Category: Challenge

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Obedience

Proposed Baptismal Covenant Additions

The Episcopal Church has a process whereby things are added to parts of the Prayer Book. The Baptismal Covenant is under review right now. (I won’t try to elaborate on the process that goes through General Convention, etc.) These following statements are being considered for inclusion in the Covenant.

  • Will you strive for justice and peace among all, and respect the dignity of the Earth and of every human being?
    • I will with God’s Help
  • Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?
    • I will with God’s Help

I think those are terrific statements to make, especially if we hold to them dearly as we do the other statements.

The Book of Common Prayer Pages 304-305

Read these prayerfully, perhaps renewing your commitment to faith in God.

CelebrantDo you believe in God the Father?
PeopleI believe in God, the Father almighty,
    creator of heaven and earth.
 
CelebrantDo you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
PeopleI believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
    He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
        and born of the Virgin Mary.
    He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
        was crucified, died, and was buried.
    He descended to the dead.
    On the third day he rose again.
    He ascended into heaven,
        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
 
CelebrantDo you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
PeopleI believe in the Holy Spirit,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting.
 
CelebrantWill you continue in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the
prayers?
PeopleI will, with God’s help.
 
CelebrantWill you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
PeopleI will, with God’s help.
CelebrantWill you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
PeopleI will, with God’s help.

304    Holy Baptism

CelebrantWill you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
PeopleI will, with God’s help.
 
CelebrantWill you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?
PeopleI will, with God’s help.
 
CelebrantWill you strive for justice and peace among all
people, and respect the dignity of every human
being?
PeopleI will, with God’s help.

I pray these are things that you also hold to in your faith walk.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Illness and Health, Music, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Yield

Refuge

This seems to be a week of musical postings! I write them out as they come to me. We are traveling one day this week. Then we are packing for a week away. House sitter coming to stay with Lucky dog.

I have been working really hard with a friend on editing the poetry collection and preparing it to self-publish. I was told it would be hard work, but at times I am surprised HOW hard! The satisfaction though is almost unbelievable. Perhaps it will be ready before Easter!! Then I can apply myself more diligently on a booklet about relationship with God or prayer life.

Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

My God is One who will listen. I will learn how to express the word list of emotions to my Father.

So I listened to the song below and this prayer formed in my soul.

My heart opens to tell You
trusted Father and Brother
Pain left toe and right elbow
left finger - pinball machine at work
Lifted by cello to Your arms and Presence 

Rest, holy rest
Honey syrup of rest, truth, light
poured into dark of pain

Listening and praying, there was ease and some relief. There are times we just need to come to a stop. And rest there. Pausing in the presence of the Holy. See if that might help you, too.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Nature, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline

Swans

Many of our local parks now have white swans. As I drive past the park I love glancing over to see what the swans are doing. Last year the pair mated and the park built a barrier shield for their nest. They seem to glide effortlessly over the water, but there is activity under the water level, as this video shows! I love seeing their necks extend underwater, too!

Here is some nature data about swans. “While their floating abilities are impressive, swans are also skilled swimmers. Their large, webbed feet act like paddles, propelling them through the water. A typical mute swan’s swimming speed is around 1.6 miles per hour, but they can achieve bursts of speed by oaring with their webbed feet. And when they wish to really pick up pace, they can even use their outstretched wings to take advantage of the wind which allows them to move across the water more efficiently.

“Swans, along with other water birds like ducks and geese (all members of the order Anseriformes), have developed specialized features that enable them to float. These adaptations exploit two key scientific principles: surface tension and buoyancy. From https://enviroliteracy.org/do-swans-float-in-water/

So what looks like magical floating is truly large paddle feet either directing their course or moving them along. Also, an innate ability for bouyancy to match the surface tension. In the video I also noticed the tail wiggle seems to adjust like a rudder?

