Stumbling over some rocks unto THE ROCK

Stumbling Over Some Rocks Unto THE ROCK

offered by Doug Blair, Waterloo ON, 2020

AT ROPE'S END...JESUS

Was it oh so long ago I ran with worldly crowd And set my own agenda So self-assured and proud?

Was doing my best Or so I thought And telling those white lies The bottom line the proof of all With push and compromise.

But thoughts occurred That I suppressed The jealousy and lust.

The church a pill to palliate No honest hope or trust.

But then some setbacks hit me hard A stumble from MY height.

And circumstance that bore me down Conviction's painful night.

A Bible yes, I had one years Unwieldy and scarce sought Still in my darkness and despair I knelt, I asked, Christ bought.

His Blood a purchase for my mess A Joy shone from within New eyes, new ears Compassion's tools Let Glory Life begin!

The tinsel treats all set aside Vain foolishness called fun I see the King perched on a Cross One Friday ALL WAS DONE

Running Short

Posted on November 15, 2020

Forgive me Lord When I run short When petty upsets Unravel me And my only dialogue With you becomes Sniveling and moans.

Griping and groans.

But you Father Cut the slack And woo me back.

Been this way Many a time Many a climb Back to that pinnacle Of Grace reviewed Of joy renewed.

Reunion so precious.

Shorten the cycle Lord It’s all in Your Word.

Casting Off Those Tinsel Treats

Posted on October 22, 2020

So much has gone Has lost its tang The stories crude The crowd who sang The sporting life An idol’s snare The “news at ten” No Good News there.

And I can hear Another drum

Apace with Christ His Kingdom come.

The old Scots seer (* Samuel Rutherford) Called “tinsel treats” The average fare The godless meet.

He urged us to A higher Zone As Christ-adored His precious own With works to do Delightful Call.

To rescue folk From Adam’s Fall.

This Man Receiveth Sinners

Posted on November 12, 2020

Luke 15 1.Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2.And the Pharisees and scribes murmered saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

That’s just it. The Lord has come to minister to those who have a real sense of their deficit. If they attempt to bluff and claim selfrighteousness, then He moves on. He says that the Physician has come to minister to the sick, and to those who will acknowledge that they are sick.

Consider how Jesus dealt with the woman who came to the well in midday heat as recorded in John 4. Presumably she chose that time to avoid numbers of other women. She had had many husbands and was the subject of much gossip. Presently she was living common-law. All this Jesus knew by the gift of knowledge. When he stated these facts to her, there did not seem to be condemnation in his countenance or a roadblock to the interview. He was there to dispense “living water” regardless. He was there for her alone.

There is a famous painting of this incident showing the Lord seated by a small well-lid at the base of a flight of stairs. His head appears cocked to hear the sound of one approaching from above. It is this woman of shame. He is there for her. He knows that she is coming.

The woman is so impressed with his willingness to bless that she accepts what he is there to offer. She runs off to tell neighbours that she has found the “promised One”. A revival ensues in the community. Many come and listen to His teaching for themselves. He does receive sinners.

They sense that he holds a certain optimism for their redemption.

If you can come to some quiet place, and lay yourself bare for His healing, and welcome Him to make His presence known, you will not be disappointed. You will find Him friendly, and more than a match for your sin. A new life awaits.

John 6: 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

NO WISE CAST OUT.

Be Real Now

Posted on October 30, 2020

Could I just let go Of every actor’s fraud And just be real Before the holy Face of God To tell Him straight Of all my fears Of all hypocrisy That brings the tears.

And while I’m at it People too They need to see A humble walk clean through And know that this man Will be straight And listen well While many hate And seek the upper hand In each exchange Find meekness strange