Are we One with (or against) the Father?

Conscienceness came into being the moment Adam and Eve realized they did wrong and attempted to hide from their sin and from God.

Sin separates us from God. Our conscience, our realizing we did something wrong, and our attempt to run from it, is the result of sin.

We didn't have a conscience before sin entered the picture. We were complete and whole, one with the Father.

BUT ...

The darkness of the world - Satan utilized the serpent to cast doubt on God to His created beings, Adam and Eve. "Had God indeed said...?" (Genesis 3:1)

Their thinking led to their choosing against God and His commandments and unto themselves. It resulted in sin. It brought about conscienceness - shame before God, justification for acts done or not done.

Mankind was doomed. Mankind had fallen out of God's favor, fallen from God's supreme sovereignty, fallen into darkness, a deep dark hole of separation. Mankind listened to another of God's creatures, preferring to follow the physical desires they had over the commandments given them by their Creator.

It is more than disobedience. We do not accept our individual blame, we pass it off to someone else. We run, go into hiding, fearful of facing the very one we should face. We do not seek forgiveness.

He gave us life and we want more?!

Because of this separation, mankind was no longer one with the Father, no longer dwelling with Him. That is not to say none followed after the Lord, for some did and some do. When sin entered in, however, God's wrath was kindled and the curse He doled out to Adam and Eve and the serpent fell to all future generations as well.

"So the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

"To the woman He said: I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."

"Then to Adam He said, Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, Cursed isthe ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles itshall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In thesweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:14-19)

It was God's  grace, God's love that brought us into being. His love that provided food and water. His love that gave us instructions, guidance. His love that brought man and woman together. His love that we trampled on, disobeyed, ignored. His love we chose to forgo for something different. The Lord gave and gave and gives still and instructs us, guides us in His purpose for us, which ultimately is to praise and glorify Him.

When we follow, listen to opinions, abiding there instead of with the Father, when we listen to our conscience we tend to hear negativity and our actions are based on what we perceive, however right or wrong they may be.

God's  love. God's  grace. God's  curse.

BUT...

God's grace, His love, toward us all was extended when He sent His Son into the world.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

When we believe and accept that Jesus came and lived among us, walked and taught, went to the cross of Calvary bearing our sins, died for us, was buried and after three days, was resurrected, when we believe, when our faith, however small, takes precedent over all else, the wide gulf of separation with God the Father, handed down since the beginning of human sin, is no more.

Jesus' death and resurrection and our faith thereof  bridges the gap. And we are once again One with the Father and with the Son and with the Holy Spirit.

We are One. We dwell with Him. Our faith has made us whole and complete with the One who is and was and is to come.

And we are at peace.

God's Rest

I have been confused by the true meaning of God's rest. I understand He rested after completion of His work.

"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done and He rested ... Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." (Genesis 2:2-3)

He blessed the seventh day because His work of creation was finished. He sanctified it - doesn't that mean set apart?

God's Rest came to be known as the Sabbath in Hebrew/Jewish circles. The name implies cessation from normal activities.

What I find hard to grasp is our rest, our Sabbath. Is it a day of our personal whims and desires or a day of worshiping the True God, our creator?

The Jewish Sabbath is a holy day, a day of rest for man and beast, commemorating God's rest after the work of creation. It is one of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses for His people.

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:8-11)

The Hebrew Sabbath is on a Saturday, their seventh day. The Christian Sabbath is on a Sunday.
It seems to me God's rest is any day and every day.

"Six days you shall labor ... but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God." (verses 9-10)

Who determined God's first day of creation was a Sunday or that the seventh day, the day of rest, the Sabbath, was a Saturday? Which six days do you labor? Is it Sunday through Friday ... Monday through Saturday?

"God saw ... God divided ... God called ... so the evening and the morning were the first day." (Genesis 1:4-5)

There are no strict dates.

God blessed the seventh day. He sanctified it. When He gave Moses the Ten Commandments, regarding the Sabbath, He said, "Remember to keep it holy."

Remember to keep it holy.

Do we remember God's command? Do we obey or are we following a "must do" set of rules that we think will get us to a higher plain? We are all equal in the sight of God. Not one of us is better or greater than another.

A day of rest, not relaxation, a day of rejuvenation, refreshment, a regrouping of our souls within, a day of remembering, commemorating the Lord and all He has done, is doing and will do for now and forever.

God's rest is a result of being one with Him, a personal relationship, one-on-one with He who was and is and is to come. God's rest comes to those who believe and accept, who profess faith in His Son whom He sent - Jesus.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

God's rest comes to those who give, surrender their whole life to Him, who rely completely on His promises, who do not turn from Him and do their own thing. God's rest comes solely by faith.

"Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways. So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest." (Hebrews 3:8-11)

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)

IF "you have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:4)

If you do not believe in Him
If you are disobedient to Him
If you walk a path away from Him

The covenant promise of God's rest will not come to you.

Without faith there is no rest, no peace.

With it, we are blessed beyond more than we deserve.

The Day

The Day
Each moment
No
not each
but
many
combined
becomes
a day ...
of
light.

The Day
God created
from nothingness
and
is given
to us
who
God created
from dust.

The Day
a gift
Each day
The dawning
Sunrise to Sunset
returns
to us
Bringing
opportunity
to
be and
become
fruitful.

"God called the light Day and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." (Genesis 1:5)

"And it was so ... And God saw that it was good ... And He rested ... And He blessed" (Genesis 1-2:3)

The Day.

Documentary: Forgiveness

Richard Cook, husband of my cousin Katy, wrote a historical screen play he has titled "Forgiveness." It is a documentary that takes place during World War II in Oak Ridge, Tenn. A place that wasn't, became.

I have visited here a few times. My cousins, Katy, her older sister, and two older brothers, grew up here. Katy, with her husband, and her mother, still do.

Listen to the story.

Blog note

Today I have combined entries from my first blog, IN...SIGHT," with my current blog. Dates are from August 2005 to August 2008. This will hopefully make it easier to search. 

The Lord responds; what is our response?

A blessing is placed on an individual and remains until it is changed into a curse. -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The first blessing occurs after God created man and woman.
"The God blessed them and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1:28)

The first curse occurs after the serpent intervened in the way of God and Eve and Adam listened and reacted, choosing their own desires over God's preferred way.
God cursed the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:14-15)
God cursed the woman: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." (Genesis 3:16)
God cursed the man: "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying You shall not eat of it: Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you And you shall eat the herb of the field In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19)

This curse affected all of mankind from that day forward and continues to be so.

God asks, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?" (Genesis 4:6)

"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." (Genesis 4:7)

"Where is ... your brother? What have you done?" (Genesis 4:9-10)

We follow our own personal thoughts, we listen only to our needs and desires. We do not seek guidance from the Lord God. We seek any and every means of personal gratification. The Lord punishes us and we are filled with remorse and fear .. for a moment. The Lord is merciful. He seeks our fellowship all along the path of life we lead. We are grateful ... for a moment. We return to ways of before. The days of darkness and evil escalate. God responds. He is grieved. Some find grace in the eyes of the Lord Almighty. Some walk with God. Violence does not falter, but continues. Death and destruction are imminent. It will come. The end is near. God is. He is who and what and when and where. His response. His answer. It is near. It will come.

What should be our response?

"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)

The Light has come into the world

"for with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." (Psalm 36:9)

The first light, to separate the darkness, the formless deep, was formed / created by God. It is in light, through light, that we as created beings are enabled to see and also understand.

Light -- the light comes from the sun, the moon, the stars, ...

"Then God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." (Genesis 1:3-5)

"Then God said, Let there be light in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years. And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth; and it was so." (Genesis 1:14-15)

"Then God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day." (Genesis 1:16-19)

... and from Jesus. The Light IS Jesus.

"...Let us walk in the light of the Lord." (Isaiah 2:5)

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)

God and Spirit.
Two-thirds of the Trinity were an awareness to those who lived during Old Testament days.

The foretelling of Jesus was present, but when He came to earth as a human baby, when He grew to manhood and proceeded to do the works of His Father, the awareness of what was to be stopped. Unbelief, refusal to believe was the standard.

"Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will rise over you; And His glory will be seen upon you." (Isaiah 60:1-2)

Jesus came. He is the light that overcomes the darkness/the evilness that penetrates our very being. He came to his own, but they received him not. The peoples of Israel / Jerusalem were to be instrumental - they were a city on a hill.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

Yes, the peoples of Israel were to be instrumental in leading others to God the Father through Jesus Christ, His Son. But their light was hidden, their light did not shine to glorify God, but was tarnished.

"The Gentiles shall come to your light," (Isaiah 60:3)

The light / the revelation of Jesus, the message of the gospel was given to the Gentiles - you and me. And as Christ'as followers, we become, individually and collectively, the light of the world - we show others the way to Christ.

"... the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness ... He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." (1 John 2:8b-11)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (John 1:1-5)

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Before Jesus began his earthly ministry, John the Baptizer was chosen / sent by God to be a witness for Jesus Christ, the true light, "that all through him might believe." (John 1:7)
John preached repentance - a turning away from the sins of the flesh ("adultery, fornication, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like" - Galatians 5:19-21) to a changed life ("love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" - Galatians 5:22-23).

