The Lily of the Valley
Song of Solomon 2:1; 5:10; Psalm 45:2
I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll. (Hallelujah!)
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal. (Hallelujah!
He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessèd will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessèd face,
Where the rivers of delight shall ever roll. (Hallelujah!)
Charles W. Fry, 1881.
First appeared in the Salvation Army’s "The War Cry", December 29, 1881. Fry wrote the lyrics in Lincoln, England, while working with the Salvation Army there.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Thursday, July 21, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
And Can It Be
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Words: Charles Wesley, Psalms and Hymns, 1738.
Music: Sagina, Thomas Campbell, 1825
I enjoy the descant in the refrain and I always give it my best!
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Words: Charles Wesley, Psalms and Hymns, 1738.
Music: Sagina, Thomas Campbell, 1825
I enjoy the descant in the refrain and I always give it my best!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
In which I go to Ohio
This past weekend we went to Ohio to see my daughter and her family, and to watch my grandsons play some baseball. It was a nice weekend!
Thursday evening I drove down to Columbia to meet my son-in-law and bring my 6 year old granddaughter back so she could accompany us on this trip. Riding with her is always fun!
Friday morning we got up early and set off on our journey north. What a hard trip!
The traffic was terrible all day, including a stopped-still traffic jam in Charlottesville, WV. It took over an hour to get through Charlottesville. Weary and worn we finally arrived in Springboro (Ohio). What a joyous reunion we had! Then we sat down and enjoyed a supper of homemade pizza. Then it was off to bed because we had a long day of baseball on Saturday.
Saturday morning dawned and I was up early, so I took a walk and explored the area around the hotel. Then it was off for a day of baseball! Ryan is 11 and Chase is 9 and the baseball is fun to watch. However, Saturday was not a great day – the team didn’t play well and lost both games. We got back to the house, had tacos, then Aimee and I took a walk
Sunday morning Mary took grandchildren to church and I went to watch another game. This was a great game and well played. Sadly, they lost in the bottom of the 9th (games are normally 6 innings), but it was exciting!
Sunday afternoon we spent lounging in the front yard, thoroughly enjoying an Ohio summer afternoon. After supper at EO Burgers we parted to prepare for an early start on Monday.
Monday didn’t dawn at all - it was raining. And raining hard. It rained buckets all through Ohio. So hard that visibility was maybe 20 feet and I drove with my flashers on most of the time. We finally escaped the rain and stopped in West Virginia for lunch, only to have the rain catch up and pour down more furiously! When the cloud exhausted itself we were off again. After driving all day we made it home.
Oh, I left something out. We had an additional passenger on the way home. My firstborn granddaughter, the lovely Aimee, came back with us for a couple of weeks. How exciting!!
This was a great trip and we had a wonderful time visiting the Meesters of Ohio!!!
Thursday evening I drove down to Columbia to meet my son-in-law and bring my 6 year old granddaughter back so she could accompany us on this trip. Riding with her is always fun!
Friday morning we got up early and set off on our journey north. What a hard trip!
The traffic was terrible all day, including a stopped-still traffic jam in Charlottesville, WV. It took over an hour to get through Charlottesville. Weary and worn we finally arrived in Springboro (Ohio). What a joyous reunion we had! Then we sat down and enjoyed a supper of homemade pizza. Then it was off to bed because we had a long day of baseball on Saturday.
 |
| a little creek we discovered |
Saturday morning dawned and I was up early, so I took a walk and explored the area around the hotel. Then it was off for a day of baseball! Ryan is 11 and Chase is 9 and the baseball is fun to watch. However, Saturday was not a great day – the team didn’t play well and lost both games. We got back to the house, had tacos, then Aimee and I took a walk
Sunday morning Mary took grandchildren to church and I went to watch another game. This was a great game and well played. Sadly, they lost in the bottom of the 9th (games are normally 6 innings), but it was exciting!
 |
| Ryan taking a swing. I love this shot - you can see the ball! |
Monday didn’t dawn at all - it was raining. And raining hard. It rained buckets all through Ohio. So hard that visibility was maybe 20 feet and I drove with my flashers on most of the time. We finally escaped the rain and stopped in West Virginia for lunch, only to have the rain catch up and pour down more furiously! When the cloud exhausted itself we were off again. After driving all day we made it home.
