I have always found it difficult to vote for a political party. I actually find it hard to even think that about how they are ruling and governing our country and lives. I prefur to hope, hope they are doing a good job! I am sure there are others who also live in hope, actually putting more trust in hope than politicians!
I have the usual thoughts 'Why bother when they often fail to follow through on political promises and change what they say' We even had a party to ended up ruling in a very different way to the Said way they would lead - in effect they swapped sides! I cannot even be bothered to ask 'Who is really saying what and why are they saying it'. But once past all the blurrrrrb and distructive banter what lies behind these men and women who want to rule? Do I care?? actually no I have lost incentive!
In the books of Samuel we read of the forming of Israel, from a tribe to an powerful people. We read of their rulers, kings and prophets, armies and families and about their dealings with others.
I am not sure that if we look back through our modern history we will find that God is a continual thread that runs through our political system but from within the stories of the Bible the common thread is that God is placed at the centre of both the lives and the hopes those involved.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Significance of Silence
Last sunday John T gave a sermon from when Jesus stood on trial and was silent. There is a power in silence. Jesus had shared his power, his love, his ministry, his teaching - now he stood silent before his accusers. If he had spoken he would not have been believed.
On Tuesday Val P gave a meditation which focused also on silence. She read from a quote from Geronimo.
'We had no churches, no religious organizations, no sabbath day, no holidays, and yet we worshiped. Sometimes the whole tribe would assemble and sing and pray; sometimes a smaller number; perhaps only two or three. The songs had a few words, but were not fromal. the singer would occasionally put in such words as he wished instead of the usual tone sound. Sometimes we prayed in silence; sometimes each prayed aloud; sometimes an aged person prayed for all of us. As other times one would rise and speak to us of our duties to each other and to Usen. Our services were short. Geronimo (Apache Cheif 1829-1909)
Another quote is from Luther Standing Bear (1868?-1939)
'Conversation was never begun at one, nor in a hurried manner. No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one was pressed for an answer. A pause giving time for thought was the truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation. Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and his granting a space of silence to the speech-maker and his own moment of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regard for the rule that, 'thought comes before speech'.
and the last meditation was by a man named Leslie D. Weatherhead from his book 'A Private House of Prayer' 1958. It was an extended reading so i am not going to write it all out but it was really sharing an experience of silence which impacted his life. Sometimes a sound interprets the silence. The sound emphasise's the silence which made him feels so wrapped up in the presence of God and he did not want to loose it. He then writes 'I felt that I understood a little better that strange experience of Elijah. After the wind and the earthquake and fire, he heard 'a still small voice,' or if we interpret more literally, 'a sound of gentle stillness.' The sound interpreted the silence. [...] Some words of Pascal come to the mind in this regard. 'All the evils of life,' he said, 'have fallen upon us because men will not sit alone quietly in a room.'
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
wonder and awe
communion today was about 'alleluia'. The awe and the baited breath.
This service really spoke to me. Throughout easter we consider the majesty and the mystery of the act of Jesus but we hardly consider the 'angel song' alleluia.
From the sermon my mind began to think of the itmes that people have tried to challenge the traditional church by saying in effect 'you dont even know why you do this'.... Well todays sermon spoke far more as it came from an attitude of saying 'look what you have, be amazed and dare to gaze upon your God and consider his mighty works'.
To compare the two types of sermons on its own does not I suppose relate but for the idea that to speak to people and bring them to a point of desiring to know more and desiring to meet God comes from the speaker knowing to whom and about what they are speaking.
I have been encouraged by my spiritual director and my DDO to read books from outside my comfort zone. I am a well rounded reader anyway, but I dont get to read much so I hope that I will be able to read books that will educate me on traditions in their variety so that I may enrich others.
One of the wonderful things about todays communion was the sense of closeness one experienced though the theme was wonder and awe of an amazing God.
This service really spoke to me. Throughout easter we consider the majesty and the mystery of the act of Jesus but we hardly consider the 'angel song' alleluia.
From the sermon my mind began to think of the itmes that people have tried to challenge the traditional church by saying in effect 'you dont even know why you do this'.... Well todays sermon spoke far more as it came from an attitude of saying 'look what you have, be amazed and dare to gaze upon your God and consider his mighty works'.
