Words and Creation

The power of the word: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1)
About a month ago I gave a little wood-burned word to a person who was struggling.  How could I have known how much it would mean to them?  Never did I think that they would carry it every day from then until now. It humbles me at the same time as I remember the many words I have spoken in life which were meant to hurt.  If my need for verbal temperance is a common need, it's no wonder there are hundreds of verses in the Bible about bridling our tongues and guarding our mouths. Following is an excerpt from my manuscript The Heavenly Body:

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart

bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man

out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth

that which is evil:  for of the abundance of the heart

his mouth speaketh.

Luke 6:45

 What is a repeated theme for me when I am talking?  What does this tell me about my values?

Sacred Sex

"The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt

Have you ever thought that romantic love was just not beautiful enough when you watch movies from Hollywood?  Have you ever wondered what the Bible has to say about sex?  Take a look at the Song of Solomon (just after Ecclesiastes and before Isaiah).  What a book! Here is how it starts "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine" Song of Solomon Ch. 1, v. 2).  If you're thinking of getting married, or have already done that, inspire yourself with the poetry of sacred physical connection as found in the Bible; and "many waters...(will not) quench (your) love" Song of Solomon Ch. 8, v.7a.

Well-being

Because he (the hypocrite) knows no quietness

in his belly, he will not save anything he desires,

Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being

will not last.  In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress.

Job 20: 20-21a

If my belly knows no quiet and no calmness, perhaps I might consider the cause of the distress.  Today how am I willing to lessen the stress by adjusting my habit of self-sufficiency?

Gentle Spring Rain

Behold, God is great, and we know him not, 

neither can the number of his years be searched out.

for he maketh small the drops of water:

they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof;

which the clouds do drop

and distill upon man abundantly.

Job 36:26-27

In high school my history teacher Janet Eisendrath taught the Book of Job as literature.  I have always cherished the way she opened a world of beauty and meaning to us with that class; and I have approached the Bible in very much the same way that she taught ever since.  This verse from Job enhances my experience of today's Spring rain.

Dedication and Obedience

Maria Kutschera of Salzberg wanted nothing more than to serve God by spending her whole life as a nun in a very strict convent.  God, however, had another idea. When Captain Von Trapp asked Maria to marry him, she ran to the convent hoping to be readmitted there.  The nuns answered her by saying that God wanted her to marry the Captain; and she must obey. Today my daughter and I are at the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont, enjoying the story of Maria and her faith.

Slowing Down

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

King James Version (KJV)

11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land...

Thank God for good friends!  Spending time walking slowly around Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge with an old friend this morning brought so much peace, especially when some painted turtles "spoke" to us. 

Bird Lore

Isn't it time to listen to the language of birds again! There is a thrill in recognizing our old friends who made themselves absent for much of the winter. Christian tradition can enhance the enjoyment of birds. For example, the robin has a heroic place in Christian lore.  At the crucifixion, the robin felt with Jesus in his agony, and went to pull out one of the thorns from the Lord's brow.  It was Jesus' blood that stained the robin's breast red.