Jesus, the true light, was baptized by John, the foreteller of He who is and was and is to come. Baptizing by water became a symbol, a witness of this changed life. Prophecy was fulfilled with Jesus' baptism by water.

"And John bore witness, saying I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him." (John 1:32)

"Then Jesus, when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice from heaven, saying (audibly, for all to hear), This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:16-17)

"For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:34-36)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

"... the light has come into the world..." (John 3:19a)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Added Jan. 28.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Light creates form. In total darkness there is no form.

Like us, God's created beings, until we "know" God on an intimate level, we are in darkness. The light (that separates the darkness) is Jesus. He came. He suffered. He died. He was resurrected.

"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him." (John 1:10-11)

We, the world, did not recognize / do not recognize Jesus as The Christ, "The Light," thus they were and we are in darkness.  When we believe, accept Jesus as the light that saves us from the darkness of hell and damnation, we are re-born and truly alive.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God ... who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)

Are you a child of The King?
Have you accepted His gift of salvation?
Do you follow in His steps?


("More About Jesus," by John Starnes, with subtitles in Portuguese)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Added Jan. 30.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"In Your light we see light." (Psalm 36:9b)

It's interesting how what we read one day says something to us and then just a few days later, there is more said on the same subject. God speaks and if we are in tune with Him, we hear, we see, our blindness is stripped away and we are in awe of what we have found.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2a)

"I will bring the blind (those who do not acknowledge, understand, follow the True God) by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known, I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them. And not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, who trust in carved images, who say to the molded images, 'You are our gods.' " (Isaiah 42:16-17)

"I will deliver you ... to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." (Acts 26:17-18)

"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 4:6)

("Turn your eyes upon Jesus" by the Newsboys)

The tree

The tree
silver
barren
lifeless.
beauty
gone?

The tree
still.
To gaze upon

turning
turning
fading
in and out

The tree
a glimmer
hope radiates
each branch
each strand
each needle
to another

a highlight
a memory
long ago
forgotten
dreams ...

The tree
like a prism
bright
in
noon day sun

do you see?
the colors
playing
the golds
and reds
and turquoise blues
and greens

Silvery blue
like wide open spaces
sky
with storm
looming
and
cool swift water
lazily
flowing
over rocks
and stones

Bright green
like fresh grass
and flowers
budding,
bursting forth
in
springtime
beauty

gold
the fabric of life
born and reborn
and born
again
The richness
of God's grace
springs
eternal

red
embers glowing
stop.
Be mindful
Reflect
Listen
to your heart

The wheel
round and round
spinning
specks
of light
travel
up and up
to the top
and down
again

Warmth
and
coldness
together
apart

"To Everything
there is
a
season
a
time
for
every
purpose
under heaven."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The seasons
continue
begin
and stop
again and again

"That which is
has already
been,
and
what is to be
has already been. ...
that which
has been
is
what will be
That which is
done
is what will be
done."
(Ecclesiastes 3:15, 1:9)

One season
to
another
We live
We die
We live again

The tree
Is it lifeless
Is there no beauty
Is there meaning
or has it been lost
Is there peace

In a world of so many

In a world of so many
You are so alone
Standing
Sitting
Walking to and fro
No one there

God above sees
Watches
You and you and you

In a world of so many
You think you are alone

But God
Waits for you
Still patient

In a world of so many
You need not be alone

God can be your friend
Your father
Your love
Your heart

In a world of so many
You needn’t be alone

Reach out and touch
The one
Who died for your very soul

In a world of so many
You are so alone
So lost
So incomplete
So afraid

In a world of so many
You think there is no one
Who cares
But you are wrong

In a world of so many
God is
Still

Yesterday
When you were alone
Today
When you are alone
Tomorrow
What about tomorrow?

Cathy Orrick Luders
1.15.2011

He will direct you, step by step

"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."

 (Proverbs 16:9)

"Without counsel, plans go awry,..." (Proverbs 15:22)

A study I started a couple of years ago I am to return to. It was a study on stones. Biblical stones. I have been waiting, waiting for a sign, I guess, on where to go with it. One sign came last Sunday. The church bulletin said, "The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone." (John 8:7)

Tuesday I was looking on YouTube.com and came across the music video, "Agent of Grace," a compilation of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The music title: "Broken Road: 12 Stones."





Thursday I was reading in Proverbs, coming across this verse:
"A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;" (Proverbs 17:8)

Today I thought of the words "step by step He leads me." I found the song, "Oh God, You Are My God (Step by Step)", presented live by Michael W. Smith.



We want to have a vision of the whole of our life, not just bits and pieces, and then pursue that vision based on our personal thought. The trouble is our vision is not always in line with God - our path goes crooked, we are unsure where to go next, what the next step would be.

