God Loves

God loves fiercely—always has, always will. Imagine this heavenly conversation:

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

The iridescent blue orb called Earth hung like a jeweled pendant in the dark velvet of space. If One looked through the atmosphere that encased the globe, He could see that it was already teeming with life: fish in the seas, birds in the air, all kinds of creeping and walking creatures on the dry land.

"Yes, it is. It's all quite good, but—" He paused.

"I know. It isn't finished yet, is it?"

"True. It isn't finished yet."

They waited.

"Let us make mankind," One said. "Make him in our image! We will provide for him, nurture him, and most of all, love him!"

"Yes, oh yes! But wait! You said 'in our image'?"

"Yes, according to our own likeness."

"We would give him a will? He could choose?"

"Yes."

"But—but he may not love us back!"

"Yes, he may not."

They waited again.

"We should make man," One finally said, "and we should make him with a heart like ours—a heart to will, to create, to love and be loved."

"We know what will happen . . . " The sad statement hung in the air, unended.

"Yes, we know. But some will turn their hearts toward us. And they are worth it."

"Oh yes!  I would rather die than live without them."

And so the work of creation, including the making of mankind, was finished.

You would think that we would love God fiercely in return, wouldn't you? Sometimes we do.

Often we do not.

MaryMartha

Vessels of God

The summer my daughter was too old to go to the Latchkey program at school and too young to get a job, we decided to enroll in a ceramics class together. We shared our clay and tools and our successes and failures. We didn't become good artists, but we did have some good times together! I have a very tall pot from that summer, about eighteen inches tall, that my daughter made by the coil method. I have a single mug left from my own early attempts to form something on the wheel. All of my efforts ended up about teacup size because I never did develop the touch that was required to build height in a pot.

There are a lot of things we can learn from the potter and how she works with the clay, lessons which we can readily transfer to our experience of God working with us. There is the beating that the clay takes to work the air out of it before it is placed on the wheel. There are the sharp instruments that dig out any imperfections that come to the surface. There is the dizzying whirl of the wheel itself, and the constant drip of water onto the work in progress. Sometimes there is piercing or etching to form designs or to inscribe the artist's name in the wet clay. All of that has meaning for our lives, but I especially want to note something about pressure.

One craftswoman described her work like this:

"Both my hands shaped this pot. And the place where it actually forms is a place of tension between the pressure applied from the outside and the pressure of the hand on the inside." She goes on to explain that that's the way life is. Sadness and death and financial problems and misfortune and failure—all these are things that influence our lives from the outside, even though we don't choose them. But there are things at work on the inside of us too, if we are women who have given our lives to God. Confidence in a faithful God is there, and things I can believe about myself because I know that He loves me, and the affirmation and support of friends. My life, like the finished pot off the wheel is the result of what happened on the outside and what was going on inside of me. Life, like the pot, comes into being in places of tension.

Throughout our days, we may be buffeted by stress, pulled by responsibilities, pressed by challenges that come to us from the outside. Unless we have strength of spirit on the inside, those difficulties will cause us to collapse under the external pressure. (Like most of my pots did!) Prayer, uplifting music, the Word of God, fellowship with other Christians—these help us to be renewed and restored within. Then when things press from the outside, when difficulties overwhelm us or we are wearied with the ordinariness of life, we are strong enough on the inside to hold our shape. We become sturdy, useful, and beautiful vessels in the household of God.

And news with great hope! God remakes vessels too, if we will be pliable in His hands. At the potter's house, the prophet Jeremiah saw what happens when a pot doesn't turn out right. "So he made it again another vessel." (See Jeremiah 18:1-4)

Probably there are very few of us who are exactly the vessel we originally thought we would become. We've been marred by our disappointments and our mistaken plans and even our failures. But our lives are not defined by our limiting influences: a handicap, a crippling emotion, a troubled family background (or a troubled situation in the home right now), a bad decision made in the past, a failure, shame over a personal or family "secret," lack of education, a child born at an inconvenient time, whatever!

