Vine Song (song)

 Confrontations come so often in life and oftentimes they leave us responding in a totally unloving way. We hear someone challenge us on something and we just can't seem to control ourselves. "Them's fighting words!" the refrain goes. We try to flatten the curve of the vicious barbs we let loose, but it's too late after the words are spoken. In James 3, The Bible talks about the vast destruction a small part of the body can bring- the poisonous tongue that sets forests ablaze. Yet the same mouth is praising God one minute and then cursing brothers and sisters the next! That should not be so. What's the cure? Stay in the Vine. He who abides in Jesus and He in them will bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. We have to stay in Christ and lean on Him for strength to have the victory in the battle over not only controlling our tongue but the rest of our bodies as well, so that everything we say and do is for His glory.

"Vine Song" (parody of "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 7/6/2020)
(James 3, John 15:1-17 [particularly verse 5], Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25, Philippians 4:13)

Like a small helm
On the ocean
Sending ships large
Into motion
Like with a single word
Of great things tongue's boasting
Just like (it) only takes one match
To set ablaze forest with poison

Wish all bad things I wouldn't say
Wrecking balls in life- 3 James
God will screen them out if I
Will adhere to His voice through Christ

(Chorus 1)
This is my Vine song
Make branch abide song
Through 15:5 John
Christ's power's turned on
Stay in Christ now 'cause He's strong
I'm weak; my Vine's strong
If He don't see fruit bear, it's to the fire-
(the) rest He leaves
'Cause it thrills God- shows Christ's disciples to be

Pruning buds- God is shaping me
I'm abiding and He abides in me
John 15
Says I'm fruit-bearing (all through Jesus)
There's nothing I do; Jesus my Lord
Does the entire working- I'm anchored
He's in me
Yeah, I'm in Jesus
And all good things I'll get in faith
Seventh verse- abide and pray
In all things, God's glorified
He will steer word choice this time

(Repeat Chorus 1)

And God through Christ strengthens me!
Christ has calmed boats
And His bros, son
When He bid waves,
wind- "Cease motion"
Right now my sinful words
Just break His heart- so then
My might's always badly outmatched
But Christ can make right words flow then

(Chorus 2)
This is Christ's fight, son
Make branch abide, God
Through 15:5 John
Christ's power's turned on
Stay in Christ now 'cause He's strong
I'm weak; my Vine's strong
If He don't see fruit bear, it's to the fire-
(the) rest He leaves
'Cause it thrills God- shows Christ's disciples to be

4:13 Phil.- Go through all when Christ strengthens me.

A Call for Endurance

"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what The Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death." (Revelation 2:10-11)

"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in The Lord from now on.' 'Blessed indeed,' says The Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!' " (Revelation 14:12-13)

Let us keep praying for the Iraqi saints and followers of Christ all over the world who are facing such tribulation and persecution that they would be faithful to Jesus no matter what and that they would keep loving their enemies, praying for them, speaking The Truth in Love, and faithfully obeying Jesus. And may we all heed the call to be faithful to Jesus and endure no matter what may come. The temporal life and its pains are temporary, but the celestial life and its joys are eternal. And let's keep praying for those who are so opposed to Jesus who need to know that He loves them too and only wants them to repent, trust Him and live.

The Scriptures here and the situation going on with the persecuted church around the world made me think of a very spiritually true and sound line from "The Dark Knight"- "What would you have me do?"- Bruce Wayne/Batman.... "Endure."- Alfred Pennyworth...... It's just as Jesus said in Matthew 24:13-14, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." ..... So, as Matthew 24:44-46 tell us, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over the household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes."   Note that the passage clearly tells us that the Son of Man is coming at a time we don't expect-therefore, we must be ready. Ready-not standing around speculating on His return or just bemoaning the state of the world and wringing our hands. We also can't be disinterested bystanders sitting back comfortable in our faith and waiting for our sweet chariot to swing low and take us home. We should be a faithful and wise servant of The Master-we have been set over His household as members of the body of Christ and we are to work together to care for His body and give food to His household at the proper time. This of course includes all of His domain-the whole earth and universe. Speak The Gospel Truth-the Words of Life to edify the church and to throw out the lifeline to resuce the perishing. We must be faithful in obeying Jesus and sharing His love with others that they might come to salvation too. And until Christ does come, we must be the face of His Love on the earth and His agents of change to help keep the peace and show grace and mercy and love to a lost and cold, uncaring world. Keep looking up, for our redemption draweth nigh-in His time, which may or may not be in our lifetime (we don't know and don't need to know and don't need to worry about trying to know)- and keep enduring and being faithful. And don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Be faithful with what God has given you today.

Proverbs Woman (song)

I am always ready to talk about Hell and Heaven and how to avoid the former and gain entry into the latter (it's all through faith in Jesus' death and Resurrection- trust and follow Him!)- but today I wanted to do something different and special to honor mothers on Mother's Day! I am so thankful to God for the wonderful mother He blessed me with and I think she fits well the qualifications of Proverbs 31. I'm sure King Lemuel's mom was an inspiration to him when God inspired him to write down the words of that chapter. There are many descriptions of an excellent wife in this chapter- hardworking, takes care of her family, provides food for them, strong, wise, dignified and above all, she fears The Lord. Such a woman is to be praised. And praise The Lord for giving us mothers who do all these things for us and so much more. Happy Mother's Day!

