The Only Solace

I'm sorry, but, even though it is only one/tenth of the way through, I am going to take a short break from the posts on reformed theology (see the previous post).


The reason I am going to take this break is because of a tremendous tragedy very close to my heart, in terms of miles, it is only about twenty.  Yes, I am talking about this week's spontaneous tornadoes in the area, the worst of which being the EF-4 (the second-highest) in Granbury, said town that is only twenty miles away.

Listen to the following song while reading.

What to do when tragedy strikes?  6 people died, that is double the amount of homicides that Granbury has suffered since at least 2000.  here is one verse that is comfort in all sorrows:  "I lift my eyes up to the hills, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved-- He who keeps you will not slumber."  That is from Psalm 121:1-3.  Remember, for Spanish. use NVI, don't trust Google Translate for scripture. Another: "all things work together for the good of those who fear him."And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Note that this is for "those who love God"- His children- Christians- those who are saved.  "Christ is the only solace for the troubled, the only rest for the weary, the only satisfaction for the starving, the only saviour for the damned."  That is all of us, we are all of those.  Christ is the only comfort in time of trouble.  Run to Jesus, run to Jesus, and live.  Now, I'm not talking about physical life, though the life of a Christian is much fuller than that of an un-believer, this speaks of eternal life, true life, eternal fellowship with God.

I used to live in this town, only a year and two-thirds ago- tomorrow.  My Dad delivered pizzas, undoubtedly to this subdivision.  I have friends who lived near there, some from Church lived only 5 miles away.  We were so close we had to get to a safe place twice.  Once with twenty kids at Church, and again back at our house.  One of the Granbury care groups stayed where they were until midnight.  When tragedy strikes close to the heart, still Christ is the only solace.  And what a comfort he is.

The Doctrines of Grace #1: T

T.  In case you were wondering where that came from, and what it means, it comes from TULIP, the device used to remember the 5 points of reformed theology, also known as the Doctrines of Grace.

T, this stands for Total Depravity, the inability of man to do anything good. This is backed by Romans 3:10, and the Bible even goes as far as to say that all our "good" deeds are worthless. (Isa 64:6)  

Why is this so important, why does it hold relevance to our lives?  Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23),  although physical death is a consequence of sin, physical death is not necessarily what this verse is talking about.  No, this verse speaks of the eternal consequences.  Eternal damnation, separation from God and his wrath forever, a worse thing has never occurred.

OK, all have sinned, sinners go to hell, where is the hope in this?  Is all lost?  No, may it never be.  For "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Timothy 1:15)

There is great hope, crazy hope, a greater hope has never been imagined.  But how do we obtain that hope? That, my friend, is for another story, another time.

Uno mensaje breve, cuando utilizar la Biblia, el aun mejor traduccion que utilizar es la Nuevo Version Internaccional, buscar biblegateway, donde el hiperenlace redirecciones.

Potential.

Today I went to some friends' house to help them clean up their yard, raking leaves, clearing walkways, moving mulch and firewood piles.  A good work day.

They have a very nice property, bluebonnets (when they come up) fill the front yard, a pool and patio one one side, a chicken coop on the other, and most prominently, a shady back yard with large oaks and a veranda and walkways.  As I was working there, a word came to mind:  Potential.  Yes, this was a yard with great potential, carefully tended to, it could become a place of life, and beauty, and music (pardon the LOTR reference!), a paradise.  However, left alone, it would inevitably become an eyesore, overflowing with fallen, decomposing leaves.

This yard is like our human hearts, without the tender, affectionate and constant care of the gardener,  our hearts our filled with junk, clutter, and sin.  However, when Christ is constantly there, through the word, our hearts can become filled, beautiful, clean, holy. Then, it begins to overflow, our lives affect those of others, strengthening them through the word, and in Christ.  We must clean our hearts, taking out the junk, and bringing it to Christ, for his will for our life is our sanctification.  Mortifying sin, growing to be like Christ, these are integral parts of the Christian life, and they only happen through constant time in the word and prayer.

So, how's your garden doing?