The Decision of a Lifetime

F. F. Bruce once commented that there are but two reasons why people have such difficulty with the Holy Scriptures: (1) because they do not understand what they are reading, either because of contextual, historical, or literary styles; and (2) because they understand all too well what they are reading. The passage below, from Romans fits well into the second category because it is remarkably clear as to its intent and focus.

Being Found

"And be found in Him." - Phillippians 3:9

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now I'm found,
Was blind but now I see.

How do you find Christ? You can find Him if you are looking for Him. He is accessible, approachable, and is both knowable and beyond knowing. Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple, in His Father's house after three days of searching (Luke 2:46). Andrew told his brother, Peter, "We have found the Messiah!" (John 1:41). Paul told the Athenian crowd that "He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27). God Himself says we will find Him if we search wholeheartedly (Jer. 29:13,14).

But how are you found?

Adult Truths

A friend sent me these via e-mail. I really haven't quite figured out when these axioms begin to take effect. I am told it's just about the time you begin to realize they're not only true, but you live with them.

A Nation At Risk

I saw a billboard downtown that said, "What this nation needs is an awakening to God." I believe this to be all too true and accurate. Our nation has lost her identity, sense of purpose, and her character because she has forsaken her relationship with the living God Who birthed her and loves her. I believe she has forsaken her first love; she has turned away from Him and gone after others to give her what only God can provide. The things we presently feel - unseasonable weather, a bad economy getting worse, rising debt and unemployment, and bad counsel from ungodly leadership - are, I believe, the beginning pangs of a woodshed experience with a disappointed Father, a Holy God, a Righteous Judge. And since judgment begins with the house of God, we who call ourselves Christians do well to first get right with God so that we can know how to stand and serve Him in this hour.

Please join me in seeking the face of the Lord. Join me in praying for the boldness of God that speaks to such times as these. Join me in weeping between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17) for a nation that has mingled with the ungodly (Hosea 7:8), that she might perhaps be redeemed.Join me in standing in the gap for a nation at risk. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31).

Tall Men

While at the VA hospital the other day, I met an elderly man who was looking for his car. Since I knew where the parking areas were, I volunteered to help him in his quest. As we walked along I noticed he was wearing a ball cap that said simply, "WW II Vet." This was no surprise, since most of the older men and women being seen at the VA were from that (and the Korean War) era. What surprised me was the cowboy-style belt buckle with the polished U.S. Marine Corps emblem in the center - an eagle, globe, and anchor proudly displayed for any and all to see.

I quickly asked him, "I notice you are a former Marine. When and where did you serve?"

I thought I had gravely hurt him when he began to answer tearfully, "I was on Iwo Jima."

Murphy's Law

I've heard that the paradigm in Murphy's Law states basically that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, in front of the most witnesses possible (more than once), or at a critical time when you are SO not wanting to find the word "duh" engraved in your forehead.

Deep with God

I read a lot. Other than the Bible, there's A.W. Tozer, Andrew Murray, C.S. Lewis, and many others. Much of what will be written here is taken from some of those sources. In all honesty, I cannot lay claim to having very many original thoughts. But I can tell you what these thoughts have meant - and still mean - to me.

The following entries are reflections I would like to share with you.on those thoughts. I pray they will be of benefit, stirring you up as well.

________________________________________

“Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me.” (Psa 42:7)

“For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” (1 Cor. 2:11, 12)

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” (Rom. 8:16)