Reality of our Existence

We were are born into this world with the intrinsic need to worship. Our hearts and minds turn to self gratification. We are driven to seek satisfaction and happiness all of our lives. The pathway that we travel is determined only by this need. These roads are strewn with the wreckage of human failings. We are fueled on this journey by needs. It is interesting to examine need and its synonyms: requirement, want, charge, commitment, committal, compulsion, demand, desideratum, devour, duty, essential, exigency, extremity, longing, must, obligation, occasion, ought, requisite, right, the urge, urgency, use, weakness, wish. Are our lives so shallow that we are consumed every day to promote ourselves only? Self only promotes self.

As we travel farther, our lives always reflect what we love. The expressions of this love are shown to others in many ways. Some are friendly, some are sharing, some are caring, some are giving, and some are reaching out to others. It makes us feel that we are inherently good. Our outward lives are shaped by what we believe will bring us the greatest happiness at that milepost on the road.

So what is wrong with this view ? We seek something or somebody to bring happiness to ourselves. Standing by road , it appears both foolish and selfish. We want to change. We want to get better. We want to be happy. We don't want to lose what we believe is bringing us this temporal feeling of well being. Happiness is defined as :

1.The quality or state of being happy.

2.Good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy

Or

beatitude, blessedness, bliss, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, content, contentment, delectation, delight, delirium, ecstasy, elation, enchantment, enjoyment, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, felicity, gaiety, geniality, gladness, glee, good cheer, good humor, good spirits, hilarity, hopefulness, joviality, joy, jubilation, laughter, lightheartedness, merriment, mirth, optimism, paradise, peace of mind, playfulness, pleasure, prosperity, rejoicing, sanctity, seventh heaven*, vivacity, well-being



It puts us at the center. Again, what is wrong with this viewpoint? Nothing, except it never accomplishes what is seeks. It is foolish because though we find what we believe brings us happiness, it only lasts a short time. When the satisfaction dims, we chase down the road to find something else or double back to look for the same roadkill. It's an ugly scenario. The selfishness of this action depicts the pure depravity of our quest. How often have we left others behind when we ran ahead. If we do walk along others, is it out of our disciplined "goodness' , are our hearts genuine in this walk or resentful that 'they' are holding us back ? The double back displays our inner self. Abandonment of others to return to a site of debasement is degrading to the souls of each party. Chasing back to route and sniff out this form of happiness is sad but also disgusting. Blinded by the corrupted notion that our cravings will be appeased, we return again and again. The morsels of sensuality, licentiousness, lewdness,and perversion are sought. We sate our stomachs to provide contentment to our hearts. This highlights the true condition of our nature. There is a viciousness and wickedness present within us. It is unsightly. It is unattractive. It is devoid of love.

It is what we want.

No change can occur from within a man for two(2) reasons:

1. We don't want to change.
2. We have no ability to change


We are earthen jars. We attempt to fill our jars full of the lies of this world to gain happiness. There is no truth within ourselves. We may attempt to change but it is fruitless. Change must come from outside of man. Despair should overcome us when we have reached this apex of realization. Strangely,it doesn't. It is replaced by hope. A hope that comes to us uninvited. Hope that it is given freely. The realization of this event is surprising, startling, and freeing. There are no words to describe that moment of comprehension. It is love. It is worthy love given to the unworthy. Our response is a reflection of the purity of the love given. It is adoration. It is allegiance. It is piety. It is appreciation. It is regard. It is delight. It is affection. It is yearning. It is zeal. It is tenderness. It is cherishing. It is devotedness. It is emotion. It is enjoyment. It is weakness. It is involvement. It is fervor. It is friendship. It is worship. Our jars are filled from a source outside ourselves. This love overflows and flows back to the Giver of the love gift and to others. A change has occurred.
There is no possibility for anyone to change unless it is given by God. He through His Grace alone initiates the change. Grace has been poured out into our vessels through the risen Christ. It is by faith alone in Him alone that we are changed.

We worship what we love. The course of our entire life is defined by this simple sentence.

Who / what do you love? The reality of our existence hinges on the answer.

