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Friday, January 1, 2021

For the New Year: A Confession, A Profession, and an Invitation

 

The Confession

It's that time of year again. No doubt there will be many who will be glad to see the end of 2020. I should caution though, that turning the calendar to a new year does not guarantee that the next will be any better. That goes for every year. It's a way to mark time, but most things will carry on as they have been. Don't get your hopes up. Fairy Godmother isn't waiting to say "Bibidebobideboo" and transform us into a different reality. As the saying goes, "time will tell."

Now, here is where I get personal. I chose the title for this post because I do have three things that I want to express. I hope you bear with me if this drones on overly much. I'll try to be succinct.

Firstly. I have, over the last nine months or so, become quite intrigued with the Covid-19 story. Or more precisely, “stories." If you have read my Facebook posts, or engaged me in conversation, you will by now understand my convictions regarding this issue. It is one that has forced most of us into certain camps, depending upon your perspective, which will be influenced by many factors, not the least of which is your news source. It cannot be ignored, as it colours and controls nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Not the virus itself, but the actions of those who hold the reins of power over the entire globe.

I admit, here and now, that these have been the most difficult nine months of my life. I know I am certainly not alone. And I realize that many, many others have had much more serious, and even deadly, situations to endure. The passion that I feel for my convictions springs out of my zeal for truth. For honesty. For freedom and justice. When I post something on Facebook, I am not whining (as some have alluded to) or simply stamping my foot in defiance and wanting my own way. I am sincerely burdened by what is happening in the world. My conviction, if I can stuff it into a nutshell, is this. There are some in power that have planned this pandemic. It is the greatest plot against humanity since the serpent slithered up to Eve and spewed his lies. Or should I say, it is all part and parcel of his plan. We are being assailed by propaganda that is meant to terrify us into compliance to restrictions that have no scientific basis, by those who plan to bring every facet of civilization to its knees, and then force us to accept their criminal remedies. 

Now, I don't intend to go into detail about how I have come to my conclusions. Suffice to say it has been a journey. An ongoing revelation of just how depraved and evil mankind is capable of being. I often say to myself, "if it were only a mere virus that we need to worry about." I won't try and build my case, but I will say, if you are believing mainstream media regarding the virus, and you think that the intentions of those in power are benevolent in nature, please do some more research. Don't write those of us off who disagree with the narrative as conspiracy theorists. The things we believe are not theories. They are facts. Mankind is heading in a terrible direction, and millions are blind to what is ahead. 

So. My “confession" is this. I have let my zeal for truth regarding the virus overtake and weaken my zeal for the truth of God. What He has revealed to us regarding Who He is, who we are, sin, grace, salvation, heaven, hell and Jesus Christ. I have put Jesus Christ into the back seat while I have forged ahead along the highway of Covid-19. I confess publicly what I have confessed to Him privately. I have become caught up in current events, the media, public opinion vs. science, anything and everything to do with Covid-19. To the extent that it has had a detrimental impact on my health. And I am pretty sure that this is not how a Christ loving, Bible believing, God trusting person should be reacting to this crisis. In fact, God tells us in His word to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6), and that He is sovereignly in control of all events (Ephesians 1:11). 

Another regrettable aspect of my obsession is that I have wasted time. Lots of it. Going from video to video, article to article, oftentimes reading and listening to things I have already read and listened to numerous times. It can become a monster that you have to keep feeding, and, like any obsession, it can rob you of huge chunks of time and opportunities to accomplish things that have use and value. I am not saying that we should not research and learn the truth of what is taking place, now more than ever. But a line is crossed, and interest turns to addiction. At that point, we cease profiting, and start losing. I believe I crossed that line.

Time is so important. I often think of my own mortality, and I pray that God would, as scripture says, teach me to number my days (Psalm 90:12), so that I would have a heart of wisdom. Since I first became a Christian, the urgency of the gospel message has gripped me. We are only given so much time in this life. So much of what we do, create and accomplish has no value except for as it is useful in the here and now. But time is a gift, a resource that we can use wisely. Scripture has taught me that time is most wisely used when God's will is done. And a big part of His will is to have the gospel preached. I'm no preacher, but I do realize the immeasurable value of the truth of the gospel. I have that truth, that knowledge. And I need to be spreading it. That is what my priority should be. Making Jesus Christ known in whatever way God allows and enables me to do. To convince others of His beauty, not to convert them to my beliefs about Covid-19. End of my confession.

