Hearthstone - June 2001


xxContentsx	Volume 16, No. 6	June 2001
Tears Amazing Grace Omnipotence Hugs 'N Tugs by Wendy Greiner Lefko Moving Day Parental Example Glory in Christ Alone Consecration What A Savior Best of LifeLine by Rev. Larry W. Greiner A Godly Father's Legacy True Worth	OUR AWESOME LORD Christ dug deep the gorges, piled up the hills, And probed up the mountains with His will. The moon and the stars leaped on His arm. He did not have to write His signature on the corner of a sunrise, Because He is the Creator. He did not have to place a laundry mark in the lapel of a meadow, Because He is the Owner. He did not have to carve His initials on the side of the mountain, Because He is the Titleholder. He did not have to put a brand on the cattle of a thousand hills, Because He is the Proprietor. He did not have to take out a copyright on the songs the birds sang, Because He is the Composer. —S.M. Lockridge

TEARS
	The Son of God in tears, Angels with wonder see; Be thou astonished, O my soul, He shed those tears for thee! He wept that we might weep: Each sin demands a tear: In Heaven alone no sin is found, And there's no weeping there! —Author Unknown Back to Contents

Lord, I do not ask for a faith that will move mountains.
I pray, Lord, for enough faith to move me.

—Dr. Lee Roberson

AMAZING GRACE
	Sin had never taken a man so low but that the arm of God's grace could reach a little lower. As low as sin dragged the thief on the cross, the arms of God's grace reached down and picked him up. One moment the thief was drinking the vinegar and the gall; before evening came, he was drinking from the fountain that flowed from the throne of God. —Bob Jones, Sr. Back to Contents

OMNIPOTENCE
	During an earthquake, an elderly lady was serene and unafraid. Someone asked her afterwards, "Were you not afraid?" "No," she replied, "I rejoiced to know that I have a God who can shake the world!" Back to Contents

HUGS 'N TUGS
By Wendy Greiner Lefko
	Chasing bees! Those two words don’t normally go together logically in that order, unless you’re referring to our two-year-old daughter, Grace. I was watching her play outside the other day when I realized she was cheerfully chasing after a couple of bees! Fortunately the bees were much faster than she was and seemed unbothered by her playful presence. My warnings of caution to her went unheeded as I used every word I knew to be in her two-year-old vocabulary to try to explain to her the danger involved. She adores all animals without fear, and I assume she considered this bee just another creature to be cuddled and made friends with. That’s where parental guidance came in, to teach her what is safe and what is potentially harmful. Of course I had to whisk her inside before the bees became agitated enough to turn the tables on "who was chasing whom." But as I tried to explain, with her limited understanding, why "we don’t chase bees", I could see in her childish eyes she still didn’t comprehend the danger. It looked pretty, it was something new, and it was fun to chase! She clearly has no knowledge of the potential harm to her. Are we chasing bees of another kind? Do we seek after things of this world that look pretty, offer new excitement, are fun to chase, yet harbor great potential to sting us spiritually? It may seem harmless at first glance, or even fulfilling in the beginning, but the danger could be just around the corner. It could be a harmless looking relationship that is in truth unequally yoked. It could be a seemingly worthwhile hobby that becomes a major time-stealer. It could be entertainment that at first seems wholesome but descends into immoral and unbiblical values. It could be any number of things. But that is where we need to look to our Heavenly Father for wisdom and guidance to avoid such dangers. We may not see the stinger that is hidden by beauty. We need to heed God’s Word when He warns us of potential danger, even if we don’t see it or understand it. His wisdom is infinitely greater than ours and we need to trust Him. Otherwise we have only our- selves to blame when we get stung! "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Back to Contents

MOVING DAY
	Shortly before his death, Dr. M. R. DeHaan took great comfort from a little tract written by J.E. Campbell. It spoke of death in this rather unusual way: "Moving day is coming. Just when the van will stop at your home we do not know—but for everyone it is sure, and for those along in years, it is soon. As the day approaches, we realize the necessity of leaving our present abode and occupying the new house not made with hands, 'eternal in the heavens.' Death for the believer is a Home-going and not a dreaded parting. The Owner of the house I have occupied here on earth has served notice that I must soon move out. The foundation is crumbling, the heating system is failing, and the windows are getting dim." Back to Contents

