paravanes:meditations

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." --Psalm 90:12 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us--yes, establish the work of our hands." --Psalm 90:17 After that long trip, the searchers in Oz discovered there was no magic in the castle, no one to wave a wand and make it all OK. The Wizard wasn't really a Wizard, and his power was limited to the imaginings of his followers. It was hype, and it wasn't real. From a distance it looked real, but close up, it was something very different. It had all been a dream. "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us..." God, I request your favor as I move forward with the big and little decisions and activities of my life. I trust you to establish the work of my hand, to give eternal value to my efforts, sincerity to my prayers, creative energy to my thoughts, and holiness to my pursuits. Lef...

Here is the answer.

Two Views A view: I've got to call a plumber, that leaky faucet is such an irritation. Maybe I'll call tomorrow. Tomorrow: OK, I'm going to call that plumber. Where's my coupon? Can't call without having my coupon handy. I'll find it tomorrow. Tomorrow: OK, I've got to call today. Here's my coupon...oh, their offices are closed now? Leave a message? I'll call in the morning. Morning: I've got to leave early for that meeting. I'll call the plumber when I get to work. To work: oh, darn...I left the coupon at home. I'll call when I get back... A view: getting up early to walk two hundred meters to the river for water need firewood, too how much can i carry? i hope the soldiers don't see me walking alone the baby is thirsty, my milk is drying up, i am hungry and thirsty can't wash clothes this week, maybe next dead caterpillars in my water jar, feces floating, can't give it to the baby maybe the older children can drink it i hope...

Recently, I re-watched this PETA video. After the first viewing about two years ago, I gradually removed red meat and pork from my diet. Now, I have wiped chicken away as well, leaving only turkey and fish. Watch the video and draw your own conclusions. BTW, forget about PETA's bad deeds (i.e., throwing blood on fur coats occupied by people). PETA's deeds or misdeeds are really irrelevant here. Regardless of PETA's "mis-steps", the pain and suffering you see in this video are real, ongoing, and unnecessary. Does it matter that, according to Scripture, humans didn't eat meat until after The Fall? Maybe. I just know after watching this film, after "meeting my meat", my thoughts about what and how much I eat have been changed forever. Pledge to Be Veg for 30 Days!

These words, "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy", comprise one of the oldest prayers of the church. What does it mean to accept the mercy of God? I have become accustomed to thinking the mercy of God meant receiving one more chance to do it "my way", with a little supernatural backup from God. Now I know the real mercy of God means willingness to see and choose God's way. Mercy means courage to leave the comfortable and the familiar in search of the uncertain, the difficult, and the humanly impossible. Living in the mercy of God is another way of staying in step with the Creator, of seeking His purpose and priority for my life. The mercy of God frees me from needing to know how every problem and conflict will be resolved. The mercy of God frees me from needing to see all problems "fixed" according to my standards before I can be happy and grateful. Mercy is the assurance goodness waits for me, seeks me, and has been appointed for me. Mercy is the conv...

Today is the Second Sunday in Lent. For those of us celebrating this period, it is a time to remember the value of a personal connection to God. Living apart from God is like shallow breathing in a box in a corner of a dark closet behind a locked door... and the only key rusts at the bottom of the ocean. (c) 2009 D. Evans

I've been working on a peaceful, meditative post on a prayer of forgiveness and was planning to post it today. My plans changed when a video of a King County, Washington sheriff's deputy beating a fifteen year old girl in a holding cell appeared in my news feed tonight. This is an activity I am labeling unchristian. Watch the video: Somewhere, someone is quoting a Bible verse about submitting to the authorities, etc...blah, blah, blah. Anyone who carries a gun and is "licensed to kill" should have enough self-control not to pummel a fifteen year old girl who is already in custody in a holding cell and unable to present a threat to life and safety. I wonder how many pulpits will be silent this weekend on this subject? Authority does not exist without limits and must be held to a higher standard of behavior and accountability. Jesus was clear in his response to corrupt authorities who used their power to hurt and abuse those under their control: "Woe to you Pharis...