Needed Sense of God

One blogger told of a pulpit committee that was seeking a new pastor… He noted, 

“The deputation listened to the speaker and later gathered to discuss their response to him.  A serious, shy man finally spoke with deep intensity and yet hesitantly, as if very afraid that he would be misunderstood.  He said, ‘The fact is, I for one am set down among earthy and material and sometimes squalid things; these shape my life; and the church services are my one chance.  Unless I see God there, I shall forget about Him altogether, shall lose sight of him, amid the din and dust and press of life.  And while this preacher taught me, interested me, even fascinated me while he was preaching, I was given none of that needed sense of God.”

Weathering the Storm

"Just as the tumultuous chaos of a thunderstorm brings a nurturing rain that allows life to flourish, so too in human affairs times of advancement are preceded by times of disorder.  Success comes to those who can weather the storm." (I. Ching)

Two Nations Remembering

The cold wind and pelting rain drove the memory of wars fought and won deep into my soul.  It was Remembrance Day, the 11th day of the 11th month at 11th hour, when all the world declared that The Great War was done with, the “boys” could come home, and the world would finally be at rest.  

I was Bugler at the War Monument that day and I listened intently to the hymn “Abide with Me”  as sung by the thoughtful crowd.  I closed my eyes in reverence for the prayers offered by the humble clergy. And I focused my ears on the names being read of fallen sons who paid the ultimate price so that liberty could raise her iron hand and peace could flourish from sea to shining sea.  

An old comrade, himself worn and torn by battle, stood to face the assemblage and uttered the Ode to Remembrance from Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen", which was first published in The Times in September 1914:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Suddenly, it was time.  I lifted the bugle to my lips and blew out the tones that signaled Good Night and Good Morning to military personnel everywhere.  I played taps as expertly and with as much emotion I could muster!  They needed it to be good; I gave so that it could be grand!

I have given you a glimpse of a Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony.  It’s held in November each year and mirrors our time in May on Memorial Day.  Please find time this weekend to get alone and pray to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that this United States can achieve her destiny free from the tyranny that threatens yet our world.  And should you see an old vet marching or riding in a parade, approach him and shake her hand and let them know that you will never forget what they did for this nation and for you.

Not Misdoubting Her Strength

"Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do ingloriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength.  Let her and Falsehood grapple: who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?" (John Milton)

Actions Do Not Emerge from Nothing

Dallas Willard gets it:

"Actions do not emerge from nothing. They faithfully reveal what is in the heart, and we can know what is in the heart that they depend upon."


Think back to the last thing you did that was just a little bit "off the mark" of your best self.  Now think about why you did what you did and what it communicates about your heart's true condition. 


Lots to chew on here!

Insecure Preachers

Rick Warren nailed it: 

"Insecure preachers always need a whipping boy to belittle. Little people belittle people."

Underestimating

One should be very careful not to underestimate the quiet person.  While seemingly docile on the outside, a lion may well be roaring on the inside and be simply waiting to execute a damning pounce on its unsuspecting prey.