Perfect world, flawless world
Look at me, point out my imperfections
Day after day, without fail
I long to be pure and spotless
Somewhere, someday.
Wise, intelligent men
Help me, cure me of my misperceptions
Remind me how I lost my tail
I hope to be so sure and doubtless
Somewhere, someday.
Reverent society, tolerant all
Guide me, change my wrong direction
Tell me again "there is no hell"
I want to be found blameless
Somewhere, someday.
Cold, loveless hearts
Follow me, I'll show you my affection
I'll tell you all there is to tell
I want you to find true forgiveness
Right here, right now.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Suddenly Darkness
The darkness thick, no light could cut,
One foot in front of the other, but,
The ground itself seemed swallowed up,
Fear was starting to sink in.
Now, from somewhere, sounds arise,
Shouting, sobbing, pitiful cries,
As I struggle to see, I realize,
No light would ever be coming in.
Then suddenly aware of a horrible heat,
I could feel the flames burning my feet,
Then my thoughts started coming back to me,
I was dead, and in Hell for my sin.
I knew from stories there was a place far above,
That was so full of light, so full of love,
Now I wanted to go into that place I'd heard of,
But I was too late to enter in.
One foot in front of the other, but,
The ground itself seemed swallowed up,
Fear was starting to sink in.
Now, from somewhere, sounds arise,
Shouting, sobbing, pitiful cries,
As I struggle to see, I realize,
No light would ever be coming in.
Then suddenly aware of a horrible heat,
I could feel the flames burning my feet,
Then my thoughts started coming back to me,
I was dead, and in Hell for my sin.
I knew from stories there was a place far above,
That was so full of light, so full of love,
Now I wanted to go into that place I'd heard of,
But I was too late to enter in.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Identity
There is nothing inherently wrong with long hair on men, tattoos, or piercings. That is quite an opening line, considering I don't necessarily care for any of them. I try not to look down on anyone that has them, but I wouldn't recommend any of them either. I have many friends that I love dearly, that have tattoos and piercings. I had my own ears pierced three times, many years ago. The long hair on men I mentioned because I used to have shoulder length hair, with a small ponytail, before I got saved. It seemed to bother a lot of people, older people anyway.
The reason I bring all this up, is because I was talking to a friend of mine today that has hair almost all the way down his back. Every time I see him, I kid him about getting it cut. The truth is, I don't care how long his hair is. I'm concerned about the fact that he CAN'T get it cut. It's become who he is. He's afraid he won't really be himself if he cuts his hair. To me, that's a little scary. I've talked to men who wouldn't shave their beards off if their life depended on it. It had become such a part of their identity that they couldn't even THINK of parting with it. It's this kind of thinking that might keep us from being able to give up things we don't need, so we can further the ministry God has given us.
I fell into that trap years ago. I said I would NEVER shave my beard. Then, I suddenly felt very vain. Since then, I grow it, shave it off, whatever feels right at the time. It's the same with the hair on my head. I am determined not to let ANY part of me become my only identity. It's the same with tattoos, piercings, whatever. I am more than one part of me. God created me to be an example of Himself. No one part of me, whether in my body, or my life, is more important than God. My identity is in Jesus Christ. Not in me.
The reason I bring all this up, is because I was talking to a friend of mine today that has hair almost all the way down his back. Every time I see him, I kid him about getting it cut. The truth is, I don't care how long his hair is. I'm concerned about the fact that he CAN'T get it cut. It's become who he is. He's afraid he won't really be himself if he cuts his hair. To me, that's a little scary. I've talked to men who wouldn't shave their beards off if their life depended on it. It had become such a part of their identity that they couldn't even THINK of parting with it. It's this kind of thinking that might keep us from being able to give up things we don't need, so we can further the ministry God has given us.
I fell into that trap years ago. I said I would NEVER shave my beard. Then, I suddenly felt very vain. Since then, I grow it, shave it off, whatever feels right at the time. It's the same with the hair on my head. I am determined not to let ANY part of me become my only identity. It's the same with tattoos, piercings, whatever. I am more than one part of me. God created me to be an example of Himself. No one part of me, whether in my body, or my life, is more important than God. My identity is in Jesus Christ. Not in me.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Feelings
The Bible implies that we will have all of our senses when we leave this life. Our spirits will be able to hear, feel, smell, see, and taste. Probably better than we do now. I am so glad to know this.
We will be able to hear Jesus say "Enter in, My good and faithful servant". We'll be able to see the nail scars on His hands and feet, and the side that was pierced. We'll feel His gentle hands wipe the tears from our eyes. We'll taste the wedding supper prepared just for us, and served to us by Jesus Himself. We'll smell the incense of His presence in Heaven. Our senses will be subjected to so much more. These are but a wonderful few.
Unfortunately, those that die lost, without ever having known Jesus as their Lord and Savior, will have their senses also. They'll feel the flames burning their spiritual bodies. They'll hear the screams of the countless others being tortured for all eternity. They'll smell the sulfur and the burning flesh. They'll see, but they'll see nothing but darkness. They will taste nothing but their own tongues as they chew on them, hoping for a small bit of relief from the heat and pain. They will also have the memories of all the opportunities they passed up. Opportunities for salvation. Thinking they had more time. Now, time is all they will have.
We will be able to hear Jesus say "Enter in, My good and faithful servant". We'll be able to see the nail scars on His hands and feet, and the side that was pierced. We'll feel His gentle hands wipe the tears from our eyes. We'll taste the wedding supper prepared just for us, and served to us by Jesus Himself. We'll smell the incense of His presence in Heaven. Our senses will be subjected to so much more. These are but a wonderful few.
Unfortunately, those that die lost, without ever having known Jesus as their Lord and Savior, will have their senses also. They'll feel the flames burning their spiritual bodies. They'll hear the screams of the countless others being tortured for all eternity. They'll smell the sulfur and the burning flesh. They'll see, but they'll see nothing but darkness. They will taste nothing but their own tongues as they chew on them, hoping for a small bit of relief from the heat and pain. They will also have the memories of all the opportunities they passed up. Opportunities for salvation. Thinking they had more time. Now, time is all they will have.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)