Prayer of Thomas Merton

This prayer was printed on the front page of the bulletin of the church I attend. With everything that's happened over the last few months - and in some cases, still happening - the timing could not have been more perfect (thank you, Lord!). I hope it will be an encouragement to you, as well.


My Lord God, 

I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. 

Amen. 

 "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." Psalm 37:23-24

Read more...

Use Them Wisely

Image Source: searchquotes.com

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." James 3:10

Read more...

Tragedy in Connecticut

Courtesy of elitedaily.com

No words can even begin to describe the myriad of feelings I experienced when I learned of the tragic shooting that occurred today. Part of my responsibilities as a teacher's assistant involves reading stories to children, helping them pick out books for them to read at home - children the same age as the little ones who whose lives were cut short this morning. How and why anyone could murder such dear ones is unfathomable to me.

"The majority of those who died today were children - beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them - birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers - men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today - for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain."                                                                                - President Obama

Why was such a terrible tragedy allowed to happen?

How could someone commit such a heinous crime?

 I won't even attempt to try making sense of this heartbreaking situation, because, in all honesty, it doesn't make sense to me. I don't know why it was allowed to happen. I don't know how (and why) anyone could bring themselves to gun down another human being made in the image of God, especially a child.Such acts of brutality rarely ever make sense to our finite, limited minds (humanly speaking). We may never know why a young man was permitted to take the lives of 20 innocent little bundles of joy, laughter and happiness and the lives of 6 of their teachers, this side of Heaven.

Parents, hug your children a little tighter tonight. Fellow teachers and child caretakers, be on the alert.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this heartbreaking catastrophe. May God give you comfort and peace as you grieve the loss of those dear children and teachers.

Read more...

Don't Let the Song Go Out of Your Life

Don't let the song go out of your life

Though it chance sometimes to flow

In a minor strain; it will blend again

With the major tone you know.

What though shadows rise to obscure life's skies,

And hide for a time the sun,

The sooner they'll lift and reveal the rift,

If you let the melody run.

Don't let the song go out of your life;

Though the voice may have lost its trill,

Though the tremulous note may die in your throat,

Let it sing in your spirit still.

Don't let the song go out of your life;

Let it ring in the soul while here;

And when you go hence, 'twill follow you thence,

And live on in another sphere.

- from Streams in the Desert

Read more...

A Cry from the Heart

Father in Heaven,


      I need to trust you more than ever . . .


                                                      . . .  to believe that you work all things out for my good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:28

                                                   
                                                        . . . to fight this battle I'm facing.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 

Exodus 14:14

                                                     . . . to be my God who provides beyond my limitations. 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19

                                                           . . . to be the light to my darkness.

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 

Psalm 18:28

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

Psalm 119:105

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 

Isaiah 60:20

  . . . when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. 

Micah 7:8

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

John 8:12

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

Revelation 22:5

                                           . . . to use these trials, these struggles, the hurt, the tears, the painful circumstances, to strengthen and purify me and to glorify You.

I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee . . . 

II Kings 20:5

 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 

Psalm 126:5

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:23-33

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 

John 16:20

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

II Corinthians 4:17

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes . . .

Revelation 7:17; 21:4

Help me take my eyes off my circumstances and the cares of life and keep them fixed on the Cross of Christ for as long as You choose to keep me on this earth. Only then will I be able to have a right view of myself, my circumstances, and Your will.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

Galatians 6:14

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:2

My father's way may twist and turn, my heart may throb and ache,

But in my soul I'm glad to know He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray, my hopes now fade away,

But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, for He doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem that day will never break;

I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see, my eyesight's far too dim;

But come what may, I'll simply trust and leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift, and plain it all He'll make - 

Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake

                                                                                                    Amy Carmichael

Read more...

The Rejection of Truth

As an American patriot and Christian, I feel the need to mention some grievances that have come to my attention in the recent months.

David Barton, historian and writer (and the Founder and President of WallBuilders), recently published a book entitled The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You've Always Believed About Thomas Jefferson  through Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most prominent Christian publishing companies. The book was repealed after the publisher "lost confidence" in The Jefferson Lies.

This is the official statement from the WallBuilders web site in response to Thomas Nelson Publisher's repeal of the book.

