tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73346461381875679832011-12-16T00:13:02.199-06:00Thoughts by Kevin Levellie about our lives in relation to Jesus and the scripturesKevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.comBlogger2401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-55696491037041601652011-12-16T00:13:00.000-06:002011-12-16T00:13:02.205-06:00

Jesus is the best gift, but what if a church could choose a gift for herself…A while ago I got a telephone call from a lady who wanted to tell me about a “church resource” her company could provide. There was no clue as to what the resource was in the company name, and it wasn’t identified up front. I had to ask. It was a pictorial directory. That is a good resource, but not one we needed right

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-52793953332159823602011-12-12T00:49:00.000-06:002011-12-12T00:49:00.060-06:00

NothingIs to be abandoned -CreationMade by GodUnmadeBy sinAnd ruledBy deathWill be givenIt’s MakerNothingIs to be left alone -ManBreathed with lifeBut lostTo itAnd wanderingFar from itWill be givenOne hopeNothingIs to be beyond love -GodWho is loveWho is lightWho isHas lifeWhichWill be givenOn a cross

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-42166267354867984742011-12-11T01:01:00.000-06:002011-12-11T01:01:00.650-06:00

Those involved in the story of theComing of Jesus were not allHolyNorWere they all filled with joyThe coming of JesusBrought out the BestAndThe WorstNo one couldIgnore the comingOrBe unaffected by ItIt was a comingFor justificationAnd judgmentOnly our voicesCould decideWhich- 17 November 2011

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-62434401853930099602011-12-10T00:48:00.000-06:002011-12-10T00:48:00.256-06:00

KeepingTo HimselfHe could haveAvoided painStayingWhere He wasHe could haveMissed troubleTurningFrom the worldHe could haveSeen no sinWaitingImprovementHe could haveWatched all decayReachingHis own heightHe could haveLeft us in our depthsLovingHis creaturesHe had toChange loss to gain

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-70058669422531893542011-12-09T00:47:00.000-06:002011-12-09T00:47:00.890-06:00

The daysThat made the worldAre not even notedOn any calendarFor evenOccasional commemorationYet they beganAll things SoOften are beginningsCast awayIn the contemplationOf whatLooms largeAnd seems to makeToday important Yet the originStarted the lineWhich nowWe drawBut itDid notComplete the drawingNor do we For that,Another handWas neededTo take up the penAnd flourishIt toA favorableFinish And

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-85277771401541476492011-12-08T00:05:00.001-06:002011-12-08T00:05:00.165-06:00

Do Not FearThe Angel saidBut HowWhen all aroundBreeds fearWhen uncertaintyLives in our homesWhen distrustHaunts the spacesBetween usWhen the worldProvides new painsEvery dayWhen even GodHas left usTo the devices of othersNot Fear?But whenWe look at HimCalm in the PeaceOf His Father’s Good willResting in the placeOf sustenanceMeeting usIn our own fleshThen, where is Fear?What place is left for

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-34039078428222579272011-12-07T11:44:00.000-06:002011-12-07T11:44:00.127-06:00

There was lightBut little enoughWas seenIt was enoughTo showWhat was wrongBut not enoughTo showWhat should beAnd try and tryThe Best LightWas but DarkAnd those who would runWere made to sit in itAnd be stillThen came the dawnAnd nothing moreWas obscureEvery line was sharpEvery color clearEvery face seeing and seenAnd the lightLived in our fleshAnd felt our needAnd when they cameTo put it outIt

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-32473040804324546492011-12-06T00:39:00.000-06:002011-12-06T00:39:00.360-06:00

Expected ?We expected itMuch soonerMuch strongerMuch longerWe expected an endTo oppressionNot more trialsWe expectedTo be set FreeOf everythingOn earthWe expectedThe GloryTo overpowerEvil in Our DayWe expectedA finalityTo fix allWe had tornButWe foundExpectationFar shortOf Reality

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-69565379610995390102011-12-05T00:43:00.000-06:002011-12-05T00:43:00.729-06:00

SoldSo longThat HopeBut laughedThenHidHer faceSoldForgottenLeftTo starvingInThe placeOf DesolationSoldTo BondageBittererThan theDeathToFollowGoneGoneGoneBut thenByHimRedeemed

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-26301831951270286362011-12-04T00:33:00.000-06:002011-12-04T00:33:00.141-06:00

We cannot lookBut whatWe shall seeThough the agesInterveneWe know we shallFor writersWroteAnd diedAnd singersSangAnd were stilledAnd watchersWaitedAnd waitedAnd whatThey knewOthers sawBut whatWe knowWe shall see

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-29357097793215182202011-12-03T00:01:00.000-06:002011-12-03T00:01:00.853-06:00

The Darkness Could notHave beenMore BlackNo singleColorVariegatedIts depthIt wasWithout ShadeOr variationUniform To the cordImpenetrableTo Human willIt heldAll CreationSurroundingHeavenAnd had itBut its own willIt wouldHave that, tooBut thenTo its HeartThe Light CameFor Where ElseWouldLight Go?

