Beautiful Feet

by Benjamin Burke

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings the good news

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

God calls us to missions. Sometimes, it is only to our neighbors, our friends, those around us where we are at. And other times, it is to the world. He may call us to go to completely different cultures. No matter where God calls us to go, we have to go, period.

It’s a period, but it’s not the end of the story. One way we can prepare for missions is to do what Jesus says most frequently to do; Read the Bible and pray. You have to make sure you are ready, in season and out.

As Christians we know that a time will come that we will have an opportunity to share the gospel and the good news. Many Christians spend time sitting and waiting for the opportunity to do that, but they are not preparing or seeing the daily importance of having fellowship with God. But the truth is, you can’t give what you don’t have. A verse that comes to mind is a verse from Ephesians 6. It says that when we are going out as Christians we need to have our feet “shod with the preparation of the gospel”. You notice that it actually uses the word preparation. Preparing to share with people is the most important part of missions.

God does call us to go out and share. Let’s not just hear the call. Let’s not just look for opportunities. Let’s be ready! If we are full His words then those words can be used to change people when the Holy Spirit leads us to speak them. If we are taking His good news, we are proclaiming peace, tidings of good things, and salvation! Our God Reigns!

A Word to the Young

This is an review of the article A Word to the Young by Pastor Paul Washer by Benjamin Burke

In the article A Word to the Young by Mr. Paul Washer, Mr. Washer covers a lot of things, like reading the Bible, prayer, surrounding yourself with godly companions, and being committed to seek after God. The first thing he talks about is to “Remember the Brevity of Life”. He says that we need to “fight” off the temptation to forget the brevity of life, and that we need to learn from the bible and remember that our days are numbered. I really like this is because he really points out that our lives are going to end just as fast as they began. We must understand that we only have one shot to do what’s right, and that is to believe in the one and only true God.

The second thing he talks about is to “Remember your Creator”. He says that the only way we can remember the brevity of life is to remember our creator. He says that “Unless you purpose in your heart to remember God and use every means at your disposal to remain true to that purpose, you will fall into vanity and your life will be wasted” ¹. This really stands out to me because if you say “I believe in God”, but don’t act on it and just leave it at that, it’s one of the most dangerous things you can say.

”Read the Bible”. Mr. Washer says that “One of the greatest things a young Christian can do is to make a lifelong practice of reading the Bible systematically from Genesis to Revelation over and over again”²… the only thing a real Christian can do to strengthen his faith is to read the Bible. He says that most Christians have a sectioned knowledge of the Bible because they don’t read it the way it is written.

“Pray”. That’s it. Pray. Its brings us closer to God. That’s the only thing that brings real happiness. If you don’t read the bible you can’t pray, if you can’t pray you can’t live eternally with God. What an awful thought. To be eternally separated from our “Creator”. Prayer is only thing that brings us closer to God, and that is the only thing that satisfies.

“Flee Youthful Lusts”. Mr. Washer points out that in the Bible God tells us to stand strong while facing Satin, but to “Flee from youthful lusts”. That’s how strong the secular world is. God makes it that specific to run away from the world. If you open that door just a tad bit, the devil can stick his “foot” in that little crack and he’ll never allow you to shut it. And the only way you can, is to ask Jesus to come into your life, and help you in that area.

Now I want to ask you a question, what do you want people to say at your funeral? Do you want them to say “I was proud of him or her”, or “He was a mighty man or woman of God”? Or do you want them to say “He or she wasted his or her life”, or “He or she knew there was a God, but chose to stray away”? Which one do you want? We must devote our lives to Him, and Him only. We have one shot at this. Our days are numbered.

Benjamin - September 2010

Hobbes

I have a little Hobbe“r”s that goes everywhere with me,
He’s cute and very furry and is as fluffy as can be.

I say that he is cute but if you ever saw this dog.
You’d not “Awe!” about his cuteness,
But probably rather pet a frog.

He looks like a little werewolf
double bottom fangs on either side.
They only serve to hinder licking,
Which he couldn’t stop if he tried.

As ugly as he is
He’s the kindest little thing
Ticks and all can’t keep thankfulness away for
All the joy and happiness he brings.

He shows love endlessly
Playing, chasing, sitting near
And never stopping to lick and love you
That’s how he shows you that you’re dear.

He likes to lick everyone,
No matter who it is.
Though many shoves are given him,
He still always has to kiss.

He stands less than a foot off the ground
His upturned hair, you’d laugh if you saw
But sadly now I have to end this…
I know you might say “Awe”.

Not to worry, I’ll be back with more on Hobbes,
And the next time I might tell
Of our big ole burly golden retriever
Hobbes best friend, Brutis Shnell.