To compare the two types of sermons on its own does not I suppose relate but for the idea that to speak to people and bring them to a point of desiring to know more and desiring to meet God comes from the speaker knowing to whom and about what they are speaking.
I have been encouraged by my spiritual director and my DDO to read books from outside my comfort zone. I am a well rounded reader anyway, but I dont get to read much so I hope that I will be able to read books that will educate me on traditions in their variety so that I may enrich others.
One of the wonderful things about todays communion was the sense of closeness one experienced though the theme was wonder and awe of an amazing God.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
go go go see what I see
Mark 10:13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Parents brought .....yes it is up to us to bring our children. They may have faith, they may have a natural instinct but there is a responsibility and love that we have as parents and guardians that gives us the ability to bring our young to Jesus. We are faced with the questions they have. We are the ones who should be considering how their lives are going and what would help them to keep 'placing God in the centre of their lives'.
If we are not helping them learn this fundamental aspect of our lives in Christ then we are failing them miserably.In this passage I can almost see the children reaching out the Lord with all their hope and excitment focused on Christ with the encouragement and joy of their parents behind them.
This week at Hampton Court Palace I witnessed a lady pushing her two children forward to get their photo taken with the 'King' Henry the VIII. Go Go Go she forcefully said as she pushed her two children forward. They did not want to move forward, they hesitated and resisted! not the picture we like to imagine of children moving forward to touch Jesus! Yes there is a simplicity that children have but there is also a focus. The children that were brought forwrd to Jesus needed healing, much like the blind man on the road or the woman who bled. All these people believed that Jesus could heal them and all moved toward him.
My prayer is that we will help our children gain a love and faith in Jesus rather than give up once they are to old for bedtime stories. Once they move into the zone of questioning we know they also move into the zone of awe wondering. Just as we nudge each other and say 'wow' so our children can join with us and nudge us and we all can say wow together as we build our knowledge and relationship with Jesus who we need to be moving toward. As we look out for where he is then we can be sure that we will see him at work and be moving forward without hesitation or resistance as our faith will be built and will be stong enough to say to others 'Go Go Go, See what I see - The Kingdom of God'.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Parents brought .....yes it is up to us to bring our children. They may have faith, they may have a natural instinct but there is a responsibility and love that we have as parents and guardians that gives us the ability to bring our young to Jesus. We are faced with the questions they have. We are the ones who should be considering how their lives are going and what would help them to keep 'placing God in the centre of their lives'.
If we are not helping them learn this fundamental aspect of our lives in Christ then we are failing them miserably.In this passage I can almost see the children reaching out the Lord with all their hope and excitment focused on Christ with the encouragement and joy of their parents behind them.
This week at Hampton Court Palace I witnessed a lady pushing her two children forward to get their photo taken with the 'King' Henry the VIII. Go Go Go she forcefully said as she pushed her two children forward. They did not want to move forward, they hesitated and resisted! not the picture we like to imagine of children moving forward to touch Jesus! Yes there is a simplicity that children have but there is also a focus. The children that were brought forwrd to Jesus needed healing, much like the blind man on the road or the woman who bled. All these people believed that Jesus could heal them and all moved toward him.
My prayer is that we will help our children gain a love and faith in Jesus rather than give up once they are to old for bedtime stories. Once they move into the zone of questioning we know they also move into the zone of awe wondering. Just as we nudge each other and say 'wow' so our children can join with us and nudge us and we all can say wow together as we build our knowledge and relationship with Jesus who we need to be moving toward. As we look out for where he is then we can be sure that we will see him at work and be moving forward without hesitation or resistance as our faith will be built and will be stong enough to say to others 'Go Go Go, See what I see - The Kingdom of God'.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Mark 10
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Parents brought .....yes it is up to us to bring our children. They may have faith, they may have a natural instinct but there is a responsibility and love that we have as parents and guardians that gives us the ability to bring our young to Jesus. We are faced with the questions they have. We are the ones who should be considering how their lives are going and what would help them to keep 'placing God in the centre of their lives'. If we are not helping them learn this fundamental aspect of our lives in Christ then we are failing them miserably.
In this passage I can almost see the children reaching out the Lord with all their hope and excitment focused on Christ with the encouragement and joy of their parents behind them.
This week at Hampton Court Palace I witnessed a lady pushing her two children forward to get their photo taken with the 'King' Henry the VIII. Go Go Go she forcefully said as she pushed her two children forward. They did not want to move forward, they hesitated and resisted! not the picture we like to imagine of children moving forward to touch Jesus!
