The Truth of All Things

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

The second paragraph of America’s most famous document begins with these words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident….”  (The Declaration of Independence)  Such are the truths and entitlements of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that apparently require no substantiation or demonstration of validity.  Notwithstanding, much debate and many wars have been fought over the centuries to secure these self-evident, but elusive truths.  Hence, we see that if they are not held close and inviolate, are clearly understood, and taught to future generations, they may slip from our grasp.

The same may be said of the many truths taught by angels, prophets, and other heavenly messengers from the beginning of time.  It would seem that Our Father in Heaven often requires that we accept some truths and live them without always fully understanding them.  Further, it appears that this is a deliberate and purposeful teaching method He has employed.  Requiring us to act in faith and in obedience to His will, without full knowledge, stretches and grows our soul.  Such is a primary purpose of this life.

As we experiment with obedience based on faith, those things which are true are discovered and then find permanent residence in us.  Such a process, as it recurs throughout our life, builds ever greater capacity until at some point, probably beyond this life, we come to a fullness, a point where we will know the truth of all things.  Such is the promise given by Paul that it will come, but not until, “… we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (emphasis added): (Ephesians 4:13).

While we may experience that kind of fullness in an incredibly distant future, we have today and each successive day to learn, bit by bit, the truth of all things.  To do so, we would be wise to be constantly seeking, ever-pursuing, and ever-learning about all things true, both those that are self-evident,  and those just a bit more elusive, but still of eternal importance.  In our search, we would also be prudent to utilize both the scientific method and the divine faith method.  Indeed, the first is but an opinion in search of proof, and the second, a previously validated belief in search of a personal experience.  Both require diligence, obedience to procedural law, and patience and perseverance.  Only with these can we know the truth of all things.

The Truth of All Things

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall …. 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:1,2,7

Oh, to always know what is true

And be enlightened by the Holy Spirit

Being inspired to know what to do

When He speaks and we hear it

He speaks if we have sincere hearts

And ask in true faith with real intent

Receiving the grace that God imparts

If we but listen, obey, and repent

For whatsoever is right, true, and just

Will testify of Christ and His power

Upon which we rely and place our trust

As holiness distils and blessings shower

To know and obey the truth sets us free

To become all that God meant us to be

And allows our discerning eyes to see

Mysteries unlocked by inspiration’s key

The Spirit of Truth reveals all things

If we are worthy to receive inspiration

Light and truth, and peace He brings

Whether we are of high or lowly station

Oh, how pure and sweet the Spirit sings

Like a dove descending on gentle wings

Bringing tidings of joy and sacred things

To seeking souls whether peasants or kings

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

The Atoning Remittance

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Our separation from God creates a distance that is more pronounced at certain times in our lives than others.  Sometimes the quality of our thoughts, emotions, and actions fall so far below Godly standards that His Spirit withdraws and our distance from deity expands.  Left unattended, our behaviors further distance us and may lead into other and more distant and darkened paths – at the end of which a spiritual death awaits, or a permanent separation from God and His righteousness.

Christ’s atoning sacrifice provides the way and the means to close our distance from God that was created by sin. Christ’s atonement offers the fruit of repentance and a restoration of one’s soulful pursuit of righteousness.  Christ’s marvelous and miraculous atoning remittance pays off our debt to sin and its dire consequences. 

East of and not far from the Jordan River is an ancient Middle Eastern land known as Gilead.  There is a tree or bush there from which is extracted a fragrant healing medicine or balm. The prophet Jeremiah, worried about a deficiency in the spiritual health of Israel, referred to this healing ointment when he asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead?”  The only medicine potent enough to heal us from the effects of sin is Christ’s atonement.  The ministry of Christ Jesus in our lives is the only true healing balm.  His tree of atonement continues to bear fruit as we repent and become meek and lowly of heart, and as we experience a loving healing balm that comes into our soul to soothe and remedy our spiritual wounds.

Jesus, in Gethsemane, at Calvary, and throughout His perfect life paid the price for our committed sins.  A “remittance” is a payment sent to someone at a distance.   Our distance from God, created by our sins, is overcome by Christ’s atoning sacrifice.  This act remits our confessed and abandoned sins in full by paying the demands of justice.  It buys for us mercy and reconciles us to God.   Thus, our meditation explores “The Atoning Remittance” made on our behalf by Him who we call - Redeemer.