Oh, I left something out. We had an additional passenger on the way home. My firstborn granddaughter, the lovely Aimee, came back with us for a couple of weeks. How exciting!!
 |
| this is Aimee giving her fierce look |
 |
| Aimee is a writer and this is her, uh, writing |
Thursday, July 14, 2016
The Lion of Judah
I used to sing this song in my devotions, but never felt comfortable introducing it to the church. Then one day my worship leader, Tim Childers, introduced it to the church, singing it to a tune he had written.
’Twas Jesus, my Saviour, who died on the tree,
To open a fountain for sinners like me;
His blood is that fountain which pardon bestows,
And cleanses the foulest wherever it flows.
For the lion of Judah shall break every chain,
And give us the vict’ry, again and again.
And when I was willing with all things to part,
He gave me His blessing, His love in my heart;
So now I am joined with the conquering band
Who are marching to glory at Jesus’ command.
Tho’ round me the storms of adversity roll,
And the waves of destruction encompass my soul;
In vain this frail vessel the tempest shall toss—
My hope is secure through the blood of the cross.
And when with the ransomed, by Jesus, my Head,
From fountain to fountain I then shall be led;
I’ll fall at His feet and His mercy adore,
And sing Hallelujah to God evermore.
Anonymous, from Sacred Songs and Solos
(Sacred Songs and Solos: Twelve Hundred Hymns Compiled Under the Direction of Ira D. Sankey)
other sources say it was written by Henry Q. Wilson
also known as Fountain of Mercy, Chains Broken, ’Twas Jesus My Savior
other verses that have occasionally been added
And when the last trumpet of judgment shall sound
And wake all the nations that sleep in the ground
Then, when heaven and earth shall be melting away
I’ll sing of the blood of the cross on that day
Come, sinners to Jesus, no longer delay
A full, free salvation he offers today
Arouse your dark spirits, awake from your dream
And Christ will support you in coming to Him
I used to sing this song in my devotions, but never felt comfortable introducing it to the church. Then one day my worship leader, Tim Childers, introduced it to the church, singing it to a tune he had written.
’Twas Jesus, my Saviour, who died on the tree,
To open a fountain for sinners like me;
His blood is that fountain which pardon bestows,
And cleanses the foulest wherever it flows.
For the lion of Judah shall break every chain,
And give us the vict’ry, again and again.
And when I was willing with all things to part,
He gave me His blessing, His love in my heart;
So now I am joined with the conquering band
Who are marching to glory at Jesus’ command.
Tho’ round me the storms of adversity roll,
And the waves of destruction encompass my soul;
In vain this frail vessel the tempest shall toss—
My hope is secure through the blood of the cross.
And when with the ransomed, by Jesus, my Head,
From fountain to fountain I then shall be led;
I’ll fall at His feet and His mercy adore,
And sing Hallelujah to God evermore.
Anonymous, from Sacred Songs and Solos
(Sacred Songs and Solos: Twelve Hundred Hymns Compiled Under the Direction of Ira D. Sankey)
other sources say it was written by Henry Q. Wilson
also known as Fountain of Mercy, Chains Broken, ’Twas Jesus My Savior
other verses that have occasionally been added
And when the last trumpet of judgment shall sound
And wake all the nations that sleep in the ground
Then, when heaven and earth shall be melting away
I’ll sing of the blood of the cross on that day
Come, sinners to Jesus, no longer delay
A full, free salvation he offers today
Arouse your dark spirits, awake from your dream
And Christ will support you in coming to Him
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
What a good word!
This is an excerpt from Chrysostom’s homily on Acts 11:19-30. After explaining each verse he dwelt on the statement, Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea. You do not hear such an emphasis on alms today. I am ashamed to admit I did not grasp this when I was pastoring. This is such a good word; direct and practical!