"The announcement that Thomas Nelson has pulled The Jefferson Lies because it has 'lost confidence' in the work has become national news. However, while Thomas Nelson may have “lost confidence” in the work, others have not and thus the book has already been picked up by a much larger national publisher and distributor. Even at the time Nelson dropped the work, they admitted that it was still selling very well.

"As is the case with all of our published items, we go above and beyond with original source documentation so that people can be thoroughly confident when they see the truth of history for themselves. We find it regrettable that Thomas Nelson never contacted us with even one specific area of concern before curtly notifying us they had dropped the work. Had they done so, we would have been happy to provide them with the thorough and extensive historical documentation for any question or issue they raised; they never asked. The Jefferson Lies has not been pulled from publication and it will continue to sell nationally."

 In this article, Barton addresses individual critics' concerns and statements about The Jefferson Lies. (I was planning on quoting parts of this article, but found very quickly that I would need to quote the entire article for accuracy, so it's much better if you just read the article for yourself.) He speaks very well for himself, so I would strongly encourage you to read it.

Why is Barton taking so many negative hits for trying to educate others - especially Americans - about the truth of our Founding Fathers using original documents and eyewitness accounts?

I cannot make a final judgment call on why Barton's critics are being so negative, but I can point to what the Scriptures say about human nature tends to treat truth.

God is a God of truth.

...a God of truth... {Deuteronomy 32:4}

...all his works are done in truth. {Psalm 33:4}

...his truth endureth to all generations. {Psalm 100:5}

...thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. {Psalm 108:4}

....thy law is the truth. {Psalm 119:142}

...all thy commandments are truth. {Psalm 119:151}

 Fallen, depraved man has a natural tendency to reject God's truth and replace it with man's lies, even men who have accepted Christ as their Savior (see Romans 1 and 2). Many times, this is because the truth isn't "convenient." Truth doesn't fit with our preconceived notions, and that makes us uncomfortable. So we skew truth/reality to fit with what makes us comfortable.

It can be very hard to stand up for the truth. It's so very tempting to cave under pressure. We don't like being uncomfortable. We don't like standing out, being "different." It makes me sad that Thomas Nelson, one of the most well-known Christian publishers, has caved under pressure.

Now, I am not saying Barton's latest book is on the same level as God's Word as a source for truth. It just makes me sad to see a dedicated believer being criticized for trying to debunk myths and lies that our education system has led our nation to believe about Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers.

I am no historian (although I do love history...and books), but I have a hard time believing that Deists would frame an entire country's foundation on Biblical principles and standards. I have a hard time believing that Deists would implement prayer before each session of Congress and establish a position for a Congressional chaplain. I have a hard time believing that Deists would have financially supported efforts to evangelize the Native American Indian tribes. It disturbs me that Baron is taking so much flak for his desire to set the record straight about Jefferson in his latest book via original documents, eyewitness accounts, and official records (infringement of free speech aside).

Again, I'm not saying Barton - or any other man for that matter - is on par with God as a reliable source for truth. My point is, we tend to reject any truth that isn't "convenient" and/or doesn't fit with our ideas or perspective(s).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. {John 8:32}

Truth is a God-given source of freedom. America's Founding Fathers created the entire foundation of America on God's truth revealed through His Word.

But ... you can't live by the truth if you don't know the truth. That requires digging deep, using original sources in context - in our case, the Bible (in Barton's case, original writings, eyewitness accounts and official documents).

Seek to learn and know the truth by becoming a student of God's Word. Remember: you can't live by the truth if you don't know the truth.

"The great pillars of all government and of social life [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible."

Patrick Henry

General in the American Revolution; Legislator; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Virginia

"Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. . . . What a Eutopia [sic] – what a Paradise would this region be!"

John Adams

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; One of the Two Signers of the Bill of Rights; Second President of the United States 

"I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament." 

Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

"In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity."

John Quincy Adams 

Sixth President of the United States; Secretary of State; U.S. Senator; U.S. Representative 

"The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." 

Congress, 1854

"[T]he only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible."

 Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped. [sic]"

 Benjamin Franklin

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Signer of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Pennsylvania

"Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle... In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants."

