Gracious Love
There’s nothing more amazing than that love and grace manifested at Calvary,
A love and grace that’s still manifested today on behalf of humanity.
A love and grace that’s beyond our comprehension, even our mortal dimension,
A heavenly, intentional, and generous sacrificial intervention.
Yes, a love and grace that everyone should embrace, with open arms, heart and mind,
For such has always sought both the present and eternal well-being of humankind.
Yes, unfathomable love, that’s showered upon undeserving humanity,
And gifted grace, grace that saves, frees, empowers, grace that’s guaranteed and heavenly.
In other words, gracious love, love that provides us with hope, lightens and brightens each day,
Love that despite Adam’s fall, and our own rebelliousness, has provided a way.
Love that paid a price that cannot be matched, love that beggars belief and description,
And that on the hands and feet of its source — Jesus — bears our personal inscription.
Yes, gracious love, love and grace combined, a heavenly blend with you and I in mind,
For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son in order to save mankind.
A Son whose love but merely reflects the Father’s, a Son whose actions said it all,
Actions that love and grace had in readiness, should humanity succumb and fall.
So much could be said, and often is, regarding such love, such grace — yes, such mercy,
But suffice to say, love found a way, the only way, via that cross at Calvary.
For love knew only grace could save, not an ounce of human endeavour, (perish the thought),
For we, fallen and sin sick, wouldn’t have a hope, if via our works, we Heaven sought.
Hence why we sing “amazing grace,” for we don’t deserve such, never could, shouldn’t try,
For Christ did it all, and we’re unable, though were we able, in self we’d glorify.
Thus, grace it is, and grace alone, that Christ be glorified, and deservedly so,
For there’s only One who’s worthy, truly righteous, and to whom much gratitude we owe.
Oh yes, what love, what grace, that willingly took our place, and suffered on Calvary,
That we, via our response, could receive power from on high, and immortality.
Yes, what love, what grace, that leaves every author, artist, or preacher scratching their head,
For such will never be fully grasped, regardless of what is penned, painted, or said.
By Lance Landall
The Nature Of Christ
(Regarding His humanity)
Some think that Christ was just a man. Oh, how wrong! For He was God the Son, who came in human form,
Yes, that same God who created this earth, and us too — the Father’s Son, let me again inform.
A Son whose divinity, (when He walked upon this earth), was simply clothed with humanity,
An only Son, who surrendered His divine power to His Father’s will, humbly and willingly.
Therefore, such divine power Christ never used but for approved times, and indeed each miracle,
(Though He did display a supernatural knowledge; could read the heart and certain things foretell).
But given His divine power — oh, how hard it must have been for Him to exercise restraint,
Given the shocking way in which He was oft treated — and yet, amazingly, without complaint.
Oh yes, that baby in the manger was God the Son alright — Jesus — who came via virgin birth,
Free of sinful traits and propensities, and who never once sinned while He was here on this earth.
One who though He became a human being like us, never ceased to be God — that is, God the Son,
And who via His sinless life, perfect obedience, and Calvary, the victory won.
Though Christ took the nature of man in its fallen state, which bore the consequences of sin,
He didn’t take its sinfulness — just its post-Fall and now natural deterioration.
Hence why He was subject to those infirmities and weaknesses that so plague humanity,
Leaving one physically and emotionally drained, and even feeling very poorly.
Yes, not entirely like Adam before the Fall, not entirely like Adam after the Fall,
But able to be tempted though, and certainly He suffered, and on His Father had to call.
A living God who took our nature in every sense, but without its sinful propensities,
And who never sinned, never used His power to His advantage, nor to somehow His lot ease.
Though our Brother in our infirmities, not so in possessing like passions, (that see us fall),
For Christ had a sinless moral nature, uncorrupted like ours — we being, sinners who must gall.
Therefore, Christ’s suffering was all the more intense, and those temptations He faced far greater too,
For He recoiled from sin, had surrendered His divine power, was aware what His foes would do.
Yes, it took an unblemished Lamb, like that daily sacrificed in the earthly sanctuary,
One who throughout His life on earth, knew that one slip could cost us that grace that grants eternity.
Oh, the weight He must’ve felt, the anguish and pain He must’ve endured, and all for you and I,
And given our sin sick state, our petty selfish rebelliousness, one can’t help wondering “Why?”
And yet, we do know why. It was incredible, boundless, unconditional, and selfless love —
For that’s the nature of Christ.
By Lance Landall
By clicking on the following link you can read a much earlier but upgraded version
on the same subject: 'That's An Oxymoron'.
The following poem also appears in my secular poems section for which
it was particularly penned. The two women in this poem are not Christians.
The Chat
Mandy quickly popped a porcelain vase on the table, then
answered the knock on the door,
Surprise turning to exclamations and hugs, delight at the
bouquet her kind friend bore.
If there was one thing Mandy loved, it was flowers —
“nature’s jewellery,” she oft would say,
Yes, treasures for the plucking, that both natural beauty
and endearing charm convey.
Mandy fetched some water and
placed the bouquet in the vase that she’d popped on the table.
“I thought I’d call whilst
passing,” June relayed. Mandy sighed. “Oh, I’m so glad you were able,
And such has worked out really
well, given that on Tuesdays I’m usually not in.
It has been quite a while, and
you should see my garden now — it’s a real little Eden.”
“A
little Eden!” June exclaimed, “You haven’t gone all religious?” “Well,” Mandy
began,
“It’s all very
well for you to smile, but I’m convinced that there is some kind of
plan.”
June feigned a
frown. “What do you mean by a plan?” Both now moved to a welcoming
chair.
“Well,” Mandy
began again, “As far as I’m concerned, one thing’s becoming very
clear:
Beauty like that found in a garden, just couldn’t have
evolved, but must have been designed,
And if that’s so, then there just has to be some sort of
supernatural mastermind.”
“Are you suggesting that there might be a God?” June questioned, somewhat
less humorously,
And
wondering what might well be coming next, what exactly had come over
Mandy.
“I really don’t know,” Mandy replied, “But there surely has
to be a being of some sort,
And why not a God? One capable
of all this, just like Christianity has taught.”
“It would take more than a
garden to convince me of that,” June replied, “Quite a lot more.”
“But don’t you see,” Mandy
countered, “Could that not be our problem — we’ve lost our sense of
awe?”
“You see, we’re always looking for the dramatic, some
supernatural revelation,
When one could possibly argue that there is enough evidence
within creation.”
“Oh,
I can certainly appreciate just how beautiful gardens are,” June
agreed,
“But beautiful
or not, any garden is something that one constantly has to weed.”
“If
there is a God, what’s with the weeds?
And even evil people can look beautiful,
So I wouldn’t get too carried away, or next thing you'll be
getting all biblical.”
“I can’t explain the weeds,” Mandy replied, “But that
doesn't mean there’s no explanation,
And as for evil people who’re beautiful, there’s purely and
simply no relation.”
“People choose to be evil, and due to lust or lack of
control, in such will revel,
But isn’t it possible there’s an evil supernatural being too — a
devil?”
“Well, if
there is a God, I suppose that there
could well be a devil too,” June admitted.
“And,” Mandy broke in, “A God who for some reason both
those weeds and evil permitted.”
“Maybe something went amiss,
something that we don’t really understand, but will in time,
Which might explain why in this
world things oft occur for which there seems no rhythm or rhyme.
And those weeds that you
mentioned, no doubt the work of that evil one, who such ill began,
Aided and abetted by erring
humanity, very often referred to as man.”
“Yes, two forces, one producing
good, the other, evil — battling for supremacy,
Hence the rose with its thorns,
the bee with its sting — laughter, yet pain — defeat, yet victory.
Yes, I like to think and dare to
believe that good will conquer evil eventually,
And that the beauty I see in my
garden came about purposely, not randomly.”
“Why stop at gardens?” June
chimed in, seemingly coming on board. “Indeed!” Mandy replied,
“There’re all those beautiful
sunsets that we see, and there’re the delights of the countryside.
And oh, look at each new born
baby, a mother’s love — and love itself,
let’s not forget,
And
those genuine acts of loving kindness that most of us throughout our life have
met.”
“But to me, a garden’s surely evidence enough, for there
isn’t just beauty there,
But design and engineering, and
surely an intelligence of another sphere.
Yes, the more I spend my time there, pottering and
observing, sunny or cloudy day,
The more the possibility of a Creator with a Divine plan
I’m forced to weigh.”
By Lance
Landall
Why's It All Happening?
Why? Why? Why? Oh yes, how often such is heard regarding all the ills of today, and far more so, all those calamities.
Well,
how else can God get our attention? — yes, even that of
Christians, many lost in their worldliness, rebellion and ease.
So, is God zapping us then? No, I don’t believe so, but rather, He is gradually removing His restraining hand,
And
the reason? “As in the days of Noah” — which means that there’s little
left of that hour-glass sand, for Christ’s coming is near at hand.