But alms may be done not only by money, but by acts. For example: one may kindly stand by a person to succor and defend him, one may reach to him a helping hand: the service rendered by acts has often done more good even than money. Let us set to work all the different kinds of almsgiving. Can you do alms by money? Be not slack. Can you by good offices? Say not, Because I have no money, this is nothing. This is a very great point: look upon it as if you had given gold. Can you do it by kind attentions? Do this also. For instance, if you are a physician, give your skill: for this also is a great matter. Can you by counsel? This is much greater than all: this is better than all. For in so doing you put away not starvation, but a grievous death. With such alms the Apostles above measure abounded, exhibiting the (mercy) shown by words. Or is it, think you, a small alms, to a lost, castaway soul, a soul in uttermost jeopardy, possessed by a burning fever, to be able to rid it of its disease? For example, do you see one possessed by love of money? Pity the man. Is he in danger of suffocation? Quench his fire. “What if he will not be persuaded?” Do your part, and be not remiss. Have you seen him in bonds?—for wealth is indeed bonds. Go to him, visit him, console him, try to release him of his bonds. If he refuse, he shall bear the blame himself. Have you seen him naked, and a stranger?—for he is indeed naked, and a stranger to heaven. Bring him to your own inn, clothe him with the garment of virtue, give him the city which is in heaven. What numbers of women now wear silken apparel but are indeed naked of the garments of virtue! Let their husbands clothe these women. “But they will not admit those garments [virtue]; they choose to have these [apparel].” Then do this also first: induce them to have a longing for those garments: show them that they are naked: speak to them of judgment to come: answer me, what is the clothing we shall need there? If then I shall prove to you that your rich men, and rich women, the more they put on, the more naked they are, do not take it amiss.
Now indeed, after all that we can say, the nakedness is not yet apparent: but it will be plain enough there. How, and in what way? When these silken garments and precious stones shall have perished, and it shall be only by the garments of virtue and of vice that all men are shown, when the poor shall be clad with exceeding glory, but the rich, naked and in disgraceful sort, shall be hauled away to their punishments. What more naked than that rich man who arrayed himself in purple? What poorer than Lazarus? Then which of them uttered the words of beggars? which of them was in abundance? Say, if one should deck his house with abundance of tapestry hangings, and himself sit naked within, what were the benefit? So it is in the case of these women. Truly, the house of the soul, the body I mean, they hang round with plenty of garments: but the mistress of the house sits naked within. Lend me the eyes of the soul, and I will show you the soul’s nakedness. For what is the garment of the soul? Virtue, of course. And what its nakedness? Vice. For just as, if one were to strip any decent person, that person would be ashamed, and would shrink and cower out of sight; just so the soul, if we wish to see it, the soul which has not these garments, blushes for shame. What is the gain of your costly garments? how long shall we continue agape for this attire? Let us put on the glory of Christ: let us array ourselves with that beauty, that both here we may be praised, and there attain unto the eternal good things, by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom, to the Father and the Holy Ghost together, be glory, dominion, honor, now and ever, world without end. Amen.
John Chrysostom c. 349 – 407, Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his preaching, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Chrysostom means "golden-mouthed" in Greek and denotes his celebrated eloquence.
But alms may be done not only by money, but by acts. For example: one may kindly stand by a person to succor and defend him, one may reach to him a helping hand: the service rendered by acts has often done more good even than money. Let us set to work all the different kinds of almsgiving. Can you do alms by money? Be not slack. Can you by good offices? Say not, Because I have no money, this is nothing. This is a very great point: look upon it as if you had given gold. Can you do it by kind attentions? Do this also. For instance, if you are a physician, give your skill: for this also is a great matter. Can you by counsel? This is much greater than all: this is better than all. For in so doing you put away not starvation, but a grievous death. With such alms the Apostles above measure abounded, exhibiting the (mercy) shown by words. Or is it, think you, a small alms, to a lost, castaway soul, a soul in uttermost jeopardy, possessed by a burning fever, to be able to rid it of its disease? For example, do you see one possessed by love of money? Pity the man. Is he in danger of suffocation? Quench his fire. “What if he will not be persuaded?” Do your part, and be not remiss. Have you seen him in bonds?—for wealth is indeed bonds. Go to him, visit him, console him, try to release him of his bonds. If he refuse, he shall bear the blame himself. Have you seen him naked, and a stranger?—for he is indeed naked, and a stranger to heaven. Bring him to your own inn, clothe him with the garment of virtue, give him the city which is in heaven. What numbers of women now wear silken apparel but are indeed naked of the garments of virtue! Let their husbands clothe these women. “But they will not admit those garments [virtue]; they choose to have these [apparel].” Then do this also first: induce them to have a longing for those garments: show them that they are naked: speak to them of judgment to come: answer me, what is the clothing we shall need there? If then I shall prove to you that your rich men, and rich women, the more they put on, the more naked they are, do not take it amiss.
