LIFE OR DEATH

The world that we are living in is one that thrives on death. It’s hard to think of anything that doesn’t live by breath. The mountains and the star that shine don’t seem to change at all. But one day they will crumble, will fade away and fall. The seasons we depend on like summer and the spring. Would no longer have value and will not change a thing. We could all talk with Abraham, with Adam and with Eve. I’m not sure where we all would live or what we could achieve. For if there is no dying, the flowers wouldn’t fade; No longer would the men have need to use a razor blade. The women would be beautiful but how would they give birth? There’d be no need for hospitals in any place on earth. The medical profession would be something of the past. Our shoes, our socks and clothing for ever more would last. And what about the butcher? What would we do for meat? It’s even problematic to know just what to eat. It couldn’t be from animals except perhaps for milk. And what about the silkworms? Where would we get our silk? Where would we get our compost? And what about manure? There would be no diseases for which to find a cure. We wouldn’t see a motor car for there would be no oil. And there would be no seedlings to plant into the soil. And what about the programs we watch on the TV? There wouldn’t be a predator for anyone to see. The sharks would have no victims. In fact there’d be no prey. There’d be no need for hunters. They’d throw their guns away. And what about the insects, the spiders and the snails? And what about the eagles? And what about the whales? Can you detect a problem when death has been destroyed? Please don’t let it offend you and do not be annoyed. The Lord would have to teach us to live a life that’s new. Instead of focusing on death, His Life will change our view. And many of the details that we have known before, We’d have to sort or fold them up and throw them out the door. Some folk will not be happy. They’ll yearn for what has gone; What Jesus Christ will do with them to help them carry on, Is more than I can comprehend. But I do know one thing. Our living will be centred round Jesus Christ our King. Jim Strickland - Sunday, 15 May 2011

CHALLENGES IN LIMERICKS

                2 Tim 4:16

The first time that they tried me,
My friends left me behind

Forgive I pray

Them for that day

To me Lord, they were blind

    -oOo-

Philip 3:10-11 NLT

I want to know Christ Jesus
and that power restoring breath

To die is gain

To share His pain

And rise with Him from death

 For ordinary living
Without the power of God,

Will always be,

Undoubtedly.

Six feet below the sod.

-oOo-

Mat 10:24-26 TNIV

The student and the teacher
the master and his slave.

Will get the blame

And suffer sham

Until they reach the grave

 

For if their Lord and Master
is called Lord of the Flies,

They’ll be appalled,

When they are called.

The “harbingers of lies”!

-oOo-

      Isaiah 53:3 NLT

Despised and rejected,
Of sorrows and of grief

They turned away

From Him that day

And none gave Him relief

-oOo-

Psalm 69:17-22 GW

O Lord I am in trouble.
Don’t hide Your Face from me.

Come to my aid,

I’ve been waylaid.

Restore my liberty. 

No person brought me comfort.
I looked and there was none.

I’m forced to dine

On poisoned wine.

And all my friends are gone.

-oOo-

         Mat 8:19-20

O teacher I will follow you
wherever you lead me.

Is that OK?

What do you say?

Your follower I’ll be.

Jesus replied you must decide;
I have no place of rest.

The fox sleeps tight

In holes each night

And birds sleep in their nests.

-oOo-

           Heb 13:14 GW

We’re looking for a city
That isn’t here below.

The God of love’s

Made it above.

Where change it will not know.

      -oOo-

Heb 12:1-2 NLT

Look at the crowd of people
Who are witnessing our race.

Strip off the weight

That militates

Against your fastest pace.

Keep looking unto Jesus
Who started and will close

Our lifelong chase

To end the race

No matter how life goes.

He is our faithful champion
Who sits at God’s right hand.

Our victory

Is sure to be

For that is what He’s planned.

-oOo-

Jim Strickland – written
Saturday, 14 May 2011