The Hound of Heaven

Readers of English poetry will recall the turbulent life of Francis Thompson. His father wanted him to study at Oxford, but Francis lost his way in drugs and failed to make the grade time and again. This was a slumbering genius, if only his life could be rescued. When Francis finally succumbed to the pursuing Christ, he penned his immortal “Hound of Heaven”:

I fled Him down the nights and down the days.
I fled Him down the arches of the years.
I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways of my own mind:
And in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
Down titanic glooms of chasmed fears
From those strong feet that followed, that followed after.
For though I knew His love that followed
Yet I was sore adread
Lest having Him I have naught else beside.

And he ends:

Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,
I am He whom thou seekest!
Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest me.

I am utterly convinced that neither walls nor unfortunate mishaps nor poor decisions can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Perhaps you have noticed footprints of one following closely across your own life. Will you follow them?

-Ravi Zacharias 

Hound of Heaven: A Modern Adaptation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXlgz4aBKt8

A modern skeptic:

“But the new rebel is a skeptic, and will not entirely trust anything. He has no loyalty; therefore he can never be really a revolutionist. And the fact that he doubts everything really gets in his way when he wants to denounce anything. For all denunciation implies a moral doctrine of some kind; and the modern revolutionist doubts not only the institution he denounces, but the doctrine by which he denounces it. . . . As a politician, he will cry out that war is a waste of life, and then, as a philosopher, that all life is waste of time. A Russian pessimist will denounce a policeman for killing a peasant, and then prove by the highest philosophical principles that the peasant ought to have killed himself. . . . The man of this school goes first to a political meeting, where he complains that savages are treated as if they were beasts; then he takes his hat and umbrella and goes on to a scientific meeting, where he proves that they practically are beasts. In short, the modern revolutionist, being an infinite skeptic, is always engaged in undermining his own mines. In his book on politics he attacks men for trampling on morality; in his book on ethics he attacks morality for trampling on men. Therefore the modern man in revolt has become practically useless for all purposes of revolt. By rebelling against everything he has lost his right to rebel against anything." 

-G.K. Chesterton.

Exclusively Inclusive

Truth, by definition is exclusive. But the Gospel message of Christ Jesus is inclusive of everyone who believes! 

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.  (Ephesians 1:11-14)

When we consider this world we live in, with all of its pains, and sorrows, losses, shortcomings, and failures. It can be overwhelming!  It might even feel as though God who has created all of this, has somehow remained distant from human suffering. One must ask ...has He?  When we look at the evidence we see that Jesus, who said the things He said, and who claimed to be whom He claimed to be ...God. We might ask "...if that is God, then what’s He doing on a cross?" In His great love, we see that on the cross, God has NOT remained distant from human suffering, but has become part of it!

3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[a] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[b] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

-Romans 8:3-4

Christ has encoded Himself into our world, and was born into this world, and has spoken, and He has made the way for us back to Himself. Back to His Eternal Kingdom. Along with the Cross of Christ, comes the Resurrection of Christ. The two most pivotal points in history. The cross of Christ brings together the Judgment, and Justice of God, at the same time, and space is demonstrated, the forgiveness, and the Love of God. The Resurrection confirms His victory over death, and hell. If those who were opposed to the work of Christ, wanted to kill the movement, all they had to do was produce His body.

This quote is a story told by Billy Graham about his conversation, and meeting with the first post-war Chancellor of Germany; Konrad Adenauer...

"I was invited to have coffee one morning with Konrad Adenauer before he retired as the Chancellor of Germany. When I walked in, I expected to meet a tall, stiff, formal man who might even be embarrassed if I brought up the subject of religion. After the greeting, the Chancellor suddenly turned to me and said, “Mr. Graham, what is the most important thing in the world?” Before I could answer, he had answered his own question. He said, “The resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ is alive, then there is hope for the world. If Jesus Christ is in the grave, then I don’t see the slightest glimmer of hope on the horizon.” Then he amazed me by saying that he believed that the resurrection of Christ was one of the best-attested facts of history. He said, “When I leave office, I intend to spend the rest of my life gathering scientific proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” It was the fact of the resurrection of Christ that called the disciples to go out as burning young revolutionaries to change the world of their day. They preached that Christ is alive. This should be our message, not only on Easter, but on every day of the year."

