All That Is Gold

J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote a beautiful quote that says,

“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring; renewed shall be blade that was broken, the crownless again shall be king.”

As I said, this is a beautiful quote, but there is so much more than just the surface. Tolkien, like C.S. Lewis, was a Christian. In fact, it is believed that Tolkien was the one who led Lewis to the Lord.

When we know things like this, we can look beyond simply the words of the quote and see the symbolism that Tolkien wove into his works. Yes it had meaning for the book, but I believe it also has spiritual meaning, and that is what I am looking at here. I’m going to look at this quote in sections.

“All that is gold does not glitter…”

This first part seems simple, and yet it is a profound truth that we need to remember. The situation may seem to be dark and terrible, and yet God can still turn it around for good.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Situations may not glitter, but God can turn them around to be golden opportunities to speak for Him. The same applies to people. We all go through testing, and we may fail at times. We may not always be that perfect, shining example of a Child of God, but if we only go to our Father, our King, He will forgive us and make us pure again.

“…not all those who wander are lost…”

There are times when we have to wander through the wildernesses of this life. I think of John the Baptist who spent years in the wilderness proclaiming, and preparing the way for Christ to come.

I also think of Jesus in the wilderness for forty days. I think of Elijah by the brook of Cherith. We have times that we have to go through these times where we seem to wander in the wilderness to grow.

These are times of spiritual growth. And remember that though we may wander, the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path according to Psalm 119:105.

“…the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

This can be a great promise for us! When we stand on the Rock of Ages, when our roots are growing into the spiritual depths of the Word of God, when we place our hand in the eternal hand of Jesus, then we will not wither, and we will not be frozen out by the storms of this world.

Psalm 1:3 says, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivulets of water that brings forth its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf shall not wither, and all which he does shall be blessed.”

When our base is Almighty God, the winds may blow, the storms may come, the fires may roar, and the enemy of our souls may rage against us, but nothing, and I mean nothing can stand against us. We belong to the Lord, and He will protect us.

“From the ashes a fire shall be woken, a light from the shadows shall spring…”

The first part of this section refers to resurrection. In the legend of the Phoenix, after 500 years would pass, the Phoenix would be devoured by flames until only ash remained. The ash would then rise up and the Phoenix would be reborn.

That is just a story, but we know there is an account, something true that happened. Jesus Christ gave Himself up as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and died on the cross. Three days later, despite all the Satan wanted and strived for, Jesus rose again!

The shadow and suffering of Hell was blinded by the light of Almighty God as Jesus wrest the keys of death, Hell, and the grave from the hands of the devil.

We can see in Revelation 1:18, “And the Living One, and I became dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death.”

Then, when the third day dawned, the Light, Jesus, sprang forth and lived again.

“…renewed shall be blade that was broken…”

Jesus seemed to the world, to His own Disciples, and to all of Hell, to be broken and defeated. You see, many times we only associate the Lord with love and forgiveness, and it is true that God is love, and that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. (1 John 1:9)

We also need to remember that God is Master of all, and He is the head of a spiritual army. As kids we sing, “I’m in the Lord’s army,” and yet as we grow, we forget that we are in fact at war. We don’t fight against flesh and blood as the world does; we fight against darkness, and spiritual realms.

Our Lord and King truly is Almighty, and His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12)

“…the crownless again shall be king.”

Right now, the enemy, Satan rules this world. How else would he be able to offer the kingdoms of the world to Jesus when he tempted Him in Luke 4? His reign will be short-lived though.

The day will come when the Lord will set up His throne in Jerusalem and the devil will be bound, and cast into the pit. It doesn’t end there though; the enemy will be released for a time, and then thrown for all eternity into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

It is then that our eternity will begin, and Almighty God will be on the throne beyond even the passing of time, reigning over the new Heaven and new Earth. The Prince of Darkness is ruling right now, but soon enough, the True King, Jesus Christ will sit on the throne, and all will see Him.

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of heavenly ones, and of earthly ones, and of ones under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)  

Jesus is Lord!! Never forget that He is King, and He will suffer no imposter. Then enemy’s days are numbered, so hold on because Jesus will triumph, and we, as His children will triumph as well!

The Olde Ways

I know that it has been a while since my last post, but it has been both because I have been incredibly busy, sick, and just thinking instead of writing. The thing that has been most on my mind is that I miss the old ways of doing things. I miss the old times. My family has always joked that I was born old, but I fully agree with them.

I like the old fashioned things. For instance, I have always loved pocket watches. My parents bought me a lovely pocket watch for my birthday. It is a mechanical one with exposed workings. This, as well as a conversation we had earlier in the week about lost words and terms got me thinking about old ways and old ways of doing things.

I know that I can't go back to the old days, but we CAN go back to the old ways. We can make things the way that they once were if we choose to work to make it so.

