Rebooting Old-Fashioned Religion

By Darlene Franklin ~

God the drill sergeant calls from heaven:

“I don’t know what you’ve been told, something new has taken hold. Love the Lord your God like this: Heart and mind and soul and strength.I don’t know what you’ve been told, I’ll lead you back to something old. Love the Lord Your God like this: Heart and mind and soul and strength.”

While I’m marching in place, awaiting instructions, God checks my form. The practice of faith which began with Adam and Abel tests where I’m at and trains me to get where I’m headed, the “way that time has proven true.” (Psalm 139:24, CEV)

God the Great Physicians brings me to full health in at least four disciplines—cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, and orthopedics.

The Holy Spirit probes my heart in ways a cardiologist can’t, looking for blockages in my spirit. He checks my nerve ending to see if my senses are ready to accept and pass on life. Sometimes He allows pain until I confess my wrong ways. As soon I do, He operates to get blood flowing again.

Physically and spiritually, I need to pursue a heart-healthy lifestyle. That means obedience and fellowship, and when I sin, quick confession. Otherwise they build up in my system. I should feed myself from God’s word and breathe deeply of His spirit.

God the neurosurgeon operates like a gold assayer, searching for the treasure He put in me. He tests me for impurities. What am I thinking and saying? Am I anxious? Instead of tossing me out as unworthy, He burns out any cancerous cells filled with wrong thinking and instead tunes my brain to listen to His Spirit.

The prescription for follow up care? To have the mind of Christ by listening to whatever is true, noble, right, pure, loyal, worthy of respect, excellent, worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8, NIRV)

God the psychiatrist shows me my offensive ways as He works with me one-on-one. As we fellowship, I see when I’ve offended others or let bitterness and fear take root. He shows me how He sees me, and makes transformation possible.

God the orthopedist is the way, the truth the life. My shoes are made from the gospel of peace. The lame leap like a deer. Necessary strength comes from Him.

The Divine Healer is available for appointments at any time. He reminds me to check in. He doesn’t need machinery and doesn’t wait for second opinions. But He won’t change me without my consent.

Open the Bible with me to Psalm 139:23-24 and pray with me: (words from hymn MORECAMBE by George Croly)
Search me, God, and know my heart.
Make me love You as I ought to love.
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Take the dimness of my soul away.
See if there is any offensive way in me.
Let me seek You and let me find.
Lead me in the way everlasting.
My heart an altar and Your love, the flame.