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,"

-John 11:25 

God, the Universe and Hawking. 

By John Lennox.

Even So Come!

I can't get enough of this!

"There will be justice, all will be new, Your Name forever, faithful and True. Jesus is coming soon."

At War

          

I’m at war recently, and it weighs me down … that is until the moment, I realize that Christ has already won the battle for me! And ultimately for Himself. That it’s not about me… it’s His-story! With a heart of repentance, I only need to rest, and trust in His accomplishment… and know that I am His!

Then, and only then does my soul find rest! The rest (faithfulness, good works, picking up my cross daily) will come naturally, from a grateful heart.

Praise be to the One, and Only God, the very same Lord Jesus Christ! 

"I the Lord of sea and sky

I have heard my people's cry

all who dwell in dark and sin

my hand will save." 

His hand, has saved indeed! 

He giveth more Grace...

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Annie J. Flint

1866 - 1932

Union of contrasts

“He was the meekest and lowliest of all the sons of men, yet he spoke of coming on the clouds of heaven with the glory of God. He was so austere that evil spirits and demons cried out in terror at his coming, yet he was so genial and winsome and approachable that the children loved to play with him, and the little ones nestled in his arms. His presence at the innocent gaiety of a village wedding was like the presence of sunshine.

No one was half so compassionate to sinners, yet no one ever spoke such red hot scorching words about sin. A bruised reed he would not break, his whole life was love, yet on one occasion he demanded of the Pharisees how they ever expected to escape the damnation of hell. He was a dreamer of dreams and a seer of visions, yet for sheer stark realism He has all of our stark realists soundly beaten. He was a servant of all, washing the disciples feet, yet masterfully He strode into the temple, and the hucksters and money changers fell over one another to get away from the mad rush and the fire they saw blazing in His eyes.

He saved others, yet at the last Himself He did not save. There is nothing in history like the union of contrasts which confronts us in the gospels. The mystery of Jesus is the mystery of divine personality.”

– James Stewart, Scottish theologian 21 July 1896 – 1 July 1990

Left Forever unsaid:

"If all that we say in a single day,
With never a word left out.
Were printed each night
in clear black and white
‘Twould prove strange reading, no doubt.

And then, just suppose,
‘ere our eyes we could close,
We must read the whole record through;
Then wouldn’t we sigh,
and wouldn’t we try
A great deal less talking to do?

And I more than half think
That many a kink
Would be smoother in life’s tangled thread.
If half that we say in a single day
Were left forever unsaid."

--Author Unknown

Nothing Like a little relaxing on Father's Day

...Around, a campfire, and some DELICIOUS grilled Chicken.

Thank you to my friend. The original, woodsman extraordinaire , for a wonderful afternoon!

We probably stayed too late, so I hope that was not a burden. So I say...

"Too late I have stayed, forgive the crime. Unheeded flew the hours. How noiseless falls the foot of time, that only treads on flowers."


God Bless!

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing:

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Here there by Thy great help I've come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let that grace now, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for thy courts above.

"...Proper respect"

1 Peter 2:17

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Respect, for many decades now is something that has been escaping from our society like air from a life raft on the water.

Young people seldom show respect to their own parents let alone their elders that are around them. Not just young people but grown adults often have a hard time respecting each other this day and age.

I’m sure you’ll remember the event recorded in the Old Testament of Joseph of old. How one of the Officials that served the Pharaoh of ancient Egypt was a man named Potiphar. Joseph served under Potiphar. Now Potiphar was a smart man, and saw that the LORD was with Joseph and blessed everything Joseph set out to do. So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household, and everything he owned. He trusted Joseph so much that he let Joseph take care of his house and EVERYTHING in it. Now when Potiphar’s wife tried to temp Joseph to do evil. Joseph refused her saying…  

“With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. ⁹ No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Joseph had respect for his master. He honored his master…. Because he feared God.

I think one of the main reasons we have a lack of respect in our world today, is because “we have forgotten God.”

In the scripture reference the Apostle Peter (the Rock) tells us to “Show proper respect to everyone.” And we as human beings, as young and old people should ask ourselves the question …WHY should we show proper respect to everyone? 

We as believers in Christ have a profound answer to that question. A few verses back in 1 Peter 2 we see...

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

The God of heaven and earth desires that we (his special possession) lead by example, that we may “silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” That they may know we are His disciples by of our Love.” 

