Happenings

For the longest time, Cynth and I have been so aware that things just don't happen. For everything that occurs happens under God's plan and his watchful gaze. I think of this because the re-telling of my story, our story reminds me of God's abiding presence in our life. And sharing parts of that story, here on this site from time to time and in the presence of good friends always serves to remind me of just what God has wrought and what he continues to do in me, Cynth and our family.

It occurs to me that evidence of man's longing is shown everywhere. In one place particular, the desire for fulfillment is overtly demonstrated: music. We have used songs to convey the emptiness inside that can only be filled with love. Some songs show a longer for other things, and in many of the love songs, the notion of love has been corrupted. Yet music, along with so many other venues illustrate the deep, deep longing that exists in us all, that can only be filled by our Creator as King of our soul and Lord of our life, while we try everything we can imagine to satisfy that longing.

And when we try to fill our selves with anything other than God who alone can fill us to satisfaction we experience, among other things, discontent. We also enter a cycle of looking for and trying things to feel significant and satisfied. In a sense, it is what we do to feel worthy, to feel justified to ourselves, to others, to whatever we feel we need to be justified for.

This has been our condition throughout our life. Thankfully, and without any regard to the glory he had, God gave up Jesus to show us our deep rooted sin and provide the way to repent and find our fulfillment, satisfaction and justification in him alone. God continues to work in every single part of life. And despite my understanding this intellectually, it is quite another matter to live in that truth. But with the help of the Holy Spirit daily to guide and work in us his sanctification, we are transformed little by little in his image, the restoration of what was suppers to be.

Restoration is what is evident in the songs of our culture. Earlier today, I heard the 1982 song "What's Forever For" sung by Michael Martin Murphy. The chorus is key to the restoration that we all long for:

So what's the glory in living?
Doesn't anybody ever stay together anymore?
And if love never lasts forever, tell me what's Forever For?

Forever is to spent in the presence of our loving God, being what we were created to be from the beginning. And all we do is to respond to his call and agree with God that we are sinners deserving his wrath, but through his gracious gift of salvation, we have assurance of eternal life through the resurrection of Christ Jesus. We have all hope. So we can rest in him who loves us to the point of death in our place. The restoration is under way. And what a glorious journey, even through the valley, because he is with me, you, us every step of the way.

Now for a long weekend to rest up, enjoy some college football, maybe a date night with Cynth. Worship and the sacrament of communion on Sunday. We all live to worship, the important thing, ultimately, is the object of that worship. Is it you, a relationship, power, work, money? If it anything other than God, completely, give it to him and let him empty you of your idols so he can fill you with him, his son, and his spirit.

Scrumptious BBQ ribs, cheesy potato casserole and Caesar salad finished off with Red Devil cake. What a wonderful meal, by George!