CONTRARY VIEW that Jesus might give them eyes... copyright doug blair, 2016, waterloo, on
Obliteration
I’m watching as my sand runs out I’m living to the full I gather all the good times up I strive and push and pull. I like the pace, oh yes I do And many call me blessed It’s like a nose and grindstone thing I seldom get to rest. But then last night I turned the dial And got a preacher’s rant That Jesus was the only way But man, I won’t… I can’t. The end is just the end you see I mean to put it of And gather all the chips I can
Before this frame I dof. And nothing-ness is my next step No pain and no regret No Golden City for the saved No flames of wrath I bet. And when my last breath leaves the show That guy says I will wake With endless wails and God elsewhere With Truth I failed to take.
First Corinthians Four
9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You aredistinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.
It’s My River
My river is mine own and I have made it for myself (Ezekiel 29:3)
How ridiculous the prophet thinks. A man in Egypt, Pharaoh a supposed god-king. He is attributing all of his glory and success to his own doing. He, like the fabulous Nile beside him, alone is worthy of worship and credit. He is the only god or
arbiter of record! And he is about to be immeasurably humbled by the God of angel armies.
This Egypt and its attitude had been a stumbling block repeatedly for the children of Abraham. When facing an adversary the cry had been issued to “go back to Egypt” for reinforcements. God through other spokesmen had insisted that such unbelief would only strengthen the enemy against them.
We stumble today with the same pride and false hope: “Yep, all of this good fortune has come about because of MY good work ethic and MY nose to the grindstone. Difficult for a while, but then the sunshine came through gloriously. I have lived by this rule of thumb.”
Friend you have lived in ignorance listening to the spirit of the world (1 John 2: 1518). A merciful God may put you flat on your back for a while; to realize your true source and Providence.
The Church would do well to preach Providence and Sovereignty at least as much as it preaches faith, miracles and “successful” Christian living.
Judas Departs
I can’t believe, I won’t believe, That this is how it goes. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, A victim of his foes!
The man who won the crowds with food, With talks of realms of peace, A fool, who should have used such power To gain the Jews’ release! For Rome could not have proved a match For quickened Hebrew zeal, The kind that often sparked their eyes, While he would teach or heal. But he is fixed upon a path Of suffering and shame; And says that such may be the lot Of those who bear his name. Pathetic! Just a mendicant! No current house or trade! Depending on the charity Of friends, recently made. And now he bids us share his feast In Passover retreat… Behold, the Master strips himself To wash and soothe our feet! A common slave would do the task In any other case, But Jesus still perversely seeks The lowly servant’s place. It is enough! I can’t go on; Hence, I have seized a plan To set the stage for his arrest, And merchandise the man.
Jesus, you proved a dreamer That the times can ill afford. I can’t believe; I won’t believe; And so I leave, M’Lord.
What's the Sense of It?
I hear people express their resentment at the thought that they are accountable to a sovereign God. "Nope don't give me that guilt and making amends stuff. I have always done the best I can my own way. I just don't buy the idea of an uncreated First Cause of all there is. Bible thumpers obviously hate any serious considerations of science. They check their brains at the front door of their church. I believe that we have what we make of it." Now place these individuals in the squeeze of some serious dilemma, hardship or sickness and they will be the first to say, "I just don't understand it. If God is so powerful and so full of love, how could he allow such a terrible thing to happen. I just couldn't submit to such a one and call Him the best." Well isn't that interesting. In the first instance they sound like die-hards for free will. In the second instance they want God to be Master Puppeteer pulling all the right strings. They seem to leave no room for the wicked actions or decisions of others; neither do they consider
ongoing corruption in a planet soiled by sin. Any way you look at it they just don't want God. Nevertheless the day will come, and perhaps too late, when they will have to acknowledge that He is Lord and His Son is Messiah.
