Author: Amy

-Child of God through the saving grace of Jesus Christ -Pilgrim on the journey through this life -Lover of cats, dogs, great books and music Join me in celebration of the simple joys and encouragement through the hard places.
God’s Wisdom

God’s Wisdom

by Amy ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
In the last post I shared thoughts about Gentle Wisdom.

This is just another name for God’s Wisdom, or the unchangeable wisdom that comes from the eternal. If we acknowledge a Creator we recognize that there is a source of definitive Truth beyond our ephemeral and personal beliefs of the moment. The difficulty in defining this Truth is that it is by necessity beyond our finite capacity to comprehend in its entirety.

For those of us who find this Truth in the Bible

it is described by the Apostle Paul as “secret and hidden…decreed before the ages for our glory,” 1 Corinthians 2:7. He goes on to tell us that the rulers of that age did not understand it or they would not have crucified Jesus. Even a cursory search of history shows that the rulers of all ages seem to have a critical problem living by the wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy (James 3:17).

The fact is that those who wield power in this world

often fail to live up to the standards of the world to come. Which is more evidence of why Christ died for us. Humans don’t seem to be capable of living up to God’s standards, or indeed our own.

Hope is not lost, however.

St. Paul went on to write to the Corinthians that, “What no eye has seen, nor ear hear, not the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Without God, Gentle Wisdom would be unimaginable.

With God all the futility and hopelessness of the present age is alleviated. Even though our rulers disappoint us and we fail to accomplish half of what we intended when we complied our To Do  Opportunities list, Jesus achieved for us glory.

The word glory that is used in the Greek in 2 Corinthians 2:6 is doxa,

which comes from the word for opinion and can also be translated as praise,  approval (2), brightness (1), glories (1), glorious (5), glory (155), honor (1), majesties. Paul tells us that we will receive the good opinion of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Not only does Jesus receive glory because of His death and resurrection,

but we also, as children of God, receive glory as well.

We cannot achieve Gentle Wisdom on our own.

We are unable to grasp the full measure of Truth. Despite our limitations we are blessed by glimpses of glory as we are being slowly transformed by the renewing of our minds to become more like Jesus.  One day we may see Him as He is and live with him in Perfect Truth.

Gentle Wisdom is based upon love.

Love is not a feeling, it is an active choice to place the best interest of the Beloved above our own feelings. Love is self-sacrifice. This is one of the reasons that it is never adequately demonstrated by those in power in this world.

Notwithstanding our human frailties, we can know something of Love and Truth in this life.

St. Paul further tells the early church in Corinth that, “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

The Holy Spirit which was poured out on us in the waters of Holy Baptism

can help us to comprehend something of the Wisdom that is eternal.

” Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.
Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.
“For who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.”1 Corinthians 2:12-16

I find it very interesting that the very next section in Paul’s letter

goes on to discuss the conflict that has been generated in the Corinthians church by factions arguing with one another. He chastens them to remember that we are all one structure in the church and built together with Love.

Gentle Wisdom from God is given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Truth and Love are not out-dated concepts but living forces that have been present since before the world began. In spite of the conflicts and discord we see in the world around us, glory or God’s good opinion is ours through Christ. We are encouraged to get up and face another day without fear because we do not earn Wisdom, it is a gift.

Thanks be to God! Amen!

 

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Hearts and Flowers

Hearts and Flowers

by Amy ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Dear Reader,

Thank you for your patience during the recent lull in my blogging. To explain in the fewest possible words,

I met the man of my dreams and fell in love.

There is nothing like meeting your soul-mate at long last to hijack all your attention and derail all your work plans.

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You are not forgotten readers. I intend to get back on track and begin to post regularly once more.

As we roll into February and everyone else talks roses and chocolates I will attempt to temper all my romantic hopes and thoughts with words of rest and reassurance found in Christ.

That is my plan, my mind may be distracted by thoughts of my Beloved and wedding plans, but I will attempt to share words of inspiration and reflection that will be meaningful for those in all relationship statuses.IMG_2739

I will begin by reflecting on the nature of wisdom.

I wrote before about defining success. Wisdom is often viewed as the quality of having good judgement. In James chapter three wisdom is described as being of two kinds. He refers to one kind of “wisdom” as being, earthly, unspiritual and devilish. This is said to come from envy and selfish ambition. He said that this type of wisdom leads to every kind of wickedness.

