False Sense of Security

"A false sense of security is the only kind there is."
~ Michael Meade

False Sense of Security

Our soul is exceedingly filled
With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.
~ Psalms 123:4 (NKJV)

"But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.' "
~ Luke 16:25 (NKJV)

A recurrent lament in the Psalms is that while the righteous suffer, the unrighteous are at ease. Their prosperity and success seems, well, just not right. True enough that Jesus said in this world we'd have tribulation and trial. But in the face of their ease, must our trials be so ... trying?

Many of those who do not fear God have a cavalier journey through this world. They permit themselves a bit of disquiet (if that) at suffering and infirmity, perhaps spout off glib solutions like population control and euthanasia, and carry on a life at ease. If they harbor nagging doubts about their final destination, they nonetheless live each day as one step closer to a triumphant end where they plan to sing, "I did it 'My Way'."

Those who respect the Lord do not live at ease. We are disturbed by the unrighteousness which brings misery and are often scorned for standing against it. We sacrifice ourselves to make the world a better place but might as well try to hold back the tide. We are continually tempted to use this world's methods of "success." We strive all our lives to understand His Way, then kick ourselves for failing to live up to it.

People of this world are correct to say, "A false sense of security is the only kind there is."

Children of God endure because our security lies in no man or institution of this world, but in the Prince of Peace—King of the kingdom to come—Who reigns even now in our lives.

We may not live at ease. We have something better. We may live at peace.

Father in Heaven, our lives are in Your hands. Please increase our faith in Your Way. Please direct our every step. When we look at this world, please quiet our hearts with the peace which passes understanding.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#discipleship
Photo from upi.com

The Necessity of Beauty

"The greatest truths
are wronged
if not linked with
beauty,
and they win their way
most surely
and deeply
into the soul
when arrayed
in this
their natural and fit attire."
~ William Ellery Channing



The Necessity of Beauty

Jerusalem is built to be a city
where the people are united...
"May there be peace inside your walls
and prosperity in your palaces."
~ Psalms 122:3,7 (GW)

Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem ... "Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you."
~ Ezekiel 16:3,14 (NKJV)

Do not let your adornment be merely outward ... rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
~ 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)

Oh, Jerusalem! For three millennia, the city named "Headwaters of Peace" has proven to be anything but. Yet she remains God's jewel.

Jerusalem represents the church, Christ's bride. He sees both of them with the eyes of a Lover—adoring beauty despite the imperfections.

The Holy Spirit is the bride's valet, making her lovely for her Bridegroom. He clothes the church with the beauty of holiness—the fruit of love, joy, peace and such—to attract not only our Beloved Lord, but also to attract those people He is calling to be part of the church.

Self-righteousness is neither holy nor beautiful, and appeals to no one but itself.

If we attempt to lure converts with worldly means, the church plays a seductress who cannot sustain a meaningful relationship.

Fear might intimidate a soul to profess allegiance to Christ, but manipulation undermines trust.

Surrender to Jesus is gently compelled by truth clothed in holiness. The necessity of beauty for the church is its pure, accurate and irresistible portrayal of all He means to make of those who are His bride.

And beauty's crown is the unity exemplified by love.

Lord Jesus, how easily distracted and divided we are by worldly veneers. Please forgive us. Please open our eyes to see all You would have us be. Please draw us to the beauty of holiness found in Your Spirit's fruit. Please clothe us with such beauty, and crown us with unity.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved. #churchunity
Photo from images.google.com

First Love

"We are not held back by the love we didn't receive in the past,
but by the love we're not extending in the present."
~ Marianne Williamson

First Love

"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil... and you have persevered ... Nevertheless I have this against you,
that you have left your first love."
~ Revelation 2:2-4 (NKJV)

Love never fails.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NKJV)

First love is consuming. It takes over all thought, feeling, word, action.

First love is driven. It will go around or through and beyond any obstacle.

First love is empowering. There is nothing it will not do for its object.

First love is not extinguished by time, but by the indifference of familiarity and the distraction of intrusion. Jesus gave two instructions to those He admonished for loss of first love:
remember and repent.

Many churches celebrate the Lord's Table today. It is a time to examine how we might repent, and remember our Lord's love. It is a time to celebrate the commUnion we share with one another. It is a time to celebrate all that is to come.

Especially as we begin a new year, the Lord's Table is an opportunity to renew first love.