From the point where we are now, we're likely never to become what we were so sure we would one day be! That's all right. It doesn't matter to God. He has a plan, and He's not wasting any time lamenting about what might have been. He's busy making another vessel. HE HAS A PLAN! He sees each of us as a beautiful, useful vessel of honor. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

MaryMartha

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Is God Necessary?

I read today in a news item that two eminent scientists have authored a new book arguing that the idea of a Creator-God is redundant. Because of natural laws such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason the world exists and why we are here! It is not necessary, they claim, to invoke God into the process.

"In the beginning, GOD .  .  .  "

Since I have not read their book, I don't know whether the authors say there is no God, or just that He isn't necessary. But in the very first place, the vast nothingness of space was formed by Him! "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." (Genesis 1:1, 2 NLT) God began speaking His "Let there be . . ." commands, and lo! something did come from nothing! No God necessary for creation? I cannot stretch my imagination that far.

Voltaire was a French philosopher and prolific writer living 1694-1778. He was sometimes critical of the Church and organized religion; nevertheless, he stated, "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to create him." We need God. He put it all together, and He is the One who holds it together! "We look at this Son [Christ] and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body." (Colossians 1:15-18 MSG)

Many scientists have for a long time been trying to explain the mystery of the universe's creation without recourse to a Divine Creator. With a collection of overlapping theories, they think they are approaching the secret of "the grand design," filling in many—but not all, they admit—of the blank spots.

But anyway, doesn't a grand design imply a Designer?

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scripture marked MSG is taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

More Pruning

I have been pruning my old rose bush this morning. It is the size of a small tree, much taller than I—although that's not saying a whole lot! I've never see a bush (tree?) quite like it, loaded throughout the summer with pink blooms. Because it is so tall and so wide, I've never given it much care other than to cut off the long canes that were in the way when mowing. Today I decided to do some real pruning. I cut out a lot of dead branches, and some green ones too because they tangled with others. A third of the bush, perhaps, is gone now.

It isn't easy for me cut away living parts of plants. "I'm cutting off future flowers," I tell myself. "This twig is alive. So what it it's in the way? It might be beautiful eventually."

Then I remember: If I want more of that same satisfying beauty from the bush, it is important to free the plant’s growth energies. Removing the old and tired makes way for the new and fresh.

Gardening speaks God’s truth to me. Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” Much fruit, He said, or lots and lots of roses in the garden of my life. And does Jesus come walking through to prune the plants there, removing what is old and faded and drooping? Indeed, He does! "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2)

I could understand if the Lord of my life lopped off the branches that aren’t bearing anything. That makes sense. But having fruit-bearing branches pruned is painful, and I've been known to argue!

-- “Lord, You were with me from the beginning of this project, weren't you? Why should I now turn it over to someone else, just when I’m beginning to see the results of my effort?”

-- “Lord, I’ve been involved for a long time now in this part of Your work. What will people think if I tell them I have shifted some of my priorities and I’m not able to serve in this particular way any longer?”

-- “Lord, You gave this work to me. What's the matter? Why aren’t You pleased?”

Then He reminds me, “I am not unhappy with what your life has produced. I am pleased with your love and service. I'm only encouraging further production!”

He'd like more roses, if you will. So then, I gladly trust my life to the Lord of Gardens. (He planted the very first one, after all.) He alone knows how to produce beauty and abundance in my life.

MaryMartha

You might enjoy reading "Pruning" here.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Ordinary Time

The Latin phrase, "Tempus Per Annum" ("time throughout the year") is rendered into English as "Ordinary Time." That is the term that the Catholic Church uses to designate the two periods of the year that are not connected to the season of Advent and Christmas or the season of Lent and Easter. The first period of ordinary time begins with the evening prayer of the first Sunday following Epiphany, January 6. Although this is not part of my faith tradition, I was struck by the expression itself.

Some sources say that Ordinary Time gets its name from the word "ordinal" meaning numbered, since the Sundays of ordinary time are expressed numerically on the liturgical calendar. But others suggest that Ordinary Time is better related to our word "ordinary," since so much of life feels ordinary indeed after the celebratory season, in this instance, of Christmas and the beginning of the New Year. There were high points in Jesus' ministry, related to us in the Gospels, but we may recall that much of Jesus' life was ordinary too. He worshipped on the Sabbath, "as was his custom." He walked until He was tired, and then He sat down to rest. He ate with common folks, even sinner-people both rich and poor. He went about simply "doing good."

