Seed for Sowers

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,

Shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."

~ Psalm 126:5-6

There are many ways that God's people invest in the future, and we are indeed called to invest in the future.  God's covenant with His children not only runs through the ages, it runs through eternity.  One of those many ways of investing in the future is through the education of children, and that's where my particular emphasis has been; specifically in Christian Classical Education.  

Christian Classical education has enjoyed a revival in America in the last 20-plus years, and it's revival hasn't been without a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears.  So, as I read this passage in Psalms, I am encouraged to continue persevering, for we are promised fruit for our labor.  However, we should also note that the seed with which we sow had to come from somewhere.  Indeed, we ourselves are the fruit of the labors of those who've gone before.  Skipping rapidly through the centuries, we can look as far back as Augustine to Gerhard Groote, and then Abraham Kuyper to see the faithfulness of those who've gone before.  So, as we labor and toil and suffer setbacks, remember that the seed we carry came from previous fruit; and that seed will again bear fruit to produce seed for future laborers.  Thus, is the Kingdom of God built;  thus the reason we strive so diligently to raise up Christian, cultural leaders.  May God bless the work of those hands.

The Call of Deep Unto Deep

In a recent blog, I wrote about the beautiful passage found in Psalm 42 of "deep calls to deep".  Two comments were posted there that are well worth your time to go back and read; one a devotional by Charles Spurgeon, and the other a poem by John Wright Follette.  The poem is absolutely beautiful and speaks so well of the mysteries of the passage "deep calls unto deep."  I'd like to reprint it here for you, and I hope it stirs the depths of your soul, as deep calls to deep.

The Call of Deep Unto Deep

by John Wright Follette

Down in the depth of my nature

Where the issues of life are born,

From that unknown mystical realm,

Surviving through ages of storm,

A call is forever rising -

But its language I cannot speak.

It was born ere I had being,

'Tis the call of deep unto deep.

Our mother tongue here is awkward,

For no words can fully express

The needs in the depths of nature,

In bondage to sin and distress.

Our hearts in their depths surely ache;

They hunger; they call; and they seek -

Then silently wait an answer

To the call of deep unto deep.

Down deep in the heart of our God,

In mystical regions sublime,

In the Godhead's holy council

Long before our world or our time,

An answer was fully prepared

Every pain, every ache to meet,

In Christ, God's only begotten,

Is answer to deep unto deep.

The Answer indeed was the Word,

The Word when expressed was the Son.

Oh language of God how profound!

In answer what more could be done?

The heart of our God is hungry,

His portion, His people to seek.

"I thirst," was cried by the Answer -

'Tis the call of deep unto deep.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been raining since Thursday.  Steady rain. Light rain.  Driving rain.  Soaking rain.  Blowing rain.  Rain, rain, rain.  I'm ready for the sun to come out and cast its magic on my soggy rose bushes that are loaded down with buds.  I want it to quicken the grass seed we sowed in the back field, so it can hurry up and grow.  

A week ago I wanted rain, not sun.  It was dry and the ground was hard.  I wanted softer ground to sow the grass seed.  I wanted to stop wrestling cranky water sprinklers and have the garden and flower beds watered from the sky.  I want, I want, I want.

Isn't it just like we self-centered, sin-centered humans to want what we want, when we want it?  And right now, thank you!  Who am I to think that the weather itself should revolve around my wants and needs?  We need rain and we need sun.  God knows what we need when we need it, even if it's not on our schedule, in our plans, or anything we would ever choose of our own accord.  It's humbling.  We have to stop and admit that we don't see the Big Picture at all, even though we think we've got it all figured out.  We want to think that we're god-like; all-knowing, all-understanding.  But we're not.  We can rarely even see the Little Picture in correct perspective.  So, let's humble ourselves before the Lord, who sends us the sun and the rain in its time, who sends us all things in its time.  Help us, O Lord, to dance along according to your leading, according to your times, and not our own.  

"For everything there is a season, 

and a time for every purpose under heaven:"  ~ Ecclesiates 3:1

Psalm 42:1-5

As a deer pants for flowing streams,

     so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

     while they say to me continually, "Where is your God?"

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:

     how I would go with the throng and lead them 

     in procession to the house go God

     with glad shouts and songs of praise

a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, 

     and why are you in turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

     my salvation and my God.

Epiphany Day

Epiphany literally means "to reveal or make manifest."  God revealed His son to the world, shining light into the darkness.  Today, the 12th Day of Christmas, is Epiphany Day, and I'd like to revisit the final story of Christ's Nativity - the day of purification at the Temple in Jerusalem.

"And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."  Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and  blessed God and said, 

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.  She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem."  Luke 2:22-38.

This is such a fantastic story, for we are seeing the fulfillment of hope from the previous age - as represented by Simeon and Anna - and the hope for the present and coming age, as shown by the prophecy of Simeon and the witness of Anna.  All the Bible tells us of Simeon is that he was righteous and devout, filled with the Spirit and awaiting Israel's consolation.  It doesn't say that he was a priest or a Pharisee or anyone of particular position.  Anna was a woman of even less position, apparently, for she was a longtime widow from the tribe of Asher.  Asher had dwindled significantly in size since the Babylonian Captivity, and her father, Phanuel, bore a Hebrew name denoting 'shame'.  But, even these things showed the good news of Christ's coming to us, for He came to the most unlikely of people, to the least and the last, to Shepherds, wanderers, and those of no position - those in need of a Savior.  This is the Good News of Epiphany!

While searching out art works on Epiphany, I came across so many I liked that it was hard to choose only a couple.  This fantastic story is so beautifully and joyously represented by artists through the centuries, so I've posted an Epiphany tour for you.  Enjoy, and Happy Epiphany!  The Light of the world is revealed!                         Simeon's Moment - Ron Dicianni                     Simeon in the Temple - RembrandtPresentation of Jesus in the Temple - RembrandtJesus presented in the Temple - Unknown childrens' Bible illustratorPresentation of Jesus in the Temple - RembrandtSimeon in the Temple - Julius Schnorr von CarolsfeldThe Presentation in the Temple - Pieter Jozef Verhaghen          Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Quentin VarinThe Presentation in the Temple - Philippe de ChampaigneThe Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - Unknown: Master connected to the Reformation Era writings (Note the depiction of the sword through Mary's soul.)                       Presentation in the Temple - Simon Vouet                                  St. Anna - James Tissot                       The Aged Simeon - James Tissot    The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - James TissotAnd finally, this beautiful Triptych, The Presentation in the Temple by Rogier van der Weyden, presents the full nativity story from Annunciation to the Presentation.  

Why We Can Rejoice

There have been many beautiful paintings of the Madonna and Child, and this one by Giovanni Bellini (circa 1459) is particularly meaningful.  I wish the brilliant colors that Giovanni used showed up better in this print, but they don't.  What does show clearly, however, is the raven perched upon the hand of the Christ Child to signify that the child came to die.  

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21

"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..."  1 Timothy 1:15 

Because of this we have hope though yet we grieve.  Christmas came that there might be Easter that there might be new life eternal.

"To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever."  Amen."  1 Timothy 1:17

Diptych; or City of God, City of Man

"Who is wise and understanding among you?  By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, fully of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  James 3:13-18

The Truth of the Matter

"Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  And put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, and the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."   ~ Ephesians 6: 10-13

                                   Michael by Rafael

He Who Shuts the Lion's Mouth