Lord Jesus, Your love for us has stopped at nothing on our behalf. You've given us Yourself, Your Spirit, Your Father. You desire only our fully-surrendered love. Please help us repent of all distraction. Please return our hearts to the highest place our love for You has ever been, and push it higher.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from flickr.com

Heavens Shaken

"I like to think that the moon is there

even if I am not looking at it."
~ Albert Einstein

Heavens Shaken

My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth...
He who keeps you will not slumber...
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil ...
The LORD shall preserve
your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
~ Psalms 121:2-3,6-8 (NKJV)

"... the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."
~ Mark 13:24-26 (NKJV)

Though taking out the ash bucket isn't my chore, necessity required it of me a few nights ago. I was grateful for a clear night's full moon by which I could watch for coyotes. Then I reached the back of our yard, and was astounded by the glory of gorgeous moonlight shimmering off a field of fresh snow. The unpleasant task became the Lord's opportunity to sneak up on me.

The blessing's Part Two was a night later in a vivid dream. I usually sleep too deeply to even know if I dream. In this dream I saw a brilliant full moon. A hand appeared in the sky and palmed the moon, then took it away. I immediately awakened with a heart of peace. I was not alarmed to see the Lord remove the moon. I had joy to have seen His hand.

The hand of God is terrifying only to those who stand to oppose Him. For those who stand with Him, His hand preserves us from all evil—evil of the day and evil of the night, from this time forth, and forevermore.

Jesus said we'd know the signs of the end times. End times aren't coming. End times are here. They are no cause of fear to those who walk with Him called the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. For us, His coming is a cause of joy.

Father in Heaven, thank You for the great peace You make available to Your people at all times. Please speak peace and guidance to our hearts in these last days. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

#secondcoming
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from smokeandmirrorsaswego.blogspot.com

Friday Freelance: SONSHINE

"And I said to the one who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the Unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.' "
~ Minnie Haskins

Friday Freelance: SONSHINE

Few green things tolerate my care. The pictured aloe is mine. Its survival mystifies me. Even a desert plant needs some moisture, and this southwestern wayfarer does well to be watered once a month. Yet it inexplicably sustains life from that trace H2O, its soil, the air, and the pathetic excuse for sunshine Michigan offers. And I know my aloe likes the sun. I can turn this plant any direction, and it stretches pitifully, achingly toward whatever sunlight penetrates clouds and walls.

Colorado is blessed with 300 days per year of sunshine. For 27 years I knew no other life, and took the sun for granted. My first Michigan winter offered five weeks straight of no sunlight. (Like the ancient tradition to stop at 39 lashes lest 40 prove too severe, we were spared a 40th overcast day.) Daylight does occur here—relative to nighttime—but sunlight is always a gift. More than once, I've had a native Michigander point to a momentarily visible patch of blue sky and say, "Sunshine!" I can only shake my head and choke back a sob.

That aloe defies death, speaks empathy to a sister transplant—and shows no ill-effect in sacrifice. I've discovered that fresh aloe generously applied to moderate burns will immediately and permanently remove the sting. A burn at my house means an aloe appendage is partially severed that a human may be healed and comforted. The gaping wound to the aloe soon closes. No matter how many times we cut it, my aloe thrives, continually producing new shoots.

The only evidence of its many sacrifices is the absence of bottom branches and the scars where once they grew. Lacking those longest branches for support, the aloe no longer leans gently toward the sun, but is now bent completely in the direction of light.

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
~ Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

2009 was a year of many cuts upon me. Each gaping wound closed, though scars remain in my heart. My body has yet to recover from the effects and reminds me daily of what's been sustained. Continued healing occurs as I bend myself low, stretching toward the Light. The Lord heals even as He uses me to accomplish healing where another has been burned.

I held a quiet pity party recently, inviting only me, myself and I. Of course, the devil loves a pity party, so one of his minions snuck in—unrecognized, unseen, but not unheard.

It's no fun to have such a small party. So I asked the Lord if I might include someone else. God is good. He sent me someone. Someone with real problems. Someone with good cause to have a pity party, who didn't succumb to that temptation, but simply called upon a friend.

At once I came to my senses, kicked the enemy out, and spoke words of Light. Guess what? The Sonshine appeared. Pity parties take place only in spiritual darkness, so my own party was done. The adage proves consistently true: If you want to cheer up yourself, set about cheering up someone else.

We walk in a dark world. We hold Light within us. The two will co-exist until Jesus establishes His reign. Darkness overtakes only if we do not actively choose to display Light. We must resolve: "When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord!' "

Press on toward what lies ahead. May Sonshine fill your life throughout 2010.

Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved. #encouragement