Author: Ken

My Way by Frank Sinatra

Ken

Frank Sinatra sang My Way (1969), but Paul Anka wrote the lyrics especially for him. Though it became Sinatra’s signature song, he later hated it because he’d come to feel the song to be self-indulgent and self-serving. So true, but it remained a favorite and an anthem for those celebrating their personal accomplishments. 

For what is a man, what has he got? 

If not himself, then he has naught [nothing]

To say the things he truly feels 

And not the words of one who kneels 

The record shows I took the blows 

And did it my way

“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23 KJV). Like Frank Sinatra, may we also reject the sentiment of the song. 

Thinness of Skin

Ken

Thin-skinned is an adjective for easily offended or touchy, in short, focused on self. If we are overwhelmed with our own problems, then it will be easy not to pay attention to the problems of others. Our disappointment will be their lack of attention for our circumstances, not the long and loud list of offenses committed against them. LORD, deliver us from such self love. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 KJV).

Plainness of Speech

Ken

“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37 KJV). Why did Jesus command such plainness of speech? Because saying more or less than the intended words draws attention to the messenger and not the message. This impresses people with our education or lack. As messengers for our Lord, we desire the attention only for Him.

 

How Long?

Ken

A favorite question of the Psalmist to Yahweh was, How long? “We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long” (Psalm 74:9 KJV). Isaiah voiced a similar question. “Then said I, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof” (Isaiah 6:11-13 KJV). May we be that tenth!

Atmospheric Rivers

Ken

Californians, remember the past winter’s Atmospheric Rivers of rain? The extreme weather condition pummeled the state, refilled drought stricken reservoirs, and refreshed the mountain snowpack. “Clouds that can dump a lot of rain are more common in a warmer atmosphere,” says climate scientist Dr. llissa Ocko. Christ predicted weather to become more extreme as we approach His return. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers [diverse, many] places” (Matthew 24:7 KJV). Christian, we should never be afraid, because our Almighty Father is still on His Throne. 

Fulness of Time

Ken

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4 KJV). It was the appropriate time set by God, when it had fully come for Christ to be born to fulfill the righteousness of God’s law. Only when God decides it’s right is the time full. As the tough, old drill sergeant said, “You’re not dead until I TELL you you’re dead!” God grant us the patience to wait for the times You have chosen and the willingness to labor like it should be today. Amen.

I Will Put My Spirit Within You

Ken

“And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). This is an OT promise for the NT giving of the Spirit for the express purpose of making us willing to obey.

Practicing the Presence of God

Ken

In practicing the presence of God, “let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15 KJV). Our praise will be turning into prayer, which becomes worship — drawing us closer to God. Let us continually act as if we believe the Spirit of Christ is dwelling within us, allowing us to continually commune with Him, and making us sensitive to “grieve not the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30 KJV) with foolish, irreverent, or thoughtless conversation. Father, guide us by Thy Word to think our thoughts as if we were pursuing Thee, and to aspire that our emotions would continually rejoice in Thee. Amen and amen.