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 |    We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
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“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV)    |
Sometimes when I was just a child, my daddy had to leave, and go some place away awhile, importance to achieve. Some work when there, that needed done, he’d do with joy so quick, returning then to his dear son, me in his arms he’d pick. But when I knew, “He’s coming home,” throughout the day I’d fret, “So, when’s he gonna be here, Mom?” “Just play awhile, and sit.” He always came home, after awhile, and happy I would be, for waiting is a certain trial as every ‘child’ can see. But Dad has passed, and Mom has, too, and they’re not coming back, ‘til the shout is heard, and the trumpet blew when abundance fills our lack. Again, I’m waiting every day, until Jesus raptures His Bride when all, who sit at His Table may fore’er in Him abide. “So, when’s He gonna get here?” cries my heart’s impatient plea. Until that moment, oft it sighs, “With You I’d always be.” by Jay O’Toole on September 30th, 2024   |
She slapped some trees and knocked them down. She tossed so many limbs. She took our power and made us frown. The food-prep option's thin. The town in frenzied activity is trying to normal make. The anxiousness our lives now see is sometimes hard to take. Don't plan to get your car filled up without an afternoon to stop and start, and drink a cup or maybe sing a tune. I found some signals for the street, where actual lights do burn, but side roads make my oft retreat, until more lights I learn. Some day our lives will be restored for now, and Eternity, but now the "not-as-good" affords us thoughts and words to free. by Jay O’Toole on September 28th, 2024 |
It brews itself in storminess as gentle drizzle falls. The quiet moments lately bless the heart, that hopeful calls. My cup of joe in patience knows the hand, that stirs the spoon may softly start 'til torrent grows in the evening hours soon. "What is that name upon the cup?" "Helene. The venti, mine." "Will sip you long or drink it up?" "Unknown, but both are fine." Will the moments of the midnight hour be peaceful in a chair, or will the heart sink into dour when windy claws you bare? The storm may give its payload vent or mercy cause it cease. For God doth know His Judgment's bent, that wisdom may increase. by Jay O’Toole on September 26th, 2024 |
| Writing about eschatology ("the study of last things") is a challenge to express faithfully, and to parse out accurately. Yet, expressing eschatology is important to be done. Finding people, who know the same tenets of Christianity, that I know is a daunting task. I had a discussion with a young adult, yesterday, who was decades younger than me. She clearly stated, that she had never heard of the Rapture, and from what I could tell, she didn't know The Gospel, either. Sipping a cup of coffee is a wonderful experience, but will we even remember it 100 years from now? A Primer: 1. I firmly believe, that this life is merely the beginning of our existence, not the sum total of it. 2. I am convinced, that the nine months of gestation is to this life what this life is to Eternity. 3. I would like to assert, that since the afterlife is infinitely longer than this life, it is worthy of more contemplation than the considerations of this life. 4. The bad news is, that our first parents sinned at the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden. 5. The Good News (aka "Gospel") is Jesus coming to correct our sin, by living His perfect life and dying on a tree on Mount Calvary, being buried, and rising again on the third day. 6. Salvation comes to a human when The Lord intervenes to give the new birth. (John 3:3) 7. The Rapture is the moment when Jesus returns to snatch away all, who are newly born. These will enjoy The Marriage Supper of The Lamb, while those, who remain on Earth will experience The Great Tribulation. Why am I writing about this right now? Many things are happening on Earth, which are signs, making the fall of 2024 prime historical real estate for The Rapture of the Church (aka "The Snatching Away of The Bride of Christ.") This is where souls become confused, throwing up their hands, saying, "This is just too hard to understand." A consistent rebuttal is Matthew 24:36, KJV, "36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." The counterpoint comes in two ways. First, is this verse referencing The Rapture or The Second Coming of Christ? Secondly, what does it mean in context? Now, let's read four verses, together. Yet, these four verses may still not be enough to express the complete meaning. "36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:36-39, KJV) When the Judgment of God comes on Earth, humans will be continuing "life as usual." That happened in the days of Noah in the global flood. It's happening, again, right now. What is happening at this moment in HIStory? "25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:25-28, KJV) As I write this, I am bracing for the coming of Hurricane Helene. I'm inland, but I'm right in the path of the storm. This certainly sounds like verse 26c, "for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Rebuttal: "But we've always had hurricanes." Response: "True, but have hurricanes increased in strength and numbers to have any importance, regarding Scripture?" Will the Rapture be coming soon? Maybe it's just a "gut feeling," but it surely seems like it will. The Rapture "16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:16-18, KJV) Let's review. What is The Gospel? If this is not understood, then the Rapture will come and go, and in its aftermath, HIStory will be changed. We need to know the Gospel. It is so important. The Gospel "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (I Corinthians 15:3-4, KJV) by Jay O’Toole on September 25th, 2024 |
