ooze and endurance

"Consider it all joy..."

When should we "consider it all joy"? James avows that we consider it all joy when suffer various trials (James 1:4-7).

At basic training for Chaplains (which is a gentlemen's basic) I had an abscess on my hip. The pain kept me up one night. I got up at 4:30AM and headed to the field excerise; we would be in the field for two days with no shower. My buddies saw the growth and forced me to go to the doctor. I rejoiced in that affliction (small though it was). I learned to trust and rely on friends. I realized how much they cared for me. They showed me the love of Christ. Praise God for the body of Christ, which is the church.

The Beast We Are

You are a beast. I am a beast. Oh, wait, you don't believe me? Think again---whether you're a pagan or a Christian we must all admit to death we are heading. "I said in my heart with regards to the children of man, that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beast" (Ecclesiastes 3:18).

Not only are we beasts, but, we are only but beasts. That's the Bible's perception. Isn't this comforting. When the day is long, the vomit comes out your stomach, when the periods don't end, when the labido is dry, remember don't get so down, after all, we are but beasts. The fate of man and beasts is the same, as one dies, so dies the other.

In your life and good moments, good times, remember...we are but beasts. Thank you Christ Jesus that you teach me that I am but a beast; what exceptions for mankind do I then need to live up to when I am but a beast. Amen.