And is that it? Well, not entirely so, for there is a little more to this picture, given the age old controversy,
That being, the battle for the hearts and minds of every human — Christ on one side, and Satan on the other, and so angry.
And that is why this devil, his evil angels, (and evil human agents), are increasing their wicked activity,
Bearing in mind that they know that their time is short, and therefore, are upping their efforts to get control of humanity.
Hence Satan’s, (and man’s), historic plans that are coming to fruition — yes, even under the guise of Christianity,
For both the devil and deluded sinful men have always worked within the Church with increasing fury and sophistry.
And hence that tragic state that the Church is now in, come the hi-jacking of Christianity, aided by outright folly,
That being, sincere perhaps but misled Church members, introducing and changing this or that, thus aiding our old enemy.
But further to the question “Why?” — in general, that is — are the consequences of Adam’s fall, when nature went askew,
Which has resulted in the Earth brooding and festering, as it were — the catastrophic results of the “flood” being a clue.
For under Earth’s crust there has been continuing activity due to such disruption, which can no longer be contained,
And which is why the likes of erupting volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis are increasing now, which our God once restrained.
And, it must be said, that humanity hasn’t helped the situation, given all the damage that has been inflicted
Via letting off nuclear bombs, disrupting and damaging nature ecologically — yes, guilty and convicted!
At the end of the day, we can’t pollute the seas, nor strip the Earth of trees, and think that we can get away with doing such,
And
hence why, (regardless of Christ’s coming), when it comes to turning
things around — hope and time, that is — there really isn’t much.
And
many would say, “None at all,” and I’d agree, for sin and decay have
done their worst, and hence why Earth is cursed, effectively,
Aided and abetted by that selfish and wicked pre-flood behaviour that is so entrenched in modern society.
And
then there are those random acts that cause so much suffering, for
where there is a world in chaos, there’s no rhythm or rhyme,
And
why some things will never make sense, but rest assured, dear committed
Christian, that further answers to such, will come in time.
And this is why we must look beyond our present trying conditions, as we await our Saviour’s glorious soon return,
Not letting anything get in the way of our salvation, and ensuring that those tragic lessons of the past we learn.
For those who are faithful to their Lord, (alias Creator) — and in every way — will soon delight in His victory day,
And eternity with Him on this Earth made new will spend, minus death, fear, tears and pain — oh happy day! — now not far away.
By Lance Landall
Don't Be Another Fool
So many Christians are acting like enemies of God, doubting, challenging and picking holes in His Word,
Yes, exchanging Creation for Evolution, and disbelieving certain miracles, which is absurd.
For look at what puny, fallen man can do, and how we’re oft amazed by such — and given a few more years
Nothing will seem out of reach — and here are Christians doubting what God can do, and oh, how the old devil cheers.
Well of course he does, for such hardly helps God’s case, hardly helps His cause, but rather, acts detrimentally,
For who’d seek a God whose powers are limited, who’d put trust in a Bible that’s flawed — well, not too many.
Or so I would assume, and I guess that’s why many are renouncing God and His Word, and looking elsewhere,
Or are simply adding Him to an array of things they’ve embraced — New Age tripe being a major player here.
Well, there’s no fool like an old fool, such numbering in the millions — many found within Christianity,
And why, oft beggars belief, for if they’re disputing much of God’s Word, and are doubting His ability,
Why oh why are they there? — for such are like termites attacking from within, who anger God, undoubtedly,
For it’s not only Him that they blacken and shame, but His Word and His Church, which He takes very seriously.
And so, they being the fools they are, they chase after man’s delusions, and play with Satanic territory,
The latter being the supernatural, the mystical, fantasy, heresy and liberality.
Yes, anything but truth and reality, preferring fables that lull and tickle the ears, foolishly,
In other words, anything but the sure Word of God, and that obedience that leads to eternity.
Now don’t get me wrong, for I’m not talking about salvation by works, but simply about doing God’s will,
As eternal life’s only for those who obey — which makes sense — for why would God reward wrongdoers-cum-ill?
They being, those who doubt, challenge and pick holes in His Word, those who snub His wisdom and mock His ability,
And who clutch at grace while living contrary — and so pointlessly — for God’s no fool, and such charades can see.
Either we’re in harmony with His will, upholding His Word as it stands, trusting in His ability,
Or not — and if we’re not, let’s not kid ourselves — for grace isn’t for doubters, knockers and flouters, quite clearly.
But hey, given what man can do, it’s surely not hard to imagine and believe in what the Lord can do,
For the miraculous is simply His greater ability, His means being way beyond ours, and tried and true.