The Profession

Now for the profession. I use the word as defined in this way, by Merriam-Webster: “an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion.” Again, if you have seen any of my Facebook posts, you may have gathered that I profess to be a Christian. I will state that in more detail here.

I am a Christian, a person who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Meaning that I have acknowledged my need to be saved, realizing that I am a sinner who cannot save themselves. I believe in the God of the Bible. When I was forty years old, I realized that, although I was raised a Catholic and believed in God, I was not truly a Christian. I was still counting on being “good enough” to go to heaven. God in His mercy revealed to me that the only way of salvation, and of having a right relationship with Himself, was through Jesus Christ. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). This was clearly a life changing time for me. My world was turned upside down, or rather, downside up. Things I once loved I hated, and things I used to scorn or ignore became precious.

This new life brought new priorities, and a different world view. I live in light of eternity, realizing that this life is a mere breath. We all have eternity to face. God holds us all to the same standard. Belief in God, or sincerity in any faith is not good enough. God demands holy perfection. Jesus Christ lived that perfect life and suffered and died in our place. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you are perfect. It means you trust in what Jesus has done, and not what good you have done. You can never do enough.

The Invitation

And now the invitation. Please. If you want to discuss either COVID-19 or Christianity, get in touch with me. You can message me on Facebook or email me at maureenb54@gmail.com. I am sincere when I say to whoever is reading this that I love you, and I am more than happy to discuss either of these things with you. I don’t invite debate, but only honest questions from those who are unsure of their stand on these topics. I am neither scientist nor theologian, but I have come to firm conclusions, and am burdened that others would know the truth, and be set free.

A friend posted this on Facebook yesterday:” What should concern us more as Christians….people dying a bit sooner, or people dying without Christ?” It echoes my thoughts of late. I know what concerns me is the latter.  As well, I recently heard a sermon where I was challenged to decide which was more important: my reputation, or my love for Christ. I have been thinking about doing this post for a while now. I want this year to be different. For myself to be more obedient to God. And for others to know truth. Whether about COVID-19, or, most importantly, about Jesus Christ.

Happy New Year to you. May God reveal Himself in a marvelous way in all our lives. To Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Another Year

Another year You give us,

The old we leave behind.

It had its joys and sorrows;

So many come to mind

 

Each day’s a gift; we’re told this,

Each morning mercies brings.

We take so much for granted,

Our minds on other things.

 

But Lord please make this New Year

A year that changes hearts.

A year that draws us closer.

A year that makes new starts.

 

So often we are guided

By voices insincere.

Their constant repetitions

Seem always in our ear.

 

But if we want true wisdom

You’ve given us the key.

Your Word is what is needed;

It’s truth that sets us free.

 

Not as the world would give us

This truth you offer there.

And peace, till now elusive

Is what you gladly share.

 

When at our rope’s end, fainting

We humbly, stumbling come,

You lift the burden gently;

At last, we find our home.

 

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and

carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28)

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Those He Loves


God's Word is my Instructor;
He speaks through it to me,
And gives me faith to hold up,
A shield, that eyes don't see.

And yet it gives protection,
For yea, the devil sends
So many fiery darts that
Would try to bring faith's end.

His Word contains all wisdom,
The very words of Christ!
How oft I do neglect them
And seek those things so trite.

Yet still He prompts me forward
He will not let me rest!
And when He deems it needful
He brings another test.

These are not meant to break me
But sent to make me see
How much I need my Savior
How great His love for me.

It's only looking backward
Long 'ere the trial's through
That I see how He held me
And in some way, I grew.


Most surely in my knowledge
Of Him, my gracious King.
He caused my heart to see Him,
He made my voice to sing.

For so He tender cares for
His children, every one.
Applying every lesson
To make them like His Son.

The trials may be painful,
The discipline severe.
But all is perfect made for
Each one He holds so dear.

So if you're in the midst of
Some trial, test, or pain,
Be sure to look to Jesus
For He endured the same.

And as a perfect Son He
Knew where to set His gaze.
He trusted fully in Him
Who sent His Son to save.

When fully resting on Him
And trusting in His love
In perfect peace He'll keep you;
His peace, that's from above.

"Thou wilt keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Look Beyond

Look beyond the obvious
See past all the fluff
Through the mounds of trinkets
Underneath the stuff.

