or things to fight for ...
the prince of darkness grim
we tremble not for him
his rage we will endure
for lo, his doom is sure
one little word
shall fell him.- Luther
everywhere is war - Bob Marley
even bob in his weed 'enlightened' mind
could discern the unending conflict in life.
says St Paul: (paraphrasing) remember that
the people that appear to be opposing you
are not the object of the struggle.
This is not a wrestling match
against a human opponent.
http://bible.cc/ephesians/6-12.htm
now this:
there is FIRST; the ADVOCATE
then there is the ADVERSARY
there is no doubt that every single human
is 'hard wired' for war, that's perhaps
what Marley observed.
conflict, competition...the same thing?
..ever wonder why it is we seem to be so
obsessed with sports and games?
but let's hear again from St Paul:
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel.
Instead, he must be kind to everyone.
He must be a good teacher.
He must be willing to suffer wrong.
2 Timothy 2:24
ON A TANGENT
I was always suspicious of
emancipation. I think that
it is impossible to be free.
If you take the time to really
check it out....we are ALL
enslaved to something.
the KEY, I beleive, is in
CHOOSING YOUR MASTER ! !
...and speaking of choice:
since we are born to war
and born to serve
choose a side and start
fighting, in earnest....
BUT
Proverbs 17:14
Starting a quarrel
is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before
a dispute breaks out.
AND
Do not be in a hurry to go to court.
What will you do in the end if your
neighbor disgraces you?
SO
From strength to strength go on,
wrestle and fight and pray,
tread all the powers of darkness down
and win the well-fought day.
that having all things done,
and all your conflicts passed,
ye may o'ercome thru Christ alone
and stand entire at last.
Words from: Charles Wesley, 1749
BTW ...these Charles Wesley words
have been etched in my mind since
my high school years when we were
"compelled" to meet in a daily
morning assembly and sing
rousing songs of the faith
from the Anglican Hymnal
"Songs of Praise"
FINALLY
let us hear from Henry...
Henry was one of the best known
American poets of the 19th Century...
was written during the American civil war.
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I don't mind this first stanza at all
but seriously it is the fourth verse
that has stayed with me across the years
and so often brings tears to my eyes.
And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
LET ME CLOSE
23 Peace be to the family,
and love with faith, from God
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that
love our Lord Jesus Christ
in sincerity. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment