Blog Archives

ON BEING WELL CONNECTED...

6/28/2021

Years ago, as a young pastor, I received some very good advice. I was told to find some small pastime to engage in on a regular basis that would give me immediate gratification. Whether that activity be sketching, painting, woodworking, gardening, landscaping, or any other similar activity, this was very important.

The reason for this is because ministry is an endeavor that very often takes a long time to see the full results. And sadly, it can be disappointing and even depressing to labor away without seeing results as soon as one might desire. For this reason, I have tried to follow that advice. While my interests have changed, as have the chosen activities I have pursued along the way, following this advice has served me well down through the years.

These days, one such small daily activity I engage in is to play a game on my iPad. It is called “Boom Beach”. For those unfamiliar with this game, according to Wikipedia, “Boom Beach is a freemium massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game for iOS and Android, developed by Supercell… (It) is a strategy game that combines attacks on and from other players with attacks against computer-generated (NPC) bases. The game's storyline is set in a tropical archipelago with the player on an island with defenses and troops.”

My son-in-law introduced it to me a couple of years ago. Nowadays, I tend to play it around twice a day - for a little while in the morning, and then once again for a few minutes before I go to bed at night. Later, I introduced it to my brother-in-law; and we often have friendly competitions to see who can defeat more bad guys and rescue more islanders.

One thing I have learned to do is to scan the map right away to see if my scouts have found an enemy-held island that is not well defended. Naturally, these hapless individuals are the first targets I go after. Their readily apparent vulnerability quickly gets my attention, making them tempting targets for my own invasion forces.

Sometimes, however, when I click on one of these bases, I receive the following message: “You cannot attack right now. The player is online. You must wait until they are no longer connected.”

Having seen this message recently, I was struck by its spiritual application. Is it not true that, as believers, we are constantly being scrutinized by our enemy, the evil one?. First Peter chapter 5, verse 8 tells us that he lurks about as a lion, seeking those among us who are susceptible to an easy attack.

This vulnerability can sometimes be brought on by circumstances in life that are beyond our control. But often, it comes about merely through a lack of attention to our spiritual life. Either way, the Devil soon enough spots our weakness, and quickly exploits it.

Thankfully, however, even when we are vulnerable, we are not without hope. Whenever we recognize that we are in a precarious situation, and then make a deliberate attempt at reestablishing our connection to Heaven, we find ourselves far less vulnerable in the enemy’s eyes.

For this reason, being faithfully connected to our Heavenly Father through regular prayer and devotion certainly keeps us far less susceptible to spiritual attack, and much less likely to suffer any ill effects from what the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians (in chapter 6, verse 16) were the “fiery darts of the Devil”!

GAME INFORMATION SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Beach.

SCRIPTURE SOURCES: https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-8.htm;
and https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-16.htm.

FEEDING TIME…

6/24/2021

The older of my grandsons have now recently discovered the local zoo. Each in turn has visited there with his respective parents. As might be expected, each in turn has also come away enthralled with the vast array of exotic animals on display there.

Apparently, the old adage is true in that the apple does not fall far from the tree. I say this because, as a child, I myself absolutely loved getting to go to the zoo. I was simply fascinated by the sight of “lions and tigers and bears”. And for this reason, as an adult, I often took my children there as well. Now, it seems, they are carrying on a family tradition.

As each of my grandsons involved has excitedly shared his experiences at the zoo with me, a story I once heard has come to mind. I thought I would share it here today for my regular blog post.

It seems that three boys who had recently gone to the zoo later found themselves hauled before the local magistrate. As the story unfolds, the zoo attendant is making his complaint…

“They were causing an awful lot of commotion at the zoo, your Honor,” the zoo attendant said. “Boys,” said the judge, “I never like to hear reports about juvenile delinquency. Now I want each of you to tell me your name and what you were doing wrong.”

“My name is George,” said the first boy, “and all I did was to throw peanuts into the elephant pen.” “My name is Larry,” the second boy chimed in, “and all I did was to throw peanuts into the elephant pen.” “My name is Mike,” added the third boy, “and all I did too was to throw peanuts into the elephant pen.”

“And you,” the judge said to the fourth boy, “what is your part in all of this?” To which the fourth boy responded: “My name is Peanuts!”