If we follow the Lord and let our vision be directed by Him, we will discover what the next step is ... for He will tell us, in His time. We must be patient. We will accomplish so much more when our steps are entwined with His and He's doing the leading. He guides us step-by-step, and He will show us the way IF we are abiding with Him, in Him. IF we are listening intently for His voice, we will know what the next step is. And His way will become our way.

As I side note, I found a Messianic ballet/interpretive dance of "Oh God You Are My God." Go here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3DcBovotT4 for an experience not soon to forget.

The glory of God

The glory of God  .... "Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"By Gracious Powers"

I've been listening to Christian music in German of late and tonight I found "By Gracious Powers So Wonderfully Sheltered." The video below is sung by the Laki Pop Choir, but the words are by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His poem, "By Gracious Powers" follows the video.



 By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered,
And confidently waiting come what may,
we know that God is with us night and morning,
and never fails to greet us each new day.

Yet is this heart by its old foe tormented,
Still evil days bring burdens hard to bear;
Oh, give our frightened souls the sure salvation
for which, O Lord, You taught us to prepare.

And when this cup You give is filled to brimming
With bitter suffering, hard to understand,
we take it thankfully and without trembling,
out of so good and so beloved a hand.

Yet when again in this same world You give us
The joy we had, the brightness of Your Sun,
we shall remember all the days we lived through,
and our whole life shall then be Yours alone.

If you are interested in more information on Bonhoeffer: bonhoefferblog.wordpress.com/

God created ... He is ... It is enough

I do not understand.

I see
what is written

I hear
what is spoken

I listen
to God's spirit
within me

I study
His word

I seek
His purpose for my life

I find rest
from the days' struggles
Through Him
in music
soothing to my soul
in worship
in prayer
in fellowship

I rejoice and thank Him and praise Him
in that it is my soul
as much as yours
He came to save
Through His Son
Through Jesus,
The Christ, The Messiah.

But still,
I do not understand
why You,
IF you really believe in God
and of God
Why would you not believe
Jesus and God are one?

God created.
Period.
God gives life
And He takes it away.
Period.
The miracle of birth
is because of God.
God created.
The stars, the planets,
the mountains and valleys,
all that is and was
and is to come --
God created.

He is more,
above and beyond more.
God created.
This is His world,
His creation.

How dare we put God
underneath us?
How dare we claim
to know more ...
oh we know so much ...
what we believe we think is true.
How dare we?!

Before us
There was no us.
God created.
Before the earth was formed,
There was no earth.
God created.

God is
Today
Tomorrow
Yesterday

God spoke
To prophets
and apostles
Men and women
And speaks still
To you and me.

He is
He was
He always has been
He continues
He came.

God can do
and be all,
at anytime.
God created.

He planted His seed
In Mary, the young girl
engaged to wed Joseph
And Mary gave birth
It was prophesied
Isaiah foretold
what the Lord would do
who the child would be

"for unto us a child is born,
unto us a Son is given;
And the government
will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."
(Isaiah 9:6)

God created.
He is.
Jesus is.

It is enough.

Cathy Orrick Luders

1.10.2011

"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"...you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:1-2, 5)

Christian Treasures from the 1600s

I always come away stimulated after devotional readings by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. One reading he had talked about a song by Paul Gerhardt that had special meaning to him. He listed the title, "Beside your cradle here I stand." But I struggled to find that exact title on the Internet. In fact I found variations of it, and it appears the actual title might be "Before Thy Manger, Lord, I Stand." There are several verses; here is one, translated:



"Beside Thy cradle here I stand,
O though that ever livest
And bring Thee with a willing hand
The very gifts Thou givest.
Accept me; 'tis my mind and heart,
My soul, my strength, my every part,
That thou from me requirest."


Paul Gerhardt was a well-known German Lutheran hymn writer and poet, second only to Martin Luther. He was born in 1607, apparently orphaned as a teenager by the end of the Thirty Years War, and died in 1676. He had authored 132 poems/hymns, with the majority of them published from 1649 on. Much information was gleaned from "Paul Gerhardt as a hymn writer and his influence on English hymnody” by Theodore Brown Hewitt, www.ccel.org/ccel/hewitt/gerhardt.toc.html

I came across a PDF file, "Heirs of the Reformation: Treasures of the Singing Church," and found the hymn, "Evening and Morning," which was written by Gerhardt in 1666. It was originally titled "Morning Blessing" and contained 12 verses in German. The verses most common are the ones written below, stanzas/verses 4 and 9.


Evening and morning, sunset and dawning,
Wealth, peace and gladness, comfort in sadness,
These are Thy works; all the glory be Thine!
Times without number, awake or in slumber,
Thine eye observes us, from danger preserves us,
Causing Thy mercy upon us to shine.

