Beauty is an idea that has been on my mind quite a bit. It is especially a concept that I think most believers have terribly misunderstood. Let's begin with a simple question. Is a sunset beautiful? I am going to go ahead and assume that the majority of people who read this will answer with something similar to "it depends upon the person looking at it". There is an idea in that answer that I think is wrong to begin with. But it is an idea that society has ingrained into our minds that it is just natural to answer this way. So for just a little while let's consider what makes something beautiful, lovely, delightful or anything of that manner.
WHAT MAKES SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
People today have become very prideful and even in a sense that they do not even realize. There is an idea that reality, to some extent, must be based on my own perception. Think about your car. I drive a 95 Toyota Camry, the best car I've ever had. But is it a car? Or is it only a car when i decide that it meets the criteria of a car. Is it a car before or after I agree to it being a car? What if I decided that it wasn't? Well, of course we would say that it is a car whether or not I agreed it was. The problem is we believe that we are the essential deciding factor in reality. Is a sunset beautiful? That depends on what real beauty is. Is there a standard for beauty? Standards are what we use to determine if a car is a car, or if a shirt is black, or if a tree is tall.
One of my favorite verses of scripture is found in the Romans 10:15, Paul gives a description of what the person is like that is telling others about Christ. But instead of saying "How wonderful" or "How gracious" or "How great", Paul says "How beautiful are the feet of them". Notice that he does not correct himself in anyway. He does not say, their feet are beautiful if this is the sort of thing that affects you to perceive as beauty. There is no questioning to it, just simple facts. But what is it that makes their feet beautiful? It is spreading the Gospel of Christ. The essential quality that makes them beautiful, not just beautiful to Paul but beautiful in their essence is the act of telling others the Good News. Beauty should be defined as something that brings glory to God. The more glorifying of God an object is the more lovely it should be to us.
DOES THIS MATTER?
In a simple answer, yes it does. In a more complex answer, it must. It definitely matters in the question of why we love God and why God can punish unbelievers. Someone might think that God could be unlovely because there are people who do not love Him. But the failure of your heart to desire God does not mean that God is unlovable, it means your desires have failed. God is beautiful whether He appears so to us or not. This is the basis for my whole reasoning of loving God. Sin has affected our hearts so deeply that we are unable to see the essence of all beauty as beautiful. But one day God opened my eyes, and lifted they veil over my heart so that I might see God for who He truly is. I do not love God because He died for my sins, I do not love Him because He created all things, I do not love God for an innumerable list of reasons. I love God because He is, as the woman says in Song of Solomon 5:16, "altogether lovely". I love Him because there is no quality of Him that is unlovely, He is lovely in His essence and character. Everything else just adds confirmation to His loveliness. God commands that we love Him, not because He is a terrible egomaniac tyrant, but because we must lovely Him for He is truly lovely. God is beautiful, and if there is anything of beauty it shows God. The more something displays the glory of God the more beautiful it is. That is why Augustine called God "the beauty of all things beautiful"
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
My Hope and My Stay
I wrote this shortly after the death of my 18 year old cousin in a car wreck. When life deals us a terrible blow it is easy to question the actions of God in our life. My heart was already being affected by the great hymn by William Cowper "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" so this was somewhat inspired by that hymn. No matter what happens in life we must remember that not only is God in control but God is holy. His plan might be hidden from our understanding but His character He has made known unto us. When life is hard when can always say with Cowper "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower."
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"
A quiet soul is hard to maintain,
when a sorrowful heart rages with pain.
Yet nothing comes against Your will
now all I pray is "Lord make me still"
Prone to anger and more prone to cry,
then prone to scream and think "why Lord why"
Holding my passion seems hard to do,
when first inclination is to question You.
Can I be still Lord, under such a strain?
when hope is fleeting and faith seems vain?
But to be still is what You command,
and not to doubt Your guiding hand.
Please tell me now Lord, just who are You
that I should know Your word to be true?
And never to doubt a word you say
or to allow my faith to turn away.
You are my God, the all powerful Lord,
the one who creates with simply a word.
The sound of Your voice made the mountains rise
and by Your thoughts the stars fill the skies.
All of creation Your voice does obey.
and You make the sun rise day after day.
Then one stormy night you stood on the seas
speaking a word you brought them to ease.
When finally I decide to consider You
all of my pain starts to slide out of view.
Your majesty shines as bright as the sun
and a simple complaint i can find none.
In unspeakable praise my heart cries "glory!"
Can I ever doubt one so infinitely holy?
Your movement may be in a mysterious way
but you will forever be my hope and my stay.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"
A quiet soul is hard to maintain,
when a sorrowful heart rages with pain.
Yet nothing comes against Your will
now all I pray is "Lord make me still"
Prone to anger and more prone to cry,
then prone to scream and think "why Lord why"
Holding my passion seems hard to do,
when first inclination is to question You.
Can I be still Lord, under such a strain?
when hope is fleeting and faith seems vain?
But to be still is what You command,
and not to doubt Your guiding hand.
Please tell me now Lord, just who are You
that I should know Your word to be true?
