Love Interest

     Books on love seem to dominate the writers market which is most likely the least debatable point about this topic. It has to be close to the most marketable topic out there. It's also, I would presume, one of the most easily misunderstood. Surely, we are so often told to be patient because God has that special person just waiting for you to discover ..... at the right time and at the right place? Is it reduced to just chance, again the right place at the right time? I'm not a gambler per se, but factoring in the odds based on coincidence, one might just as well scan the clouds for a suitable lightning bolt to split a tree in two.This could lead one to think of God as a magician waiting to pull our perfect mate out of His magical hat securing for us this promised hope of happiness; and surely, love and happiness, at the very least are holding hands to the extent that having one presupposes the other. Still, one would have to concede that happiness in this world is elusive at best leaving me with something I would consider of more value. If you're attached to anyone relationally, and most importantly to our Father, you will have to come face to face with the reality of blessed assurance. Hope envisions this reality and while we can't fully have this realization this side of heaven; God still fills our needs at any given moment as he purposes and sees fit. God doesn't do anything except the things that can align us with His purpose. Good, bad, indifferent, or inconceivable through our eyes, we should submit, contemplate, and examine His word and not just the ingratiating sections, but the somewhat repugnant parts that war against our judgement. You may come to discover, as the song goes, we were looking for love in all the wrong places. 

     My wife and I were statistically bankrupt at the beginning of our relationship. That translates to a hopelessness in the eyes of everyone with the exception of God. At that point in my life I knew that the understanding of relationship was on a path I had never traversed before, and like a good Father,  He laid out the plan for relationship through His Son Jesus. Jesus was the epitome, or rather the picture perfect truth of relationship. Yes, the bible lays out the attributes of a woman that showcases the ideals a man should seek out in this amazingly complex and perplexingly body of of emotion. Be mindful of this. This is essential to the mystery of oneness and the hope of it's acquisition and the desire to at last becoming complete. 

     There was this one attribute that sealed or rather confirmed my decision to pursue this hope of completion.  She had thrown herself completely into the hands of a loving God with a willingness to lay  bare a broken soul of hopelessness before the author of hope. She had still the broken little girl of her childhood alive in the depths of her soul, and she came to know the only Father she would ever need. The awareness of a broken world is never so tragically revealed as through the life and eyes of a battered child. I could never fix this. God is the only author of real life and redemption. This is why I could and did pursue this amazing embodiment of strength, love and resolve, made possible only through the relationship of a Father with His child, to soulfully pursue this quest of a faithfully true union of souls. And the two became one. You'll never comprehend it if you can't see truth of God's being thru the Word that reveals His plan for us. For too long, as the song goes once again, I was looking for love in all the wrong places, but now the shackles and blinders have fallen to the ground. I see. It's an amazing place to be. 

     Now, oftentimes I find myself laying in bed just staring at the silhouette of this woman and see the wounded child inside and I embrace them both and just hold them in my arms, because that's what my Father does. I can love her because my Father loves her. I have landed at the feet of compassion beside my Father. I can understand loss at this point in my life more than at any other time. To feel another's loss is to feel what God feels. The truth that we have to embrace that comes from the Father, and this is a truth once realized through a relationship with the everlasting, love is sustained by commitment, courage, patience, endurance and total reliance on our Father in heaven. This is where I am and desire to reside. The coolest part of all of this is that because we have chosen this path and we truly are one; she's right here beside me.

     When we got married my wife described herself as a train wreck waiting to happen. I'm so indebted to a God that knows how to lay the track that  rises to the occasion, safe and securing, and leading to the only destination of life fulfilling hope. The first consideration in finding the love you desire is finding the Author of that desire. The second is like unto the first; seek the lady that shares that same path. You may not find that you were made for each other; rather that you are making yourselves for each other. Life is a journey made to be taken together. Hardship, trials and even loss are found on the way. Make it a threesome, a cord not easily broken. Discover the gems that could have gone unnoticed along the way and find the love you  always knew was real.    

      When we suffer loss in this world; and we will, I always keep this adage in my heart; we lose to gain. God is the God of restitution. When they say God is love, understand that He is the source of this eternal love. He is also in the business of restoration. 

      *Lost love is still love

            Alive in hope secure

                   Waiting for the rebirth

                           That the heart may adorn

                                   Not lost in distant sorrow

                                                But alive on distant shore

*This is a line from the movie, "Five People You Meet In Heaven," that inspired me to write the poem at the end of this article.

Judicious Attribution

     I just finished reading a book entitled "Lincoln and the Irish" The Untold Story of How The Irish Helped Abraham Lincoln Save The Union. The political navigation and the gravity of foresight needed to achieve a desired end to an insidious game of rivaling ideologies to control the destiny of our country, had my mind delving into the depths of cynicism and to the heights of anticipative hope. I must confess that my primary focus has always been on slavery as it brought the nation to it's point of dissolution. There is no dispute in my mind as to that; but I had an insufficient knowledge of the prejudicial aspects that lay outside of the slavery debacle.

