One Small Seed Newsletter – Edition #241, April 2021
Friends,
From my perspective, the world of man is being taken, one step at a time, from a condition of light into a condition of darkness and night. The government is taking over the teaching of kids and brainwashing whoever will listen. But I believe that this too will pass, because there are truths that are proven and verified. The consequences to unrighteousness will come, the same way that the consequences of righteousness will come. Today we are on the threshold of paying for a big mistake and I’m assured that if we don’t repent it will take more than two years to recover. Along with punishment there is chastisement and teaching and the world is paying the price.
Dark Nights May Come
Into this night my soul was sent
A victim's tool of time and place.
The circumstance I could resent
And be ashamed in deep disgrace,
But I forgive the state unearned
And meditate on lessons learned.
My brief encounter seemed to dare
With small enticing morsels of
Delightful moments hidden there
With blinding flashes feigning love,
And yet it's worth was only lies,
So filled with want and alibis.
I searched for light in that dark place-
The open pit absorbed it all.
A flake of fear fell on my face-
No harm could now on me befall
For Christ would not forsake His own
And leave me in this place alone.
Then who shall save me from this death
And rescue me into the fold?
He who only blew his breath
Could snatch me from this hellish hold
And place me back into His trust
With no regrets or vain disgust.
Into each life some nights will fall
And bring some tears and often pain.
But in this mortal, after all,
We're given sun as well as rain
And when we know the door is near
We're filled with peace and not with fear.
And when in fashion of a dream
You sink into a great abyss
Don't feel your soul has lost esteem
And hope has now all gone amiss
For your dark nights are reconciled
If you are Christ's forgiven child.
Into Nights Of Darkness
Into nights of darkness daring
Fleeing figures of commotion
Fight with arms of death, uncaring
For the depths of deep devotion.
Mocking minds of simple making,
Captivating those maturing
Taunting in this undertaking
With commitments reassuring.
Persecuting any brother
Not within their norm of teaching,
Ostracizing any other
For degrees or forms of preaching.
Killing, crushing social standing,
Gouging with intimidation,
Then avoiding loves commanding
By exalting egos station.
Exercising socializing,
Victimizing gospel splendor;
Terrorizing while disguising
Truth about a future mender.
Who can hear this morbid story?
Mental masters are patrolling
Making service mandatory
In conditions they're controlling.
Puppets lean to do their choosing
Always tied by fear and nature
Obligated while they're losing
Self-control and nomenclature.
Anti-Christ abound in number
Searching, seeking mental sleeping;
Captivating, while in slumber,
All that fall into their keeping.
Oh, the present pits of sorrow
Where man fails to see his doing
Bound and blind with no tomorrow
On the paths that he's pursuing.
Only in the Risen Master
Is there peace with understanding.
Only freedom from disaster
Is His love that's undemanding.
Prayer of Psalms
Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgement with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in the darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the works of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.: Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good spirit lead me on level ground! For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
Your friend in Christ,
Rodney
(Editor’s Note)
Though dark nights may come, they are not without purpose or end. For the believer, every trial and moment of despair is an opportunity to draw closer to God, who alone can rescue, restore, and bring peace. I hope this reflection inspires you to hold fast to the truths of Scripture, find hope in Christ’s promises, and share His light in a darkening world.