James is right in pointing out to us that why we are looking for wisdom will often affect what type of wisdom we acquire.

If we merely want to prove a point we look only for the facts that substantiate our opinion. We may not even consider or notice factors that work against our preconceived notions. Our ambitions can easily blind us.

The other type of wisdom that James mentions is A Gentle Wisdom described in James 3:17,

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.”

In my opinion this is the wisdom I value the most. I don’t want to be blinded by an agenda. I do not appreciate ideas that are driven by someone’s ulterior motives.

The quest to find Gentle Wisdom is long and arduous.

The journey has a variety of challenges and the landscape changes and we are refashioned by the adventure. This is the pilgrimage of life. If we are not shaped and refined by the process we are not really engaged in the journey.

When we encounter life fully and skirmish with the truth we learn more of Gentle Wisdom.

In some respects it is only possible to see this wisdom after we are wounded and battle-hardened by the struggle of life. Wisdom is the reward of those who grapple with Truth and Life. Those looking for the easy way inevitably end up seduced by the worldly wisdom that leads to despair. For those who undertake the campaign for Truth the victory is not the cessation of all difficulty, but the blessing of Gentle Wisdom.

Endeavor to hold fast to the Truth and Gentle Wisdom will be the crown that is placed upon the head of the righteous.

If we fight for a crown of our own making we will drive ourselves to defeat. Abide in Christ-the Truth and victory is assured.

Grace and Blessings on you all in 2016!
Check Out the Devotion on Ephesians 5:1-2

Check Out the Devotion on Ephesians 5:1-2

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Why don’t you check out the devotion that I wrote for Deeper Waters? Just click the link below.

http://deeperwaters.us/who-are-we-following/

This is the image that came to my mind based on the devotion that I wrote for today's text on Ephesians 5:1-2.
This is the image that came to my mind based on the devotion that I wrote for today’s text on Ephesians 5:1-2.
Did You Study Bacon?

Did You Study Bacon?

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On The Bookshelf #2

At the end of October when I linked up with F.M.F. (Five Minute Friday’s) the surprise word was “bacon.” Everyone seemed to be discussing meat. Given my propensity to think unconventionally I originally thought of Francis Bacon (1561-1626). His essays are some of his most popular works. A nice copy graces my bookshelf.

My favorite of the essays is “Of Studies.” It is in describing the virtue and value of studies that Bacon applies his wit to great effect.

Biography.com
Biography.com

Francis Bacon encourages us to, “Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.”

“Some books are to be tasted, others swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested…”

I find that I swallow novels. I chew and digest history and I taste many books before deciding if they will suit me. In fact, essays like Bacon’s are very suitable books to taste.

Forgive the pun, friends, I could not resist.

Do you choose books based upon their popularity, friends’ opinions, theme, genre or availability? I find different criteria suit different purposes. I find a work of history needs more time to chew and digest, while a volume of verse may be consumed in a brief evening.

I am more particular in selecting a work of historical fiction than I am in choosing contemporary fiction. I am not well able to tolerate a poor understanding of the history in a work of historical fiction. A well researched work by an author with a good grasp of the era can be most compelling, while an engaging story and style will make an effective contemporary work alone.

This month I am devoting time to writing my own piece of historical fiction. I am finding that historical fiction can be more challenging to write than historical fact. The need to keep the drama and pace falls squarely upon the shoulders of the novelist, while the scholar can rely upon the fact that history tends to provide its’ own drama.

The Bookshelf #1

The Bookshelf #1

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This is the first post of the series On The Bookshelf. 

I thought I would start with

a book…

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He ate and drank the precious words,                                                                   His spirit grew robust;                                                                                                   He knew no more that he was poor,                                                                         Nor that his frame was dust.                                                                                         He danced along the dingy days,                                                                                  And this bequest of wings                                                                                           Was but a book. What liberty                                                                                        A loosened spirit brings!

-Emily Dickinson

 

I decided that we would begin the thoughts of what is on my bookshelves with a bit of pocket-poetry. In the days before smart phones made it easy to carry volumes of poetry in your purse or back pocket I bought these little volumes from the Easton Press. I love the compact size and there is nowhere that you cannot use a good poem. They have travelled through many a mundane day with me.

