sojourns with Jesus

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (Jews or Greeks, slaves or free) and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Lust of the eyes,
Lust of the flesh,
the pride of life,
meet in forbidden pleasure,
drain all souls of
real delight.

If your feelings get hurt from a disagreement,
do not call it persecution,
unless your bones have been broke,
or your dignity forsaken. » Read the rest of this entry «

If you argue with a fool long enough,
soon you shall see two.

-Modern Proverbs that I have learned,
and ocassionally proved.

In essentials unity, In doubtful things liberty, But in all things love. – Peter Mederlin.

Write more later my son should be born soon. Praise God.

William Blake was born November 28, 1757. Two hundred and fifty two years after his birth his voice still speaks. His voice speaks not of himself but of his great love the Lamb of God. One of his most famous poems and a favorite of John Piper’s is now one of my favorites. Piper was right when he said that it is a good launch into Advent to think of Christ as the Lamb. Oh, the humility of Christ to be called and to become a Little Lamb as that defenseless baby in a manger. Humility was incarnated in the first advent. » Read the rest of this entry «

Jesus: It is easier to push a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Disciples: What? How can this be?
Jesus: All things are possible for God even the things impossible with men.

If you are reading this you are likely a rich person. Probably not Bill Gates rich but rich enough to own a mobile communication device, internet connection, and likely a comfy place to view it in. Compared to the rest of the world most of us are incredibly rich.
Go read Karsten Piper’s poem for a good thought or two on how we should view ourselves.

The bishops of God’s church, the professed leaders of the Lord’s hosts, the pretended followers of the Redeemer, have done more damage to the church than all the church’s enemies. If the church were not a divine thing, protected by God, she must have ceased to exist, merely through the failure and iniquity of her own professed friends. I do not wonder that the church of God survived martyrdom and death; but I do marvel that she has survived the unfaithfulness of her own children, and the cruel backsliding of her own members.

Found over at pyromaniacs

No running brook, no flood, no sea
can wash away this stain from me …
For only Your blood is enough to cover my sin
Only Your blood is enough to cover me.

music from Advance 09

Derek Webb of Caedmon’s Call does a wonderful version of Washed in the Blood by Woodie Guthrie (1912-1967) inspired by the hymn writer Elisha Hoffman’s (1839-1929) classic hymn Are you Washed in the Blood? Below are the lyrics to the song by Guthrie. As I lay here redoing my blog theme, trying to let my back ease off enough for sleep, I am reminded that my pain has one good benefit. It reminds me of the one whose pain bore for me my sins, saved me for eternity, and redeems my pain and my entire life now. In the midst of pain there is joy for those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Peyton L. Palmore III in a article for the Christian Century notes that the linguistics of being washed in the blood of the lamb is to many anachronistic at best and barbaric at worst. Yet Peyton points out that the symbolism may be lost on many. He personally doesn’t embrace the symbology instead he “experiences” afresh the beauty of God from meditating on the story and imagery of the prodigal son. Peyton mistakes though a central key. Peyton views the whole issue from man’s view toward God. Yet the symbology of the blood of the Lamb is most beautiful because it is God’s view towards us. He loves us so much that he is willing to die like a helpless lamb for us. He is willing to take our place. To pay the penalty for our sin. And yes most amazingly wash us in the blood of the lamb (Revelation 7:14) washing us pure from all our sins. If we can’t find joy in that then we can’t find joy. It is also the most amazing symbol of the love of God. Interestingly we celebrate both of those in baptism and communion. Their is joy in the blood of the lamb.

Blood Of The Lamb

Are your garments all spotless?
Are they white as the snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
Is your soul all spotless?
Is it clean as the snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

I am washed, yes i’m washed
I am washed in the blood
I’m all washed in the blood of the lamb
I’m all clean i’m all spotless
I’m pure like the snows
I’m all washed in the blood of the lamb

Have you laid down your burdens?
Have you found peace and rest?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
I’ve laid down all my troubles
I’ve found peace and rest
I’m all washed in the blood of the lamb

Have you learnt to love your neighbors?
Of all colors, creeds and kinds?
Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
I’ve learnt to love my peoples
Of all colors, creeds and kinds
I’m all washed in that blood of that lamb

Words: woody guthrie (1955) -
Music: jay bennett/jeff tweedy (1997)