Now, none of my grandsons is named “Peanuts”. Nor, thankfully, have any of them ever been thrown into an animal enclosure. But I share this story here simply because we all can use a good laugh every now and then.

Like peanuts in the mouth of an elephant, humor brings a pleasing smile to our faces. Better yet, just as peanuts nourish an elephant’s body, so does humor nourish our souls. As the Biblical Book of Proverbs (chapter 17, verse 22) affirms: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…”

A merry heart… And a healthy soul! Trust me, that ain’t peanuts!

STORY SOURCE: Available widely on the internet. See, for instance, https://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/66830.pdf, p. 18.
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: https://biblehub.com/proverbs/17-22.htm.

BIRD WATCHING

6/19/2021

Proverbs 6:6 admonishes: “6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, 8yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” In so saying, Solomon codified the Biblical principle of learning from the animal kingdom. Jesus Himself would later employ this same principle with His own admonition to “consider the birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26).

While a multitude of animals play pedagogical roles in Scripture, birds are particularly noteworthy. The Lord utilized both a raven and a dove to speak to Noah in Genesis 8. He then used more than one crow to instruct Elijah in I Kings 17. And we also see a dove used to symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism in Luke 3. Later, God used a rooster used to convict a wayward Simon Peter in Mark 14. It seems that birds are particularly useful to our Heavenly Father when He decides to educate us.

Thus, it is not surprising that the Lord used a bird or two to speak to me this week.

It all began a few months ago when a single hawk took up residence in our yard. As I wrote about in my post titled WHAT WE OUGHTA! back on March 12 of this year, a single hawk sent from the Lord appears to have taken up residence in the woods in our yard.

I soon took notice of his presence – no doubt as God had intended. He was a patient and skillful hunter, alighting and positioning himself to wait patiently, often for hours, before eventually swooping down upon some hapless squirrel or rabbit. Clearly, he was laying claim to his own newfound territory.

Shortly thereafter, another hawk appeared. Now there were two – one larger and one slightly smaller. Together, they systematically set about establishing a home together; and in short order, a huge nest, composed of sticks and straw, appeared in the very top of one of the tallest trees in our yard.

Thereafter, it was a fairly common sight to see the larger of the two hawks flying in with either a snake or a mouse in its talons, bringing nourishment to the smaller of the two as she sat perched atop what was obviously a clutch of eggs in their treetop abode.

It wasn’t long before the inevitable occurred. Multiple screeches soon flooded the air as at least two chicks made their appearance alongside their parents. As the days unfolded, the chorus quickly became a crescendo. The whole family seemed to exult in a common refrain.

But it quickly became obvious that they had more in mind than merely sounding off. Three times in the last two days - once while walking back form the mailbox and twice while cutting grass - I happened upon at least two hawks on the nearby ground. In each case, the smaller of the two was situated adjacent to the larger, which had his wings spread atop what was obviously a fresh kill. Clearly, “dear old dad” was instructing junior in the art and science of acquiring sustenance.

All of this leads me to my point. How ironic is it that all of this occurred on Father’s Day weekend?! Surely, in all these things, the Lord was reminding me of the role of a faithful father!

As I have reflected on this, I have been reminded of how blessed I am that the Lord gave me a father who acted much the same. He came of age, left home, and stood on his own two feet, long before he met and pursued my mother. Thereafter, he married her and established a home with her. The two of them then bore children, and set about rearing them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. In due time, their children (of which I was one) learned to fend for themselves and to survive in this world.

What more could I have asked? For that matter, what more could any person ask of a father?

I hope my own three children will one day reach similar conclusions about me. I hope they will do this for no other reason than that that they too will have come to see that I was faithful as a father to do what was rightfully to be expected of me, by them and by God.

That is to say that I first staked my claim to some small part of this world, that I then met and wooed their mother with passion, that I then founded a home together with her, that I then sired the children God intended for me, and that thereafter, I faithfully reared them as God would have me to, and in the process, prepared them, not only to survive, but to thrive in this world.

Assuming they reach any such conclusion, I will be honored. More to the point, God will be glorified; and my children (and grandchildren) will all be edified.

Amen!

