Forbidden Fruit

A thing of beauty is a joy forever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness

-John Keats, Endymion

I am sitting in the garden reading Paradise Lost, and I just so happen to be at the part where, in this epic poem, it goes into detail about God creating the earth and the plants, animals, and first humans. How appropriate is that? I have the whole garden to myself, too, so I may be the only human...

And I am freezing cold. It is 41 degrees and windy. I love it. I am sitting on a stone chair, which is kind of like sitting on a block of ice, so the parts of me that touch this stone are the coldest.

A noise above me causes me to look up, and it is there that I notice a tall tree near me. I proceeded to see ripe starfruit dancing in the winds! The tree was full of orange-skinned fruits, glowing at me from above. I don't see a serpent trying to tempt me to eat thy forbidden fruit.  But now I am craving some starfruit.

No, actually, a hot drink. I will walk back to the office and make some Lady Grey Tea, with honey.

This day is absolute perfection, to me. I live for these kinds of days. Cold, clear, bright, dry. Vivid colors from earth to sky, and trees boasting starfruit. As I walked here, I kept saying little prayers of thankfulness, that this day is perfection. Thank you God. And now that I have been sitting here on this cold stone chair, I am freezing, so I will need to walk back to warm myself up a little bit, and I will thank God on my walk back, too.

This is what I love. Though, it is also what makes people look at me funny. There must be others out there who feel the way I do....I know of a few....

Puzzled?

Right before Christmas, I bought a little wooden puzzle cube called the Soma Cube. It is made up of 7 pieces and each piece is different. No two are the same, but there are many ways to fit the pieces together to form a cube. The instruction page says there are 240 ways in which to make a cube. Really? That's a lot!

I tested it myself. My first attempt took me about 5-6 minutes. It seems like it would be easy enough, but it is a challenge. I would get all pieces but one, and the last piece wouldn't complete the cube properly, so I would start over. We all love a good mystery, don't we? Well, the cube is mysterious, but now that I got it solved once, I can put the cube together (in different ways) in under a minute. But that first time was uncertain. Would the cube beat me? Would I be able to solve it?

I brought the cube home with me over Christmas to challenge my family. They all took their turn at putting the pieces together. It was so intriguing, to me, to watch how each person worked on solving the puzzle differently, and how it took certain people several days of trying to get it, while it took others a minute or two.

It all made me think about the mysteries of God, and why He chose to make us all so unique, even in the way we solve puzzles! I was reminded that our own puzzles in life are, likewise, handled differently. The mysteries in our lives attract our attention and sometimes it takes us a moment to solve it, while sometimes the mystery remains as such for months or years.

But there are many ways to put the puzzle together to form a complete cube. One way is not better than another, but in the end there is one cube.

In the end only one thing matters- that we live our lives for Christ. That our faith in Christ trumps all the mysteries we ever encounter. There are many paths to get to that point of complete trust, because we all have different ways of putting the puzzle pieces together. We place the piece in the spot we think it will fit best. Maybe it fits perfectly, or maybe we still need some more pieces to fall into place before we can see where that piece should go.

Then he added, "The question mark is a good metaphor for the Christian life. Trusting even when it's hard. Appreciating the mystery and being surprised by the joy." -Carolyn Weber

Gifts that Differ

The passion I have for writing and books is a gift, and it was prominent in me before I even knew how to read. I have always had words dancing around in my head, sometimes all day, forming stanzas in a poem yet to be written, or sentences racing through my mind as I experience something inspirational in the everyday. Before a pen gets to my hand, the words are set on repeat, like a new favorite song that you hum all day without realizing it. At times I can't write fast enough because the ideas and words just overflow. When I don't have the opportunity to write out my thoughts or musings, I feel like a page was ripped out of my journal. Writing is my memory. It contains my prayers. It is my outlet. My creative space.

Writing is a gift, that for many years, I never shared with anyone. I have journals full of stories, poems, and scribbles from middle school and high school that I never showed to anyone because I was embarrassed. Why was I hiding? I didn't think I had talent, and it's scary to share such personal thoughts with people. I didn't think anyone would be interested in it. I didn't see that what I love so much is a gift that is meant to be shared with others. It wasn't until 2007 when I decided to write and self-publish my first book, that I let people read my works. Most people didn't even know that I was so passionate about writing, and it resonated with them. Again, why was I hiding it? It has always been part of me. God made me this way for a purpose. That is, He wants me to share my gift. I am no bestselling author. If one person is encouraged and inspired by my writing, then I am being used properly. God can use to me to whatever capacity He wants. But nothing was possible until I was willing to share with people.

