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  • You are here: Blogs Directory / Devotionals / Pilgrim's Journal Welcome Guest
    Pilgrim's Journal
          The On-Going Saga of a Pilgrim on His Journey to the Celestial City

    Fri, Feb 24th - 6:37AM

    A Father's Poem



    Verses to Give

    There isn't much that I can give

    to Emily from here.

    I want for her to truly live

    in happiness and cheer.

     

    If I could do some thing to see

    her little face aglow,

    Whate'er the cost, whate'er it be,

    I'd do it, this I know.

     

    My arms and legs are shackled now,

    a pris'ner for my crime.

    But the Lord of love has shown me how

    to bless her with this rhyme.

     

    I love the glee and I love the glow

    of that tender little smile.

    And if she prays, and God wills it so,

    I'll see her in a while.

     

    Limon Correctional Facility, Limon, Colorado   3-6-97



    Comment (2)

    Fri, Feb 24th - 6:16AM



    Got Vision?

    Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.  Prov. 29:18

    How amazing is the art and science of modern advertising!  What direct influence and control the contemporary media exerts over the masses of people by the very simple manipulative techniques they employ in their attempts to get our money, and more basically our total allegiance.  That little phrase, "Got Milk?" is a classic example.  Because of its simple directness, coupled with pictures of well known people, it has taken on a life of its own, become a significant and maybe permanent part of our American colloquial language, and without doubt, made the advertiser and its client "mucho deneros." 

      Evangelical bumper-sticker bloggers haven't failed to play on it, like everyone else.  "Got Jesus?"  It seems a little trite to me, but I suppose it conveys a message to the unbeliever.  The pertinent question for those who already have faith in Christ, and for the contemporary church as a whole is, "Got Vision?"  More precisely it's, "Got True Vision?"  Of the seventy or so mentions of the word vision in the Authorized Version of the Bible, perhaps half are in a negative context.  In other words they speak at least partly of false or failed vision.  Vision is a hot topic today amongst Christians.  Innumerable professing believers are having "visions" of various kinds, usually related to some ministry effort that God has called them to perform, whether actual or just a figment of their eager imaginations.  I, myself don't claim to be without vision for my life and service to the Lord Jesus, nor do I place myself  above my fellows in that my vision is more real or important than any of theirs.  I do think though, that there is a testing or a proving that any vision must undergo.  Scripture chronicles a host of false visions proclaimed by false prophets throughout history, both in Old Testament and New Testament times.  Moreover, the Lord Himself predicts the rise of such erroneous proclamations as the times draw to a consumation before His return.  (See Matt. 24)

    What then are we to think and believe concerning this matter of vision?  Along with the many visionaries in the churches today, especially in the Charismatic ones, there is a corresponding mass of persons ready to follow those many visions, and support them, fiancially and in other ways.  Should I then find an effective mode of advertising my particular vision, perhaps even through something as simple as a Weblog, so that I can get it going, like many or all of the rest?  "I reckon I'd better do something, or" so the logic goes, " nobody will know that God has given me this grand vision for His people.  I mean, really, time is getting short and things need to get done, according to the plan He's given me, and it just isn't happening.  Oh my, what can I do?"

    What about waiting on God, just trusting Him for the fulfillment of what I believe He has given me?  He does give visions, at least to some, and in His time, He brings them to pass.  He gave one to Abraham and it eventually came about.  But Abraham, this great father of faith got a little impatient, or more correctly his other half, Sarah did, and they went ahead with an alternative plan to "help God along."  We know from history as well as the Biblical account that they really made a mess of things by their little contrivance with Hagar.

    More later.



    Comment (0)

    Sun, Feb 19th - 9:44AM

    True Rest



    Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Matt. 11:28

    The Shepherd

    How relentless is His love

    that reaches out to thee!

    How endless are His thoughts of care,

    if only you could see.

     

    The aching heart, the troubled mind;

    the anguish of your soul;

    He's felt your pain, endured your grief,

    and would your heart console.

     

    But strong are we, and He so weak,

    and so we turn away,

    the one who comes to us so meekly,

    to help us in the way.

     

    And so He waits, and ever waits,

    at every turn and bend;

    gentle, lowly, hardly noticed,

    His straying sheep to tend.