Father, O hear me, pardon and spare me;
Calm all my terrors, blot out my errors,
That by Thine eyes they may no more be scanned.
Order my goings, direct all my doings;
As it may please Thee retain or release me;
All I commit to Thy fatherly hand.

You don't see this poetic language as much today.

On YouTube.com I came across another of Gerhardt's hymns, "Befiehl du deine Wege." Of course it is in German - I don't know what it means in English. The information with the video indicates the text is based on Psalm 37:5. Every strophe begins with one word of this one verse. The whole song is a comforting one and spiritually edifying. "Command your way and what's hurting your heart to the most faithful care of the one, who governs the heaven" is the beginning of the first strophe. In all your sorrows the Lord stands beside you and leads you.

It is beautiful music, truly comforting and uplifting, praising our Lord. May you be blessed.

Christmas is present

Christmas is past,
 yet
Christmas is present.

It is at Christmas
believers portray
 the reason
for the season.

It is at Christmas
we are reminded
of God's promise
and God's gift.

God came,
to help us
out of our misery.

God came.
He came as the baby Jesus.

The miracle.

The promise.

Not just at Christmas,
but throughout the year.

He is here.

He has come.

Let's rejoice.

Let us live
with Him
in our heart
and soul
and mind.

He is here!
He has come!
Jesus!

Amen and Amen.

a season, a time; all we need He provides

“Brother, come;

from all that grieves you

you are freed;

all you need

I again will bring you.”

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

God gives. He created. “And it was so” … “And it was good.” (from Genesis 1)

A time for every purpose set forth by the Lord God Almighty.

That time is our lives … lived for (or against) God.

God’s choice is for us to live for Him. But it is also His choice for us to have free will. So it is up to us, each individually, what our lives will really be.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, our road of life takes a turn to live for Him instead of seeking out personal delights.

Through all our travels the Lord is with us. In every step we take the Lord is there. He provides everything we need. We have become free from all that formerly enslaved us – our selfish desires.

We are in Christ. We lift up our burdens to Him; we lay them down at His feet.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”

Jesus will come again. A season.

“the fullness of the times”

The culmination

All things in Christ He might gather together in one

In heaven

And on earth

In Him. Him alone.

“That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth _ in Him.” (Ephesians 1:10)

Stand firm in God's Truth

In Galatians 1, the Apostle Paul says to the peoples of the Galatia church  ... 6 "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ... 7 (that) there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ ...    9 if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received (through revelation of Jesus Christ), let him be accursed (eternally condemned). 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ."


What is gained when we turn away from the gospel of Jesus Christ? What have we achieved when God's message is watered down with untruths? How can you say you are a servant of the Lord Jesus when you do not follow Him, His ways?

Seek what is pleasing may be your motto. But who is it pleasing? Who do you follow?

Jesus himself has said, "if you have faith as (small as) a mustard seed, ... nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

But when you allow your faith to be swallowed up by others who purpose in their minds, a better way, you are not living the life Christ called you to.

Being a Christian means we are saved solely by faith in the Lord Jesus, believing and accepting His birth, death and resurrection. The Christian walk is in making the Lord the center, the pivot point in our life, and living our lives in obedience to Him, in fellowship with Him.

We are not saved by what we do (our works), or by what we experience (our emotions) or by what we know (head knowledge).

When we  remain silent over so-called truths that are wrongly being promoted as God's Truth we cause great injury to others -- to lost people who may never come to Christ, to new believers who may spiritually stumble because of confusion, and even to our fellow Christian brothers and sisters.
God's Truth, His Word, is the only truth that matters. We cannot let our fears prevent us from confronting another in the errors of their ways, however, it must be done lovingly.  Being a Christian means we need to stand firm in God's Truth.

Resolutions ... Goals ... Dreams

We have begun a new year. It is 2011.
New resolutions. New goals. And dreams.
Are they the same? I think not. Resolutions are usually made at the beginning of a new year. Sometimes they are not too well thought out. Sometimes, though,  the goals we make are our resolutions and sometimes our dreams become a goal which becomes a resolution. Sometimes.

One can resolve to lose weight, to exercise more, to study the Bible more.

One can resolve to listen more closely to what the Lord says to us, to be open to opportunities to do what the Lord may be telling us to do.

One can resolve to write that book we’ve put off for far too long. One can resolve to get started, to put pen to paper and state our thoughts and feelings and dreams and Bible study insights.  One can resolve to be a better listener, to keep our focus on Jesus Christ and not on our own personal vendettas. One can resolve to write more letters, send more cards, bake more cookies, share more meals, and share the Gospel with all, not just a select few with which we feel at ease.

Sometimes resolutions are kind of like wishful or hopeful thinking that may never be accomplished.

