Night

Jupiter, Moons and Bees (from NASA)
Credit & Copyright: Russell Croman

The stars, perforating the sky,

The moon, crisply glowing in the dark,

The clouds, floating like foam on the sea,

A symphony of peacefulness.

Then a cold wind

Starts me shivering. DG 1972

Thoughts on anger and letting go

It doesn't do anything to get mad when people don't do what you want them to, or understand, or change. No one really cares about anyone else more than themselves, so they're unlikely to do or change something that doesn't benefit them, especially if it takes effort. The only person I can really change is myself and that only with God's help.

That said, I find now (sitting in church when someone affiliated with MCA was there) I still have a lot of anger and resentment toward those who could have done something to help me last year and chose either to do nothing or to actively work against me. I have to admit, the thought of revenge is tempting, but I wouldn't want to do something that would really ruin someone's life (like the First Wives' Club book).

So...what about anger and hatred? I think I do hate some of the people from last year, but not enough to ruin their lives. But Jesus said hating your brother is as good as murdering him. It doesn't seem fair. Their carelessness, neglect, and outright bad actions ruined my life last year and put a blot on my resume. Why can't I just dislike or hate them? I'm not *doing* anything to hurt them, or *not* doing something that would help them -- not like they did to me.

And I know. It doesn't hurt them to hate them, it only hurts me. It keeps me from developing as a person. And I thought I had moved on with this new school, etc. Maybe I haven't yet. I didn't realize how much resentment I still had until I saw this person in church who could have helped me and did nothing; in fact, who basically told me to "suck it up and deal with it". I know all the little textbook answers as to why I should forgive and move on, and I know I haven't been hurt as much as others. It doesn't make a difference to me; that's "head" knowledge, and I'm angry in my "heart". Maybe just venting gets it out.

Good people and Bad things

Half the professors at Yale Divinity School say that the fact that bad things happen to good people proves that God doesn't exist.

Maybe I'm being overly simplistic but...

There are no good people ("all have sinned" "all our righteousness is filthy rags")

We can't tell the difference between good happenings in our lives and bad ones (See Job). We do know that "all things work together for good to those who love God." This doesn't mean that all things are good, but it doesn't mean that they aren't, and doesn't change the fact that we can't prove that anything bad has ever happened to anyone...

very rough...suggestions welcome

Sparrows

Too many sparrows falling nowadays

Am I a sparrow compared to Iraq?

“He sees the sparrow fall” but what does that mean?

Some database in the sky records yet another fluttering fall?

Spiraling thump

Sprawl

Rumpled, scattered feathers

“6,972 today”…

Am I really falling or do I just think I am?

Does a fallen sparrow ever get up?

What does it take to give a falling sparrow the wings of eagles?

Do sparrows eat mustard seeds?

Do they stay sparrows?

Am I afraid to be a sparrow?

A Marriage Feast

John 2:4
Jesus saith unto her, "Women, what have I to do with thee? My hour is not yet come".

John 2:6
And there were set six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews...


Jesus was preparing his mother for a realization that probably wouldn't dawn until the cross. When Jesus asked Mary "what have I to do with thee?" Mary would instinctively think "you're my son!" But Jesus answered his own question symbolically by turning the water of purification into wine, a symbol of his cleansing blood. Doubtless, this miracle left Mary initially perplexed, but at the cross, Mary would have the greatest possible comfort available to a mother losing the most wonderful son the world has ever seen. Perhaps an inkling of what she was gaining at the loss of her son began to dawn on Mary on that dark day.
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gently planted a seed in Mary's mind. Eventually, the seed would grow into Mary's realization that the most important relationship she had with Jesus was not mother to son, but sinner to Savior.
We serve a infinitely tender, loving God, and His relationship with us is far more intimate than any human attachment.
Are you ready for the Marriage Feast?

Ruminations on Romans

I'm working on the book of Romans for my morning devotions. Look at Paul's definition of the Gospel (Romans 1:16)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation"...(italics supplied)
Wait a minute! I always thought "God is love" = gospel.

Suppose you are clinging to a cliff, about to fall off. An experienced rock climber comes running to the foot of the cliff. "Hey! I love you with all my heart" he shouts. He continues to tell you about his undying affection as your grip fades away and you crash to the bottom. At the bottom, you're a bleeding pile of pulp, and the loving rock climber says "it doesn't matter what you've done, I still love you no matter what".
That's not the gospel.
Instead, God scales the cliff, leaping from hold to hold, taking extraordinary risks with each death-defying move. He reaches your side in record time. "I love you with all my heart" he whispers, "will you let me take you down?".

First Words...

In order to propel the proverbial vulcanized spheroid in a forward motion, I submit this recent effort of mine.

Shore to Shore

A peaceful view of tree and water,

Cheerful words from son and daughter.

A bowl of fruit, a slice of bread,

With mango, pineapple, and raspberries we’ve been fed.

The Word of God bestowed upon youth,

Such comforting promises, with the ring of Truth.

When we as families first began

Our mission together to follow God’s plan,

We could not foresee how we would be

So closely knit—one big family.

One day, on glassy sea, again we’ll meet,

And with joyful cry sit at Jesus’ feet.

Home at last to wander no more,

At home, at one on that peaceful shore