Stay Close to the Light

Stay close to the Light,

And follow His lead,

Because in the night,

His guidance we need

Stay close to the Light,

When questions arise,

The way, truth, the right,

May come as surprise

Stay close to the Light,

-Our Savior and Friend-

Or wander we might,

In tide or in trend

Stay close to the Light,

For safe is His way,

His lamp, it is bright,

While near it we stay

Stay close to the Light,

Yet, faith must still grow

In trusting His sight

For what we don't know

Stay close, my dear friend, to the Light!

Simple Song - Unfathomable God// pt. 6 Story in the Sky

There is little before the eye that shrinks humanity into as much insignificance as does the sky. Space has been explored, yes, by humans. But the start or end of it’s span? How can something comprehend something that is bigger than itself?

The star of the earth, whose “going forth is from the end of heaven” (Psalm 19:6), is not a grapefruit sized burning ball. Its radius is 109 X the earth. The galaxy in which earth orbits, the Milky Way, is home to at least 100 billion stars. That’s speaking conservatively. The number could in fact be as large as 400 billion. One of our neighbors, the Andromeda galaxy is estimated to contain 1 trillion stars. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handywork. Psalm 19:1. 

Statistically, earth is non-existent in this eternality of space. Humanity? Well, we are nothingness: a tiny dot, on a tiny planet, that is not even there mathematically. 

But, the God who is bigger than space, who knows it’s span and can count it’s stars, He is Immanuel—God with us. From the greatest knowledge, to the smallest iota, we are known by Him whose heart is infinite love. Far beyond the end of space, from everlasting to everlasting, the love of God continues in richest glory. Into the deepest and darkest of places, smaller than the smallest of numbers, He has sent His love. Such is His heart toward you. 

Some of us learn best by grasping, touching, manipulating. Let me tell you, space cannot be grasped, but the heart of God is broader still. Of course, there are also those that learn by seeing, but prey tell: how do you see the start of something beyond the power of human eyes to pierce? Telescopes only get you so far. Lastly, there is the auditory group who find listening and speaking to be the best route to comprehension. At first, they would seem to have to the greatest chance at apprehending the sky, and the sum of God’s love. Unfortunately however, language is silenced to what knowledge has not attained. Eternity would cease before the love of God would end.

This is the story in the sky. 

My God is so great, so strong, and so mighty,

There’s nothing my God cannot do.

My God is so great, so strong, and so mighty,

There’s nothing my God cannot do.

The mountains are His, the valleys are His… 

                        …the skies are His handywork too.

My God is so great, so strong, and so mighty,

There’s nothing my God cannot do… 

For you!

Simple Song - Unfathomable God

      There are certain childhood lyrics that ought to stay in childhood, or perhaps never make their mark at all. But there are those words that still come to mind, after however many moons, richer with meaning, fuller of thought. 

My God... Stop.

      Whose God? Not Paul’s God. Not Peter’s God. Not the God of the faithful Daniel, the immoveable Joseph, the meekest man Moses. Little, timid, me. My.God. 

...Is so great. Stop again. 

      Is what? Understatement if I ever heard one. He who placed the sun where it would keep the earth from turning to ice, yet not burn it to a barren waste; the One who directs atoms, yet space cannot contain, language cannot describe, and time cannot limit; He to whom mountains are small, and oceans as dry land to walk upon, He is great. Exactly. 

      The Same, took the form of humanity, lived upon this spec of matter called earth, bought us from darkness by His own Light, and bridged the chasm between nothing and everything. Yes, that One. 

Words so simple, so small, but so utterly broad.

My God is so great…

Simple song. 

Unfathomable God. 

The Son-beams Perspective

Perspective: that powerful placer of situations and stressors. These spectacles are neither rose-tinted, nor mal-adjusted. They simply put life in it's proper sphere. 

As wonderful as it may be, perspective does not change the object of attention. It expands the picture frame. Cloudy disturbances may float their way across life's screen no matter how big a frame you hammer out. 

Therefore, look higher. 

      There are still Son-beams in the sky. :)

There's one cloud in the sky-
A little one at that,
And yet it draws the eye
As if a flying cat.

How often what we see
Is where we choose to turn.
Our view may be cloud free
If only this we learn.