"Proverbs Woman"
(parody of "I Am Woman" by Helen Reddy; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 5/10/2015)
(Proverbs 31:10-31)

Verse 1

Proverbs Woman- 31
Verse numbers 10 through 31
And I know jewels are worth far less- verse 10
A woman who fears The Lord
She'll get praised (and) crowned as her reward
Go and let her husband praise her as do their kids

Chorus
Oh, yes, she is wise
And with wisdom opens to say
Teaches how to be kind
And look how much she gains
And she has food 'cause she is hardworking
She is strong (strong)
And she wears dignity (wears dignity)
Proverbs Woman

Verse 2

Makes linen outfits for Ebay
Clothes her family, serves and takes care
She determines, buys a field and plants and sows
And her arms, she makes them stronger
No idleness ever found in her
While we're sleeping, she is fixing food for household

(Repeat Chorus)

Verse 3

Many women do well, ya'll
But she's standing above all
And she spreads her loving arms out to the poor
She looks well to her household
And she laughs, no fear of snow
I feel God made my mother in her form

(Repeat Chorus)

Oh, Proverbs Woman
Yes, she wears dignity
She is strong
Proverbs Woman
Yes, she is God's blessing
She is strong
Proverbs Woman
............................................................

Endure A Little While Longer

(NOTE: Another entry from the archives, as I mentioned in the last post. I hope to have some new writings on various topics coming soon. :-) I hope this blesses and encourages you.)

(Revelation 2:3, Mark 13:13, 2 Timothy 2:12)

I just ran out into the cold winter weather to get the rest of my things in from the car with no jacket on. Of course, I've done brief sprints into the cold with shorts, T-shirt and sandals before. I was just thinking how it's funny that I'm willing to do silly and even foolhardy things at times when I know whatever discomfort I feel won't be long and I know the end result is worth it. It's harder... to remember that sometimes in the spiritual life, but the comparison is still true. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to serve The Lord with gladness and endure hardships as good soldiers of The Lord Jesus Christ. And though the trials seems long and arduous and even unbearable or impossible at times, we know that it won't be that long overall and the end result (the strengthening of our faith, as James 1 talks about) will be worth it. Of course, we also have the promise of the ultimate destination at the end- as Philippians 1:6 says (along with numerous others), God will present us perfect in Christ Jesus one day in Heaven! The One who is coming will come and will not delay- He will come in just a very little while. (Now whether that little while is a matter of minutes or a matter of millennia, we don't know and can't say- but regardless of whether The Lord returns in our lifetime or not)- the righteous one will live by faith. And God's not pleased with us if we shrink back- since that leads to destruction- but we're not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved! Hallelujah and Maranatha! Our light and momentary struggles are not worth comparing with the Glory that will be revealed in us. (Christ in us! And of course, He is the Hope of Glory! And The King of Glory! The One alone worthy of all glory, honor and praise! Praise The Lord!) So while the world might call us silly, stupid and foolhardy- we will gladly bear the title of fools for Christ because the foolishness of the cross is the power of salvation for us who believe and the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom! And through it all, Jesus is right there with us every step of the narrow way and never leaves us! And The Holy Spirit lives in us, guiding and teaching us. God Himself is going to get us home to God! In a little while we'll be with The Father forever... Until then, we must journey on on this unexpected journey to another land beyond what any eye has seen or ear has heard or mind has conceived of goodness God has for us. So don't be discouraged or afraid- be of good cheer, for Christ has overcome the world! Let's keep striving to be awkwardly uncomfortable for Christ a little while longer- the winter will end soon and Christmas will come... Keep walking by faith and not by sight and trust the untame but good Lion of Judah. He will get this fellowship home safely. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, and run the race for the prize!

This passage that I love from "At the Back of the North Wind" by George MacDonald beautifully demonstrates the point I'm trying to get across here. If you haven't read this awesome book from the guy who C.S. Lewis called "his master"- check it out! It's in the public domain, so you can read it for free here! :-)


'He trembled so at the thunder, that his knees failed him, and he sunk down at North Wind’s feet, and clasped her round the column of her ankle. She instantly stooped, lifted him from the roof — up — up into her bosom, and held him there, saying, as if to an inconsolable child —
“Diamond, dear, this will never do.”
“Oh yes, it will,” answered Diamond. “I am all right now — quite comfortable, I assure you, dear North Wind. If you will only let me stay here, I shall be all right indeed.”
“But you will feel the wind here, Diamond.”
“I don’t mind that a bit, so long as I feel your arms through it,” answered Diamond, nestling closer to her grand bosom.
“Brave boy!” returned North Wind, pressing him closer.
“No,” said Diamond, “I don’t see that. It’s not courage at all, so long as I feel you there.”
“But hadn’t you better get into my hair? Then you would not feel the wind; you will here.”
“Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don’t know how nice it is to feel your arms about me. It is a thousand times better to have them and the wind together, than to have only your hair and the back of your neck and no wind at all.”
“But it is surely more comfortable there?”
“Well, perhaps; but I begin to think there are better things than being comfortable.” '