Footnotes

It is in the footnotes, that I often find the most choice morsels for the day ahead, and the thoughts we share. Here is the tastiest one, from God's inspiration through a German theologian (I think), through Rev. Arnot, to us, "The whole visible world is only a parable of the invisible world...yes, the parable is nature's own language in the human heart." Yes, Jesus used the language of story, to free the thoughts of many to whom a conversation might never reach. I become easily entangled in the muddle of my own mind, but then, someone else's story comes to light and the transforming power of life outside my own head, pulls my thoughts into alignment, and unity with others. This morning I thought to share one story, but in the midst of beginning, two precious people came to me through messages, in need of prayer. God bless you as God weaves his love in and through the story of our day and the ones with whom we are privileged to share it!

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful acts of love we can bestow, when given without condition and humbly received, healing begins.

    In the story of The Prodigal Son, Trench writes, "Nor should we fail to note that it is AFTER, and not before, the kiss of reconciliation, that this confession finds place; that kiss did not stop the mouth of his confession, but opened it rather; for the more the sinner knows and tastes of the love of God, the more he grieves ever to have sinned against that love."

    

    As I glance out the window on this ice cold morning, where pansy bloom and lingering rose bud brave the frost, the sparkling ice shimmers in deadly finality on the garden remnants, hard and unforgiving. Inside, the fire on the hearth burns as one candle in our advent wreath shines brightly. Here, a grandson and a kitten, luxuriously lounging, feel warmth and protection, mirroring this idea, that it is often that which we are given that creates our reflective response.

    Trench concludes his analogy thus, "It is under the genial rays of this kindly love, that the heart, which was before bound up as by a deadly frost, begins to thaw and to melt and loosen, and the waters of repentance to flow freely. The knowledge of God's love in Christ is the cruse of salt which alone can turn the bitter and barren-making streams of remorse into the healing waters of repentance. (2 Kin. ii. 19-22)

    As we face difficulties in the hours unfolding, where our flesh makes ready justification of our own rights and privileges over those who will wrong us, in truth or by our own perception, perhaps we might consider the illogical response of forgiveness first, God's steady supply of a Bonfire's worth of love to thaw each heart, including our own, in this chilly day.  

    God bless you and fuel you!

Spilling Out

Good Morning!  

    Jim Fleming is a gifted pastor and kind friend, from Memphis. He once said, and I paraphrase, 'People are like the drinks served on a tray by a waiter, when jostled, the contents always spill out.' And so I must remember, that the junk that is 'hidden' will eventually spill out. Wouldn't I rather be rid of it myself, before the yuck in me, pours over to stain you? There is only one way to do this, it is to surrender the junk to the Lord, and then ask for Him to replace it with His goodness. It reminds me of my foolish irritation one night many years ago when Dennis received a typical call at around 3am. I asked him, "Why do you always sound like you've been waiting for the call? You don't even sound tired, but I know you're exhausted!" "Well," he replied, "I guess I have been waiting." It is this way with God, the 'cleaning out and filling up' as the Littles say when we pray, are requests made to the Waiting God, who loves us with eternal love that can handle every hard thing and make our lives brand new!

Moses

Have you ever read the story of Moses and the burning bush? I was thinking about it this morning and then a reference to it appeared in my book...ah, that purposeful pointing of the Holy Spirit. So I read the details in Exodus. Moses was doing his daily work of tending sheep, he was seized with curiosity when he saw a bush that burned, but did not become consumed, so he approached it. God spoke to him saying, 'I've heard the cries of my people and I'm sending help, in the form of a person...you!' This is the daily request to each of us, and Moses responded to God in the same way we might. 'Me? What can I do? I'm just a simple person, incapable of even speaking a full sentence without stuttering, and you know all about my temper...remember that huge mistake I made that got me here in the first place!?' The beautiful part of this story is that Moses was a regular guy, whose life had been filled with miracles of survival and provision, but who had made a mess of things too, just like us. He didn't want to take on the tough job God gave him, but he did it anyway, even amidst his own complaints. So what were God's job requirements? I think they were humility, compassion and obedience. God's love worked powerfully through Moses' weaknesses, was the broken vessel through which God's love flowed freely. Our brokenness is sometimes the best thing we have to offer.

Miracles

Do you need a miracle today? You are one, you know. Every face we see is one. Your eyes reading this, your fingers typing letters, your mind wondering where I am going with this, or perhaps not believing this at all...miracles, pretending to be ordinary flesh and blood. But then, flesh and blood can never be ordinary, there has never been a single ordinary person on earth! If we teated each other and ourselves the way God sees us, I wonder how our lives would change. We are vessels of brilliant possibility and we hold the gift of free will in our heart of hearts, judgement and condemnation are not ours to disperse...love is. We are friends in this space, that is an incredible miracle! So this is my prayer this morning...whatever clings to us that hurts, lies and steals the truth of who we are and the gifts we have, that draws from us an emptiness, would be removed...and I pray that that space will be filled with the empowerment of love, strength and Truth. With God All things are possible! Walk in that truth. I pray that you will see miracles today beginning with the beautiful face you see in the mirror!

Fear Not

A quick thought before we launch into our day, did you know that the often quoted verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."...is followed by this verse, 17, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." In the next chapter comes the story of the woman at the well. Angels are known to begin their introductions with , "Fear not..." There are so many excellent examples that explain clearly what not to do! Then there are wonderful words for the beautiful way we are to live and that way is fueled by love!

Psalm 51

Sadly, my coffee cup is empty (after three cups!), but my heart is full and fueled for the day with three open books around me and a melody in my mind. The authors I am reading both quoted Johann Sebastian Bach, one book is written in 1980, the other in 1860. So I turned to the computer to hear something to which each writer referred and found instead Bach's song titled "Psalm 51", (ah, and it is in Latin again). So I read in my Bible a few lines from that Psalm, "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place...wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Madeleine L'Engle wrote, "Bach's music points me to wholeness, a wholeness of body, mind, and spirit, which we seldom glimpse, but which we are intended to know." And Trench writes of fullness from the world, "...for this fullness has prevented them from discovering their emptiness of heavenly things", and he continues in writing of a hunger and thirst for goodness that must be awakened in our souls. My coffee was delicious because Dennis fills the grinder with fresh beans from an excellent source. It is the daily battle of the mind to first fill it with nourishment from trustworthy sources which will sustain us no matter what struggles the day holds. It is the melody in our heads and words invited into our souls which comes out in the pouring.