I heard that the root of the word, "Blessed" is macro. So when one reads "Blessed" it is equivalent to saying "expanded and filled."
Ps. 84:
[Expanded and filled] are those who dwell in your house...they are every praising you.
[Expanded and filled] are those whose strength is in God...who have their hearts set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, [they are stretched]. And yet, they make it a place of springs.
(i.e. the redemptive nature of the tears that come from weeping.)
Oh that our valleys would expand us. God's mercy in the midst is not just to expand us - but to also fill us.
www.paulagamble.com
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Universe Disturbers
Madaleine L'Engle writes:
“Do I dare disturb the universe?…It’s a question we are not usually encouraged to ask, or to attempt to answer, particularly in various institutions. Especially not in the church. If we disturb the universe, no matter how lovingly, we’re likely to get hurt. Nobody ever promised universe-disturbers (u-ds) an easy time of it. U-ds make waves, rock boat, upset establishments. Jesus was a great U-D, so upsetting the establishment of his day that they put him on a cross, hoping to finish him off. Those of us who try to follow His way have a choice, either go with him as U-ds or play it safe. Playing it safe ultimately leads to personal diminishment and death.
“If we want to play it safe, we have little to settle for comfortable religion, one which will not permit questions, because questions are u-ds. If we don’t allow questions we can fool ourselves into thinking that we are capable of defining God.
“We live in an open, interactive, creative universe, and to try to close it into a safe little system is a danger to ourselves and a danger to everyone we touch.”
Madeleine L’Engle in the Genesis Trilogy p 255-256
My commentary (actually written in 2002 from my journal)
To limit something to just one way (except for the 'one way' to the Father through Jesus) seems restrictive and institutional. A bare linoleum hallway that reeks of antiseptic and is dimly lit by flickering flourescents with gold vinyl chairs lining the sides.
No - give me a hallway filled with stained glass and great art, wall sconces and chandeliers. Give me an Italian tiled floor and mosaics.
Why we choose the antiseptic hallway is a mystery. Why our propensity for a safe, predictable, easier to clean, time-saving religion has become predominate...oh we are missing the intimacy, beauty and adventure of our Preposterous Shepherd King.
www.paulagamble.com
“Do I dare disturb the universe?…It’s a question we are not usually encouraged to ask, or to attempt to answer, particularly in various institutions. Especially not in the church. If we disturb the universe, no matter how lovingly, we’re likely to get hurt. Nobody ever promised universe-disturbers (u-ds) an easy time of it. U-ds make waves, rock boat, upset establishments. Jesus was a great U-D, so upsetting the establishment of his day that they put him on a cross, hoping to finish him off. Those of us who try to follow His way have a choice, either go with him as U-ds or play it safe. Playing it safe ultimately leads to personal diminishment and death.
“If we want to play it safe, we have little to settle for comfortable religion, one which will not permit questions, because questions are u-ds. If we don’t allow questions we can fool ourselves into thinking that we are capable of defining God.
“We live in an open, interactive, creative universe, and to try to close it into a safe little system is a danger to ourselves and a danger to everyone we touch.”
Madeleine L’Engle in the Genesis Trilogy p 255-256
My commentary (actually written in 2002 from my journal)
To limit something to just one way (except for the 'one way' to the Father through Jesus) seems restrictive and institutional. A bare linoleum hallway that reeks of antiseptic and is dimly lit by flickering flourescents with gold vinyl chairs lining the sides.
No - give me a hallway filled with stained glass and great art, wall sconces and chandeliers. Give me an Italian tiled floor and mosaics.
Why we choose the antiseptic hallway is a mystery. Why our propensity for a safe, predictable, easier to clean, time-saving religion has become predominate...oh we are missing the intimacy, beauty and adventure of our Preposterous Shepherd King.
www.paulagamble.com
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Generation Next - Coming on PBS
Saw this on a web clip - sounds interesting for those of us working with and/or are Generation Next...
www.paulagamble.com
www.paulagamble.com
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
New Song lyrics - Please Hold me
Please Hold Me
Hear my cry O Intimate One
Defender of the weak, come make me strong
I reach out to touch Your scars
Now I know You understand
So I reach for Your mercy
As I kneel at Your throne of Grace
And I, I need Your healing
So I lay my head on Your chest
So I lay my head on Your chest
||: Please Hold me...please Hold me...and love me....please free me...:||
Words by Paula Gamble copyright 2006 IseetheKing Music
www.paulagamble.com
Hear my cry O Intimate One
Defender of the weak, come make me strong
I reach out to touch Your scars
Now I know You understand
So I reach for Your mercy
As I kneel at Your throne of Grace
And I, I need Your healing
So I lay my head on Your chest
So I lay my head on Your chest
||: Please Hold me...please Hold me...and love me....please free me...:||
Words by Paula Gamble copyright 2006 IseetheKing Music
www.paulagamble.com
What is America Coming to?
Oh my, what are we to do with this? More people probably care about the O'Donnell/Donald feud than the war in Iraq. Sometimes I think we are a pitiful nation. But in the meantime, have fun playing the game.
www.paulagamble.com
Sunday, January 07, 2007
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