Good Is Coming

I added a quote to my quote page the other day.  It goes like this:

"Yet I believe that good is coming to me--that good is always coming; though few have at all times the simplicity and the courage to believe it.  What we call evil, is the only and best shape, which, for the person and his condition at the time, could be assumed by the best good."  by Anodos in "Phantastes, a Faerie Romance for Men and Women" by George MacDonald.

I don't know about you, but I have to read that over a few times. The story is a fantasy adventure that takes Anodos through Fairy Land where his experiences challenge everything he had ever known as reality.  Along the way he grows and becomes a very different person by walking through the hardships and joys of this path.  Very often he was in despair and gave up hope of surviving, but in the end he can say that "good is always coming".

I also just finished the new book by Philip Yancey, "The Question That Never Goes Away".  It revisits the question he addressed decades ago, "Where Is God When It Hurts?"  He gives no pat, safe answers to the dilemma of suffering, but he does assure us of God's presence in the midst of it all.  He is the God who understands suffering and pain.  As God the Father, He lost a Son.  As Jesus, He laid down His life in incredible suffering and injustice.  He truly knows and stands with us in the midst of any and all pain.

And, yes, good is always coming.  Eternity holds more than we can ever dream, and all of this life with every pain and trial will be redeemed for good fully and forever.  Rejoice and be blessed!!

Bike Ride

Yesterday (Saturday) we went for a motorcycle ride with Jim and Janet Myler.  It was supposed to be a really hot day, but we met in Portsmouth at 1:00 and it was cloudy and about 81.  We rode north to Dow City, got sprinkled on, went on to Pisgah, still cloudy.  The temp actually dropped a little through the afternoon and was never over 81 again.  It was a GORGEOUS day to ride, and there was almost no traffic anywhere.

We went to Preparation Canyon and saw the great view.  We had not been there for maybe 12 years or more.  Here's my honey peeking over a sheer drop.

We made our way down to Beebeetown and ate supper at the Twisted Tail...excellent food!  All in all a great day with great friends!

LAY IT DOWN

What is it within me that always seeks its own?  The ego, the sin nature, the "I"?

Even though my heart and intent is to seek God, it is almost never that pure.

There is this other layer of what's in it for me.  I hate that.

I want You, Holy Spirit, to get rid of it, overcome it, kill it.

Wait, I have to kill it, don't I?  This can be only my choice.

That's harder.

That involves my will, making a choice, making a choice every moment

of every day to die to myself.  Help me!

That is exactly what I am here to do.  No, better than that.  Instead of helping you I am here to replace you.  You lay aside yourself and I take over.  Instead of struggling to conquer self, just lay it aside.  It may still be screaming in protest and full of its own agenda, but lay it down.  There is no need to be stronger.  You need to be weak, too weak to hold on to your own way.  Lay it down and let My life and peace invade your heart, ease your mind, soothe and heal your hurts.

This will be a constant, active surrender.  There is no autopilot setting.  When you identify that whisper of self-seeking within, you will have to make a deliberate choice to walk away from it. 

That whisper is always within the realm of possibility on this side of eternity.  You live in a fallen world and are not yet fully redeemed like you will be when I bring you home.  You do not, however, need to live at the mercy of that whisper that becomes louder and more insistent.  When you listen to the whisper it gains strength and power until you no longer remember how it feels to live in quiet obedience and surrender.  The sooner you lay it aside and send it packing, the easier it will be to live above the chaos and confusion that mixed motives create. 

There is no need for shame.  I remember your frailty and humanity, but because of the blood of My Son, I see you clothed in His righteousness and covered with His glory.  His sacrifice and resurrection has carried away all that was held to your account by nailing it to His cross.  You stand before Me free and whole, a vessel for My life and glory.  Lay aside all that does not come into agreement with Me and My truth.  I, alone, am worthy of defining your value.

Romans 5:8-9; Ephesians 4:20-32; Colossians 3:1-17; Colossians 2:13-14;

Jude v.24-25