Now indeed, after all that we can say, the nakedness is not yet apparent: but it will be plain enough there. How, and in what way? When these silken garments and precious stones shall have perished, and it shall be only by the garments of virtue and of vice that all men are shown, when the poor shall be clad with exceeding glory, but the rich, naked and in disgraceful sort, shall be hauled away to their punishments. What more naked than that rich man who arrayed himself in purple? What poorer than Lazarus? Then which of them uttered the words of beggars? which of them was in abundance? Say, if one should deck his house with abundance of tapestry hangings, and himself sit naked within, what were the benefit? So it is in the case of these women. Truly, the house of the soul, the body I mean, they hang round with plenty of garments: but the mistress of the house sits naked within. Lend me the eyes of the soul, and I will show you the soul’s nakedness. For what is the garment of the soul? Virtue, of course. And what its nakedness? Vice. For just as, if one were to strip any decent person, that person would be ashamed, and would shrink and cower out of sight; just so the soul, if we wish to see it, the soul which has not these garments, blushes for shame. What is the gain of your costly garments? how long shall we continue agape for this attire? Let us put on the glory of Christ: let us array ourselves with that beauty, that both here we may be praised, and there attain unto the eternal good things, by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom, to the Father and the Holy Ghost together, be glory, dominion, honor, now and ever, world without end. Amen.
John Chrysostom c. 349 – 407, Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his preaching, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Chrysostom means "golden-mouthed" in Greek and denotes his celebrated eloquence.
I was disappointed
What in the world could’ve happened that would cause me such distress? The pastor is teaching through the book of Acts (I had checked out their website) and Sunday we were to look at 11:19-30. I was looking forward to it. He read the passage, then explained that we could look at several parts but, “We aren’t.” Finally, he announced we would focus on “And the hand of the Lord was with them” and off we went, exploring how we can all have the hand of the Lord with us.
What’s wrong with that? Why would this distress me? First, he promised a feast, only to give us a convenience store hot dog. Second, this portion is an important one in the progress of the gospel – the gospel jumps a big fence and Paul begins to rise to prominence - and he jumped over it like it was a mud puddle. Third, the passage itself contains plenty of nuggets (And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch or Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea), there was no need to go running off like that. After I got home and thought about this, I read Chrysostom’s homily on the same passage – I needed some edifying!
Now, this wasn’t merely a matter of disagreeing with his interpretation. I know that happens from time to time. Even though I can’t imagine why, I’m sure people occasionally disagreed with me! No, here was an important and rich passage and he passed on it!
This wasn’t the first time I’ve encountered this. When we were looking for a church a few years ago, I visited a church just around the corner from us. I looked at their web site and saw the pastor would be preaching from Romans 9-11 (it looked like he was preaching through Romans). These three chapters in one study? That’s a tall order, but I was intrigued. When the time for the sermon arrived, he said something like, “This is a difficult passage. I don’t think I can really contribute anything so...” and he took some fragment of a verse and spent the next 30-40 minutes telling us the importance of inviting people to church!!!
I know this kind of thing happens every Sunday in “liberal” churches. The disappointment and distress is because both these churches would say they believe and teach the Bible. In the most recent case he would say he did “preach the Word”, but he passed on his own announced text, and I’m not too sure about his handling of “and the hand of the Lord was with them” (but that's really a minor point). I hope and pray this sermon was an aberration, an anomaly; in other words, a departure from the norm.
As I was saying, I visited a church this past Sunday and was sore distressed.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
I guess they don’t do that anymore
I admit, it was uncomfortable - I was not really a “people person” and this felt forced. Besides, I told my self, they may tell me my sermon was good and I will start to believe it. Yeah, whatever! But I did it anyway. I was so uncomfortable with this that I prayed about it. Prayed? It would be more accurate to say I complained to the Lord, “Lord, why do I have to do this?” I believe the Lord ministered to me one day, “Just love on them.” Amen! I can do that!
And that’s what I did, I just loved on the people I pastored. Meanwhile, God was doing a deep work in me and I was a changed man. Before the service I would go through the auditorium greeting and speaking to every one, then after the service I would stand at the door and shake hands with everyone as they left, joke with the young people, and hug the children.
That’s what I did for the next twenty five years. Since leaving the pastorate, I have visited a lot of churches, and today I realized, none of those pastors stood at the door after the service. I don’t think the pastor of the church we attended these last four years did either. We recently attended a church three weeks in a row, the pastor never spoke to us. Well, one time I said something to him and he replied. But that’s it.
