Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground. Rosa Parks

 

Random Thoughts

 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Php 4:8  

 

Stuck in Old Fashion Beauty

 

There are two types of beauties which have awed me since childhood. And they both have to do with women. One is the nun, and the other is the sight of a woman in a veil.

The nun, with her habit, and dress, and beauty, and intelligence, and the fact of her complete separation from the world, is something that makes my heart stir with conviction that the world is still a beautiful place. 

Not that I hate the modern woman. She is good, and might even grow better, but I think there is nothing that beats the ancient woman in simple pristine beauty. The modern woman overflows with many accessories, which, inadvertently, always robs a person of what is authentic.

Probably I am still old fashioned, but that again is a throwback at conventionalism, which, at heart, really means nothing, when you peel off the mask.

For who decides this is fashion and that is not? Is it man or is it God? Well, if it is a mere man like me, why can’t I also be a fashion setter? Fashion is a malleable thing, but then who is the world?

You see he is not a person, but a movement, or a tradition, but a movement or tradition is an ambiguous term.

So, these things disturbed me as a child. I felt the tenuous nature of it all, the falsity, the lack of solidness. It is like darkness, which approaches at night but fades in the morning. Or like a dream, which, after you wake up, it’s gone.

I felt that way, but I was a child.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1Pe 3:1-6  

 

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1Co 13:9-13  

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Rom 12:18  

 

The Real, and the Unreal

 

Yet the heart craved something more. I felt there was something more. I felt restless.

The world made me believe many things. It overloaded my young mind. The world urged me, it compelled me, and that sense turned me rebellious…

One thing stands memorable. It was my first flame. She was as beautiful as an artist can appreciate beauty. But I didn’t like her hair. It wasn’t natural, and I told her. I wanted her to remain in her natural hair, but she said I was jealous, because I feared other men would love her!

Needless to say, I lost her, but I think I lost her on principal.

It was I who was going to live with her, but she chose to hear the voice of the world. And the world is a powerful thing, invincible, tenacious, superfluous…

Scripture calls it “the prince of the air”. Elsewhere it speaks of principalities.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:11-12  

And all these are terms which reflect on the world. The world was beautiful once, because God created it, and he saw that it was very good.

There in the day of Adam, in the pristinely dawn of the morning. But sin entered, and sin altered everything up to this day.

What was beautiful once the world called ugly, and what was ugly once the world called beautiful.

The nun to me represented the recalcitrance which is beautiful. I loved that conviction. She stands in stark contrast to the world, something fluid, opaque, meaningless, and her something solid, something true, and the other something false.

And that for me, even as a child, I understood that truth is inviolable, unassailable – because it is the truth of God.

A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 

In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 

He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psa 15:1-5  

 

Staying Fixed!

 

I thank God I felt the way I felt. I thank him I still feel the way I feel.

There is something intrinsic in the air, and again there is something which is very unreal.

My heart refuses to juggle these principals.

And I didn’t even know God then!

So, quite deliberately, and progressively, God has made himself known to me.

I wanted something. I was sure of something. And, in the end, God did not disappoint. Father, you showed me yourself!

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 

For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Psa 57:7-10

 

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Psa 107:8-9  

 

God grant that your restlessness may bring you at last at home. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Act 17:28). 

We are all prodigals, and we never know it until we are broke, and in far country.

 

From Ash to Beauty

Beauty must not always be subjective, it can be a road to what is true.

In poetry we struggle with words, but it is not a vain struggle. Just as there is no child who is vain. There is no labour which is vain.

Right now, it might not hold much meaning, but it always does, later. God grant that we shall not miss it, when it arrives. 

The Stubbornness of Joy

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:22

The Preponderance of Joy

Joy.

She may be described as a beautiful girl. And as it is in physical life so it is in poetry. Beauty is something you work at. Like a mineral which is hid deep in the earth, so it is with joy.

You have to dig for it.

You have to fight for it.  

Joy is the other side of wisdom.

Like a piece of good music (or painting) it may involve looking beyond the surface. Sometimes you have to launch deep, where the fish are in hiding. The bread is gotten on land, but for fish you have to get into the boat.

Joy is stubborn, it raises its head even in the middle of battle.

Happiness may imitate it, but it’s not joy. Joy is hard, like the Rock of Ages, which is Christ Jesus. Happiness can sometimes sink, like sand.

Not so joy.

Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.  Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone. Job 28:1-2 

 

The Eloquence of Joy: Felt But not Seen

It’s there in the mercy of God.

And the name of Bartimeus has rang throughout history because of it.

Joy is a peculiar embodiment of God. It’s a peculiar inheritance of his saints.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Pe 1:3-8  

It’s carried in his love, it lifts up in praise, it is augmented by his peace. It’s there in the providence of God.

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 

They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 

He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 

The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 

Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 

The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 

He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 

Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 

Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 

LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 

So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 

There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 

These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

Psa 104:10-27  

It climaxes in Psalm 23.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

Nature proclaims the glory of God. The poets see it, and the poets declare it. Trees clap their hands at the preponderance of this joy.

Joy and Sorrow

Carrying sheaves. Shedding tears.

People think it strange, but that is a form of unbelief.

Don’t think it strange, warns Peter.

Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice.

That takes a divine hand, it takes the grace of God.

No, it’s not a throwback at masochism and sadism. Those are worldly attributes, lifting worldly virtues. Glorying in flesh.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

1Pe 4:12-13  

 The Perfection of Joy

 “Be ye perfect, as your father in heaven is perfect.”

“Ye are complete in him.”

“And your joy no man taketh.”

There is joy in believing. There is joy in being in him whether it is by day or by night, him in me, and me in him, together as one.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psa 121:1-4  

 

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Son 2:14-17 

 

The Mystery of Joy

 It can make a man scorn riches.

“Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?” (Pro 8:1).  

There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen. Job 28:7

But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. Job 28:12-13

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28

 

The Enemy of Joy

The joy of God is our strength.

Its markedly different from the joy of the world.

“I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

And yet it is a joy which is infused with all the contradictions and eccentricities which attend to man.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

James 4:1-5

There can’t be joy without contentment, and there can’t be contentment without Christ. Therein is the rub. The contentment of the world changes with seasons. It’s high at Christmas time, and very low in the middle of January.

This world is not my home, I’m just a-passing through/ My treasures are laid up/ Somewhere beyond the blue…

And a man’s sorrow will increase just in proportion as the world owns him, or he tries to own it (the downside of social media, the social pressure (or tyranny, or the ache of conformity).

It is the craving after another god. They wanted to be like other nations (and their neighbours), and that was the beginning of their apostasy.

Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. Psa 16:4  

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 

But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. 

Psa 106:13-15  

 

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Ps 107:10-15

 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36.

 

May the joy of Christ find you, persuade you, strengthen you, and establish you in every good work, through Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

He stands at the door right now. Will you let him in?