What A Life!

There is the  Amazing Conception

                   Anointed Life

                   Atoning Death

                   Astonishing Resurrection

         And   Appointed glorious Return        –        What a Life!

                                      – eab, 12/06

 

 

 

    

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Faithful to Duty

If shepherds hadn’t been watching their charge,

As all good shepherds do.

If they hadn’t been dutifully faithful,

In spite of damp and dew.

If men of sheep hadn’t sheep-minded been,

The long winter night through;

They’d have missed that chorus grandly suspended,

Announcing centuries of prophecy ended,

In notes and quality, in minors and ranges, so large –

Masterfully blended.

 

If wise men hadn’t been looking upward,

As wise men want to do.

If ancient scholars hadn’t known the sky,

And humbly, knew, they knew.

If star-spangled men hadn’t known their flag,

The night that star first flew.

They’d have missed the invitation of all earth,

To rejoice in the King of Creation’s birth;

The astronomical discovery worthy of reward –

Announcing Royal worth.          – eab, 12/80

 

Written while I worked with Christ College and Christ Academy in East Tennessee.

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Robert Barclay – birth, Dec. 23, 1648

That it is not lawful to give to men such flattering titles as, “Your Holiness,” “Your Majesty,” “Your Eminency,” “Your Excellency,” “Your Grace,” “Your Lordship,” “Your Honor,” &c., nor use those flattering words commonly called “compliments.””

 

So the question is, First, Whether the civil magistrate hath power to force men in things religious to do contrary to their conscience, and if they will not to punish them in their goods, liberties, or lives? this we hold in the negative.

 

Since we have placed justification in the revelation of Jesus Christ formed and brought forth in the heart, there working his works of righteousness and bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit.

Robert Barclay was born this date 12/23/1648 in Gordonstoun, Scotland.  He represented Scotland in the British Parliament.  He became a Quaker and is primarily remembered for his classic Apology for the True Christian Religion (1676). 

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