If The Crucifixion Was The Cure?

 If Christ’s crucifixion was the cure…then how bad was the sickness?

If the severity of the sickness is measured by the immense cost of its cure, then the sickness…the sin has to be considered a catastrophic, terminal, and all-pervasive spiritual disease afflicting all humanity.

 

It’s hard for me to grasp God’s thinking. If I were in God’s shoes this world would be on its own. It would be a sink or swim situation…your screw ups are your problem.

 

I’m glad not to be in charge. I am so thankful Jesus took the medicine for me. As a late arrival to the vineyard, I am grateful for the full day’s wages. That undeserved reward is my goal. 

 

Dear Lord 

Help me to understand your ways

When you come to set the world ablaze

Protect me from the evil one

Who strives to do your work undone

 

Thank you for your abundant grace

Please help me run and finish the race

I do not have to understand 

Why your love is so grand

Amen

Extinguishing Fires and Counting Candles

I huffed and I puffed and I blew out a few candles.  I coughed and I wheezed and I motioned for help.

It was only with the aid of my Echo leaf blower that I was able to extinguish the blazing inferno.

 

As I sit pondering the enormous number of smoldering candles it occurs to me… 80 candles…80%...80% done and 20% to go.  Perhaps 20% might be a bit optimistic. Not many folks live to be 100. Maybe 90 would be a bit more realistic.  Wow!  Do the math.  At 80 I’m almost done. 

 

According to a reliable source:

“Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

Psalm 90:10

 

I’m having some concerns about the here-after. Not like the here-after when you go to the kitchen for something and when you get there you wonder what am I here after.

 

Why is it that the reality of the here-after is seen more clearly thru a plume of candle smoke? 

I need to make plans for the future…plans for the here-after…plans for eternity. Precisely where do I want to spend it? 

 

Dear Lord Jesus; 

When I look back at my definite lack

Of the attention I have given you 

It is sorely clear that I should fear 

The reward that I am due. 

 

If it’s not too late at this untimely date 

I’d like to change my tune

Could you please spare in your loving care

This selfish arrogant buffoon. 

 

Amen.

Happy Anniversary

On this very date Dec 23^rd1967, the eve of Christmas Eve, I remember being spoon-fed these words “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health…” 

With youthful optimism I repeated the phrase.  At that time I did not truly grasp the true meaning of those words.  

Thank the Lord for fifty-seven years of better, fifty-seven years of richer, and fifty-seven years of health and thanksMiss Mary for all your patience, perseverance and pleasing personality.  Maybe the worse, the poorer and the sickness are yet to come.  But from this day forward I promise to love you and honor you all the days of my life.

Thank you Lord, for putting Miss Mary in my life. Thank you for such a wonderful blessing. 

 

Dear Lord, Jesus

 

It is you I thank for this marvelous life

It is you I thank for a wonderful wife

It is you I thank for all the years

Filled with joy and very few tears

 

And on this date I thank my mate

For she has made the journey great

Now I can see when looking back

You're the one that kept us on track 

 

There is no way I can repay

For the blessings you've sent my way

So on this day I do pray 

You hear this “Thank You” that I say

 

Amen.

 Dec 23, 1967-Dec 23, 2024