The novel that I am writing has me traveling back in time and across the sea. It is nice to come back and sink into something short, satisfying and soulful like a classic poem. Books are a chance to fly to far-flung kingdoms and experience a life that we would never know if not for the exquisite agony of being trapped in a book.

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I will be here again on Friday for another installment of On the Bookshelf and I will tidy the shelves themselves so that I do not have to photograph the books on the floor. I will also drop a few more hints about the book that is taking form as my imaginations tries to migrate into my computer.

Keep writing and reading!

Gravel

Gravel

by Amy ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Today is the final day of A Fresh Look at the Beauty found in Ordinary Things. The 31 Days series is completed with gravel.

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When I choose the list of ordinary items I wanted to include some that would seem obviously to have beauty, like cats and dogs, and some that would be challenging, like gravel and potatoes. After hunting for beauty in the ordinary for a number of years I knew I could find beauty in the humblest rocks.

I want to get to actual gravel, but allow me to start with other rocks. If I had listed rocks, some might have thought of things like big diamonds, since they are called rocks. I wanted us to think of commonplace rocks. The only difference between a lump of coal and a diamond is pressure. They both consist of pure carbon. Sometimes the difference between something prized and another thing dismissed can be very simple. 

Gravel was as humble as I could pick out. Common and unappreciated rocks are used to line driveways and backcountry roads. Leftover rocks for the most part make up gravel.

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Have you ever looked closely at wet gravel? Some of the stones are quite striking. Granites, and marbles are mixed in with sandstone and slate. All of the left overs from stone quarries and industrial production ends up in the mix.

Gravel is made up of the fragments of the rock world. They are the bits that no one else wanted.

Have you ever felt like human gravel? 

Most people do at some point. We all experience the school dance we weren’t invited to, or the club we weren’t chosen for, or the job we didn’t get or phone call that never came.

The beauty of gravel is that it has a new life. The beautiful red granite sliver that did not make it onto the countertop in the designer kitchen is part of a path. The richly veined black marble that did not become a piece of someones’ floor is keeping the dust down on someone else’s driveway.

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No matter how small the piece there is a new use.

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I have a miniature, indoor garden that I planted in a Wardian Case. The garden has a little path, bench and arbor. The entire garden is less than twenty inches long. The gravel in the path is minute. I water the garden by misting it with a plant-sprayer. When the gravel is wet it shimmers. They are beautiful stones, even though they are mere specks.

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Not one of us is less important for all our sense of our own status.

In reality it doesn’t matter how many Facebook friends we have, or how large our platform may be. The size of our family and the size of our bank account are equally as meaningless. The truth is that each one of us is of so much value that God Himself came and died on the cross to bear the burden for our sinfulness.

If you are sitting alone in a nursing home you are every bit as important as the most photographed celebrity. The hard-working fast-food worker is as rich as those on the Forbes 400.  You are priceless!

Don’t ever think of yourself as leftover or overlooked. You have not been forgotten. You were planned before the creation of the universe and given a place and role that only you can fill.

“…just as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love”.-Ephesians 1;4

You are worth more than diamonds. You are part of God’s divine plan. Even if you feel like you have been placed in the gravel pile. You are made for a purpose. You are an important piece of a path. No one else is like you. No one can take your place.

You are a rock!

Bacon?

Bacon?

by Amy ♥ 2 Comments

Today I am linking up with the team for Five Minute Friday over at Kate Motaung’s site. I read the word they picked for the random five minute free-write. At first I thought I misread the word, but then I read Kate’s post explaining it and a smile spread all over my face. The word begin was misread by a kid for bacon. In the beginning there was some bacon? Well, no. Check this one out at Kate’s and then accept my humble offering.

Go:

Bacon is a delectable meat that my whole family enjoys. It adds a salty-heartiness to many meals. I just added some to a chicken campfire stew I served for supper.

But this time bacon has to do with beginning. It could remind us of breakfast at the beginning of the day. However, being inclined to the not so likely, it reminded me of my favorite recipe for bacon. This is not a food blog, but I must share this with you.

marthastewart.com
marthastewart.com
  • Line a sheet pan with foil.
  • Heat the broiler for 550 degrees and place the strips of bacon on the foil.
  • Lightly drizzle real maple syrup over the bacon and cook until crispy.