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-90428523969356301042011-12-02T00:09:00.001-06:002011-12-02T00:09:00.811-06:00

Even EternityKnew DelayIn the AgeBefore He CameThe PendulumOf His WillQuivered ImpatientlyTo be Set In TimeAnd angelsWho could notHave such thingsKnew They Would BeWhile sin reignedIn turmoilHe Kept His EyeUpon its deathAnd when the SandHad ReachedIts Height of GraceHe Turned the GlassAnd when the HoursWere Marked AnewNot WrathBut a Babe Came Forth

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-30020192445289213872011-12-01T00:28:00.000-06:002011-12-01T00:28:00.097-06:00

And when the nightHad run its courseAnd no more the moonShone pale above the horizonThe Bright Morning StarLeft the skyAnd brought its lightTo where the darkness reignedAnd in one blinding strokeIt made of slaves free menAnd settled themBeyond the tyrant’s clawFor it had brokenWhat was blackThat every color might come forthAnd flower in the sunIt took the lowAnd raised it upThat it might seeAnd

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-80469089054484889312011-11-30T00:25:00.000-06:002011-11-30T00:25:00.300-06:00

In the WinterOf the WorldWhen the AgesWere shut up And DarknessReigned in the DayA SeedFell upon the earthAnd fewBeheld its beautyBut in the Season of its SpringIt floweredUnder the sunAnd ripenedTo the harvestCut downIt fell againAnd hidIn the earthWhereBeing a SeedIt MultipliedIts Life

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-17523211194295240602011-11-29T11:07:00.003-06:002011-11-29T11:10:40.533-06:00

I am going to be premiering a program of all new music which I wrote in November called "20 Voices Speak Of His Coming" on 11 December 2011 at Nevins Christian Church at 6 p.m. If you are in the area, I would like to invite you to attend. There will be other songs and possibly readings from people from the church and refreshments.Nevins Christian Church is located at 17475 E 390th Road, Paris,

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-85805095939201373962011-11-29T00:23:00.000-06:002011-11-29T00:23:01.520-06:00

When fearHeld the worldAn angel saidFear notWhen peaceWas a policy of warReal peace Was bornWhen burdensWere multipliedThey were multiplied againBy zeroWhen graceWas only wrathMercy compelled itTo give lifeWhen weWere not yet bornOne birthGave us Hope

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-24889145427468486632011-11-28T00:19:00.000-06:002011-11-28T00:19:00.257-06:00

ChainsOn Sick and sinnerOn even thoseInnocentOf allBut oneDeedThey held fastAndWould notReleaseFrom withoutThey wereInviolateUnconquerableOnlyFrom withinCould they beBrokenSoHeWentInside

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-80669473224370581032011-11-27T00:16:00.002-06:002011-11-27T00:16:00.497-06:00

LostAllWasLostBeyondItsOwnSalvationThenCame The only OneWho could findEveryOneLostBut yetHe did notDo the findingBy His knowledgeOrBy a will to findButByLosingHimself

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-29209430891124698062011-11-26T00:13:00.000-06:002011-11-26T00:13:00.358-06:00

Last year I began a review of all the Christmas poems I have ever sent out. I began with the current one and then covered everything from the first year I sent them out, 1970, up to 1998. This year I will post everything from 1999 up to last year. Also, beginning tomorrow, I will post the three poems which I wrote for this year, but which were not chosen as "the" poem to be sent out.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-14855598237202543832011-11-25T00:01:00.000-06:002011-11-25T00:01:00.696-06:00

CareCautionDidn’tEnter into itA carefulGodWould have never createdA world that could rebelNorOnce the rebellion beganWould He have allowed itTo continueOnce continuedHe would have let itRun its courseTo its destructionOnce destroyedHe would haveSwept the pieces awayAnd thought of something elseMaybeBut our GodRecklessly savedWhat his enemiesHad carefully destroyed- Kevin

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-36082034886579738642011-11-23T00:01:00.000-06:002011-11-23T00:01:01.816-06:00

Jesus is thankful for you!

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-74166390409554193772011-10-31T10:58:00.001-05:002011-10-31T11:01:51.412-05:00

Last Friday evening I attended the closing concert of the Contemporary Music Festival at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana (the whole festival was totally outstanding, by the way). I spoke with one of the organizers of the event. She was surprised that a preacher would be interested in contemporary music. I’ve always been interested in arts, so it’s no surprise to anyone who knows

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-60364247154331739322011-10-04T10:08:00.002-05:002011-10-04T10:12:54.602-05:00

Once upon a time, Jesus did a favor for a saint. He GAVE that saint a great gift, a unique one which was given to no other saint. The saint then built a wall around Jesus’ gift so that no one could steal it from him. People heard him using Jesus’ gift and were drawn to it, so he decided to allow them to use it, but with the full understanding that it was HIS gift and that they had to pay

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-61837059101337637482011-01-21T14:35:00.000-06:002011-01-21T14:35:00.375-06:00

DAY 10 John 8 – Revelation 22In John 19:12 it speaks of being a friend of Caesar. Is this like the close court official mentioned elsewhere – “and so and so was the king’s friend”, as though it were an office. Are they implying intimacy and power? Is Pilate trying to get at the truth independently of politics. Silas and Judas were prophets in Acts 15:32. Why don’t we normally think of them

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-33587301361496273872011-01-20T14:33:00.000-06:002011-01-20T14:33:00.135-06:00

DAY 9 Mark 5 – John 7 Luke 1:6 – Blamelessly. They fulfilled all the commandments at this time in their lives. They offered the sacrifices that would render them blameless for a time. For us, Jesus offered the sacrifice which renders us blameless absolutely.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-69023892005712910202011-01-19T14:32:00.000-06:002011-01-19T14:32:00.564-06:00

