On Beauty

Prescription for True Beauty

         Adapted from Sam Levenson by O. Kris Widmer

"Let your beauty not come merely from outward adornment and salon processes, but also come from the beauty of your inner self, the unfading beauty of the gentle and generous person you are.  This is the way God's beautiful men and women have always attained true beauty"  1 Peter 3:2-4 - Paraphrase

For attractive lips - get those collagen injections, but also speak words of kindness and grace.

For lovely eyes - use your full palate of liners, mascaras and shadows; but also watch for the good in others.

For a perfect nose - by all means get that rinoplasty, but also keep it out of other people's business.

For pretty ears - in addition to those pearls, learn how to really listen when others are speaking.

For tight abs - get busy and do those crunches, but also sit up and pay attention to life.

For a slim figure - by all means, try that new fad diet; but also share your food with the hungry.

For perfect skin - sure, get out that wrinkle cream, but also flash your radiant smile.

For shapely legs - go on, shave, wax and No-No, but also be known for going the second mile.

For beautiful feet - brush on the sparkle polish,  but also run and tell someone the good news.

For gorgeous hair - get some new gel or a super cut,  but also let a child run their fingers through it once a day.

For poise - walk with that book on your head, but also walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

For truly "Charm is temporary and beauty is brief, but the person that serves the Lord is really worth talking about!" -  Proverbs 31:30 Paraphrased

Will We Know Each Other in Heaven

Will We Know Each Other In Heaven?          by Pastor Kris Widmer

1.     Isaiah 65:17 - This text sais that the former things will not come to mind.  I believe this refers to the pains of earth.  They won't come to mind in glory.  But certainly we will remember the good things of earth...and the redemption of Jesus.  How can we sing the song of redemption in glory (Revelation 14:3) if we have no recollection that we once were lost...but then were "found" by God.

2.     2 Samuel 12:15-23 - David expressed the hope of going to his dead infant son, after he died.  This implies recognition.

3.     Luke 9:30 - Moses and Elijah went to heaven: one after death and one without dying.  Both were recognized by the disciples.

4.     Matthew 8:11 - When we get to heaven we will sit down (at God's wonderful dinner table.) with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  This implies we will know them.

5.     Jesus was recognized by those who saw him after the resurrection.  John 20:19-29 and Mary recognized Jesus voice!  John 20:11-18

6.     1 Thessalonians 2:19,20 - In the context of "the Lord Jesus at His coming", Paul says that these believers are his hope, joy and crown of exultation (I'm proud of you all." and look forward to being with you a that time.  You are our glory and joy.....(not just for now...but for the end/eternity.)

7.     2 Corinthians 1:14 - "You are our reason to be proud.....in the day of our Lord Jesus."   What a day of healthy pride it will be for all those who have worked for souls to see them redeemed in heaven!

8.     1 Corinthians 15:42-49 - Paul is teaching that there is a difference and a correlation between the natural body and the spiritual body.  We will still be "us" when we are raised.

9.     1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - Paul's comforting point is that those who have fallen asleep will be restored to us in the resurrection.  There is no point in being comforted if we wake up to a group of strangers on the resurrection morning.

10. 1 Corinthians 13:12 - This text is often quoted out of context...but it does imply a "knowing" completely then in ways we only know in part now.

11. Revelation 20:4, 6 - Those resurrected in the first resurrection are priests of God...and are considered to be blessed and holy.  They reign with Christ.  It is assumed they will know Christ and know each other.

12. If there is no recognition than there can be no heavenly reunion...and if there is no reunion...what is the point of being comforted by the words of 1 Thess 4:13-16. 

Poem - For Greta J

For Greta J.

O. Kris Widmer    June 13, 2012

Written while Candace (J.) J. and family were our house guests.

It has taken a while

but I hardly ever think of that October.

Details have left me.

(Was it '83 or '84?)

That horrible month when you and Rob's mom - Mrs. Nelson -

(I can't recall of her first name.)

ended it all.

She jumped in front of a train.

You slipped a noose around your neck and leapt from the ladder.

Quite the Sabbath afternoon surprise for Dr. Cliff

(I remember his name too)

Depression is a killer.

You never got to see your sweet[1] daughter

walk the aisle with her man,

or carry his children,

or raise them

to be the awesome teens they are today.

Sorry you missed it all.