So turn toward the light
And catch those golden gleams.
For clouds are even bright
When glowing with sunbeams :)

Consider It Joy

Long centuries ago, a scripture was penned,

Enlightening the Christian's night
A precept to show, and blessing defend,
It still gives to Christian's their sight
This word in the flame, when taken to heart,
Will comfort, bring hope, and uplift
In floods, just the same, a gift t'will impart,
To buoy those who feel they're adrift

So what is this word, this most precious thought,
That cheers those who heed it's advice?
That tests those who've heard, entreating for naught,
The ones who make gloom to suffice?
Oh, "Count it all joy", is Heaven's high word,
To all who face trial and test
When troubles annoy, and grief seems assured,
This note rings above all the rest

Consider it joy, and count it the same,
When troubles and trials surround
When fear would destroy, all peace in the flame,
Faith holds, and so joy can abound
This joy will not come, apart divine grace,
- It's song is a gift from above -
But will overcome, in trial's dark face,
Through faith in God's mercy and love!

True Holiness

True holiness

Is not a bliss
That raptures us away
It's not a life 
Devoid of strife
'Til heaven's perfect day

True holiness

Is eagerness
To do the Father's will
It sees a need
Performs a deed
God's purpose to fulfill

True holiness
Is trustfulness
When in the dark we are
It sees the light
Both day and night
By faith it sees afar

True holiness
Is truly this
A heart devoid of self
It is the soul
To God the whole
Surrendered to Himself

True holiness
Of this consists
Of resting in God's love
Of trusting when
We fall and sin
That still, God saves above

True holiness
God's holiness
A working out of grace
In us to be
Eternally
The beauty of God's face 

A Contrast of Shadows

      Shadow A: What could be as welcome on a blazing summer day than a cool spot of shade? Work is more pleasant when the heat is moderated by a shadow. As Job says, “A servant earnestly desireth the shadow.” Job 2:7 The sunlit colors of summer seem brighter when contrasted with the outline of a cloud. Under a large deciduous shade tree, the air feels more invigorating and refreshing. Shadows from its’ leaves make the sunlight dance across the lawn. Even a dog will find itself a shady cove from which to watch the world.

      Shadow B: Dreary, long, shadows make their way closer to the already shaded forrest. The world has the appearance of gray, lacking in...sunbeams. It is bereft of the definition that the bright sunlight makes with, yes, the shadows. As evening draws nearer, there isn’t even a reflection from the sun. For the moon and starry host are hidden above a clouded sky. The earth really lacks definition now. These shadows stand in stark contrast to the shadows on a summer day. Even “...the light is darkness.” Job 10:22

      With God, who is “our light and salvation,” shadows have a very different effect than when we dwell in darkness. Shadows in the sunlight create definition that is beautiful to behold. Shadows in the darkness? Is it any wonder that the Psalmist says, “..the valley of the shadow of death”? But with God, life is different. “If I say, Surely the darkness” of some deep trial “shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me” for God is with me. “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” – Ps 139:11-12

      God’s promise is, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” – Isaiah 42:16. He will make darkness light. Even the night is something bright because of Christ’s presence. The shadow of God is a place of comfort to His children, a place of safety. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1 God’s shadows are bright, brighter than the brightest light without the sun.

      Shadows will surely come. They are a part of life on this earth. In the natural world, the contrast that shadows give often can create something beautiful that would not be if it weren’t for the shadows. In the spiritual world, shadows can have a beautifying effect on our characters. Shadows aren’t always beautiful however, even on a sunny, summer day. They have no doubt ruined many a photographers’ efforts. How do we respond to the shadows in our lives? Do they beautify us because we are in the presence of Jesus? Or do they embitter us, ruining the portrait of Christ’s character? Do we share the sunbeams of the Savior’s presence with those with whom we associate? Or do we cast shadows on the pathway of others? Let us be sunbeams in the shadows, for the contrast is beautiful. 

In Christ

      Whatever environment we are in, it is changed in Christ. Wherever we happen to dwell, whatever we pass through on our journey to the Heavenly Canaan, it is refashioned by the riches of the grace of Christ.

      That which is terrifying becomes a peaceful habitation. That which is wearying to body and soul, becomes a place of rest—in Christ. A windy place becomes a sheltered spot of safety and joy. A tempestuous situation no longer is—in Christ. Christ becomes to us all things when we are in Him. He is our rest. He is our peace.

      Isaiah 32:1 says, "...a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." 

In Christ is joy and peace for life,
His service knows not gloom
Although this world is clothed in strife,
Its dread is not our doom

In Christ is joy and peace today,
Why seek a "better time?"
We have no reason to delay,

And wallow in sin's slime

In Christ is joy and peace for me,
His grace- it reaches far
Beyond all that my eye can see,
Christ shines, the brightest star