The Atoning Remittance

…we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
New Testament   Romans 5:10-11

Spiritual death is the wage of sin

But the atonement brings life

Procuring a place for God within

And power over worldly strife

To partake of atonement’s fruit

That which comes of repentance

And a persistent Godly pursuit

Brings an atoning remittance

Then meekness and lowliness of heart

Brings a healing balm for our wounds

As the Spirit purifies and sets us apart

From our sins festering in captive tombs

Repentance comes by faith in the Lord

Unto the fulfilling the commandments

And the balm of sin’s remission is poured

As we receive the sanctifying Sacraments

Then filled with hope and perfect love

We endure by diligence unto prayer

Worthy to ascend unto God above

And are crowned as His eternal heir

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

A Sanctified Wandering Witness

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.blogspot.com

Although debated for centuries, it is generally accepted that Jesus granted the wish of John, known also as the Beloved, the Revelator, and Apostle, to not taste of death, but minister upon the earth until the end of time.  There is no record of his post-mortal ministry. 

The Bible records several instances where a Godly servant transitioned from mortal to immortal at God’s command.  These appear to include Enoch who, “…walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5); Moses: “No man knoweth of Moses’ sepulchre unto this day.” (Deut. 34:5–6); and Elijah: “…Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kgs. 2:11).  When asked by Peter as to the request of John, Jesus says, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.”  (John 21:22) Elsewhere He said, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28)  Again, Bible scholars debate this matter, but if we take the passage literally, then there were those present (perhaps including John) who, for purposes known only to God, experienced this miraculous transition.

God in His omniscience and power makes those decisions.  One might then speculate that, “If these, why not others?"  However, for our meditation, we will only focus on the biblical account of one who was not “taken up,” but remained here below.  Jesus’s beloved disciple John was granted the wonderful, yet challenging opportunity to be a wandering minister upon the earth until Christ’s second coming.

Oh, to see through his eyes and to hear what his ears have heard through the centuries!  We wonder to whom he has ministered and what interventions he has made into the affairs of men?  Has he been a shaper of history or just an observer?  In our meditative verse, we recognize and honor the calling and extended ministry of John, whom we call  “ A Sanctified Wandering Witness.”

A Sanctified Wandering Witness

22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
John 21:22

The beloved John of old never tasted death

But is a wandering minister on earth to roam

God’s servant who will never breathe a last breath

Who tarries and teaches until Christ calls him home

He ministers to earth’s scattered tribes and nations

To all tongues and people wherever he is assigned

Bringing souls unto Christ and sacred oblations

Christ’s immortal courier serving all mankind

His work is consecrated, sacred, and edifying

An agent of Christ ministering truth and light

Loving, inspiring, purifying and sanctifying

A wandering holy pastor of power and might

Called as a wanderer who continues to roam

Until Christ shall come to rule and reign

Then changed in a twinkling and taken home

John will enter heaven with blessings to claim

We honor John and his holy mission

Ministering Christ’s message to man

As he observes our mortal condition

And helps  fulfill God’s eternal plan

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Behold Thy Name

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Whether your name is unique like Shakespeare or common like Smith, you wear it as a badge or emblem.  Its meaning and influence are often carried through generations – an accumulation of daily behaviors handed down through decades of time.  In Western society and culture family names, also called surnames, only achieved prominence in the 1200’s.  According to the National Endowment for the Humanities, “In the early years of the Middle Ages, most people in Europe lived in small farming villages. Everyone knew his neighbors, and there was little need for last names. But as the population expanded and the towns grew, a need arose to find ways to differentiate between two people who shared the same first name.” 

Often surnames derived from one’s occupation such as the surname Shepherd, or a person’s relationship with a parent such as Peterson. Sometimes a name came from a place like London or, as in my case, a woodland or “shaw” frequented by cranes, hence, Craneshaw or later, Crenshaw.

Names also carry meaning in other ways by virtue of reputation handed down from one generation to the next. Thus, we may refer to the such-and-such family as “hard workers,” or negatively as “lazy louts.”  In any case, a family name often becomes a legacy.  Many a parent has said to a son or daughter, “Remember who you are,” or referencing a family history of distinction, “You have a lot to live up to. So don’t dishonor our family name.”

Our meditational verse explores the nature of names and suggests whether it be a noble birthright or burdensome appellation depends on the accumulation of daily deeds and adopted creeds.

 Behold Thy Name

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches….
Proverbs 22:1

A bequeathed birthright is a family name

Bestowed through countless generations

Upon peasants or those of royal acclaim

Across time and oft from distant nations

Like an emblem, seal, or family crest

Dignified and noble – a deferential token

Possessed of integrity and self-possessed

A name honored and respectfully spoken

The reputation of a family name

Is a legacy decided by daily deeds

Whether known for virtue or shame

Depends on one’s conduct and creeds

Bestowing honor on a family name

Keeps it above reproach and blame

Never to dishonor, disgrace, or defame

Nor bring upon it scandal or shame

Surnames are to be revered and treasured

Counted noble by past and future ages

Surnames sifted, weighed, and measured

And esteemed worthy by saints and sages

Larry Doyle Crenshaw