I know they miss you.

But...we all cling to life

and make the daily choice to be happy

and to laugh and ride roller-coasters

no matter how bad it gets for us.

But every once in a while

I still murmur your name.

Greta, what a shame!

Written with the Three Word Wednesday Prompt for 6/13/2012 
Click for the page where this free and fun poetry prompt is found.
http://www.threewordwednesday.com/2012/06/3ww-cclxxvi.html

You can blog your writing project...then link to it at Three Word Wednesday.

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[1] Her name as a teen was Candy.

Poem - Request and Disclosure

Poem prompted from
http://www.threewordwednesday.com/2012/05/3ww-cclxxii.html


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Request and Disclosure

O. Kris Widmer

do not fawn over me,

deary.

i am fine.

really.

these tears are nothing

and this grimace will pass.

i am just trying

to juggle

my current reality

with my churchy upbringing.

i'll be all right

really.

eventually.

just not now.

now, i look out at the fog,

squint down at my instruments,

twiddle with switches and buttons,

and pray to God

there is a way to navigate this family to a safe landing.

Adventist Blues by Brad MacIntyre

Years ago I asked for and received a copy of this wonderful poem/lyric from a speaker at my High School.  It powerfully reminds the religious people in my church heritage that Jesus is at the center of everything.   I tried to find the complete version on the internet somewhere...but couldn't.  So I thought I'd post it here on my blog for the world to see.  In the quest to live for Jesus...don't forget to live like Jesus.

Adventist Blues

by Brad MacIntyre

This poem/lyric was read at a school chapel at La Sierra Academy.  Its authorship date is prior to 1979.

Now I don't drink and I don't swear

I don't take dope or have long hair,

I go to church each week. Oh yes, I do.

I never eat before going to bed,

I'll drink a glass of juice instead,

And jog each day at least a mile or two.

Now all my life I've been pretty good,

I've always done just what I should,

My parents were missionaries over seas.

I got all "A's" in Bible class

And studied hard so I could pass,

And even bought my books from the ABC's

    (The Adventist Book Center)

I know my memory verse each week,

And when called upon can always speak;

I'm never at a loss for words you see.

Cause I've been educated at Andrews U

And Loma Linda and Oakwood too

I've even done my time at C.U.C.

Now I've been taught to keep the law.

You don't goof up or have a flaw

Lest we embarrass dear old Mom and Dad.

No, you don't wear jeans, you don't wear slacks.

You can't eat this, you can't eat that--

Rules, Rules, Rules are all I ever had.

I never listen to Rock and Roll.

or watch T.V. or even bowl,

And I'm a vegetarian all the way.

And of course I pay a faithful tithe

And give my offerings on the side

When when they have a potluck at church -

        I always stay

(Yum Yum! - love that cottage cheese loaf!)

And when each November rolls around

I grab my can and hit the town

for the Church's World-wide Services Appeal

And of course you know I never fail

To buy my food from Collegedale

If you buy it by the case, you get quite a deal.

     (Especially during Camp Meeting.)

I'll never drink a Coca Cola;

On Thursdays I make my own granola,

I give my clothes to Dorcas when they get to tight.

At Wednesday night meeting, I'm always there

And remember my neighbor in a special prayer

And last Summer I bought all the books by Sister White!

    (of course, they're still in their wrappers,

     but they're there.)

I study my lesson every day,

And when I find the time, I try to pray.

But, I don't want to get fanatical, you know?

In fact, I've just become a Master Guide.

And I know all the words to "Side by Side"--

I mean - How much higher can a mere mortal go?!

    (Side by side we stand....)

And when I get confused about what to do,

I pick up the Old Advent Review

And get all the answers in plain old black and white.

'Cause I'm a busy man, and it's absurd.

To spend hours and hours reading the Word,

And I trust our publications to be right.

Yes, I've found the church where I belong -

Why! I don't think I've done anything wrong

For at least two years, or maybe it's been three.

I know I'm walking in the light.

Sometimes I'm bored, but that's all right.

Because there's a crown in heaven just for me.

    (At least that's what they told me in Cradle Roll.)

But recently I've head some talk.

They say I need a closer walk

With Jesus.  If I'll only let Him in.

Well, I'm all for that -- I'll give it a try,

Although I often wonder "Why?"

And ask myself -- "Just where does He fit in?"