‘I hate this silly religion, but you, God, I trust.’ Psalm 31: 6
For more than half a century I have been involved in ‘the church’.
From day ‘dot’ my parents had me attending church services. I joined the local Sunday school, partook and even led church youth groups and Christian organizations during my time in secondary and tertiary education. I even pastored churches, led worship and was appointed to numerous leadership positions in them. In addition I raised my children within the four walls of such organisations.
But amidst all the wonderful times, miraculous events, and the establishment of a personal relationship with the Jesus of the Bible, I have always had an aversion to ‘silly religion’ – to the point now in my life where I totally reject it.
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War unveils the best and worst in mankind. So fight the good fight of faith, for the best fight to fight is the fight you win.
Don’t accept defeat,, but treat it as a minor setback or obstacle that in time, you will overcome. Focus on victory. Have faith in God and yourself. Use upheaveal as a time of learning and a time to consider your future. Begin to dream beyond the battle. Turn turmoil into triumph.
Start by declaring that ‘Today is a great day. I will rejoice and be glad in it!’ Don’t dwell on yesterday. Be anxious for nothing.
Use today to think high thoughts. Dream tall dreams. Meditate on them. Engage in contemplation. Plan mentally. Survey visually. Your burning desire is possible.
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I give you my fears
I pour you my tears
I hand you my years
‘fore all disappears
*
For you are my light
In the deepest dark night
You are my sight
When blind ‘midst the fight
*
Yours is the hand
That I hold tight
Yours is the heart
That beats with delight
*
When child hears your voice
Then makes the right choice*
Choose life and not death
Rejoice with each breath
*
No matter the pain
No matter the gain*
Immovable constant
Faith is the same
*
Built on the rock
Solid secure
Tested and tried
Risen as pure
*
No matter the winds
That rage deep within
Obedience does reign
Forgiveness does win.
(c) PGJS, 2010
This morning I was thumbing through some of my old journals when I came across this entry in one dated 1986.Years ago I was introduced to a group of women called The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary. They were amazing women with a rich heritage.
I had noted down a number of quotes written by one of the founders called Mother Basilea.
The Founders and Mothers of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, Darmstadt, Germany were:
Mother Basilea (Dr. Klara Schlink, 1904 – 2001) – social welfare training and practice – teaching experience – doctorate in psychology in 1934 in Hamburg – leader of the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement.
and…
Mother Martyria (Erika Madauss, 1904-1999) – also social welfare training and practice, in Hamburg and London.
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One night Toscanini, the famous Italian conductor, led the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a very difficult piece to conduct. So majestic was the music that the audience stood for ten minutes of applause. Toscanini took his bows again and again. He turned to the orchestra; they bowed. The audience continued to clap and cheer. Finally Toscanini turned his back on the audience and speaking only to the orchestra said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen. I am nothing, you are nothing, Beethoven is everything!’
C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘To love and admire anything outside yourself is to take one step away from utter spiritual ruin; though, we shall not be well so long as we love and admire anything more than we love and admire God.’
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‘I hate this silly religion, but you, God, I trust.’ Psalm 31: 6
