This old bent gate (in County Antrim, Northern Ireland) sits on a lane that mustn't have been used for many years - it's completely overgrown and rather soggy.

Jesus once said:
Enter ye in at the strait [an old English word meaning "narrow"] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

We live in a world where there appear to be no absolutes. Things which once were considered immoral, and even illegal, today are deemed not only tolerable, but virtuous. Literally "anything goes" - provided that the majority agrees that it is acceptable.

The same approach is often adopted when it comes to the matter of salvation - or where we will spend eternity. Many seem content to simply follow where the majority goes, instead of asking, "What has God said?".

Jesus warned that simply "going with the flow", whilst easy, will ultimately lead to disaster!

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O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul,
My Saviour, God, to Thee,
How great thou art,
How great thou art.

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then shall I bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"

(Carl Gustav Boberg, 1859-1940
translated by Stuart K. Hine, 1899-1989)

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Cairndhu House, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Built in 1875
- Abandoned in 1986
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How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?
(Hebrews 2:3)

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My previously posted photo showed 'The Maidens' - two small islands in the North Channel on which lighthouses were built in the 1800's. They can be seen in this shot too, far away on the horizon to the right.
_________________________

I was once far away from the Savior,
As vile as a sinner could be,
And I wondered if Christ the Redeemer
Could save a poor sinner like me.

I wandered on in the darkness,
Not a ray of light could I see;
And the thought filled my heart with sadness,
“There’s no hope for a sinner like me.”

And then, in that dark, lonely hour,
A voice sweetly whispered to me
That Christ the Redeemer has power
To save a poor sinner like me.

I listened — and lo! ’twas the Savior
That was speaking so kindly to me;
I cried, “I’m the chief of sinners;
Canst Thou save a poor sinner like me?”

I then fully trusted in Jesus;
And, oh, what a joy came to me!
My heart was filled with His praises
For saving a sinner like me.

No longer in darkness I’m walking,
For the light is now shining on me,
And now unto others I’m telling
How He saved a poor sinner like me.

And when life’s journey is over,
And I the dear Savior shall see,
I’ll praise Him forever and ever
For saving a sinner like me.

(Charles J. Butler, c.1881)

Tags:   long exposure LE Maidens North Channel Northern Ireland far away County Antrim

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And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

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