And that’s the strength of it, friend — you either accept it or reject it — and rejecting such isn’t for me,
For even Nature declares an intelligence that’s superior to ours, and that’s very plain to see.
And why we should never doubt God or His Word, for that’s what Satan wants, hence his tricks, fiction and heresy,
Which so many Christians have succumbed to now, and many seemingly unwittingly so, but perilously —
For I suspect that God won’t necessarily excuse ignorance, given some is inexcusable,
For His Word is clear — and history and the evidence around us verifies such, hence why things should gel.
Thus, where we’ve had opportunity to check things out, and haven’t done so, more fool us, and God’s judgment fair,
For Heaven’s not for the careless, lazy, neglectful, rebellious, worldly Christian — this, God’s made very clear.
Yes, there’s no fool like an old fool-cum-Christian who repeats history, for they’ve the benefit of hindsight,
In other words, Christians have the benefit of the recorded waywardness of the ancient Israelite.
And then there is archaeology-cum-evidence that somehow verifies many Bible prophecies,
Let alone that evidence that verifies both the Flood and Creation — for we hardly came from monkeys.
And please don’t waste your time on theistic evolution-cum-Christian Darwinism, for that’s nonsense too,
In other words, just a variation on a theme — same song, different notes — and thus equally askew.
And why our only safety is found in keeping to a “Thus saith The Lord,” the straight and narrow way-cum-God’s will,
For any deviation leads to treacherous territory — which erring Christians, God’s been trying to tell.
By Lance Landall
"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him" (Prov 30:5, ESV).
"Not
everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven"
(Matt 7:21, NIV).
I Like, I Want, I Will
Yes, I like, I want, I will — oh, how often Christ must see the sad fruitage of such, and whack! There goes another nail,
Or if not a selfish nail, somebody just booted the foot of the cross — and did He then hear them, “It’s my life!” wail?
Yes, I like, I want, I will, and there goes another hard whack, another good kick — and who gave them the breathe of life?
And whose heart beats with an unconditional love for them, through which their wrong behaviour just thrust another sharp knife?
Yes,
that’s right, hammer another nail, boot that cross — you fool! — for
you should be pulling every one of those nails back out,
And why on Earth boot that cross, for that cross can save you! — but not if you keep shaming Him so, and thus rebellion shout.
No, you can’t keep on doing that, not willingly — alias I like, I want, I will — as that’ll just void what He’s done,
For those who just continue as they did before, neither truly know Him, nor appreciate what He has done.
Say, did I just change the tense? For first it was them, and now it’s you — well, surely you didn’t think that you’re free of guilt?
For at the end of the day, one way or another, every one of us is guilty, and yes, right up to the hilt.
Yes, be it consciously or unconsciously, we just keep hammering nails, booting that cross, and flying in His face,
And
there He was hanging there, praying, “Father, forgive them, for
they do not know what they do” — yes, dying in our place.
Wow! It’s so hard to believe, isn’t it? For after all, He would’ve known about these coming nails and boots, and yet,
Off to that cruel cross He still went, and oh, how He suffered, (and we think we’ve problems), and He did it without regret.
Yes, I like, I want, I will — are you feeling ashamed? Well, you should be, and so should I too, for how atrocious,
For we, out of love and gratefulness, should not only be full of praise, but also walking in paths of righteousness.
Yes, we should be doing what He likes, what He wants, and thereby, His will.
By Lance Landall
Don't Get Burnt
Hi there. Welcome to my playground. Please come on in….come on....it’s great fun.
Come on….don’t be concerned now, for none of those rumours are true — not one!
But you will hardly know that will you, until you give my things a try,
So, come on in — find out for yourself — and experience a real high.
Great! That’s the way. I knew that you would. You’re smart. Real smart, and good on you,
For you’ll soon see that those rumours are simply just rumours — far from true.
Yes, you’ll have the time of your life, and soon forget all that they have said,
And that is because you are brighter, much more savvy — yes, streets ahead.
Here now, let me show you around, and I will get you familiarized,
Which will happen very quickly, and even before you have realized.
Yes, you'll soon become so accustomed to the sights and sounds that you’ll see,
That you will hardly want to leave here, and actually will aid me.
There is so much that is tempting, and there is something for everyone,
Because I am a full-time people pleaser, when all is said and done.
I just give them what they are wanting, and soon they’re coming back for more,
Hence why most don’t want to leave here, which, excuse me boasting, I foresaw.