Congress, U. S. House Judiciary Committee, 1854

"[Governments] could not give the rights essential to happiness… We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth."

John Dickinson

Signer of the Constitution; Governor of Pennsylvania; Governor of Delaware; General in the American Revolution

"Righteousness alone can exalt America as a nation. Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others."

Patrick Henry

General in the American Revolution; Legislator; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Virginia

"It becomes a people publicly to acknowledge the over-ruling hand of Divine Providence and their dependence upon the Supreme Being as their Creator and Merciful Preserver . . . and with becoming humility and sincere repentance to supplicate the pardon that we may obtain forgiveness through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Samuel Huntington

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of Congress; Governor of Connecticut 

"[P]ublic utility pleads most forcibly for the general distribution of the Holy Scriptures. Without the Bible, in vain do we increase penal laws and draw entrenchments around our institutions." 

James McHenry

Officer in the Revolutionary War; Signer and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Secretary of War

"By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects… It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published."

 Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

"You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are." 

George Washington

Member of the Continental Congress; Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army; President of the Constitutional Convention; First President of the United States

"This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins."

Benjamin Franklin

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Signer of the U.S. Constitution; Governor of Pennsylvania

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." Thomas Jefferson

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Governor of Virginia; Secretary of State; Third President of the United States

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." 

John Hanckock

First Signer of the Declaration of Independence; President of Congress; General in the Revolutionary War; Governor of Massachusetts  

I recommend a general and public return of praise and thanksgiving to Him from whose goodness these blessings descend. The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the source from which they flow. 

John Jay

President of Congress; Author of the Federalist Papers; Original Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Governor of New York

"[T]he greatest discoveries in science have been made by Christian philosophers and . . . there is the most knowledge in those countries where there is the most Christianity."

 Benjamin Rush

Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Surgeon General of the Continental Army; Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution; Treasurer of the U.S. Mint

Read more...

Does Suicide Send You to Hell?

It's a sobering question that lingers in many hearts and minds. Many have found it difficult to offer a clear, theologically sound answer.

Ravi Zacharias, founder of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), does an excellent job of answering this difficult question in this portion of a recorded Q&A session. His humility, transparency and love for the truth of God's Word shines through as he speaks.

As Ravi pointed out, suicide is a form of murder. Instead of taking someone else's life in your hands, you're taking your life in your hands. God makes it abundantly clear how He views any kind of murder.

 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 

Genesis 9:6

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

I Corinthians 6:19-20

Man is made in the image of God. When man kills man - whether another man or himself - the image of God is marred. Staining the image of the holy God is not something He takes lightly, and neither should we. 

So, does suicide send you to hell?

The short answer is: No. Choosing to reject Christ is what sends a person to hell.

I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year,

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied, "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way."

King George VI

Read more...

The Rainbow

"The rainbow, the symbol of the covenant with Noah, is typical of our Lord Jesus, who is the Lord's witness to the people. When may we expect to see the token of the covenant? The rainbow is only to be seen painted upon a cloud. When the sinner's conscience is dark with clouds, when he remembers his past sin, and mourneth and lamenteth before God, Jesus Christ is revealed to him as the covenant Rainbow, displaying all the glorious hues of the divine character and betokening peace. To the believer, when his trials and temptations surround him, it is sweet to behold the person of our Lord Jesus Christ - to see Him bleeding, living, rising, and pleading for us.

"God's rainbow is hung over the cloud of our sins, our sorrows, and our woes, to prophesy deliverance. Nor does a cloud alone give a rainbow, there must be the crystal drops to reflect the light of the sun. So, our sorrows must not only threaten, but they must really fall upon us. There had been no Christ for us if the vengeance of God had been merely a threatening cloud: punishment must fall in terrible drops upon the Surety. Until there is a real anguish in the sinner's conscience, there is no Christ for him; until the chastisement which he feels becomes grievous, he cannot see Jesus. But there must also be a sun; for clouds and drops of rain make not rainbows unless the sun shineth.

"Beloved, our God, who is as the sun to us, always shines, but we do not always see Him-clouds hide His face; but no matter what drops may be falling, or what clouds may be threatening, if He does but shine there will be a rainbow at once. It is said that when we see the rainbow the shower is over. Certain it is, that when Christ comes, our troubles remove; when we behold Jesus, our sins vanish, and our doubts and fears subside. When Jesus walks the waters of the sea, how profound the calm!" - C.H. Spurgeon

The bow shall be seen in the cloud.

