Closer Today Than Yesterday: December 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Digging In

The issue of obedience comes down to a single question; "what's more important to me; God's way or my way?" Depending upon how hungry we are for communion with God and fellowship with His people, we make our decision. Our decision is driven by our appetite.

Consider this...

Proverbs 16:26 (NIV)

²⁶ The laborer’s appetite works for him;

his hunger drives him on.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

If our appetite for God is keen, our hunger drives us to ever greater communion. We study more intently, serve more freely, love more and our every decision is tested against the litmus test of whether it draws us closer to God. If our appetite is more for the comforts and conveniences of the world, then our hunger drives us to greater distraction. We lay aside our studies of God, withdraw from service and fellowship becomes a burden. Every decision is weighed as to whether it serves our purposes or our pleasures.

What are you hungry for?

Peace,

Carl

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Digging Out

Years ago when I was first challenged, by my mentor, to begin daily devotions I was pointed towards the concept of reading one chapter of Proverbs per day. There are after all, thirty-one chapters of Proverbs so its and easy introduction to a new discipline.

Last night as I was sharing with my accountability group how I had stopped my daily devotions and that I felt as dry and crusty as week-old bread, they (bless them) challenged me to get back into my discipline by reading a chapter of Proverbs per day. Then they 'made' made me read chapter 14 to them on the spot as a way of getting started.

Thank God for my friends and brothers who have lifted me up in the spirit of Eccles 4:10a "If one falls down, his friend can help him up." They are true friends who challenge me and hold me accountable in this manner. How blessed I am!

So today, I take the next step as I read chapter 15 of Proverbs.

Peace,
Carl

So I Stand Near The Gate

I read the below poem at a critical point in my life and it's message resonated with me. My ministry, "Near The Gate" was named in homage to this poem. When reading this poem, feel free to substitute the word 'gate' for the word 'door' and you'll have a little glimpse inside my head.

SO I STAY NEAR THE DOOR

By the Reverend Canon Samuel Moor Shoemaker, Jr., D.D., S.T.D.

I stay near the door.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,
The door is the most important door in the world–
It is the door through which men walk when they find God.
There’s no use my going way inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside, and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind men,
With outstretched, groping hands,
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it - - -
So I stay near the door.
The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for men to find that door–the door to God.
The most important thing any man can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch–the latch that only clicks
And opens to the man’s own touch.
Men die outside that door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter–
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live, on the other side of it–because they have found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him - - -
So I stay near the door.
Go in, great saints, go all the way in–
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics–
It is a vast, roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, or sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms,
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture a little farther;
But my place seems closer to the opening - - -
So I stay near the door.
There is another reason why I stay there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them;
For God is so very great, and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia.
And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry.
And the people way inside only terrify them more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled
For the old life, they have seen too much;
Once taste God, and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving–preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door,
But would like to run away. So for them too,
I stay near the door.
I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not yet even found the door,
Or the people who want to run away again from God.
You can go in too deeply, and stay too long,
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there,
But not so far from men as not to hear them,
And remember they are there, too.
Where? Outside the door–
Thousands of them, millions of them.
But–more important for me–
One of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
For those I shall stay by the door and wait
For those who seek it.
"I had rather be a door-keeper . . . "
So I stay near the door

Closer Today Than Yesterday

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Digging In

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Digging Out

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Closer Today Than Yesterday

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Digging In

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Digging Out

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So I Stand Near The Gate

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