I don’t think they do that anymore. I’ve been to several churches and none of them do it, so this has to be intentional. I have noticed most of the churches do have a greeting system set up – someone posted at the front door to greet you and open it for you, and at the door leading into the auditorium, two people passing out the bulletin. Sometimes the bulletin passer-outers are at the front door. And in the foyer, folks with name tags that say “Greeter” greeting you. There has to be a school somewhere teaching this and everybody seems to attend. But, when church is over, there is no one at the door.
I want to be clear, I’m not criticizing or finding fault with anyone, I’m simply making an observation. But I did reach a conclusion – I was clearly old-school!
Thursday, July 7, 2016
A hymn for Thursday
Jesus Giveth Us the Victory
…thanks be to God… 1 Cor. 15:57
There’s a battle raging in the heavenly places
Sin and death and sickness with Satan leading on
With the hosts of earth and hell arrayed against us
How in all our weakness shall the fight be won?
Jesus giveth us the victory
He who overcame at Calvary
Overcomes again in you and me
Hallelujah! Jesus gives the victory!
Faith can hear our Captain calling from the heavens
“Courage, brother, I have overcome for you
Fear not, I am with you, I will never fail you
Trusting in My promise you shall conquer too.”
We are led by One who never lost a battle
And our adversary is a conquered foe
We are more than conquerors through our Captain’s triumph
Let us shout the victory as we onward go
Let us take the victory over Satan’s kingdom
Over sickness, sorrow, self and sin
Let us bear the banner o’er the lands of darkness
Till the foe’s last stronghold we for Christ shall win
words & music – A.B. Simpson 1843-1919
…thanks be to God… 1 Cor. 15:57
There’s a battle raging in the heavenly places
Sin and death and sickness with Satan leading on
With the hosts of earth and hell arrayed against us
How in all our weakness shall the fight be won?
Jesus giveth us the victory
He who overcame at Calvary
Overcomes again in you and me
Hallelujah! Jesus gives the victory!
Faith can hear our Captain calling from the heavens
“Courage, brother, I have overcome for you
Fear not, I am with you, I will never fail you
Trusting in My promise you shall conquer too.”
We are led by One who never lost a battle
And our adversary is a conquered foe
We are more than conquerors through our Captain’s triumph
Let us shout the victory as we onward go
Let us take the victory over Satan’s kingdom
Over sickness, sorrow, self and sin
Let us bear the banner o’er the lands of darkness
Till the foe’s last stronghold we for Christ shall win
words & music – A.B. Simpson 1843-1919
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
This plant is evil
When we moved into our house, we had a holly bush on the driveway side of the house. This bush was old and rather large. (There is also a whole row on the other side of the house, along the property line; must be 20 feet high.) I am not a fan of holly bushes. Their leaves are simply green thorns. And when they have been cut off and dried up they become dried up thorns. Truth be told, I hate holly bushes! So I decided to cut it down.
Imagine my surprise when, after a few years, I discovered shoots coming up in the very spot I had cut down and dug this thing up! I have to cut these sprouts down several times each year. This plant is evil.
Whoa, that’s kind of harsh. Not for me. For me this plant is a figure of sin. Like sin, it has to be cut down and rooted out. And like sin, if you are not careful and thorough, new sprouts will keep shooting up. Just like the holly, sin gets its roots wrapped all around my heart, and when I cut the visible sprout, there is still some portion of root that after a while sends up another. Ah, can it be rooted out? And if it can, how? is this all my doing? is it all God’s doing?
I need to know and believe
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I need to pray
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
I must cleanse myself
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
But this is really the work of God in my heart, only He can dig out this root. And is this not what He promises to do?
Malachi 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
He takes a chunk of gold, all mixed and mingled with other rocks, and He purifies it. In the refining process, the rocks are heated until they melt, and the gold is separated from what defiles it. This is all a metaphor, of course, a figure. God doesn’t literally heat my heart to 1,947° F, but He promises to refine, purify, purge, and cleanse my heart, in other words, redeem me from all iniquity. I work on what I can: turn from sin, give it up, and take up God’s ways; God works in my heart to dig up that root. Does this all happen in a moment, or even a day? No. While there is that moment of decision, that moment of surrender, that moment of faith – which they used to call a crisis of faith – this is a process. We enter the promised land by crossing the Jordan, but then there’s war, a war that can only be won by the power of God. And here’s the good news: Israel won that war and I can win this one, through Jesus my redeemer!
raw gold
refined gold
pure gold
Friday, July 1, 2016
When I talk like this people roll their eyes
I am prone to anthropomorphize. In other words, I have a tendency to ascribe human attributes to things in nature. When I do this people around me usually roll their eyes, “There he goes again.” I recently met someone whose proclivity for anthropomorphism is greater than mine.
