I Saw God Wash the World

I SAW GOD WASH THE WORLD


by William Stidger 1934



I saw God wash the world last night

With His sweet showers on high;

And then when morning came

I saw him hang it out to dry.



He washed each slender blade of grass

And every trembling tree;

He flung his showers against the hills

And swept the rolling sea.



The white rose is a deeper white;

The red, a richer red

Since Gold washed every fragrant face

And put them all to bed.



There's not a bird, there's not a bee

That wings along the way,

But is a cleaner bird and bee

Than it was yesterday.



I saw God wash the world last night;

Ah, would He had washed me

As clean of all my dust and dirt

As that old white birch tree!  

Apathy

Apathy


How does an apathetic life begin? Certainly no one sets out to be indifferent, aloof, or lukewarm, yet the stuff of life can place us on a path to a halfhearted, lack luster existence. As we face deaths, chronic or terminal illnesses, work disappointments, unimaginable family issues, political mayhem, crushed expectations, or financial distresses, we build walls or compartments around our hearts to detach us from such trials. We succumb to a dispassionate, lethargic survival mentality.

As our very wise pastor1 recently proclaimed, "Let the ancient words impart!"

We cannot allow discouragements or discouragers to hinder our service to our precious Almighty God. Let us be open to His wisdom, which He so graciously shares. He has provided us with the necessary tools in His inerrant and living Word. He has mercifully given us all of the truths and precepts we need to conquer this irksome jadedness.

"Let the ancient words impart!"

Haggai 1:7 tells us, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways.'"

Revelation 3:15-16:

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

Awareness of apathy, lethargy, and complacency certainly is the key step to move us to conscious changes.  How fortunate are we to have preachers and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to spur us on to loving deeds, prayerful support, and a proper focus!

Let us turn from a blah, callous, impassivity to an interested, passionate, sensitive, attentive liveliness and vigor. Let us focus our eyes on God and His plans, not on our own little kingdoms.

"Let the ancient words impart!"

Psalm 141:1-2:

"O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Proverbs 22:17-19:

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you."

"Let the ancient words impart!"

2 Corinthians 10:5:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Today may truly be your defining moment to lay aside your apathy of the past. Tomorrow may be your defining moment to continue to lay aside complacency, and the day after tomorrow may be your appointment to rid yourself of all indifference.

Holy and Heavenly Father,

I lift up my arms and my spirit to you. I pray that many, including me, will meet you in defining moments with open minds and hearts, so we may hear what you have to say. Your plans, not our own, give significance to our lives. I ask that you be patient with us, as we learn to be passionate about your plans, and I thank you for faithful pastors who boldly proclaim your ancient words! Amen.



1. Pastor Gary Boschain - sermon September 2, 2012, The Return Home.

Kindness

Why is it that when election times come around, people put their manners on a shelf and walk away? Just recently, I felt compelled to post the following because of some of the meanness and trash talk that was being spewed.


A Kind Disclaimer: As election chatter heats up, I want to make a few comments - 1) I do not agree with nor support every statement that comes through my feed. 2) I find some of the comments and language highly offensive, and I wish everyone would be kinder in their fervor. 3) I have many friends, whom I love, and we care about each other enough to "agree to disagree". 4) As always, I encourage everyone to vote because we are privileged to have this freedom and should not take it for granted. 5) If anyone has any specific questions about my views, you may private message me (and I may or may not reply). Love to all!

The word "kindness" or the phrase "discuss without malice" has been forgotten. When debates over candidates and issues become so heated that we begin attacking other human beings, I say, "Enough!"

"Kindness" appears 65 times in 57 verses in the NIV1. In the King James Bible, the word is translated "lovingkindness". Kindness literally includes a "good sense or zeal towards and among mankind"; its components are mercy, goodness, a mutual benevolence and benefits, and favor.

Attacking another human because of differing opinions, political views, or even religious ideals is not helpful to anyone. Beating someone down verbally is certainly not an effective means of swaying them to another position. In fact, I have found the opposite to be true. Communication stops entirely, and not only is there no shared meaning, but an aggressive permanent hostility is born...and it lasts.

In 2 Samuel 9:3, King David is specifically looking for any kin of Saul's to whom he may "act kindly towards him like unto God." Perhaps, we should be looking for those to whom we may act kindly.

Over and over again, God has shown His grace, favor, and mercy to mankind.2 He has cleared our paths of enemies and made our journeys straight. He has preserved man and beast, when both have deserved harsh punishment or worse. God sacrificed His beloved and only Son, so that we might have eternal life. He has extended mercies and blessings on multiple generations.3 God established His faithfulness to us from heaven itself, yet we are not extending similar mercies to our fellow human beings here on this earth. Again, I say, "Enough!"

In Exodus 34, the God of the Universe described Himself to Moses as, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

As we consider candidates and we passionately debate issues, let us do so compassionately and graciously. We, who claim the Lord as our Father, have a responsibility to emulate the love of Jesus. He showed love and mercy to the good, the bad, and the ugly. Only He knows to which category each of us belongs. May we proceed kindly, making our own political choices based upon our consciences and the Lord's leading. May we weigh and discuss issues thoughtfully, gently, and respectfully with the brains and hearts God bestowed upon each of us. May we walk away from malicious attacks and actions. We serve a Sovereign and living Lord, and His will, in His time, will be done.

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Exodus 15:13


1. Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for '"kindness"' in the NIV". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 9 Jan 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=kindness&t=NIV >


2. NIV Psalm 5:8; 36:6; 48:10; John 3:16


3. NIV Isaiah 55:3