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/niv/proverbs/6.htm; and

https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-26.htm.

GOING PLACES!

6/14/2021

I have come to understand why the well-known car tag reads: “If I had known grandkids would be so much fun, I would have had them first!” The Good News Translation of Psalm 127:3 tells us that children are a blessing from the Lord. If this is true, and indeed it is, then grandchildren are certainly blessings upon blessings.

Of course, multiple other translations of Psalm 127 state that children are a reward from God. One pundit said he understood this to mean that grandchildren are God’s reward to you for not killing your own children! What parent cannot at least on occasion relate to this humorous remark?!

Either way, these days, my wife and I are enjoying both the reward and the blessing that God has given us in our seven grandsons. Each day brings new adventures to their little lives. Simply watching them grow and develop and discover the world around them is a joy that is hard to describe.

Their current ages range from six months to four and a half years of age. As I have observed them, I have concluded that the one thing that ties them all together at this point in life is their ever increasing levels of mobility. The oldest loves to put on his “fast shoes” and then show us how swiftly he can run around the yard. He will literally run large circles for you as long as you will watch him.

The two oldest of his younger cousins have yet to master running smoothly, but have still begun to trot to each new destination. This all began when their walking first sped up. With each passing day, their steps now grow less and less precarious and more and more assured. Their arms too are prone to be less and less outstretched like balance beams and more and more swinging in confluence with his gait.

Other, younger grandsons have not quite mastered running; but they have learned to walk. What began as timid, teetering steps has now morphed into buoyant strides demonstrating deliberate foot placements and increasingly steady balance.

Still younger ones have not yet learned to walk, but have learned to crawl. What began as rocking back and forth has now quickly become the ability to perch confidently on hands and knees. Once so positioned, the temptation to go forth and investigate the world around them quickly overpowers any inertia. There is simply too much out there they need to investigate!

The youngest two are not to be outdone. The first of these two has now learned to roll over. It seems that he has discovered that he can enjoy more than one view of the world, and that it is within his power to change that view at will. This leaves the youngest of them all. He is just now learning to hold up his head and look around. But in so doing, he clearly demonstrates that he has a keen interest in the world around him, and is eager to discover more about it. Daily, he enjoys new perspectives!

What ties all of these traits together? To me, it is the fact that they represent a very important principle. That principle is that life is meant to be lived! We are not put here in this world to spend our lives as spectators, but as participants! We were not created simply to sit back and observe life from afar, like mere onlookers in some giant arena. Rather, we are meant to go forth and engage the world around us so as to make a difference for ourselves and for others.

Of course, to do this, we must be proactive; we must be intentional; and we must be determined. For it is only in first attempting to do something that we ever actually do something. And it is only in doing something over and over again that we finally perfect it. And it is only in perfecting one thing that we can build upon it and attempt even greater things. Ultimately, therefore, it is only in taking the initiative and running risks that we ever actually accomplish anything of significance in life!

For these reasons, if for no other, I am proud of every single one of my seven grandsons. Though tender in age, each of them is already demonstrating in his own way a determined propensity to proactively engage the world around them. Each one has shown that he fully intends to reach out and grab hold of life! In short, while some are running, some are walking, some are crawling, some are merely rolling over, and one is merely looking around, still, each in his own way is clearly intending to go places in this world!

Of course, they do not yet have the benefit of my sixty years of experience. Therefore, they cannot yet know just how bumpy that ride might eventually prove to be. But no matter, for they are bold. And daily, their boldness is being rewarded. Daily their confidence is growing. And daily, they are not only engaging life, but having small victories in the process!

So, yes, my children and my grandchildren are indeed a blessing to me! Better yet, they are blessing upon blessing to me. To use the analogy of the Psalmist (127:5), I am glad that God has chosen to fill my proverbial quiver with them.

But more than a blessing, they are also an inspiration to me - as well as a challenge. For through them, I am reminded daily that even though I am now an older man who has already been privileged to go lots of places and do lots of things in my life, I am not yet done. There are still more places for me to go in my life; just as there is still much more for me to do in my life!

