This life here below is full of toil
Tears oft moisten our face
But there is One who true comfort grants
As part of His enduring grace
While mortal strains give rise to points to ponder
There are answers and rest just over yonder
Padre
Paul did his story tell
How he had repented from the path of Hell
And stated then clear as day
That he was a citizen of a great city
His statement had meanings three
As from Tarsus great he did hail
He was a citizen of lofty Rome as well
But the greatest city he could declare
Was as a subject of God’s Kingdom of the air
For of all cities none can compare
To the one with God’s throne residing there
Padre
Acts Poem 22 based on Acts 21 and 22.
Version from Cold Mountain
The traditional spiritual song Wayfaring Stranger is a great use of the negative phrase used as a prompt by Jim Adams’ for today’s challenge. The song speaks of a heavenly rest where “no” problems of this life will be found. The song has been released by Johnny Cash (whose version I have posted the lyrics), and by Jack White in a version used in the Civil War film Cold Mountain. There is just something haunting about White’s version that makes me prefer it.
Lyrics
I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I goI’m going there to see my Father
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on
I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over homeI know dark clouds will gather ’round me
I know my way is hard and steep
But beauteous fields arise before me
Where God’s redeemed, their vigils keep
I’m going there to see my Mother
She said she’d meet me when I comeSo, I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over home
I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over home
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Traditional
Padre
Image by Gretta Blankenship from Pixabay
Pastor Vince gave us encouragement today about the trials and stresses of life. He noted that no matter how rough day to day existence may seem, there is a bigger plan. That plan is an encouragement from God.
Paul wrote in Philippians 2: 1-4:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Christ’s love and compassion for us is such an encouragement. It is also a model of how we in turn are to be encouragements in our valuing of others.
Yes, but how does looking beyond myself to serve others make me any better equipped to deal with life? Philippians continues with both Jesus’ example and the answer:
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (vs 5-8).”
Jesus who was in the beginning with God, and who was God (John 1), gave it up to lift us from our sins, and our existence in the mire. There is our first encouragement – someone cared about us in our debased state. He loved us enough to die to lift us from it.
But in Jesus’ humbling came an exultation. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (vs 9-11).”
Jesus has gone to sit at the right hand of the Father. There He is above every other name, and every knee will bow to Him. Yes, He became a mere man. Yes, He was despised and rejected. Yes, He was crucified, died, and was buried. But He rose again to a life at the right hand of God. That is our second encouragement. The troubles of life are not the end! There is more however.
Ephesians 2: 1-10 tells us we too are to be raised and glorified:
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
No matter what our trials here. No matter how far we have fallen. We will be lifted up. Jesus has returned to His seat at the right hand of the Father, But we too have reserved seats being “raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
When we suffer setbacks (none which even come close to the trials of Holy Week), we should praise God regardless, for we are lifted. As Pastor Vince put it, “There is a man in heaven.” Jesus is already there seated on His throne. Other men will join Him. The seating plan is made and our seats are reserved.
Padre
My Golden Treasure – Dianne
You are my golden treasure
This you’ve always been
Some say that death did “take” you
But death’s doors will never win
For we both trust in our Saviour
His promises plain and true
It is but for a moment
Then I will once again be with you
Padre
Pixabay
As a new day dawns –
Full of the poetry of life –
My Faith renewed –
My Soul refreshed –
I stop to ponder
All the ways I’m blessed
Opportunities before me
Possibilities to pursue –
Preparing for that dawning
For which I am longing
Where there will be no more night
Padre
The waters were surprisingly calm as our ship entered the Sacred Sea–the place where many of us were eventually destined to go. It wasn’t my time just yet, but my friend was on the ship ahead of us and I was there to see her off. Though I would miss her terribly, I could not grudge her good fortune when I saw the pure joy in her eyes.
As her ship approached the center of the Sea, ripples of cloud formed in a circle above it. From the center of the circle, a bright light broke through the darkening sky, out-shining the stars and what was left of the setting sun. It was a portal to another world…another time, perhaps. There were plenty of tales of what lie on the other side–of shining cities, and lush fields and forests. Wealth and beauty beyond imagining. But no one really knew for sure. What was on the other side would always be cloaked in mystery, for no one who went through it ever came back. Yet it had always been this way, since the beginning, that on the last day of each year, a ship would be sent with the lucky chosen. New lives awaited them on the other side.
The ship began to rise, creaking and groaning as it lifted just above the water, then higher and higher into the air. Those of us watching looked on with awe. What was awaiting our loved ones on their journey into the sky? And what would we find on our appointed day to follow?
The reality then gripped me that she was gone, and tears began to run down my cheeks.
“None of that now, Laddie,” the old helmsman said.
“It’s just – it’s just the not knowing for sure,” I choked. “None return.”
“That’s not strictly so,” the old mariner said, wisdom and compassion in his eyes.
“What do you mean?” I said grasping at a sudden hope.
“There was one from the other side that came to live here for a spell, and he told us that his father had rooms aspare awaiting. Then he went from here dying in a horrendous way. His ship journey, one of storm and pain, but three days later he returned to tell folk that he had made sure the gates, so those who sail the way will find their course true through waters calm.”
“But how do we know?” I challenged, again feeling despair rising in my heart.
“Because I am one of the ones who saw him. Both before his voyage, and on his second when he returned for good. He set me on this course as helmsman, one to steer others to the way.”
“What do they call you, helmsman?” I asked.
“My name is John, and I was a fisherman along with my brother, James. We and our friends Peter and Andy knew the journeyer well. I have ever since his rising into the clouds shown others the way. Trust me, Lad, stay true to your course and you and your lady friend will be together again in the wonders beyond the Sacred Sea.”
Padre
Written on this fourth full day since my lady made her journey beyond the sea. I miss you Dianne, but know you have found paradise. I will join you when my sailing date comes.
You were (are) a woman of faith
Your belief sure and true
You have just now gone to meet your Lord
As you prepared your whole life to do
I too am a man of faith
And though the golden streets I have not seen
I will continue in faith and fight a good fight
Till I join you in Pearly Gates’ sheen
But for now I must wait
Spend each day looking to
That day of our reunion –
Sharing such anticipated views
Padre
Waiting for a poem… d’Verse
Padre's Ramblings 