DAY 8 Joel 2 – Mark 4The main theme of the minor prophets seems to be that God is the restorer. See Joel 2 and Haggai 2:9 for instance. This would make a good message threading all of these 12 books together on this one theme.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-29322888142691591882011-01-18T14:25:00.000-06:002011-01-18T14:25:00.533-06:00

DAY 7 Jeremiah 16 – Joel 1 There is always opposition. Ezekiel 45:17 – The prince provides the offerings.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-90052209568081931872011-01-17T14:18:00.000-06:002011-01-17T14:18:00.565-06:00

DAY 6 Proverbs 11 – Jeremiah 15Comparisons: The New Testament tells us that God will make us righteous, but Proverbs makes it clear that God will not do righteousness for us. Ecclesiastes 3:15 etc. sees nothing new, but God did a new thin in Jesus and does a new thing in us.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-21322353256336009152011-01-16T14:16:00.000-06:002011-01-16T14:16:00.276-06:00

DAY 5 Nehemiah 11 – Proverbs 10In Job they’re all trying to rationalize. We will never arrive at truth if we start with ourselves. That was the basic error of Descartes. He could only assert his existence, not explain the cause of it or the rest of the world. We have to start with something objective, and the only changeless objet ive is God. That is why the element of revelation is

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-85748623203393584702011-01-15T14:15:00.000-06:002011-01-15T14:15:00.395-06:00

DAY 4 I Kings 18 – Nehemiah 10II Kings 6: “Open their eyes” is a good prayer. Even though God knows ahead, he lets us “play out the game as we will. If asked like Solomon in II Chronicles 1, what I would like, I would say, “Give me the ability to penetrate people’s hearts with the word.”

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-2488552629754256152011-01-14T14:13:00.000-06:002011-01-14T14:13:00.158-06:00

DAY 3 Deuteronomy 25 – I Kings 17Let’s see how you did it. That’s what God is saying in this section. In the law there are more curses than blessings.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-45709150075839204832011-01-13T02:10:00.000-06:002011-01-13T02:10:00.532-06:00

DAY 2 Exodus 23 – Deuteronomy 24Complete directions for everything. See especially Deuteronomy 10:12-22. We usually think only of the 10 commandments.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-74516769884138733482011-01-12T13:54:00.001-06:002011-01-12T13:59:20.034-06:00

Every year since 1995 I have done at least one “Bible Dash” during the year. This is a time where I put other things aside and read through the Bible as fast as I can, not for the purpose of plumbing the depths and following out every point, but for getting the big picture. In getting the big picture I’ve often also gotten insights. Here, day by day are the insights from the reading along with

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-25090160089444125752011-01-11T10:15:00.002-06:002011-01-11T10:35:12.394-06:00

Everyone has their own awards; these are mine. Since 1982 I’ve awarded a favorite quartet album title. Since then I’ve added a non-quartet Southern Category and an Other Category for everything else. This is simply an award of what is my favorite for the year, not the greatest. Also, it’s based on what I acquire during the year, not the year of release.In the past 10 years five out of the 10

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-89317795341496584612010-12-25T00:01:00.001-06:002010-12-25T00:01:00.806-06:00

The WordWas not enoughThat it shouldBe with GodAnd be GodWas not enoughThat it shouldShine in Dark placesWas not enoughThat it should Not beOverpoweredWas not enoughThat it shouldBe fleshAnd be knownWas not enoughThat it shouldDieAnd riseWas enough- 12 July 1998I hope these have been a blessing to you. These are all the poems sent out up to the time we came to Illinois.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-77443500298174133592010-12-24T00:01:00.000-06:002010-12-24T00:01:01.055-06:00

Like childrenSearching for a giftTheir hearts desiredAnd not finding itWhere they wanted it to beBut in its placeSomething unimaginedAnd perplexingAlmost overlooking itAnd passing it byWe found a childAnd not the toyWe thought we wantedAnd though in our own immaturityWe could not care for HimHe grew to care for usAnd to become the JoyWe wanted all along- 6 July 1997

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-89902322489431271752010-12-23T01:58:00.000-06:002010-12-23T01:58:00.262-06:00

The fist which layWithin his mother’s fingersHad not long beforeLet go His Father’s handHis name once shoutedOver heavenWas now only whisperedAmong the keepers of little lambsThough glory was theVery atmosphere aboveHe now shared the airHis enemies breathedOnce waited on By unnumbered hostsHe would serveNot the great but the leastUnattended at His comingDeserted at His deathOnly He could have

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-60562586277373185172010-12-22T01:57:00.000-06:002010-12-22T01:57:00.770-06:00

Not a seasonBut eternityNot livedBut livesNot came But comingNot judgedBut judgingNot crushedBut conqueringNot wrappedBut revealedNot lovedBut lovingNot fed upBut faithfulNot indifferentBut sufferingNot seenBut seeingNot cautiousBut recklessNot sleepingBut awakeNot doneBut doing- 9 August 1995

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-73406150272772180202010-12-21T01:56:00.000-06:002010-12-21T01:56:00.342-06:00