Given this, when my Heavenly Father looks down upon me, I pray the efforts I display toward going places and accomplishing things in life are plainly evident to Him, even when viewed from the world above. I pray also that He is pleased with what He sees! May my efforts (and any rewards they produce) bring joy to His heart!

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/psalms/127-3.htm;

https://biblehub.com/niv/psalms/127.htm.

THE DISCOVERY OF A LIFETIME!

6/11/2021

Wise old King Solomon once said: “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” All I can say to this is “Amen!” You see, this Bible verse, found it the Old Testament Book of Proverbs, chapter 18, verse 22, pretty much sums up the wonderful thing that happened to me halfway through the tenth grade.

I still remember the Sunday morning when I walked into a Sunday School class and unexpectedly beheld a new girl sitting quietly off to herself, wrapped up in her coat, with her head down staring at the floor. While she stared downward, I stared at her!

Of course, I was not the only boy to notice her; several others guys did as well. But I doubt seriously whether any of the competition knew what they were up against from that moment forward; for I was a man on a mission! I strategically positioned myself so that I could continue staring at her throughout the ensuing hour.

As soon as class ended, I wasted no time in making it my business to meet her. I soon discovered her name as well as the fact that she and her family had just moved into the community where I had lived my whole life. To my delight, I discovered that we would be attending the same high school in the3 same grade.

Over the next few weeks, she went out with one or two of the other guys before I finally worked up the nerve to ask her out. But that did not mean I was sitting idly by. By no means; for I quickly set about putting my plan in motion. First, I broke up with my girlfriend. Thereafter, each day before high school began, I managed to wander down the hall to “visit” a friend, who just happened to be in her homeroom. (We were all arranged alphabetically.)

Then, I finagled my class schedule to where we would strategically bump into one another in between classes. My coup de grâce was in finding out which lunch she had (early or late), and getting a class schedule that allowed me to eat lunch at the same time. Daily, I plotted. Daily I made progress.

When the time was right, having plowed the ground, I made my move. I called her up and asked her out on a date. She had some reason she could not go out. I took it in stride, and a week or two later, asked her out a second time, only to be rebuffed yet again. Nevertheless I persevered, and asked her out yet a third time. Again, for whatever reason, she was unable to go out.

Now, even someone as dumb as me understands the three strike rule. But I thank God I listened to my heart and not my head. So, I asked her out a fourth time; and this time, for whatever reason – perhaps pity – she finally said yes. We went out on a double date for pizza and a movie; and I will treasure the memories of that night forever.

To sum it all up, we went on to date for three years of high school and then through four years of college. Five years into that process, I got the nerve to ask her to marry me. I was lifeguarding at a local pool; and she came there to sun bathe. I only had thirty minutes for lunch; and was so nervous that I literally could not eat. So, I took her to the only place that was empty and quiet: the men’s dressing room. Closing the door, I dutifully got down on one knee and proposed. This time, thankfully, she did not need to be asked four times. She said yes! Greatly relieved, I ate lunch, and went back to work.

A couple of years later, on this date, June 11, back in 1983, we tied the knot, and have now been together for 38 years. When added to the seven years we had dated, we have now been blessed to be together for 45 years. And I thank God for every single second of every single moment of every single hour of every single day of every single month of every single year of every single decade of that time together.

You see, in accordance with the perfect will of God, I found myself a wife. And in the process, just as Scripture affirms, I found a very good thing. Even more, through my beautiful wife, I have found favor from the Lord. The Contemporary English Version translates Proverbs 18:22: “A man's greatest treasure is his wife - she is a gift from the LORD.” Truly, in allowing me to discover my precious wife, the Lord Himself gifted me with my greatest earthly treasure!

Today, as the two of us celebrate decades of life together, we pause to count our blessings – not the least of which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Add to these three wonderful children, their respective three spouses, and seven grandsons, plus health, well-being, and stability, and we soon realize that our blessings are beyond number!

For all these things, once again I say, “Amen!”

SCRIPTURE: https://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-22.htm.

MONTH OF MONTHS

6/7/2021

As a child, I greatly looked forward to the first of June. The fundamental reason was that I saw the unfolding of June as symbolic of so many good things to come.

