Ezekiel has to be one of the most interesting men in the history of the known world. Excessively eccentric is an understatement!

He has a book I recommend!
Chapter 24 caught my attention recently and here's the gist.

He's a prophet. He hears Gods voice and proclaims the message publicly. (Not making any new friends of course) He's madly in love with his wife who is the "delight of his eyes" "the object of his affection"

God speaks to Ezekiel:

The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners .
 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.
 Then the people asked me, "Won't you tell us what these things have to do with us?"
 So I said to them, "The word of the LORD came to me: Say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary-the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection…      (Ezekiel 24:15 -20)

The Temple had become a symbol of national pride and religious tradition.

Instead of worshiping a living God they had unknowingly developed an "object of affection" (a short time later the temple was destroyed by Babylon. "Iran")

It seems to me like a cruel object lesson, for God to use such drastic measures to communicate his message to an already faithful servant.

But then again, isn't that perfectly in line with His Nature.

He allowed his only son to die on a Roman cross to prove his love for you.

You are the object of God's affection.

Nothing can separate you from His love!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39)

"Truth" is a noun.

Would you say it's a person, place or thing?

Is it absolute or relative?

What about the "Issues"
Abortion, immigration, gay marriage, war, the death penalty, school dress codes, etc.

If truth is "relative" then wouldn't it be subject to my on deducing and conclusions? Even after consulting the experts and considering the wisdom of credible scholars and ancient writings it ultimately depends on me doesn't it? It's relative to what I think, feel and understand. It's relative to the issue at hand or bill to be voted on.

But if truth is "absolute" wouldn't it take me completely out of the equation? My wisdom, expertise, thoughts, feelings and understandings would no longer be relevant.

It would shake our world at its core!

It would completely dominate and overrule all talk shows, political debates, judges, jury's, analyst, philosophers and so on. Could you live with absolute truth? Or, do you thrive on controversy?

Is truth finite or infinite?  Is it animate or inanimate?

Not knowing the answer to a question or "issue" is no big deal.

Not knowing the truth is a fatal mistake.


"I am the truth" -Jesus-

"I am so Nothing"
 
I confess this quite often and even now before my Lord. To truly be in His presence, and aware of it, is genuine humility. My writings, knowledge, talent, experience, abilities and so on, are so "nothing" compared to my Lord. I'm completely flawed and hopelessly corrupt. My desires to be good are tainted with selfishness and pride. On my best day and very best behavior it all adds up to "nothing" in the light of His Holiness.

It remains a mystery to me, but the revelation of this truth has given me great worth and significance.

"I consider all things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord"

Whether it's a hike in the Rockies or some back road short cut in a war land abroad. To be lost is a dangerous spot to be in. Funny how there's no fear, no anxiety, no panic, until we realize. "I'm Lost!" Suddenly the great adventure is not so great at all.

Being lost is no big deal until you realize it.

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10)

Save me from what?     I'm not in danger am I?
  

Which side of the great adventure are you on?

Each of these blog entries are an extension of the previous week, so if something doesn't make sense try checking out the archives.

Last weeks message made reference to the sovereignty of God and the doctrine of election.

The song Amazing grace states "now I'm found".  That's good theology.

Perhaps you've been seeking something for quite some time? If you find it surely you should be credited for having done your search and research shouldn't you. But to be found; isn't that a different thing altogether? 

Scripture says there's no one who seeks God!

There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. (Romans 3:11)

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure  (Jer. 17:9)

Even in our so-called pursuit of Him we have deniably set out to disprove Him, or prove Him wrong and his word fallible! With Pride, envy, intellect and self sufficiency we desire "to be like God". Sound familiar? (The garden)

Of coarse God in his sovereignty has not lost track of you.  But He is pursuing you with an intense and incomparable love!

Have you been "found"?

Maybe you still prefer to be the seeker and amass credentials and accolades to cover your wall and enhance your resume.

It's a humbling experience to admit being lost.

But oh what a great adventure it is to be "found"!!

So nothings changed?

Tearing down idols own our own initiative is not enough! The truth of God must come first! He's the motivating factor! Truth is not learned it's revealed.

And Isaiah bodly says. "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me".  -God speaking- (Romans 10:20)

Ya mean it's all up to Him?   Well yea! ;    But here you are?

Who found who?

Since Easter has anything changed in your life? Of coarse without the ressurection and the deliverence from bondage to freedom there's only oppression and a dark grave to anticipate. But I'm speaking in reference to my last entry on the tearing down and smashing into pieces the idols we carelessly and foolishly worship. For the Israelites, it was an exciting thing to discover their eror. They took serious measures to eliminate the things that had replaced "The Tuth". That is the God who had delivered them from bondage and for us the Lamb (Jesus) who has conquered death.

Has anything changed?  If not,  maybe we've forgotten to tear down our idols.

The passover event can't be ignored! It's celebrated by millions and acknowledged by credible historians the world over.

Imediately following the second set of the 7 days of celebration under king Hezikiah, the Israelites tore down and smashed into pieces all the Idols and altars to false gods and returned to their respective home towns. (2 Chronicles 31)

That would be this week.

The false gods would be anything we've exaulted above the "lamb of God", the appropriate name on the heals of our passover season. 

"without the shedding of blood there is no forgivness of sin" (consequently, no freedom)

Have you been forgiven? To who do you give thanks, adoration and worship?

Have I forgotten you or replaced you with something else my Lord?