There are some ways we can make these weeks until spring and the celebration of the Resurrection something other than just "ordinary."

8Keep a gratitude journal. Scientific studies show that people who "count their blessings" regularly are happier than those who do not. Once a day, write five things that you are thankful for; they don't have to be earth-shattering, perhaps as simple as a good cup of coffee or your ride coming on time. On Sunday, read the list aloud, saying before each one, "God, I thank you for . . . ," purposely focusing on God's provision, rather than on what you do not have.

8Act on your faith. Look for ways to be kind and generous. Think of the small things you can do today rather than the big ideas that can be conveniently put off until some other time! Mother Teresa said, “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

8Read something of morally engaging value. During the seasons of special celebration, we become very busy and may not read much, but during ordinary days—especially in the winter months—we can take time to read what others have written about God and faith and the meaning of life. We don't have to agree with everything we read, and probably won't, but reading spiritually challenging literature is a good way to keep faith vibrant.

8Observe a day of rest and worship. If there are family members in the home, reserve some time with them. As with the other suggestions, this need not be elaborate. Just find something that makes this day special and save that activity for the day.

The weeks after Christmas until spring and Easter need not be a long boring stretch between the good stuff! It can be a time to try new things and refocus our energies on spiritual growth, becoming Exceptional and Rewarding Time rather than Ordinary!

MaryMartha

Information about Ordinary Time from www.churchyear.net and an article in Our Sunday Visitor online at http://www.osv.com by Woodeene Koenig-Bricker. Art from http://www.sxc.hu

Hold Onto the Wonder

During the Christmas break from school , I took my grandson to our local Science and Discovery Center. One especially interesting display demonstrated how "monsters" are made for TV shows and movies, and he masterfully punched the buttons to make the dinosaur thrash its head about and open and close its jaws menacingly. We saw the process of their creation from the drawing board to molding and painting the form to their electronic circuitry. The resulting appearance and movement are pretty convincing—except we could see how all of it was done.

We learned (quite accidentally) that the gears flattening a penny into a souvenir impressed with an image of the Center do not use a penny at all, only a blank piece of copper. Yes, it has the figure of Lincoln on the back, but that too is part of the stamping process. You don't really think that the organization would deface property actually belonging to the Federal Government, do you?

We saw the Bubble Man do things with his bubble wands that seemed almost magic—except he told us it was just water and liquid dish soap. (It has to be Dawn Classic, he says.) He made huge bubbles, jiggling bubbles, a bubble within a bubble, and whole clouds of bubbles.

At eleven years, my grandson doesn't believe in magic or the reality of monsters, but he hasn't yet become out of sorts with how the world works. He was eager to see everything we could cram into our hours there, and declared it great fun. It was wonder-full.

Too often we adults get a tired, I've-seen-it-all attitude, and we ignore the true wonders all around us. We need to hold onto the sense of awe that children have—until it is discouraged out of them by adults with a tired, I've-seen-it-all attitude! We would be amazed that hummingbirds can hover mid-air, and that we can fold paper airplanes that glide and stall and land. We would marvel at the inventiveness of humans who have learned how to travel into space and back, and that we can blow a bubble big enough for a person to stand in. We would be in awe of the Milky Way and a "tornado" in a glass cylinder. Sometimes we have the opportunity to share with someone an experience or a place which we previously enjoyed. There is vicarious pleasure in sharing it with them for the first time, and we perhaps enjoy it nearly as much as we did originally. That is because its wonder has been restored.

Keep your eyes open. Hold onto the wonder. No matter what this New Year holds of the difficult and unexpected or of the very ordinary, look for the wonder-full!

MaryMartha

Art from http://sxc.hu/

There's Music in the Air!

