I Searched For You - a poem

I searched for you, LORD, in government halls.
Hoping laws would bring you to me.
But the laws were hollow, empty and bare.
Your love I just could not see.

I searched those who claimed only they know your way.
All other voices, they claimed, kept you away.
But the only voice they heard was their own, not yours.
Through them you had nothing to say.

I searched through Facebook, through Memes and posts.
I liked till my finger was sore.
Still your truth eluded my grasp.
And I knew that there must be more.

When all else had left me empty,
And life a disappointing defeat,
Your love came through, for while looking for you,
You were lovingly looking for me.

I trust nothing else to bring me to you.
Put nothing else first in my heart.
I give you my life, my soul, my all.
That's the only place I can start.

MDM 10/20/2016

One In The Spirit

"We are already one. but we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity. What we have to be is what we are."
- Thomas Merton "The Hidden Ground of Love"

In a society so desperately seeking "inclusion", we are more diverse than ever before. We fight for our rights to individual identity and purpose, then fight again when that individualism keep us from being "included", treated like others. It's even reflected in our churches, where we claim to be the one body of Christ, but each part claiming "they're the real one"! According to a study by the Gordon-Caldwell Theological Seminary, there are approximately 41,000 different Christian denominations and organizations in the world. That seems like a lot of nit-picking to me, about something that should be simple, plain and true.

God, He is the one true God.
Jesus, His Son, came and died and lived again that we would be reconciled to God.
The Holy Spirit, He is comforter and guide to lead us to God's truth.
And somehow, beautifully, mystically, those three are one.

I'm not disagreeing on those divisions that exist are needed. Each one reaches out to someone else, someone who could only be reached by that particular light and way of reasoning. Our problem occurs when we begin to think our way is the "best" way. That we have a bit of an edge on someone else. And there lies the fatal flaw. It is NEVER "our" way. It is GOD'S way. His only. All any of us can ever do in this life is look through a dark mirror at Him. What we see, or think we see, is dim compared to what God truly intends for us, and absolutely dark compared to the light of who He truly is.

The time has come for the body of Christ to consider itself just that, HIS body. Of which HE, not us, is the head. We get so offended by the little pinpricks of inconvenience in America that come upon us, while others in other countries serve Him with the giving of their lives. We must stop worrying about what we consider as slights to the rights we think we should have, and begin to think of ourselves as servants, together, of the very ones that hurt us. Our hate, our indignation, will do absolutely nothing but fan flames of more hate. We must be servants, just as Christ was a servant. We must love, even as He loved.

We, His body, must stand together, but not in Our strength, we have none. Not in Our superiority, for all have sinned. The strength that will see us through is dependence on Him alone, not ourselves. His guidance, not ours. His love, encompassing all, and reaching out to all, not the noisy sounds we make by ourselves. A different kind of inclusive...In the world, not of it. Not to force others into submission, but to draw them in by Our submission to Him. Not to draw them into ourselves, but into Him. Then there is unity. Then there is a power greater than any the earth can raise against us. Then He is glorified. Then we are His body, His bride, His church.

We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the LORD
We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the LORD
And we pray that all unity, will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
And they'll know we are Christians by our love.

The Path of Life

"Therefore choose life" Deut. 30:19

I was listening to an interview with the leader of a group of volunteer rescue workers in Syria, known as the "White Helmets". This is a group of Syrian men (plumbers, carpenters, shop owners, etc.) who search through the rubble in the aftermath of bombings in their white safety helmets to try and locate survivors. When asked why he would put his life at risk to serve like this, rather than, for instance, to serve in the Syrian army, he responded "I chose to follow a path of life rather than a path of death." These brave men have been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

As this applies to Christians, we are also to be the "White Helmets". To search through the rubbles of life and help people come out from that ruin, to heal their wounds as best we can, and let God introduce Himself to them. In a world of sanitized Christians, that means getting our hands dirty. With the story of the Good Samaritan, the hero is not the priest, or Levite, but the one who took, clothed and bandaged the beaten man. The story was told to identify who is our neighbor, the one we are to love like ourselves. But I think we are to not just love, but be like that neighbor. When he pulled the man up, he didn't ask "What were you doing in this part of town?" "Why didn't you pay attention?" That's what happens in the wrong crowd!" He just saw to his need and made sure he was cared for. So should we reach out to those around us, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. Not to destroy like an army, but to rescue, to love, like a neighbor.

We have chosen life, because God has chosen us. A hand reached down and pulled us from the rubble. He accepted us "as is", and said "I love you." To do less than this for others, when God has so greatly loved us, is to shame Him, and it mocks the love He gave. Be a neighbor. Just reach out your hand. In today's world, there are more than enough within reach who desperately need it.

Some Cleansing Thoughts

After a very long week, take some time to ease your mind. Have a great weekend.

Matthew 6:27-29King James Version (KJV)
 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.


