Oct

21

Laus Deo!

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

The direction and tone of the unique founding of our great nation was set from the beginning to be ‘One Nation, Under God.’ The following prayer was from founder and first president, George Washington.

“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love MERCY, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.

Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Laus Deo! Yes, to God be the Glory!

 

Oct

13

Waiting on God

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

Who likes to wait? In this stepped-up-pace of a world, it seems like everyone is rushed. With places to go and things to do, busy people often feel like they’re on auto pilot without an airplane. If you’re stuck in traffic or running late, it would be great to hitch a ride on the wings of an eagle and move ahead swiftly, wouldn’t it? But the Lord did not make man to fly…or did he?

It’s been said that an eagle soars upward toward the sun probably higher than any other bird. It often lives to an old age and, after shedding its feathers, grows new ones.

When we’re born again into a new life with Christ and the Holy Spirit now dwells within us, we are new creatures. Metaphorically, we’ve shed our old feathers and now bear new ones.

As we wait upon the Lord, it’s a precarious balance of trust and expectation. Though, by his word, we are assured that like the stately eagle, our strength will be renewed. We will rise toward His glory, and His grace and power will sustain us all the way to heaven.

Oct

06

In its season…

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

Even though we understand our time on earth is precious, as believers, we hunger and pray daily for the Lord’s second coming; there’s a yearning to be with Him. While we consider each day a gift, let’s consider the words of Ecclesiastes 3.

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away…

Life is not always lived at the top of the mountain. From that elevation, there is little experience of the valley to give the mountain its context and grandeur. A farmer’s field can only yield a harvest after the old growth is dead and cleared away. Even in the midst of a tumultuous forest fire where the rampant heat destroys acre upon acre, there are species of herbaceous trees, plants, and shrubs that thrive on the heat and from it produce new growth.

Everything in its time can be blessed by God and is what has been established according to his good and perfect will. Until the final day when the Lord brings us into a new heaven and a new earth, let’s do all to the glory of the Lord in word and deed in each of our allotted seasons.

Sep

29

God’s sweet grace

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

The awesomeness of God never ceases to amaze. In heaven, we’ll understand what the spirit of God is all about. Until then, the marvelous grace he bestows on his people is utterly unfathomable.

How is it that the epitome of all grace and truth came down from heaven to dwell among us as our Immanuel? How is it that the one who is all grace and truth came to take the sins of the world upon himself to make restitution for evil man?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works—so that no one can boast ~ Ephesians 2:8-9.

Wonderful grace of Jesus…greater than all my sin. We’ve sung these words often, and the impact can sometimes bring us tears of joy as the reality of the wondrous nature of God speaks to our hearts.

2 Corinthians 9:8 ~ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

When you open your eyes in the morning, may God’s grace be among the first things that comes to mind, knowing that his supply of grace is never ceasing, free, and available just for the asking.

Sep

22

Life in the waiting zone

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

Life doesn’t always move as fast as we’d like. We want the restaurant table seating now, or the coveted job offer soon, or the call returned quickly. And we definitely wish the line would move faster and the check would arrive today, or the answer delivered immediately, if not sooner. In all of this, while we distract ourselves and focus elsewhere for a moment, the things we’re waiting for will eventually come in due time. Though, even better, to just sit and wait patiently on the Lord and dwell in him is the perfect place to be.

The secret about in due time, is that it requires waiting—that lull where we can either fret or just trust in the Lord. If he is sure to guide our steps, then we really don’t need to step ahead of him. Resting in him assures us that he’s got the reins; fretting says we’re holding on too tightly.

Too often, we put the cart before the horse in our goals and desires. Sometimes, it’s just better to sit on the horse and let God drive the cart. When we’re too quick or too rushed, we are prone to stumbling. Then we might really have problems. Is that all there is to the human condition…to be fighting an uphill battle, sometimes of our own making?

Our place is not to fight but to wait. To settle into a place where the peace of God can hold us up…a place where his word and his spirit can renew us to the point where we feel at peace right where we are. Waiting on the Lord and putting our hope in him goes against the fleshly nature, but it’s where true contentment lies.

“Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” Isaiah 40:31