I will admit, I have strayed into the “desperate” zone a few too many times…
Interesting inforgraphic about the world without Facebook, or Ww/oF:
(click image to view full detail)
As I sat out on a patio last night looking up at the night sky, this song came to mind.
I fondly recall singing it in high school choir and it always comes to mind to when I gaze at creation.
[YouTube link]
I chair the local chapter of a professional industry association. One thing we’ve made a practice of doing is reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of our meetings. We do this at our National-level conferences as well as our local meetings. It’s automatic. It’s expected.
Locally, if we don’t have an American flag in the room, I have an MOV file that displays a waving flag within our presentation deck. At our national conferences, we typically have representatives from a local military unit present the Colors.
At our meeting last week, we followed protocol and I led the Pledge. At a meeting break, one of the speakers came up to me and shared how they thought it was cool that we said the pledge. She also shared how, to the best of her recollection, today was the first time since elementary school she’d recited the Pledge.
I can remember reciting it as a student, but times are different now…she was a bit younger than me.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thirty-one words. Words that have significance, depth, and power. Words that have distinguished our country, as well as caused consternation – often, within our own citizenry.
When’s the last time you recited the Pledge? If you’re not from the US, does your country have something similar?
OK, so it wasn’t today – but it could have been…
…it could be tomorrow, three weeks from tomorrow, or 1,000 years from next Thursday…
The truth is: no man will know. NO MAN.
Think about it, if someone were to figure out when Christ was returning, that would diminish God.
It would effectively mean that He was “figured out” – negating Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
I want an unfathomable God. I need a God who is beyond my comprehension; yet, at the same time, approachable, kind, and all the many awesome characteristics that we know about Him through His Word and the other ways He reveals Himself to us.
SO what are we to do?
I really appreciate how Albert Mohler put it last week:
- “First, Christ specifically admonished his disciples [followers] not to claim such knowledge. [Acts 1:7 and Matthew 24:36]
- Second, the Bible does not contain hidden codes that we are to find and decipher. The Bible has been given to us in order that we might know the truth, and the truth is clearly revealed in its pages.
- Third, Christians are indeed to be looking for Christ to return and seeking to be found faithful when Christ comes. We are not to draw a line in history and set a date, but we are to be about the Father’s business, sharing the Gospel and living faithful Christian lives.”
So how will it happen?
“…in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
– 1 Corinthians 15:52
But, no man will know. NO MAN.
Would it be nice to know when Christ will return? Maybe it would.
But think about it – would we then be conditional worshipers? Would we project our obedience or frame our lives in the shadow of “The Date”?
Or, would we be better worshipers by bring continual glory to God as we worship Him each and every day that he gives us here on earth – living expectant, yet worshipful lives?
I’ll strive for the latter – stumbling all the way…
The belt buckle in the picture was my dad’s. I can remember him wearing it a lot. He lived an expectant and worshipful life. I keep it in our room to think about him. He’s already worshiping Christ perfectly in heaven.
I read this the other day:
Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure—not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing. — Jeremiah 10:23-24
…a bold prayer, in deed.
[fade to man in office. he looks from mirror to computer and begins typing]
In this age of social media and blogging, the following is offered:
[YouTube link]
Social media users and bloggers generally get branded as narcissists – do you agree?
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