Monday, February 20, 2012

Burdens, weariness, and rest (part 2)

The newly-turned young married woman at the end of the Part 1 post has now grown up quite a bit. In the last few weeks, I have been coming to terms with what I feel is the truth about my adult experience with churches and the Church, big and small C's.  That little girl who grew up in the bosom of the Church, in close community and communion with the Lord, found out that unless she invest in her faith and her faith community, the foundation that was built in her early life will deteriorate.

That's where I am now, camped in the cracked, propped, and shimmed foundations where I grew up, realizing that I can't build on a foundation that needs repair.  I've got work to do.

Here's my meditation passage for today: 

Hebrews 6 (NIV)

 "1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

 9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."







Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Monday short

My children are downstairs, making up songs and singing at the top of their lungs.  They crack up, laughing.  Some are songs about sagging pants and pee, but really, I'd expect that from 7 and 11 year-old boys.  Their boisterous rollicking is likely fueled by the freshly-baked cookies that are rapidly disappearing next to the stove.  Today's Cookie Day recipes were for coconut-sugar cookies, and oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies with coconut.  Though Hero doesn't like coconut nearly as much as I do, I am fortunate enough to have sons who understand my need for this favorite flavor.  Spark and I have a deal to do something with coconut and marshmallows for next Cookie Day.