Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Gearing up for the Keller Bible Study

I've been working on this Bible study that I'm hosting. I pray that it goes well. We've got around 70 people signed up and this book can be challenging. It's not exactly a beach novel. But I'm trusting in the Holy Spirit. I can only offer it up, and people will do with it what they will. 

As I was reviewing the vids tonight Keller mentioned a world war one poet named Edward Shillito. He wrote a poem addressing the comfort we receive when we understand that God has experienced our pain. I think it's beautiful.

Jesus of the Scars
If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow;
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars we claim Thy grace.

If when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know today what wounds are; have no fear;
Show us Thy Scars; we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong, but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.