To begin with, school would finally be out. What child did not long for the end of the school year after nine long months of confinement? To be sure, June also meant that my chores quickly doubled up. With long days and plenty of sunshine, ample time had to be spent on seasonal tasks. From sun up to sundown, these long days would often be filled with cutting grass, gathering hay, and working in the garden.

But this was all bearable because June also brought summer fun. Some of these were simple daily pastimes to enjoy, such as catching June Bugs and Lightning Bugs (or Fireflies, depending upon what part of the country in which you grew up) in the yard and tadpoles in the pond.

Other pleasures were even more fun. Swimming, cookouts, family reunions - all these things happened in the month of June as well. As did annual trips with my family to nearby state parks for camping, boating, fishing, and similar such activities.

And then there were all the goings-on at church as well. Among them, “Vacation Bible School” was always a highlight. As were the annual “Homecomings”, “Dinner on the Grounds”, and “Sunday Night Sings”.

As I grew, the month took on even more significance, as I realized that my grandmother, Junie Mae, celebrated her birthday on the first day of June. It seems she was born right at midnight, so she was named for both months. Either way, it was always an occasion for yet another big celebration within our family.

Later on, when I first met my bride to be in high school, I quickly discovered that her birthday too fell in the first week of June. Thereafter, each of these two special women in my life helped to underscore the significance of the month of June.

Along the way, I discovered that June was the month for Father's Day to be celebrated. As I grew and matured, I loved finding ways to do special things for my dad on that day. (Later on, as a father myself, I was to be on the receiving end of such blessings.)

June would also become the month when I graduated from High School, as well as college. It would also become the month when my wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. Nor did we know at that time that our daughter would choose our own wedding anniversary date for the day of her wedding, giving even more special meaning to a certain day in June.

By God’s grace, this month marks my 60th time to experience these and many other blessings of the month of June. For all of this, I am extremely thankful. Only now, that appreciation runs a little deeper; for I have also come to know and appreciate the sacrifices so many others made in order that I might enjoy all this month has to offer.

June also sees the annual celebration of Flag Day. Each year, as this unique day rolls around, I am reminded of what that the stars and stripes stands for, as well as the exploits of those in previous generations whose sacrifices helped to ensure it still proudly flies today.

Specifically, I have in mind two great events that unfolded in the first week of June over three quarters of a century ago. The first occurred over a three day period from June 4-6, 1942. I refer of course to the World War Two Battle of Midway. While still reeling from the attack at Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy surprised the Japanese by bombing Tokyo in April of 1942. A month later, the enemy was met and engaged at the Battle of the Coral Sea. More or less considered a draw, each side lost one aircraft carrier and multiple ships.

But barely one month later, in the first week of June, the U.S. Navy surprised the Japanese Imperial Navy by ambushing them in their attempted invasion of Midway Island. In the fierce three day long battle that followed, the Japanese lost four of their front line carriers, with the U.S. losing only two. From this point forward, therefore, Japanese expansion was over. The U.S. was now on the offensive; and the tide of war had forever changed. Granted, it would take three more years of hard fighting in multiple vicious island hopping campaigns, but Japan’s fate had already been sealed.

Two years later, the first week of June would also bring about a change in the tide of war in Europe as well. While the U.S. and her allies had earlier invaded North Africa and Italy on dates labeled “D-Day”, June 6, 1944 will forever be remembered for this singular designation. On this date, also referred to as the “Day of Days”, the largest seaborne invasion in recorded history unfolded in which 195,000 Allied personnel in over 5,000 ships descended upon the coast of Axis-occupied Normandy, France to begin the liberation of Western Europe from four long years of tyranny and oppression.

Histories, documentaries, novels, and movies now exhaustively document the titanic struggles that took place between good and evil in the skies and seas around Midway and on the shores of Normandy. And yet, there are no doubt untold numbers of stories of courage and bravery that unfolded in these eventful days that only eternity will reveal.

For my part, I have come to realize that the simple pleasures and privileges I shared in the opening lines of this blog post would never have been possible without the willingness of countless individuals - soldiers, sailors, and airmen alike - who readily gave of themselves by going into harm’s way in order to secure my freedom. Ultimately, 307 Allied personnel died in the Battle of Midway, as did another 4,414 at Normandy. These fatalities do not include the 10,000+ casualties suffered as well.