This is not what life is
All these things we see
This is not how we are
Meant to live, and be.

Do not be controlled by
What the others do
They are chasing wishes
Never to come true.

So much is illusion
Meant to snare our hearts
Keep us in a stupor
Till our souls depart.

Do not think that all is
As appears to be
There are forces working
That we cannot see.

So it has been ever
Since the world began
When the serpent slithered
But God had a plan.

He has sent a Saviour
He has sent His Son
If you will find refuge
He's the only One.
 
Things you've not control of
Nor can understand
He is Ruler over
He has all in hand.

Governments and kingdoms
Health and wealth and power
These will all come crashing
In that certain hour.

So if you will look to
Him Who holds all things
Trust Him for the outcome
Who true salvation brings.

If you need a purpose
Reason for Your life
Burdened by a world that's
Full of sin and strife.

Look not unto people's
Promises or plans
They are just as helpless
They are only man

Look instead to Jesus
Lest your fear increase
Bow the knee before him
Then you will find peace.


Why do the nations rage

    and the peoples plot in vain?
 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
 “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”
 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
 You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
(Psalm 2)

Thursday, August 3, 2017

My Garden

I look out the window,
Just a glance, and see
Happy blossoms yellow
Facing not to me.

But they're looking outward
Seeking for the sun.
Waiting for the golden rays
That will warm each one.

Presently contented
To be in the shade.
Maybe they are resting
In the One Who made

All things that are living;
Every single one.
He made them for His glory,
He made them through His Son.

Do those flowers yellow
Hear each chirping bird?
Is there some connection,
Are those voices heard?

So they seem to me to
Join with all around
That which likewise reaches,
Stretching from the ground.

All around in nature
Live those things He made
Working all together
In life's grand parade.

How I long to be like
Some sweet, happy bloom.
Growing in the sunlight,
Sleeping by the moon.

Hap'ly taking what my
God has planned for me.
In times of spring or winter.
Content to simply be.

Bringing Him the glory
He has made me for;
Resting in His presence.
Safe, forevermore.

Saturday, July 29, 2017






I just finished listening to a sermon on the atonement of Christ. I was moved to try and express in a poem what impacted me so greatly in hearing such a wonderful exposition of scriptures that describe the intention and co-operation of Father, Son and Spirit in the plan of salvation.


Not a Drop


Not a drop was wasted Lord
When You died that day.
Of the precious blood You spilled
T'was the perfect way

To propitiate the wrath
We so true deserved.
It was not stored up for us
But for You reserved.

None of what You suffered there
Was for nothing done.
Nothing spent upon those who
Would reject the Son.


Never Lord, how could we think
That plan would be defeated?
Any suffering be in vain
Its' purpose not completed?


You in wisdom from the start
Did not on us wait.
Else you would have none to meet
At the heavenly gate.


So instead You had a plan;
Full of grace so needed.
So much mercy, so much love
From Your heart proceeded.

Chosen by the Father
'Ere time had begun,
Each by name You called us Lord;
One by one we'll come.

Help us see Your sacrifice
Made on our behalf.
Not for nameless, faceless ones
You endured the wrath.


But instead you poured your grace
On those whose hearts were dead.
Saving us from death eternal,
Giving life instead


We who gave you not a thought
But instead ignored.
From the darkness to the light
You have now restored.

Jesus all the blood you shed
Will in time have bought
Every single chosen soul;
None was shed for naught.


Saturday, May 6, 2017


SIT AND PRAY

Come, Thou bidst me, sit with Me
  For a little while, and see
What communion there can be

Sorry Lord, I've often said
Many things run through 
My head;

Maybe later, in a while
Say You'll save for me 
Your smile

Oh my heart, so desperate cold!
Still You bid me
Yes, be bold!

Come My child, the way is clear.
Only mercy now 
you'll hear

Condemnation put away
Come, I bid you
Sit and pray
IN THE MEANTIME




God of Mercy, God of Grace
Seated at the highest place

Looks upon us from above
Blesses us with  perfect love

May our hearts look up to Thee
Seek Thy face, Thou One in Three

Asking, always, for Thy grace
Waiting till we see Thy face

All our moments in Thy hands
Counted by Thee, grains of sand

One day we will be complete
Then in perfect union meet


Standing on that golden shore
Us with Thee forevermore