Showing posts with label sovereignty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sovereignty. Show all posts

12 March 2015

My King – The Nature of Kings

Greetings Dear Reader,

Kings do not rule by vote, compromise, or consensus.  Human kings are born into the role.  They sometimes take the throne by force.  They rule with the power of might and by birthright.  They do not seek permission to rule.

My King rules by the nature of his divine sovereignty.  He created all that there is and rules it because it is his.  We fail to remember this every time we question God’s authority to do as he wishes.  We question and complain about the King and his choices for the weather, the world, and our daily lives.

Some see God as an uninvolved absentee landlord.  Nothing is further from the truth.  He is here.  He is involved in everything.  We do not see it because we look through the lens of what we want the world to be instead of the lenses of faith, respect, and obedience. 

God can do as he pleases with us.  It pleases him to love us, seek us, and be among us.  The invisible kingdom is only invisible to us.  It is here, alive, and growing.  It is up to me to participate.  It is up to me to see my King and follow him even when I cannot see.

The Kingdom – Michael Card

So near and yet still so far, far away
So close, and yet still to come
Concealed, the seed is mysteriously growing
In hearts that will listen and hear
A treasure that's hidden, a pearl of great price
A fortune for fools who believe

A kingdom of beauty, a kingdom of love
A kingdom of justice and peace
A kingdom that holds all the wilds of creation
A kingdom where children will lead

For now this kingdom's a land of the lowly
A place for the tired, plundered poor
Now our gentle King comes in peace on a donkey
But then on a charger for war
A battle in heaven, a war on the earth
To shatter the long darkened siege

Not by our own strength
And not by the power of might
But by His Spirit it comes
Blinded eyes will see
And deafened ears will hear
The praise from the lips of the dumb


Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

11 February 2015

Say What You Need to Say – False Premises

Greetings Dear Reader,

Once we assume a lie is true that which proceeds is at best tainted.  I realize that sounds both negative and harsh.  It is not how I mean it.  We must always question out assumptions.  As a man of faith this becomes a precarious balance.

The God I follow is sovereign, omniscient, and good.  His ways are above my ways.  I must assure that my faith is based on my knowledge of God.  I must assure that I have a reason for the hope that I have.  I must also remember what I believe about God when that faith is challenged.

There is a legal principle called fruit of the poison tree.  If evidence is obtained in the wrong manner it can be excluded even if it is vital.  If I proceed from false assumptions about God then my conclusions about God, faith, and following are tainted and often wrong.

God does not cause pain, suffering, loss, and sin.  He does plan responses to it that will lead to a world free of it in his timing.  God does not hate anyone.  We are all so far from God’s standard for “good” that we do not see that as a great equalizer. 

God does not ignore the rules.  He is constant and consistent.  We cannot deny his place in things and make choices that are sustainable.  We cannot ignore him and proceed without false results.

I cannot follow and be sure of my path unless I acknowledge that it is God who directs our steps.  I must proceed from the assumption that he knows what he is doing even when I do not understand.  The fool has said in his heart that there is no God. 


The Bible says my King is a seven-way king
     He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king
     He's the King of Israel; that's a national King
     He's the King of Righteousness
     He's the King of the Ages
     He's the King of Heaven
     He's the King of Glory
     He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.
Well....I wonder, do you know Him?

David said, "The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
     My King is a sovereign King.
     No means of measure can define His limitless love.
     No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.
     No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
     He's enduringly strong.
     He's entirely sincere.
     He's eternally steadfast.
     He's immortally graceful.
     He's imperially powerful.
     He's impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.
     He's God's Son.
     He's the sinner's Savior.
     He's the centerpiece of civilization.
     He stands in the solitude of Himself.
     He's august and He's unique.
     He's unparalleled.
     He's unprecedented.
     He is the loftiest idea in literature.
     He's the highest personality in philosophy.
     He is the supreme problem in higher criticism.
     He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.
     He is the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion.
     He's the miracle of the age.
     He's -- yes He is -- He is the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior.
I wonder if you know Him today.
     He supplies strength for the weak.
     He's available for the tempted and the tried.
     He sympathizes and He saves.
     He strengthens and sustains.
     He guards and He guides.
     He heals the sick.
     He cleansed the lepers.
     He forgives sinners.
     He discharges debtors.
     He delivers the captives.
     He defends the feeble.
     He blesses the young.
     He serves the unfortunate.
     He regards the aged.
     He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek.
I wonder if you know Him.

Well, my King....He is the King!
     He's the key to knowledge.
     He's the wellspring of wisdom.
     He's the doorway of deliverance.
     He's the pathway of peace.
     He's the roadway of righteousness.
     He's the highway of holiness.
     He's the gateway of glory.
Do you know Him?

Well, His office is manifold.    
His promise is sure....and His light is matchless.
     His goodness is limitless.
     His mercy is everlasting.
     His love never changes.
     His word is enough.
     His grace is sufficient.
     His reign is righteous.
     And His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
     I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable -- Yes He is!  He is God!
     He's incomprehensible.
     He's invincible.
     He's irresistible.
Well, you can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hand.
You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
     Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.
     The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.
     Herod couldn't kill Him.
     Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him.
     Yea!!!, that's my King, that's my King.

Yes, and Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory....Forever....and ever, and ever, and ever -- How long is that? And ever, and ever.

And when you get through with all of the forevers, then. AMEN!
Good God Almighty!  AMEN!   AMEN!

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)



05 November 2014

Second Thoughts – Election Results

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

All of the polls closed and the votes were counted.  Most of the campaigns are settled.  The responses I saw today overwhelmed me.  I know that I have friends on both sides of the isle that are Christ followers.  Some of the things that were said neglect the sovereignty of God at best.  It is possible that some of them outright deny it. 

One friend posted, “Proof there is no God.  The Governor was reelected.”   I know she is disappointed.  I think she was joking.  Another friend of mine expressed his disappointment with the entire state.  I had another friend who was crying over the results.  I was so moved to compassion because she cares so deeply for things that other neglect.

I realize that politics can be polarizing.  Someone very close to me attacked and insulted me because I dared to say something positive about an elected official whom he dislikes.  I can only imagine how hurt some people must be at the outcome of the election.

Win or lose though, every election is an exercise in faith.  We think that we determine who is President, Governor, or Jester.  We do not.  God chooses our leaders based on our needs and his plan.  If I believe that God is sovereign then he has already planned his response to whomever is elected. 

It is my duty to lose or win in my preference graciously.  It is my obligation to show respect for every elected official no matter how deeply I may disagree with his policies.  It is my calling to live above even the politics of the day and work toward showing the love of Christ to all in every endeavor. 

Whether you are red or blue if you claim to follow Christ then you are obligated to find common ground in Christ with those who disagree with you.  You are required to love them.  I am obligated to comfort, respect, and take the yelling by responding in love and compassion.  I need to understand the needs of those around me and care more about that than politics.  That is the only way I can win anything.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)