Do you remember Pythagoras? Hint: You met him in high school geometry class. He was the ancient mathematician who came up with the theorem we were required to learn: "The sum of the areas of the two squares on the legs (a and b) of a right triangle equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse (c). A2 + B2 = C2" He is credited with something else as well, although we are not as familiar with it. He originated the concept of "the music of the spheres," stemming from his semi-mathematical, semi-religious philosophy. According to his theory, the movements of the planets and other heavenly bodies create beautiful harmony, although inaudible to human ears. In other words, music.

An experiment by composer Greg Fox in 2006 gave added credibility to this idea. Fox knew that when sound waves are doubled or halved in frequency, the resulting pitch is perfectly tuned to the original. Through very large octave shifts to any periodic cycle, such as the orbits of celestial bodies, the sound can be made audible. Fox halved and halved and halved the waves many times, until he could find the "pitch" of each planet orbiting the sun—that is, the pitch after it had been raised somewhere around forty octaves! Apparently, the hymn writer Maltbie D. Babcock believed the Pythagorean theory too when around 1900 he wrote, "This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres." It would appear he was more than just poetically correct. There is indeed "music in the air"!

I'm sure that God invented music! In the early days of creation, He made music. Even before there were humans to need it to "soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak," there was music. "On what were [the earth's] footings set," God asked Job, "or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (Job 38:6, 7) Few of the older classic commentaries consider the possibility that the stars literally sang. "It must mean angels," the writers say. I think it probably means just what it says: The stars sang in joyful recognition of the awesome work God had created!

God invented music, and He Himself is still singing. If you listen with your spirit , sometimes you can hear Him. "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

And finally, someday there is going to be some music the like of which has never been heard on earth!

There is singing up in heaven such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises of the Lamb upon the throne,
Their sweet harps are ever tuneful, and their voices always clear,
O that we might be more like them while we serve the Master here!

Refrain:
Holy, holy, is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring;
But when I sing redemption's story, they will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joys that our salvation brings.

But I hear another anthem, blending voices clear and strong,
"Unto Him Who hath redeemed us and hath bought us," is the song;
We have come through tribulation to this land so fair and bright,
In the fountain freely flowing He hath made our garments white.

Then the angels stand and listen, for they cannot join the song,
Like the sound of many waters, by that happy, blood washed throng,
For they sing about great trials, battles fought and vict'ries won,
And they praise their great Redeemer, Who hath said to them, "Well done."

So, although I'm not an angel, yet I know that over there
I will join a blessed chorus that the angels cannot share;
I will sing about my Savior, Who upon dark Calvary
Freely pardoned my transgressions, died to set a sinner free.

Refrain:
Holy, holy, is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring;
But when I sing redemption's story, they will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joys that our salvation brings.

-- Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1894

MaryMartha

-- Info on Fox's work from http://homepages.tesco.net/gregskius/carmen.html

-- Music from "The Golden Book of Favorite Songs: A Treasury of the Best Songs of Our People" 1915 Hall & McCreary Co, Chicago

-- "Music hath charms" quote by William Congreve (1670–1729)
-- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

An Anniversary of Sorts and a Staycation

In a few days, on the 19th of July, this blog will have been online for a year. What an experience it has been! Especially when I first began, my brain had to handle whole new concepts, like templates and widgets and domains and HTML. I bought Blogging for Dummies, and true to its name, it got me into the action!

I "became a writer" when, in perhaps the fourth grade or so, I learned that the books I loved so much were written by real people. I began to write little poems which I gave to my teacher, who was warmly encouraging. The "fire" never went out, as through the years I continued to try, but mostly in vain, to become a free-lance writer. When part-time "retirement" became an option, some hours were available for more serious pursuit of my interest. Writing every weekday has been a productive discipline—and it is a discipline. Many things call to me, but none so persistently as my determination to make productive use of this opportunity. It has been a spiritual exercise as well, for I have to entrust the results of my efforts to the Lord of the Harvest. I do this gladly!