What about folks that seem to float along in their spiritual life? Surface tension does not seem to faze them. It might look as if they never struggle with God. Some even go so far as to say that person has a direct line to God! I do not think that is true. Looks can be deceiving. God sees them in their ‘prayer closet’ and when they fight off evil. God knows the secret places of their hearts. All of us struggle when it comes to pursuing God. We only see their outward demeanor and we make judgements based upon that. The New Testament writers stress repeatedly that they are no different than we are. (See Ephesians 3:7-8, Galatians 1:15-16, 2 Corinthians 1:15-16, 2 Timothy 1:9)

So what makes them seem so different than we might see ourselves? I believe it is perhaps their the constant pursuit of Jesus, the hunger and thirst for righteousness. Like the swan, floating, paddling, swimming, diving under, those folks put seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness the number #1 priority in their lives.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NRSVUE

Where are you this Lent in your pursuit the Holy One? Perhaps like the opening photo, we could use this time to lean into knowing more about the highest and best that we are individually called to!

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NRSVUE

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Focus, Illness and Health, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust, Worship, Yield

Quicken

Recently an entry by Amy Carmichael in her book, Edges of His Ways, brought my attention to this word. It is not used much in today’s English. I was feeling worn out and weary by all the medical hoopla. I certainly need the Lord to quicken me as only God can.

The word quicken is used in the King James Version of the Bible, and it means “revive or make alive.” If something is living, it is “quick”; to “quicken” something is to bring it to life or restore it to a former flourishing condition. I seriously needed restoration and the promise in Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”

For many years I read 5 Psalms each morning. Because it is so bloomin’ long, I broke up Psalm 119 into 22 selections for days 1-22 of each month. Some Bibles show Hebrew letters at the beginning of each stanza. Those correspond to the Hebrew alphabet, (which I do not read).

It can be depicted this way.

Back to the main topic here! Quicken lead me to do a study of the passages in Psalm 119. Psalm 119 has so many references for this word.

Revive me, give me life, be gracious, enliven me. I imagine most of us if not all of us could use more of this from God. Perhaps the best way to present this to you is simply to list the passages with the references? That way you can read it for yourselves and apply them prayerfully to your life.

Psalm 119:25  KJV reads My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. NIV reads My soul clings to the dust, revive me according to your word.

Psalm 119:107 KJV I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. NRSVUE I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

Clinging to dust. Severely afflicted. Yep, just done worn out. God can handle this even when we cannot in our own strength.

Psalm 119: 40 KJV Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. NRSVUE See, I have longed for your precepts;  in your righteousness be gracious to me.

As we long for His precepts {divine principles, guidelines, statutes, and instructions that God has set forth for righteous living} … as we long for these guidelines and instructions from God, God is gracious to us through righteousness. We long, God fulfills. Do you truly long for these?

This might sound all too simple, but this is the Word of God. There are promises here. We will be restored as we cling to the Word and walk in the ways God shows us to walk.

Psalm 119:50 KJV This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. NRSVUE This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life.

If you have not chosen an activity for this Lenten season to draw you closer to the Father, perhaps studying these verses might do the trick?

Psalm 119:88 KJV Quicken me after thy loving kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth NRSVUE  In your steadfast love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

Psalm 119:93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. NRSVUE I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Psalm 119:37 KJV Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. NRSVUE Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; be gracious to me {give me life} according to your word.

Psalm 119: 149 KJV Hear my voice according unto thy loving kindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment. NRSVUE In your steadfast love hear my voice;  O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.

Psalm: 159 KJV Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy loving kindness. NRSVUE Consider how I love your precepts: be gracious to me {give me life} according to your steadfast love.

Psalm 119:156 KJV Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.NRSVUE Great is your mercy, O Lord; be gracious to me {give me life} according to your justice.

That might seem like a lot of digest. I hope you did not just blow through the verses. I think if you will ponder them you will find them a source for better understanding what the Psalmist knew about God and how you can draw closer for a better understanding for yourself.

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Music, Poetry, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth

Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness

Medication was making it tough to sleep. This phrase dropped into my mind. I was uncertain as to entire lyrics. You have to love this aspect of the internet. I entered the phrase and then I had entire song lyrics, author etc. Here is my story about Whittier and the song.


Dear Lord and Father of Mankind | John G. Whittier written 1872. I have a book of poetry by him that belonged to my grandfather. We had it recovered as it was starting to fall apart.

