March 29, 2014

Room Prepared



I was reminded in a recent pastoral visit by Pastor Pronk that just as my earthly tabernacle is slowly coming down, the flip side is also true; a room is being prepared for me by Jesus my Saviour. As soon as that room is ready, then I will go there to be with Him.

It is getting very difficult for me to write posts, but I will still try.
Jack

March 24, 2014

Union and Communion

We had a Holy Communion service in our church, but I could not attend. But I could celebrate union and communion with Christ at home in my chair. I was comforted by the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), also my sin.

In sweet communion Lord with Thee
I constantly abide,
My hand Thou holdest in Thine own
To keep me near Thy side.

Psalter 203:1

Jack

March 13, 2014

The Last Spike

That was the title of a book written by author and Canadian historian Pierre Berton. It was the last in a series of books written about the building of the Canadian National Railway. There was a grand ceremony when the last spike was hammered in, and I believe that this spike was made of solid gold. What an amazing construction project!

I have often used the metaphor of a tent to describe the 'deconstruction' that is taking place in my body due to the impact of ALS. The tent is slowly coming down, rope by rope and tent pegs being pulled up. The last peg in the ALS road is likely the ability to breathe. I already feel that my breathing muscles are getting weaker and at times I struggle to get a breath.

When spikes are going in, construction is happening, when tent pegs are pulled, then deconstruction is taking place. The only exception to that was when Jesus was spiked to the cross. This act was the final spike into the heart of Satan's kingdom and the completion of salvation of all the people of God. 'It is finished' was the cry of Jesus from the cross. His mission was accomplished. Thank you dear Jesus for taking the last spike that should have been mine.

Jack

March 4, 2014

Why your present Condition?

Spurgeon says it better than I can.
Jack
 
 
Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, God would have put you there. You are put by him in the most suitable place, and if you had had the picking of your lot half-an-hour afterwards, you would have come back and said, “Lord, choose for me, for I have not chosen the best after all.” You have heard, perhaps, the old fable in Aesop, of the men that complained to Jupiter, of their burdens, and the god in anger bade them every one get rid of his burden, and take the one he would like best. They all came and proposed to do so. There was a man who had a lame leg, and he thought he could do better if he had a blind eye; the man who had a blind eye thought he could do better if he had to bear poverty and not blindness, while the man who was poor thought poverty the worst of ills; he would not mind taking the sickness of the rich man if he could but have his riches. So they all made a change. But the fable saith that within an hour they were all back again, asking that they might have their own burdens, they found the original burden so much lighter than the one that was taken by their own selection. So would you find it. Then be content; you cannot better your lot. Take up your cross; you could not have a better trial than you have got; it is the best for you; it sifts you the most; it will do you the most good, and prove the most effective means of making you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God.


~Charles Spurgeon~