Sweet Encounters

Sweet Encounters Might Jesus come that close?

Offered by Doug Blair, Kitchener ON, 2021

So Listen, Friend - June 27, 2021

It was rich

This brief encounter

Deaf and dumb

The Man beside

And embarrassed

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Oh so often

That he used to

Run and hide.

Had no words

To speak his hardship

Had no ears to

Hear birds sing

If you didn’t

Face him full on

He was lost

To everything.

Read your lips

If he was able.

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Searched you heart

With insight rare.

But now Jesus

Was approaching.

Would He bring

The help, the care?

Looking heavenward

For the rescue

Sighed so hard

It made you weep.

Touched the ears

The tongue still dormant.

Now awake dear

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Heart from sleep.

Did this quietly

Off to one side

Was I only

There to see?

But that kindness

And sweet courtesy.

Made a follower

Out of me.

Down From the Mountain NOVEMBER 16, 2012 / ISSUUDOTCOMSLASHDEWANE /

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You see him, Lord?

You see him?

For years this awful mess.

He scarcely can express himself

Can’t even wash or dress.

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His antics get folks going

They fear what might come next.

He roars in hot frustration

Sore lonely and sore vexed.

The doctors see no answer.

Sedation and restraints.

The seizures come so quickly

He thrashes, then he faints.

And I the father helpless

Must stand and watch again

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As fear and doubts disable

Your followers, Lord, your men!

Oh won’t you intervene, Sir

And make the darkness flee

And cause the sun to re-appear

For one poor lad, for me?

Gratitude

What do you want From this little bug trembling You’ve done so much Without ever a squeak

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I recall rescues And helps by the fistful Troubles I knew not to Act or to speak.

But this is delight For a Father so caring With Hands and Heart You uplift through it all.

So I give thanks in The ways I am able Knowing Almighty Will show when I call.

Just that devoted to Child of your Promise Heaven arising in glimpses of dawn.

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Nothing will alter The startling adhesive Felt by your love slave Who offers this song.

Just a Little Woman in Hungary NOVEMBER 23, 2014 / ISSUUDOTCOMSLASHDEWANE /

She has made it her mission to translate some of the nineteenth and early twentieth century Gospel expositors into her native language. Many “hungary” hearts are being fed. She responds to my comment:

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“Thank you, dear Doug. I have managed to get some old, hard-bound copies and they were such a blessing for me… I just had to give it over, so that others could read them, too.

I was just about translating Spurgeon’s Morning Devotionals when I found out that it has already been published… more than a century ago.

And it was just out of God’s sheer grace I could get a copy from somewhere. And the same was the case with J.R. Miller’s book “Silent Times”, too.

🙂

And honestly, I love the 19th century Christian devotional

works! They are so pure, Christ-centered and beautifully written.

…My prayer is that these beautiful old gems could be a real blessing to many people here in Hungary. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. God bless you.”

http://igerenezek.wordpress.com/

Tale from Another Passover JULY 4, 2014 / ISSUUDOTCOMSLASHDEWANE /

(As it might have occurred in Luke 2:41-51)

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“I tell you, Husband, I can hardly believe it! There is a tremendous lesson here.

We were so caught up in the custom of the Feast. The trek from Nazareth.

The camp. The friends and relatives along the way. The singing. The stories.

The meals en route. The glory of the Holy City. The Temple with the smoke and smell and noise of sacrifice. It was all over so quickly.

But we lost track of our son. Lost sight of Jesus. And we KNOW who He is.

And where was He to be found after all our panic? In the midst of the Doctors of the Law. Sacred scriptures. Holy Doctrine. He had been poking and prodding and marveling with them. Just the same sort of wonder and enthusiasm which we have seen in the boy in the fields outside Nazareth.

Examining the creatures, the plants and flowers. The sights, sounds and smells.

He puts me to shame. He even put some of the teachers to shame. His love for God’s Word so far exceeding His need for ceremony and even fellowship. Oh Jesus, our sterling young man. What lies ahead for you?”

Psalm 119:

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97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

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103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Somehow Posted on June 26, 2021

I haven’t the breath or resilience To handle what’s on my plate now The lack and the loss And the barbs come across But you’ll clean it up soon Somehow.

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Jesus yours is the strength Now for leaning.

And many the Past times of aid.

I come to you broke Take words that you spoke And leave Satan’s heat For the shade.

Environment of Worship - May 26, 2021

My heart is enlarged

Almost bursting

As that young singer

Fills the hall

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With her brokenness

And adoration.

Such an Awesome God

So beautiful

So generous and kind.

And the people rock

As contented children

At cradle.

And the pianist smiles.

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He knows the Anointing

Senses Holy Ghost arrival.

The whole bunch

Leave the planet

In unison, smiling

Singing out such Good News.

Burdens and bothers

Irrelevant...GONE.

Thank you Jesus.

Marvellous Elder Brother.

Pathfinder.

Gentle Shepherd.

Theirs. Mine.

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