Hauberk

What do we arm ourselves to defend ourselves from the lies of this world? What do we arm ourselves to defend ourselves from our own cold contrite hearts?

May we wear a heavenly hauberk woven by God's Word. It is stained by our own sins but bleached white as snow by Christ's redemptive work . Let us gather others to the Cross of Christ proclaiming His Name and His Name alone above all

Ego non sum ego

The Damascus Road

Each one of us travels on a highway of life driven by the need to satisfy our inner most desires. We were all born with the need to worship . Self has caused us to seek anything that we believe will bring us the greatest satisfaction and enjoyment . There are four types(4) of drivers on these highways.
The first driver has the need to find that highway that will make him 'feel good' . He searches the roadsides for luggage that he can stop and load. He is then is quickly off to the next roadside stop. The baggage he seeks can be found in the emptiness of the bottle, the shame of gluttony,and the hidden trappings of sexual or drug addiction. All the roadside litter is appealing to him. Unfortunately ,his collection never satisfies his hunger or desires. He may, in his haste to get to the next piece of roadside debris ,be unaware of the pedestrians along the pathways. A trail of roadkill may be left in the wake of his vehicle.
The second traveler drives the road of 'looking good'. His car is always shiny. He tends to travel the less than busy side streets only making appearance at intersections where his vehicle will be noticed. Looking good is always important. It's perception that is reality. Passengers in his vehicle are always impressed with all aspects of his driving capability. They are however no more knowledgeable about the drive or the driver after their trips. The trips tend to be short.
The third driver is always right. He always makes the right turns. He never has to ask for directions. He always has the right map. He always leaves right on time and he always arrives on right on time. He needs no help from others. He knows the road and the road that lies ahead around the next corner. He is always satisfied with himself as long as people listen to him and follow exactly what he says. He is not a fun traveling companion.
The last traveler takes the highway in a powerful and fast vehicle. He is a well trained and disciplined driver. His car is fueled by 'being in control'. He knows his car, he knows his driving skills, he knows his destination and he knows how to get there quickly. It is interesting that Paul was this type of driver. He started on his journey long before the stoning of Steven. His quest for the persecution of the early church was before him. On the Road to Damascus, God came to him.
We have all traveled one of these roads. Some of us have tried several highways in seeking our happiness. I pray that God has met you. He has promised to come. The question is thus three fold . If you met God on your Damascus Road, how will you respond? Will you recognize Him and His call? Will you stop? Once you have stopped ,will you obediently await his directions? Paul waited for three(3) days. When the scales were lifted from His eyes , he allowed God to be in charge and take Him down another highway.
By His Grace alone. God will meet you on the Damascus Road. By Faith alone, we obediently take our hands of the wheel and let Him have control. It is by Christ alone that He takes us on the highway that leads us to a New City.
Pray that you recognize what highway you travel. When He comes, listen' wait,and go. The old driver and the old highway will be a memory that fades quickly. Enjoy the ride,get to know the driver better everyday. He knows the Way. You will be amazed at the end of the journey. It will be Awesome.