Yes there is a simplicity that children have but there is also a focus. The children that were brought forwrd to Jesus needed healing, much like the blind man on the road or the woman who bled. All these people believed that Jesus could heal them and all moved toward him.
My prayer is that we will help our children gain a love and faith in Jesus rather than give up once they are to old for bedtime stories. Once they move into the zone of questioning we know they also move into the zone of awe wondering. Just as we nudge each other and say 'wow' so our children can join with us and nudge us and we all can say wow together as we build our knowledge and relationship with Jesus who we need to be moving toward. As we look out for where he is then we can be sure that we will see him at work and be moving forward without hesitation or resistance as our faith will be built and will be stong enough to say to others 'Go Go Go, See what I see - The Kingdom of God'.
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Parents brought .....yes it is up to us to bring our children. They may have faith, they may have a natural instinct but there is a responsibility and love that we have as parents and guardians that gives us the ability to bring our young to Jesus. We are faced with the questions they have. We are the ones who should be considering how their lives are going and what would help them to keep 'placing God in the centre of their lives'. If we are not helping them learn this fundamental aspect of our lives in Christ then we are failing them miserably.
In this passage I can almost see the children reaching out the Lord with all their hope and excitment focused on Christ with the encouragement and joy of their parents behind them.
This week at Hampton Court Palace I witnessed a lady pushing her two children forward to get their photo taken with the 'King' Henry the VIII. Go Go Go she forcefully said as she pushed her two children forward. They did not want to move forward, they hesitated and resisted! not the picture we like to imagine of children moving forward to touch Jesus!
Yes there is a simplicity that children have but there is also a focus. The children that were brought forwrd to Jesus needed healing, much like the blind man on the road or the woman who bled. All these people believed that Jesus could heal them and all moved toward him.
My prayer is that we will help our children gain a love and faith in Jesus rather than give up once they are to old for bedtime stories. Once they move into the zone of questioning we know they also move into the zone of awe wondering. Just as we nudge each other and say 'wow' so our children can join with us and nudge us and we all can say wow together as we build our knowledge and relationship with Jesus who we need to be moving toward. As we look out for where he is then we can be sure that we will see him at work and be moving forward without hesitation or resistance as our faith will be built and will be stong enough to say to others 'Go Go Go, See what I see - The Kingdom of God'.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
We have been watching 'The Golden Compass' as I want to watch it with a girls youth group. The issues it raises are vast and discussion thoughts abound but my mind keeps mulling over the authors hate of the Christian faith.
I want to investigate it more but when you hear rumours it makes it hard to watch or read things without those thoughts intruding on the way you interpret things for yourself.
It seems to me that though witches are considered 'good' and the use of a compass to interpret thoughts could be viewed as magic and the emporium may represent God. The overall message seems to me still one to do with people and good will. Even the aim of the adventure is to keep 'freewill'. Surely this is a message if not of faith of hope and relationships.
Our relationship with Christ is like the relationship that the people in the story have with their deamons. It is one which enables us to be whole and to live in a relationship which otherwise would not exist and we know more about God through Christ.
Monday, November 24, 2008
I have realised that the passage about Jesus turning the water into wine is followed by Scripture that I felt was prophetic for our local church that we attend. So I am going to explore this more. So bear with me as I do!!
here is a take from Oswald Chambers:
www.myutmost.org/10/1015.html
what sruck me from this is the 'limitlessness' of Christ's message and offer.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
the water and wine at the wedding feast
Jesus turned water for ceremonial cleaning into wine at the wedding feast.
Jesus said 'my time has not yet come'
Jesus turned a law for ceremonial cleansing into a new covenant one writ by his blood and one which invites us all to Gods feast.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
1 peter 1:1-2
- Chosen
- Holy
- Obey
I have always been impressed by Barclays work considering 'universalism'. I often have an open mind when considering the word, phrase, theme of' 'chosen' in Scripture. It seems to me that God loves each individual, yet we are not all able or wanting to know that love and accept it. So when this passage defines that Peter is speaking to those 'chosen' I accept that he is speaking to those who have accepted Gods love.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Meaning in Darkness
When we find that our spiritual lives are plunged into what we call 'darkness' it is really hard. I have only had times when I find reading the Bible uninspiring and at these times I find that my prayer life is dull and like a oneway conversation.