And never to doubt a word you say
or to allow my faith to turn away.
You are my God, the all powerful Lord,
the one who creates with simply a word.
The sound of Your voice made the mountains rise
and by Your thoughts the stars fill the skies.
All of creation Your voice does obey.
and You make the sun rise day after day.
Then one stormy night you stood on the seas
speaking a word you brought them to ease.
When finally I decide to consider You
all of my pain starts to slide out of view.
Your majesty shines as bright as the sun
and a simple complaint i can find none.
In unspeakable praise my heart cries "glory!"
Can I ever doubt one so infinitely holy?
Your movement may be in a mysterious way
but you will forever be my hope and my stay.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
"Jesus Wept"
"Jesus wept", this might be the hardest verse in the Bible to understand. I realize that there are very many that are hard and complex. In my opinion this has to be one of them. There is no doubt that God is at all times happier than any of us could ever imagine. His happiness is far beyond the capacities of our own. But here are words that show that He wept actual tears. How can God himself be mournful? I do not know. I believe it. But I don't understand it. But I will give my reason for why I think he wept. I've heard it said that He wept for the effects of sin, but did He not see the effects of sin everyday? I believe it was because of the pain He saw in His friends. That, I find absolutely amazing. God Himself at the sight of the pain of His friends was so moved with compassion towards them that He wept with them. Often I think that there is nothing that I can do in this life that matters or will ever be anything like Christ. I cannot command to the lame to walk, or the blind to see, there's so many things that Christ does that we can never do. But God wept with His friends in their pain, we can do that! I'm sure that Jesus had something He could have been doing, but He stopped and wept with His friends. Never be too busy to show heart filled compassion to another.
John 11:35 "Jesus Wept"
O stone hearted man am I,
To see a friends tear filled eye.
And never with compassion move.
Or show the slightest sign of love.
Yet here I read the strangest thing.
Of a time my glorious King.
At the sight of anothers pain.
Had eyes that began to pour like rain.
Man of Sorrows, yet God the same.
Makes me feel such utter shame.
We never walk in His direction.
Yet He loves with deep affection.
He dwells within unending Joy.
A joy no man could ever destroy.
But this joy has sorrow within.
Sorrow from this world of sin.
If on that day my God did cry,
Why do mine eyes seem so dry?
Should not I always sympathize,
When pain fills up anothers eyes?
John 11:35 "Jesus Wept"
O stone hearted man am I,
To see a friends tear filled eye.
And never with compassion move.
Or show the slightest sign of love.
Yet here I read the strangest thing.
Of a time my glorious King.
At the sight of anothers pain.
Had eyes that began to pour like rain.
Man of Sorrows, yet God the same.
Makes me feel such utter shame.
We never walk in His direction.
Yet He loves with deep affection.
He dwells within unending Joy.
A joy no man could ever destroy.
But this joy has sorrow within.
Sorrow from this world of sin.
If on that day my God did cry,
Why do mine eyes seem so dry?
Should not I always sympathize,
When pain fills up anothers eyes?
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Run To You
When I first read these verses I was amazed that the saints of old were so ready to give up everything for God. It even says that they were unmindful of what they had left. But when we really think about it. It should not be that amazing that we would give up everything for God. But we should marvel that we ever choose the world over God. If we would only look to God our love for this world would disappear.
Hebrews 11:13-15 "These all died in faith,
not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them,
and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.For they
that say such things declare plainly that they
seek a country. And truly, if they had been
mindful of that country from whence they came
out, they might have had opportunity to have returned."
Why is my heart so rooted in,
This earthen ground of self and sin.
Home is elsewhere, I should persist,
But turning back, I can't resist.
Teach me please, dear saints of old,
How to walk this narrow road.
To sing with joy, under pain,
And to live as if death is gain.
Another land, was on their mind,
From this world, they disinclined.
To lose it all and gain but Christ,
They sought it as a better life.
And when I come to think on Thee,
I see this life as they did see.
Small glances I see of who You are,
I long to run, no matter how far.
You may not be within my sight,
But by my faith you give me light.
Opening my eyes unto Your glory,
I desire You, for You are worthy.
Immensely glorious, my Lord You are.
Brighter than the brightest star.
More precious to me than any treasure,
Loveliness I could never measure.
For You I become so sick of love,
Desiring to leave and rise above.
Give me all the world in view,
I'll leave it all and run to you,
I'll leave it all and run to you.
Hebrews 11:13-15 "These all died in faith,
not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them,
and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.For they
that say such things declare plainly that they
seek a country. And truly, if they had been
mindful of that country from whence they came
out, they might have had opportunity to have returned."
Why is my heart so rooted in,
This earthen ground of self and sin.
Home is elsewhere, I should persist,
But turning back, I can't resist.
Teach me please, dear saints of old,
How to walk this narrow road.
To sing with joy, under pain,
And to live as if death is gain.
Another land, was on their mind,
From this world, they disinclined.
To lose it all and gain but Christ,
They sought it as a better life.
And when I come to think on Thee,
I see this life as they did see.
