Reflections

Here are some thoughts from Dr. Kyle Small presented at an advent workshop for Pillar Church in Holland:  1. In the face of the unknown, take the first steps.

2. Go slow: Life grows at its own pace, don't rush it.

3. Release the scripted questions - Taking the first step is recognizing that we will never reach the image of perfection we have been trying to achieve.

4. Jesus is calling you. The Word is living and active, making itself known all around you.

5. Walk alone, eat together; solitude grows the heart.

6.Everyone is a pilgrim going somewhere; eat together.

7. Entertaining angels unaware; they are on your path.

8. The light shines in the darkness: God shows up in our fear.

9. The Cruz de Ferro: The cross will pierce and it will bless!

Here are my seven words from this week's lectionary readings:

Acts 16:9-15  - open

Psalm 67 -  gracious

Revelation 21:, 22-27  - light

Revelation 22:1-5  -  throne

John 14:23-29  -  advocate (helper)

John 5:1-9  -  walk

Revelation 2:18-29  -  hold fast

I finished the book Rainwater by Sandra Brown. In it one of the main characters takes the blame for a "crime" committed by an autistic son of a woman he has come to love. These words were used to describe his act, "He died a condemned man when he was blameless." That of course reminds us Christians of what Jesus did for us. Jesus who knew no sin became sin for us so that through our trust in him we might become righteous before God. There was nothing fair about that but that is the way Jesus' life played out for us.

The prayer for yesterday May 25 connects for me to Jesus' work of salvation for us; "My Father, let the glorious light of your gospel enter my soul so that the heavenly seed will sprout in me and the buds of all that is good and pure may be known in all their beauty." Amen.

From Streams In The Desert ; "We would be better Christians if we spent more time alone and we would actually accomplish more if we attempted less and spent more time in isolation and quiet waiting upon God. We no longer believe in the importance of a calm retreat where we sit silently in the shade. As the people of God we have become entirely too practical. We believe in having "all our irons in the fire" and that all the time we spend away from the anvil or fire is wasted time. Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside time for quiet meditation, talking with God, and looking up to heaven. We can never have too many of these open spaces in life --hours set aside when our soul is completely open and accessible to any heavenly thought or influence that God may be pleased to send our way."

Remember the good news of God is personal, for you and for me! If it is not personal then it is nothing. So enjoy the love of God for you and know it is real.