Genesis 9:14

Read more...

Hold On Until the End

Do you ever have those moments where you're reading something - a passage of Scripture, a devotional book, a quote book, etc. - and God brings your attention to a particular verse or sentence that tells you exactly what you needed to hear at that particular moment?

That happened to me just a few minutes ago.

I was reading in one of my all-time favorite devotional books, Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman. I always enjoy reading each day's short devotional - they are chock-full of Biblical truth and spiritually refreshing.

Today's devotional was entitled, "Hold On Until the End." I have been a bit frazzled -- alright, more than a bit frazzled about some situations where I have felt like throwing my hands up, throwing in the towel, giving up . . . you get the idea. This devotional was exactly what I needed to hear, right at the moment when I read it (yet another reason I don't believe in coincidences).

If you'll permit me, I would like to share part of this short devotional with you in the hope that it will minister to your heart as well. (No copyright infringement is intended.)

Hold On Until the End

"It is the last step that wins; and there is no place in the pilgrim's progress where so many dangers lurk as the region that lies hard by the portals of the Celestial City. It was there that Doubting Castle stood. It was there that the enchanted ground lured the tired traveler to fatal slumber. It is when Heaven's heights are full in view that hell's gate is most persistent and full of deadly peril. 'Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.' 'So run, that ye may obtain.' "

In the bitter waves of woe

Beaten and tossed about

By the sullen winds that blow

From the desolate shores of doubt,

Where the anchors that faith has cast

Are dragging in the gale,

I am quietly holding fast

To the things that cannot fail.

And fierce though the fiends may fight,

And long though the angels hide,

I know that truth and right

Have the universe on their side;

And that somewhere beyond the stars

Is a love that is better than fate.

When the night unlocks her bars

I shall see Him--and I will wait.

Washington Gladden

It's so tempting to give up when you're so close to the end of a trial, a spiritual struggle, or other difficulty that must be fought through. I constantly struggle with wanting to give up - and, all too often, actually giving up - when I can "see the light at the end of the tunnel," so to speak. I feel like I've already fought so long and so hard to rid myself of that besetting sin, to free myself from a bad habit, etc., that I just can't do it anymore, even though I'm right at the finish line. That would be like an Olympic athlete stopping and pulling himself or herself out of the race a few paces from the finish line, mere steps away from victory. I don't know about you, but that mental image is heartbreaking to me. That's exactly what happens when I focus on the stormy situation, the pain the situation is causing, etc., and I pull myself out of the spiritual race God has called me to run.

During the World War II Allied Invasion of Normandy ("D-Day"), a detachment of British forces were ordered to seize and hold a particular bridge until reinforcements arrived. They knew before they landed that they would be vastly outnumbered by the occupying German forces. When the officer of the detachment asked how long they were expected to hold the bridge, the answer was, "hold until relieved. Hold until relieved." And that's exactly what he did - his detachment took the bridge and held it until the reinforcements arrived to relieve them.

Hold on until the end. Don't quit. "It is the last step that wins."

Keep your hand on the plow! Hold on!

Langston Hughes

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Hebrews 3:14

Read more...

I Would Be True

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;

I would be pure, for there are those who care;

I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;

I would be brave, for there is much to dare;

I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;

I would be giving, and forget the gift;

I would be humble, for I know my weakness;

I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.

I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.

I would be faithful through each passing moment;

I would be constantly in touch with God;

I would be strong to follow where He leads me;

I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod;

I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.

                                                    - Howard A. Walter

"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

Luke 6:31

Read more...

Pride Destroys

God wants to be the center of your life, because that's where He belongs. Someone who is prideful believes they has need of nothing but deserves everything, because they placed themselves at the center of their life. God is constantly working to de-centralize humanity, this problem of pride. Pride is the root of a great many of the roadblocks we encounter in our spiritual life as we seek to learn and grow to become more like Christ.