| Though "conversion" is not a word we use in common language, these days, with the exception of "conversion van," which is used for trips, and vacations, my conversion is quite frankly the best way I can describe what happened to overhaul my entire life when I was six years old. The seniors would tell me to say something like this. "When you tell others, that you are saved (aka 'right with God,') give them your conversion experience." Am I a Christian? Yes. However, the longer I am one the less I feel, that I am a great example of what it means to be a Christian. I'm quite flawed. I don't know how to smoothly start up a conversion about Jesus, so that I may share The Gospel with others. This blog has been a great help to me in that regard because I have to take time to think about the words I am about to say. That is especially so with the poetry I write. Bottom Line: I've come to realize, that I'm not a Christian because I'm a great person. I've too often been an awful person, who needs the Great Savior, and being perfectly honest, everything good I've ever done is still awful. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6, KJV) Literally, everything good I do looks in God's eyes, like when I soiled myself as a baby. Jesus is my Only Savior. Ever. Now, that I've told you how bad I am, let me tell you how Good Jesus is. It was the Thursday night of a revival meeting in the spring of 1967. Sometime during the message, that was being preached, my heart was quickened (or "made alive") to understand for the first time in my life, that I was lost without Jesus, and I needed to be saved, which is to simply believe His Claims about being The Only One, Who could save anyone. (John 6:37,44; John 14:6) I held onto the pew in front of me and didn't "go forward" to say anything publically during the invitational hymn, but I was so happy when the final prayer spoke the word, "Amen" so I could leave and get outside the building. I already believed in the existence of that place of everlasting torment, called, "Hell." Therefore, I was terrified, during the entire car ride from the church to the pastorium, where we lived. It was a drive of less than two miles, but I was afraid, that I would die in a car crash on the way home, and instantly go to Hell. Finally, we arrived safely at home, but I could contain myself no longer. On the front stoop, I started crying significantly. My dad asked, "Son, what is wrong?" I told him, "Daddy, I thought I ought to have gone down (front in the church.)" "He said, "That's okay, Son. We can take care of that right now." He led me inside the house, and seated me on a big chair, near the door to the kitchen, and read me some Scripture verses, like John 3:16 and the Romans Road, but all with the emphasis on Jesus, being The Savior. I could do nothing to save myself. He, then, led me to pray for Jesus to save me, come into my heart, or some other wording, that simply meant, "Not me. Jesus is The One, Who paid for my sins, was buried, and Who rose from the dead, never to die, again." I have since come to understand, that Jesus' perfect life was necessary to substitute for my imperfect life. Why am I telling you this? Oftentimes, people pray a Sinner's Prayer as I did, and rely solely on that apparent transaction with God as the only or main reason, that he or she believes, that person is saved (a new creation in Christ Jesus.) Seriously, that would be like planting an acorn in the ground, coming back twenty years later, looking for a big oak tree, yet finding the acorn still in the ground. Acorns are meant to grow into trees, and "baby" Christians are meant to grow into mature believers in Jesus, the Christ. (I John 5:1, KJV) I'm grateful for that first prayer in which I embraced Jesus as my Savior to the fullest extent of my six-year-old heart, but I would be in a sad shape, today if I was still that little six-year-old Christian. He still lives in my heart, and he still cries out in fear from time to time when I review something, that has happened of a serious or potentially harmful nature, or when I anticipate something bad, that could happen. This has happened over the past couple of days as I have heard the predictions of the next tropical storm/hurricane, they plan to call, "Helene." "What happens, if this is the Big One?" he cries. Adult me has to try to comfort 6yo me, "We've been through hurricanes before, and God always takes care of us. Why should He stop taking care