In the HighestGlory breathedAnd filled The colonnadesSeeing ItNothing elseCouldBe seenFeeling itNothing elseCouldBe feltYet it wasNot contentTo keep Its placeAnd so It hid itselfThat ItMight be knownCovered onceIn a mangerRevealed foreverIn an empty shroudAnd whereShould this Glory beIf not in the heavensThen in our hearts- 31 August 1994

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-55057402876230006922010-12-20T01:54:00.000-06:002010-12-20T01:54:00.555-06:00

HeWho could not be humbledChose The courseThat only loveWould dareTo give upWisdomFor innocencePowerFor purposeAuthorityFor serviceGloryFor shameAnd only loveCould winThatWhich could not be gainedAnd only HeCould choose to giveThat which could not be takenAnd what He couldHe didThat what we could notWe could- 27 July 1993

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-69297481724584114422010-12-19T01:53:00.000-06:002010-12-19T01:53:00.340-06:00

Wall too highNot to be scaledOr circumventedYou have been breachedGap too wideNot to be crossedOr fathomedYou have been bridgedDistance too farNot to be coveredOr approximatedYou have been removedAges too longNot to be enduredOr persuadedYou have been crushedGlory, you are no longer a dreamFather, you are no longer unseenEnemy, you are no longer a curseFor a single WordSpoken by the Breath of

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-1929383650096882002010-12-18T01:51:00.000-06:002010-12-18T01:51:00.687-06:00

Before He lit the skiesThe Light of the WorldBurned brightlyIn the Heavenly TempleAnd there its lightGave TestimonyThat it shouldShine on those in dark placesThough sun filled the dayThough moon brought brightnessThough stars guided over the distanceThey did not touch the HeartIt took the lightHidden in a baby’s cheekBrought forth in a young man’s wisdomHarvested upon a crossTo reach and holdThe

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-25050111613712865702010-12-17T01:50:00.000-06:002010-12-17T01:50:00.198-06:00

Summer has been eclipsedYet scarce have winter’s Barren glories begunWhen its power is brokenThe seasons have been masteredTheir rages reducedTo soft impotentWhispersThe maker has been madeUncontainedTreading the cycleOf timesIt is not nowSeasons Which changeBut us- 7 August 1990

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-90798908523665708362010-12-16T01:48:00.000-06:002010-12-16T01:48:00.245-06:00

ThenWhen there was no hopeIt cameLong lay the agesAnd the nationsBeneath tents Of darknessBeside the watersOf bitternessAfflicted will allThe scorn of evilShamed by everyThorn of guiltBound were the heartsAnd the eyesKept in the environsOf despairLowered in the abyssesOf lossObliterated by eachAttempt to riseEclipsed with sumsMassing to nothingThenWhen there was no hopeHe came- 15 August 1989

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-76288192150034948622010-12-15T01:36:00.000-06:002010-12-15T01:36:01.069-06:00

Through eyesUnimpededBy the shade of darknessUncovered In the full span of timeUnimpaired By the spirit of the ageUndeceivedBy the false lights all aroundWe see youThrough eyesOpened To your gloryOwned By your willOvercomeBy eternal hopeOperating at your pleasureWe see youIn your sonThis baby bornThis man grownThis lamb slainThis JesusWe see you in HimAt Last- 7 August 1988

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-36642203532852386482010-12-14T01:31:00.000-06:002010-12-14T01:31:00.335-06:00

The taste of it was sweetThat first breath of airBorne in upon His lungsSweet with the care and loveOf those who had awaited the arrivalSo many months and daysThe tone of it was pureThat song that lingeredIn the airPure because it sang of HimInnocent both nowAnd in the sacrifice to comeThe sight of it was a delightThat smile from heavenGiven to the earthDelighting those readyTo hear and comeAnd

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-60135318351767493912010-12-13T01:29:00.000-06:002010-12-13T01:29:00.185-06:00

The wooden box creakedNot being designedTo carry such weightIt groanedAnd then staunchly resistedAll attempts Of gravity or movementTo precipitate its collapseAt times before it had Borne the pressure Of a muzzle or twoAt the end of a weary dayBut not like thisThen its burdenHad diminishedNow it remained the sameA little rollingBearing down hereAnd thereBut no decreaseUntil the handsLifted Him

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-87298870807720861502010-12-12T01:28:00.000-06:002010-12-12T01:28:00.250-06:00

My child, My childHe saidWhy did I send You?Why did I let you go awayIt's barely a second of eternityAnd yet you are goneWith them, among themApart from Me.You have goneAs I have sent YouObedient, Willing to do My willStill You are mineYet I will forsake YouBefore You returnTo added gloryTo them it will seemA small beginningUnlike any othersThey have knownYet the endingWill be differentReversing

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-28095036261966874332010-12-11T00:01:00.000-06:002010-12-11T00:01:01.421-06:00

The love That you sentMust have been greatFor it made you leaveHome and dignityTo come to usThe gloryYou left behindMust have been wonderfulFor one sight of itBlinded seeing eyesAnd hurled men to your feetThe power You brought alongMust have been awesomeFor demons fled your presenceCripples walked andSin and death no more remainedThe joyThat followed youMust have been boundlessFor none could

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-36400183154448319392010-12-10T00:04:00.000-06:002010-12-10T00:04:00.604-06:00