I suppose it is helpful to recognise that these times highlight how real our experience usually is with God.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta suffered with this darkness for much of her life as did Teresa of Avila and Teresa of Lisieux (don't call your daughter Teresa!)
St teresa writes in her journal:
'My smile is a great mantle, which covers a multitude of sufferings. The sisters and people think that my faith, my hope and my love are profoundly fulfilling me, and that intimacy with God and union with His will, live in my heart. If they only knew...only blind faith moves me along, because the truth is that all is darkness for me.' link
St Teresa of Avila said to God 'If you treat your friends like this, it explains why you have so few!'
Link
To finish this post I wanted to use a thought given by Timothy Radcliffe in his book 'Why Go To Church' This is the book which inspired this post (p84).
He writes: If one has waited long for a glimpse of meaning, then one will never be tempted to feel onself superior to people of other faiths or none. One will know that meaning is a gift; it is not granted because of any personal superiority. We just give thanks, whoever shares the gift with us.
When we find that our spiritual lives are plunged into what we call 'darkness' it is really hard. I have only had times when I find reading the Bible uninspiring and at these times I find that my prayer life is dull and like a oneway conversation.
I suppose it is helpful to recognise that these times highlight how real our experience usually is with God.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta suffered with this darkness for much of her life as did Teresa of Avila and Teresa of Lisieux (don't call your daughter Teresa!)
St teresa writes in her journal:
'My smile is a great mantle, which covers a multitude of sufferings. The sisters and people think that my faith, my hope and my love are profoundly fulfilling me, and that intimacy with God and union with His will, live in my heart. If they only knew...only blind faith moves me along, because the truth is that all is darkness for me.' link
St Teresa of Avila said to God 'If you treat your friends like this, it explains why you have so few!'
Link
To finish this post I wanted to use a thought given by Timothy Radcliffe in his book 'Why Go To Church' This is the book which inspired this post (p84).
He writes: If one has waited long for a glimpse of meaning, then one will never be tempted to feel onself superior to people of other faiths or none. One will know that meaning is a gift; it is not granted because of any personal superiority. We just give thanks, whoever shares the gift with us.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
freedom, purpose and happiness
There are of course many ways of looking at this. Freedom could be the freedom one has if one can float above the earth. It could be the freedom one seeks when opting out from the way of life many others in the area have chosen. It could be living within the norm.
What does Christ mean when he talks about freedom? It seems to me that purpose and happiness are tied up in there so I have placed these words together as they seem linked (trinsically linked) (trinsically does not seem to be in the dictionary but it is used in essays, odd!)
There are of course many ways of looking at this. Freedom could be the freedom one has if one can float above the earth. It could be the freedom one seeks when opting out from the way of life many others in the area have chosen. It could be living within the norm.
What does Christ mean when he talks about freedom? It seems to me that purpose and happiness are tied up in there so I have placed these words together as they seem linked (trinsically linked) (trinsically does not seem to be in the dictionary but it is used in essays, odd!)
Friday, November 24, 2006
Predestination
Ephesians 1:14
'who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory'.
I don't want to go down the full discussion of this topic about predestination, but I am sure that God has a plan to draw us all back to himself. It just seems to me very remote sometimes how.
It is as if the great plan is marked out in such a comlex way we need Jesus to come and reveal it all to us individually. I think I am jealous of the disciples to whom he came to after his resurrection! Perhaps we are all able to have a place in that plan and be a part of it but some of us just fail to get it?
I do feel strongly that some how that in acting and being part of it we become a very full and whole person somehow finding parts of ourselves that are otherwise not fulfilled.
good ol wiki:
Predestination is the Divine foreordaining or foreknowledge of all that will happen; with regard to the salvation of some and not others. It has been particularly associated with the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo and of John Calvin. well these two may have been great thinkers and theologians but Christ they were not so I think I will put the issue of predestination aside until Christ guides me!
oh gosh it is such a big debate though!
Ephesians 1:14
'who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory'.
I don't want to go down the full discussion of this topic about predestination, but I am sure that God has a plan to draw us all back to himself. It just seems to me very remote sometimes how.