But these sacrifices were not without cause. They resulted in the freeing of the world from fascist domination and oppression. As one who grew up enjoying the simple freedoms that entails, I will forever be mindful of these sacrifices on my behalf. And I will do my best to make sure that my children and grandchildren are as well. Every June, as long as I draw breath, they will hear of the great sacrifice that made their freedom possible. We will then celebrate all that freedom has brought us.

ON GIVING ONE’S ALL…

6/3/2021

Lee Eclov is a retired Pastor who still preaches, teaches, and writes. His many books, articles, blog posts, and related material are all designed to encourage young preachers.

In the lead up to Memorial Day, he recently penned a blog post titled 'Homo Unius Libri', in which he encourages Pastors to give all they have to give. As a part of that post, he shares the following insightful tidbit of information:

During the Civil War, most soldiers were issued single-shot, muzzle-loading rifles. After the Battle of Gettysburg, at least 27,574 guns were recovered from the battlefield, their owners having fled or died. Incredibly, 24,000 were still loaded! And half of those had been loaded more than once, one shot jammed on top of another, without being fired! One poor guy had apparently loaded his gun twenty-three times without ever actually shooting!

Dr. Eclov’s point is that, just as soldiers were put on the field of battle for a purpose, so were we all put here on earth for a specific purpose. Most of us find it disconcerting to learn that 24,000 plus guns were taken into battle by soldiers but never discharged.

In like manner, however, we must also realize that God has uniquely outfitted each of us with a certain set of spiritual gifts, designed to be put to use in the titanic struggle between good and evil in this world. When we fail to employ these gifts, it is the same thing as if we chose not to engage.

And surely, few things can be as heartrending as coming to the end of one’s life with the knowledge that he or she decided to play it safe and never engage. In such a case, it is the same thing as if a person simply took his or her talent and buried it in the back yard.

I employ this analogy because of the story that Jesus told us in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew (chapter 25, verse 14-30):

14For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. 15To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.

16The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. 17Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

19After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. 20The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

21His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

22The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’

23His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

24Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’

26‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.

28Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

If anyone had the right to make such an assertion, surely it was Jesus Christ. When He came to the end of the battle, He had fully expended himself. Thus, the Bible tells us in Philippians 2:7 that He “emptied Himself”.

The words to Gloria Gaither’s hymn, “Broken and Spilled Out”, come to mind here:

One day a plain village woman
Driven by love for her Lord
Recklessly poured out a valuable essence
Disregarding the scorn

And once it was broken and spilled out
A fragrance filled all the room
Like a pris'ner released from his shackles
Like a spirit set free from the tomb

Broken and spilled out
Just for love of you Jesus
My most precious treasure
Lavished on Thee

Broken and spilled out
And poured at Your feet
In sweet abandon
Let me be spilled out
And used up for Thee

Lord You were God's precious treasure
His loved and His own perfect Son
Sent here to show me the love of the Father
Just for love it was done

And though You were perfect and holy
You gave up Yourself willingly
You spared no expense for my pardon
You were used up and wasted for me

Broken and spilled out
Just for love of me Jesus
God's most precious treasure
Lavished on me

You were broken and spilled out
And poured at my feet
In sweet abandon Lord
You were spilled out
And used up for Me

In sweet abandon
let me be spilled out
And used up for Thee

Amen!

On a personal note, my recent unexpected trip to the emergency room for unanticipated surgery has reminded me that I still have lots to do in life. I still have much within me to spill out for the glory of God and the betterment of my fellow man. To play on Dr. Eclov’s analogy, I still have plenty of ammo that needs expending. And when my time on the field of battle is over, I hope I have nothing left in my chamber.

I covet your prayers as I seek to use my God-given talents to glorify my Heavenly Father. Rest assured that I pray the same for you.

STORY SOURCES:

Lee Eclov’s website can be found here:
www.leeeclov.com.

The specific blog post referenced above is posted here:
https://www.leeeclov.com/homo-unius-libri/.

LYRICS SOURCE:

https://hymnary.org/text/broken_and_spilled_out.

SCRIPTURE SOURCES:

https://biblehub.com/bsb/matthew/25.htm;

https://biblehub.com/philippians/2-7.htm.