The flicker Of a single flameKindled in the nightA sputtering lamp'Twould soon be darkNo more need for lightAll lay downAsleep in bedQuiet reigned at lastEven children'sCries were stilledDaytime pains were pastFrom the town To countrysideNot a vapor stirredOnly bleatingsFrom some sheepBarely could be heardThen at onceA light sprang forthBrighter than ten starsAngels cameSang his praiseThen back

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-91231990931371407462010-12-09T00:38:00.000-06:002010-12-09T00:38:00.448-06:00

Why is itThat we long for this season?Our hearts and spiritsLeap forwardAt the thought Of its approachAll plans made for itAre full of excitementNot a thing about itFails to fill us with wonderIs it that it isThe season of hope fulfilledThe time of longing satisfiedThe period of wandering ceased? I think it is.Hope lies dormant in our soulsWaiting for certaintyFor knowing and seeingFace to

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-58083532601639167282010-12-08T00:37:00.000-06:002010-12-08T00:37:00.928-06:00

ChristmasIs the musicThat beganOne winter nightIt's the pageantryOf angel wingsThat filledThe air with lightIt's the softnessOf a small small babeThat snuggledIn the hayIt's the wonderOn the facesThat saw The night turn dayIt's the worshipThat the shepherdsAnd laterMagi gaveIt's the knowledgeThat the Son of GodCame to seekAnd saveIt's the presenceOf the LordOf allCome down from His throneIt's the

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-5886043791827500502010-12-07T00:36:00.000-06:002010-12-07T00:36:00.893-06:00

They decreed a count be takenHeaven proclaimed a joy be givenJoy and cheerCheer to usAnd to our homesTwo went to obey the callAll are called to share His lifeLife and loveLove for usThat sent Him toThat rugged crossNone would take the couple inHe would have all up in heavenHeaven our homeHome of gloryWhere no sorryWill resideSo His birth in lowly stateHis returning full of powerRising up Up with

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-54940065145089727102010-12-06T00:34:00.000-06:002010-12-06T00:34:00.628-06:00

It might have been coldThey must have been tiredHe from walkingAnd inquiring for a bedShe from the weightOf the birth soon to comeIt might have been lateBut they found no sleepShe, though exhausted,Filled with the wonder at her breastHe, with pride,At the coming of the one he'd call sonIt might have been lonelyBut soon the place filled With shepherds come lookingTo see the one bornAnd then with

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-68728411682599277772010-12-05T11:24:00.000-06:002010-12-05T11:24:00.345-06:00

Christmas is For familiesFor those aloneFor the old and forgottenThe very firstTo know His comingWere the happy pairWho cradled his formIt was He who madeThe couple a familyAnd completed the promiseFor their home and the worldThe next to hearThat a savior was bornWere the lonely shepherdsAt their postAway from family and Far from friendsThe angel-light shoneAnd God's pleasure was made knownBut

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-66674108146045610022010-12-04T11:22:00.000-06:002010-12-04T11:22:00.561-06:00

If only we had knownYour bed, of finest linens, Would have beenInstead of leftover hayFrom a poor beast's mealIf only we had knownMayors and magistratesWould have called that nightWith gifts and proclamationsTo commemorate your birthIf only we had knownWe'd have looked to heavenAnd seen the angel choirAnd with the shepherdsJoined in at your sideIf only we had knownWe'd have scrutinized the

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-34266613843835137222010-12-03T11:19:00.000-06:002010-12-03T11:19:00.242-06:00

There have been songsAnd lullabiesThat were sung for HimAnd paintingsSculptures commemoratingThat dayThere have been poemsAnd novelsPraising His appearanceAnd even a dayTaken offTo rememberBut that whichWould honor Him mostWould be our heartsAnd if we would let HimHe would give peaceTo all who come to HimSo let us comeAnd dwellWith the SonAnd make our livesA song, a picture, a wordFor Him- 16

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-79017373082110723262010-12-03T11:17:00.001-06:002010-12-03T11:18:48.533-06:00

This review has been a little longer coming than I had anticipated, but it is good that it’s coming out now for it is about a mystery which was enacted and solved during a Christmas season. No one else put mystery and comedy together in such a delightful mix as William Powell and Myrna Loy when they played Nick and Nora Charles, husband and wife detectives. I can still remember seeing this movie

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-48666748282545844072010-12-02T01:19:00.000-06:002010-12-02T01:19:00.173-06:00

Come shepherdsTo the crib of hopeAnd find the oneWho'll lead the sheepWhen you've gone onCome wise menTo the child of peaceAnd find the oneWho'll teach all menMore than you knowCome fearfulTo the prince of faithAnd find the oneWho'll quell all doubtsWhile still unknownCome strong menTo the seat of powerAnd find the oneWho'll bend every barBetween Him and youCome every heartTo the King of KingsAnd

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-46949896859658974912010-12-01T14:53:00.000-06:002010-12-01T14:53:00.307-06:00

Christian is a season of joys and perfections. It is early in the season, but possibly some things have already begun to unravel. Complications can reshape many if not all of our plans and intentions, but there is a thread which will sew everything into place and hold it there. It is the personal presence of God in this world changing things.Ultimate reality is personal. God created this world,

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-30866927485230145842010-12-01T00:07:00.000-06:002010-12-01T00:07:00.427-06:00

Many wonder if He criedOr they guess at if He laughedAnd they try to see HimOnly as He wasBut todayBeyond the stableHe is seatedOn a throneAnd some dayMore than shepherdsWill marvel at his sightFor He came notTo be a babyBut to live among usAnd to grow and dieAnd as each winterSlips upon usWe ought to rememberThe angels' cryThat peace on earthWould be through HimAs the one God had appointedThe