Pascal

We should define our lives backwards and live our lives forward- Pascal What does this mean in today's time ? I remember a day not so long ago on a February morning when I received a call from my brother in law telling me that my Dad had passed away. At the age of twenty five(25), I was suddenly thrust into the role of 'man' of the household for my family. I was neither prepared emotionally nor spiritually to provide the real guidance necessary my loved ones. I remember the funeral preparations and the ceremony as it were yesterday. I have not dwell ed on the fact that my Father went to the Lord but that I did not console my Mother well enough in her time of grief. My Father was a self made man as many men were that lived through a Depression and a World War. He was intelligent and had a backbone of integrity and honesty. What he lacked in instructural teaching ,he lived his life in such a manner that displayed his true thoughts and desires. He was a man to be admired for his fortitude, steadfastness,and caring attitude for others. Whether it was the times, the way of 'men' in those days, or his personal shyness ,he never talked about his love of God other than he was faithful. He believed and lived his life according to the instructions and admonishments God. After his death , I was able to read instructions from his pastor while he was in the Coast Guard.A genuine love for Christ and the church was seen in these writings. Why the discussion about my Dad? Each one of us will experience death. God tells us how we are to live, how we are to love,and ultimately how we are to die. In this context,falling on our knees is probably the first thing I would advise us to do.
Picture a funeral with all your closest friends, associates,and family members. What are they saying? What are they grieving ? What are their sharing with others? What are their deepest thoughts? What are they thinking about their lives? What are they regretting? What are they saying you loved ? It is your funeral. What would you like to to say?
We all come into this world with gifts and knowledge. We can walk upright ,we have hands sculptured by God, we can reason, we have God's Word. We all have a knowledge of God. We all have an inherent nature to want everything for ourselves, to satisfy ourselves, to make our image supreme to ourselves. This thought may be out of fashion in our image conscious world but 'sin' rules . Deny it, hide it, put up a disguise,call it something else -it is still there bigger and not better than ever. We don't like to face it because its ugly and we are not sure how to get rid of it. It's enticing,it brings temporal pleasure,and it's always there just within reach when you least expected. It makes us feel appreciated,worthy,powerful,full of ourselves - for a second,maybe a minute , and when our senses are dull enough maybe a life time. It will make us feel guilty-for a second, maybe a minute ,and when our senses are dull enough maybe a life time. The imagery comes to mind from Mrs. Finian's English class of Dante's Inferno. Round and round we go, down and down we go , never suspecting while searching for joy and satisfaction at every turn. We find it , we feel satisfaction,we feel empty ,and we search for more self until we have gone so far without realizing the extent of the journey nor the cost to ourselves.
I digress, back to the funeral. We were made in God's image. We were born with sin. In our lives , the road to Damascus is different for each one. What we believe will be the true compass for our lives. So for each one of us what road are you on ? The Road to Damascus to carry out your our life? Pray that God comes to you on that road. Living your life forward on the road to Damascus will be dictated by what you love and by what you think will bring you the greatest pleasure. Self,self image, admiration of others, feeling good,looking good,being in control,and being right all will push you and pull you on that highway. Know that God loves you. Loves you enough to see you in this condition and still loves you. He sent his only Son to die on a Cross for each one of us. He did this to express His love and to display His true nature/goodness/purity and to reorient your lives to travel another road of life to another city. In the end, what the people gathered at your funeral will be important because it testifies how you lived your life. They need to know you well enough to tell others what you loved.
With all that said, what will God say on that day? What did you love the most? Where did you find your greatest pleasure and joy. What road have traveled? Let us say -ego non sum ego-we are not our own. We were saved from ourselves and this world by His Grace -Let's travel together with Him on this life's journey to the new city

Saved by Grace

It is early evening and I have just come from the funeral of my pastor and brother in Christ, Dan Cummings. I have learned and grown under the teachings of 'Pastor Dan' in my own walk. I will miss his smile and our brief conversations on the important things in life. We talked about why God gives us pain. Dan always struggled with that question from an early age when he saw cancer slowly remove life from his mother.
We would read the dead guys and he always graciously accepted my copies from Thomas Boston or any other number of Puritan writers. I love Spurgeon and would share his sermons with him almost weekly. It is with a selfish sadness to let him go. I know he is encouraging each one of his flock to love Christ more, to know Christ more ,and to share Christ more. I had the opportunity when my Mom died to tell him that story. My Mom was in the rehab center and had been semi comotose for a day or so. I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with my sister and brother in law. (As Dan would state -the unvarnished Truth) . My Mom suddenly came awake and looked at My sister and then to me with the sparkling blue eyes of a child. I saw a peace and understanding that only comes from God. I shared that story with Dan on my return to Michigan. He was quiet and then told me how good it is to witness such an event and to have that sense of peace. I pray that Dan's family has that same peace tonight.
May each of of us love and honor God in all we do. Let our 'resolve' to find our joy in Christ and Christ alone. Let us Guard the Truth of the Gospel in our hearts and minds and may our lives bear witness to the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am not my own. I was bought and paid for on a Cross. Let us not worry about who we know or what we do but who we are to become in Christ. Ego Non Sum Ego