another funny

i had never heard of this get-rich-quick scheme before.

wisdom

rules define the game.

the players need to know the rules
in order to advance and score--
and avoid penalties.

the coaches need to know the rules
so they can train the players
to have great skill
in advancing and scoring--
and avoiding penalties.

the referees need to know the rules
so that the players can advance and score
when they follow the rules.
referees also penalize players,
coaches,
and even deal with spectators
who violate the rules.


in the game of life and death,
we have a book of rules.

we need to know the rules
in order to advance and win,
and to train others to advance and win.

we need to know the rules
when we are in a position
to encourage advancement
and penalize wrong-doing.
being peace-keepers is unsatisfactory;
being truth-keepers is essential.

ultimately, we must all give account
to the one who gave the rules.

anyone who has engaged in foul play,
even if he arrives at the finish line,
will find himself penalized;
"depart from me," he will hear,
"you went your own way
and broke my laws."

anyone who has followed the rules,
even in the face of apparent failure,
will find himself a winner.

some "through faith conquered kingdoms,
enforced justice,
obtained promises,
stopped the mouth of lions,
quenched the power of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword,
were made strong out of weakness,
became mighty in war,
put foreign armies to flight.
women received bac their dead by resurrection.
some were tortured,
refusing to accept release,
so that they might rise again to a better life.
others suffered mocking and flogging,
and even chains and imprisonment.
they were stoned,
they were sawn in two,
they were killed with the sword.
they went about in skins of sheep and goats,
destitute,
afflicted,
mistreated--
of whom the world was not worthy--
wandering about in deserts and mountains,
and in dens and caves of the earth." (esv)

trust and obey.

wisdom.

wisdom

a choice.

wisdom gained by treasure seeking
and fearing God.

victimization by my own wayward tendencies,
by evil men,
by seducing women.

a choice.

(reflections on proverbs 2)

conquest

i have surveyed the land.
i have seen its fruitfulness
and assessed its dangers.

this is a place to prosper,
but the enemies are enormous,
and i feel like a grasshopper next to them.
my heart almost stops with fear.

but i remember who promised me this land.
his love for me surges into my heart
washing away the terror.
peace and confidence reign within.

by all means, we will go
and possess the land he has promised us.
our enemies are not too strong for us.

take courage.

(reflections on numbers 13)

deserving

i deserved the wrath of God and eternal hell.

i pursued the well-being
of the Kingdom of Me
and my rights.

what did i care
about my creator,
his kingdom,
his rights?

i saw this as my world,
but in reality
it is his world
and i am his guest.

i acted like a reigning queen,
superimposing my mandates
over his.
how futile and evil!

i deserved hell;
he extended kindness.

so when i face illness,
or poverty,
or humiliation,
or betrayal,
i don't try to figure out what i did to deserve this.
maybe i don't deserve it.

but i deserve hell.
this is only light affliction,
and it only lasts a little while.

furthermore, i am his,
he is mine,
and his mercy endures forever.

reflections on propitiation, Romans 1-5, Ephesians 1-2, and Job

pleasure

a response to psalm 133

look,
you can see how enjoyable it is
to be with families
in which each member
treats the others
with unfailing courtesy and respect.

it is as beautiful
as someone being consecrated wholly
to serve God.

it is as refreshing
as a heavy dew that nourishes life.

in this environment
God sends blessing.

remembered

a response to psalm 132

Lord,
remember all of my afflictions and act in my behalf.
remember that i want you to live near me.
let me be clothed with righteousness.
fill my heart with joyful songs.
please do not turn me away.

you have not forgotten me.
you gave me my request,
living with me and within me.
you covered me with your salvation.
my heart overflows with the jubilant songs
which you have given.
you have not forgotten us;
you have delivered us from our enemies.