The sweetness of the maple syrup combined with the salty of the smoky bacon is incredible. The syrup caramelizes on the bacon adding to the complexity.

Here is the odd part. The sweet reminds me of Psalm 119:103 about the sweetness of the word of God and salty reminds me of the salt with which Jesus told us we needed to be preserved. The word and salty grace are the perfect combination for any day. Maple-Bacon is not on everyone’s approved diet, but the Word shared with grace is perfect for everyone.

Done:

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth.-Psalm 119:103

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.    -Matthew 5:13

I am going to make it a point to remind myself to pass out Spiritual-Maple-Bacon this week. Best of all it will make a perfect addition to any breakfast. It is the perfect way to begin the day.

P.S. The first thing I thought of was Francis Bacon, but I thought he would be more appropriate for next month when I will be sharing some favorite reads from my bookshelves. Besides, I didn’t want everyone to know I am that odd. Oops, I just told you.

Biography.com
Biography.com
Boots

Boots

by Amy ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

We are nearing the end of the 31 Days series. I am sorry that yesterday’s post did not make it up on time. My internet reception was down last evening. So, today you receive the one that I thoughtfully prepared yesterday and a lighthearted one for today as well. Fall is more than a month old and it is time to think of the wind and boots. One is serious and the other is silly. I hope you have some fun with the one below.

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I live in a lovely locale, where four beautiful seasons provide variety. We are blessed with enough precipitation to keep the spring and summer green. I even enjoy  winter snow. Mud does not strike me as propitious. As the leaves tumble-down and the temperatures drop I have pulled my boots out of summer slumber. I have not needed boots, but I can wear the cute boots once again.

Today I sported black riding-boots trimmed with ruffles. The leaves all covering the ground prevented me from stepping in any unpleasantness, but just under the carpet of gold in my driveway I noticed something I forgot about. Mud was just underneath.

Somehow, I forgot about the nature of the beast. I was remembering snow and cooler weather. I had utterly mislaid the main reason why boots are useful. Mud comes out as the grass and weeds lose their lush summer growth.

For all its’ sticky, ugliness mud does serve a purpose. It is a reminder that the ground is soft and workable. Farmers will need to plow their fall fields. There are cool weather crops that need moisture to grow. I could focus my attention on the ugly since it doesn’t serve me. I find it hard to find  very much comfort. I don’t have a farm. But then I remember, that boots will prevent the worst of the mud.

They used to say that even the darkest rain-cloud has a silver lining. No matter how sticky the mud, it won’t pull the cute boots off your feet.

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A Fair Wind Blowing

A Fair Wind Blowing

by Amy ♥ 1 Comment

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We usually think of a fair wind as one that will blow us into our desired port. Autumn winds do not generally meet this description in my view. A late October wind can destroy two weeks worth of glorious leaves in one night.

The glory of the hills can last well into November, but only if we have no big storms. It was no breeze that blew through my hills. Goodly wind gusts ripped the golden glory from the hills and sent the leaves eddying like mini-cyclones on the streets.

I always grieve to see the Autumn foliage go.It will not return until next year. October winds are not fair.

It left me pondering, however, how we define a fair wind. I have a friend with lung disease who tells me that she doesn’t ever like the wind. She told me it feels like it is stealing her breath. I don’t mind the wind at any time but this.

I have read of ships becalmed at sea in the days of sail threatening death for all aboard. Sometimes we need the wind, at other times we do not. We typically define a fair wind as one that benefits us in the near-term.

Somehow all this left me pondering the Holy Spirit. The Greek word used to describe Him is the word for spirit, wind or breath. Do we define God as fair? A famous hymn describes Jesus as shining fairer than all the stars in the sky. What about the Holy Spirit? Does He blow us where we want to go? Or is it where we need to go? Do we define the way God moves through us based upon how much we want to go where He takes us?

I wonder if we categorize Gods’ will as fair or foul depending upon our pleasure? My opinion of wind is purely a matter of aesthetics. I’m contemplating whether I apply my standards to God as I do to wind. Who is the master and who is the unworthy servant?

Holy Spirit, blow me wherever You will. Forgive me for expecting You to fit my definitions. I recognize that You are infinite and I am not. Help me to go faithfully where you blow me and keep me always ready to call you fair. Amen.