Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
For those of us who wish to be, we are rocks being carved after the image of Christ. Do not resist and harden yourself against the knocking of the tools, lest cracks form and propogate through your entire body. Chiselling is required, but it must be endured for progress to be made.
Joe Chan died today at 3PM after a car thief rammed into his car.
He interned as a pastor at my church. I had spoken with him only a couple of times. Though I did not know him well, it was easily seen in his attitude and sermons that he was a man charged with a passion for God. His life was not cut short. It ended at the proper time. Despite many struggles, he did not live a life that was lacking. His life was rich and abundant in the blessings that come of a personal relationship with God.
The car thief, on the other hand, lives. But how has he lived and how will he choose to live hereonafter? He has lived a life of thievery; seeking after worldly goods; trying to sustain himself with temporal possessions. He now faces jail-time.
Was it fair in this incident, like many others, that the criminal lives while the innocent die? What do you see of this? I see that Joe lived a full life and will inherit the eternal. The criminal is left with a further chance to decide which route he will take.
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, that the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all those who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
May Joe’s story be known to others to reflect upon what he lived for and what they live for, and may we ourselves not forget, that we might continually be reminded and encouraged.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)
Are you ready to die?
“The only test as to whether we ought to allow an emotion to have its way is to see what the outcome of the emotion will be.” Do not constantly question your emotions, but neither let all your emotions take complete reign. “Going with the flow” of the world and doing whatever feels good is utter selfish non-sense. Think through consequences of your emotions and ensure it does not damage anything of the godly nature. If it does. Out with it. If it doesn’t, then do as you will. If it specifically leads to something of the godly nature, will to do it. Decisions are made in an instant.
We cannot kindle when we will
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides;
But tasks in hours of insight will’d
Can be through hours of gloom fulfill’d.
Not everything is done at once. But if at once you do not will to do it, nothing shall be done at all.
Nearly a week ago I came across a daily devotional piece in My Utmost for His Highest that really rconnected with the direction I was trying to advance in people. About not stagnating and going. Stop self-evaluating and take actions in self-improvement for God. I couldn’t find the page all week until just now. I mixed up March 16 with April 16… so here it is
April 16
Can You Come Down From the Mountain?While you have the light, believe in the light . . .
—John 12:36We all have moments when we feel better than ever before, and we say, “I feel fit for anything; if only I could always be like this!” We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to even when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for the everyday world when we are not on the mountaintop. Yet we must bring our everyday life up to the standard revealed to us on the mountaintop when we were there.
Never allow a feeling that was awakened in you on the mountaintop to evaporate. Don’t place yourself on the shelf by thinking, “How great to be in such a wonderful state of mind!” Act immediately—do something, even if your only reason to act is that you would rather not. If, during a prayer meeting, God shows you something to do, don’t say, “I’ll do it”—just do it! Pick yourself up by the back of the neck and shake off your fleshly laziness. Laziness can always be seen in our cravings for a mountaintop experience; all we talk about is our planning for our time on the mountain. We must learn to live in the ordinary “gray” day according to what we saw on the mountain.
Don’t give up because you have been blocked and confused once—go after it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by an act of your own will. Never change your decisions, but be sure to make your decisions in the light of what you saw and learned on the mountain.
In this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:7)
That’s life. That’s living for Christ. It’s a fight. It’s a race. There will be struggles, blows that knock the air out of you, trips and falls, casting astray, hurdles… but that’s natural, and what’s more, that’s required for growth. Let us not dwell in that which we lack, ourselves, for we lack nothing in Christ. Let us not dwell on past dissappointments and failures. There will be times when we stumble, but regain a foothold and immediately continue on your way.
Go
Watched some Leave it to Beaver again just now. So enjoyable. It’s intriguing how this mild old black and white program is more amusing than most modern ones.
After work today I went for an hour-long stroll with my dog. Pleasant, to take in Creation.
———-
Last Saturday my fellowship went to hand out sandwiches we made and hot soup, various drinks and snacks to the homeless people in downtown Vancouver. This was done as a part of Mom’s Agape Street Ministry. “Mom” is a lady who has been on welfare herself but with God-given direction and compassion for the homeless people around her she has devoted 10 years (thus far) to this ministry. Every night she hands out sandwiches to the homeless. Her love and dedication is why nearly all who receive her sandwiches call her “mom” and greet her with a hug, and why various churches and groups have volunteered to make and distribute.
This ministry is more than about filling the empty stomach. It is very much about filling the greater emptiness.
Matthew 4:4
4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
John 4:13-14
13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.â€
Spent a fair amount of time ironing today. What can I say. It was enjoyable haha. Try making it a past-time? It’s um… relaxing…
Was at Seraphim today. Someone from the church of the guy who owns the place memorized Psalm 119, the longest chapter of any book of the Bible, as I understand it. A 70 year old lady. It took 8 years he says. Interesting.
Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
Not that I feel rather afflicted now. But I have this is the attitude I have. This is the attitude to have. The word attitude makes it seem sort of fake though. As if the making of the most of bad things is just some desperate cover-up to make yourself happy. No. Its the proper, right, good way to handle things. Not just a good way to think of things, but that way of thinking is good.
I confoose.
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