Oh yes, my playground is much more fun, because I do not withhold things,
No, people can do what they like, there aren't any rules here, and no strings.
Thus, they’re as happy as a flea in a sand-pit, and are so engrossed,
In fact, so much so, that if a fire broke out, everybody would roast.
By Lance Landall
We're Our Own Worst Enemy
So often we create our own misfortune, and this, despite the ample wisdom that we Christians have received,
(That is, from God above) — and how many times over such have we kicked ourselves, bemoaned our foolishness, and grieved?
And sadly, even turned on God, as if He had something to do with it, or should’ve prevented it somehow,
When it was us who chose to swing on the end of an inadequate branch, or some forbidden field chose to plough.
And all despite that wisdom God’s imparted, and despite the consequences conveyed via many a sad story,
That is, within God's Holy Word, where there are lessons aplenty in order to spare us from such misery.
Yes, lessons that God has lovingly supplied us with, for the last thing He wants is for us to suffer likewise,
And knowing that Satan makes danger look harmless and attractive, for he’s the father of falsehood, tricks and lies.
All of which we so often succumb to — willingly, knowingly, thoughtlessly, selfishly and rebelliously,
And we wonder why we suffer so, (and others too, sadly) — we usually being our own worst enemy.
For though Satan can tempt us, he can’t make us, and besides, we’ve been given the benefit of others’ mistakes,
Hence why we’ve usually got no one else to blame for our predicament — the cost when wisdom one forsakes.
And hence why we keep on learning the hard way — well, in a manner of speaking — for have we really learnt at all,
Given that we’re often repeating history — our own history — for how often do we stumble and fall?
Yes, we know that God knows best, and that His wisdom is for our own good, and yet, how regularly do we stray?
Thus creating our own misfortune, and all of which, our true spiritual condition must surely convey.
By Lance Landall
Don't Give God A Bad Wrap
Firstly,
let me fittingly remind how we hate being maligned — that is,
wrongly so — yes, falsely accused, (effectively abused), portrayed incorrectly, misquoted injuriously, painted
unfairly, (possibly sincerely), be that via a misguided or so-called friend, or some foe.
Well,
God hates such too, be such deliberate, or via some mistaken belief or view, one
that paints Him wrongly so, unfairly so, for from such, much ill can flow, given
that as a result, many folk wrong might exalt, and such also practice or
pursue.
When Satan rebelled in Heaven, (after jealousy led him
astray), God did not destroy him straight away, nor Cain for killing
Able, or those fools building the Tower of Babel, so let’s not draw
some conclusion from God’s Word, (perhaps one that’s preferred), that
only had relevance in its day — and by that I’m meaning: In order to
defend some violent action, (even revengeful reaction), no matter how
right seeming — for example: War, or the barbaric death penalty, thus badly
erring and aiding the adversary, who's behind all who act violently or murderously — yes, who's responsible for all the wrong we see, and thus the great cosmic controversy.
So let’s stop maligning our
Lord, who rather than punish, wishes to reward — a God who has borne long
with humanity, endured thousands of years of rebellious insanity, not
to mention daring blasphemy and shameful profanity.
And though it now appears
that after thousands of years, (and despite the fact that He truly cares), that He’s removing His restraining hand,
(given man’s cup of iniquity is full, and Satan’s final stand), we can
only but admire His long-suffering, and His praise duly sing, for He’s
a God who’s slow to anger and loathe to smite, despite having good
reason, the power, the glory and the might.
However, we know that there’s a day
when justice must have its say, and hence why God, in time, the wicked will
duly slay, but despite that being so, God has been mercifully slow, for
such is His nature and way, and why I feel compelled to say, He's truly a God we should honour, cherish and obey.
Yes,
where God’s wrath was exercised
in days of old, it was exercised very reluctantly, and as Scripture
makes manifold, His warnings clearly displayed His long-suffering and
mercy, His lack of desire to act hastily, unlike the devil, who like a
roaring lion, and clutching his sin-branding iron, would slay us all
immediately.
But,
sadly so, those who should better know, oft use such wrath to excuse
their own wrath, from which time and time again, (as is the way with
fallen men), we’ve seen violence justified in God’s name, a right that
we can hardly claim, for we don’t live under a God directed theocracy, one
that only existed historically, but no more, of course, for it suffered
a painful divorce, which God saw to personally — though it must be
said, lest you be wrongly led, that not God, but Israel, such chose, effectively.
