Category: Reflections

July 22, 2021

The good, the mediocre, and the bad

Post By David Holdsworth poetry, Reflections No Comments

 Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why do bad things happen to mediocre people?

Why do bad things happen to bad people?

Why do good things happen to good people?

Why do good things happen to mediocre people?

Why do good things happen to bad people?

The good, The mediocre, And The bad.

Why do any of them prosper?

Why do any of them suffer?

The rain falls on all.

But, the sunshine rests on all.

That of darkness dwells in all.

But, that of light dwells in all.

Behold the misery!

Behold the hope!

July 20, 2021

Blog Relaunch: The Heart of the Matter

Post By David Holdsworth poetry, Reflections No Comments

It is my deepest desire to return to the heart of the matter. After many, many variations of my blogs and sites I have returned to blogger. My previous blog host kept crashing. I was glad I had backed up some stuff on blogger so all is not lost. This is an opportunity to enter a new season as a blogger and writer. It is also a good opportunity to refocuse on Jesus. So welcome back. Hit subscribe and come along for the ride.

 

The Heart of the Matter:

 Infinite human depravity and sin.

Infinite love and grace.

Without Him all is lost.

The heart of the problem is the problem of man’s hearts.

‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!’ says the preacher.

In a world of cruelty and vanity a saviour came.

Triumphant war Lord?

Nay, a lamb.

Our weakness, he identifies.

Our suffering, he identifies.

The ultimate price buys our liberty:

Join Me!

Follow Me!

Take up your cross!

Liberty is ours!

Darkness and light collide.

Flesh and blood is spilled.

Principalities and powers beware.

The light has come.

Let thy light shine oh God!

September 16, 2019

The still small voice

Post By David Holdsworth Reflections No Comments
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” – 1 Kings 19:10,11

The Still Small Voice:

God was in the still small voice.

In my travels I have encountered worship styles that are so varied. Lately I have been thinking of the loud nature of much worship in contemporary churches (both preaching and song). Whilst not being opposed to this style I have found that at times it has been draining. It may be my inner introvert or it may simply just be that the season of loud is over for me at this time. Either way it seems that my heart yearns for the calm, the gentle, the peaceful. It reminds me of verses in Kings that speak of Elijah seeking God.

In summary:
The winds came.
God was not in that wind.
The earth shook.
God was not in that shaking.
The fire came.
God was not in that fire.
God was in the still small voice.

Some additional thoughts:

The point of God speaking in the still small voice was to show Elijah that the work of God doesn’t always have to be dramatic or loud. It is also of note seeming silence from God does not necessarily mean divine inactivity. Something we all should take heed of. There is further more a parallel here to the voice of judgement and the voice of grace. Judgement can be loud and frightening while Grace is often a gentle whisper. Elijah’s experience was such a long time ago, but today we can also be assured God is still speaking. This largely happens through scriptures and things that line up with scripture. How God speaks to us is perhaps less important than if and what God speaks to us. The beautiful thing is God still speaks. Let us truly listen to his voice.

July 25, 2009

The Unthinkable

Post By David Holdsworth Reflections, Stories No Comments

He stands upon a hill. His hair blows in the wind, as does his tartan kilt. Upon his cheek is a tear drop. It gently runs down his face. His eyes are wide with shock. From his mouth comes the terrifying words: “It’s over.”

His hands and legs begin to shake. His shepherd staff falls to the ground. He soon follows. Upon his knees he weeps and starts to push his head to the ground.

“No, no, no! Please God no!”

Then he lifts his head to look one more time. He stares across the highland landscape toward the distance where the city use to be. A dark mushroom cloud towers above the landscape The unthinkable has happened.

There is no more time for protests or campaigns. The ignorance of many including of course many leaders has led to this moment. Scotland the brave is now Scotland the doomed. In his heart he knows other cities will fall in other nation. The unthinkable has begun.

***

My dear friends, it does not have to end like this. Now is the time for action. We must be the peacemakers God has called us to be and never again be silent while the sin of war continues. Like the abolitionists of the slave trade, we must use our faith to abolish something else. Yes, with our faith in action and with hearts of love and compassion we must struggle for the abolition of the war trade.

(Image source: Wikipedia, Public Domain)

July 25, 2009

Non-violent and Radical

Post By David Holdsworth Reflections No Comments

Despite the fact that Christianity initially was a non-violent radical movement of God’s people, many today who claim to be of Christ seem to see war as needed and even God ordained. Such blasphemy is hardly new. Since the days of Constantine (I) when the State and the Church made an unholy alliance, the deception of redemptive warfare has been clung to like a life belt. Yet, ever since the time of Jesus the Messiah and prophets before Him many radicals (often persecuted and outcast) have questioned the morality of war.

Now in the 21st century generations are also rising up against the war machine among both the secular and spiritual sector of society. They recognise that war is for power, economy and pride, not justice or peace. Long may these voices in the wilderness be heard, as they prepare the way for the Lord, who when he comes again will be the undoing of evil and the establiaher of a kingdom not of this world that will live in peace forever!!!