A Bit of Doggerel

The important thing is to strive towards a goal which is not immediately visible. That goal is not the concern of the mind, but of the spirit. 

     ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 

 

 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

   ~ 1 John 4:20-21

 

The goal is there within me,

I cannot see it formed.

A risky mirrored look indeed

does not this task perform.

 

I feel the Spirit rising,

oft times I beat it down.

Let anger overtake my lips,

spew poison, not grace found.

 

If I can keep my eyes on You,

the shoreline now defines,

a Saviour’s reach, from boat to beach,

Enveloped there. Divine.

 

Oh Lord direct my vision,

both outward and within,

that I may see much more of you,

and so much less of sin.

 

Lord, help my anger to be holy, productive, righteous and an offering to you along with the rest of me.

 

Because of Him,

Linda

Just Take a Step

What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. It is always the same step, but you have to take it. 

 

                           ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939

                               translated from French by Lewis Galantière

 

I, yes I, am God.
    I’m the only Savior there is.
I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed
    long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene.
And you know it, you’re my witnesses,
    you’re the evidence.” God’s Decree. 

                                   ~ Isaiah 43:11-12

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZFkGaUhBOw

Mighty Clouds of Joy – Make a Step

 

     

     Sometimes, people around you wait.  It’s time to leave, one goes to the computer, one sees the person on the computer, thinks they have time for one more thing.  The one on the computer is done, sees the person doing the one more thing, and does one more thing as well.  You can see where this is headed…you end up late for whatever it is you were doing one more thing before…

     

     The same holds true with goals, dreams, prayers.  Sometimes I think, well, I’ll wait until… and the thing doesn’t get done, or prayed for, or completed.  I just have to make a step.  If I make one step, He’ll make two.  You can get away, you can begin, you can achieve that thing that has been waiting.  You can ride that horse, you can write that song, you can get published.  Just one step.

     Today, put on your whole armor and move.  You’re prayed up, prepared and ready.  Take that step in Jesus’ name!

 

Because of Him,

Linda

Fluid Lines

A chief is a man who assumes responsibility.  He says “I was beaten,” he does not say “My men were beaten.”

 

    ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

 

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

      ~ Hebrews 10:30-31

 

A friend of mine was talking about a situation at her job.  It seems an employee was completely out of line and it was seen by the President of the Corporation.  The president left the area, and went to the head of human relations and maintained the line of authority, rather than exercise her right to take action on the spot.  Why? Because the president believed that there is a line of authority and it should be followed.

 

Another friend of mine worked in a school where sending a child to the principal was the last action in a list of actions.  The first action was to send the child back to the teacher, thus, strengthening the teacher’s authority, and maintaining a line of discipline that had foreseeable consequences.

 

The Bible talks about having an ought with your brother in Matthew:  

15-17 “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.

     ~Matthew 18:15-17

The thing is, if one does not maintain the lines of authority, the chain of communication breaks down, and the lines of gossip and case building start up.  Neither of these is number one on the preferred list. It is on the down side of the ideal solution and often means the person who has the “ought” does not have the strength to speak to the other party.

Today, try to make your lines flow, go through the proper channels and if they don’t work, seek God’s counsel before your mouth utters a syllable.

Because of Him,

Linda 

He Will Find You

He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent nay, more present than the living man.

 

     ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

 

 

8 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

  ~ Hebrews 9:28

 

I heard this song on Friday night.  This lyricist took a risk, and what an amazing testimony.  What an amazing encouragement in reality.

Just read the lyrics, and let the arms of God enfold you.

 

Because of Him,

Linda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umgx8iKmKxs

Hold On

 

Hold On – Paul Brandt

 

He will find you at the bottom of a bottle
He will find you at the needle’s end
He will find you when you beg and steal and borrow
He will follow you into the strangers bed

He will find you when they serve you with the papers
He wil find you when the locks have changed again
He will find you when you’ve called in all your favours
He will meet you at the bridges highest ledge

So baby don’t look down
It’s a long way
The sun’ll come around to a new day

So hold on
Love will find you
Hold on
He’s right behind you now
Just turn around and love will find you

It will find you when the doctors head is shaking
It will find you in the boardroom, yes it did
It will crawl into the foxhole where you’re praying
It will curl up in your halfway empty bed

So baby don’t believe that it’s over
Maybe you can’t see around the corner

So hold on
Love will find you
Hold on he’s right behind you now
Just turn around and love will find you

To hang between two theives in the darkness
Love must believe you are worth it
You’re worth it

So hold on
Love will find you
Hold on he’s right behind you now
Just around, he’s right behind you now
Just turn around, love will find you
Love will find you
He’s gonna be here
Love will find you, love will find you

Re-read a Classic

When you re-read a classic you do not see in the book more than you did before.  You see more in you than there was before.  

 

~ Clifton Fadiman

 

 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

 

~ Matthew 28:18-20

 

I love the story The Little Prince by Antoine St. Exupery.  I have read it many times.  The first time I was enthralled with the fact that it was a story about a pilot and a little prince.  My dad was a pilot, my focus was on that.  The next time, I was fixated on the drawing of a sheep.  The pilot could not draw a sheep, but the prince insisted and finally the pilot drew a box with air holes and informed the prince that the sheep was inside.  

 

I have been, for a time fixed on each of the characters in the story, and each time I re-read it, I see something new and in fact I learn something new about myself, and the story I see now.  Now I think that The Little Prince is about Jesus.  Re-reading the Bible is the same for me.  As a child, I loved the stories of Bible heroes, and how easy it was to imagine them in their situations, and believing that they made it through.  

 

Each time I return to this classic, indeed I learn something new of myself, and of the Mighty God we serve, of the precious Savior we follow.

Today, look at a classic … again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70kdwGBv8fQ

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Because of Him,

Linda

Huzzah!

What saves a man is to take a step.  Then another step.  It is always the same step, but you have to take it.  

 

~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wind, Sand and Stars, 1939, translated from French by Lewis Galantière

 

You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119:114

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxfwr9WT_A

Flag Scene – The Patriot

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCE8jHLJe3g

No retreat- The Patriot

 

The two scenes from the Patriot came into my head when I saw this scripture.  I pictured the Lord holding his shield up, the way that the Patriot held up the flag.  In the first scene, the flag coming up from the rear heartens the men, raises their drooping spirits. In the second  scene, the battle looks as if it is about to be lost to the British, when the Patriot once again gathers the flag, throws his gun and takes that first step forward.  Again, the  men rally and move forward, step by step until the battle is won.   Take a moment and watch them (I am sorry about the violence.)

 

I don’t know what battle you are facing, but I do know that the Lord’s shield shines like a beacon for your spirit, His word encouraging and healing.  Today, look for the shield of the Lord, listen for that encouraging word, and take that first step.

 

Because of Him,

Linda