12 - The Conclusion of the matter

When Karl Barth was once asked how he would summarise all the countless words he had published, he replied, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." The simplicity of his statement is astounding when you consider the length of the volumes that he wrote.

If you were to write a conclusion to your collection of wise words how would you begin? What words would you want to impart as your lasting legacy. In his writings to the younger generation, Solomon concludes all of his rhetoric with these two lines:

"Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgement,
    including every hidden thing,    whether it is good or evil." - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Only where graves are

Frederick Nietzsche once remarked: "Only where there are graves are there resurrections."

I found that I needed to read the quote again and again.
Only where graves are...
.... is there RESURRECTION.

Of course, it is so straight forward.
Simple really.
But deeply profound.
We can only experience a resurrection - a rebirth - a renewal, where there has been a death.

John 12:24 - "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

In longing for the NEW thing, let us not forget that the OLD needs to die first.

Living in Grace
D3LM3