PARENTAL EXAMPLE
	Parents, remember you bear Christ's dear name. Your lives are for children to view; You are living examples —they'll praise you or blame, And measure the Savior by you. —Anonymous Back to Contents

GLORY IN CHRIST ALONE
	Many people would not kill a mouse without publicizing it. Samson killed a lion and said nothing about it. Say much of what the Lord has done for you. Say little of what you have done for the Lord. Do not speak a self-glorifying sentence. —Charles Spurgeon Back to Contents

CONSECRATION
	The Lord calls for the consecration of all things of all people—the notebook of the student, the cook book of the housewife, the date book of the lover, the time book of the employer, the marriage book of the newlyweds, the pocket book of the wage earner, the lawbook of the attorney, the record book of the businessman. Back to Contents

WHAT A SAVIOR!
	Once upon a time there was a Teacher who didn't want an increase in pay; a Carpenter who didn't ask for union wages; a Doctor who healed the sick and afflicted whether they had insurance or Medicare or whether they didn't. He fed thousands, free—and they crucified Him! Back to Contents

BEST OF LIFELINE
By Rev. Larry W. Greiner
	John Paton, a famous missionary to the New Hebrides, wrote a moving account about the way his father communed with God. Their home was actually a hut, and attached to the living area was a small room called "The Closet." "Often throughout the day," says Patton, "we saw our father retire there and shut the door. As children we understood that prayers were being poured out for us, as they were of old by the high priest in the most holy place. We occasionally heard the pathetic echoes of a trembling voice, pleading as for life; and we learned to slip in and out past that door on tiptoe, not to disturb the holy fellowship within. The outside world might not know, but we knew whence came that happy light, as of a newborn smile, that was always dawning on father’s face. It was a reflection from the divine Presence in whose consciousness he always lived. Never, in temple or cathedral, in mountain or in glen, can I hope to feel that the Lord God is more near, more visibly walking and talking with men, than under that humble cottage roof of thatch." Oh, that we would have fathers like that today— those who seek God’s face and desire to know His will and way. The impact a praying father has on his children is seen in the story shared by John Paton. A godly father's example can help lead his children to great service for God. Oh, Christian dad, what will your children write about you? "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) Back to Contents

A GODLY FATHER'S LEGACY
	To you, O son of mine, I cannot give a vast estate of wide and fertile lands; But I can keep for you, the whilst I live, Unstained hands. I have no royal family lineage that insures your path To eminence and worldly fame, But longer than empty heraldry, Endures a blameless name. I have no treasure chest of gold refined, No hoarded coin of clinking, glittering wealth; I give you my hand, and heart and mind— All of myself. I can exert no mighty influence To make a place for you in men’s affairs; But lift to God in secret audience Unceasing prayers. I cannot, though I would, be always near To guard your steps with the parental rod. I trust your soul to Him who holds you dear, Your father’s God. —Merrill C. Tenney Back to Contents

TRUE WORTH
	A beautiful jewel? I don't think so! Not me, Lord; certainly not me! I have no earthly value. My outer "shell" leaves much to be desired. I have rough edges, cracks and scars. My color is dull, I've lost my sheen. Beautiful, Lord? No! Not much to look at. No high price would be paid for me. Oh, My precious, lovely treasure, You are My pride and joy! I do not see the scars; I see Mine I bore for you. I do not see a dullened hue, I see the vivid color of My blood shed for you. I do not see a tattered shell; I see the shell of My body Laid in a tomb and raised anew for you. I see the only part of you that will not wither And blow away like sand on the shore. The rest does not matter. You are beautiful to Me! For the real jewel, the precious, priceless stone Of eternal value, Lies far beneath the outer earthly crust Where no man can see, No man can touch. That is what I see. That is all I am looking for. And when you allow Me to form that stone Into the precious, perfect jewel I know only I can design, You possess a worth with everlasting value Far beyond any earthly measure. And My seal is the only one that counts, For I am the Jeweler, And I paid a very high price for you— Because I love you. You are My priceless jewel, And your worth lies in me. —Wendy Greiner Lefko "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (Jeremiah 31:3). Back to Contents

GOD'S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE IS TO DO THE WILL OF GOD.

—Dr. Tom Sexton