I don’t want to think on it any more. Title of a new song? No, heart cry of a grieving soul. I don’t want to think on it any more. The universe fills with thoughts — big enough for every human being to have his or her unique version. We play with it, enjoy it, embellish and create. We discover the powers of soul and their self-willed capabilities. One day arrives, however, when the self-personality waxes ugly and if I’m honest — I don’t want to think on it any more. To loath my fool-hearted-self, logically manifests itself, after all, a man is shapen in iniquity — “in sin did my mother conceive me.” So teaches God’s Word. The way that seems right to a man eventuates in the way of death. My own understanding lends itself not to be leaned upon. Then what? Oh happy day, when Jesus washed…
Tag: <span>compassion</span>
2 Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” Romans1:5 “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:” Hebrews12:28 “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” “Let us keep on having grace.” Folks, to serve God acceptably, to have a ministry, to obey God — these are not human endeavors. In contrast Paul speaks often of “grace” and “mercy” received and held on to — without which he, or none of us, could love, show compassion, forgive or show mercy to those least deserving. And this comprises the calling. Miroslav Volf, a celebrated theologian, relates a story in his work, “Free of Charge,” a book on forgiveness. “I was one then and my five…
When the details of life toughen, when serving God waxes near impossible, when crushing blows penetrate the consciousness — we approach a strange phenomena — the, insuperable, unattainable, undoable, unrealizable, unsolvable, place of utter dependency on God — A time and judgement that authoritatively requests, even demands, a relinquishing of all self-help — self reliance, control and power of will and exercise. We die. For all practical purposes — yes we find ourselves impotent, paralyzed. O, happy day. Imagine having all senses inoperable. First we lose hearing, the world stops. Then the eyes go blind — we take a seat. A panic settles in. A sense of smell does not help us now, our discerning taste buds bland out. We reach our hands to touch or feel, we engage emptiness. We cannot speak. But, God’s presence, which had never left us, now gains pre-eminence on the throne of our world. He speaks, He listens,…
When I think of a person, fellow human sufferer; I well-up with love and compassion. So also did Jesus Matthew 9:36 tells us, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” And again in Matthew 14:14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Also in Matthew 15:32 “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” New testament “compassion” was taken from a Greek word relating to our English word “spleen.” Spleen works in a man as a blood filter and also regulates the immune system…
Much of mankind would never think of defeating sin in their own heart. Their rationale argues for its impossibility, sin powers its way. They feel, “God could never hold us responsible for our capitulations to such a force as sin.” In failing often, their heart hardens to the fight, then gives way to justifying their actions. As many join them in their new justifications, the lobby grows strong. The kingdom of darkness joins them, providing carefully constructed rational statements, (lies) to enable the downward spiral. With doctrines of demons, the need for God and Church dissipate. Christ and His glorious triumph over sin finds no consideration amongst those embracing the attractive suicide-bent. Their lives may experience some repercussion, but they press forward. Their martyrs carry the torch, as the masses blindly follow, hoping it all to be true. Friends, let us never forget that our old selves died with Him.…
The Book of Job teaches us some interesting phenomena about the ways of men. “The tendency to conflate, (blend), poverty with other social issues such as unemployment, welfare receipt or substance abuse, or to uncritically cite these conditions as explanations of poverty, is tied up with the tendency to portray poverty as a problem created by those experiencing it. .” From jrf.org.uk “… those who deviate are seen as the source of trouble. The obvious question observers ask is, why do these people deviate from norms? Because most people view themselves as law abiding, they feel those who deviate do so because of some kind of unusual circumstances: accidents, illness, personal defect, character flaw, or maladjustment… In other words, the deviant is the cause of his or her own problem.” Borrowed from “the sociological approach to social problems—Russ Long” I guess we must talk of this phenomena. If a person falls to chance or…
I have sat beside a tiny crib, And watched a baby die,As parents slowly turned toward me,To ask, “Oh, Pastor, why?” I have held the youthful husband’s head,And felt death’s heave and sigh.A widow looked through tears and said,“Dear Pastor, tell me why?” I have seen a gold-star mother weep,And hold a picture nighHer lonely breast, and softly ask,“Why? Pastor, why, oh, why?” I have walked away from babyland,Where still-born babies lie.A mother stretches empty arms,And asks me, “Pastor, why?” I have watched my drunken Father leaveOur home, and say “good-bye,”While looking into Mother’s faceI asked, “Please tell me why?” I have heard the white-tipped tapping cane, Which leads a blinded eye.And then a darkened, lonely voiceCries, Preacher, show me why.” I have caught a fiancee’s burning tears,And heard her lonely cry.She held an unused wedding gown,And shouted, “Pastor, why?” I have heard the cancer patient say,” Tis…