John 16:33King James Version (KJV)
 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 
John 14:27King James Version (KJV)
 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


Psalm 37:3-7King James Version (KJV)
 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul. - Horatio Spafford/Phillip Bliss

Love Never Ending, Boundless, Deep And Strong, Be Yours At This Moment, And From Now On - Me


Philippians 4:8King James Version (KJV)
 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A Musing on America

I try not to focus on politics much on this blog, but recent events have caused me to wonder about our world, and specifically, our country, and I'd like to share a few thoughts. As always, my opinions are my own, and no better or worse than others, but I do beg your indulgence from just a moment. Thank you.

The idea of "jihad" has been around for a long time, but modern jihadism seems to have it's start in the late 60's and early 70's. Small dessert nations were getting rich with oil profits, yet the majority of it's peoples were barely getting by. (One reason of many, true, but also a large motivation.) This was largely fostered by those in leadership, including the unfortunately U.S. backed Shaw of Iran. As situations got worse, the desire for revolt grew, until at last, the Shaw was overthrown. But U.S. backing was not easily forgotten, and over 40 plus years has only festered deeper into the collective conscience, urged on by those who would take the revolt to our very shores.

Let me emphatically state, I am against any form of jihad. I believe in peaceful protest, and working cooperatively within our government to achieve solutions to the problems we face. In any society, there are divisions, and the U.S. is no different. Trouble begins when a division begins to feel itself left out, or worse, persecuted. We have groups who feel threatened, because they fear every policeman they see. Groups who feel threatened, because they fear loosing everything while trying to become Americans, and finding it more difficult and expensive than they ever imagined. Groups who fear for their lives, because of their sexual orientation, not knowing if they will be the recipient of the next bomb scare. There are people supporting the second amendment, who believe it's sole purpose is to maintain a militia ready to overthrow a tyrannical government...and they believe it is ours.

Now, we have an issue with the Dakota Native Americans, who are trying to stop a pipeline from running through their sacred lands. (Once again, oil seems to be a player.) And the federal government, although issuing a last minute pause in construction by President Obama to look into the matter, has done all it can to push this pipeline forward. Native Americans from across the country have bonded together in an unprecedented show of support. Right now it is a standoff, no foreseeable end in sight. Another fissure is created, one more crack in the wall.

These and so many more groups are out there seeking redress, and either being dismissed, or told to "Toughen up, Buttercup". With each new occurrence, a thread is loosened in the American Fabric, until we are no longer "united", but a heap of rags on the floor. How long before any one, or several, of these groups is pushed to jihad? Sound impossible? The recent attacks on innocent police officers would seem to indicate the time is not that far off. If that happens, our nation will implode on itself, and unlike the War between the States, will not have the energy to recover. Our hope lies in the original premise in our Declaration of Independence, that "ALL men are created equal", and as our pledge states, "with liberty and justice for ALL", not just those that can pay for it.

I pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 that we will turn from our wicked ways, because our wicked ways have caused these divisions. Only then can He heal our land.

A Prayer of Peace and How to Achive It

In this time of fear and trouble, especially in the remembrance of 9/11 tomorrow, there is a prayer from centuries ago that still speaks to the heart today. The solution to outside trouble always is from within us. I'm posting this for our use for now, and whenever there is trouble.

A Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Domesticating God

Listening to NPR today on the way in to work, I heard someone say "Liberal Christianity is trying to domesticate God." And of course, I immediately wondered what it would be like if God were on a sitcom...

Domesticating God - Episode 1
Opening credit music-Interior living room-Front door opens
G - Hi, honey! I'm home! (insert studio applause)

H.S. - You created everything, you're always home! (canned laughter) Where have you been, you're late again.

G- Still trying to figure out how one minute Pluto is a planet, and the next it's not! Humans, can't live with them, can't flood them out. (canned laughter)

H.S - Do you know what your son has done now?

G - Oh, he does something, and now he's MY son? What happened?

H.S. - He ONLY upset his cousin. Little Johnny was trying to practice baptism, and Jesus kept running across the pool! (canned laughter)

G - (big buildup) Je-SUUUSSS!!!

J - Yeah, dad?

G - Up to your room, now! No supper! (beat) What are we having tonight, any way?

H.S. - Loaves and fishes.

G - Again? It's like that stuff just multiplies! (canned laughter)

J- I don't care about supper. I'll just turn my pet rock into bread! (slams door)

G - Je-SUUUSSS!
End Credit Music

Trying to give God human faults is nothing new. The Greeks took their stories to such lengths, that it was more like Days of our Lives, if one of the Brady's could throw a lightning bolt. Now, it is very true that when Jesus came to earth He was fully human, but unlike Days, he didn't give in to those human temptations, He, like His Father above, was Holy.

I've spoken  much recently about God's love, but this is not a love that comes from weakness. It is available because of the Strength of God's Holiness. He loves, not because of anything we can do, but because of His grace. His Holiness can not abide sin, and the only thing that can erase that sin is His own pure, Holy being. Sinfulness cannot cleanse sinfulness. Only something completely Holy can do that.

That's the power behind John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His only, begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." In His Holiness, he became Man, that Man might dwell with Him in His Holiness.

"Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord, God Almighty.
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see.
Only thou art Holy. There is none beside thee.
Perfect in power, in love and purity."

Amen.