of us now? Even if we die, Jesus paid our sin debt through His death, burial, and resurrection, and He lived His perfect life to cover our imperfect life. We couldn't make ourselves born, physically (the first birth,) and we couldn't do anything to make us be born, again, spiritually (the second birth.) (John 3:3, KJV) God is The Sovereign Shepherd, and we are His little sheep. Let's rest in His Arms. (Psalm 91:1-4; Colossians 1:16-17, KJV)" I still fail a lot. That's what humans do. We fail, but the amazing focus of the Christian life is that we can "fail forward" in Christ, Who is still The Savior and Lord. I'd like to end with two sets of verses, that are near and dear to my heart. Ezekiel 36:26-27, KJV says, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." I Corinthians 15:3-4, KJV is the Gospel Message, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" I prayed a prayer when I was six, but Jesus regenerated me so, that I would want to pray that prayer. I've lived an imperfect, "up & down" life since that day. You would not have been able to tell I was a Christian, during some days of my life, but on other days I was completely given over to serving The Lord to the best of my abilities, but even on those best days, my own goodness was still "filthy rags" (aka "a soiled diaper." Isaiah 64:6, KJV) My conversion is truly His transformation of my sinful life into one, that is useful in His Hands. Salvation is not what I do for Him. Salvation is His life living through me. I am grateful, that He lives through me as imperfect as I still am. (Philippians 2:13, KJV) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Not me. Jesus. May He regenerate you that same way this very day. by Jay O’Toole on September 24th, 2024 |
gaining strength at sea time will come it will be known aftermath remains by Jay O’Toole on September 23rd, 2024 |
When the boat was tossing wild, Jesus took a nap. When the world shakes His own child, fear comes as a trap. Blessed Hope looks up above, past all worldly din. Face of Saving, Lordly Love, best of HIStory's men. Maelstrom 2024, not much left of peace. Holidays are at the door. Is there yet release? Storm the eyes, November grates. Our lives no anchors have. Mark the choice among the dates as Joy combats the grave. Blessed Hope, that Jesus soon will come to rest for aye the chosen ones, who know His boon in everlasting Day. A bird can nest in rocky crag. A whale retreats to the deep. A human can without a brag know The Savior's Arms, that keep. The storms of life are for a time. Rest not in circumstance, but in God's Word, His Truth sublime, determined, not by chance. by Jay O’Toole on September 20th, 2024 |
Sipping coffee in my nook, be it cold or hot, writing, reading in a book, troubles fast forgot. Gentle cup of cold brew now comforts from the heat. Thank The Lord in prayerful bow. This nook is my retreat. From my local coffee house did this cold brew hie. Wondrous gift from my dear spouse brought it tasteful nigh. Nook with coffee, blessed time when we moments spend. Gift of breathing in its prime with hopes to ever tend. End of summer colors fall with its whispered chill. Keep our evening cups so tall, peaceful nook my will. by Jay O’Toole on September 19th, 2024 |
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" (I Corinthians 15:3-4, KJV) For I delivered unto you, that which I first received, how Christ has died for sin's own due when we were all deceived. He died for us as The Scriptures said. He was buried, then arose. 'Twas then again in The Word as read to save the ones he chose. "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44, KJV) "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37, KJV) No man can come to me, but one drawn by The Father alone, and I will raise him up as son when the last day's sun is shone. The ones The Father gives to me shall come to me of truth, and I'll ne'er cast him out, you see. My Word's your needed proof. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, KJV) A new heart, also, I'll give you. A new spirit within, I'll take the stony heart of you, a fleshy heart is giv'n. I'll put my spirit within you, and cause you always walk in my blest statutes through and through, my judgments do and keep. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, KJV) For it is God, which works within you both to will and do of His good pleasure, free from sin, forever by Him new. by Jay O’Toole on September 18th, 2024 |
Sometimes they feel so far away, the restful times I need, but maybe it's just how today my body feels each deed. Life's restful moments in a chair as writing this day's thoughts. Life's hopeful times, some here and there need honor God as taught. Just stop and listen to the sounds of Nature made by God, and thank Him for the peace I've found. His goodness I applaud. The days of life are fewer now, the strength of body, less, but when before The Lord I bow, His Mercy I will bless. (Philippians 2:5-11, KJV) Life's restful moments share some tea with times within His Word. The times He gives are wondrous free for He Alone is Lord. by Jay O’Toole on September 17th, 2024 |
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