And how
long did God bear with them, warn and plead? — but as Scripture
declares, they still rebelled, such warnings didn’t heed, and this, over
hundreds of years, which reminds me of Noah, a faithful sower, who for a hundred and
twenty years, (under God’s loving direction, and a devoted daily connection), preached of a coming flood, (and Christ’s future
life-saving blood), but only to see, what once again will be, millions
of souls lost eternally.
Yes, so don’t give God a bad wrap, (nor
via rebellion, an ungrateful slap), for He has clearly displayed
undeserved mercy, (just like that which He showed on Calvary), and time and time again, very patiently has borne with men,
for He’s a God of love and peace, who wants all forms of violence to
cease, and in its all too common place, desires a repentant race, one displaying unconditional
love, just like that one that's displayed above, and also, the same heavenly long-suffering grace.
By Lance Landall
You may also wish to read my article "Why Earth's Woes?" which is found on my
Bits 'n' Bobs
page, the link button to that page being near the top of my poem list
page.
Choose Ye This Day
We’re so used to death and decay, even corruption too, for we’ve been born
into sin, hence why we so easily stray, willingly wrong things do, and
harbour sin within, but imagine how Adam and Eve must have felt after
they’d sinned, (and the devil had no doubt grinned) — their purity
lost, and at such a cost — only to see leaves falling, once pretty
flowers drooping, and to experience coolness on their skin, and in
time, well past their prime, both painfully stooping, and let’s not
forget the thistles and weeds, and new found sweat soon forming little
beads.
Oh,
the pain, the anguish, the heartache, the fear, the dread, for in time,
(now mortal, and viewing life through a smaller portal), they would
soon lie dead, their children the recipients of sin, one even
harbouring murder within, and thus, down through time, given sin’s
upward climb, two camps forming, one group foolishly rebellious, the
other willingly conforming, one group on the roaring lion’s side, one
group on the Creator’s side, and thus, those on one side acting like an
Able, Joshua, Moses, Daniel, Peter, John or Paul, those on the other
side acting like an Absalom, Korah, Judas, Balaam, Jezebel, Herod or
Saul, and thus down throughout history, on Earth and above — the great
controversy — light versus darkness, love versus hate, truth versus
error, peace versus war, and we, like all those who’ve gone before, and
also at liberty to choose, will in our
day, either sin embrace or refuse, and thus fail or meet the test, (one
cursed, one blessed), one that saw Adam and Eve fall, they having
heeded the serpent’s call, and one that leads to eternal life, freedom from death, sin and strife, via heeding the Master’s call.
Yes,
one that can soon see leaves falling and flowers drooping in our life,
and inner turmoil, troubles, heartache and strife, or one that can soon
see an inner joy springing forth, which, at Christ’s return, will more
deeply within that heart burn.
Therefore, which one will you choose, and thereby, the other one refuse?
By Lance Landall
It Only Took An Apple
It only took an apple, and the rest is history, and so it has been with us, for it’s always those little
things, you see — yes, little apple seeds, one might say, we wanting
our own way — yes, selfishness at the core, that proverbial flaw, all
of which started with vanity — oh, what insanity — for Lucifer had it
all, and then there was Adam’s fall — yes, he and Eve had it all too, and yet, what did they go and do?
Yes, it’s so hard to believe, and we shake our head at Eve, for wasn’t there fruit on other
trees, and more than enough to please? — but just like ego bound
Lucifer, similar desires began to stir, and from the forbidden tree,
she plucked rebelliously, and were they better off for
such? No! But rather, then in Satan’s clutch, and thus Christ
to the rescue, Calvary’s rugged cross in view, for without His saving
grace, death would have been the case — and I mean permanently — but love, boundless love, spared them from that penalty.
Yes,
it only took an apple — and now, look at humanity — oh, what a great
tragedy — we all Adams and Eves, also devoid of leaves — yes, sinfully
naked too, for what do we go and do, but reach for that same old tree,
thus acting as rebelliously, and not just once, but habitually, kicking
that bloodied cross at Calvary — and oh, how Christ feels the pain, we
less like Able and more like Cain — and yes, Satan sniggers knowingly,
grins and says, “Here’s another
apple tree,” and out our hand is seen to go, we pleasing God’s ancient
foe, one who still is, and our foe too, evil, twisted, cunning and
askew, his own orchard full of trees, poisoned fruit we eagerly seize, only to suffer accordingly, and in time, possibly lose eternity.
