December 21, 2010

• don't waste your Christmas | exchange this world's madness for Heaven's gladness (letter 95 on joy)

  the death angel's footsteps quickening
  shadowy darkness now descending
  your pilgrimage here is closing
  yet your footsteps are springing 
  Spirit's breath is quickening
  your eyes are widening
  His blessed enlightening
  sorrowful, oh yes, yet rejoicing
  His sure hope sustaining, undergirding
  by faith awaiting that resurrection morning

  we scurry quickly through the crowds in the loud mall, chasing after earthly gifts

  you shuffle slowly in your quiet home, blessed and content with God's unspeakable Gift

  we daze at store displays filled with glitter and luster

  you have your eyes steadfastly fixed on Canaan's clusters

  we carefully gather the ingredients to bake, we measure each and every spice

  you open your nostrils wide, enjoy the heavenly aroma, see His smiling countenance

  we travel from party to party, filling our faces with earthly delights

  you travel from strength to strength, seeing His face, filled with His heavenly delight

  we drive around town to look at the Christmas lights

  you lie still in your bed looking to Christ, the true Light

  we wrap our presents galore, we pile up box after box

  you worship and adore the Babe laid in the feed box

  we strive to decorate, primp the Christmas tree for holiday display

  you have found rest in Messiah lifted up on the tree, God's holy glory on display

  we lose sleep, we anguish over last minute preparations

  you calm and quiet your soul by joying in His free gift of eternal salvation

  we set the wood in the fire, strike the match, the room is brightened

  you have set Jesus before you, He descends, your face is brightened

  we pour the fruit of the vine, lift our glasses in cheer and merry toasting

  you drink of the true Vine, find in Him lasting cheer, make Him all your boasting

  we engage year after year in this Christmas madness

  you display through tear after tear true Christmas gladness

  o, dear sister, truly it is on you whom His favor rests
  for His love and grace has kept your mind set
  imparted to you that blessed heavenly bent
  your sojourner's heart carried from strength to strength
  pilgrim's feet quickened from glory to glory
  blood of Christ flowed through the windows of heaven rent
  perfect provision, the Lord Himself your sustenance
  the heavenly Dove's sweet descent
  preparing the King's highway for your glorious ascent
  hands raised, head bowed in humble reverence
  when you will put on the incorruptible for your dying tent

  how very blessed are you on whom His favor rests
  how very blessed are we to have shared such a friendship
  your life given us a greater glimpse into the heavenly places
  to have touched, tasted and seen even your dying testify to us
  of Lord Sabaoth, Prince of Peace, King of Righteousness
  Shekinah Glory's presence shouts out to us
  "Children of God, don't waste your Christmas!"
  His kindness quickens us, leads us to repentance
  to exchange this world's madness for Heaven's gladness
  to run with persevering joy the race set before us
  hearts set on pilgrimage to the praise of His grace so glorious

  Ecclesiastes 7:2: It is better to go to the house of mourning
  than to go to the house of feasting,
  for this is the end of all mankind,
  and the living will lay it to heart.

  ~For K, her family & friends.

  ---

  God has given me the privilege to walk alongside a dear Christian sister well on her way to Zion. We all come face to face with death at one time or another. God's intent is that as we do so, we will see the fleeting and vain nature of this life and turn toward Him and embrace true and everlasting life through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

  Related:

  recent posts on death:
  How can we say? ~ This cancer | letter 91 on assurance & fighting for joy
  Pondering death ~ Are you a beggar?

  previous posts:
  let's not forget ~ reflections on Christmas (& everyday) for Christians
  Advent #1 WHY HAS JESUS COME? that we might have life & life more abundantly
  Advent #2 WHY HAS JESUS COME? to give his life as a ransom for many
  Advent #3 WHY HAS JESUS COME? not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance
  Are you rejoicing before Him & singing freedom songs? Isaiah 9:1-5, Charlie Hall | letter 93 on joy
  As a deer pants ... Is your soul panting for God? (Psalms 42 & 43)
  Letter 13 on assurance and fighting for joy (strengthened for endurance and patience with joy)
  Letter 25 on assurance and fighting for joy (a strong craving ≠ His joy)
  John 3:36a Whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life (letter 64 on assurance & joy)
  Considering Jesus: (2) Why do we do quiet time anyhow?
  Are you getting up into the high mountain or have you become lukewarm?
  "Do not hold me back from the glory!" (the Christian's attitude toward death & life)
  Running the Race: "Frogs Can Only Move Forward"
  Bible Reading Plan: II Samuel: David's Lament for Jonathan
  Once a Barnabas....
  praying cancer is for the glory of God
  At Calvary: Can you say, "I'm with Him"?
  Broken but singing even after death
  My friend's "traveling days are done" but mine aren't
  I remember my friend
  John Piper's article "Don't Waste Your Cancer"
  Give her over
  What happens when the shadows fall on you? (David Crowder*Band)
  Yes, it's spring, but for those who are in winter today: Isaac Watts' Psalm LXXI
  at death and in life "there is only one thing that matters" (Lloyd-Jones' last days)
  the Divine winepress
  a little child shall lead them in life and in death
  The ultimate joy (3): today: imperfect enjoyment; one Day: perfect - Thomas Boston (letter 59)
  Links to my posts on death (includes many of the above, plus others)
  my other letters on assurance & fighting for joy (includes some of the above, plus others)

  • 6:44 PM
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