Rune Before Prayer

A ancient Celtic prayer I would like to share ....

RUNE BEFORE PRAYER

I am bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.
Through Thine own Anointed One, O God,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need,
Love towards God,
The affection of God,
The smile of God,
The wisdom of God.
The grace of God,
The fear of God,
And the will of God
To do on the world of the Three,
As angels and saints
Do in heaven;
Each shade and light,
Each day and night,
Each time in kindness,
Give Thou us Thy Spirit.

What period in history do you belong in?

This should be fun ... What period in history do you belong in?


Click here: Quiz Farm - What period in history do you belong in?
http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=55200


My result:


You belong in the Renaissance.

Renaissance

75%

Pre-Modern World
65%

Middle Ages
60%

Prehistory
50%

Modern World
50%

Industrial Era
50%

Ancient World
35%

A "Why God?" kind of thing ...

I'm in one of those melancholic moods, nothing to bad mind you. Just one of those "Why God?" kind of things I guess. God has given us visions of His kingdom-a world that works for everyone, where needs are met and gifts are called forth. Paul in Romans 8:22 tells us that "creation grows in labor awaiting" for Jesus' arrival. So I wonder Lord, why must things be so hard sometimes? Why really must we wait? Why can't you do what I can imagine the creator of the universe would do ... go shazam! Just bring it on, let your kingdom come!

Things on earth seem most fragile since you made it. God would have figured out how mankind can progress without pollution. God would have figured out how to create an economic system that allows everyone to thrive, not just those favored by the marketplace or whatever. All people would live abundantly. Gods way isn't about wealth I know, abundance and wealth are two different things...

I know that things I long for and "need" do not make up for the fact I'll 'kick the bucket' someday. I know that "fate," twists of fortune, whatever, in an instant, can and will rearrange my plans. Its happened before in both quiet and large ways. For the "better," for the "worse." Bottom line is that a person can count on very little for sure! It can make one nervous ...
So one wonders ... why doesn't God swoop in here and tidy up the place. Don't we all yearn for this? On our own we are so helpless to make a difference. We can try to live frugal, not pollute, get along, help out, encourage, make others smile ... But if so many others don't do these things what difference will my small gestures make? We obviously can't save the world!

We can do all these things because God has given us a vision. Just because they are right to do. For the sake of those who follow. We can do these things because we believe Your kingdom will come someday. And its best to know that I helped, even if just a tiny bit ...

But at times it isn't easy ...

Tim, just typing away...

Its all about Jesus

"Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on, do not sin again." John 8:11b

One thing I get from the story this verse comes from is that Jesus didn't shame the woman for her wrongs, but came to rescue her. To turn from longings that were draining her to something that will fill her. Or more accurately would quench her thirst. The stories in the Bible and Jesus' parables are not merely cool stories or literary vessels to hold theological truth. They are the nuts and bolts stuff of Jesus' life here on earth. To his banquets he welcomes the dreaded tax collectors, whores, and various other reprobates. He came for the sick, not the well. He came for the unrighteous, not the righteous. He came even for those who betrayed Him, like Peter, the ones who forsook Him at His time of greatest need. And like in the "Prodigal Son" parable, He responded like a lovesick father!

No matter how far I go into theology and nic picking this verse and that (which as you must know by now I tend to do rather often), it gets back to this. I've screwed up more than my share of times, but the God of the universe and beyond still loves me. He hurts like a father (being one I know how that is) and still offers His grace and love and takes me back ... even with tears. When one really, really realizes this, there can be no turning back. Where else can one go? (John6:68) Its all about Jesus for sure.

http://thundercatt99.blogspot.com/2009/06/divorce-and-woman-at-well.html

The Manga Bible

This guy is coming out with a Manga Bible! Pretty neat, eh? He says to think of it as a kind of expensive tract, because it obviously does not contain all of the text of the real thing ...

http://www.themangabible.com/

I can't help but wonder if there are other religions in the world that use their sacred texts as marketing material to the extent that Christianity does. I mean... do you see comic-book Korans? Telletubby Torahs? Wall-art B'hagavad Gitas (if I spelled that right, it's a miracle)? Any thoughts?

Stare at the Barn

Hey ... You gotta check this out! Just Stare at the Barn ... Very Cool!

Have a blessed evening everyone!

wrestling around ...

How many of you remember wrestling around with your Dad when you were small, or wrestled around with your own kids? I remember doing that getting all tangled up and trying to break free. Of course I could never really win and when I got loose I would hang around to get "captured" again. I loved the feeling of strength and security of his arms around me and I just loved being close to my Dad. I didn't really want to be free but I think I wanted to push against his strength and know he still had me tight no matter how much I twisted and turned.

I think that this is what my relationship with God is like now. A lot of the time I feel like I'm wrestling with God, with my faith, with my theology, with everything. It seems like I'm trying to break free of God but really I'm not. I just enjoy the sensation of knowing that no matter how much I wrestle, no matter how much I fight, God's got a tight hold on me and he's not letting go. I like feeling the strength and security of God's amazing grace. I like pushing the boundaries of my faith, but I also like knowing that no matter how much I push God still has me wrapped up in his arms. I like knowing that nothing I can do (nor any question I can ask) will separate me from the great love of God. (Romans 8:35-39)