Not a Camouflaged Soul

Author: Jon Wellman

  • Haiti

    I grieve for the people of Haiti.

    The families torn apart. The destruction. The untold thousands of non-believers that never came to Christ.

    I pray for them. For missionaries serving there, some whom have gone missing. For rescue workers risking their lives. For ordinary people going through extraordinary circumstances. For dangers and sorrows yet to appear.

    I want to go there. I want to give more. I want to do more. But my faith is in a God who has a purpose for us all.

    He wasn’t surprised by this. It didn’t catch Him off guard. It wasn’t a wrench thrown in the gears that are His perfect will.

    He remains on His throne.

    No earthquake, tsunami, plague, war, uprising, or act of man’s rebellion can change that. He has more than earned the trust of those who follow Christ our Lord. And He will be faithful forevermore.

    It’s time for us all to ask our King how we may serve Him in this situation. And then do it.

    photo © Reuters

  • Deconstruction: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

    The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

    My pastor mentioned this verse Sunday morning during his sermon. It impacted me.

    The end of the matter; all has been heard. – This subject is settled. There is nothing more to be said.

    Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. – The greatest commandment. “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.” Deuteronomy 6:1-2

    For God will bring every deed into judgment, – All the more reason to diligently keep His commandments. “ I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” Ecclesiastes 3:17

    with every secret thing, – “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

    whether good or evil. – Unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15); believers before the Bema seat (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

    Once again, the Scripture is rich and fulfilling, replete with truth.

  • Memories, Old and New

    My piano.

    My parents purchased this piano when my mother, brother, and I started taking piano lessons many years ago. It has survived five moves (if I’m recollecting correctly), two apartment floods, one spill in the back of a pickup truck (note the scuff marks in the picture), and many hours of heavy-handed practice by yours truly (including a couple of broken strings that remain broken to this day).

    Many memories tied to that instrument.

    Now, my kids are beginning to play. I’m teaching Tony, and Lyddie accompanies herself (her version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is excellent). We sing songs together from time to time as a family.

    Do you have any objects from your childhood that both stir up old memories AND create new ones?