings 