It doth not yet appear what we shall be.
Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says - "Well, supposing I were in that condition . . ." We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in. Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness, it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said, "Except ye become as little children." Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.
"Believe also in Me," said Jesus, not - "Believe certain things about Me." Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him.
1 John 3:2
Oswald Chambers - My Utmost For His Highest
I haven't read My Utmost for quite some time now. I am glad I recently started again. Rare is the writing that captures my attention as his material. I could post a daily reading from Oswald Chambers and never bore. At any rate, I will post a link that I found where you can read a daily quote.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Song I'll Never Forget
I sit here again
Waiting for the words to come
My hands are frozen
And my head is numb
Come to me my fairest
Reveal to me your plans
Spill out on this paper
Give me your demands
I sit here motionless
Tired from the day
Words have been used up
I’ve got nothing to say
Because the dam is backed up
They were tugging my chain
Kicking me in the butt
Saying I was to blame
I sit here broken
Flat out depressed
Then you whisper
My love, my dear, I am hear
Sit upon my breasts
Her fingers through my hair
As she begins to sing a song
The angels surround me
They were there all along
But she has that voice
That calls them by name
They all sing in chorus
Tis the reason they came
She leads the choir
And this is what they sang…
Rest in peace my dear
You have nothing to fear
Hold my hand my love
And listen to what I speak of
The heavens declare His glory
His mercies new every morning
This day will pass
And it will not last
Tomorrow you’ll see
That you’re indeed free
And if it should take longer
If you can’t let it go
Come back to my lap
More love I’ll bestow
For this love of mine
It has no end
I will be here forever
My time with you to spend
For you’re the one I’ve chosen
I’ve nothing more but thee
I give myself to you
All of it for free
Rest now my love
Close your eyes and sleep
I will be here in the morning
I will count your sheep
Drift now my love
To the land so fair
Where there is no pain
And where there is no care
This is what she sang to me
And I’ll never forget
For it was the most tender caress
A man could ever get
And thus the words spilled out
They flowed without restraint
Because of her devotion
Beautiful words it did paint
4/17/09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
This is dedicated to my wife, who plays with my hair, rubs my back, or even my feet after a long day, even when she is tired. She rises early many times to serve me before I head to work, always asking "what do you want today?". She treats me far better than I deserve and this encourages me to love her as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it. (from which I fall absurdly short) She doesn't tell me so much with words, but everyday she reminds me with her actions. I don't say or show this nearly as much as I should, but I love you hun.
The song "Something That We Do" is a song I'll never forget...I played it in my truck as my wife and I drove to our honeymoon destination the day after we were married. I jokingly sang the part "I remember well the day we wed, I can see that picture in my head...". (she chuckled and that was the first of many dry humor moments she would experience through these many years). I still sing it to her from time to time (and still think it's funny).
Waiting for the words to come
My hands are frozen
And my head is numb
Come to me my fairest
Reveal to me your plans
Spill out on this paper
Give me your demands
I sit here motionless
Tired from the day
Words have been used up
I’ve got nothing to say
Because the dam is backed up
They were tugging my chain
Kicking me in the butt
Saying I was to blame
I sit here broken
Flat out depressed
Then you whisper
My love, my dear, I am hear
Sit upon my breasts
Her fingers through my hair
As she begins to sing a song
The angels surround me
They were there all along
But she has that voice
That calls them by name
They all sing in chorus
Tis the reason they came
She leads the choir
And this is what they sang…
Rest in peace my dear
You have nothing to fear
Hold my hand my love
And listen to what I speak of
The heavens declare His glory
His mercies new every morning
This day will pass
And it will not last
Tomorrow you’ll see
That you’re indeed free
And if it should take longer
If you can’t let it go
Come back to my lap
More love I’ll bestow
For this love of mine
It has no end
I will be here forever
My time with you to spend
For you’re the one I’ve chosen
I’ve nothing more but thee
I give myself to you
All of it for free
Rest now my love
Close your eyes and sleep
I will be here in the morning
I will count your sheep
Drift now my love
To the land so fair
Where there is no pain
And where there is no care
This is what she sang to me
And I’ll never forget
For it was the most tender caress
A man could ever get
And thus the words spilled out
They flowed without restraint
Because of her devotion
Beautiful words it did paint
4/17/09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
This is dedicated to my wife, who plays with my hair, rubs my back, or even my feet after a long day, even when she is tired. She rises early many times to serve me before I head to work, always asking "what do you want today?". She treats me far better than I deserve and this encourages me to love her as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it. (from which I fall absurdly short) She doesn't tell me so much with words, but everyday she reminds me with her actions. I don't say or show this nearly as much as I should, but I love you hun.
The song "Something That We Do" is a song I'll never forget...I played it in my truck as my wife and I drove to our honeymoon destination the day after we were married. I jokingly sang the part "I remember well the day we wed, I can see that picture in my head...". (she chuckled and that was the first of many dry humor moments she would experience through these many years). I still sing it to her from time to time (and still think it's funny).
Monday, April 20, 2009
The End is Near
It’s almost midnight
The end is coming
You’re drinking your tea
(or whatever vice grabs you)
But this night is like no other
Like a thief he comes
And there’s nothing
You can do
Remember your lies boy
Those colluded thoughts
You’ve got debts to pay
And they’ve come due
Surely you knew
This day was approaching
Your sins have accrued
Change your mood
Time is tickin’ dude
And you’re running out of time
Pull up a chair
Watch the show
Your gonna pay for your crime
Maybe spend some hard time
And if you’re not ready…
You better file an extension.
4/15/09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
The end is coming
You’re drinking your tea
(or whatever vice grabs you)
But this night is like no other
Like a thief he comes
And there’s nothing
You can do
Remember your lies boy
Those colluded thoughts
You’ve got debts to pay
And they’ve come due
Surely you knew
This day was approaching
Your sins have accrued
Change your mood
Time is tickin’ dude
And you’re running out of time
Pull up a chair
Watch the show
Your gonna pay for your crime
Maybe spend some hard time
And if you’re not ready…
You better file an extension.
4/15/09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Kiss the Son
God of all gods
I dare not mention
Their names
Why mention a spark
In the midst of the sun
When the sun gives the spark?
Forgive the expression
For nothing describes
Nothing explains
Nothing contains
He is …
The English letters do no justice…
He is…
I AM
Feel it in the chest
Fall back to the ground
Selah.
Holy is His name
All powerful
Everlasting
Without sin
So pure to overcome
The worst of transgressions
Matchless
King of all
Though He tarries
Holy One of Israel
Is still on His throne
Master of all
What king can
Guide affairs as this?
Tell me what ruler
Can bear the sword
In righteousness?
What is His name?
And what is His Son’s name?
You will bow before Him
Oh wicked man
Flee from His presence
Oh wicked one
Where will you go?
Let the fear well up
Let the hate burn
Or else now turn
Forever
You will pay
You’ve denied
The Holy One
You’ve stood in
Wretched unbelief
Your doubtful mind
Has listened to the
Lies of your pitiful master
Break the wicked
Oh Father
For they have
Done wickedly
They have denied
Your only begotten Son
Your precious Gift
They are without excuse
Stand up oh rulers
Stand before your true King
He demands your presence
Only to bow at His feet
Worship Him and Him only
He has brought you here
Bow before Him in fear
Tremble at His name
All creation melts
Satan obeys
There is no other way
What can you then say?
No words can come
As you kneel in awe
He rises at His throne
Causing all mouths to be stopped
All Creation to yield
All molecules to stand at attention
As the pureness and magnificence
of His Voice calls out
And reaches the corners
Of the universe
Causing the stars
To sing
The rocks to cry out
The oceans to flee
The mountains to be removed
The planets to shake in their orbit
Your vocal cords obey
In worship and adoration
To the most High God
The God above all gods
The One true God
The Only King
The King of the Universe
Selah.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed,
ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from
the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalm 2:9-12
4-8-09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
I dare not mention
Their names
Why mention a spark
In the midst of the sun
When the sun gives the spark?
Forgive the expression
For nothing describes
Nothing explains
Nothing contains
He is …
The English letters do no justice…
He is…
I AM
Feel it in the chest
Fall back to the ground
Selah.
Holy is His name
All powerful
Everlasting
Without sin
So pure to overcome
The worst of transgressions
Matchless
King of all
Though He tarries
Holy One of Israel
Is still on His throne
Master of all
What king can
Guide affairs as this?
Tell me what ruler
Can bear the sword
In righteousness?
What is His name?
And what is His Son’s name?
You will bow before Him
Oh wicked man
Flee from His presence
Oh wicked one
Where will you go?
Let the fear well up
Let the hate burn
Or else now turn
Forever
You will pay
You’ve denied
The Holy One
You’ve stood in
Wretched unbelief
Your doubtful mind
Has listened to the
Lies of your pitiful master
Break the wicked
Oh Father
For they have
Done wickedly
They have denied
Your only begotten Son
Your precious Gift
They are without excuse
Stand up oh rulers
Stand before your true King
He demands your presence
Only to bow at His feet
Worship Him and Him only
He has brought you here
Bow before Him in fear
Tremble at His name
All creation melts
Satan obeys
There is no other way
What can you then say?
No words can come
As you kneel in awe
He rises at His throne
Causing all mouths to be stopped
All Creation to yield
All molecules to stand at attention
As the pureness and magnificence
of His Voice calls out
And reaches the corners
Of the universe
Causing the stars
To sing
The rocks to cry out
The oceans to flee
The mountains to be removed
The planets to shake in their orbit
Your vocal cords obey
In worship and adoration
To the most High God
The God above all gods
The One true God
The Only King
The King of the Universe
Selah.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed,
ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from
the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalm 2:9-12
4-8-09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Point 19
I copied just a few paragraphs from an article. For some reason I couldn't put a link here, but if you want to paste and copy... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/5096524/The-G20-moves-the-world-a-step-closer-to-a-global-currency.html
A whole lot of things have happened within the last 6 months or so. It's amazing how fast things are changing. We are in the midst of an historical time (for multiple reasons). And there is God...in the center of it all...moving the hearts of kings and men as He so chooses.
I am not too smart on exactly how the dollar affects us and how intertwined it is with the rest of the world. It is interesting that Russia and China are pushing for a new currency...to not be so dependent upon the dollar. (I think they are right, by the way) It seems to me that we will be in big trouble though if the dollar was no longer the standard. It seems to me that this would be the final blow to knock us from being the one world power? I have read that China will replace us as the number one superpower within several years anyway. I am sure there must be some news articles about this issue, but I have not seen any. If any one knows of a good article on this issue (replacing the dollar as the standard) Please post in the comments for all to see. These are just some of my thoughts. I have nothing to substantiate. If anyone is knowledgeable in this area, I would love to discuss.
Here are portions of the article..
A single clause in Point 19 of the communiqué issued by the G20 leaders amounts to revolution in the global financial order.
"We have agreed to support a general SDR allocation which will inject $250bn (£170bn) into the world economy and increase global liquidity," it said. SDRs are Special Drawing Rights, a synthetic paper currency issued by the International Monetary Fund that has lain dormant for half a century....
The Russians had hoped their idea to develop SDRs as a full reserve currency to challenge the dollar would make its way on to the agenda, but at least they got a foot in the door.
There is now a world currency in waiting. In time, SDRs are likely evolve into a parking place for the foreign holdings of central banks, led by the People's Bank of China. Beijing's moves this week to offer $95bn in yuan currency swaps to developing economies show how fast China aims to break dollar dependence.
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard - Telegraph.co.uk
A whole lot of things have happened within the last 6 months or so. It's amazing how fast things are changing. We are in the midst of an historical time (for multiple reasons). And there is God...in the center of it all...moving the hearts of kings and men as He so chooses.
I am not too smart on exactly how the dollar affects us and how intertwined it is with the rest of the world. It is interesting that Russia and China are pushing for a new currency...to not be so dependent upon the dollar. (I think they are right, by the way) It seems to me that we will be in big trouble though if the dollar was no longer the standard. It seems to me that this would be the final blow to knock us from being the one world power? I have read that China will replace us as the number one superpower within several years anyway. I am sure there must be some news articles about this issue, but I have not seen any. If any one knows of a good article on this issue (replacing the dollar as the standard) Please post in the comments for all to see. These are just some of my thoughts. I have nothing to substantiate. If anyone is knowledgeable in this area, I would love to discuss.
Here are portions of the article..
A single clause in Point 19 of the communiqué issued by the G20 leaders amounts to revolution in the global financial order.
"We have agreed to support a general SDR allocation which will inject $250bn (£170bn) into the world economy and increase global liquidity," it said. SDRs are Special Drawing Rights, a synthetic paper currency issued by the International Monetary Fund that has lain dormant for half a century....
The Russians had hoped their idea to develop SDRs as a full reserve currency to challenge the dollar would make its way on to the agenda, but at least they got a foot in the door.
There is now a world currency in waiting. In time, SDRs are likely evolve into a parking place for the foreign holdings of central banks, led by the People's Bank of China. Beijing's moves this week to offer $95bn in yuan currency swaps to developing economies show how fast China aims to break dollar dependence.
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard - Telegraph.co.uk
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Center
What can I say but Thee?
What can I feel but You?
Where will I hide
Where you can’t abide?
You are the center of my will
What are these feelings I feel?
What about the things I’ve seen?
Where have I been?
Where will I go?
You are the center of me
What of the love received?
What of the pain relieved?
Friends forsaken
Family forgiven
You are the center of my fill
What is this way I take?
What of the path I forsake?
Guide me along
Fill my heart with a song
You are the center of my way
What can I then do?
What can I then choose?
The strings are attached
Yet the door is unlatched
You are center stage
Though all prosper or fail
Though all come or turn
It doesn’t really matter
For all is contained
You are center we see
What can we possibly say?
To You we pray...
Do as You please
To our knees we then fall
You are the center of all
Again to our knees we fall
For You are center of all
Forever to our knees we fall
Forever You are center of all
"For of Him, and through Him,
and to Him, are all things: to
Whom be glory for ever. Amen."
4/5/09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
What can I feel but You?
Where will I hide
Where you can’t abide?
You are the center of my will
What are these feelings I feel?
What about the things I’ve seen?
Where have I been?
Where will I go?
You are the center of me
What of the love received?
What of the pain relieved?
Friends forsaken
Family forgiven
You are the center of my fill
What is this way I take?
What of the path I forsake?
Guide me along
Fill my heart with a song
You are the center of my way
What can I then do?
What can I then choose?
The strings are attached
Yet the door is unlatched
You are center stage
Though all prosper or fail
Though all come or turn
It doesn’t really matter
For all is contained
You are center we see
What can we possibly say?
To You we pray...
Do as You please
To our knees we then fall
You are the center of all
Again to our knees we fall
For You are center of all
Forever to our knees we fall
Forever You are center of all
"For of Him, and through Him,
and to Him, are all things: to
Whom be glory for ever. Amen."
4/5/09
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Prize God in Himself
I have been meditating on the fact of God being our supreme cause of contentment. Thus, the following excerpt spoke to me...