Small glances I see of who You are,
I long to run, no matter how far.
You may not be within my sight,
But by my faith you give me light.
Opening my eyes unto Your glory,
I desire You, for You are worthy.
Immensely glorious, my Lord You are.
Brighter than the brightest star.
More precious to me than any treasure,
Loveliness I could never measure.
For You I become so sick of love,
Desiring to leave and rise above.
Give me all the world in view,
I'll leave it all and run to you,
I'll leave it all and run to you.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Be Still
I wrote this for a friend awhile back. But the actual intent of it is not meant as a plea for a friend but for oneself, as the verse in Psalm 42 signifies. When we are cast down we should preach to ourselves that we may focus on God more than the troubles that surrounds. No matter what issues we deal with, there is always hope in God. For a good study on this read Richard Sibbes book The Souls Conflict which is based on Psalm 42:5
Psalm 42:5 "Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? and why art thou disquieted
in me? hope thou in God:"
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"
Fearful soul, sore afraid,
For the darkness rules the day,
Full of passion I thus pray.
restless soul, peace be still
The dark shadows round you creep,
Enemies your presence keep,
This in prayer I will repeat.
restless soul, peace be still
When you stop to count the cost,
It's too much and faith seems lost,
My hearts yearns to the uttermost.
restless soul, peace be still
Loved ones fail time and again,
Your heart cries in immense pain,
I still implore with this my end.
restless soul, peace be still
Oft it seems all are gone,
You feel left to walk alone,
This I plead before His throne.
restless soul, peace be still
Into the dark the path may lead,
And all alone in desperate need,
If tears were words mine would read.
restless soul, peace be still
Losing all the strength to stand,
None around to take your hand,
Still you hear the Lord command.
restless soul, peace be still
Trust Him for His word is sure.
Trust Him for His way is pure.
Though His presence seems obscure.
restless soul, peace be still
The Lord promised good for you,
And what He says He will do.
He will lead you safely through.
restless soul, peace be still
He is Faithful, all the time,
To His words your ear incline,
"I am yours and you are mine
restless soul, peace be still"
Psalm 42:5 "Why art thou cast down,
O my soul? and why art thou disquieted
in me? hope thou in God:"
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God"
Fearful soul, sore afraid,
For the darkness rules the day,
Full of passion I thus pray.
restless soul, peace be still
The dark shadows round you creep,
Enemies your presence keep,
This in prayer I will repeat.
restless soul, peace be still
When you stop to count the cost,
It's too much and faith seems lost,
My hearts yearns to the uttermost.
restless soul, peace be still
Loved ones fail time and again,
Your heart cries in immense pain,
I still implore with this my end.
restless soul, peace be still
Oft it seems all are gone,
You feel left to walk alone,
This I plead before His throne.
restless soul, peace be still
Into the dark the path may lead,
And all alone in desperate need,
If tears were words mine would read.
restless soul, peace be still
Losing all the strength to stand,
None around to take your hand,
Still you hear the Lord command.
restless soul, peace be still
Trust Him for His word is sure.
Trust Him for His way is pure.
Though His presence seems obscure.
restless soul, peace be still
The Lord promised good for you,
And what He says He will do.
He will lead you safely through.
restless soul, peace be still
He is Faithful, all the time,
To His words your ear incline,
"I am yours and you are mine
restless soul, peace be still"
Friday, March 2, 2012
You Have Ravished My Heart
Oh What a wonder,
Wonder I can't contain.
You reign with Glory,
Glory that is your name.
Living in pure joy,
Joy so full and complete.
Angels bow down,
Bow down before your feet.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
But You were mindful,
mindful of my lost state.
Came to this world,
This world you did create.
And you were worthy,
Worthy of daily praise.
Yet was rejected
Rejected by life you gave.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
Behold what manner,
what manner of love is this.
That you'd leave Heaven,
Heaven your world of bliss.
To die on a cross,
A cross for all my sin.
And give me peace,
Peace with God and within.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
Oh for a thousand,
A thousand tongues to sing.
Of my redeemer,
Redeemer, Lord and King.
For You are my joy,
My joy and wonder divine.
And Oh the delight,
Delight to call you mine.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
Wonder I can't contain.
You reign with Glory,
Glory that is your name.
Living in pure joy,
Joy so full and complete.
Angels bow down,
Bow down before your feet.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
But You were mindful,
mindful of my lost state.
Came to this world,
This world you did create.
And you were worthy,
Worthy of daily praise.
Yet was rejected
Rejected by life you gave.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
Behold what manner,
what manner of love is this.
That you'd leave Heaven,
Heaven your world of bliss.
To die on a cross,
A cross for all my sin.
And give me peace,
Peace with God and within.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
Oh for a thousand,
A thousand tongues to sing.
Of my redeemer,
Redeemer, Lord and King.
For You are my joy,
My joy and wonder divine.
And Oh the delight,
Delight to call you mine.
My Jesus, Savior, wonderful and mighty,
You have ravished my heart
Beloved, My friend, altogether lovely
You have ravished my Heart.
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