3/21/05—1 Tim 6:6-21 Woman of God, Flee swiftly and run far away When you are tempted to money, To greed, and to all that comes with them. With much money, you may fall Into foolish and harmful desires That will plunge you to the dark depths Of ruin and destruction, Perhaps at the bottom of a bottle, Or pierced with many griefs, Like a hypodermic needle. Instead, flee these things! And run after better prizes than cash: Doing right and being good, Being like God, Having faith, love, gentleness, And the endurance of an athlete for God. Your faith is a fight, a good one. Fight it well, and take hold of your prize: The eternal life you were called to That day [ATF], that evening [3 yrs old], and that night [Prov 3:5,6]. This is your mission, And I charge you to keep it By all that is dear and holy and God, Until Christ’s return. God will bring it about in his own time. —1 Tim 6:15b-16— Tell those who are rich right now, in this world, Not to be arrogant and not to trust in their wealth— It is so very uncertain. Instead, put your hope in the Certain God, Who provides us so richly With everything for our enjoyment! What you should be rich in is good deeds, And willing to share this wealth and the other. Then you’ll be investing in a world that does not fade And a market that cannot crash. Then you can take hold of that payment, That gift— The life that is truly life. Grace be with you. [The three allusions with brackets refer to three spiritual turning points in my life--Ron Luce's sermon at Acquire the Fire in Baltimore on how you can't live by mountain-top experiences, my salvation, and my call to be a teacher.] 3/22/05 My life is so little, And all at once so large. Some seventy or eighty years (Or less!) are allotted to me, And a great big afterwards will follow. But so much goes on every instant in my mind! When it looks big, Every little thing has meaning And is filled with God. When it looks small, All those little worries no longer have meaning, And the sure presence of God looms over all. I am a tiny child Of a limitless God. 3/23/05
No need to write a poem tonight. You want something that explains… well, everything… and makes you stop and say “Wow.” out loud five or six times, read chapter 14, “The Grand Miracle” of Miracles by C. S. Lewis.
Suddenly, God shows me what it is. When I read a really excellent book, I praise it to others and try to get them to read it—not so much because I want to enjoy their company in discussing it (that’s an added benefit), but because I am so grateful to the author for writing it, that I feel it is my due to him/her to praise him/her to others and spread their fare.
It is the same with God. Because of the Work He has done, I am greatly indebted to Him for filling me with so much joy. And not only do I want others to feel that joy, to discuss it with them, I want the Author of my Hope to receive the glory due His Absolute Genius. That is why we witness, and that is how we bring glory to our Creator. One never reads a great Book without recommending it to everybody else!
Wow, I feel like God just totally; stretched and reorganized my brain…
3/24/05—written on the back of a Maundy Thursday Service bulletin
Lord, in all the noise and confusion of this world, let me see, in your complex creation, the pure and simple sight of you. Let me also understand the simplicity of my soul in this complex animal. And most of all, God, let me see how very simple is your will for my life, how very simple my communication in prayer is with you. You have taken all complex structure upon yourself in your triune nature, that your children might simply cry out to you, and you would instantly hear, being right by their side and inside their heart. When I am confused and discouraged and feel that I have no contact with you, remind me of this great simplicity and pull away all veils between your face and mine, that I might have pure communion with you, even if I can’t hear you answer. Let me not be discourage by that holy silence. Lord, as I learn to speak more simply with you and see you more clearly, may I also see how simple a thing it can be to love you. Let me love and worship you more and more, more than I would love any author, actor or character. Let me also long to share you with others more and more, just as I would lend out a great book—only more! And show me how to share you with others, your simplicity shining through the complexity of human interactions and psychology. And let my love for others grow, just as my love for you grows. Each time I have a cruel, hating or rejecting thought of others, fill my spirit with your true and simple charity, and show me, through the complex paths of the society I live in, how best to share that charity. Amen and amen.
3/25/05—the night of my first flat tire Thank you for preserving my life tonight, For guiding me when I wasn’t even praying yet, For giving me knowledge of what I needed to do And the confidence to do it, For making it turn out alright, And for keeping me from puking with nervousness. Amen! 3/26/05 Lent is a journey, And like a pilgrim who has walked forty days, I am weary. But I also see on the horizon, My destination—the fabulous city Of the new heavens and earth. I see ahead Christ’s resurrection, And my own. And I recognize that God, In his infinite grace, mercy, love and sense of humor Has granted me help to find better paths, More scenic routes, And better views to look over. And so, on the last night of the Lenten vigil, I look forward to the sunrise And the son risen, And the new day that will be unending. Thank you, Jesus. 3/27/05 So one year’s death and resurrection has occurred, One year’s celebration of Christ’s resurrection is complete. But let me celebrate his resurrection eternally, Let me look forward to my own. Now that the commemoration of death is ended, Let me laugh!Back
