Agape love never fails!
Though there be wealth, it shall rust and decay.
Though there be fame, it shall sink into oblivion.
Though there be political power and supremacy,
it shall burst like a bubble.
Though there be military might, it shall crumble.
Though there be tongues of eloquence, they shall be stilled.
Though there be beauty of face and form, it shall fade.
But love is forever.
Where hoary time shall be no more,
When earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When the Ancient of Days is set upon His Judgment Seat,
When angel harps are stilled and heaven's silence
fills the universe,
Love will still be young.
When the last plane has made its flight,
The last satellite circled the globe,
The last rocket has been launched;
When the debris of the melting cosmos
has been swept afar
by the fiery tempest of God's wrath;
When the new heaven and earth leap from
the matrix of the ages-
Love will still be in its infancy.
It will never grow old, never fade, never decay.
It is life's superlative goal.
It is divine.
Therefore, make love your aim! -Anonymous
(Don't Waste Your Sorrows, Paul Billheimer)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Today I walked
Today I walked and what did I see?
Monuments of war,
remnants of countries,
broken cities,
reminders of children
and American tragedies.
Chapels of grace and freedom,
purple magnificent flowers,
overcast shadows, and
people of all faces.
I'm noticing. I'm reflecting. I'm praying. I'm leading. I'm certain that you are here and in the midst of all of these little ones. These cloaked and tattered fences, I climb and stand amazed by your tearing down of defenses by a simple act of love. Street love, just showing up and having a conversation.
Monuments of war,
remnants of countries,
broken cities,
reminders of children
and American tragedies.
Chapels of grace and freedom,
purple magnificent flowers,
overcast shadows, and
people of all faces.
I'm noticing. I'm reflecting. I'm praying. I'm leading. I'm certain that you are here and in the midst of all of these little ones. These cloaked and tattered fences, I climb and stand amazed by your tearing down of defenses by a simple act of love. Street love, just showing up and having a conversation.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Contemplation & Community
"Thus, contemplation is not simply about God and me. It is also about God and the community of faith of which I am a part. It follows, then, that community is not simply about serving, it is also about prayer. Community is not only about connection, it is also about withdrawal. It is not only about doing, but also about interceding.
Healthy community is not only about externalization but also about internalization. It is as much about the inner life as it is about relationships and seeking to serve the wider society."
(The Seeking Heart, Charles R. Ringma)
Healthy community is not only about externalization but also about internalization. It is as much about the inner life as it is about relationships and seeking to serve the wider society."
(The Seeking Heart, Charles R. Ringma)
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Broken Violin
"In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be." Amos 9:10-12
"The principle, value, and use of brokenness even in this present order of things is illustrated by J.R. Miller in one of his books. He tells of a world-famous violinist who hired the services of the most renowned violin maker of his day. At t he time appointed, the violinist returned to take delivery of the instrument he had authorized. Taking it in his hands, he skillfully drew the bow across the strings. Great disappointment swept over his face. The quality of tone did not satisfy his artistic ear. Raising the violin over his head, he smashed it to pieces on the table, paid the agreed price, and left.
After a period of time the artist again visited the violin maker. Picking up a violin that was lying on the table, once again he drew the bow across the strings. This time he was charmed by the ravishing beauty of the tone. With astonishment he learned that this was the same violin he had broken to bits. The violin maker had painstakingly gathered up the pieces of the shattered instrument and, skillfully assembling them, had made again the broken violin. Now the beauty and brilliance of its tone met the exacting demand of the artist's ear." (Don't Waste your Sorrows, Paul E. Billheimer).
The violin may not look the same, but the music it plays is all the sweeter. Thus, is the gift of brokenness.
"The principle, value, and use of brokenness even in this present order of things is illustrated by J.R. Miller in one of his books. He tells of a world-famous violinist who hired the services of the most renowned violin maker of his day. At t he time appointed, the violinist returned to take delivery of the instrument he had authorized. Taking it in his hands, he skillfully drew the bow across the strings. Great disappointment swept over his face. The quality of tone did not satisfy his artistic ear. Raising the violin over his head, he smashed it to pieces on the table, paid the agreed price, and left.
After a period of time the artist again visited the violin maker. Picking up a violin that was lying on the table, once again he drew the bow across the strings. This time he was charmed by the ravishing beauty of the tone. With astonishment he learned that this was the same violin he had broken to bits. The violin maker had painstakingly gathered up the pieces of the shattered instrument and, skillfully assembling them, had made again the broken violin. Now the beauty and brilliance of its tone met the exacting demand of the artist's ear." (Don't Waste your Sorrows, Paul E. Billheimer).