Just like our prayers, we must be specific, to the point. God may know what you mean, because He knows your heart, but it is His discretion on how He will answer.

A goal I might say I have is to write a book. It is a dream as well. To actually do that, accomplish that, I must know what type of book. I must write, not when the mood strikes me, but every day. I must study God’s word and listen, with my heart and soul and mind. I must actively pursue and not be wishy-washy about any of it.

There may be many good routes to take and God may bless any of them, but to do them well, it must be one at a time, not several at once.

Now, this would be a resolution for me -- To write specifically toward one goal, one study to finish before moving on to another;  To determine if prose/poetry written is to result in a published book and to follow through if determination warrants it.

Resolutions should not be made instantaneously, but thoughtfully considered.

Perhaps this is the year you resolve to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

“For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; … ” (Proverbs 8:35)

Perhaps this is the year you resolve to be generous, a cheerful giver ….

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:6-7)

Giving is not determined by the size of our pocketbooks. It is not just about money. It is not about obligations. We should not feel obligated to do something, to give, not even to the Lord. All giving should be about love.  If you love the Lord you will abide with Him and He with you, and you will give of your abundance; you will give and give, and your gifts will be cheerful and generous because they are given in love.

Perhaps this is the year you resolve to establish God as your center and let your life move around Him, instead of around you and your whims.

To refocus, re-energize, reorganize, regroup, remember.

Listen to the following song, “My Heart Your Home,” with words and music written by Nathan and Christy Nockels, 1997.







Perhaps this is the year you resolve to be at peace ....

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Perhaps this is the year you resolve to believe His promises, to accept His love, to follow wherever He leads, to obey His teachings, to be One with Him.





To learn more about accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, click here or for an interactive flash presentation of the Gospel: www.thekristo.com

Happy Birthday To You

 Jan. 3, 2011

Today is my Papa Daddy’s birthday

so I’ve been told

And I am his little BeeJay,

Bunny son.

He and I are just alike

So charming and sweet

I love him very much

I love to sit on his lap

And gaze up at him

He knows so much

He is so kind and gentle

I love to listen to music

And some animal sounds

I find quite intriguing

I am so very blessed

to have him for my

Papa Daddy

And I am so very happy

That I am his little BeeJay,

His son.

Happy Birthday Papa Daddy!

                   

Someone I know
He is my beau

My sweet prince
He doesn’t make me wince

My knight in shining armor
He is not a farmer

Will celebrate
with friends, and me, his bestest date,

On Monday, January three
No, not up a tree
Nor in a teepee

Oh, haven’t you heard?
No, he’s not a nerd
It’s the day he was born
We won’t mourn
We won’t be forlorn

This is the day of his birth
On this great earth

And God rejoiced when he was born
62 years ago
The days pass, sometimes slow
Always flow, often glow.
And God rejoiced when he was re-born

God rejoiced when he and I met,
The date, nearly 20 years ago now, was set
The ceremony uniting him and me
And God above as One
And that is no pun.

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

I am rich ...

"... I am rich, 
have become wealthy, 
and have need of 
nothing -
... do not know
that you are 
wretched,
miserable, 
poor, 
blind,
and naked?" 
(Revelation 3:17)

I am rich,
have become wealthy
and have need of nothing.

Are you sure?
Do you really have
everything you need?
In all of life,
are you absolutely sure
there is nothing more?

"To everything there is a season, 
A time for every purpose under heaven. 
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant, 
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, 
And a time to heal;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, 
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, 
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew; 
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate; 
A time of war,
And a time of peace."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

But,
do you have love?
Do you provide for those
less fortunate?
Are you kind,
patient?
Do you build another up?
Do you rejoice in the truth?
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus?
Do you endure all things?
Do you have love?
(paraphrase of I Corinthians 13:1-13)

"Behold,
I (Jesus) stand
at the door 
and knock.
If anyone hears 
My voice
and opens the door,
I will come in
to him 
and dine
with him
and he with Me." 
(Revelation 3:20)

Do you hear
the call of Jesus?

Do you feel the tug
on your heart strings?

Have you awakened
to the need to be
more than
what you are?

Have you looked
for answers
to eternal questions?

Have you answered
the knock
of Jesus?

Have you accepted
Him on His terms?

Are you complete?

Have you made room
for Him
who came
who comes
who is here
to save you
from your sins?

Or,
have you turned the lock
and refused Him entrance?

Do you still believe,
I am rich,
have become wealthy,
and have need of nothing?

Only if we have Jesus are we rich and wealthy.
With Him, we have need of nothing
because with Jesus we have enough,
we have everything.