A Look at Madam Bubble
(Taken from Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan) STANDFAST: Aye, aye, I saw Heedless and Too-bold there; and for ought I know, there they will lie till they rot. Prov. 10:7. But let me go on with my tale. As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one in very pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself to me, and offered me three things, to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now the truth is, I was both weary and sleepy. I am also as poor as an owlet, and that perhaps the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once and again, but she put by my repulses, and smiled. Then I began to be angry; but she mattered that nothing at all. Then she made offers again, and said, if I would be ruled by her, she would make me great and happy; for, said she, I am the mistress of the world, and men are made happy by me. Then I asked her name, and she told me it was Madam Bubble. This set me further from her; but she still followed me with enticements. Then I betook me, as you saw, to my knees, and with hands lifted up, and cries, I prayed to Him that had said he would help. So, just as you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continued to give thanks for this my great deliverance; for I verily believe she intended no good, but rather sought to make stop of me in my journey. MR. HONEST: Without doubt her designs were bad. But stay, now you talk of her, methinks I
either have seen her, or have read some story of her. STANDFAST: Perhaps you have done both. MR. HONEST: Madam Bubble! Is she not a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy complexion? STANDFAST: Right, you hit it: she is just such a one. MR. HONEST: Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of a sentence? STANDFAST: You fall right upon it again, for these are her very actions. MR. HONEST: Doth she not wear a great purse by her side, and is not her hand often in it, fingering her money, as if that was her heart’s delight. STANDFAST: ‘Tis just so; had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply have set her forth before me, nor have better described her features. MR. HONEST: Then he that drew her picture was a good limner, and he that wrote of her said true. MR. GREAT-HEART: This woman is a witch, and it is by virtue of her sorceries that this ground is enchanted. Whoever doth lay his head down in her lap, had as good lay it down on that block over which the axe doth hang; and whoever lay their eyes upon her beauty are counted the enemies of God. This is she that maintaineth in their splendor all those that are the enemies of pilgrims. James 4:4. Yea, this is she that has bought off many a man from a pilgrim’s life. She is a great gossiper; she is always, both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim’s heels or another, now commending, and then preferring the excellences of this life. She is a bold and impudent slut: she will talk with any man. She always laugheth poor pilgrims to scorn, but highly commends the rich. If there be one cunning to get money in a place, she will speak well of him from house to house. She loveth banqueting and feasting mainly well; she is always at one full table or another. She has given it out in some places that she is a goddess, and therefore some do worship her. She has her time, and open places of
cheating; and she will say and avow it, that none can show a good comparable to hers. She promiseth to dwell with children’s children, if they will but love her and make much of her. She will cast out of her purse gold like dust in some places and to some persons. She loves to be sought after, spoken well of, and to lie in the bosoms of men. She is never weary of commending her commodities, and she loves them most that think best of her. She will promise to some crowns and kingdoms, if they will but take her advice; yet many has she brought to the halter, and ten thousand times more to hell. STANDFAST: Oh, said Standfast, what a mercy is it that I did resist her; for whither might she have drawn me! MR. GREAT-HEART: Whither? nay, none but God knows whither. But in general, to be sure, she would have drawn thee into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Tim. 6:9. ‘T was she that set Absalom against his father, and Jeroboam against his master. ‘T was she that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord; and that prevailed with Demas to forsake the godly pilgrim’s life. None can tell of the mischief that she doth. She makes variance betwixt rulers and subjects, betwixt parents and children, betwixt neighbor and neighbor, betwixt a man and his wife, betwixt a man and himself, betwixt the flesh and the spirit. Wherefore, good Mr. Standfast, be as your name is, and when you have done all, stand. (Painting by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec)
PSSSST, We Win!
First Corinthians Four: 9-14 (cited above)
People in the Church read these verses and almost despair. They bemoan the disappearance of prayer from public gatherings, the roadblock to the Gideon mission of Bible distribution to the public schools, the scarcity of Bethlehem images on the decorated windows.
