Holly D. Dye is the founding contributor and General Editor of Refocusing Our Eyes.
O Sovereign Lord ~ Thou which hast made the changing of the seasons, will also direct and watch over mine.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecc 3:1)
The great English commentator and Presbyterian minister, Matthew Henry said, “Those things which to us seem most casual and contingent are, in the counsel and foreknowledge of God, punctually determined, and the very hour of them is fixed, and can neither be anticipated nor adjourned a moment.”
Finding myself in such a troubling and agonizing season of my life, I resigned to spend several hours seeking God’s wisdom on this Lord’s Day. His answer came in quite an unexpected way, as my attention was drawn to His creation.
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Holly D. Dye is the founding contributor and General Editor of Refocusing Our Eyes.
Who am I, O Lord that I should presume to direct Thy Hand?
Who am I to think I know what’s best for my life and at what point did it become my life?
It is Thine and Thine alone.
For Thou hast purchased me. Thou hast paid such a heavy price for me. I am Thy possession.
I have no rights except to obey Thy holy commands.
Who am I, O Lord to think my suffering is unbearable?
Have I resisted sin to the point of blood?
Have I borne such reproach for Thy Name that I have become physically marred by persecution?
Have I had to watch loved ones massacred before my eyes because I would not recant my faith?
Although my sighing is not hidden from Thee, help me to remember that my affliction is light and Thy grace restrains that which rages against me.
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Holly D. Dye is the founding contributor and General Editor of Refocusing Our Eyes.
What is this call that sounds my name? What is this affliction that awaits my soul? Ay, it is the cross of my Lord. It is the cross that He has chosen for me.
Shall I run? Shall I hide from its hideousness? Shall I beg of Him another way?
Terror grips my soul! The sight of it repulses me. My flesh recoils at the suffering I know I am to endure. I cry to Him, “Have mercy, Lord! Deliver me!”…But the cross remains. He insists that I bear it.
My cheeks are stained with tears; my heart, in deep agony; my flesh trembles at the beam that awaits my back.
Mocking and insults are thrown upon me as I consider the cost. Doubt ravages my soul. Insanity threatens and whispers comforting sounds in my ear. Images of compromise pressure me to turn back. The noise rises to a deafening pitch! I cry out to God, “Deliver me!”…. But the cross remains. He insists that I bear it.
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Holly D. Dye is the founding contributor and General Editor of Refocusing Our Eyes.
One day, outside of a store I frequent, stood two boy scouts – one at the entrance and one at the exit.
The boy at the entrance was speaking toward people, however, because he was rather sheepish and his voice so low; no one paid attention to him. They walked right past him into the store.
In contrast, the boy at the exit, being very bold, was not afraid to confront people. Making sure he had their attention, he then began to plead his cause.
The situation struck me immediately that what I was witnessing was a profound analogy of the preachers in this land.
The god that has been preached in our pulpits – this god who is effeminate and repressively tolerant, is not the true God. This god who is a wish granter and life coach is not the God of the Bible. This god who coercers you into sowing your seed into the most successful ground for the sole purpose of you having all your wealthy dreams come true, is not the same God who told us to store up our treasures in heaven!
Oh how these false ministers have fleeced God’s flock!
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Holly D. Dye is the founding contributor and General Editor of Refocusing Our Eyes.
I will be the first one to challenge what our modern churches have defined as the “love walk”. It seems to be nothing more than simple tolerance, weak and unbalanced, at best. However, we can never by any means cast off love or ignore its command to believers.
I have been deeply burdened, as of late, at the constant bickering and viciousness of fellow believers. Never before have I witnessed such a willingness to tear people apart if one does not believe exactly like the other.
My friends, these things ought not be. Read the rest of this entry »
Holly D. Dye is the founding contributor and General Editor of Refocusing Our Eyes.
Kay Arthur was quoted as saying, “If you don’t plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don’t begin; for this is what Christianity is all about. It is a change of citizenship, a change of governments, a change of allegiance. If you have no intention of letting Christ rule your life, then forget Christianity; It’s not for you.”
Is reformation needed again?
Oh, that we would seek the Lord’s counsel and search out His thoughts. To fall upon our faces and humble our barren souls before the One who holds our very lives. Read the rest of this entry »
Who am I, O Lord that I should presume to direct Thy Hand?