STILL LIFE

Like a small child I ask God, Why must I be still?  His answer came back so quickly I froze, suddenly aware of my own sin.  How often have you heard a parent tell a child to be still? Be still and let me wipe your face, clean a cut, tie a shoelace, or in the case of an infant change that diaper. I don't think God's responsibility as our Father is much different than that.  We must be still and know His plans for us are good; His purpose for us is love. We must be still and know God's heart; be still and let God cleanse us of the deadly sins that distance us from Him. This poem is an attempt to express how our Father holds us, breaks, molds an shapes us into the likeness of His Son.  Hope you will enjoy, Jeff

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ISAIAH 64:7
No one calls on your name
  or strives to lay hold of you;
  for you have hidden your face from us
and made us waste away because of our sins.

STILL LIFE

 
The canvas of a sinner's soul,
Forced into life on Earth unwhole;
Wrought by pain and suffering,
We must enter New Life born again.

We're clay on the Potter's wheel,
Spun by God's Sovereign hands;
Caught by love and compassion,
We follow the Way searching for peace.

Vibrant colors on the Artist's brush,
Held by His grace 'til we learn to be still;
Taught by holy faith through obedience,
We bend to the Truth of our Father's will.

The creation of an eternal saint,
Made by fire in the furnace of God;
Bought by His blood and persecution,
We surrender our lives at Jesus' Cross.

J.E.P. (July2007-Sept2018)

. . . O LORD, you are our Father.
    We are the clay, you are the potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.
                            ISAIAH 64:8
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"All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being" (John 1:3).

That's a pretty comprehensive statement. He did it all.

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on Earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rules or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16).

Step out of the traffic - take a long loving look at me your high God - above politics - and above everything.  PSALM 46:10 (The Message)

Isaiah writes of God, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee" (Isaiah 26:3).

(You will keep him in perfect peace because his mind trusts in You. IS 26:3)

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen"
(Romans 11:36).
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Be still and know that I am God.  PSALM 46:10

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY
by Charles R. Swindoll

 

By now in our Christian walk we hardly need the reminder that life is not a cloud-nine utopia. It is a terribly unrealistic view to think that Christ helps you live happily ever after; it's downright unbiblical!  Most of life is learning and growing, falling and getting back up, forgiving and forgetting, accepting and going on.

   We know the sovereign Potter is working with our clay as He pleases. I've watched a few potters at work. And it's a funny thing. I have seen them suddenly mash the clay down and start over again. Each time they do this, the clay comes out looking entirely different. And with gifted potters, they can start over and over -- and each time it's better and better.

   He is the Potter, we are the clay. He is the one who gives the commands; we are the ones who obey. He never has to explain Himself; He never has to ask permission. He is shaping us over into the image of His Son, regardless of the pain and heartache that may require. Those lessons are learned a little easier when we remember that we are not in charge, He is.
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Daniel Webster was asked, 

"What is the greatest thought that can occupy a man's mind?" 

He said, "His accountability to God."