I miss the days when the church was an integral part of the community. I miss the days when you went to town and saw families together. I think the most endangered thing in this world is the family unit. It is getting to the point where people don't even tolerate each other on Christmas Day. They can't wait to get out of the house and away from their family.

People spend all day long with texting, and email, and facebook, and all these different things. Now, these things aren't wrong in and of themselves, but the overwhelming time that is spent on them should be spent with family if possible.

I know that we are all guilty of this at times, but there are people who don't even see each other except over their various screens. What happened to the art of conversation? Or even listening? What happened to the family sitting around, talking about their day or even reading a good book but being able to enjoy each other's company?

My mother and my sister love watching "The Waltons". Now, growing up, I never really cared for the "walnuts" as Matthew and I called them, but as I grow older I grow to like watching it more and more. The thing that I like the most is that you see the family in a warm, loving manner that is totally unlike anything on TV today.

Now I know that the "real" family doesn't solve problems, and have stories wrapped up neatly into little, one hour portions. I know that families aren't the happy, perfect family that is seen in "The Waltons," but isn't that love, and happiness worth the hard times?

Aren't the times of frustration, and the times of hard work worth having a loving family? I love my family, and I know that they love me. I love having my family around me, and I love the simple, old fashioned life that we have. No, we are by no means perfect, and yes, we do have our times where it is more work than reward, but the reward is always more than worth the work.

People, your family is the best thing you can possibly have aside from a relationship with Christ. Take time to cultivate that relationship and that love with your family. People come and go in your life, friends will come and go, and even loves will come and go. Your family is what you need to concentrate on along with Jesus.

You may have everyone else leave you, but you can never cease being a part of your family. The ties that reach from your heart to that of your family can never be fully broken. Your family is not perfect either, and those ties that bind may be stretched, but if you work to strengthen your family, they will not be broken.

And Jesus will never leave you either. We can see all-throughout Scripture where the Lord says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

I have been told many times in a negative way that I am old fashioned, but I think that being old fashioned is what we need. The old fashioned family, the old fashioned church that the community sees as a solid rock, the old fashioned people who are seen as trustworthy, and the people who give their word, and it is their bond. That is how we need to be. We need to get back to the Olde Ways.

Just my two-cents.

Vampires: What a Pain in the Neck!

Okay, I don't imagine that this particular post will make me too popular with people, but it needs to be said. This world in general, and North America in particular, is going crazy over vampires. There are these bloody (pun intended) bestselling books and movies, and games and websites and "teams", all dedicated to these blood-sucking, disgusting, monstrous creatures.

I will admit, I have read Stoker's classic and found it interesting, because it portrays Dracula as the evil creature that vampires are. But now, some 113 years after the classic was written, Stoker's view of Nosferatu has been forgotten by and large, and now they are something for people to drool over, or see as misunderstood outsiders. There are people who get downright nasty when they think of their favourite neck chomper being insulted. 

The worst part in my mind is the church people who see no problem with this craze. These people who are supposed to be called out from the world and separated from it have no problem conveniently forgetting this call of separation and joining the throng of vampire lovers.

2 Corinthians 6:15-18 says, "And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

We are supposed to be different, people! Why then is it okay to run right to join the world in idolizing these unholy creatures of the night? There is a reason that Stoker portrayed them as being chased off by, and destroyed by crosses. They are of satanic influence. In simple words, vampires are bad. 

And on the subject of the blood-sucking: Leviticus 17:14 says, "For it is the life of all flesh. Its blood is for the life of it. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh.' For the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off".

Now to those who are freaking out at me for cracking down on vampires and thinking "they're just fictional", let me tell you this: the craze and the total lust that people have for these evil creatures is very real. They are so enthralled by these things that they would not miss a movie or book for their life; or their soul. You know, that word "enthralled" perfectly describes what is happening. They are enthralled, or in modern terms, enslaved, by the darkness of this thing. 

Break free! Get out of the world! Stop worshipping unholy creatures, and worship God! And yes, the total obsession with vampires is bordering on worship, and in some cases it is breaching that line. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

We have been called out of darkness and into the marvelous light of the Lord. So I reiterate, come out of the darkness of this world, and enter into the light of God! And realize vampires for what they are: evil, blood-sucking, obsessive, unholy creatures of darkness. They are a pain in the neck!

