Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I'm so happy just to dance with You
Before this dance is through
I think I'll love you too
I'm so happy when you dance with me.
If somebody tries to take my place
Let's pretend we just can't see his face.
In this world there's nothing I would rather do
'cause I'm happy just to dance with you.
Just to dance with you
It's everything I need.
Lord, I don't like the fact that Josiah died, or how he died.
I haven't liked the way You've done some things in my life.
There have been some prayers that were very important to me that You didn't answer - at least not how I wanted.
But I am happy just to dance with You. I don't want to go dancing with anyone else. I don't want to look around and find another partner. And before this dance is through, I think I'll love You too
Psalm 73. Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
And besides Thee, I desire nothing on the earth.
My heart and my flesh may fail
But Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Behold, those who are far from Thee perish,
Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee.
But the nearness of my God is my good.
I have made the LORD my refuge that I may tell of all Thy works.
I think I'll love you too
I'm so happy when you dance with me.
If somebody tries to take my place
Let's pretend we just can't see his face.
In this world there's nothing I would rather do
'cause I'm happy just to dance with you.
Just to dance with you
It's everything I need.
Lord, I don't like the fact that Josiah died, or how he died.
I haven't liked the way You've done some things in my life.
There have been some prayers that were very important to me that You didn't answer - at least not how I wanted.
But I am happy just to dance with You. I don't want to go dancing with anyone else. I don't want to look around and find another partner. And before this dance is through, I think I'll love You too
Psalm 73. Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
And besides Thee, I desire nothing on the earth.
My heart and my flesh may fail
But Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Behold, those who are far from Thee perish,
Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee.
But the nearness of my God is my good.
I have made the LORD my refuge that I may tell of all Thy works.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Could God do evil?
My wife and I were talking this morning about Dr. Paul Tripp's statement "God will take you places you do not want to go, to accomplish things in your life that you could never accomplish on your own.
This evolved into a discussion of how God wants to accomplish things in/through us before we are taken to glory. There are things we can learn because we are like Him - having the knowledge of good and evil - and having that knowledge and potential within us, within our soul.
The angels, on the other hand, do not have the potential to deal with good and evil within themselves. We do because we're made in God's image. The angels have the capacity to do/be good/evil. One or the other. They had an opportunity to choose and 1/3rd chose to follow the devil into evil. They are now confirmed in that choice. I don't believe they have the capacity to struggle with both internally. That's why they look at man with a longing to understand our salvation. The human experience is a marvel to them.
We have the capacity to choose, as God must have. Every time we choose good over evil, something grows in us that is eternal in nature.
I am convinced this is God's plan for us. We can experience the opposite of God (evil) and fight against it internally, and even win that battle, because we have His Spirit within. We have the capacity to fill our lives with evil or with good, or anywhere in between. Could we have a capacity that God does not have? I don't think so.
The difference is, God has chosen good and always will. Could God do evil? I believe He could. Would He or will He? No. If He did evil would He cease to be God? No. But He would cease to be good, and He would cease to be the God He is today. He says "I change not." He doesn't say "I cannot change."
This is not some idle question without consequence. Because, I believe, it is at the core of who and what we are, and why God has us on earth: to face, internally, the possibilities of good and evil in our own life and character, and be like God - choosing good. The more we do that, the more we become like Him - until, one day (thank God!) He will destroy the evil that daily seeks to pull us down.
On that day death and sin will die. We will attend sin's funeral. Thank you Jesus!
This evolved into a discussion of how God wants to accomplish things in/through us before we are taken to glory. There are things we can learn because we are like Him - having the knowledge of good and evil - and having that knowledge and potential within us, within our soul.
The angels, on the other hand, do not have the potential to deal with good and evil within themselves. We do because we're made in God's image. The angels have the capacity to do/be good/evil. One or the other. They had an opportunity to choose and 1/3rd chose to follow the devil into evil. They are now confirmed in that choice. I don't believe they have the capacity to struggle with both internally. That's why they look at man with a longing to understand our salvation. The human experience is a marvel to them.
We have the capacity to choose, as God must have. Every time we choose good over evil, something grows in us that is eternal in nature.
I am convinced this is God's plan for us. We can experience the opposite of God (evil) and fight against it internally, and even win that battle, because we have His Spirit within. We have the capacity to fill our lives with evil or with good, or anywhere in between. Could we have a capacity that God does not have? I don't think so.
The difference is, God has chosen good and always will. Could God do evil? I believe He could. Would He or will He? No. If He did evil would He cease to be God? No. But He would cease to be good, and He would cease to be the God He is today. He says "I change not." He doesn't say "I cannot change."
This is not some idle question without consequence. Because, I believe, it is at the core of who and what we are, and why God has us on earth: to face, internally, the possibilities of good and evil in our own life and character, and be like God - choosing good. The more we do that, the more we become like Him - until, one day (thank God!) He will destroy the evil that daily seeks to pull us down.
On that day death and sin will die. We will attend sin's funeral. Thank you Jesus!
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