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-32007066928239629192010-11-30T00:14:00.000-06:002010-11-30T00:14:00.527-06:00

It was quiet Or almost quietThe angel choir had left the skiesAnd the shepherds were yetSome distance from the townThe earth for one moment was stillIt was as ifEven the trees in the orchardWere straining to hear himAnd even the rocks in the streetThat should have screamed with painFrom the travelers of the dayHeld back their rumblingsFor one tiny cryThe world had been touchedAnd was yet

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-55899825326493647042010-11-29T00:11:00.000-06:002010-11-29T00:11:00.766-06:00

There was no rosy sunshineAt his birthOnly the old hoot owlWould have serenaded his first crying hoursThere was so muchThat wasn't thereSo many luxuriesThings we would have wanted and neededBut he had the nightAnd all of its tearsThat would eventually give birthTo morning's lightHe had the touchOf a mother's handsAnd her strong armsTo hold him close and warmHe had the praise of menThe approval of

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-54674598582169768362010-11-28T01:06:00.002-06:002010-11-28T01:06:00.447-06:00

Many send cardsSome send presentsBut I think I'll justSend my loveIt's ChristmasAnd all aroundThey're celebratingThe child's birthSo many adoreSo few really know himAs presents they strewIn all the wrong placesSo I'm going to tryTo gain a perspectiveOn what the true giftsAre that should be givenThey should be giftsOf faith in a higher wayHope for a greater dayAnd love which never tarnishesFor the

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-91543760998031027542010-11-27T01:02:00.001-06:002010-11-27T01:02:00.625-06:00

Yesterday I posted my 41st Christmas poem. I have done a completely new one each year. This year, so you can see the progression of the poetry and messages, I will be posting one a day beginning with the first one from 1970. The date at the bottom is the date of composition. The earlier ones were written right during the Christmas season, but as I got to sending more and more of these I had

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-55894084221015947062010-11-26T01:01:00.001-06:002010-11-26T01:01:00.612-06:00

NothingIs to be abandoned -CreationMade by GodUnmadeBy sinAnd ruledBy deathWill be givenIt’s MakerNothingIs to be left alone -ManBreathed with lifeBut lostTo itAnd wanderingFar from itWill be givenOne hopeNothingIs to be beyond love -GodWho is loveWho is lightWho isHas lifeWhichWill be givenOn a cross-KevinThis is my 41st Christmas poem, all of which are different.I will be running some of the

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-36882587771541257122010-11-23T15:10:00.001-06:002010-11-23T15:14:18.905-06:00

Here I am with a copy of the book!

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-1233468147825417542010-11-15T11:43:00.006-06:002011-09-15T11:19:31.424-05:00

Christmas catalogues are out and about. "Hickory Hog and the Christmas Rascal" is not going to be in a catalogue coming to you in the mail, but you can get it for $12.00 through Lulu. Enter in the title at www.lulu.com and you can get all the particulars about it. This book contains two complete Christmas serials as well as the original stories I told to our daughter 30 years ago.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-64955662597587188232010-11-02T10:21:00.002-05:002010-11-02T10:27:52.375-05:00

Question: I don’t know if I’m hearing God, just myself or the adversary. Answer: One way you can know is by the message being given. There are some things God would never ask or tell you. You can also look at the logical consequences of the message. God told people to go places where their lives would be endangered (or they thought they would) such as when He sent Ananias to find Saul in

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-67931910526302275442010-10-29T10:32:00.002-05:002010-10-29T10:35:03.635-05:00

Here are some more answers to questions posed on my wife’s blog. By strictures of time and space these answers will not be exhaustive, but will hopefully give some thought and head the questioner in the right direction.Question: God is all-knowing, so why did He put the tree in the garden?Answer: This question presupposes that God not only wants us free from sin, but that He would make it

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-26472026035180927312010-10-27T13:43:00.001-05:002010-10-27T13:45:15.529-05:00

On my wife’s blog, Audience Of One, she spoke of a “gimmick” I use from time to time in preaching. I call it “You Asked For It” after the old t.v. show. People put Bible questions or topics or passages on a slip. We draw one out each Sunday evening and then I preach on that the next week. After she mentioned this to her readers she started getting a lot of questions from them. While time won

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-33447553034923701962010-10-14T10:19:00.001-05:002010-10-14T10:22:12.845-05:00

Last night we had a forum of candidates from both parties for local offices in our community. The opportunity to present questions to the candidates was given, but I didn’t turn one in. Why? Because they said they weren’t going to read any controversial questions. What’s the matter with controversy? If there were no controversies, there would be no politics at all. Has political correctness

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-15646250055001387062010-09-23T00:01:00.002-05:002010-09-26T08:05:08.207-05:00

Today marks the 37th anniversary of my ordination to the Christian ministry. One of the scriptures which was read as a part of the charge to me during my ordination service at Central Christian Church in Portland, Oregon was II Timothy 4:1,2 containing these words, “Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season…”The preaching is the easy part. The hard part comes when that preaching isn’t

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-18185344849695511142010-09-17T01:08:00.002-05:002010-09-17T01:08:00.165-05:00

