By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS: Struck by the similarities of living conditions described in a 1909 dystopian novella and the modern TV show Love Is Blind, I discuss the notion of the importance of physicality in relationships, as shown on the face, and if it’s true that ‘love is blind.’
By Elizabeth Prata
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan is a tremendous book. It’s an allegory of the Christian’s life from salvation to heaven (“The Celestial City”). In the book, there is a scene where Christian Pilgrim is attempting to climb the way to Porter’s Lodge. Up ahead he can see two lions crouching at the edge of the path. What Pilgrim doesn’t know is that the lions are chained, and if Pilgrim stays in the middle of the path, he will not be harmed by the lunging lions. Here is the excerpt:
Now before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off the Porter’s lodge, and looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two lions in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that Mistrust and Timorous were driven back by. (The lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.) Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them; for he thought nothing but death was before him. But the Porter at the lodge, whose name is Watchful, perceiving that Christian made a halt, as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, Is thy strength so small? Mark 4:40. Fear not the lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have none: keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.
We ourselves are pilgrims in a strange land. Our way is clear because, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105). The way is lit by His word and it is made clear, but it is a narrow way. Take care to stay on the middle line of that Way, dear friend, as I strive to do myself.
By Elizabeth Prata
It’s high summer here in the US, and where I live (in the South). It gets very hot in July. We are predicted to have a “heat dome” next week for the 4th of July, which won’t be fun for the poor marching bands participating in the parades. I am looking forward to the festivities that are planned for our country’s 250th birthday! It’s hard to think of how fast June flew by!
By Elizabeth Prata
“I’ll meet you at the place near the thing where we went that time.”
That is one of my all-time favorite movie lines. It comes from the 1987 Rom-Com movie “Broadcast News”, starring Holly Hunter and Albert Brooks. The line was spoken by Albert Brooks as character Aaron Altman, to Holly Hunter’s character Jane Craig. The two were colleagues at a broadcast news station, she was the producer and he was the reporter. They were close friends, who not only worked together but went out platonically (though Aaron wanted more. That was the ‘Rom’).
Continue reading “Places in the Bible: ‘The Millo’?”By Elizabeth Prata
People in my area have noticed that some new “Flock Cameras” have been installed. These are fixed, motion-activated automated license plate reader (ALPR) manufactured by Flock Safety, hence the name. Flock says that these are an aid to Law Enforcement, capturing information about a vehicle while it’s in public view. The company says the information gained, such as licence plate number, make, model, color, and details on the vehicle like toolboxes or fixed racks, aid in investigations.
Many citizens claim it’s intrusive, that they advance mass surveillance, that data can be shared inappropriately, and they oppose the Constitution’s promise that government must prove guilt rather than citizens must prove innocence.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS: Are you in a season where the Lord’s supply or provision for you or your family seems meager? Ask yourself instead, is it sufficient?
Poetry by Kay Cude. Used with permission. Right click on image to open larger in new tab. Or read the text below the artwork. Artist’s statement:
I keep returning to our (me!!) needing to “remember” God’s promises and provision. GOD THE I AM is the only fortress in Whom we find a righteous protector, defender and provider. He is the only place of eternal refuge from the world’s continuing tragedies and chaos. He is the stronghold Who is and Who will provide peace, wisdom, understanding, instruction and endurance.
FACING FEAR:
IN THE MIDST OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE
As waves of fear rolled nearer still, as deep its swell approached us nigh; our hearts near failed as we cried out, “O Lord, Your servants rescue now!” And crashed the waves of terror strong, our lives at risk — we knew death’s tide; yet stilled our hearts Your Glorious Word and on we clung and Truth prevailed.
As deep and dark, as depth of brine, we battled ‘gainst the foe’s onslaught; its torrents fierce as bounding main, — with cruelest rage this foe can slay. Yet in Your Will, O Saviour ours, Salvation’s Light’s our mighty Ark; afloat we stay midst evil’s gale, for You prevail within its rage.
Afloat we ride with knowledge sure, we look ahead with strength not ours; Endurance meets us Face-to-face, ’tis You our Strength our sure Bulwark, The fears we face — our spirit’s gain, makes strong we resolute of heart, to live God’s Will through providence — and triumph through His Will’s Intent.
~kay cude, October 1, 2017
“The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my GOD, my Rock, in whom I take refuge; my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. I call upon the LORD, WHO is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my GOD for help; HE heard my voice out of HIS TEMPLE, and my cry for help before HIM CAME INTO HIS EARS.” Psalm 18:2-6
Study Resources:
Desiring God: God’s Bright Design for Your Bitter Providences
Mike Ratliff: Persecution is the Natural Result of Teaching or Preaching without Compromise
Bible.org: Lesson 61: God’s Providential Protection (Acts 23:12-35)
Phil Johnson: Providence IS Remarkable
OUR FORTRESS PREVAILS
Refer to Psalm 46. FEAR NOT, GOD IS OUR ETERNAL REFUGE AND STRENGTH.
“We will not fear, for God hath willed His Truth to triumph through us; The body they may kill. God’s Truth abideth still, His Kingdom is FOREVER.” ~Martin Luther
IT IS the grace of God through His unfathomable mercy through the power of His predetermined love that urges us to remain and stand in His will concerning providence! WHAT THEN
IS IT that assails our thoughts with such unrelenting vengeance that can tempt us into overbearing fear when trials overtake us?
IT IS not remembering His Word — that He is Sovereign over all circumstances and issues we will encounter during our lives, during our service to, for and through Him…
Art: THE NINTH WAVE, Hovhannes Aivazovsky (1817-1900) PD, State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid-21854187
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS: Are we consumed with storing up treasure here on earth, or are we prioritizing investing in the kingdom? In this essay, I look at earthly ‘treasures’ and ponder what the treasures in heaven could possibly be.
Read more: What are the ‘Treasures in Heaven’?“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal …” (Matthew 6:19-20).
That is a familiar passage to us. We know what it says. We understand that we cannot serve two gods, mammon and Jesus. We comprehend that the love of money is the root of all evil. We all feel sad when the Rich Young Ruler turned away from Jesus, rejecting eternal salvation because he clung to his earthly wealth.
But what does treasure in heaven truly mean? What are the treasures in heaven, specifically? (Answer, no one is exactly sure, but here are a few ideas…)
Matthew Henry says in his Whole Commentary on the Bible, “A treasure is an abundance of something that is in itself, at least in our opinion, precious and valuable, and likely to stand us in stead hereafter.”
Continue reading “What are the ‘Treasures in Heaven’?”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS: Whoever thought of the phrase “You’re so heavenly minded you’re no earthly good” should be flogged with a wet noodle. While it’s true that we are busy here on earth, we should never be so busy that we fail to persistently contemplate the love and blessedness awaiting us in our heavenly home. Jonathan Edwards knew this.
the-end-time.org 