Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Accepting Correction

Michael E. Wood
June 23, 2016

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.     Psalm 94:12-15

There is a brand of so called Christianity in our current culture which promotes everything as positive and encouraging rather than Biblical and balanced. The writer to the Hebrews tells us not to regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. While in the process of being disciplined it seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The psalmist being carried along by the same Holy Spirit records for our learning, the blessedness of the one whom the LORD disciplines. Though He has various means by which He can bring about discipline in our lives the context of the passage seems to point to God’s use of the wicked to bring about this discipline, and thus displays His Sovereign power and providential use of all things for the good of His people and the praise of His glory.

Let us continually be learning and putting into practice the habit of giving Him thanks in all things while trusting Him with all our hearts, and not leaning on our own understanding.

Do we now build our lives on our comfort and ease
Imagining somehow that God is well pleased?
But then in a moment when things are all changed
Through circumstance, turmoil, and lives rearranged;
We question His goodness, and kindness, and love,
Not seeing that all things are sent from above
To mold us and make us like a Potter the clay.
Are we hardened or nimble for shaping that day?

For He in His mercy sees better than we,
Designing each detail to drive to the knee,
*Accepting correction to know and commune
With Him in His sweetness like finest perfume
Perfecting His praise in a life offered up
Through Jesus who drank of the bitterest cup.

Oh, none can imagine the extent of His pain
That He bore to remove our gross sin and our shame,
But not only that, to present without fault
The church as His bride, one with Him to exalt
The glory and praise God alone has, as due.
Oh, Help us, Dear Father, to magnify You!

*Footnote: In printing this out for a hard copy distribution, Dianna pointed out to me that I had originally used EXCEPTING ( a preposition - used in the sense of apart from or excluding, also used as a conjunction at times) instead of ACCEPTING ( a verb - used in the sense of agree to or receiving something without saying no). The two words sound similar and can be easily confused, but my, what a difference a single word can make. Thus, it seems appropriate to receive correction even in the writing of this poem.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Congratulations!

Michael E. Wood
June 3, 2016



It's that time of year here in the U.S.A., wherein many of us know someone or several that have arrived at a certain level of academic achievement. Some of us who have been down the path of formal education or not, like to encourage others (often family members) in their accomplishments by sending cards and or a small money gift to celebrate. Dianna had a niece who graduated from high school this year and was able to find a couple of cards appropriate for the occasion. I on the other hand, for various reasons didn't find one for a niece who graduated on my side of the family, but The LORD was very gracious in using Dianna to help put together a hand made card and the following came to mind:

 Hi Lauren,

My, how the years have flown
               and you have grown
in stature, and wisdom, and knowledge.

May your aim be true
                in all that you do
As you apply what you know now
                                      in college.

May the LORD be pleased
        to give grace for your needs,
His faithfulness shown from above,
     
His presence to know
      As forward you go
We pray that you walk in His love.

Congratulations!   Michael & Dianna