The violin may not look the same, but the music it plays is all the sweeter. Thus, is the gift of brokenness.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A Soldier
I'm thinking of what it means to be a soilder of the Lord. I know we are called to fight, to fight on behalf of ourselves, and on behalf of others. How do we take up arms? Is it to worship, to read the Word, or to serve? Is it to dance out, cry out, shake your fists in the atmosphere and pray that the spirit within will put the enemy to flight. Is it to love courageously and freely?
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Listen to Amy Carmichael's soldiers prayer:
"From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb
higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.
From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the crucified).
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.
Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God."
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Listen to Amy Carmichael's soldiers prayer:
"From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb
higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.
From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the crucified).
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.
Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God."
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Emerging Joy!
"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.' The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126
Finding Joy is digging deeper than you think.
Soil dark, leaves crisp.
Tending, pruning, plucking hidden remains.
Light emerging, tender growth,
Flowers blooming , seeds shooting...
Sharp contrast! It sprouts out!
And all the while the dirt is muddy,
Your hands are messy, but life
comes forth. This color scheme
from deepest green.
Wondering? Soar the elements!
Planting, watering from height
and depth, feeling this life, living
this death. And the two emerging
joy from pain? Comrades different,
yet the same...Lord of all creation!
Finding Joy is digging deeper than you think.
Soil dark, leaves crisp.
Tending, pruning, plucking hidden remains.
Light emerging, tender growth,
Flowers blooming , seeds shooting...
Sharp contrast! It sprouts out!
And all the while the dirt is muddy,
Your hands are messy, but life
comes forth. This color scheme
from deepest green.
Wondering? Soar the elements!
Planting, watering from height
and depth, feeling this life, living
this death. And the two emerging
joy from pain? Comrades different,
yet the same...Lord of all creation!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Fertile Land
"What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) Numbers 13: 19-20
Why is land so important to God? "God the creator, Genesis tells us, 'looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.' We recognize this goodness in the fertility of the soil, natural harbors, scenic beauty, the availability of water, and the subsurface riches of coal, oil, gold, iron and other substances. The land has a God-given goodness and is one of the gifts through which God sustains us." (Combating Modern-day Feudalism: Land as God's gift by Walter Rybeck and Ronald Pasquariello).
Why did God say he was giving the Israelites the land of Canaan, but they had to go take possession of it? Perhaps God was testing their belief in the Sovereignty of His Word and Promises. "Do you hear how Israel transgressed and offended God? Do you see their unbelief? Do you notice how they accused God of going back on His Word? Yes, on that day, the Israelites sinned greatly because they did not belive God's promise to give them the land of Canaan. They did not believe what God had promised Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. They were like so many today who say, "We believe in God and the prophets!" yet they do not really believe God and they do not believe the prophets, because they do not believe what God has promised through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures! Unbelief is a terrible sin before God." (Israelites Unbelief, TWOR@iname.com).
I'm reminded of Caleb and Joshua. Out of all the Israelites, they were the only two from their generation that God would allow to enter into the promise land. Of Caleb He said, "I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly." Deuteronomy 1:36
God wanted to give the Israelites a fuitful, fortified, and fertile land, but there were obstacles they needed to overcome. What are the obstacles you are facing today that may be inhibiting you to receive the promise of God for your life?
Why is land so important to God? "God the creator, Genesis tells us, 'looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.' We recognize this goodness in the fertility of the soil, natural harbors, scenic beauty, the availability of water, and the subsurface riches of coal, oil, gold, iron and other substances. The land has a God-given goodness and is one of the gifts through which God sustains us." (Combating Modern-day Feudalism: Land as God's gift by Walter Rybeck and Ronald Pasquariello).
Why did God say he was giving the Israelites the land of Canaan, but they had to go take possession of it? Perhaps God was testing their belief in the Sovereignty of His Word and Promises. "Do you hear how Israel transgressed and offended God? Do you see their unbelief? Do you notice how they accused God of going back on His Word? Yes, on that day, the Israelites sinned greatly because they did not belive God's promise to give them the land of Canaan. They did not believe what God had promised Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. They were like so many today who say, "We believe in God and the prophets!" yet they do not really believe God and they do not believe the prophets, because they do not believe what God has promised through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures! Unbelief is a terrible sin before God." (Israelites Unbelief, TWOR@iname.com).
I'm reminded of Caleb and Joshua. Out of all the Israelites, they were the only two from their generation that God would allow to enter into the promise land. Of Caleb He said, "I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly." Deuteronomy 1:36
God wanted to give the Israelites a fuitful, fortified, and fertile land, but there were obstacles they needed to overcome. What are the obstacles you are facing today that may be inhibiting you to receive the promise of God for your life?
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