It's time for a break now, and I will be having a "staycation"—a combination of vacationing and staying at home. I am going for a week to a nearby country location with a lake and grass and trees, walking paths, a hammock, rocking chairs on the patio, friendly cats, and wonderful friends as hosts. I could pitch a tent there, but I prefer the comfort of a real bed and some air conditioning in what we fondly call "the garden level" accommodations (a walkout basement). There is no television, no Internet, no cell phone reception (although the hosts have a landline if guests have an emergency), minimal kitchen facilities—basically nothing to do. What a treat! I will walk and read and think and pray, eat and sleep and "veg out." I'll be back blogging again around the end of July.

MaryMartha

It Could Be Worse!

My comuter is not working--the victim I think, of some online mischief. So I brought my notebook (spiral-bound paper, not a computer) and my wireless pen out to the shady front porch. I can hear the sweet notes of a wren's song and a woodpecker's drumming. A couple of squirrels are frisking about, deciding, perhaps, which of my bulbs they will "transplant" next. A robin has hopped up into the ground cover I planted last evening, anticipating a tasty snack from the freshly-turned earth. The begonias in the hanging basket are showing off, determined to outdo those in the flower boxes on the porch railing. The breeze is fragrant from the peonies blooming just a few feet away. It's a sweet spring afternoon, and my computer's not working--but what's there not to like?

On another note, I will still try to post regularly, but I'll have to do so from another location. Be patient! Things could be a whole lot worse--like trying to read, before I transcribe it, what I've written here on my "laptop"--i.e., the top of my lap!

MaryMartha

I Have a Dream

Today in the United States, we are observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Forty-five years ago this African American clergyman and civil rights activist stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and galvanized 250,000 listeners with his "I Have a Dream" speech. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was undertaken to put more pressure on the administration and the legislature to advance civil rights measures. Not only did it accomplish that, but it has also informed and inspired and challenged generations since then.

A part of King's dream was his desire for a future where "Negroes" and "whites" would live harmoniously as equals. He may have had just a glimpse of how big his dream really was when he shouted, "Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!' What King could not foresee, even in his "dream," was that his call to equality would affect a great many marginalized people: women, children, the disabled, religious and political groups, the elderly and others.

Why are we so quick to extinguish our dreams? Why are we afraid to imagine what we could do or become as God enables us? What if Abraham and Sarah had given up on their dream of having a son? Yes, he was dubious and she laughed at the idea, but they also took the appropriate action to produce a baby! What if Peter and Andrew and James and John had not dreamed of something greater than catching fish? Yes, the idea of a kingdom that would throw off Roman rule held their attention, but still they actually did leave everything behind to follow Jesus' call. What if Jim Elliott and his buddies had not dreamed they could reach a people with the Gospel? What if Brother Andrew had not dreamed of a way to get Bibles to the underground church in communist countries during the cold war? What if your mentor or spiritual leader had not dreamed that he/she could make a difference in someone's life?

God often uses our human yearnings to further His plan. A sanctified imagination is a tool He can use to accomplish wonderful things. This doesn't happen in some magical way in a land "somewhere over the rainbow . . . [where] the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true," as Judy Garland sings in The Wizard of Oz. This happens here, in real life. Just look at Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream!

Don't be afraid. Go ahead! Dream your dream!

MaryMartha
(All rights reserved)

Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com

Two Building Projects

Almost invariably when I drive by the building site of our city’s new arena, I think of the Israelites building their portable sanctuary in the wilderness, the Tabernacle. Of course, the projects are vastly different, but one thought comes clearly to mind as I view the progress. What a lot of different materials and skills it takes to create this building!

I have observed steel fixers, concrete finishers, bricklayers and other masons, heavy equipment operators, structural steel erectors, welders, and today the electricians. I’m sure there have been plumbers as well, and before long there will be carpenters, glass installers, plasterers, painters and decorators. Carpet layers, climate control technicians, and sound equipment specialists will come; commercial furniture suppliers will bring in seating for 15,000 spectators. The two-year building project, costing over 200 million dollars, is about half finished, with over 250 workers on the job seven days a week from dawn until after dark.