Yes, little apple seeds, one might say, ones that we sow along the way, those seeds coming from Satan’s fruit, we choosing to do what us will suit, flattered by Satan’s sophistry, those things he whispers secretly, not that God misses such, I certainly knowing this
much, for God can see inside the heart, that place where wrong desires
start, and where self and pride first began, and hence the fall of
Lucifer and man, and all because of a tree, no doubt one among many, but no, Eve desired that
one — yes, the “You must not eat” one, which saw man banned from Eden,
and ever since, mankind busy weed’n, but not so much those inner
weeds, those selfish little apple seeds, and despite the cost of
Calvary, that love that unlike ours, acted selflessly — and thus our
crime even bigger, it seems to me, for though Adam and Eve caused Calvary, we keep renewing Christ’s agony.
By Lance Landall
Trouble In Paradise Again
Once
upon a time, (conveyed here in rhyme), there lived a very good man —
here on Earth, that is, for
a certain span — yes, a faithful Christian who in time passed away, and
who was
taken up to Heaven, or so they say, and there he sat in Paradise, (the
destination of the saved, to be precise), where each day midst much
heartache and copious tears, he observed his loved ones earthy affairs
— the
grief they battled, their toils and woes, things that shook and
rattled, their highs and lows, until finally he broke, and turning to
Christ, the following despondently spoke:
“Why did You bring me up
here — now, that is — for one thing is very clear: I can't be content or happy up
here, while they’re so tortured and unhappy down there?”
And clutching at his
robe and star studded crown, he dragged himself back to his mansion,
gaze not up but down, face distorted with a frown, and he was seldom
seen on the streets of gold, wondering why a God of love, (who we're told watches tenderly from above), true joy and
peace would thus withhold.
And he wasn’t alone, for there were
others too, who had a similar grouch, not to mention view — in fact,
many had an even worse one, for midst a flaming fire, and state most
dire, they beheld their spouse, daughter or son, a nightmare that
didn’t make sense, and that as a consequence, not only robbed them of
joy and peace, (made worse by the knowledge that such wouldn’t cease),
but that also had them doubt God’s mercy, for couldn’t He surely see,
that keeping them burning continually, was not only unjust, but even
sadistic, arguably?
Thus, despite the absence of Lucifer, (no
longer in Heaven, and the first to err), happiness and contentment
ceased to flow, as doubts and murmurings began to grow, for in the
minds of many, Paradise had lost its glow, making each new day so
painfully slow, which soon led to insinuations, and condemnatory
accusations — in other words, open rebellion again, war, something that
God never foresaw — or did He, actually — and has He planned things
differently, and could this account be imaginary, a tale showing the
flaws in a currently held heresy, a doctrine belonging to men, who’ve
strayed off-track once again, a heresy that says that at death, and
with their very last breath, the saved are raised immediately, thus ascending up to the heavenly, while
the departing wicked descend to some hell, only to be observed by those
who in Heaven dwell?
Oh dear, for surely it’s clear, that such is
a sure recipe for trouble in Paradise again, but isn’t that so typical
of men, who, certain influences of their day, namely Greek, (which is
found if you seek), allowed to gain the upper hand, and thereby, wrongly sway,
which soon had the majority going astray.
And out of such, Satan
has gained much, for now many think that the deceased are communicating, and
our joining them in Paradise anticipating, when the truth is, that
they’re still here on Earth, that they're still locked in their graves, and like us, their
Saviour still awaiting.
By Lance Landall
“Yet
all these [faithful Bible heroes of all the ages] though they were
commended for their faith, DID NOT RECEIVE WHAT WAS PROMISED [eternal
life, immortality], since God had provided something better [much
fairer] so that they WOULD NOT, APART FROM US, BE MADE PERFECT [be
given immortality. They will have to wait until Christ's second coming]” (Heb 11:39,40).
“See,
the day is COMING, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all
evildoers will be STUBBLE; the day that comes shall BURN THEM UP, says
the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them NEITHER ROOT NOR BRANCH
[total annihilation]. And you shall TREAD DOWN THE WICKED, for they
will be ASHES” (Mal 4:1,3).
Praise His Name
Honour and glory belong to Jesus Christ the Son, for nothing greater than what He did, has
anyone done — yes, no greater victory was so soundly
won — and are there any who could've come close? No, not even one.