As the Lord directs, do

It has been said
 the giving of greeting cards has become obsolete

too expensive has been the cry

or too much work to tackle

it has also been said

the giving of greeting cards is a ministry

a love gift, priceless

a way to stay in touch 

to remind another

they are important to you.

Not everyone

alas, you and I might,

but not everyone else

has connections

to a computer,

to the

world wide web

to be the bearer

or the recipient

of an electronic greeting.

I do send cards

and letters too

for birthdays

and anniversaries

holidays

and other special occasions

sympathy

and retirement

and even

"just because"

I send them

through the mail

I send them by
email

and I send them

through social networking sites.

I do it because I enjoy it.

Not because it is a chore

or an obligation.

I do it because, 

sometimes,

God, in His wisdom,

says to me

to write so and so today.

Let them know you are thinking of them.

Let them know you care.

And so I do.

And I am blessed. 

God sends us reminders.

He finds ways to reach us.
He doesn't discontinue old ways
just because
newer and faster ways
have become available.

"To everything there is a season, 

A Time for every purpose under heaven." 

 (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

"A man has joy by the

answer of his mouth,

And a word spoken

in due season, how good it is!

(Proverbs 15:23)

"Commit your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established." 

(Proverbs 16:3)

"A man's heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps." 

(Proverbs 16:9)

He is my shepherd

The Lord
He is my shepherd
... He can be yours too
He knows me
He knows you

And I know Him
more and more
closer and closer
The relationship deepens
He is always near

But we
are not

When we go
our own way
Follow another path
a road we think
will bring us more
- of what we're unsure -
But when we seek
other avenues
The relationship falters.

He still knows you
He is still near

But you have moved away
and the relationship with
The One
that matters most
is no longer.

He is my shepherd
He knows me
He is always near

And I know Him
more and more
closer and closer
and the relationship
deepens.

Cathy Orrick Luders

12.27.2010

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." (John 10:14)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23, New Living Translation)

Veiled ... or not?

Vision fades
Words seen
but not recognizable
Like snow-covered objects
visible to the imagination
yet not to the naked eye.
Is this the same too
veiled, yet not?
"I see Him, but not now; 
I behold Him, but not near;"
 (Numbers 24:17a)
"Behold, He is coming
with clouds
and every eye will see Him." 
(Revelation 1:7a)

Cathy Orrick Luders 

12.26.2010

When The Lord calls

When The Lord calls
your name
whispering softly,
"Come my child,
your room is ready."

You go,
ready to depart now
for a calmer place
nearer to Jesus
barely aware of what is
left behind
ties of family,
friends too
Tiredness
overcomes you
and God's
still small voice
is what you hear
and what you
answer to

"I'm coming Lord.
I'm coming home."

and those who remain
face remaining time
without that physical presence
but memories linger
and the Lord --
He is nearer still.

Cathy Orrick Luders

12.24.2010

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

Jesus is the gift ... the best gift of all

What is the gift?
The gift we seek
The one to give another
The one another brings

What is the gift?
Is it love shared
a sacrifice made
Together
or alone

What is the gift?
on this
Christmas Day?

Who gave the gift?
Who gives it still?

It is NOT Mr. Claus
It is NOT
that one in a red suit
and white beard
who shakes when he laughs
who comes but once a year
and makes you think
he knows what you want
and will bring it too.

No.
It is NOT Mr. Claus.

It was and is LOVE.
It was and is a sacrifice.

Jesus is the gift.
The one we seek
The one we share
Love come down
from heaven above

Cathy Orrick Luders

12.23.2010

"For Unto Us" .....



"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

May you be richly blessed this Christmas!

Christmas ...

Just a few short days and Christmas will be here. Although I've been busy with a Bible Study on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, I'm far from writing another post relating to that. Christmas is on my mind. It's probably on your mind too.

 Jim and I had our annual Christmas Open House this past Saturday. We've been married nearly 20 years and together we've had this event for those many years as well. It is a special time of year, a sort of  "family Christmas," where we invite friends and family and hope for a good turnout to visit and catch up on their activities. We clean and clean and decorate our home, inside and out, with nativities and trees and other knick-knacks of the season. Our home smells of evergreen via candles and potpourri and baking of cookies and candy.  We look forward to it with great anticipation.

Sunday, the day before yesterday ... it was Dec. 19. I thought .... When God says no, do you know? He doesn't always say yes or even maybe. He does say no. But do you know when He does? How have you responded? Are you content? Are you at peace, knowing that the request you've made has been answered and it is not really the answer you wanted? Do you give up or do you instead seek guidance?

Christmas.

What do you want for Christmas? We hear that every year and not just from kids. Adults do the same. They're kids too, just a tad older and not necessarily any smarter. Is your shopping done? Are you happy with your purchases? Are you filled with anticipation, excited to see reactions of gifts given? Have you spent too much or not enough? Does the cost matter?

