| Author | Message | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 92 Registered: 2-2006 |
Have you ever read Lloyd Douglas' old book, The Robe? I don't mean have you seen the movie. Have you read the book? Surely many of you have! I have just read this book again. (I think this is time #4.) I believe there is no other book, besides the Bible, that I have so repeatedly read. My dad first read it to my brother and me when I was 8 or 9 years old. I know I read it on my own as a teen, and I think as a young adult. It has been more than 25 years this time, and I have been re-born. Ah! What a different read it was this time!  The author has written a story of the centurion who was tasked with crucifying the Jewish Messiah. He is the one who wins the lot for the Lord's robe. The experience drives him crazy. He is brought back by a miracle, and goes in search of the real Jesus. I believe he knows from the moment of the miracle that he has become owned by Another, But he finds comprehending the truth of what has happened, Who Jesus really is, entirely outside of his ability. What struck into my soul as I read of his struggle, not only for understanding, (And of the moment when understanding became no longer necessary because belief had taken root,) Was just how incredibly uncredible, outrageous, over-the-top, and in-your-face the things we claim for our Jesus really are. How can this be? It has to be an act of God whenever - every single time - that someone believes! THIS is the most unlikely story that has ever been told! Without the Spirit of God physically inhabiting and enlightening the soul It would be impossible for any human to believe such a tale. If by some flight of insanity he should, surely he could not stay insane enough to continue holding to the folly. To imagine that hundreds of thousands, millions, would believe the things we claim for Him is far beyond insane. No wonder those whom He hasn't touched get a glazed look when we talk about Him! No wonder those who don't know Him find those who do hopelessly crazy! No wonder we cannot explain Him! The miracle is that anyone ever understands at all. And YES! It is only a miracle. HE is the Gospel! HE, alone, is the whole thing. No one may come to Him except He reveal Himself to them, And no one to whom He has revealed Himself can remain unchanged. This is His Gospel: I loved you so much that I have purchased you. Because you are utterly unworthy of me I have chosen to make you my dwelling place. I have come to you. I have dressed you in my clean clothes and I inhabit you. You are no longer you, for I have made you into a new creature. Making this all the more unbelievable, While the essence of the old has forever passed away, the new, for now, inhabits it's broken body. This is not only a great inconvenience; it is a great hindrance to belief. I told you, "I can do more than you could ever imagine." I wasn't kidding...because I am GOD! Because I could exist inside that human baby --> I can inhabit you. Because I could turn water into wine --> I can change you into something worthwhile. Because I can make this blind man see --> I can forever be the Light of the World. I can make a leper clean --> surely I can clean your soul. I can feed a crowd on crumbs --> don't you think I will give you life-giving Bread in even more abundance than you need? I died to pay your ransom and I am your righteousness before Almighty God. I laid down my life, and I took it up again. I have been dead, and now I am alive. I have given you My Water, and it is a continuous spring of eternal life in your soul. What a Savior! What a God! Imagine that He might choose to glorify Himself in us! Hallelujah! Glory to God in the Highest! Enter into His Rest and be blessed. Pegg **I posted this on CARM earlier this AM. My apologies to those who may have seen it there. Just wanted to share these thoughts with my friends "over here". (Message edited by pegg on May 16, 2009) | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4824 Registered: 9-2006  |
Well thank you Pegg! Hallelujah! Glory to God in the Highest! Enter into His Rest and be blessed. Amen River | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 463 Registered: 10-2008 |
Pegg, This was beautiful - I'm glad you posted here. I'm not on CARM. Keri | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 97 Registered: 2-2006 |
Of course a novel is not something you base foundational beliefs upon. This book does not attempt to do that. Like all novels, the first priority is to tell a good story. This author is masterful at this. He certainly takes liberties far beyond Scripture. (He would have to - there is no such story IN Scripture!). My reaction to his story is, rather, an emotional one. This pretend story has caused me to think about something that I previously brushed off --> how really hard it is to believe in our Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25 - For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.The story of Jesus has never seemed foolish to me. Far from needing confirmation of the basis of our belief, I have been quite unable to imagine NOT accepting the Bible story. Reading the author's imaginings about this pagan's struggle to come to grips with what had happened in his soul has powerfully stimulated my thinking and opened a new way for me to see the Grace of God. Pegg | ||
| Qweary Registered user Username: Qweary Post Number: 39 Registered: 3-2004 |
Pegg, Just happened to log on and found your postings for May 16. I've been away much too long. I loved your blessed post as it FED my soul. Thank you so much. God is really using you to bless us all. Colleen, so glad to hear your mother is so much better! How proud she must be to have you for a daughter!! Lori, I DO hope to get over to see you and your church. Thank you for the invitation many moons ago. It's comforting to know we are in the same state. Thank you,Sondra. for the CD and your testimony!! Will try to write to you and do it properly. God Bless YOU ALL!! You are precious to me! Qweary |