It is as if the great plan is marked out in such a comlex way we need Jesus to come and reveal it all to us individually. I think I am jealous of the disciples to whom he came to after his resurrection! Perhaps we are all able to have a place in that plan and be a part of it but some of us just fail to get it?
I do feel strongly that some how that in acting and being part of it we become a very full and whole person somehow finding parts of ourselves that are otherwise not fulfilled.
good ol wiki:
Predestination is the Divine foreordaining or foreknowledge of all that will happen; with regard to the salvation of some and not others. It has been particularly associated with the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo and of John Calvin. well these two may have been great thinkers and theologians but Christ they were not so I think I will put the issue of predestination aside until Christ guides me!
oh gosh it is such a big debate though!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
I do sometimes feel selfish and stupid considering that God has considered me and actually has a purpose to my life. At other times I feel 'ofcourse he has'! There is a statement that 'God would have sent Jesus to die, even if you were the only person on the earth' my reaction has usually 'yeh ofcourse .. and'. But actually when I think of God using this life in reality I find it hard to consider.
Ephesians 1
9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1
9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Psalm 139 (Contempory English Version) (CEV)
The LORD Is Always Near
1 You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.
2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go
4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,
5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
6 I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me
[...]
14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.
15 Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,
16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.
17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
[...]
23 Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking.
24 Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.
The LORD Is Always Near
1 You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.
2 You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
3 You notice everything I do and everywhere I go
4 Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,
5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
6 I can't understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me
[...]
14 and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.
15 Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,
16 but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.
17 Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
[...]
23 Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking.
24 Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Isaiah 43
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; […] 10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.'
Even if one argues that God has not said to them directly 'Do Not Be Afraid, For I Am With YOU' one cannot argue that if there is One God the power of such is awesome. And if that one God says 'Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me' surely each of us who is considering the Way would feel humbled that actually these words are directed to us so that we, me, you might take a step back and think awesome and turn our hearts and souls toward that awesomeness.
Not sure if that makes sense but it reminds me of Hardy's book Far From The Madding Crowd as The shepherd stands in the field and recognises how small and finite he is.
For anyone who enjoys Thomas Hardy here is the bit I am thinking of copied from my fav online place for books 'online-literature.com'
'The thin grasses, more or less coating the hill, were touched by the wind in breezes of differing powers, and almost of differing natures -- one rubbing the blades heavily, another raking them piercingly, another brushing them like a soft broom. The instinctive act of humankind was to stand and listen, and learn how the trees on the right and the trees on the left wailed or chaunted to each other in the regular antiphonies of a cathedral choir; how hedges and other shapes to leeward then caught the note, lowering it to the tenderest sob; and how the hurrying gust then plunged into the south, to be heard no more.
The sky was clear -- remarkably clear -- and the twinkling of all the stars seemed to be but throbs of one body, timed by a common pulse. The North Star was directly in the wind's eye, and since evening the Bear had swung round it outwardly to the east, till he was now at a right angle with the meridian. A difference of colour in the stars -- oftener read of than seen in England -- was really perceptible here. The sovereign brilliancy of Sirius pierced the eye with a steely glitter, the star called Capella was yellow, Aldebaran and Betelgueux shone with a fiery red.
To persons standing alone on a hill during a clear midnight such as this, the roll of the world eastward is almost a palpable movement. The sensation may be caused by the panoramic glide of the stars past earthly objects, which is perceptible in a few minutes of stillness, or by the better outlook upon space that a hill affords, or by the wind, or by the solitude; but whatever be its origin, the impression of riding along is vivid and abiding. The poetry of motion is a phrase much in use, and to enjoy the epic form of that gratification it is necessary to stand on a hill at a small hour of the night, and, having first expanded with a sense of difference from the mass of civilised mankind, who are dreamwrapt and disregardful of all such proceedings at this time, long and quietly watch your stately progress through the stars. After such a nocturnal reconnoitre it is hard to get back to earth, and to believe that the consciousness of such majestic speeding is derived from a tiny human frame.'
Ch2 Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; […] 10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.'
Even if one argues that God has not said to them directly 'Do Not Be Afraid, For I Am With YOU' one cannot argue that if there is One God the power of such is awesome. And if that one God says 'Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me' surely each of us who is considering the Way would feel humbled that actually these words are directed to us so that we, me, you might take a step back and think awesome and turn our hearts and souls toward that awesomeness.