     I knew of, but not of the Know-Nothings. They were a group of  nativist Americans, anti Catholic and therefore anti Irish. Because of the potato famine, immigration of the Irish to America seeking refuge and opportunity, not to mention the freedom that came with it was huge. The Know Nothings originally aligned more closely to the Whigs and then the new Republican party. They were the terrorist faction committing many atrocities. The plausibility of there thinking was skewed to say the least; anti-slavery and yet maniacally prejudiced against the Irish. The roots of this are more easily understood if we go back to the Catholic response to the reformation in Europe. The multi-faceted aspects of Europe involvement, self absorbed players, including generals, politicians, people groups, and the toll of devastating losses, along with the courting of the Irish  whom he couldn't win the war without, left me enthralled with Lincolns' judicious use of opportunity. 

     England and France were favoring the South, not because of slavery, but for the severing and stripping the country of its power. The idea of saving the union was never front and center for me. My vision was narrowed because of my focus on slavery and I started wondering how this posture kept me from seeing the other implications and consequences. I would have fought for the freedom of the slaves regardless, but I desire perspective in it's entirety. 

     This lead me in my thinking to that of judicious attribution. There has to be a time for judicious constraint, a compelling to act. Inaction, at times, will be the loss of opportunity never to be regained. This naturally implies a time for judicious restraint, a regrettable action that can't be taken back. Damage ill-retrievable, a life altering event, negating second chances is a possibility worth thinking about. The necessity of using the Irish also opened the door to judicious abuse. Alleged abuse of the Irish troops as fodder for assaults by their placement in the front lines was a prevalent concern for Lincoln. The Irish resolve in these circumstances proved them to be a fearless force to be reckoned with on both sides. It also lead me to an introspection of my own responses to conflict. Certainly, an acknowledgement to differing assessments of opinion must be judiciously discerned. Once again, considerations considered not, can lead ones response to a debilitating and embarrassing consequence leading to a stumbling block towards resolution. At the vary least, a thorough evaluation of response is prudent. 

     Sometimes though, the fight has to be fought; but judicious resolve must at times be tempered by judicious restraint balanced by judicious attribution, for the road back to unity may be a long one and the cost irretrievable.

                               I finally put the poem to music. 

     A good friend of mine asked me recently what the last two lines in the chorus meant; "I'm lost in losing all that's here, to finding what I once held dear." It's more than poetic licence. It's just life. Everyone suffers loss at times and sometimes we have to lose to gain.  How people handle loss will at times open their eyes to new or past reflections lost through the business of life. Many times loss brings an unexpected strength of character. We view life more often in a more precious sense. Life reveals time as a gift from our Creator and hopefully we grow. The real value of relationship emerges from the darkest hours forcing us to grow up and re-evaluate the possibilities that lay before us. 

"I know from just the asking, that ere I go astray

My harm would do me better, and better I might be

 If somehow I could chasten, this voice inside of me

And walk this path beside Thee

Forever faithful, Forever clean"

God doesn't leave us where we are. Walk this path in the hope of what we could be. Life is a gift with and for a purpose.

Truth and Mercy

 

One Last Tear

 I was writing lyrics for a new song but it turned out better as a poem ....... I think.

One Last Tear Gordon Bieber 2-2-2023

I’m fighting back that one last tear

I’m face to face with one more fear

I’m lost in losing all that’s here

To finding what I once held dear

I’m looking for my rainbow

Some how to bring me hope

I’m hoping that my looking

Will free me from this doubt

An end to end my crying

A path to lead me out

A will to keep on trying

A strength to bring about

Oh that God would hear me

Remove me from this course

That I might still be faithful

And freed from this remorse

So I could freely follow

A truer path to seek

Where hardship may not follow

A haven more discreet

I know from just the asking

That err I go astray

My harm would do me better

And better might I be

If somehow I could chasten

This voice inside of me

To walk this path beside Thee

Forever faithful, forever clean

All react

The Audacity and Adequacy of Hope

     Hope, as a word, can be intriguing in many ways, especially as to the applied objective. A person may place their hope in a lottery ticket. Chances are slim that their dreams of being financially secure will materialize using this method, but the opportunities abound with the seemingly endless supply of tickets. Hope becomes diminished simply because of the objective it is therein placed. The number of things we place our hope in are as varied as well as the chances of realized expectations. Serious considerations, should abound. One might hope to retire at a certain age, but just as easily could be squashed by circumstances he or she can't control. Still, we all have a tendency to cling to hope of one kind or another. 

     To hope or to succumb to hopelessness seems to be a relevant issue  in life and it's causing me to rethink where my hope may be misplaced. After all, at this point in life, things considered not, seem to be slipping off the back burner. Life, has not dismayed me, but there are things that need to be finalized. As I'm saying this, I find myself hoping. Hope seems to envelop just about every corner of my life, and that has led me to doing this biblical study of hope. As I was doing this I found out that "hope" is the helmet of salvation.

But let us, who are of the day, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ                       1st Thessalonians 5:8-9

     The truth revealed here is that hope becomes the realization that the import of where hope is placed "rules the day." The next question that arises is how do we get to that realization.