The Lion of Judah

A while ago something came across my mind that I hadn't really thought of before. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, "Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour." So we see the enemy portrayed as a lion, but we also see in Revelation 5:5 that Jesus Christ is the Lion of Judah. What is the thing that came to my mind? It was something that was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I love his writing, but he noted something really interesting about lions. He wrote how a satisfied, strong, full lion will be quiet, whereas a hungry lion, one that is weak when compared to the other lion will go around hollering (roaring) and complaining. This weak lion DOES still have strength, and it is the lion that cannot catch normal prey that will hunt humans. So it is with our enemy. He DOES have power, and he wants to hurt our Heavenly Father by hurting us. The devil hunts, and tries to hurt people because we are made in the image of God, and he wants to hurt the heart of God. Though he is powerful, he is still just the weak lion when compared to the great Lion of Judah! Our Lion is all-powerful, all-knowing, and able to defeat the enemy of our souls. 1 John 4:4 says, "You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." So next time you have that roaring lion that is the enemy hollering at you, remember that the Lion of Judah is on your side, and he will protect you. If you belong to the Lord, if you have given your life to Him, then He will keep you, and keep the roaring lion from devouring you. The Lion of Judah will overcome, and the enemy will simply be left hungry, and roaring.

Just an interesting observation.

Happiness is a Warm Puppy

Charles M. Shulz is quoted to have said, "Happiness is a warm puppy." I couldn't agree more. As most, if not all of you know, I have a seven-month-old, beagle puppy named Daisy Mae. She is a bundle of energy, and we joke that she has springs in her legs. Though she gets on my nerves when I bring her inside from doing her business, and she then turns around and cries to go out, I still love her. I don't see how you could ever look into those deep, sad, brown eyes and not fall hopelessly in love with her. My mother (Mama as she'll be referred to from here on out), made me read an article in a magazine about hunting dogs. Anyway, the writer talks about how frustrated he gets with the mistakes on the floor, and the chewing on the furniture, but then says that the time will come that he "takes up his shovel again to bury his friend, and all that will be left is teeth-marks on his desk." This, of course, made me bawl, and hug Miss Daisy all the tighter. I don't see how you could possibly trade the love and acceptance that a faithful, loyal dog will give you for all the spotless furniture in the world. I would rather have chewed shoes, and furniture, and get up every 5 minutes to take her out to do nothing more than smell flowers and chase birds, than to miss out on this "Heart-beat at my feet," this happiness that comes from having this warm puppy curl up beside me, or on my lap in the evenings. This little bundle of joy that gives me a kiss before I take her out each time. I have been blessed with the love of my family, but also with my puppy. God knew what He was doing when He made these furry bunches of love. So, love your puppy, give them a kiss and hug. I've got to take Daisy to go chase some seagulls, so until next time!

P.S. Daisy had a ton of fun chasing the birds and almost pulling me over haha.

What a Fine Thing a Rose is

First off, hello readers! I am finally giving in to what my family has been telling me for the last few weeks and creating a blog. I guess we'll see where we go from there. These are going to be some random ramblings as the title indicates, but I thought that this first post would be to explain the blogspot address. In case you didn't see it because you followed this from facebook, it is    whatafinething.blogspot.com   


The reason for this comes from a quote that I read earlier on in the week. This quote is by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in one of his Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Now, I love the Holmes stories anyway; the analytical mind, the unexpected twists, and the total dedication to solve the mystery. This cynical hero was so well loved in his time that when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ended (or so he thought) Holmes' life, people were seen weeping in the streets, and men went to work with black, mourning arm-bands on. This information is found in the copy of the Holmes Treasury which I am now enjoying. Anyway, back to the reason for the title. The quote that so interested me is found in The Adventure Of The Naval Treaty. 


Holmes, picking a rose from the bush remarks, "What a lovely thing a rose is! There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as religion, it can be built up as an exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers."


The reason that I find this so interesting is that we see what many consider to be the most analytical mind in history (despite the fact that Holmes did not exist; he was based on the then Dr. Doyle's professor, Dr. Joseph Bell). We see what the world considers to be a great thinker, and he states that religion is actually an exact science. Now, I hate the word religion because it is primarily dead, useless rituals. It is only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that really matters. The point here though is that despite what the world thinks, that science is everything, and God is nothing, it is proven that God is alive through even the smallest of things.


That unnecessary rose, the inconsequential stars, the unneeded galaxies, and even the colours of the world around us. There is no need for the beauty that this world holds. We could very easily have nothing more than a blank, white, hospital room world. That isn't what we have though. Because God loves us, and created this world for us, He made it beautiful. He made it to be something that we enjoy, but He also made these unnecessary things so that we can see His hand at work. 


As the quote says, "This rose is an extra." It is in the extras that we truly see the artistry and care of God. Maybe you've heard the saying, "Stop and smell the roses," but I think that instead it should be, "Stop and notice the roses." Notice the colour, the smell, the delicate construction of it. Does that really look like something that randomly developed? It certainly doesn't to me. 


So, this has been my first post. I hope you all enjoyed it, but if not, it gave voice to my ramblings, so perhaps it will help stave off a total overload of my brain. (Joking by the way). Stay tuned for further ramblings, and remember what a fine thing a rose is.