     

    The other day I nearly caused myself a heart attack, literally.  The ER doctor said that my excessive heart palpitations were likely not a result of any particular stress I had undergone, but I wonder.  Earlier in the day I fullfilled a regular obligation with the city and state and found myself in a state of great distress over the injustice they are laying on me.  While the world and worldly-minded Christians often attribute depression to medical causes, which, perhaps upon occasion is the case, the mental struggle I endured on Wednesday was certainly a result of the pressure put upon me by this human government. 

    Though I know the principle of rest in Christ and have been a great advocate for it to others at many times, I apparently did not appropriate it for myself on that occasion.  Prayer was offered for me by my church brethren that evening, even as I lay on that bed in the hospital praying and reflecting myself on God's purposes for my life.  It is interesting that my heart rate strangely slowed down to normal just about the time I prayed a very intense prayer for my daughter, Emily.  She was my greatest concern as I faced the (remote) possibility of having my earthly life cut short.  A couple of shots of nitroglycerine under the tounge administered by a paramedic in the ambulance was all the medication given me throughout that brief ordeal.  Since that experience a few days ago many consolations and comforts have come to me by the Holy Spirit, to assure me that Jesus is ever with me and won't allow my adversaries, human and spiritual, to overwhelm me.  Deeper lessons of trust for a frail soul on his journey through the jungles of this fallen world.

    Gracious God, I worship Thee!



    Comment (1)

    Sat, Feb 18th - 3:24PM

    Patience



    For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  Heb. 10:36

         In two other places in this epistle am I exhorted to exercise patient endurance so that I might lay hold of the promises given me by covenant by God.  (chapt.6:12; 12:1)  This command is in view of Jesus' high priestly ministry on my behalf now in the heavens.  (chapt. 3:1; 4:14,15)  He is ever interceding on my behalf to the Father.  His prayer is that I might succeed in this war against the flesh, the Devil and the world.  Can His prayers fail to be answered?  Is the provision of His grace in any way insufficient for this poor, weak and often waivering soul?  The eternal word says "No."  And upon this, I must stand, when all appearance is to the contrary.

         O Lord!  How long and hard a fight it has been.  How many times I have slipped and fallen, only to be lifted back up and suststained by thy gracious hand.  I must remind myself always of the victories thou hast granted me in the past days.  I cannot, dare not lower my eyes to the obstacles before me, lest I become parylized by the enormity of them.  Sovereign Lord!  You have brought me across great expanses of barren and hostile territories, through swamps of despondance and torrents of fear.  You have born me up on eagle's wings, as a father carrieth his son, O my God.  I must give thee praise, for this is my salvation!  Thank-you, Father, that you have become a father to me, and I a son to you by virtue of Jesus' work on the cross.  Bring to completion, O Lord, that which you have begun in me, though I lose all that I might gain thee.  Hold me up and carry me all the way through this vale of strife and tears unto your very presence and for your glory!  Amen.

     Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand.Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory. Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.  Ps. 73:23-25

     



    Comment (0)

    Sat, Feb 18th - 5:14AM

    Past Remembrance



    Soon

    Prairie rain, forgotten pain;

    quiet thunder - distant rumbles

    from this prison cell I hear.

    Gently falling, softly calling;

    much assurance - in the silence

    outside these walls is ever near.

     

    Wisdom calls within these walls;

    never ceasing - yet increasing;

    always pleading through the pain.

    Souls in darkness, O so hopeless;

    never hearing - quickly nearing

    everlasing loss or gain.

     

    Now they're laughing in their sinning;

    dancing, jiving - all contriving;

    for the future not a care.

    Soon the judgment comes upon them;

    lightning flashes - thunder crashes;

    eternal sorrow and despair.

     

    With the sentence feigned repentance;

    seeking, praying - not delaying;

    His disfavor now they know.

    Long forbearing, love declaring;

    grace they're spurning - wrath is burning;

    to the fires they must go!



    Comment (3)

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    About Me

    Name: W. Michael Clark
    ChristiansUnite ID: pioneer
    Member Since: 2006-02-18
    Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
    Denomination: Attend a Mennonite Church
    About Me: I am a man who has been corrected by the rod of his chastening. Though I've walked in this pilgrim way for many years now, I've only begun to learn the fuller measure of God's grace in obedience and holiness.

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