Xmas Plea

We're sitting here full of plastic cheer; Yet you gave your life so that man can hear.

(SOS 8:13) O you who dwell in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice; let me hear it.

This is my plea!!

For faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

Most Precious and Crushed

Crushed Rose Petals are used for the most expensive perfumes.

So while a full bloom rose is deemed beautiful, this is not the end for some. Some flowers are saved to be crushed . . . like a redeeming act of God.

At first glance, it seems like a precious, beautiful, delicate, living thing is utterly destroyed; however, this is not an ordinary affair. The one crushed becomes a useful treasure for the king and the rose is considered nothing short of being highly-esteemed, -valued, -desirable, -prized, and ultimately called “most precious.”

Do you see the parallel?

When a life is poured out it becomes a pleasing fragrance for the King of Kings.

An Example

Pure Nard was used to anoint Messiah. Like a crushed beautiful rose, it flowed from the passionate love Mary had for her Savior (see Mark 14: 3 – 9; Matthew 26: 6 - 13). . . and how much more it flowed from the veins of Jesus Christ in passionate love for his people.

In plain speech, our model is JESUS CHRIST. He showed us how to live and how to die. He willing gave up his life and submitted himself to the will of the Father (Isaiah 53: 10); choosing to be crushed and crucified (not obliged).

This not only represents a costly gift of love, it is LOVE.

Homework

Come close and gaze at the Beautiful and Most Precious Rose

It is He who shed his blood and rose.

Conquering death. A mighty feat.

Such Victory!

Our Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 53: 4 -5; 12

4 Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed . . . 12 Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Our Victory Song:

Jesus Christ poured out for the remission of sin!

Our Battle Charge:

Ephesians 5: 1 – 2

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Additional reading: 2 Corinthians 2: 14 – 17.

On True Beauty

On True Beauty

I’ll skip the first few steps of script;

Found written in a common garden text.

Because this is what I know:

Jesus Christ aRose.

God speaks the Word; causing things to be.

He gives us growth and flowers to see.

Yet there is still something greater than these;

Ah . . . ‘Tis only when Jesus Christ is seen!

Be more like Paul in Christ

This is the Word of the Lord:

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13: 7

True leaders are tested and proven to be imitators of Christ.

I have thoughts of Paul.

1. Paul: an apostle.
2. Paul: a father in the faith.
3. Paul: a new testament writer.
4. Paul: an imitator of Christ.

Interesting. . .Invigorating. . .Sobering

Take note of Paul's simple beginnings. Paul began to experience true life while blinded, talking to God and down on his knees (see Acts 9).

It's that simple. Paul began his life praying.

So it really does not matter if you are a religious person, scholar, blind man, persecutor, prisoner, person in need, or one who is beaten-up. . . begin again!

Truth Restorers
are people who pray;
filled with his spirit,
you plead not in vain.

A Man of Sorrows : iSorrow

My soul cries out for more of you.

It's as simple as this I choose Christ. And no matter what happens my prayer will remain, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10).

O let my life be a reflection of your Love. . .

In the morning
I now can see
A rarely tasted fruit
Indeed!

There is no price
He paid the debt
Lay down your life
In truth submit

For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well (Philippians 1: 29)

How beautiful A Man of Sorrow is. . . A cross just for me. His blood shed for me. His love poured out for me.

Birthday Sonnet

Thy Rest (in Thee)

A life of shattered dreams I lived;
Like a withered body on a cross.
I hang there with my Lord today;
My prayer to know Thy Rest (in Thee).

Helpless. Not hopeless.
My ever-present help.
Knowing full well...
I can't ever save myself.

Let me hurry unto my death;
A self surrendered to new birth.
O' Suffering Servant, nailed to the tree,
turn my life upside down in love for Thee.

Who is it that proclaims stark love?
Jesus Christ has done for me.
I beseech thee, O' Most Glorious One,
let me know Thy Rest (in Thee).

Reminder of His Unfailing Love

Woe is me, for I am a person of unclean lips.
You O' God are high and lifted up.

Without you I am nothing;
I have spent my days living in the dust,
falling into the pit of emptiness.

At first I chose to secure my life in this world,
but found death instead;
Yet when I humbled myself before you,
I found Christ according to your unfailing LOVE!