They suggest that if we do not speak out against such discrimination against the faith, perhaps in a generation or two Christ will be a stranger to Canada. The inference is that if "We" do not act or witness in holy zeal, God's plan will be compromised. Just STOP IT! He has limitless agents, words planted, refrains overheard, shining incidents of love shared and sacrifice offered. Peter even says in his first letter that godly women may win over the commitment of their errant husbands, "without the word" by their testimony of meek, reverent, gracious living. The sovereign plan of a sovereign God is on track. The life-begetting influence of the Word is still in circulation. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit is still softening. Now I am not saying that the Church is to stand by in idleness. Only this morning again in service I was reminded of "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." (Romans 10:14,15) I am just exhorting all to refrain from fretting over the state of things. If you are overwhelmed by surrounding callousness, unbelief, profanity, cynicsm or haughtiness you need only read again the message of Psalm 37 and FRET NOT. I remember our children reading in home school a novel entitled "Martyrs of the Catacombs". Author unknown. Apparently it was found in a sea chest on a commercial vessel at port. Ancient Roman times. Authorities exasperated by the new influence of Christ followers, and rooting them out for public humiliation and death. The protagonist, a soldier of middle rank, has been given the assignment to discover these hidden ones and their strange ethic, and to gather them for public sport in the arena. What he finds is simply that which was predicted by Jesus, that the love of the brethren for each other would convict the world that God the Father had sent the Son (John 17: 22, 23). The fellowship of the believers, their courageous martyrdom, the mutual respect in their gatherings, their harmlessness, the calm of their leaders. All such influences work upon the soldier, changing him from antagonist to brother in the faith, ultimately at the cost of his own life.
The Gospel of love and of peace is unstoppable.
Degeneracy
Recently I was pleased to rediscover an old book which I had given to a friend. It is entitled "Thirsting for the Springs"(@1907) by J.H. Jowett. I find many helpful hints in it concerning the development of a right spirit of devotion. Conversely warnings are given to avoid tendencies to coldness, indifference and contamination. The third message (there are 26 of them) is entitled "The Degeneracy of a Soul". It examines the course of declension summarized in Psalm 12. The warnings are doubly true for this disconnectd society of a century later. Hear the following: "This Psalm marks off the steps of social degradation. The steps of transition are clearly indicated. We can see the progressive descents from the worship of God to the exaltation of vileness. Sense after sense is benumbed ; nerve after nerve is atrophied ; perception after per ception is impaired ; until the entire body of human relationships, which was intended by God to be the home of all manner of refined and delicate sympathies, becomes a mass of
hard and callous selfishness, in which all the ties of rarer communion are destroyed." The entrance to this dark cave is a cooling off of the sense of reverence. "The decay of the sense of reverence. 'The godly man ceaseth.' The beginning of de generacy is to lose touch with God. We lose our touch of God when we cease to 'feel after Him.' It is the effort to feel, that preserves the sensitive touch. The intense effort to dis cern a thing through the finger tips gives the blind almost a new sense, and the intense striving to feel God, endows the soul with the powers of fine apprehension. It is here that so many of us fail in the attainment of a lofty spirituality. We only exercise ourselves in 'feeling', in the crisis and emergencies of life, and as these are only of rare occurrence, our exercisings are infrequent. Men who are to become spiritual experts in apprehending God, must feel after Him through the common places of the ordinary day. They must feel after Him in their daily bread, in the humble duty, in lowly affection, in the little ministries of the obscure way. They must feel after Him in prayer, in aspiration, in meditation. They must 'practise the presence of God', that in the persistent groping after Him, they may attain unto a sensitiveness of touch that per ceives Him everywhere. If we give up the practice, if we only feel after Him in the great contingency, in the hour of sorrow, in the shadow of bereavement, in the heavy disap pointment, and if we are indolent and sluggish
in the long level road of the commonplace, we shall lose our touch of God, and shall inevitably become ungodly." I will stop here. I recommend heartily any of the books of Pastor Jowett. Another good one is "The High Calling" (Philippians).