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:10

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Romans 10:14

     This question Paul poses is often overlooked. What we always hear is, "Call on the Lord and you will be saved." The sequence overlooked is; belief, which leads to faith, which leads to confession, which leads to repentance, which culminates in the Hope we cling to. This may sound like I'm placing my hope in hope. I'm not! My hope is in the person of Jesus the Christ and the work of the cross. Oh, how audacious that sounds. So, what's the point in all this hoping and where does it lead. If it's not to righteousness; you're probably satisfied with saying your sinners prayer and getting baptized.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.                   1 John 3:2-3

     We don't think to much about purity these days. If this hope doesn't lead in this direction, you're probably satisfied with saying your sinners prayer and getting baptized.

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.     Titus 3:7

     Being justified by His grace pretty much slams the door on any work that we could have done to obtain salvation; and after we see the impossibility of doing this on our own, this hope remains steadfast and faith in Jesus becomes the rock on which we stand.

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.    Psalm 119:116

     Hope, at some point, should impact on where our consideration and direction joins with belief and the resulting faith it imparts. My hope comes from God. What more do we need if we truly believe God to be faithful?

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us.      Romans 5:1-5

     The adequacy of our hope is not impugned by the simplicity in which we receive it from our Lord. Hope becomes the burning catalyst of our faith given by the very word of God. We, on our part have to be faithful. Creeds and works won't save you. Job taught us that. Trust in the living Word that imparts the faith we have unto hope.

And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.       Hebrews 6: 11-12

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope; by which we draw nigh unto God.   Hebrews 7:19

And now abideth faith, hope, charity,these three; but the greatest of these is charity.       1st Corinthians 13:13

For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians: 5:5

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope.          Romans 8:24

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, our hope;     1st Timothy 1:1

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Hebrews 3:6

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works, yet now he hath reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard, which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; where of I Paul am made a minister;    Colossians 1:23

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.          1st Peter:1-23

     I recommend re-reading the above scriptures in context with those preceding and following for a firmer grasp of this hope God has, through grace, so graciously gifted us with. Audacity and adequacy are strange bedfellows; but never donned better in the searching out of God's precious gift of hope, through Christ, a living risen Saviour and redeemer. The man that places his hope of riches by the purchasing of a lottery ticket does indeed understand the nature of hope. Still, if he were to win, he's destined to lose without the hope vested in the Lord. I do know many who would be willing to give it a try even though it's nature is fleeting. Money promises a security that is rarely realized and leaves ones life riddled with unforeseen pitfalls and still; I'm guessing many would love to see this for themselves forgetting that what has real value is unseen. Life, for me, has left me wanting for treasures not found in things but relationship. Good friends and family,  a best friend [my wife], and my bestest friend, [Father Son and Holy Spirit] fill my life with true joy and real hope for a real life in eternity. I truly hope, your hope, finds itself basking in truth and life.  

     Forget the lottery tickets and direct your hope in the direction that leads to a life affirming relationship with the one that conquered death and the hapless hopes of this world. 

Applicable Rationality

 "Til by their own perplexities involved,

     They ravel more, still less resolved."     

                                                          Milton.

What thoughts we think to resolve our fear.

     We venture forth, this rationale revered.

Lingering here in wrestling stance, 

     A chance to unweave, a confusion of deed.

Justified in perplexing waves,

      Once more this piety slowly decays.

Intricate entangling, amazement display,

     Thinking a foresight, still lost by the way.  

                                                   Gordon Bieber  5-5-2023

     By what means do we preserve an ideal? One would hope an ideal to have it's basis in truth. Is there an insight to foresight we should look for in qualifying a reasonable basis for a belief? One, at times wonders about foundational footings, and the construction thereof. Unraveling the knot, at times, we understand to be completely vexing. Wherein lies the wherewithal? Construction of critical examination techniques are rarely taught and at times are in need of  examining in and of themselves. One mustn't be misled once again by a circling reasoning process so popular in today's debating arena. Accepting an idea or ideal, as history has taught us, is usually accepting recycled ideology. So, the question remains. What are you thinking? Before stepping into the ring of ideology it may be more prudent to ask "How are you thinking?" So often people we engage with are only parroting. This brings us once again to our foundation of thought. Rock, paper, or scissors? Is it all about winning or truthful reasoning; or, should one sit at the sidelines quibbling on the fence of opinion? How, when, where, and why we engage have to be based on truth. Always, look at the objective, theirs and yours. Allow yourself the possibility of error. Truth can hurt, but ultimately heals. 

     Be honest, be meek when needed, unleash the lion only when necessary. God is love. God is also wrath. God is truth. God is also merciful. God forgives ...... when one repents. God is the sum of His attributes. Be like God. God doesn't need more bad examples. God decries bad theology. Don't read more into God's word than what's there just to fit own your theology. Read the Bible and then apply it to your life. His desire is for you to be fruitful, period! Applicable rationality comes from knowing God, who He is, and what he has purposed for you to bring Him glory.