James 4:6 says, "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." God wants your reliance and your focus to be on Him (as it should be), not on yourself.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon and one of the world leaders of his day. He fought and conquered many nations, including Israel. He took everything from those he conquered, except their false gods. He knew he could get more cooperation from them if he let them keep their gods. This is the same tactic Satan uses today. He may take your marriage, your children, your health, your purity, your joy, your money, your peace of mind, your job, any number of things.

The one thing he will not take is your "god." Your "god" is anything you allow, out of the pride of your heart, to take the place of God or in place of obedience to God. Satan's goal is to turn your heart away from the one true God. He leaves your "god" in your life to accomplish that goal.

Some examples of "gods" would be:

• Alcohol
• Drugs (prescription or illegal)
• Independent spirit
• Anger
• Pleasure
• Work/career
• Pornography
• Self-destructive actions and thought patterns
• Jealousy
• Money
• Fame/popularity
• Eating disoders (anorexia/bulimia)

In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar recounts the story of how his pride brought him very close to destruction.

The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? {Daniel 4:30}

Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with pride that he set himself up as god. He was completely self-absorbed and self-satisfied, even after he was warned by Daniel about God's imminent judgment (see v. 27).

God mercifully stayed His judgment for an entire year, giving Nebuchadnezzar plenty of time to repent. After voicing his prideful boast in verse 30, God decided that the time for judgment had come.

While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws. {Daniel 4:31-33}

 Nebuchadnezzar believed in the existence of God. He knew God can work miracles, that He had the power to reveal mysteries to Daniel, that He had the power to deliver the Hebrews from their enemies. But Nebuchadnezzar's heart was filled with pride. He wanted to be the king of his life. God had to bring him to the end of himself, causing him to live as an animal for seven years, in order for him to humble himself before God.

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?  At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.  Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. {Daniel 4:34-37}

How have you displayed pride and/or self-absorption? How have you, like King Nebuchadnezzar, ignored God's Word and His warnings about that pride?

Take some time to get alone with God. Allow Him to show you your pride in its real light. Confess those areas of pride in your life and put God back on the throne of your life.

Pride erects a little kingdom of its own, and acts as sovereign in it.

William Hazlitt

Read more...

Born to Run

In keeping with the spirit of the Olympics, it seemed fitting to take a look at the life of one of the most famous Christian Olympians of the past - Eric Liddell, the Scottish athlete and missionary. Part of his life story is told in the film Chariots of Fire, winner of four Academy Awards and two Cannes Film Festival awards (and also one of the most popular and recognizable film scores of all time).

Eric Liddell was born in January 1902 to the Rev. and Mrs. James Dunlop Liddell, who were serving as missionaries in China. Eric went to school in China for the first five years of his life. He and his brother, Robert, were transferred to Eltham College - a boarding school in London for the sons of missionaries - when Eric was six years old. Their parents and sister Jenny remained in China.

At Eltham, Eric proved himself to be an outstanding athlete, becoming the captain of the rugby and cricket teams. He was awarded the Blackheath Cup as the best athlete of the year. His coach described him as being "completely without vanity." Eric became known as the fastest runner in Scotland during his time at Eltham, later becoming the most popular athlete to come from Scotland. Eltham renamed their sports center "Eric Liddell Sports Center" in his memory.

Eric was chosen to speak for the Glasgow Students' Evangelical Union due to his strong Christian testimony and in hopes that he would draw large crowds to hear the Gospel.

Eric joined Robert at the University of Edinburgh to study Pure Science. Athletics continue to play a big role in his academic career. He ran and played rugby for the University club, setting school records in the 100 yard dash and 220 yard sprint. He graduated in 1924 after competing the the Paris Olympiad.

Speaking of the Olympics, one of the highlights of Eric's life was competing in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. Eric stuck to his convictions and refused to run a heat held on Sunday and was subsequently forced to withdraw from the 100 meter race - his best event. He won a gold medal in the 200 meter race and a bronze in the 400 meter. His performance in the 200 meter stood as a European record for 12 years.

After the Olympics and graduation from Edinburgh, Eric returned to China to carry on his family's missionary work. He married Florence Mackenzie, a fellow missionary child, in 1934. They had three daughters - Patricia, Heather and Maureen. 