  1. Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
    Forgive our foolish ways;
    Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
    In purer lives Thy service find,
    In deeper rev’rence, praise.
  2. O Sabbath rest by Galilee,
    O calm of hills above,
    Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
    The silence of eternity,
    Interpreted by love!
  3. Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
    Till all our strivings cease;
    Take from our souls the strain and stress,
    And let our ordered lives confess
    The beauty of Thy peace.
  4. Breathe through the heats of our desire
    Thy coolness and Thy balm;
    Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
    Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
    O still, small Voice of calm.
  5. In simple trust like theirs who heard
    Beside the Syrian sea
    The gracious calling of the Lord,
    Let us, like them, without a word,
    Rise up and follow Thee.

Pursuing the topic today I looked it up online. Wikipedia said:

“The text of the hymn is taken from a longer poem, “The Brewing of Soma“. The poem was first published in the April 1872 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. Soma was a sacred ritual drink in Vedic religion, going back to Proto-Indo-Iranian times (ca. 2000 BC), possibly with hallucinogenic properties.

“The storyline is of Vedic priests brewing and drinking Soma in an attempt to experience divinity. It describes the whole population getting drunk on Soma. It compares this to some Christians’ use of “music, incense, vigils drear, and trance, to bring the skies more near, or lift men up to heaven!” But all in vain – it is mere intoxication.

“Whittier ends by describing the true method for contact with the divine, as practised by Quakers: sober lives dedicated to doing God’s will, seeking silence and selflessness in order to hear the “still, small voice”, described in I Kings 19:11-13 as the authentic voice of God, rather than earthquake, wind or fire.

The poem opens with a quote from the Rigveda, attributed to Vasishtha:

These libations mixed with milk have been prepared for Indra:
offer Soma to the drinker of Soma. (Rv. vii. 32, trans. Max Müller).

So I found the poem in my grandfather’s book. It has seventeen stanzas. Reading it reminded me of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and elsewhere where the celebrants go carnally nuts just before Lent begins. “Mardi Gras, which is also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day of indulgence that marks the end of Carnival.”

So the hymn writers took various stanzas from his poem and arranged them out of order. I want to add one that they seemed to have left out.

With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and work that drown
The tender whisper of thy call,
As noiseless let thy blessing fall
As fell thy manna down.

Yes, Lord help us to stop using too many words with You. To wait for the tender whisper of Your call, Your blessing as when Your fell manna. Feed us today with Your word of encouragement, challenge and joy. Yes, we are to once again return to stillness.

Oh crap. Remember those Post-its with so much adhesive? One took off some of the print in Grandfather’s old book of poetry, the poem entitled Disarmament. Foolish me used teh Post-it to count the stanzas and figure out what the hymn folks left out. I found the complete poem online and restored the words. But goodness! Was that necessary? Guess with this brain adjusting yet again to a higher dose of medication, I do stupid things.

Things that make this writer go, “GRR!”

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Listen, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Worship, Yield

At Worship Last Sunday

There were a couple phrases that jumped out at me in our worship for the Second Sunday in Lent. During the Great Thanksgiving our priest read, “You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey. ” This language of liturgy is lofty, yet simple in truth.

Breath to humankind … we each have this breath. Do we give the Creator credit for gifting us with this life and breath? Do we recognize that every human being has been given this same holy breath? Are willing to give thanks for them, too?

Continuing with the Eucharist: “And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ …

Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!

How many times outside of a church building do we remember all that was done for us by Christ? If you make it your practice to review the things listed in this liturgy regarding all that was done for you, it is difficult not to be grateful and give praise to our Risen Lord. Perhaps copy that one sentence and make it your practice for the remaining days of this Lenten season?

Remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ!

This might just change your Lenten appreciation. Holding what has been done for us before our hearts and minds can be life giving and bring mighty levels of joy. And how about that Acclaim of faith? “Dying, you destroyed our death. Rising, you restored our life. Christ Jesus, come in glory!”

I think this rendition of the Risen Christ might be the most delightful I have ever seen? Have you ever pictured the event in your spirit? Do you ever just sit with your image and give thanks?

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NRSVUE

May this Lent find you giving more attention to Jesus and His mighty work than to your own affairs. Even things done in the Name of Christ can detract from our focus on our Savior. Give Him your all and you will not be disappointed in the return on your investment. His finished work is not to be underestimated!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Journal, Listen, Nature, Obedience, Poetry, politics, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Yield

Still at a Center Point

Before dawn today there was a four bird chorus raising praise to the Lord for His goodness and holiness. The northern Cardinal, Carolina wren, American robin and tufted Titmouse were raising a continuous singing of triumph and might. I know, because I asked the Merlin Bird app from Cornell University to identify them for me.

