The R O C K                              

               or the sand

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

"The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell --    and great was its fall."

 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching;

 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Matthew 7:24-29 (NASB)

This passage wraps up the most profound group of teachings-for-life ever spoken. Historically, it is known as the Sermon on the Mount.

There were Temple priests who did not believe Him then, and there are seminary students and "religious authorities" who do not believe Him today.

But the "poor in spirit" believed Him then - and they believe Him now.

They are blessed. The eyes of their understanding have been opened so that they may see Truth, and receive the courage and wisdom to follow Him.

He speaks still to those who listen, who will follow, and who will obey the Father.

They pray: Our Father Who is in heaven, holy is Your Name.

YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…

These are the children of God's kingdom on Earth.

They build their faith and their lives on THE ROCK, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, they will stand, and their works will stand when the earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis of life try to sweep them away.

They have sent their roots down into the soil of God's love, and wrapped them around the outcroppings of the Rock beneath. They shall not be moved.

It is not so for those who build on the shifting sands of deception, greed, lust or public opinion. These have forgotten the lessons of history. They have forgotten, if they ever knew, what happened to the Roman Empire. No matter how proud Rome was in the midst of its monuments, or how well-trained its legions in their far-flung conquests, the rot at its core brought about Rome's fall.

So it is with your life and my life today:

"Rooted and grounded in Love we stand, 

but planted in greed we die; 

a very simple choice, you see, given to girl and guy."

         from "Ballad of the Tree" by Raylyn Terrell