Our Lord Jesus, when he was on this earth walking and talking, preaching and teaching, told us…

“¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

That “light” that Christ refers to… is HIM, living inside of us. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” For those of us who believe… We have the third person of the Trinity living inside of us. We are sealed with His Spirit.

So… “for the Lord’s sake” as Peter has stated “Live such good lives among the pagans” that even though they accuse you, and say all kinds of things behind your back to build themselves up, and to tear you down with their words… that when they see you doing good. Weather that is helping someone at work, or small acts of kindness, helping someone in your family. Or helping someone in need, or forgiving someone who has wronged you…whatever that good work is that the “holy spirit has prepared for you in advance to do”

…That you DO IT… and when they see you do it. They will see Christ in you, who desires Mercy more that Sacrifice. They will see Christ in you, who desires that “none should parish, but that All should come to repentance.”

So let the light of Christ that is in you, shine in your heart, so that it gives light to everyone in the room. Then “showing proper respect to everyone” will come naturally. And God will be praised!

Quotes, Quotes, Quotes!!!

“Christianity is a mind altering Reality.” – Alistair Begg

“I believe in Christianity much like I believe in the rising sun. Not because I can see it, but because by it, I can see everything else.”  – C.S. Lewis.

Scottish quote -(McLoud)

“Human thought processes, and human presuppositions and assumptions, and human logic, are hostile to God. The distortion of sin, the anti-God bias has come in at the level of understanding and intellect. By nature we think crookedly. We think in an ungodly way. “

“There is no road from man’s intellectual and moral perception to a genuine knowledge of God. The only way to knowledge of God is for God freely to place Himself within the range of our perception, and renew our fallen understanding. Hence, if we are to know God and have any adequate basis for our Christian understanding and experience, revelation is indispensable.”  -Bruce Milne

3 

I have not learned wisdom,

    nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
    Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
    Surely you know!

- Proverbs 30:3-4

"A heart of flesh"

I still have the heart within me to raise livestock, and to be the farmer/rancher that I would love to be! I thank God for my few goats that I have, and for the little Chicken's we have been able to keep on our property. And I know that if the Lord wills it, someday I'll have those things that are in my heart. The land, the animals.  But my heart should not fix itself onto those things, and thankfully it has not! Rather, I have given that dream over to Him. Knowing that His timing is not MY timing. I still am required to fix my eyes, and my heart on Him. With the Heart of flesh that he gives me. And the Spirit that he provides.

I love the word picture used here, a heart of stone, traded out for "a heart of flesh". I hear that and picture open heart surgery. With the idea, and knowledge that the flesh is very sensitive to the touch, and can wound easily. I imagine a heart that is figuratively, and literally LIVING, and almost breathing the Spirit of God. Alive in the Spirit. Sensitive to the touch of the Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:24-27New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

24 ‘“For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

"Work with your hands"

It is such a great reminder we get from scripture. When I am worrisome about my life, and my endeavors. I feel a tremendous comfort in knowing that my Lord, is watching over my everyday endeavors... and my long road as well, and I can trust in Him to bring to fruition, any and all of my hopes, and aspirations in life.

All I have to do right now, is put my faith in Him, trusting, and seeking Him first, "...and all of these things will be added unto you." Not to think that I will be wealthy, or have lots of things as the world might think. But that He will bless me with His blessings! Which are far better, than I can imagine!

I love the Scripture that helps me look at what is in front of me, TODAY.. and do what I have before me, as unto the Lord!

"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;"    - 1 Thessalonians 4:11 KJV 


...Thy will be done!

What's important?

So I've been pondering what to post, and came to the conclusion ..post whats most important!

Lately I've increased my scripture reading, and study. At this point I've managed to read through the New Testament one time, and am half way through my second time. I simply know that with out the Word being pored over me, and into me, I will have an even harder time knowing the mind of God, and the will of God in my life. But when I am in His word, his Spirit "teaches me all things". -John 14:26


"For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."  - 1 Corinthians 2:11


When you know the mind of God, from reading His word... you begin to see this life through His eyes, and everything starts to make  a lot more sense! I love the quote from C.S. Lewis.

"I believe in Christianity much like I believe in the rising sun. Not because I can see it, but because by it, I can see everything else.”  – C.S. Lewis

Just some food for thought!