In contrast, the Tabernacle seems quite simple. The plan God gave Moses was for a structure forty-five feet long, fifteen feet wide, and fifteen feet high, consisting of gold-covered planks for walls with draperies of various kinds for the doorways and ceilings. Surrounding the Tabernacle was to be an enclosure made of posts and curtains. The instructions were very specific, however; each element was to be made of the finest materials. “This is what God wants you to do,” Moses told the people. “All among you who are willing, bring an offering. Present these gifts to the Lord:

     Gold, silver, and bronze;
     Blue, purple, and scarlet thread;
     Fine linen and goat hair for cloth;
     Tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather;
     Acacia wood;
     Olive oil for the lamps;
     Spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;
     Onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the priest’s garments.

God further told Moses that He had specifically chosen Bezalel from the tribe of Judah to serve as the overseer of the work. “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! . . . Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make.” These articles included not only the Tabernacle and its court themselves but also the furnishings: the Ark of the Covenant with its covering, the pure gold lampstand, the table for bread, the altars for incense and burnt offerings, the washbasin, the priestly garments, and the anointing oil. (Exodus 31:1-11)

Then those who were able and willing, both men and women, brought their offerings: all the materials needed for the Tabernacle and for the performance of its rituals. They brought gold brooches, earrings, necklaces, rings, and other gold objects of every kind. All who had silver and bronze objects gave them as an offering to the Lord. Those who owned the following items willingly brought them for use in the project: colored threads, fine linen and goat hair for cloth, tanned ram skins and goatskin leather, and acacia wood.

The women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth. Other willing workers spun the goat hair into yarn. The leaders brought onyx stones and the other gemstones to be set in the priest’s garments. They also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense. “So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.” Not only was Bezalel especially gifted, but God gave him two assistants who excelled in the necessary crafts and also had the ability to teach others. The Lord gave them special skills as craftsmen and designers and they led other engravers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth. The account specifically tells us that those who were called to do the actual construction were not only gifted artisans, but they had been given wisdom and understanding by God. (Exodus 35:21-35)

I can’t even imagine what might have happened if I had gone down to the local construction site, taking a couple of my gold rings, some red and blue yarn I have been saving for a yet-to-be-determined project, and a bottle of scented bath oil! And even more ludicrous, what if I had claimed superior talent or wisdom for raising the five-level building! The task ahead of the Israelites may have seemed just as enormous and intimidating to them as the prospect of my assisting at the arena, given that they were desert wanderers. They lacked modern power tools; they had no scaffolding or lifts. They weren’t even paid! But with willing hearts, sacrificial gifts, and readiness to work they created a sanctuary for the Lord God, one that they would carry with them until they built more permanent places of worship in the Promised Land.

I think of those early builders when I drive by our developing arena, and I am thankful that their story is recorded for me to read and ponder.

Related article: Building by the Pattern here

MaryMartha
(All rights reserved)

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com

Why the Dark?

Most living things require light. (There are a few nasty things that do best in the dark, like the green stuff that grows in the back of the refrigerator—and some others as well!) For the most part, however, we think of light as contributing to life. It aids growth and productivity.

Even though light is essential to many living things, life is actually conceived in darkness, in the secret places of the womb and the earth. The Psalmist speaks of this darkness. “You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” (Psalm 139:15 NLT) And long before that, there was the Spirit of God brooding, mother-hen-like, over the waiting creation at the beginning of time. This creative darkness came even before the light.

Jesus taught, “Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.” (John 12:24 The Message) Again, the darkness comes before light and new life.

We are often uncertain about one thing or another in our lives. We are sometimes confused by the very fact that we are confused! Isn’t Jesus the Light of the world, and isn’t the Word of God light to our pathway? Well, then why the dark?

The Darkness Is for You

Darkness first, before the light,
And heavy with portent of life,
The Spirit hovered o’er the deep.
Why dark when God Himself is light
And both are quite alike to Him?
Why night when day is all the same?

“The darkness is for you,” He said,
“Divided into spans by light
Created by My spoken Word.
The day which always follows night—
Not day then night, as you suppose—
Is but a part of my design.

“My Spirit needs His brooding time
Before the hidden plan breaks forth
From darkness where it is conceived.
Be patient then, and never doubt
The goodness that I have in store
If you will wait for Light to come!”

MaryMartha
(All rights reserved)

Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com