WHERE'S MY EULOGY? Just a Minute for Monday July 07, 2008

Howdy again Folks –

Rudyard Kipling wrote: “The tumult and the shouting dies/ The captains and the kings depart/ Still stands our ancient sacrifice/ An humble and a contrite heart.

Possibly never more needed than today. When all the tumult dies and the drums and cannons fade away – there is still an emptiness in the human heart – described by some as a “God-shaped vacuum…” I’m not sure that helps me picture it. But nonetheless Christians know innately through the Scriptures that we are here as ‘pilgrims.’ This world is NOT our home – in the words of the old spiritual: “We’re just a-passin’ through…”

So what’s the answer to the restlessness that stirs deep inside. Even a man described as one “after God’s own heart” expresses his unease at times in the Psalms. But there are answers… perhaps more accurately there is AN answer and it lies within our reach in the pages of the Bible. May I give just a word of encouragement: My most consistent Christian living comes when I have a program… suggested to me by others, but never fully realized until and unless I made it my own – and that is daily Bible reading and prayer.

I’m not trying to add to your load or hand you a list of ten or 100 things to do to find spiritual fulfillment. I’m just saying simply, my experience is and has been consistent study of the “Owners Manual” if you will – the Bible – offers a singularly successful path to consistent joy.

I continually am amazed at how often the theme of JOY recurs in the Bible. For me JOY is best described as a fountain, spring or river… it consistently renews itself and ‘bubbles up’ so to speak. It’s not something that is imposed or suddenly discovered as much as it becomes a part of living. Something of the eternal open to experience now.

I hope I’m not being too mystical here. It’s just an observation from my own experience I’d like to share with you.

Well… on to today’s JUST A MINUTE. Let me know what you think via e-mail or however.

God bless you.

IN HIM

Jack

http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama07-07-08.mp3

http://www.jebcovoice.net/scripts/jamt07-04-08.doc

“JUST A MINUTE”

WHERE’S MY EULOGY?

Just A Minute – Can you define panegyric? Here’s help – it’s a laudation, or an encomium.

St. Louis University History Professor Thomas Madden says America’s days are not numbered, as were Rome’s when it was awash in panegyrics. His view is: “Since humans climbed out of trees … none have ever lived in a period more prosperous, secure and stable than Americans do today.” But you’d never know it by listening to today’s news. Dr. Madden says we’re just bored. The evidence is at Barnes & Noble where you can’t get to the checkout for stacks of books detailing America’s decline.

My friend, Pat Buchanan, has built a cottage industry writing gloom and doom books – which I find odd for the cheerful Irishman I know him to be. Kevin Phillips is another draconian prophet.

All that to point out, there is cheerfulness to be found. It’s in the Bible. A consistent theme of joy – not necessarily temporal happiness – runs through the pages of sacred Scripture. C.S. Lewis, wrote, “Surprised by Joy.” That’s what we need in our July 4^th celebrations.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

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