Have you ever run up against a lot of “musts” declared by fellow saints which you couldn’t find in the Bible? You “must” meet at this hour, in this way, use this curriculum, use this translation of the Bible, etc. Actually, this practice dates to ancient times. In Judges 8:27 it says: “Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah, and all Israel played the harlot with it there,

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-37545525375429831102010-09-11T00:01:00.001-05:002010-09-11T00:01:00.913-05:00

I don't want to be an incendiary by any means, but I would like to add my thoughts on what may or may not be taking place somewhere in America today. There is a lot of unrest over a projected Koran-burning. I don’t think it will really do any good other than as a statement of protest. Unfortunately, we don't respond to protest in America anymore, even though our nation was founded on it as an

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-89135741458232812752010-09-06T00:01:00.000-05:002010-09-06T00:01:01.917-05:00

Labor day is on the sixth day of the month this year. Long before our time, the greatest labor of all occurred culminating on a sixth day. Creation came together in proper order. Light is the source of all life, and God made that first. Next came the water which we need. Vegetation came as the next building block of animal and human life. The sun and moon made the principle of

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-49630135052301552282010-08-26T11:28:00.003-05:002010-08-26T11:33:27.618-05:00

You have asked and answered these questions a thousand times. “How are you?” “How’s your week been?” “How are Bill and the boys?” “How is Jane?”All questions of this kind get a single answer. You could have it made up into a necklace or pin and just point to it.The biggest lie told in church is “Fine!”Now, people can be fine, but we take the easy route in interpersonal relationships by using the

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-85253712675476475022010-07-16T11:42:00.003-05:002010-07-16T11:56:22.284-05:00

This is the movie that made Westerns A-fare and broke John Wayne out of the B-picture ranks. It also contains just about the best ensemble cast ever formed, not only for a Western, but for any movie.Thomas Mitchell crowned a fantastic year which saw roles in “Gone With The Wind”, “Only Angels Have Wings”, “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington” and “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame”. Any one of those,

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-13239119988649631552010-05-20T01:03:00.000-05:002010-05-20T01:03:00.674-05:00

And now for the most iconic film on my list. It took me some time to come up with these thoughts. Casablanca has become almost everyone’s favorite film. Still, I’m going to make some comments on it, as it’s my fifth favorite film.When it was made, Casablanca was just another one of the films put out that year, but now everyone knows the snappy lines: “Everybody comes to Rick’s”, “Play it, Sam” (

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-31839165427706238492010-05-19T10:02:00.001-05:002010-05-19T10:02:43.521-05:00

God calls people to repent, but He never called anyone to regret.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-73625468544787983862010-04-21T11:08:00.001-05:002010-04-21T11:12:34.593-05:00

Recently for a message I wanted to demonstrate what it meant to carry the cross. We have one just a little taller than me that we’ve used in programs. It’s not as large as what Jesus would have been on, but I wanted to find out what it meant to carry it, so I brought it up from the church basement one day and carried it around the auditorium for a practice session. In that session I found out

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-81478776646209424162010-04-07T10:23:00.001-05:002010-04-07T10:27:41.799-05:00

I have reached a milestone. I wrote song #1700. The words for song #1 were written in the spring of 1972, but the melody was not finalized until the next fall. (Took a long time to get one down in those days.) Many times when I’ve been doing these sort of milestone efforts I’ve hoped for something that would be well above the average. This time it was. I’ve been preaching on the heart, so it’s

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-12812353031924337822010-02-19T09:33:00.003-06:002010-02-19T09:45:53.667-06:00

Recently Jeanette picked up the book I was reading, The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley. She read the backliner note about this novel being “richly layered” and asked me what that meant. At the time I didn’t come up with a ready answer, but after some thought from the next day on until I finished the book I have come up with the following notes. I had seen the film based on the book and then read

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-88110234142411859532010-02-14T00:01:00.001-06:002010-02-14T00:01:00.511-06:00

Today marks 35 years since Jeanette and I were married.When I was much younger I always used to have this idea that you should have or would find a sweetheart on Valentines Day. Twenty-three of them went by with no Valentine. But, no more.I am so thankful for Jeanette.She is the one who brought me out of my shyer self of younger years. (I was too embarrassed to ask a waitress for a glass of water

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-62612854252833542932010-02-10T10:03:00.002-06:002010-02-10T10:19:27.106-06:00

Of the films examined in this series, this is the second which is centered on the life of a real person. In both cases we are looking at persons of extreme character who met and grappled with the issues of their day. Though Thomas More was beheaded in “A Man For All Seasons” we never sense that he is vanquished or overcome. So it is with Gladys Aylward. Her story is one of the most inspiring

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-85567182391616087632010-02-02T09:57:00.002-06:002010-02-02T10:03:05.756-06:00

It is the joy of heaven to be able to cover sins. God is done with our past, and He wants us to be done with it, too.The Book Of Opinions, 25:86, 87

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-19889092320304461292010-01-21T00:25:00.000-06:002010-01-21T00:25:00.316-06:00

This is the agape love you’ve heard so much about. You cannot start here. You have to work up to it through all the points we’ve covered. Love is not just a fun euphoric emotion. It’s something you do. It has to have a strong foundation if you can even do it at all. In this case it requires seven other items to precede its practice. FAITH: the objective basis; if we don’t believe we don’t need to