Oh,
how Heaven gasped at such outrageous love, such pure, selfless,
unconditional love, love that was displayed on Earth, love of such
width, length, depth and girth, thanks to our Lord who now reigns above, still exercising that incredible love — yes, what
staggering love, what boundless love, what unfathomable love — love
that bled for us intentionally and mercifully, love that successfully
stormed the stronghold of our adversary, love that dispensed with the
devil’s accusations so thoroughly, love that broke death’s hopelessness
and shackles so decisively, love that expressed its true intent upon
that cross at Calvary, love that’s source could only be but from
somewhere heavenly, love that wove such an unforgettable rich and warm
tapestry, love that spoke so eloquently and so persuasively, love that
longingly sought the restoration of humanity, love that beautified a
cross only known for its savagery, love that suffered terrible agony
undeservedly, love that sought forgiveness for such callous insanity,
love that so humbly and nobly bore such insult and injury, love that
under trial and pressure retained its dignity, love that’s depths will
be studied all throughout eternity, love that’s hands and feet are
marked personally and permanently, love that revealed our Saviour’s
character so strikingly — yes, love that acted so exceptionally, so
heroically, so generously, so lavishly, so graciously — oh yes, what
grace, what amazing grace — all of which no pen or brush can capture
adequately, and at their very best, no matter how skilled or blessed,
only but barely.
By Lance Landall
God's Holy Word
I’m
seriously into God’s Holy Word — it’s now more desired, loved and
preferred — so I don’t just go by those things that I’ve heard, nor by
any other prized and written word, but rather, calling upon the Father,
I search the Scriptures very thoroughly, asking that the Spirit guide
and convict me, for I wish to know much more about my Lord, and all
about His plans, His will and His ways, so that my plans, and my will and ways, with His plans, and His
will and ways, might thereby be in far greater accord — yes, more in
harmony with the heavenly, and I, then with keener mind and sharper
eye, responding more earnestly and receptively, always willing,
waiting, watching and ready, my direction sure, purposeful and steady,
with my Lord and Saviour stationed at the helm, and the whole of my
rapturous heart His realm, where I, in order to Christ Jesus glorify,
daily and gladly dispense His sweet love, join in the heavenly chorus
above, dutifully carry out Christ-like deeds, sensitively attend to
others’ needs, and share the light that is found in His Word, for such,
He so desires be read and heard, given that within its sacred pages,
one can see the living God of the ages, who very mercifully took our
place, in order to grant us His saving grace, so that one very soon and
welcoming day, from this old planet’s gloomy sin-sick grey, midst an
awe inspiring galactic display, He might rescue us from this world of
sin, and we, then granted immortality, a new life in Heaven with Him
begin, along with those who chose to obey too, sensing the honour and
gratitude Christ's due, and joyously taking Him at His Word, which they
then receptively read and heard, and which here, without hesitation,
favour or fear, I laud and commend to every one of you.
By Lance Landall
Is God Too Soft, Even Unfair?
Yes,
you did read correctly, rightly see. So, is God too soft, even unfair?
Is there evidence suggesting so, could it be that you might think so,
or is such actually clear?
Well, for your edification and general assimilation, a number of things I’ve decided to share.
God
is
delaying His return, (despite His loving concern), and thereby, our
departure, so that others can make it
to Heaven — yes, He's still bothering to warn, persist, even nurture,
forgiving more than seventy times seven, and amidst it all, as He has
since the Fall, giving wicked people a chance to change, who, when they
do so,
repentantly so, will receive grace in exchange, and the promise of
eternity.
See what I mean, and within Scripture, building upon this picture, there’s even more we can glean.
Yes,
God saved a thief on the cross, (bad since the day he was born?),
and as for ancient Israel, (now there’s a sorry tale), and that
stubborn old Pharaoh, (ancient Israel’s wily foe) — how many chances did
God give, how many times did He warn?
And look at that fanatical
Jew, a man called Saul, who God mercifully spared and used, even after
all he’d killed and abused, (incidentally, renaming him Paul), and by
the way, God never slew Satan, Adam and Eve, nor Cain — so what does
that say? — I’ll tell you —
whether one is good or bad, God's response is very humane, plus, He
grants both the good and bad daily water, sunshine and grain, and when
those who willingly sin repent, letting the Spirit
reverse their wayward bent, He wraps a clean robe of righteousness
around their grubby sin-sick frame, sets a crown aside for them, and as
with Paul, previously Saul, sets aside another name.
And say, who
let folk spit on Him, horridly revile and abuse Him, hang Him on a
cross between two thieves? And who, over a non-saved wicked one’s loss,
as He did over His murderers’ fate, deeply grieves? — an amazing act, an
incredible fact, but that’s His way, and at the end of the day, who
would have it all any other way? — for were it not so, one to Heaven
wouldn’t go, and why whether God’s too soft or even unfair, is really
neither here nor there.
In a manner of speaking, that is.
By Lance Landall