In 1941, life in China was becoming so dangerous for foreigners that the British Government advised Brisish citizens to leave the country. Florence and the children left for Canada while Eric stayed behind. Invading Japanese forces took over the mission station where Eric was working and he was interned at the Weihsien Internment Camp. Eric became a leader in the camp, helping the elderly, teaching Bible classes, arranging games, and teaching science to the children, who fondly nicknamed him "Uncle Eric." 

One of Eric's fellow detainees, Norman Cliff, described Eric as "the finest Christian gentleman it has been my pleasure to meet. In all the time in the camp, I never heard him say a bad word about anybody." Langdon Gilkey, who also survived the camp and became a prominent theologian in his native America, said of Liddell: "Often in an evening I would see him bent over a chessboard or a model boat, or directing some sort of square dance – absorbed, weary and interested, pouring all of himself into this effort to capture the imagination of these penned-up youths. He was overflowing with good humour and love for life, and with enthusiasm and charm. It is rare indeed that a person has the good fortune to meet a saint, but he came as close to it as anyone I have ever known."

Eric died in February 1945, just five days short of liberation. An inoperable brain tumor, overwork and malnourishment did him in. There was a tremendous outpouring of grief at his death, both inside and outside the camp. In 2008, Chinese authorities revealed that Eric gave up a change to leave the camp, giving his place to a pregnant woman instead. The Japanese had made a deal with the British, with Churchill's for prisoner exchanges. 

According to a fellow missionary, Eric's last words were, "It's complete surrender." What an incredibly inspiring life and testimony, even with his last words! 

"God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. "

Chariots of Fire

Sources: Eric Liddell.org and Wikipedia

Read more...

Father, Give Me Bread

During a special afternoon service yesterday at the church I attend, we watched a recent episode of Dispatches from the Front, a ministry of Frontline Missions International (more information on those ministries here and here). This episode, entitled Father, Give Me Bread, focuses on an area known as the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia and the new country of South Sudan), a war-torn and famine-plagued part of the world long caught in the clutches of Islam. The Gospel message is spreading quickly in these countries and God is using believers to care for orphans and others who are in need (praise the Lord!).

Here are some of the highlights from Father, Give Me Bread. 

While the light of the Gospel is illuminating the lives of many in Ethiopia and South Sudan, there is an enormous shortage of Bibles in the native languages of the peoples who live in this part of the world. Most of the churches highlighted in this episode have only 1-2 Bibles for the entire congregation.

The Oromo are the largest group of people living in Ethiopia. Michael Alemu, a native pastor, tells us more about their need for copies of the Scriptures in their language and what we can do to help.

Half of the 70 million people living in Ethiopia are children and adolescents; roughly 5 million of those are orphans. Mr. Alemu heads up Abebech Gobena Orphanage and School, a ministry and education center for street children and orphans, many of whom are affected by AIDS (find out more here). I was deeply touched and inspired to see Mr. Alemu's evident love for the Lord being manifested in his tender compassion for these children in Father, Give Me Bread. Hundreds of children are having their physical and spiritual needs met through the ministry of this orphanage/school. What an incredible work the Lord is doing through Mr. Alemu and the other believers who are serving in Abebech Gobena!

As I mentioned before, the majority of churches in Ethiopia have only 1-2 Bibles per congregation. The enormous outpouring of joy and gratitude these churches showed when Tim Keesee and his team handed out copies of the Scriptures in their own language was extremely moving and rebuking at the same time. These believers have very little. Most of them are without what Western culture would consider "basic necessities," yet they are so full of joy, contentment and genuine reverence for God and His Word.

After an honest look at myself, I have to admit that I don't get as excited over God's Word as those precious Oromo brothers and sisters in Christ. Quite to the contrary, I'm ashamed to say. God has given me so much, including several copies of the Bible in a few different translations in my own language, and I take it all for granted much more often than I'd like to admit. I've become sluggish and lazy in both my physical and spiritual life. I don't view the Scriptures, the precious words of God, with as much reverence or respect as I should. Watching Father, Me Bread gave me the wake-up call I needed.

I want the faith and contentment of my spiritual brothers in sisters in Ethiopia. I want to share their level of excitement over the Word of God. I want to see more of them with a copy of the Scriptures in their language, and I want to help make that happen in any way I can.

