This is what I do. I read more than I should because I've come across extra time. Well that ends now. Reason: I have a job.
With gas going to be below $1 by next year, terrorists attacks in Pakistan and India and the economy in the pits for most I call out loudly, "the end is near, repent!" Metanoeo! To change your mind for something radically better seems to be a reassuring thought. I hope none would change for worse. I must confess my thoughts of our God are (present tense) not worthy. Forget my actions. Don't even consider the way I treat my wife. Let not there even be a mention of what my eyes look to and my mind wanders after. What thoughts do I consider, regarding God, that are not worthy of Him? Well, I'll tell you a couple... I feel so very catholic in this moment. My confession is that the verse at the top of this post has struck a cord with me, and we thought Leviticus would be a bore.
"By those who come near...", whoa! So two things jump out of the page. Some can come NEAR and SOME can come near. Only those selected by God could venture near him. Election in the old testament--- Calvin is very relieved I'm sure. But, also there is an oddness of being near to God. Was it different then than now? It has to have been. I think I've been near to God for along time now. Wait. I have rarely been dumped face down as I've read about an encounter with the presence of God, or had a glowing face as He passed me by, metaphorically.
With gas going to be below $1 by next year, terrorists attacks in Pakistan and India and the economy in the pits for most I call out loudly, "the end is near, repent!" Metanoeo! To change your mind for something radically better seems to be a reassuring thought. I hope none would change for worse. I must confess my thoughts of our God are (present tense) not worthy. Forget my actions. Don't even consider the way I treat my wife. Let not there even be a mention of what my eyes look to and my mind wanders after. What thoughts do I consider, regarding God, that are not worthy of Him? Well, I'll tell you a couple... I feel so very catholic in this moment. My confession is that the verse at the top of this post has struck a cord with me, and we thought Leviticus would be a bore.
"By those who come near...", whoa! So two things jump out of the page. Some can come NEAR and SOME can come near. Only those selected by God could venture near him. Election in the old testament--- Calvin is very relieved I'm sure. But, also there is an oddness of being near to God. Was it different then than now? It has to have been. I think I've been near to God for along time now. Wait. I have rarely been dumped face down as I've read about an encounter with the presence of God, or had a glowing face as He passed me by, metaphorically.
Ah-ha, "I will be treated as holy...". Treating God as distinct, separate and set apart can not be separated from this true experience. I am beginning to glimpse the fuller message here. 
But I still know that the approach towards the Almighty requires a careful process.
But I still know that the approach towards the Almighty requires a careful process.In conclusion, I apologize for I know there is rambling in this post. The striking absolute power and purity of the Lord just has not allowed me to brush past the honor of standing in His presence at the sacrifice of Jesus.
This is the painting called "The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt. It is one of the most fascinating pieces of art I have ever seen. Not in person, but in life size print. I drew it one time with pencil, and focused on capturing the son and father mainly. If you can take a look at it for a bit and remember that we are the other son so often. I get mad about what God doesn't do for me, or what I am missing out on b/c God isn't acting like I want. Then again, I find my self other times feeling like I can only come to Him like the tattered, torn prodigal. The blessing of conviction for the awful posturing I tried to enter the Lord presence with. Just like the sons of Aaron only there is a mercy and grace that was not present before the time of Christ. If you think about it Christ allows us to treat God like trash. He apologized and felt the unbelievable wrath of our inconsiderate will towards the God who would save us.
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