IT’S YOUR CALL

We know that God created the women and the men. He said go forth and multiply; and we know that since then, There’s been a sort of “tussle” between husband and his bride, To following Jehovah the way that each decide! It isn’t a great contest; each has its special role. A man is not a woman or how could we be whole? A woman isn’t masculine; thank God it cannot be. But in our own exclusiveness, there’s things we cannot see. My wife can’t be my husband. it doesn’t work that way But husbands have a problem that faces them each day. It all relates to Jesus and the things which we’ve been told. Regardless of our gender, we know as things unfold, That Jesus is our husband and we’re His precious bride! I find that most confusing; and though I’ve often tried, To somehow get my head around exactly what this means. I cannot wear a wedding dress! I’m comfortable in jeans! And yet, He is my Saviour. I love Him passionately. I’m willing to be anything that He would have me be. But how do men relate to this? We don’t know what to do. The ladies do it perfectly. But what of me and you? The Lord gave us directions. It’s found in Song of Songs. A passionate relationship for which a Christian longs. It speaks of how a woman and her husband can relate, In ways that are too intimate for me to ever state. She loves Him with a passion that only He can match. It’s like a roaring fire, that we would love to catch. It tells us that His love for her is totally unique. A love that men and women continually seek. It helps me to appreciate the longing in her soul. A longing so exquisite, that it is now my goal. A love that is far greater than gender-based desires. A love for which I’m longing; a love which so inspires, The husband and the bride to be so absolutely one, That every trace of gender has somehow past and gone. For when I think of Jesus, I’m longing to submit. To wallow in His loving arms, until I’m somehow fit, To be what He is wanting. For He’s my all in all. For Him to be my husband! My God! It is Your call! Jim Strickland – Written 29 October 2011

WHAT THE PROPHET SAW

When reading in Isaiah, It comes as a surprise, That what the prophet looked at, is still before our eyes! Our courts oppose the righteous. It seems that happens still; And trying to find justice, is like pushing up a hill, A barrow load of heavy stones with no one to assist. No wonder that our law-courts are something we have missed. Truth cannot be located unless it has been stretched. And honesty imported. From “overseas” it’s fetched! Now in the days of history, when prophets looked around, They saw this sort of problem, continuously abound. They knew that from His Heaven, the Lord could see it all. And figured out He’d soon require the “true repentance” call. And yet, as He looked at it, He really was amazed. Surely there was someone, who by this wasn’t fazed? But no one ever volunteered to put the whole thing right. No one who would intervene, to turn the darkness light. So He made a decision. He’d have to do it all. So He put on His Righteousness to make all evil fall. Salvation was the helmet; He put upon His head. If anybody interfered, they’d wish that they were dead! And all down through the centuries, the story’s much the same. He’d have to send in Jesus to foil this wicked game. He didn’t want a sacrifice. The blood of bulls and goats Were not what He desired; it didn’t get His vote. And so He sent in someone Who longed to do His will. He gave to Him a body, His purpose to fulfil. The Scriptures say He loved it. Your will was all His joy. Your words were written on His heart. That was a clever ploy! We’re also told that He was free to lay His whole life down. That He could take it up again, much like a dressing gown. He said that this authority had come direct from You. And since You are the only God, it really must be true. He sent a righteous Saviour. He is the only way, For anyone to come to God, regardless what men say. There is no Name in heaven and none upon the earth, That’s able to redeem a man and bring him second birth. So Lord today we thank You. You’ve blessed us with Your wealth. You’ve taken on our poverty. Our future? Divine health! Jim Strickland – Written 28 October 2011

CLEANSING A LEPER

Cleanliness and Godliness are neighbours; so they say. It isn’t in the Scriptures, but seems to work that way. We can’t imagine Jesus, revelling in dirt. The only time it happened, was when He had been hurt. The crucifixion process was a million miles from clean. And when the Romans finished, you’d know what “filth” could mean. So it was out of character. He didn’t live that way. You can’t cleanse people of their sin, if you’re as “black” as they. So cleanliness and Godliness go surely hand in hand. And smut and moral filthiness, were never what He planned. All the religious people, who lived in Jesus, day, Washed themselves and tried to keep all sinfulness away. It had become a fetish. Hand washing a demand. You couldn’t even have a meal, until you’d washed your hands. It is of course, quite proper. A Christian should be clean. But why were they fastidious? What had these people seen? The answer can summed up in one word – “leprosy”. There wasn’t any cure for it. It killed you - gradually. It made you look repulsive, to those who looked at you. You had to leave the city where a touch was a taboo. You couldn’t find employment. You had to keep away. You had to shout the word “unclean” to keep your friends at bay. It somehow was equated as the counterpart of sin. You were not healed, but cleansed from the condition you were in. The priest declared you leprous; or stated you were clean. He first had to examine you and say what he had seen. It really was a rigmarole, a prescribed cleansing right, That Moses’ law demanded to be “clean” in people’s sight’ Sufferers from leprosy would have to scrounge for food. They’d “haunt” the city garbage dump. Whatever could be chewed, Became their meagre diet; and so the people thought, That leprosy was something that “dirty” people caught. It is against this background that the “washing of the hands”. Began to be required by the folk throughout the land. It wasn’t very long before the Scribes and Pharisees, Thought it was essential, the Sovereign Lord to please! Then Jesus cleansed a leper. He did it with one touch. Then the religious people thought that this was a bit much. How could He stoop to do it?! It was a filthy act! How dare He think that Yahweh this “miracle” had backed? They couldn’t comprehend it. How dare this “man” come near, A filthy dirty leper. They thought that it was clear, Beelzebub had caused his leprosy to go away. O Lord what an injustice. To think, that on that day,  That Satan had done something that by Your love was done. And only was made possible, because You are God’s Son! Jim Strickland – Written 27th October 2011