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-11419119289158716822010-01-19T00:21:00.000-06:002010-01-19T00:21:00.126-06:00

Godliness cannot just stop at talk. It has to be expressed. Only one other place this word is used besides here: Romans 12:10. The Greek word used by Peter is the one from which we get the name for Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. We can only befriend anyone after we have resources to do so. Those don’t come by a zap, but through practice. Many want to start here because it seems more

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-75540272836603519362010-01-17T00:14:00.000-06:002010-01-17T00:14:00.280-06:00

There is an interesting fact connected with this word: in the concordance, right before godliness is godlessness. You need to get the one out of the way in order to get the other.Stick-to-it-ive-ness is not a value of itself. It has to have something to stick to.There is no instant godliness. By way of contrast, in salvation, justification is instantaneous. This in turn produces sanctification, a

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-43174249781025307242010-01-15T00:15:00.000-06:002010-01-15T00:15:00.282-06:00

Daywind Records has done the fans a great service by releasing Skylite albums from the 1950s and 1960s on cd. They did six double album releases last year and I got all of them. My favorite quartet album of the year was on one of those. I had heard just about all the songs on the Statesmen “Encores”, but had never heard that album until I got this disk. There’s just not much to beat the

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-27638217818625429872010-01-13T00:24:00.000-06:002010-01-13T00:24:00.876-06:00

“Jubilee!” This is actually an album of three groups: The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision and Legacy Five. While Legacy Five is a quartet, the trios dominate and the album is not just a quartet album. There have been other albums like this in the past where they kind of mix up the personnel to do different songs. That’s not what made it the favorite for the year, but the fact that it is really

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-88284928590371683342010-01-12T10:10:00.001-06:002010-01-12T10:15:14.974-06:00

I always found the open-endedness of “The Lady Or The Tiger” to be disquieting, but on 12 January 2010 I finally got it. (I’ve only known the story for close to 50 years.) The point of the story is not what came out of the door, but that we live in a world where we have to choose, even if we can’t control the consequences. Too many people aren’t aware of that fact.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-47628508157061717462010-01-11T00:15:00.001-06:002010-01-11T00:15:00.126-06:00

THIS IS THE STICK-TO-IT-IVENESS YOUR FOLKS ALWAYS TOLD YOU ABOUT! Why is it here in the list of II Peter 1:5-7? Faith can be held for a moment and then let go. Moral excellence can be a single high point. Knowledge can go so far or one can only go a short way in it, not all the way. Self-control can be tired of. Perseverance will keep on to the end!It travels with the following other

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-53421039995973209852010-01-08T00:04:00.000-06:002010-01-08T00:04:00.208-06:00

This word comes from two Greek words. The first is “Power”, and the second is “out of”. We are the ones this is out of, so we could say that self-control is power out of us. The anchor man of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23 is self-control. Here it is in the middle of it all. This can only come after knowledge. We have to know the truth. This is not mere intuition or caprice.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-2142408587917659452010-01-06T00:06:00.000-06:002010-01-06T00:06:00.274-06:00

In 1982 I began keeping track of what was my favorite Quartet album of the year. In 1985 I expanded to three categories: Southern Gospel Quartet, Southern (non-Quartet) and Other Christian album. Every year I keep a record of possible candidates and then listen to them side by side after the year is over to determine which is really my favorite. I begin with the Other category and work my way

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-24423660047932432852010-01-05T11:45:00.002-06:002010-01-05T11:50:29.369-06:00

This year for our Sunday evening services I’m going to attempt to premier a new song I’ve written each week. This is a way of getting me to write new material (I’ve gotten kind of lazy about it).Jeanette said that I should post the lyrics for the song I did this past Sunday night (3 January 2010). So here they are. The idea behind the first verse is that when we have tests Jesus is willing to

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-12424782883673246532010-01-04T14:54:00.002-06:002010-01-04T14:57:47.194-06:00

Knowledge doesn’t come until AFTER we get the first two things on our list: faith and character. We have to decide that we are going to know the things of God before we can know them. Our status is, thus, not dependent on our knowledge, but our knowledge comes from the character Jesus develops in us and it will tell us where to go from this point. There are several knowledge types: *

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-91432341250259762372010-01-01T00:03:00.001-06:002010-01-01T00:03:00.281-06:00

MORAL EXCELLENCE is next to be added in II Peter 1:5. This is a strong quality. It is some places called “Virtue”. It is a word which comes from the name of Ares, the Greek god of war. The only other New Testament point of reference to this word is II Peter 1:3. We all know what worldly excellences are. Guiness records them in their record books. We watch the shows on television that give awards

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-9009779063687942822009-12-29T11:52:00.001-06:002009-12-29T11:55:44.282-06:00

Do you know how to build a Christian life? II Peter 1:5-7 tells us how. Peter is not trying to be overwhelming, but pictures our growth in a series of qualities added one at a time, as pearls on a string, rather than growing them all at once. There is a reason behind the sequence and we would like to briefly look at each of these.Today we’re going to start with FAITH. It is dependence. It is

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334646138187567983.post-38198153644279162582009-12-26T09:58:00.000-06:002009-12-26T09:58:00.131-06:00

In Case anyone is interested, the story you've read over the last 25 days has been adapted into a musical play by the author. If you are interested in possibly doing this at your church or group next year please correspond with me and I'll give you more particulars.

Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16894459418749386885noreply@blogger.com1