Peculiar Person
Someone out there today needs to hear that you are not intended to fit in. The pain can come at the workplace, school, neighbourhood, family gathering or corner store. The Church is a body "called out" of something...the trends, the popular news, the cheeky humour, the gossip, the idols and vain interests. We have a stink about us. One of the epistles claims that it is a savour of life unto those being called to Christ, and a stench of death unto those not being drawn by the Gospel. One of the most evidently "born again" characters in the Bible, Peter, the Big Fisherman puts it this way: First Peter 2: 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Not too long ago I was indulging in a pity party about circumstances. Like the comedian Rodney Dangerfield, I heard myself saying, "I don't get no respect". But then the Spirit interjected with a word as to my true situation: Ephesians 6: 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Now I know that this is not news to most of you, but it bears repeating. You are valued, and the half has not yet been told.
Church Behind Chain-Link
I’ll have to think about it. Something is happening here. This morning, H Block’s exercise period, East-side fitness yard. Usual pick-up basketball, Games of catch, Half-hearted aerobics. Twenty minutes out. Kipper got into trouble.
Dealer Kipper, old-timer, The Joint’s entrepreneur. Smokes, bandages, magazines, canned treats. (No rumours of hard stuff.) Went long for a pass. Still pretty fit. Lost track of where he was; Barreled into Dutch’s corner. Dutch, the Man. Protection boss. Double-lifer. Hand in every trick in the Joint. Favours, payments, or else. No love lost between the two. (Something about a disputed “tariff”.) Dutch’s corporals, Lonzo, Turk and Kruger Slammed him against the chainlink. Flurry of arms, feet and Shimmering steel. Kipper, down, motionless, Twisted in frightening posture. Bleeding from the nose, throat, shoulder. Hands on the abdomen. “Doc, get over here, now!” Call me Doc. (Short stint as a para-medic In Philadelphia. Before the armed robbery career.) The scene, heavy: Guts spilled, shoulder perforated. Expert shiv work. Tower guards not moving. Kipper, unresponsive to my efforts. Five terrible minutes.
Buddy pressing torn jacket against open wounds. No vital signs; plodding C.P.R. Somewhere behind me Voices- the guards? Sounds like praying. Parson Eddy on the scene With his hallelujah bunch. Bible class-“born-againers”. I step back. Circle of prayer moves in: “We rebuke death. Devil, Kipper will not be taken! Raise him, Lord, raise him. For your glory.” Variations on this rap continue. Hands on our fallen friend. Three guards, Ed, Nelson and Donny At the periphery, With the stretcher, Watching. “Devil, you have already lost. Our Lord whipped you at Calvary. We rebuke you, in Jesus’ name. We plead the blood of Jesus. Lord, now, like Lazarus. Bring him back.” And then it happened. I swear it. Kipper inhaled. Long and beautiful. A smile graced the bloody lips. The rascal-eyes blinked open. Alive! Jesus! Had to be thirty-five men around,
Between us and Dutch’s Dark corner. Bible class will never be the same. Stretcher work underway. Eddy’s hand placed on my shoulder: “Check out John Chapter Eleven, Doc, John Chapter Eleven.”
Somewhere a Rooster Crows
I’ve read the Gospel story The miracles and such The preaching from the hilltop The crowds He loved so much. The fish and bread For thousands
The girl raised from the dead The stormy sailor crossings The supper when He said His death was at the doorway His blood a new life paves And none would dare stand with Him When Evil rants and raves. And Peter e’er the leader Would cringe, deny his Friend. A fear he thought beyond him Would break him at the end. And I can see the limits To what this story proves That God is good And God is just And hurting ones He loves. But do I need salvation? I try my best ya’ see And over-much religion Is sure to hamper me. A business has me running With corners cut to gain. And friends would soon be shunning If I proclaimed His Name. And pain would come large measure If I turned right around And changed my speech And changed my paths
For mercy I had found. No, I must draw the limit For history’s matchless Christ He’s not my Lord He’s not adored I just won’t pay that price. And surely all these drawbacks Each modern person knows. …What’s that? I hear out yonder Somewhere a rooster crows! Note: The good news is that some of the “Peters” of this world receive the rebuke, repent and enter into the life of joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)