Would you join me in praying for Mr. Alemu as he ministers to the street children and orphans through Abebech Gobena, and for the Oromo people in their need for Bibles?

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”

Hudson Taylor

Read more...

Yet I Sin

Eternal Father,
Thou art good beyond all thought, 
But I am vile, wretched, miserable, blind;
My lips are ready to confess, but my heart is slow to feel,
      and my ways reluctant to amend.
I bring my soul to Thee;
      break it, wound it, bend it, mould it.
Unmask to me sin's deformity,
      that I may hate it, abhor it, flee from it. 
My faculties have been a weapon of revolt against Thee;
      as a rebel I have misused my strength,
      and served the foul adversary of Thy kingdom.
Give me grace to bewail my insensate folly, 
Grant me to know that the way of transgressors is hard,
                            that evil paths are wretched paths, 
                            that to depart from Thee is to lose all good.
I have seen the purity and beauty of Thy perfect law,
                  the happiness of those in whose heart it reigns,
                  the calm dignity of the walk to which it calls,
                     yet I daily violate and contemn its precepts.
Thy loving Spirit strives within me,
                          brings me Scripture warnings,
                          speaks in startling providences, 
                          allures by secret whispers,
                             yet I choose devices and desires to my own hurt,
                                     impiously resent, grieve,
                                        and provoke Him to abandon me. 


All these sins I mourn, lament, and for them cry pardon.
Work in me more profound and abiding repentance;
Give me the fullness of a godly grief that trembles and fears,
       yet ever trusts and loves,
       which is ever powerful, and ever confident;
Grant that through the tears of repentance I may see more clearly
       the brightness and glory of the saving Cross. 


{"Yet I Sin" from The Valley of Vision}

Read more...

Fruits of the Spirit: Love

Now, before you think that I'm about to get all mushy and lovey-dovey on you, let me assure you that is not my intention at all. The goal of this post is to examine the first fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. {Galatians 5:22-23}

Many people have tried to define love, both in secular and spiritual terms. One of my favorites:

Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark 

That looks on tempests and is never shaken; 

                      Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare 

For the purposes of this post, I believe C.S. Lewis defines it better than anyone else.

"Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained."

We can glean from these two quotes that true love is consistent and steady, no matter what may come its way.


What does the Bible have to say about love? Some examples from Scripture:

We are to love God completely.

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. {Deuteronomy 6:5}

 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. {Matthew 22:37}

 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. {Mark 12:30}

 We are to love the foreigner/stranger.

Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. {Deuteronomy 10:19}

 We are to love God's law.

O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. {Psalm 119:97}

Love covers sin.

Love covereth all sins. {Proverbs 10:12b}

Charity shall cover the multitude of sins. {I Peter 4:8b}

We are to love our enemies.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; {Matthew 5:44} 

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, {Luke 6:27} 

 We are to love our neighbor.

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31}

 Christ's love for us is a reflection of the love of God the Father.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. {John 15:9}

Christ's showed His love for us through His sacrifice.

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {John 3:16}

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  {Romans 5:8} 

Another word used in Scripture to describe this concept of love is "charity." I Corinthians 13 is the to-go passage to understand what biblical love ("charity") looks like.

(1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

(2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 

(3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 

(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 

(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

(7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

(8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 

(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

(11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

(12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

What can we learn about love ("charity") from I Corinthians 13?

1. Anything done without love is meaningless (vs. 1-3). 

"Without [love], the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit." {Matthew Henry}

2. Love is long-suffering, kind and humble. It is not envious (v. 4).

3. Love always behaves appropriately. It is not self-seeking, easily provoked, or quick to think ill of others (v. 5).

4. Love delights in truth (v. 6).

5. Love patiently endures everything. It always hopes for and believes the best (v. 7).

6. Love never fails (v.8).

7. Love is the greatest virtue a Christian can possess (v.13).

"How excellent would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this Divine principle, and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our hearts. Has this principle guided us into becoming behaviour to all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer ... Where God is to be seen as he is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height; there only will it be perfected."                                                                                  Matthew Henry

Do you have any thoughts you would like to add to this? Are there any verses or principles you know of that describe love or give instruction on how we can exhibit love in our lives? 

Read more...