Romance

We watched "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson. This movie has come under criticism for adding some extra drama, under-representing the hours of darkness when Christ underwent the agony of becoming sin for us, and several other complaints. One of the biggest complaints I heard is the explicit depiction of the physical abuse and torment that He submitted Himself to. Yes, it was brutal and seemed to be too much. However, as the weeks go by, I realize that I was, and continue to be, touched very deeply. It was, after all, a very powerful tool to bring more understanding of the reality of why He came in the form of man; as well as man's, (our), natural brutality toward Him. The reality of the following devotional really came alive because I watched the movie. In fact, it completes whatever the movie left unfinished:

"I am married unto you." — Jeremiah 3:14

"Christ Jesus is joined unto His people in marriage-union. In love He espoused His Church as a chaste virgin, long before she fell under the yoke of bondage. Full of burning affection He toiled, like Jacob for Rachel, until the whole of her purchase-money had been paid, and now, having sought her by His Spirit, and brought her to know and love Him, He awaits the glorious hour when their mutual bliss shall be consummated at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Not yet hath the glorious Bridegroom presented His betrothed, perfected and complete, before the Majesty of heaven; not yet hath she actually entered upon the enjoyment of her dignities as His wife and queen: she is as yet a wanderer in a world of woe, a dweller in the tents of Kedar; but she is even now the bride, the spouse of Jesus, dear to His heart, precious in His sight, written on His hands, and united with His person. On earth He exercises towards her all the affectionate offices of Husband. He makes rich provision for her wants, pays all her debts, allows her to assume His name, and to share in all His wealth. Nor will He ever act otherwise to her. The word divorce He will never mention, for "He hateth putting away." Death must sever the conjugal tie between the most loving mortals, but it cannot divide the links of this immortal marriage. In heaven they marry not, but are as the angels of God; yet there is this one marvellous exception to the rule, for in Heaven Christ and His Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials. This affinity as it is more lasting, so is it more near than earthly wedlock. Let the love of husband be never so pure and fervent, it is but a faint picture of the flame which burns in the heart of Jesus. Passing all human union is that mystical cleaving unto the Church, for which Christ left His Father, and became one flesh with her."

Charles Spurgeon, Morning Reading, (July 22)

Bug Splatter

While I thought to myself one day, God proved Himself to me, (again).

I was driving on a relatively fun, curvy country road. A bug hit the windshield. I thought to myself, "you know God surely doesn't really track the whereabouts of an insignificant bug that could so easily meet it's end on a windshield. Why would He really care?"

Just then, (a curve or two in the road later), another bug hit the verysame spot on the windshield. Those were the only two bug strikes. What are the odds? I got the convincing message that God tracks my thoughts, cares about them, and wishes to make sure that my mind is wrapped around the knowledge that there is not a movement of a single molecule that He not only knows about, but is in exact accordance with the execution of His plan.  He is, after all, unlimited.

So much for random movement and coincidence.

How to Cling

Clinging to Him seems to be about the most important thing we need to do. While our relationship with God baffles us because of the lack of need for self effort, an effort is required on our part to cling to the One who can continually deliver us, (mostly from ourselves).
So, how do you cling?

• Abandon dependence on yourself.


• Have confidence in the fact that every split second of your life is in His capable hands.


• As continuously as possible, practice intercessory prayer for others; thereby moving you away from self-centeredness.


• Esteem others more highly than yourself.


• Stop being anxious about - well - anything; because not only is your life in His capable hands, but so is everyone else's.


• Expose yourself to His Word daily.


• Stop thinking thoughts of regret, "If I would have..." His perfect plan includes your shortcomings, which are, quite possibly, an imagination borne by misplaced guilt, or placed on you by Him so that you will learn dependence on Him.


• Give up feelings of guilt by confessing to Him. Christ did not suffer so we could continue to coddle our self-destructive feelings.


• When pride or wrong thoughts pop up, worship Him by pleading to Him for help.
  

Witch Doctor Mentality

Newspaper Headline Today: CLIMATE CHANGE GOAL: NO MORE THAN 2 DEGREES BY 2020

We might as well be an isolated tribe, living in fear, darkness and treachery in Africa. We've been looking for a witch doctor that is bold enough to claim he has power to change the climate because the gods are angry with our behavior. According to the paper, and the plans that our world leaders are making, we've found the witch doctor that will do the right dance and incantations for us.

As it turns out, we are not being deceived by our fear as much as by our own arrogance. We actually think that we are big enough to change the weather in this world that God has made. If we cannot change the weather in the next few minutes, why do we think we can change it in 10 years? God would not be God if He would allow His creation to be manipulated by man's normal activities. We destroyed all that we could thousands of years ago.

The leaders don't care whether climate change is real or not. They are using our arrogance for their own gain while we wring our hands. We think we are such a sophisticated, advanced, evolved society and we are upside down from what we think.

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you" Obadiah 1:3

Anger Management

It is said by experts, "Anger is the result of unmet expectations."

We expect:

• Someone to be experienced enough to know better
• Someone to know that they don't treat my kids that way
• Someone to know that I don't think the same, (silly), way that they think
• Someone to remember that I've told them dozens of times already
• Someone should be able to execute a certain duty by now
• Someone should be able to think like me or see what it's like to be me
• Someone should be encouraged when I "exhort" them
• Someone, being a believer, wouldn't act that way
  
  Yes, unmet expectations are certainly one big step in the direction of anger. However, the experts missed Step #1: Pride

The Furnace

"Variety of temper, different measures of attainment, the quality of the light and the form of the kingdom in us, if I may so express it, will occasion collision and trial, even where there is nothing morally wrong. But from whatever cause it be so is it still, and so has it been from the days of Job and his friends, that we form a great part of each other's trial. The Lord sits over it all, refining His silver and purifying His gold, but still so it is, that we help to heat each other's furnace for the trial of faith."

J. G. Bellett, "The Patriarchs," (Job)

Thankfulness

A lady works at a local retirement home.
A man works at a local retirement home.

The lady has had a hard, rough life.
The man has had a hard, rough life.

The lady is thought highly of because of the way she executes her job.
The man is thought highly of because of the results of his work.

----------------------

The man treats those that he works with roughly and gets stressed and angry easily.
The lady works at jobs that are beyond what she agreed to do and is still pleasant and happy.

The man has other employees talking about him and wishing him to be fired.
The lady has residents and fellow employees speaking in glowing terms about her continually.

The man has a bitter heart.
The lady is thankful.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Col. 3:15