“Our once great western Christian civilization is dying. If this matters to followers of Jesus Christ, then we must set aside our denominational differences and work together to strengthen the things that remain and reclaim what has been lost. Evangelicals and Catholics must stand together to re-establish that former Christian culture and moral consensus. We have the numbers and the organization but the question is this: Do we have the will to win this present spiritual battle for Jesus Christ against secularism? Will we prayerfully and cooperatively work toward a new Christian spiritual revival ― or will we choose to hunker down in our churches and denominationalisms and watch everything sink into the spiritual and moral abyss of a New Dark Age?” - Mark Davis Pickup

Thursday, January 18, 2018

IN EVERY PAIN LIES A SEED OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

I have often tried to express a mysterious dichotomy I've experienced during the darkest days of my life journey. It is a mystery that has been a continuing feature throughout 34 years of serious neurological disease of aggressive multiple sclerosis. This is the mystery: Even in my most desperate times, I have experienced a very real internal peace of Christ. How can peace exist in the terror of catastrophic disease? How do tears of joy flow together with tears of sorrow? I do not know, and yet there it is. Christ's peace simply exists despite desperate situations. There is celestial ecstasy that mingles with human agony. 

 A cynic, agnostic or atheist might respond by saying that what I am describing is just euphoria that can be experienced with neurological diseases like MS. The problem with that explanation is that millions of people throughout the ages have experienced this same peace in even more desperate circumstances. Music and poetry and books have been written about this peace in Christ that passes all understanding. 

 Above the clamour of the world and agonies chronic illness and disability, Christ's calls to me: "Be not afraid, I am with you." His peace reaches through anguish and calms my soul. And once again, music expresses my heart where words fail. Click on image below. -- Mark

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