IT’S YOUR CHOICE

There’s going to be a major change in just a little while We know that Jesu’s coming back, and it will be in style. We have an understanding that Heaven’s far away. And if that’s your opinion then hear the things I say. Elijah knew quite clearly that God was fairly near. The Baal priests on the other hand did not see things so clear. Their god was up in “heaven” and he was hard to reach. For him to pay attention it seemed they had to screech. But that was unproductive. He didn’t seem to hear, The volume was not quite enough to call and draw him near. And that is when they cut themselves and caused their blood to flow. It didn’t seem to help a lot. And why? They didn’t know. That’s when Elijah mocked them, “Perhaps he’s on the loo?      Perhaps he’s constipated and cannot get to you?

Perhaps He’s on a journey and so he’s not at home? So why don’t you shout louder if that’s what you are shown? Sometimes I feel quite sorry for those foolish pagan priests. The way to get their point across was to behave like beasts! Elijah kept on teasing them right to the very end, By then the pagan priests were dead, on that you can depend. We know there is no question that Father took control. He “bent the heavens and came down”; took Up His royal role. His fingers touched the mountains and they burst out with smoke. By then all of the on-lookers knew God was not a joke. And so we know the journey from Heaven to here is short. We know the Lord will come that way to bring this world to naught. The last time He was here with us, He came to deal with sin. The next time He is coming, He’ll judge the world and win. That day the proclamation “This is our God” we’ll cheer “We trusted Him and He saved us. Thank God that You are near”. He’ll bring with Him salvation that only God bestows. The people who’ve rejected Him; into Hell fire they’ll go. But why are we selected? Well, it’s not strictly true. Salvation is available to Gentiles and to Jews. For God does not have favourites. No man will be passed by. But God will leave it up to us to choose the way we die. So think about your future and where you wish to be. Your choice of Hell or Heaven is for all eternity. Jim Strickland – written Friday, 29 July 2011

SIZES

The tadpole and the hump back whale went walking out one day. They couldn’t hold each other’s hand; there were none anyway! They wanted to start talking but somehow they could not. The tadpole spoke in whispers. The whale can’t hear a lot. But they persisted walking and didn’t think of size. And so they had to settle for the love light in their eyes. The whale was far too massive. The tadpole far too small And so, to put it mildly, they couldn’t hear at all. Before you get all angry about this being true, I’d like to state how big God is and just how small are you. You’d think it is impossible for God to ever hear, The things a little spot like you could speak into His ear. I know that it is ludicrous and that you don’t compare. But this remains the attitude of most folk everywhere. They do not walk with Father because of the great size, Of Him Whom they are serving so they resort to lies. They say they walk together but it’s not really true. They do not speak the language of love in all they do. They think that God is massive and they’ll be sent away; But Jesus Christ is not like that; His love is here to stay. For love does not have “sizes” it doesn’t rise and fall. The finest way to put is to say “One size fits all”. So when we walk together and love holds both our hands, We get that great sensation we’re meeting God’s commands. I may look like a tadpole. You may look like a whale. But what we share between us can never ever fail. I know of your shortcomings. I know that you know mine. But in the splendour of God’s love we both are doling fine. We have no expectations of anything we do. There’s just a growing knowledge that Jesus is in You. And so we greet each other with kindness and with care. We know we’re tender hearted because our Lord is there. We know about our problems and that’s why we forgive; Because in our reality there’s no way else to live. I love to see your freedom. I know that you love mine. We know it is made possible by Jesus Christ Divine. And so we walk together and hold each other’s hand, Because the very Lord of Love has said it’s what He planned. Jim Strickland – written Thursday, 28 July 2011

BLINDNESS

 Some time ago in Worcester we made some brand new friends.

