Invisible Disease

Invisible Disease

An invisible disease has stricken me

An invisible disease is all I see ...

Some days 

Not only cannot they see

This disease that has stricken me

But they cannot perceive, understand or believe

For experience seems to be the only way

That others can fully say

The oft miss said  “I understand”

Not even half the man I used to be

I work harder , push further , endure longer…

Just to seem… below average

Sometimes I cannot begin to understand the misunderstanding

Of the ailments that have been allowed my way

The locust that eats my day

Yet I am no worse off,  or worse , than any other man

Despite the voices that say I am

I am not a victim

I am, in fact,  a victor… through Him

I am more than a conquerer in my weakness

Than Caesar or Alexander in their greatness

Because of Him

And the blessings I see when I have clarity

Well, That is far more than enough for me

Like Jean Valjean

I have experienced grace

It invaded me

It took my place

For all Eternity – Blessed be

But also day by day – how sweet

Grasping for Expression

Not sure that this falls into any official category of writing... perhaps a song or spoken word. At any rate I didn't want to change it from the way it is.

You may recognize the last portion from Counting Crow's "Anna Begins"

Grasping For Expression

I remember filling up and falling down to my knees

When Your love anew came over me

Gasping for air and grasping for expression

Long after I was born again

Desperate, frustrated and trying to earn it

Inadvertently, I almost spurned it

Till Your love cascaded over me

And finally…through me

Like bathing in a lightfall

Step down from golden throne through stars?

To take on flesh and pain .. be marred?

To feel the sting of broken nature

I cannot but worship this humble posture

Not just forgive but love your enemies?

Pray for the religious, rebellious murderer?

Touch the leper, comfort the prostitute

And even forgive the one who prostituted her?

You would heal  Malchus’ ear

So that he could hear

You say, “Permit even this”

How deep, how wide, how long, how high

Is this love?  Four dimensions –

A hint,  perhaps,  that it is beyond comprehension

And beyond condition – but not beyond the malnutrition

Of our starved and thirsty heart.

It takes both a father and a mother’s heart

To fully express how kind “Thou art”

To take back a wayward child

Though proud, rebellious  and wild

Not even a lecture to hear?

No.

Just an embrace… .and a tear.

What love is this?

This time when kindness falls like rain

It washes me away.

And He begins to change my mind.

His kindness bangs a gong,

 Its moving me along

And Oh Lord,

I’m so ready for this sort of thing

On Disagreeing and Loving: Some Timely Truth for Christians and Society in General

I've been saying this for a while now but have recently heard a few people, who are probably a lot smarter than me, say almost the exact same thing - so maybe there's something t it;)




 "It is possible to strongly disagree with someone and yet still deeply love them."






"Honestly, it is my prayer that people on both sides of the argument would stop yelling at each other and talking about one another and actually sit down and talk to one another understanding that just because two people do not agree on an issue does not mean they have the right to hate one another for it.  Conversation is NOT compromise…it’s actually Christ like!"    Perry Noble

Chariots of Fire, the London Olympics and Eric Liddell

Chariots of Fire - fast facts:

The story and song of the movie "Chariots of Fire" are being used in promotion of and as theme music for the 2012 London Olympics - Mr Bean also helping out;)

The title for the 1981 movie "Chariots of fire" was ultimately inspired by the passage of Scripture in II Kings chapter 2 - where Elisha watches Elijah taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire?

The story of the movie was inspired by Christian missionary and runner, Eric Liddell and Jewish Brit runner Harold Abrahams - each overcoming societal pressure to win gold for Great Britain.

Eric Liddell is quoted as saying: “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. ” 


He later died as a missionary in an internment camp in Japanese occupied China where he had served the other interns continuously. In 2008 Chinese authorities revealed that Liddell had refused an opportunity to leave the camp and instead gave his place to a pregnant woman.

2Ki 2:11 "Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. "

Abide with Me - Story Behind the Song Sung by Emeli Sande at the London Olympics

The following was written by  Connie Ruth Christiansen 


Original link here

Emeli Sande's youtube song below

Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) and his wife Ann were faithful pastors of a little fishing town in Devonshire England, for 23 years. Although Henry's health was compromised, he worked tirelessly ministering to his parish, taking care of his family, and writing poems and hymns.

In 1844, Henry was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Over the next three years his physical condition deteriorated until finally on September 4, 1847, at the age of 54, he stood in the pulpit for the last time to deliver his farewell message. 

That same afternoon, after taking a walk on the beach, Henry retired to his room. He emerged about an hour later with a written copy of Abide With Me. He left soon after for a trip to Italy, to get away from the cold, damp coastal weather. While en route to his destination, he mailed a revised copy of Abide With Me to his wife. A few days later while resting in a hotel on the French Riviera, Henry went home to be with Jesus. A fellow clergyman who was with Henry during his final hours reported that Henry's last words were Peace! Joy!

                                                            

Abide With Me was put to music by William H. Monk (1823-1889), and made its debut at Henry's memorial service.

The hymn has since been popular within many Christian denominations. It was reported to have been a favorite of King George V, and of Mahatma Gandhi. It was sung at the weddings of King George VI and of Queen Elizabeth II. It is sung before kick off at every FA Cup Final and Rugby League, and at various annual celebrations in Austria, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. It has been recorded by various jazz and gospel music artists, and has been included in the soundtrack of no less than 10 movies and television shows, including Shane and Touched by an Angel.

As He often does, God took the sad ending of a life and made something lasting and beautiful

Written by: Connie Ruth Christiansen 

Abide With Me

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

change and decay in all around I see;

O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.

What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;

ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;

shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Emeli Sande's Version of Abide with Me

Luk 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luk 24:28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
Luk 24:29 But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.
Luk 24:30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Luk 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.