How have you lifted your voice today? What time did you begin? Did you lie in bed bemoaning the day or the rough night of pain?

Perhaps we would benefit more by taking a fresh look at the goodness of God to bring us through the night and unrolling before us another day of living and loving?

Amy Carmichael wrote in Edges of His Ways:

Psalm 19:10, R.V. margin: The droppings of the honeycomb.
This morning I found this marginal reading which was just the word I wanted at the moment. There are times when we cannot read much or even think much. But if we are quiet we shall hear little sweet words dropping into our hearts, “sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.” I need not write them; they will be different perhaps to each one of us, but they will be comforting and strengthening too; and we shall go on our way for another day, fed and refreshed.

If we are willing to get still at the center point of our souls I believe we will hear “little sweet words dropping into our hearts.” Perhaps not every single time we get still, but the incidences will increase as we employ the practice.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

T. S. Elliott said:

“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.”

I pray you will get still enough to hear those little sweet words dropping into your heart.

In this present moment, have stillness. Breathe.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Worship, Yield

Stillness is Like

Stillness is like coming to a center point and waiting. Not waiting on the starting block of a foot race.

Above is that point in the race where runners are poised for action. In contrast, the stillness we need more of in our lives is the stillness where we learn to wait in peace and collectedness. Listening for that still, small voice of God. The place where the promises below are fulfilled.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8 NIV

And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21 NRSVUE

It takes practice to listen in this way. And practice leads to better listening during the hubbub of life. Can we agree unreservedly with Isaiah 50?

The Lord God has given me
    a trained tongue,
that I may know how to sustain
    the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens,
    wakens my ear
    to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
    and I was not rebellious;
    I did not turn backward. Isaiah 50:4-5 NRSVUE

I, for one, have a long way to go in yielding my ears to hear God and yielding my tongue to speak words of comfort and encouragement in due season! Listening, practicing stillness, will most assuredly get me to that goal more thoroughly than any other method I have ever found.

Holy and Mighty One help me to give myself over to this stillness and listening to Your voice, I pray.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Yield

Lenten Season

The season in the church calendar called Lent is here! It does not have to be all prune-faced dislike. In an effort to draw closer to God, we can forsake (give up) something for this 40 days. I prefer to embrace something I have neglected. Confession of my sin can be one thing I tend to neglect.

Why should we have a time of self examination in the Christian church? This is one way to safeguard against delusion. A serious safeguard against just going through the motions of religion, “playing church.” Are we transparent in wanting to change our ways from self and flesh to God and the plan Christ laid out for His indwelling us? The powers of self examination and confession, forgiveness and redemption should not be underestimated.

The Book of Common Prayer has us confess “we have sinned against God in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.” We then go on to acknowledge that “we have not loved God with our whole heart; and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.” And I also add I have not loved myself as God would want me to do.

It is important to stop there and ponder in what ways are these statements true? It is far too easy to memorize a prayer and blow past the significance of how these sentiments apply to us personally.

Stop. Ponder. Confess. Pray for forgiveness. There is not a single one of us who does not need this. We all fall short of God’s highest and best for us.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my thoughts. Psalm 139:23 NRSVUE

God asks us to search and know our own hearts, test and know our thoughts along with Him. This is our work as well as His. We are so easily deceived. We fool ourselves more often than we might think we do!

Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5a NRSVUE

As realization dawns upon you, write down what you see as your shortcoming, and acknowledge that you are out of line with God’s ways. Then tell God you are sorry and ask for help in changing your ways.

God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us. Yes, Lord! Perhaps you will embrace self examination and confession this Lent. One of our priests says her dad who was a priest used to tell people , “Have a miserable Lent!” I, too, hope that yours would be miserably holy. As we seek to draw closer to God we see how far we fall short of His likeness. Let God help you move closer to that goal of living holiness this season.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship, Yield

Imbibition Part 2

So I left off in Part 1 asking you to get into your Bible, feed on the Word of God. Part 2 is below. It takes about 6 minutes to read. I hope you find it interesting!

