Joy

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It used to be said Jesus Others Yourself spells JOY! There is certainly truth to it. However, Jesus also said, to love our enemies and to do unto others as we would have done to us. This implies a level of loving ourselves. Someone once said, "Jesus said to love my enemies. So I did. I started by loving myself." This requires knowing who we are in Christ and accepting His love of us despite merits or indeed the lack thereof. This requires us to see ourselves as He sees us not as the accuser does. Sure, He sees our sins, but He sees deeper and beyond all that to a child he died for, is willing to forgive and truly loves. In that there is indeed joy.

Follower of Jesus, non-conformist, preacher, poet, blogger, graduate of Highland Theological College, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, Learning Assistant (ASN) Outdoors. Late diagnosed Autistic.

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Top Posts of the Last 7 Days

The Light that Remains

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I feel heavy. A sadness swept over me. Life is short. We know not the day, nor the hour. A world in turmoil. A pain in my soul. The candle is burning low. This will all be over one way or another. I seek your peace. A peace the world couldn't give. You have eternity in your hands. When the lights of the world go out - Your light remains. Light of the world Take my burdens. Light of the world  Though days are numbered fill them with love. Light of the world  We will see you soon enough. Light of the world You still calm the raging sea! Light of the world  Your light is eternal. Your peace is eternal. You are eternal. Your light remains. Amen.
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The Church is Not Closed

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Written during lockdown: Choose the fast Loose the bonds Free the oppressed Break the yoke Divide the bread Feed the hungry House the homeless Clothe the naked Darkness to light Gloom to midday Close your doors Open your hearts Church closed Church deployed Church deployed Essential Gospel Public services Gospel voluntary services Gospel homeless services Gospel food banks Graveside gospel Bands of marriage gospel message Live streams Living streams Gospel food pantry Gospel soup kitchen Gospel meals on wheels Gospel grocery drop offs Gospel food boxes Gospel nappie provisions Gospel clothes release Gospel keyworker childcare Gospel books Gospel bibles Keyworker vacancies Witnesses sign up His church will not disappear into the night She will rise on the wings of the morning Kingdom come Kingdom coming The church is not closed, The church is deployed
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The Sunrise is Coming

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(Written a number of years ago, but still with some relevance). When I look at this world I feel a deep pain. A burden in my soul. This overwhelming sadness threatens to engulf me, to crush me with waves of despair. Who can I trust but you? Our Western civilization has fallen foul to false idols. Community is replaced by screen's of various sizes. Friendship is reduced to a virtual status. Yet in You I find community. In you I find friendship. The wife you provided, the baby on the way. The love of this world is enmity with you. The world's love blows hot and cold. A politics of hate, a muffled church, neighbourhoods of fear and pain - Broken, All Broken! But, Your light still shines. Pockets of hope, sparkles in the night. The Sunrise is coming!
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Things I wrote in 2009 or earlier (3): Non-violent and Radical

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Despite the fact that Christianity initially was a non-violent radical movement of God's people, many today who claim to be of Christ seem to see war as needed and even God ordained. Such blasphemy is hardly new. Since the days of Constantine (I) when the State and the Church made an unholy alliance, the deception of redemptive warfare has been clung to like a life belt. Yet, ever since the time of Jesus the Messiah and prophets before Him many radicals (often persecuted and outcast) have questioned the morality of war. Now in the 21st century generations are also rising up against the war machine among both the secular and spiritual sector of society. They recognise that war is for power, economy and pride, not justice or peace. Long may these voices in the wilderness be heard, as they prepare the way for the Lord, who when he comes again will be the undoing of evil and the establiaher of a kingdom not of this world that will live in peace forever!!!
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Fix our eyes

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  Lord, Are we prepared to follow you the mighty lamb of God whithersoever? Strengthen us that we may do so. Lord, you can do as you choose and who are we to question one such as thee. You dispense miracles as you see fit, for your own glorious purposes. Yet, sometimes it seems you don't give us exactly what we ask for. Whatever your reasoning help us to trust in you. Sometimes healings just doesn't seem to come. Or some other long sought miracle. But, your word confirms that the rain will fall on the just and the unjust. You also tell your people to expect suffering in this world, but to fear not for you have overcome the world. Even when a healing or miracle does occur we all know we will all grow ill again and one day surely die. But, in Christ we can have eternal life. So inspire us to trust in your sovereign choices and not trust only in getting what we want in this life. Lead us to stop fixing our eyes on the storms, hard as that is for us, in this fading world, and to ra...
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Testimony

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Grace Alone. My heart yet afar off. Christ dies for me. My heart drawn to Him. Christ rises for me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. My heart broken. Christ comforts me. My heart angry at, the world, the flesh, the devil and even to my shame family and Him whom I have pierced. Christ calms me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. My heart yearning for a better world. Christ encourages me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. Lonely, My heart blessed with a beloved. Desiring a child, My heart blessed with a baby. My heart blessed with family. Grace Alone: Be still and know that I am God. *** Based on my Christian Testimony. Some verses of note -  John 3:16 (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For w...
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