Beyond Mediocrity Blog

(Image courtesy of http://daybydaywithjesus.com.) The Puritans left us with many wise writings, meaningful meditations, and powerful prayers.  Below is a Puritan prayer entitled "Self-Depreciation" - "Self-Disapproval".  Indeed, it is good for the Christian to disapprove of himself.

(Image owned by Beyond Mediocrity.)  "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). When you think of peace, what do you think of?  I picture two children striving against one another over a toy.  Both are upset.  Faces are tight with fear and anxiety.  Anger begins to fill their eyes and beads of sweat line their foreheads.  Neither one is willing to give in to the other's wishes.  There is no peace between them, only a rift of bitterness.  Finally, mom and dad see what is happening and begin to mediate between the two parties.  Little by little, their anger and hatred toward one another subsides and they are reconciled in a few minutes - thanks to the mediation by mom and dad.

(Image courtesy of https://reviveourhearts.com.) "The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress.   Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD, How He has brought desoloations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. 'Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!; The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress.   Selah " (Psalm 46:6-11). I had wanted to write about the role of God's creation in relation to our Creator, but recent political events - specifically the bizarre obstructions of a Senate meeting - have changed my course today.