A number of blind people; the sort the Father sends, To check your Christianity and all the things we do; To be a better neighbour to those we never knew. The town had many features to help those without sight. The traffic lights had special sounds so they could get things right. The school for the blind children was just along the street, And every Sunday morning a few of us would meet. At first it really bothered us to lead this little band. Of course they were all children from all parts of our land. They had a special hymn book with all the words in Braille They’d read them with their fingers and the hymns were never stale. The reason for their blindness was hard to ascertain. Some had a little vision and could lead them down the lane. We loved those little children assisting them through school. They had a sort of attitude that said “I’m not a fool”. At times it could get difficult until they trusted us. And there would be an attitude of not making a fuss. They had a special leader who always had been blind. We found she was approachable and wonderfully kind. One thing we found amusing was when we raised our voice; She said that she could hear us. “I’m blind not deaf” of course. The time we spent in Worcester helped us both to see, The things we take for granted in our own society. We saw it was essential to take someone by the hand, And help them cross the road to get to somewhere they had planned. What really touched our spirit was the way they seemed to trust. Although they were unsighted they could “see” each one of us. They knew that we were present although they couldn’t see. A bit like how we’re limited in our ability. We cannot see the spirit world but know that it is there. And have a closer contact through the medium of prayer. It made us think of Jesus and the way He gives us sight, Even in the darkness of a world without His light. We know that He is present by the way He takes our hand And helps us to cross over into His Promised Land. We know He’s like His Father; He’s the image of our God. He lets us be aware of Him and doesn’t think it odd, That we should call Him “brother”; He thinks that it is right; For people in His image to walk in endless light. He looks just like His Father and enthrones us in His love; For He’s the incarnation of the God who reigns above. Jim Strickland – written Wednesday, 27 July 2011

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

It started back in Chaldea four thousand years ago. The home that he was living in, not many people know. The place was fairly modern – a double story home; With all the latest trappings that the ancient world had known. The place had running water in each and every room, With ancient central heating. It wasn’t just a tomb. The owner’s name was Abram and his wife was called Sarai. A very pleasant town in which to grow up and to die. According to tradition, his father had a trade. Most of the local idols he had personally made. Of course they had no motion and could neither speak nor see, But that is what was wanted back in UR of the Chaldee’s These idols bothered Abram. He thought they were a sham. So one day he smashed all of them except one silver man. And when his father asked him who broke them he replied “The silver man had done it” and it couldn’t be denied. “But that can never happen they cannot move or speak” “So why then do we worship things so useless and so weak?” It surely got the point across; but now his goose was cooked. They’d better get away from there before the townsfolk looked. So Abram and family, when he was seventy five Followed God’s instructions so they could stay alive. He swapped his pleasant dwelling for an ancient looking tent, And set out on a journey, the way the Lord had sent. Of course this little story is only just a tale, To show us that this gentleman was never going to fail. The Lord had told him quietly that it was time to go, And travel to a land that that some time later He would show. I’m very glad he did it; and you should be as well. He was the founding father of all that we can tell. If Abram hadn’t done it, I fear that there would be No Jews as well as Islam, nor Christianity. Abraham believed God, the Bible says for sure. And it’s because he did it that sin has found its cure. This man of faith followed the Lord and He’s the reason why, The Lord of all creation could send Jesus here to die. So let’s remember Abraham and all that he believed. Without him not a one of us salvation could receive. Jim Strickland – written Tuesday, 26 July 2011

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

I thought I was a Christian. That always had been true. You caught it by osmosis in Church from those you knew. I didn’t think it possible for God to care for me. I thought there were so many other fishes in the sea. Why should He even bother with anyone so small? It may be true for other folk, but somehow, after all, There surely were more people and bigger fish to fry. Why should He think of any insignificant as I? There were a dozen reasons why I should be ignored, But none of them, I later found, impressed our Risen Lord. The world that I was living in is ruled by certain men, Of senior position, who were not born again. Their titles were impressive, like modern Pharisees With money and position and various degrees. This system was quite normal. I didn’t think it odd, That hardly any one of them represented God. The captains of the industry all struggled to the top. And any opposition they’d very quickly stop. There was a pecking order that kept everything in check. And trying to oppose it brought trouble round your neck. Then came a day remembered as clear as yesterday. I’d gone to church to meet the girls, it was a certain way To find a marriage partner for that’s how it was done. But in course of flirting I met God’s only Son. I listened in amazement and much to my surprise, I found I was important in God the Father’s eyes! I learned He sent His Son to die especially for me. I cried so many tears that I could hardly see. He knew I wasn’t perfect. He knew that I had failed. He knew that I was feeling sort of spiritually jailed. He knew my every moment and all that I had done, And then He softly whispered, “welcome home My son”. I knew that I had Jesus. I knew I had His life. The deep inferiority and feelings of great strife, Were banished and departed and I was feeling free. There was no pecking order between Jesus Christ and me! I vowed that I would serve Him. I gave Him the control Of everything within me in body, heart and soul. It happened fifty years ago, since then He’s been my King. I wouldn’t want to swap this for all this world can bring, That once I’d been impressed with. That stuff had no appeal, And I could serve my Master with fervency and zeal. For Jesus Christ had rescued me and I had been transferred From darkness into light by simply trusting in His Word. Jim Strickland – written Monday, 25 July 2011