Weep With Those Who Weep

'Til The Blue feat. Gary Levox-Steven Curtis Chapman

A Heart for Eternity

He has planted eternity in the human heart. Eccl. 3:11 NLT

And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Acts 17:26-28 NLT

Humans are different from animals in that we can ponder our purpose. We have the capability to act so as to satisfy ourselves -- our needs and drives. But 3:11 points out that we also can perceive that there is more to life than we can experience. God made us with a vacancy in us that only He can fill. Like moles tunneling upward, we paw our way toward the daylight, but can't see too well just what God has planned, as Acts 17 states. Note how earlier societies built physical gods. Creation reveals god's existence, but Christ and the Bible reveal what is really going on, spiritually speaking.

As Don Richardson states in his book Eternity in Their Hearts, God has prepared societies for the Gospel. They have perceived that someone not "under the sun" exists, and have plugged this perception into their culture, so that when the Gospel arrives, it connects to that plug, like two electrical plugs coming together, with one connected to a power source. Thus, the eternal longing can be satisfied.

We who believe thank God that we have been graced with eternal truth, and need to consider those who have yet to receive that grace.

Beanscot's husband

Steven Curtis Chapman - More To This Life [live]

A Good Verse...

...as we prepare for Thanksgiving. 

Steven Curtis Chapman - Do Everything

Doing for His Glory

By beanscot's husband


Acts 12:23  Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people's worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

Herod had just given a speech. The people deified him. He died. Luke explains why.  I think it interesting that Luke, a doctor, points out the cause of death. He should have been called in to do an autopsy so that he could document the cause of death: Didn't Glorify God. Put that in the medical records.

I wonder why Luke includes this in his history of the church. Herod was a thorn in the side of the early church, so maybe he is showing how God moves obstacles to His work. Like a chess game, God  simply removes Herod's piece from the board.

Steven Curtis Chapman's current hit "Do Everything" talks about the range of human activity, from the mundane to the "significant". It has gotten stuck in my head. Some of the lyrics are:

"It all matters just as long as you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,"

etc.

Steven Curtis Chapman - Do Everything

Herod blew it. He needed Steven Curtis Chapman around with his music, I guess. But he had Peter, et al. Pride is a big human problem. I am human. It is a problem for me. No, I'd rather do even the mundane for the glory of God.

Yes, Everything

Colossians 3:17

I was at work today sitting in front of a stack of papers to be folded into pamphlets, feeling like a very small cog in a wheel and over educated for the task.  What's worse is that I'm terrible at folding.  Sigh.  I'm not always good at being humble or thankful.  This song, "Do Everything," by Steven Curtis Chapman is a good one for me today and any day.

Steven Curtis Chapman - Do Everything

My God With Arms Wide Open

Proverbs 14:26

English Standard Version (ESV)

26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,

    and his children will have a refuge.

Galatians 4:6

English Standard Version (ESV)

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! 

Father!”

Matthew 11:28-30

New International Version (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

It's so easy to see in this picture who is the little girl's father.  He's the one with open arms and a face full of delight.  Such it is our Heavenly Father.  I need to remember this when I've had a bad day.  I can run to my Father's arms and rest in His love.  

"Feet of Jesus" - Steven Curtis Chapman