Not sure if that makes sense but it reminds me of Hardy's book Far From The Madding Crowd as The shepherd stands in the field and recognises how small and finite he is.
For anyone who enjoys Thomas Hardy here is the bit I am thinking of copied from my fav online place for books 'online-literature.com'
'The thin grasses, more or less coating the hill, were touched by the wind in breezes of differing powers, and almost of differing natures -- one rubbing the blades heavily, another raking them piercingly, another brushing them like a soft broom. The instinctive act of humankind was to stand and listen, and learn how the trees on the right and the trees on the left wailed or chaunted to each other in the regular antiphonies of a cathedral choir; how hedges and other shapes to leeward then caught the note, lowering it to the tenderest sob; and how the hurrying gust then plunged into the south, to be heard no more.
The sky was clear -- remarkably clear -- and the twinkling of all the stars seemed to be but throbs of one body, timed by a common pulse. The North Star was directly in the wind's eye, and since evening the Bear had swung round it outwardly to the east, till he was now at a right angle with the meridian. A difference of colour in the stars -- oftener read of than seen in England -- was really perceptible here. The sovereign brilliancy of Sirius pierced the eye with a steely glitter, the star called Capella was yellow, Aldebaran and Betelgueux shone with a fiery red.
To persons standing alone on a hill during a clear midnight such as this, the roll of the world eastward is almost a palpable movement. The sensation may be caused by the panoramic glide of the stars past earthly objects, which is perceptible in a few minutes of stillness, or by the better outlook upon space that a hill affords, or by the wind, or by the solitude; but whatever be its origin, the impression of riding along is vivid and abiding. The poetry of motion is a phrase much in use, and to enjoy the epic form of that gratification it is necessary to stand on a hill at a small hour of the night, and, having first expanded with a sense of difference from the mass of civilised mankind, who are dreamwrapt and disregardful of all such proceedings at this time, long and quietly watch your stately progress through the stars. After such a nocturnal reconnoitre it is hard to get back to earth, and to believe that the consciousness of such majestic speeding is derived from a tiny human frame.'
Ch2 Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Pauls life and influences:
Paul wrote many letters to new Christians in reply to their various questions about their new life in the Christian faith.
His own life reflects how God uses who we are and our history to become who God wants us to be for his glory.
Paul’s experience growing up in Tarsus, an important and diverse city with many peoples coming there to trade and live, would have made him a great candidate to take the gospel to many nations. His being a faithful and devoted Pharisee made him the perfect teacher for new converts. His being a persecutor of Christians made him a most humble yet realistic human to take on a position of much authority.
Here is a prayer taken from the passage Ephesians 1:1-6
This is Paul writing to you […] May his blessing and peace be yours,sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Long ago even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own,through what Christ has done for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault – we who stand before him covered with his love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family […] and he did this because he wanted to! Now all praise to God for his wonderful kindness to us and his favour that he has poured out upon us.
Paul wrote many letters to new Christians in reply to their various questions about their new life in the Christian faith.
His own life reflects how God uses who we are and our history to become who God wants us to be for his glory.
Paul’s experience growing up in Tarsus, an important and diverse city with many peoples coming there to trade and live, would have made him a great candidate to take the gospel to many nations. His being a faithful and devoted Pharisee made him the perfect teacher for new converts. His being a persecutor of Christians made him a most humble yet realistic human to take on a position of much authority.
Here is a prayer taken from the passage Ephesians 1:1-6
This is Paul writing to you […] May his blessing and peace be yours,sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Long ago even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own,through what Christ has done for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault – we who stand before him covered with his love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family […] and he did this because he wanted to! Now all praise to God for his wonderful kindness to us and his favour that he has poured out upon us.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Consider your life and experience. What is your history? What are the influences that have made you who you are today?
It is important to give ourselves time to think about ourselves.
The more we understand the influences that have made us who we are the more we understand why we think and act in the way we do.
It is a very important lesson that will remain with us on our journey through life. Being able to evaluate ourselves is a very important and helpful tool.
I wonder if this is a tool that will help to discern talking to ourselves and talking to God! I began to read a book 'conversations with God' which I gave up on as I found it boringly like talking with the authors own mind, but he felt that it was God answering him. I wonder how often I do this?
As I seek to draw near to God to seek his guidance and presence I hope there is a hugh difference in my presence and guidance and Gods.
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