Take heed of confining thy welfare to outward means, as if thou couldst not be happy without such an estate, without so many hundreds in the world; beware of binding up thy life and contentment with the creature, for when we come to part with it, we can as soon part with our lives. The children of God resolve, 'Though the fig-tree do not blossom, and the labour of the olive fail, yet to rejoice in the Lord,' Hab. 3.17, 18. This should be a Christian's resolution, not to trust to the creatures, but in God, though all these things are gone. This is a holy independency, when our hearts are taken off from the creature. The men of the world have only a candle which is soon blown out, an estate that may easily be blasted: but the children of God have the sun, which can stead them without a candle. The Lord saith, Hosea 2.11,12, 'I will cause their mirth to cease,' speaking of the carnal Jews. Why? 'I will destroy her vines and her fig-trees.' All the wicked man's happiness is bound up with the vine and fig-tree, with his estate. Consider, your happiness doth not lie within yourselves, nor in any other creature, but in God alone. God in himself is much better than God in the creature; now carnal men, they prize God in the creature, but not God in himself. And therefore the first thing we must depend upon is that God is an all-sufficient God in himself; not God in friends, not God in wealth, but God in himself. We cannot see how it can be well without friends, and wealth, and liberty, therefore our hearts are glued to them. Oh, take heed of this. All these things are but several pipes to deliver and convey to us the influence of the supreme cause; therefore still prize God in himself before God in the creature.
Thomas Manton - A Treatise of Self-Denial
Take heed of confining thy welfare to outward means, as if thou couldst not be happy without such an estate, without so many hundreds in the world; beware of binding up thy life and contentment with the creature, for when we come to part with it, we can as soon part with our lives. The children of God resolve, 'Though the fig-tree do not blossom, and the labour of the olive fail, yet to rejoice in the Lord,' Hab. 3.17, 18. This should be a Christian's resolution, not to trust to the creatures, but in God, though all these things are gone. This is a holy independency, when our hearts are taken off from the creature. The men of the world have only a candle which is soon blown out, an estate that may easily be blasted: but the children of God have the sun, which can stead them without a candle. The Lord saith, Hosea 2.11,12, 'I will cause their mirth to cease,' speaking of the carnal Jews. Why? 'I will destroy her vines and her fig-trees.' All the wicked man's happiness is bound up with the vine and fig-tree, with his estate. Consider, your happiness doth not lie within yourselves, nor in any other creature, but in God alone. God in himself is much better than God in the creature; now carnal men, they prize God in the creature, but not God in himself. And therefore the first thing we must depend upon is that God is an all-sufficient God in himself; not God in friends, not God in wealth, but God in himself. We cannot see how it can be well without friends, and wealth, and liberty, therefore our hearts are glued to them. Oh, take heed of this. All these things are but several pipes to deliver and convey to us the influence of the supreme cause; therefore still prize God in himself before God in the creature.
Thomas Manton - A Treatise of Self-Denial
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Explain
Words that are deep
So must I explain?
But how do you express sorrow and pain?
If it could be understood
Then why write it down?
Here is the brush
Paint the red town
The town is red because it bleeds
With sorrow, death, pain and greed
All words have been used so what can you say?
There must be a different way
A cavern of thoughts a pictores mind
Is this how to express what we find?
Can not understand? Maybe that’s the point.
For it is your mind I exploit
Make it dig deep
For words are cheap
Your mind is worth more
Open the door
When you think with thoughts
And not just words
You’ll think like a scholar
And not like a bird
3/8/08
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
So must I explain?
But how do you express sorrow and pain?
If it could be understood
Then why write it down?
Here is the brush
Paint the red town
The town is red because it bleeds
With sorrow, death, pain and greed
All words have been used so what can you say?
There must be a different way
A cavern of thoughts a pictores mind
Is this how to express what we find?
Can not understand? Maybe that’s the point.
For it is your mind I exploit
Make it dig deep
For words are cheap
Your mind is worth more
Open the door
When you think with thoughts
And not just words
You’ll think like a scholar
And not like a bird
3/8/08
Copyright © 2009 Brian Jackson All rights reserved
I have been very hesitant to share this poem, but please read the explanation under "Rainbow" and hopefully this will be less of a blow. My main concern has been that this poem could seem prideful. This was basically a forceful way to cause one to think. By the way, I made up the word "pictores". I was not satisfied with any words in the English language and thus created my own.(fitting for the intentions of this poem I suppose) I just found out though that Pictor is a constellation and the genitive form is indeed "pictores". However, I have to disagree. : ) Ok...from now on, I will try not to explain anything. Hopefully you can just enjoy a poem without me ruining it with comments. Please just always read with a pictores mind. : ) I have just explained a poem that begs not to be explained...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)