"Strengthen the Feeble Hands, Steady the Knees That Give Way."
Love
The Fairy Tale Romance
Feb 11th
If only these things were more simple. If only marriage itself were as easy as choosing a person to your liking and then (after the fairy tale romance) to live happily ever after. If only the pieces were all squares, circles, and rectangles, and so few that after a short process of elimination it appeared obvious to you and I that the round piece fits into the round hole and that this or that person should be ours.
But it is not that obvious at all. The pieces are just a little more complicated, and certainly more numerous than we would like. So the choice becomes more complex and not simply good vs evil, but rather between the good, the better and the best. I am not suggesting that God is waiting to give us the person who is the best but that He will always give us what is best and that this alone, this confidence in His faithfulness, should be our peace. If this does not bring you peace, I assure you, no person will.
These things, these longings and desires, they can be as difficult as they are joyous. Here, where the expectation is still for a hand to More >
Your Old Suitors
Nov 18th
Jesus’ proposal to us was made before jeering crowds On a lonely hill under a darkened sky For all to see.
He was naked, beaten and bruised Nailed to a cross which tore into his back Thirsty and longing for rest
It was in this public setting under these circumstances That He proclaimed his love for us.
His was a public confession How is it possible That we should alone know him in private And confess him in secret When it has cost him so much Why should it cost you so little And how will others know That we are no longer, “Available.” How will they know that our beloved has offered to make us His bride How will our other suitors, our former sin-mates Learn of our new relationship How shall they learn to fear transgressing that trust How shall we the hand and the foot, How shall we rejoice if what we proclaim Is behind the back and undercover
And how should those who do not know our love Come to recognize their need
If Jesus’ proposal to us was public How can your acceptance remain private? It cannot, it should not, and if it has Perhaps this is why your old More >
What Love Demands
Dec 9th
The Christian life is full of paradox. Marked by the contradictory nature of our own wills and the perfect will of God.
In order to live we must die.
Meaning, that if you are not willing to die you really do not understand the life that awaits and think too highly of the life you now hold. This is the paradox of life being gained only in dying. This is the Christian life.
To lose is to gain.
In this world of winners take all, we are hard pressed to accept the necessity of surrender in order to gain the true prize. But this is the way of the cross. The apparent loser is crowned King and the stubborn and proud are humbled. (Luke 9:25)
The rich will be poor.
To inherit the fullness of God’s righteousness we must in our own foolishness understand we are bankrupt. We are without currency to purchase life, nor skill to earn our own pardon. The wealth we have must mean nothing to us and the poverty we fear must become…friend. (2Cor. 6:10, 2Cor. 8:9, James 2:5 , Prov. 28:6, Prov. 28:11)
The Strong shall be weak.
In Christ our strength is His weakness and our weakness His strength. Because More >
