Jean Valjean, a vagabond in the classic “Les Miserables” was a just released prisoner in midlife. “Nineteen years in French prison have left him rough and fearless. He walked for four days in the Alpine chill of nineteenth century southeastern France, only to find that no inn will take him, no tavern will feed him.” Max Lucado tells the story in “Grace.” “Finally he knocks on the door of a bishop’s house. Monseigneur Myriel is seventy five years old. Like Valjean he has lost much. The revolution took all the valuables from his family, except some silverware, a soup ladle, and two candlesticks.” “Valjean expects the religious man to turn him away. “ “But the Bishop is kind. He asks the visitor to sit near a fire.” “He explains, ‘This is not my house, but the house of Jesus Christ.’””… They dine on soup and bread, figs, and cheese with…
Healing at the Cross Posts
On this years Labor Day, I can only think of one laborer; our Merciful Savior. He came in the volume of the book to do the will of His Father. He finished the work that was set before Him, and faced a bloody cross and death. Do any of our “works” compare with His? His was “vicarious.” “performed or suffered by one person as a substitute for another or to the benefit or advantage of another.” Not like working for our families, friends, or government which deserves commendation when we do it, but He stood-in as a substitute for a deeper need, the redemption of our fallen souls. Without His work, a sacrifice which led to His death, all of our works would merit little — a few dollars and perhaps a good night’s rest. Yes, a few hours of peaceful mind often appears inviting, as life offers little rest.…
“Sin does not overcome the blood; it is the blood that overcomes sin.” Lewis Sperry Chafer Sin comes touting a broad range of particulars, all originating from the ugly self-life of man’s cursed nature. Sin weighs in as big, monstrous, hideous, shocking, diabolical, subtle, sleazy, rebellious, or a thousand other dank and dark labels. Go ahead, name them all. Sin abounded.(pleonizo). It increased as the law stealthily came along side to do it’s magnifying function, blowing up the picture of dread for all to see — sin just got uglier, filthier, more and more “unforgivable.” Friends, every self-righteous bone in every human body has just gone into “judge em” mode; fully, violently, quickly! Off with their heads, they deserve to die! Then weighing-in, we see the precious shed blood of Christ; big, great, strong ?– excelling in power ? No, Jesus was “crucified in weakness.” He despised the shame. The “rich”…
A part of our lives that requires humility comes when we must reconcile — with God, with our friend, our spouse, a neighbor. “I’m sorry”– that I took liberties in my self-righteousness. I’m sorry for hurtful words, for hurtful acts which broke your heart. Friends, the anti-Christ spirit of the age touts “big-boy” clothing, promotes the world of fighting rage, laughs at the “second-rate” people who dare to say, “I’m sorry.” These are labeled “weak” and despised. These weakened ones cannot play in “man” games of slander and character defamation without remorse — they surmise. These lack the courage to threaten others, to harass, to justify hatred, to blame — they decide. These cannot converse behind the backs of colleagues, separate friends, perfect the two-faced sagacity, conspire to maim — they figure. The “big adult people” view sincere love as an Achilles heal, a flaw to be exploited. They escalate…
“Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his.” “And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19 “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Psalm 139:1-5 Have you ever thought of it? God knows your name. He knows who you are. He knows you in all of your bodily postures. He knows your neural-pathways, your thought processes, your places of repose, and…
When Christ came into my life, He gave me a purpose for living. Let me explain: Before I met Christ I had some purposes, but I didn’t have the faculty to discern my true purpose, and I settled for purposes of my best understanding. Most of my problems stemmed from just not understanding the design of the playing field (of life). Then, I had not a clue as to what equipment was available and necessary for the “game” on that field. So, to run with this illustration, I had no hash marks, no out of bounds lines, and most of all, no goal line. There were no “first down markers” to measure my progress, no scoreboard to keep track of my accomplishments, no referees to monitor correct conduct required for this contest. Back then, before I met my Savior, every person and purpose wore the same color on their…
We scarcely know all that we have been delivered from, fellow believers. James Masterson lists ten “capacities” of the self life, in his book,”The Personality Disorders.” Among these we find the capacity for: spontaneity, one for entitlement: to appropriate experiences of mastery and pleasure and the entitlement to environmental support for these. the power for maintaining self-image, the power for commitment, the power for intimacy, the power for creativity. Masterson sees these as inherent in every man and also there are more listed. The problem that we have with these “capacities” lies in the truth which places them in that part of man which was crucified with Christ. The self. Dr. Stevens teaches in his booklet called, “A Living Faith,” “we may very well have an orthodox faith but not a correct faith. We may have the words of faith but a faith without the tune of grace. We may…
Yes, where are we now since a killer virus surfaced to destroy lives? Most have tried to adapt, but easier said than done for many. Frustration seems to abound. The highways near my home have become racetracks, shopping pains us to go, restaurants are too risky, professional sports have no longer home and away games — all is fan-less and fun-less — rebellious people spew hatred in newly invented ways. Blame has become popular, as has varied verbal sewage — slander, jealousy, envy, threats. Many unfortunately have shown their true colors and have declined in popularity with the general public, hearts are being revealed — some ugly ones but also some beautiful have come out of their closets. Coping and adaptability also go up and down the grid. Depression rising, so it’s ill effects of addictions and suicide are gaining in number. A true Christian seeks communion with The Divine.…
Martha was cumbered about with much serving. Distracted she was away from Jesus words. She had found serving the physical needs of the Savior a more important thing than simply receiving His discourse. Mary was contented to sit at Jesus feet. Luke 10:40-41 Two value systems display themselves here: One, the magnification of external impositions; but two, the priority of internal peace. The believer in Christ must maintain peace within and peace serves as a buffer against the forced authority of outside levying or intrusion. Sadly, folks divide their soul by entertaining the pressures. A person with a divided heart is a person with misplaced priorities. “Priority” is a person’s hierarchy of values within himself. The divided man has esteemed certain troublesome things above the high priority of a unified soul so he sacrifices his harmonious soul which consists of: a mind kept in it’s executive position — with emotion…
The “Twilight Zone” featuring Rod Serling’s “from another world” commentary, peaked TV interest in a forgotten childhood. The Twilight Zone is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy suspense, science fiction, horror, and psychological thriller and fantasy tropes. The original series, shot entirely in black and white, on CBS for five seasons from 1959 to 1964. Wikipedia Dun dun dun da — dun dun dun da — dun dun dun da — the mysterious and unique-sounding background music, set the tone for suspense. The series sparked fear in me — many times. Why did we keep watching? Forbes offers this, “A handful of theories offer explanations why. One is what I’ll call the controlled-environment theory, which says that when we watch scary movies, we’re intentionally triggering our fight-or-flight response in an environment where we control the variables. This theory is similar to the thinking…