I say met. Actually, I just finished Expeditions into the Amazon Valley 1539, 1540, 1639. This is an amazing book, containing the Expedition of Gonzalo Pizarro 1539-42, The voyage of Francisco de Orellana 1540-41, New discovery of the Great River of the Amazons by Father Cristoval de Acuña 1639, and a List of the principal tribes of the Valley of the Amazons.
While the accounts of Pizarro and Orellana are interesting, they were not written by actual participants. But, Father Acuña had actually traveled the entire length of the Amazon and his report, written right after his voyage, is a very early eye-witness account. In his book he not only gives an account of the trip, he also describes the rivers they encountered. I love the portrait he paints:
It flows along, meandering in wide reaches ; and, as absolute lord of all the other rivers which run into it, sends out branches, which are like faithful vassals, with whose aid it goes forth, and, receiving from the smaller streams the lawful tribute of their waters, they become incorporated in the main channel. It is worthy of remark that according to the dignity of the guest, is the harbinger who is sent to receive him ; thus with ordinary arms it receives the more common rivers, increasing them for those of more importance ; and for some which are so great as almost to be able to put shoulder to shoulder, it comes forth in person with its whole current.
The first entrance which, on the side of the new kingdom of Granada, is known to lead to this immense sea of fresh water, is by the province of Micoa, which belongs to the Government of Popayan ; by following the current of the great river Caqueta, which is the lord and master of all the streams which flow from the side of Santa Fe de Bogota, Timana, and El Caguan, and which are famed, among the natives, for the vast provinces of infidels who live on their banks. This river has many branches flowing through wide districts, and, as it approaches to join the Amazons, it forms a great multitude of islands, all inhabited by many savages.
It flows, for a great distance, in the same direction as the Amazons, accompanying that river, though at some distance, and from time to time sending forth branches, which might well be the main streams of any other great river. Finally it collects all its force in 4° of latitude, and surrenders itself.
This river of Napo flows from its source, between great masses of rock, and is not navigable until it reaches the port where the citizens of Archidona have established the hamlet for their Indians. Here it becomes more humane, and less warlike, and consents to bear a few ordinary canoes on its shoulders, conveying provisions ; but, from this point, for four or five leagues, it does not forget its former fury, until it unites with the river Coca.
Eighty leagues from the Curaray, on the same side, the famous river Tumburagua empties itself; which, as I said before, descends from Maynas, with the name of Maranon. It makes itself respected by the river of Amazons, insomuch that with its united force it forms for itself a mouth of more than a league in breadth, by which it enters to kiss the hand of the greater river, paying it not only the ordinary tribute of its waters, but another very abundant one of many kinds of fish, which were not known in the Amazons, until it reaches the mouth of this river.
Not quite thirty good leagues below the Basururu, likewise on the north side, in 4° of latitude, there comes forth to meet the Amazons, the largest and most beautiful river [the Rio Negro] which, in the space of more than thirteen hundred leagues, does it homage. It appears that it comes to recognize another larger one, though it is so powerful that its mouth is a league and a half broad - and though the Amazons opens its arms with all its force, the new river does not wish to become subject to it, without receiving some marks of respect ; and it thus masters one half of the whole Amazons, accompanying it for more than twelve leagues, so that the waters of the two can be clearly distinguished from each other.
At last the Amazons, not permitting so much superiority, forces it to mingle with its own turbulent waves, and recognize for a master, the river which it desired to make a vassal.
Twenty leagues from the Island of the Sun, under the equinoctial line, spread out into eighty-four mouths, having the Zaparara on the south side, and the north cape opposite ; the largest sea of fresh water, that has been discovered, empties itself into the ocean ; the most powerful river in the whole world, the phoenix of rivers, the true Marañon so longed for and never attained by the people of Peru, the ancient Orellana, and to sum up all at once, the great river of the Amazons.
After having bathed with its waters a distance of thirteen hundred and fifty-six leagues of longitude, after sustaining on its banks an infinite number of barbarous tribes, after fertilizing vast territories, and after having passed through the centre of Peru, and, like a principal channel, collected the largest and richest of all its affluents, it renders its tribute to the ocean.