PART 2: Ponder that enduring and abiding Word, living and imperishable seed. Perhaps instead of being the farmer that scatters the seed, are we the ground where it grows? Now that seed was planted in each of us and Scripture says we do not know how it grows into a Kingdom.  That does not mean we are ignorant as to how to foster that growth and nurture its presence within us. “Oh, but I am so fearful.” The Word does not say to only grow when you have no fear, or when you are not too busy, or when it feels right to you. Your excuses are nothing new under the sun.  Trust me.  God has heard them all through every generation of human beings.  He will make a way for you to grow in His kingdom.

            This quote is from a book at the Cincinnati Nature Center Library Living Earth. At the time I copied the information I failed to write down the author, etc. The librarian at the Lloyd Library in Cincinnati was able to track it down for me. The book was written in 1959 by Peter Farb. I took the quote from the chapter entitled The World of the Root: “A blacktop road is often punctured by seedlings which have forced their way through three inches of asphalt. The force that allows them to grow through asphalt is what scientists call imbibition.  Take a substance that can absorb water, confine it in a narrow space, water it, and it will swell with power enough to split rocks.  Even a ship’s cargo of beans, if water reaches it, can expand and burst the hold.”  Imbibition: to consume, absorb, soak up [as in] water, heat and light.  Imbibition for the Christian would involve the Word of God, the imperishable seed by which we have been born anew into eternal life, living and growing within us through consuming, absorbing and soaking up …..what?

Plant growing out of concrete

            No plant can grow without water.  This very specific need for every seed has been known since men became gardener/gatherers.  Seeds need soil and water.  Today we are discovering that they can even do without soil if grown hydroponically.  However, that water is essential.  So where are we to get water?  Jesus knew we would ask that and He provided answers.  In John 4 He is speaking with the woman at the well. The NIV in verses 13-14 read

 “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” 

Here is a comparison chart of several translations.  Anyway you read it we will get very wet!

spring of water              welling up         (NIV)

well of water                 springing up      (NASB)

fountain of water           springing up      (NKJV)

spring of water              gushing up        (NRSV)

And in case we missed the point, He made it again at the Temple ceremony recorded in John 7: 38  NKJV as “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Okay, so where did Jesus get the idea for this seed and farmer parable in the first place?  Did someone just add this when stories were written down?  We don’t hear this taught very much! I was pleasantly surprised to have the following verse from Isaiah pointed out to me during morning reading one day.

Isaiah 61: 11 NIV For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

This comes after Jesus reads a portion of Isaiah in the Temple and then teaches them saying the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me to perform all kinds of deliverances and wonderful things. Today this is fulfilled in your hearing. Remember that Jesus read many of the same Old Testament books that you have access to today. 

I do not believe He was certain in His manhood HOW the Kingdom of God would be accomplished in every minute detail.  He was fully man and fully God.  As fully man how could He comprehend all of that?  I do not know, but I am willing to let that be folded up in mystery for now.  I do know Jesus taught this parable and it has meaning for us today.  He has made a way for us to be reborn through the imperishable seed of the Word, born into the Kingdom.  Although it is getting dark and scary out in the world, He continues to provide a way for our growth.  One of those ways is through a river of living water running through our spirit by His indwelling and abiding with us

The same Isaiah passage in NRSV reads “For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.” 

Now that will really be something!  As the darkness gets darker and the garden of God continues to grow, His crop will be righteousness and praise springing up before all the nations.  Righteousness and praise.  We should know by now that we have no righteousness of our own.  If you think you might have a smidgen of righteousness, show it to our Father.  He will inform you if it passes the Blood test of Jesus.  The Word teaches us that all Praise belongs to God.  Therefore, as this crop of righteousness and praise arises from God’s garden, the crop that will be harvested before the nations, it will surely be all about Jesus. (I have had a repeated experience while typing this of having to correct a typo – darknmess.  Well, it surely is a dark mess is it not?)

In ACTS 19:20 the NRSV reads:  “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”

Are you ready to take this challenge for growth and life and imbibition regardless of the rocks piled upon your box? Are you asking Father God for more of that Living Water? I will post Part 3 next week. It has a full explanation of Imbibition.