Memorizing Moments

Today is New Year's Eve. The weather is warm and ambiguous -- cloudy for a while and then clear and sunny. I can watch the clouds scurrying across the sky, moving as if they had a place to go and a certain time to be there. Perhaps for an important appointment for which they could not be late.

I am thinking of a song we sang many years ago. It was popular for a while.....My Cup Runneth Over With Love. It is romantic and poignant. It is a true love song. (I guess some people might call it a "girly song," but I just think of it as a wonderfully romantic 'til death do us part' kind of song).

Sometimes in the morning, when shadows are deep
I lie here beside you, just watching you sleep
And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of
My cup runneth over with love.

Sometimes in the evening when you do not see
I study the small things you do constantly
I memorize moments that I'm fondest of
My cup runneth over with love.

In only a moment we both will be old
We won't even notice the world turning cold
And so, in this moment, with sunlight above,
My cup runneth over with love.

I think often of the line I memorize moments that I'm fondest of.....and remind myself that the moments I should memorize are the good moments...

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse....
Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

The moments I should NOT memorize?

I Corinthians 13: Love...keeps no record of wrongs.

So I guess that's it: my resolution for 2026...Keep good moments recorded and cherished in my memory.

Throw out the record of slights and insults and perceived misbehaviors of others, and remember all the goodnesses that have been--and are--shown to me, almost 100% of which I did not--and do not--deserve, but are graciously given to me by people who mercifully overlook my wrongs and misbehaviors....

friends and family who have not kept a record of my wrongs.

When God Speaks

 

When God Speaks

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of His being." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Back in Genesis, before we even thought to speak to Him, He turned His Face toward us and spoke to us.

(Remember Adam and Eve, after they sinned, did it even occur to them to approach God and ask forgiveness? No, they hid and He sought them out!)

And then He continued to speak to us, through His prophets, and then through His Son, and now through His Word.

Yes, He spoke to us before we ever even thought to speak to Him.

If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father," Jesus told His disciples.

And from 1 John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us."

God's rescue plan to bring us back to Him always starts with God Himself.

And aren't you glad He didn't wait for us to begin the conversation?

What Do We Need Right Now

                                            

                        What Do We Need Right Now?

That's easy!

We need an army of soldiers  dedicated to Jesus Christ, who believe not only that He is God, but that He will fulfill every promise He ever made and there isn't anything too hard for Him.

That is the only way we can accomplish the thing that is  on His heart - getting the gospel to every creature.

So the need of this hour is to believe that our God controls the universe, and when He said, "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God," (Habakkuk 2) He meant it.

We see in Revelation that this will someday all be fulfilled just as prophesied.  And right now, we need to start the battle for souls of mankind. 

Too often we look at the church as if it were a cruise ship, a Carnival for salvation. But it is more like a  battleship, not a holiday cruise ship, but a warship equipped for the battles we are facing against the enemy who wants so  desperately to retain  possession of his stronghold here on earth.  He is dedicated to keeping his kingdom in power, and we must be even more  dedicated to bringing  Christ's kingdom to earth. Every soul  saved right now will return with Jesus when He comes back to reign, and they will lead the celebration when the world bows in recognition at who Christ is and what He did.

And that is what is going to happen. "And every knee will bow and every tongue  confess that Jesus Christ is  Lord." (Philippians 2).

A Very Dark Chapter

 

I just read what I think is the darkest chapter of the Bible - Genesis 38.

Judah, the 4th son of Jacob, and Tamar, his daughter-in-law, are the main characters.

Life is messy, but sin makes it even messier. The record of Judah and Tamar is a complex narrative of failure, depravity and deceit, but, ultimately, redemption. Their story is of brokenness an ungodly behavior, yet, unknown to them, a part of a larger tapestry God was weaving. From Judah's deceitful union with Tamar, was born Perez, an ancestor of King David, and, later, our Savior, Jesus Christ!

It's part of that battle between good and evil that God prophesied to Eve, back in Genesis 3:15, when He told her one of her descendants would someday destroy Satan and all his evil works. (That's why Jesus came - see 1 John 3:8)

This messy story demonstrates that God can bring about His redemptive purpose, even through our flawed and sinful actions.  And it reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace and redemption. This record is not an attempt to excuse sin, but a reason to trust in Him to bring salvation and His glory, in spite of our sin.

As Joseph said to his cruel brothers "you meant to harm me, but God turned it to good" (Genesis 50:20)

One of my professors, an atheist, read the Old Testament and considered it reliable history. Why/ Because our God didn't try to cover His peoples' wrong-doing, but painted them accurately, warts and all!

And there are a lot of warts in this story! (And lots in my story, too!)

Praise God none of us are out of reach of His grace!

And praise God He thought we were worth the price!

What Is A Doxology?

What Is A Doxology?

 The word 'doxology' comes from 2 Greek words: 'dox', which means 'glory', and 'lolgia', which means 'speech.' Literal translation, then, is 'glory speech' or 'glorious speech.' 

   

  It is a short, formal statement of praise, glory, and thanksgiving to God, spoken or sung.

  Its traditional roots go back to the Jewish synagogues where often it was used to begin or conclude a worship service.

  Many doxologies are found in the Psalms, and Paul ended some of his letters in the New Testament with these short statements of praise.

  And Jude, the brother of Jesus, concludes his letter with an often-quoted, and very beautiful, doxology. We find this one in verses 24 and 25 in his book in the New Testament:

           To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to 

            present you before His glorious presence, without 

            fault and with great joy -- to the only God our Savior

            be glory, majesty, power and authority, through

            Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever.

            Amen

  Today we often sing, in many churches,  what we refer to as "The Doxology" or "The Great Doxology":

           Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

           Praise Him, His creatures here below!

           Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!

           Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!    

  An English cleric, Thomas Ken, (1637-1711), worded this one and the tune attached to it was found in a hymnal, called a Psalter,  dated 1551.

  So as we sing this Doxology today we are joining a large choir of brothers and sisters, from all over the world, singing praises to our God for the last 350 years!  

  I think that pleases Him!

  And find more in Revelation -- so we will continue this practice forever!

  And that will always please Him!