THE LORD REIGNS

He is the Lord Almighty; He reigns from way up high. He is a God so lofty, it reaches to the sky. And then it reaches higher than all the universe; It’s part of His creation and all fits in His purse! This God of ours is awesome. The angels kneel before, The One Who made it happen. They worship and adore, The Infinite Creator, by Whose Divine command, Worlds came into existence precisely as He planned. He speaks; and then it happens; He fashions things from naught. The fabric of the universe, defined by what He thought! The sub-atomic particles, the emptiness of space, Appeared on His instructions; each in their proper place. No power can resist Him. It’s foolishness to try. Complete annihilation could instantly apply! He’s timeless and He’s ageless; our God does not grow old. He has no need of anything; He’s never hot nor cold. He has no need for houses, ‘though He has used a tent. It was the tabernacle, where priests and people went. The heavens can’t contain Him, the earth is his footstool. What’s more, He is omniscient and never went to school! And yet He is all loving. His mercy never ends. He never has to borrow; He is the One Who lends! All that’s in the cosmos His holy word obeys; The stars all shine; the worlds rotate, exactly as He says. Man is the only creature, by whom He is ignored. We do not have the reverence, that’s worthy of the Lord. We are so disrespectful; on Him we seldom call. We are obsessed with selfishness; it started with the fall. Some doubt in His existence. He doesn’t seem to mind. But then, to quote the prophets, we’re naked, sick and blind. An excellent solution would be to “rub us out” But He is not a sadist; that’s not what love’s about. His patience lasts forever. At least that’s how it seems. But someday He will intervene and pulverise our schemes. The fact is, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear; That He is God and they are men; and that they don’t compare, With Him in any aspect; for He alone is good. Very few have treated Him the way that people should. He alone is righteous and we are full of sin. We deserve His rightful wrath for how we’re treating Him. And, trembling before Him, we’ll hang our heads in shame, Knowing that the path of life is not a selfish game. Since it’s bound to happen, there’s just one thing to do.      Go in deep contrition, ask Him to renew;

And cleanse you of your wickedness and all you’ve ever done, In total disobedience. Then trust in Christ His Son. Jim Strickland – Written 26th October 2011

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE!

Jesus Christ has told us, that He will never leave, Those who have decided, that truly they believe, That He is the Messiah, the First Born Son of God. The One who has the sceptre, the golden crown and rod. The One who’s been appointed as judge of all the earth. The only One who’s lived a life of inestimable worth! The One Who formed creation by God’s Divine command; Who sculpted men and women with His kind loving hand. He said He’ll never leave us; and so it must be true. For everything that Jesus says, He certainly will do. We find this very difficult for us to comprehend. We are so unaccustomed on others to depend. We are so unreliable. We tend to change our mind. Which means that when we hear Him, we tend to be inclined, To think He’s only talking, which doesn’t mean a thing; Instead of an established fact to which all men can cling. So if you think He’s left you, you’ve made a big mistake. There’s absolutely nothing to cause Him to forsake, Those who are His followers and have promised to obey, Anything and everything that He will ever say. He’s also undertaken that if two or three will meet, Just because they love Him, He’ll certainly complete, The gathering by His presence. He said He will be there. To lead them and to guide them and demonstrate His care. Which means that if they ask of Him; His Father will comply; Reveal Himself to them in ways that they cannot deny. He will know they love Him, by doing what He says. If they do not do it, they’re going different ways. They should heed His warning. If they say they are true, They will be obedient in everything they do. If they can’t be bothered and ignore what He has said, He will know for certain their love for Him is dead! He is always able to present us without blame, To His Holy Father and glorify His Name. They will never stumble and joy will flood their soul. He will keep them blameless; and He will make them whole. They will know dominion and His authority. And will see forever His true Divinity. Jim Strickland – Written 25 October 2011