Tomorrow's June

I find it hard to believe today is the last day in May. How on Earth does that happen?

After a rough day yesterday, I read a bit of Oswald Chambers, who always does well to calm me down, or at least give me a bit of perspective that I can't manage to find when in the midst of my own circumstances.

I was going to sum it up, but I just realized that the dude speaks best for himself:

"Supposing God tells you to do something which is an enormous test to your common sense, what are you going to do? Hang back? If you get into the habit of doing a thing in the physical domain, you will do it every time until you break the habit determinedly;  and the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will get up to what Jesus Christ wants, and every time you will turn back when it comes to the point, until you abandon resolutely. "Yes, but -  supposing I do obey God in this matter, what about...?" "Yes, I will obey God if he will let me use my common sense, but don't ask me to take a step in the dark."

Jesus Christ demands of the man who trusts Him the reckless sporting spirit that the natural man exhibits. If a man is going to do anything worthwhile, there are times when he ahas to risk everything on his leap, and in the spiritual domain Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold by common sense and leap into what He says, and immediately you do, you find what He says fits on as solidly as common sense. 

At the bar of common sense Jesus Christ's statements may seem mad; but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with awestruck spirits that they are the words of the venture, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis, only one out of a crowd is dating enough to bank his faith in the character of God." 

Was it Nehemiah who was rebuilding the wall? Pretty sure it was. Anyway, when there was construction going on and the wall was open, leaving the population vulnerable to attack, he both posted a guard and prayed. I love that, the practical and spiritual both necessary for protection. God gives us both a brain and faith and expects us to use them readily. Sometimes it can be a tough balance, but God is good. 

Today's Utmost for His Highest?

"Put God First in Trust - Our Lord trusted no man; 

yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, never in despair about any man, because He put God first in trust; 

He trusted absolutely in what God's grace could do for any man." 

Thanks Oswald, you pretty much never let me down. Old school theologians are my favorite, I don't really even know any current ones. I figure, if they stand the test of time, then perhaps they are worth my time. They challenge me and my social justice stances and my own interpretations of the Word. But I like that. I need it.

I usually don't post things like this, but just wanted to share one of the many little ways God is taking care of me. It is amazing how much encouragement I can get out of a few words on a page...