What do you want for Christmas? Does it change with each passing year? Do purchases really matter or are there more important things to be concerned about?

What do you want for Christmas? I thought. I remembered a few weeks earlier when I was at the dentist, it was being discussed. I thought a Christmas wish would be to have no pain, to have all bills paid. Other things that came to mind were a relationship mended, a promise kept, a roof over our heads, a child to love, someone to come home to, true love.

What do you want for Christmas?

Monday evening, Dec. 20, we watched "The Children's Carol," a Christmas special about The Walton Family at the beginning of World War II. It was shown on the inspiration channel Saturday night and we taped it to watch later.

Today, this morning, I thumbed through the December issue of Mature Living, skimming the headlines and reading the short stories: "Christmas Presence," "Broken Cookies,"  "Come, Let Us Adore Him," "The Greatest Gift! Really?" and "Trimming the Hearts."

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  (John 3:16-17)
This is the gift.The greatest gift. "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)
This gift is available to all, but not all receive it, not all accept it. Have you?

I also looked through the December issue of The Pathway, a newjournal put out by the Missouri Baptist Convention. David Tolliver, executive director of the MBC,  wrote the article, "Jesus is the only genuine celebration of Christmas." Included in it was the following poem, "Why Jesus is Better than Santa Claus," which can also be found on the internet.

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
"Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we were born...
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future and
He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree....
The cross.

Christmas.
What is it all about?
What does it mean?
What will you celebrate?
What is the real reason for the season?
What do you believe?
What does Jesus mean to you?

Christmas.

Look down, Look Up ... to Jesus

Look down where He lay
born amongst animals
no room at the inn
to His mother, Mary,
a virgin
uniquely chosen by God

Listen to the songs
of Jesus' birth
Away in a Manger





Look down where He lay
Hear the quiet, the stillness
See the sky
a star-filled sky
with one just ever so bright
To show us
where He lay

Look up
in the sky
to the heavens
where the Lord Jesus
reigns
He sits at the right hand
of His Father

Son of God
Son of Man

O Holy One
O Holy Night



Look down where He lay
Look up where He reigns

Set your mind on things above, on Jesus
and you will find the way to true joy.

Cathy Orrick Luders 

12.12.2010

A new song

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  -- Colossians 3:1-3


I died. Not physically, as in all bodily function ceasing, but spiritually. 
A goodbye to earthly, worldly, flesh things -- 
adultery
fornication 
uncleanness
licentiousness
idolatry
sorcery
hatred
contentions
jealousies
outbursts of wrath
selfish ambitions
dissensions
heresies
envy
murders
drunkenness
revelries 
(Galatians 5:19-21)


No more were they to be the accepting way of life. 


I gave my life to Jesus
The year was 1982
I accepted His birth, His death, His burial, His resurrection
He died for me
Not so I could live to me and mine 
But to Him, to His 


To live as He lived
To walk as He walked 
A hello to 
love
joy
peace
long-suffering/patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control 
(Galatians 5:22-23)


"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24-25)


For I died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God and since I live in the Spirit, I must walk in the Spirit.


"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!" (Psalm 98:1)


A new song, a renewed song, a song of beginning again in God's way, of rejoicing in what the Lord has led you to and through. 
Not an old song, stagnant and full of remorse.
Sing to the Lord a new song! One filled with blessings, filled with joy, filled with peace, filled withlove.
A new song
A new beginning
God's way.

Remember ...

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."  -- Colossians 3:1-3

A verse brought to mind, played over and over, finally served as the reminder I needed.  All weekend I thought on these verses. The reminder didn't come. Not until today. Today I realize, today I remember, I am His, I was raised with Him in new life, and all I think about, all the negative does not belong. I must set my mind on Him, nothing else. There is nothing more important than Him and things above, where He is.  My life must revolve around Him, not me, not my emotions. Thank you Lord for bringing me this verse and for keeping it before me until I finally heard.

How will I know?

I cannot
No!
I cannot

I'm busy
I can't talk now
I have someone here
I'm eating breakfast

No!
I cannot
call you back

What do you want?!

Why, nothing

I'm sorry
I bothered you.

I cannot
call you another time.

Death outside
Death inside
Physical death
Spiritual death

What is death
... the cease of oxygen flow to the brain?
... the loss of another's friendship?

Is it futile
worthless

Should I bother
to seek out another
who, it seems
repeatedly says
you are bothering me

a bother
is it better to stop
calling
if the 'right' time
is not when I call.

How will I know
Will God tell me
when to call
when I won't be a bother

How will I know?

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;" (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 5a, 7a)

How will I know?
Will God tell me
when to speak
when I won't be a bother?

Will He?