Afraid of the Light?

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light." - Plato

This quote is filled with both truth and tragedy, for me. It is true, because we see how on a daily basis  criminals are afraid of their deeds being exposed. It is tragic because there are times in our own lives where we are the ones afraid of the light of God's spirit.

What do you think?

"Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.” - Psalm 8:12

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Use your freedom wisely

"Nothing that is God's is obtainable by money."

"He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies."

"You cannot parcel out freedom in pieces because freedom is all or nothing."

All of these quotes are attributed to the early Christian author, teacher and Church Father, Tertullian. What I find remarkable is that some truths are timeless. His words are just as relevant in our modern era, as they were in the 2nd Century.

Surely, the same can be said of the sacred Scriptures. They may have been written in a different time, location and generation from our own, but they always speak into our current lives. 

Galatians 5:13 - For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.

Living in grace

D3LM3

Setting the angel free

It was Michelangelo who once remarked: "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." At another point in his career he also allegedly said: "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

How would you react if this were God speaking about our lives. If the Lord told us, "I see the good in you and I want to chip away at the outer parts of your life so that I can allow the angel to be seen!?"

I have no doubt the Diving sculptor is constantly at work in our lives, but I also fear that we get in the way of his work and design. We like to advise God a lot, instead of trust in his vision to see the angel in us.

How do you feel about this?

Jeremiah 18:6 - O Israel, can’t I do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Staying close to the Shepherd

 

As we reflect on the beautiful image of the Good Shepherd this week, I invite you to meditate on these quotes and verses. Enjoy and may you know the comfort of the True Shepherd, Jesus.

"I am like the sick sheep that strays from the rest of the flock. Unless the Good Shepherd takes me on His shoulders and carries me back to His fold, my steps will falter, and in the very effort of rising, my feet will give way." - St. Jerome

"Christ's flock is made up of sheep that not only listen to their shepherd, but are also able to recognize his voice, to follow him, faithfully and with full awareness, on the pastures of eternal life." - Pope John XXIII

"The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same." -Stendhal

John 10:11 (LB) - “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  A hired man will run when he sees a wolf coming and will leave the sheep, for they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd.

Living in Grace

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Falling on grace

"If I stand, let me stand on your promise: when I fall,let me fall on your grace." - Common Prayer - A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

This one line holds so many intriguing points. It contrasts the words "if" and "when", which is an honest evaluation of our human frailty. It reminds me that the chances of me stumbling along the way of life are far greater than standing strong the whole time. 

It calls me to make sure that I can only truly stand on the promises of God, especially if I want to make a lasting 'stand.'

And then it softens my 'fall' by asking that my moments of weakness will be cushion by God's grace.

I think this prayer is profound and worth repeating as often as one dares.

Exodus 14:13 - "“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today."

Living in Grace

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Strength

While reading though a set of devotions (Common Prayer - A Liturgy for Ordinary radicals) I came across this quote by Francois Fenelon. I think that this is so true of what we may all be going through at this moment in time. May these words help and inspire you.

"We must have faith during the period of our grief (trials). We think that our afflictions will be greater than we can bear, but we do not know the strength of our own hearts, nor the power of God. He knows all. He knows every folding of the heart and also the extent of the sorrow that he inflicts. What we think will overwhelm us entirely only subdues and conquers our pride. Our renewed spirit rises from its subjugation with a celestial strength and consolation."

For me, the words that hit home today were these: "we do not know the strength of our own hearts, nor the power of God."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Diet of Worms

If you read the title of this post and wondered if I was advocating a new eating habit, then you would very wrong. The Diet (meeting) of Worms (pronounced 'Varms') was an official meeting that Martin Luther was called to attend on the 17 and 18th April 1521, by the Church leaders. He was instructed to back-track on some of his ideas and his controversial opinions on the state Church. Luther thought long and hard about this decisions, but in the end he refused to withdraw his books and writings. These are the now-famous words that he spoke:

"Here I can stand. I can do no other. So help me. God."

His decision caused further ructions in the Church and led to the inevitable split that became known as the Reformation. 

The reason why it is important for us remember this is because Jesus' decision to remain true to his course also ended up something remarkable and changed the course of history. Jesus' decision to go to the cross ultimately opened up the way for us to return to the Father. 

Thought: sometimes we have to stand our ground in order to fulfill God's bigger purpose in our lives and in our world.

Proverbs 4:26 - Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Living in Grace

D3LM3