toussaint +1
following a note posted 12-11-01:
omitted another idea i believe is for (a) sibling(s) in Christ:
at halloween in europe kids make lanterns out of hollowed out pumpkins (candle inside it, light shines out of face carved into it. warm glow rather than scary). place outside front door. unlike pagan games, i think these are OK. Talking point, chance to introduce idea that we are like pots of clay with treasure inside (i.e. jesus lives in us by the power of holy spirit). Humble item like pumpkin feeds us spiritually as well as used for soup. win-win.
also: if u feel u/yr situation 2b "tragic, like beautiful ming vase shattered beyond human skill to repair", don't panic. God "holds all things together" & is holding u together as we speak. Not obvious to see how? Doesn't matter about that. We cant see how atoms are held together. Everyone everyday made of molecules made of atoms made of particles, all could have crumbled into dust, but God holds us all together, all the time. Leave the details to him. He is able. Can be trusted. So what is purpose of allowing us to be crushed or shattered? Garlic crushed imparts fragrance to whole house, best when crushed, fragrance/flavor not same when cut. Garlic was antiseptic in "ye olde days" before industrial chemistry. We impart "lovely fragrance of Jesus" to others. imagine lovely (but wrecked) ming vase put together then held together, not by human skill but by being in hands of God. And he puts inside that clay vessell a treasure better than gold - everlasting living treasure called Jesus (infinitely better than dead plants here today & gon tomorrow). The cracks where vase was broken let that light shine out. For others to see, welcomes to house. Warm glow not scary. The more cracks, the more light shines out. God holds it all together. cos he can. cos he is like that. and the whole thing has grown. trust him. he knows what he is doing.
Created 7 months ago
