Month: March 2015

It’s been a few weeks since I posted, as my head has been working through some stuff and my days have been unusually crowded.   I have not given up this blog yet, however, I had felt that my content was a little recycled.

Anyway, it being the week that it is, I cannot help but write and express thoughts about what happened on this week so many years ago.

I mean look at this graphic of the events.  It’s pretty incredible!

Infographic source: The NIV Quickview Bible

And then Sunday. Oh, Sunday. Wow!

Spend some time this week remembering and reliving these events, and remember what a world changer this week was!

Behold how every wound of His
A precious balm distils,
Which heals the scars that sin had made,
And cures all mortal ills.
Those wounds are mouths that preach
His grace;
The ensigns of His love;
The seals of our expected bliss
In paradise above.
— Joseph Stennett, 1663 – 1713

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. – Psalm 27:4

Last week I was searching for some thoughts and viewpoints on stillness of the soul and I came across this old Sunday School Teacher book on Google.  The book itself was published in 1876 by the National Sunday school union.  My search led my to page 344 where there is a section entitled “Things to Think On”. which surprisingly I have.  I even found myself returning there today when I had a small break.  I forsee more returns to this section as these old thoughts are somewhat captivating in how new they are!  Today, however, what caught my eye was the section which immediately proceeded the section on thinking, which contained this little story.

A SINGULAR SERMON Four gentlemen and an old minister were assailed on the highway by three robbers who demanded and took possession of all their funds The old minister pleaded very hard to be allowed a little money as he was on his way to pay a bill in London. The highwaymen as our authority informs us, “being generous fellows gave him all his money back on condition of his preaching them a sermon.” Accordingly they retired a little distance from the highway and the minister addressed them as follows: Gentlemen You are the most like the old apostles of any men in the world

“Gentlemen You are the most like the old apostles of any men in the world for they were wanderers upon the earth and so are you they had neither lands nor tenements that they could call their own neither as I presume have you. They were despised of all but those of their own profession and so I believe are you; they were unalterably fixed in the principles they professed and I dare swear so are you; they were often hurried into jails and prisons all of which sufferings I presume have been undergone by you; their profession brought them all untimely death and if you continue in your course so will yours bring you. But, in this point beloved you differ mightily for the apostles ascended from a tree into heaven where I am afraid you will never come but as their deaths were compensated with eternal glory yours will be rewarded with eternal shame and misery unless you mend your manners. —Methodist Magazine for February 1797

 

Fascinating.

Man, I am not sure why but in the last 24 hours I have been a part of several conversations, posts and texts which reference the band Drivin N Cryin. It could be a flashback to great collegiate times, or it could be that it’s the lead singer’s birthday.  Which I am not even sure how I even know!

Anyway, the guy is a great lyricst and as a tribute, here are some Kevn Kinney lyrics, that seem appropriate for this blog! Sing along.. you can think about today.

Look what you’ve done to your brother lately
Look what you’ve done, look what you’ve done
Look what you’ve done to your brother lately, lately, lately

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 ESV

I have been in ridiculous mode over the last 36 hours but have finally found a break to get to the keyboard.  I am still trying to at least get something down every weekday, even though it’s not always the deepest thoughts on my mind.

However, while at lunch today I stumbled on this article about how Christians address other followers of the Christ and thought it was worth sharing.  I especially thought this quote included in the article was worthy of consideration.

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”Abraham Kyuper

I read this a few hours after I had read this quote in a short article by Ann Voskamp, ( yes, I do scan lots of information throughout the day. It’s the glory of conference calls!)

I take to heart the words of Thomas Aquinas, who defined beauty as id quod visum placet — beauty as that which being seen, pleases. I wear the lens of the Word and all the world transfigures into the Beauty of Christ.

Remember he controls it all and when we view it has his it changes our perspective.

Here’s an interesting thought from Banning Liebscher about what we do how we get stuff done.

“The results of what people see are the rewards from what people don’t see” – Banning Leibscher