I don’t know if this was simply a literary device or if Father Acuña actually thought like this, but I do and I find his account fascinating.
I say met. Actually, I just finished Expeditions into the Amazon Valley 1539, 1540, 1639. This is an amazing book, containing the Expedition of Gonzalo Pizarro 1539-42, The voyage of Francisco de Orellana 1540-41, New discovery of the Great River of the Amazons by Father Cristoval de Acuña 1639, and a List of the principal tribes of the Valley of the Amazons.
While the accounts of Pizarro and Orellana are interesting, they were not written by actual participants. But, Father Acuña had actually traveled the entire length of the Amazon and his report, written right after his voyage, is a very early eye-witness account. In his book he not only gives an account of the trip, he also describes the rivers they encountered. I love the portrait he paints:
It flows along, meandering in wide reaches ; and, as absolute lord of all the other rivers which run into it, sends out branches, which are like faithful vassals, with whose aid it goes forth, and, receiving from the smaller streams the lawful tribute of their waters, they become incorporated in the main channel. It is worthy of remark that according to the dignity of the guest, is the harbinger who is sent to receive him ; thus with ordinary arms it receives the more common rivers, increasing them for those of more importance ; and for some which are so great as almost to be able to put shoulder to shoulder, it comes forth in person with its whole current.
The first entrance which, on the side of the new kingdom of Granada, is known to lead to this immense sea of fresh water, is by the province of Micoa, which belongs to the Government of Popayan ; by following the current of the great river Caqueta, which is the lord and master of all the streams which flow from the side of Santa Fe de Bogota, Timana, and El Caguan, and which are famed, among the natives, for the vast provinces of infidels who live on their banks. This river has many branches flowing through wide districts, and, as it approaches to join the Amazons, it forms a great multitude of islands, all inhabited by many savages.
It flows, for a great distance, in the same direction as the Amazons, accompanying that river, though at some distance, and from time to time sending forth branches, which might well be the main streams of any other great river. Finally it collects all its force in 4° of latitude, and surrenders itself.
This river of Napo flows from its source, between great masses of rock, and is not navigable until it reaches the port where the citizens of Archidona have established the hamlet for their Indians. Here it becomes more humane, and less warlike, and consents to bear a few ordinary canoes on its shoulders, conveying provisions ; but, from this point, for four or five leagues, it does not forget its former fury, until it unites with the river Coca.
Eighty leagues from the Curaray, on the same side, the famous river Tumburagua empties itself; which, as I said before, descends from Maynas, with the name of Maranon. It makes itself respected by the river of Amazons, insomuch that with its united force it forms for itself a mouth of more than a league in breadth, by which it enters to kiss the hand of the greater river, paying it not only the ordinary tribute of its waters, but another very abundant one of many kinds of fish, which were not known in the Amazons, until it reaches the mouth of this river.
Not quite thirty good leagues below the Basururu, likewise on the north side, in 4° of latitude, there comes forth to meet the Amazons, the largest and most beautiful river [the Rio Negro] which, in the space of more than thirteen hundred leagues, does it homage. It appears that it comes to recognize another larger one, though it is so powerful that its mouth is a league and a half broad - and though the Amazons opens its arms with all its force, the new river does not wish to become subject to it, without receiving some marks of respect ; and it thus masters one half of the whole Amazons, accompanying it for more than twelve leagues, so that the waters of the two can be clearly distinguished from each other.
At last the Amazons, not permitting so much superiority, forces it to mingle with its own turbulent waves, and recognize for a master, the river which it desired to make a vassal.
Twenty leagues from the Island of the Sun, under the equinoctial line, spread out into eighty-four mouths, having the Zaparara on the south side, and the north cape opposite ; the largest sea of fresh water, that has been discovered, empties itself into the ocean ; the most powerful river in the whole world, the phoenix of rivers, the true Marañon so longed for and never attained by the people of Peru, the ancient Orellana, and to sum up all at once, the great river of the Amazons.
After having bathed with its waters a distance of thirteen hundred and fifty-six leagues of longitude, after sustaining on its banks an infinite number of barbarous tribes, after fertilizing vast territories, and after having passed through the centre of Peru, and, like a principal channel, collected the largest and richest of all its affluents, it renders its tribute to the ocean.
I don’t know if this was simply a literary device or if Father Acuña actually thought like this, but I do and I find his account fascinating.
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