So what have you been hiding that is meant to be shared?
...So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them... -Romans 12.5-6

Hope is a Strange Invention

A new year! 2012! May this new beginning be hopeful for you, full of ideas, inspiration, joy and God's blessings. Take part in learning and growing. I read this quote the other day from Benjamin Franklin, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn". Jump start your goals by taking a step. It doesn't have to be big. Have an open mind, and an open heart to love others.

Hope is a strange invention-

A patent of the heart-

In unremitting action

Yet never wearing out-

Of this electric adjunct

Not anything is known

But it's unique momentum

Embellish all we own-

-Emily Dickinson

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
-Psalm 16.11

Resolutions?

(click on the comic to make it bigger)

I forgot that it's almost 2012. New Year's always creeps up on me, being so close to the busy family times at Christmas and I am not prepared for another celebratory affair.

Some people think nothing of New Year's. It is just another day. Other people have parties, make resolutions, and watch all the various events on TV (Times Square, parades, and  football). Sometimes I think the beginning of a new year is when it is easiest for people to make good changes. Or attempt to. Beginnings are always hopeful, and since the calendar is providing us with a beginning once a year, it's up to us how we use it.

T.S. Eliot wrote that every moment is a fresh beginning. For me, that means I can start over at any moment. Brush the dust of my feet. Jesus told His disciples to brush the dust of their feet when they left a town that did not welcome them or who hindered them. Jesus wanted them to let it go and move on. Did you fail at something this year? Brush the dust off your feet. Did you discover what you really want to do? Do you have a goal? Do you want to read Gulliver's Travels, like Charlie Brown? Don't put it off like Charlie Brown. Use this New Year's time to take a step, or to research it. After all, as Agatha Christie said, "The secret to getting ahead is getting started."

Daring

Thoughts linger on a cold evening

Tucked under and blanket so warm

Safe they may be, but daring

They are as I cease to dream

Small scale.

With God all things are possible

But not all desires come to pass

Yet in faith I will ask

That which God is able to do

In love.

Yield, or give way, to the presupposition we should not take for granted, that all things are possible with God. It may not be possible for us to accomplish our dreams (likely not) but there are no bounds for our Creator, who is not restricted by time, place, or situation, as we are. 

Jesus said, in Matthew 19.26, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." So, I can't dream small scale because I believe these dreams I have are a derivative of the passions and gifts that God has given to me. They are meant to be used for a purpose, and God includes all that in His plans. And if it is His will, thy will be done.

Anything not done in submission to God, anything not done to the glory of God, is doomed to failure, frailty, and futility. This is the unholy trinity we humans fear most. -Carolyn Weber

The Argument

What in me is dark, illumine,
What is low, raise and support;

That to the height of this great Argument

I may assert the Eternal Providence,

And justify the ways of God to men.

-Paradise Lost, John Milton

We live in a world of arguments. We are faced each day with situations and scenarios that tug on our faith with intentions to collapse our foundation. It happens within us. The voices start to go off in our heads, telling us we aren't smart enough, or we will never accomplish our dreams, or we will never find a job, or that we are always going to be lonely. And it sounds so convincing and we give in to such thoughts and soon find ourselves believing the lies.

When you hear these voices rise in your mind, recognize the warning sign right away. It's the devil talking. He is the enemy, and he wants us to feel dejected, inadequate, and hopeless. Once we are ensnared in lies we are much more apt to fall prey to his devices to bring us down.

As I read Paradise Lost I feel like I am getting the inside scoop on how Satan thinks and what happened at the beginning of creation. Satan and his legion of followers are kicked out of heaven and they want more than anything to have their revenge on God. Yet, the gates to Heaven are shut, and Satan knows there is no way to breach those gates.

Rumor reaches Satan's ears that God is going to create a being on a place called Earth. God was going to give man free will, and it is here that Satan saw his opportunity to have his revenge on God. It would come in the devised plan to ruin the newly created man and woman. Satan patted himself on the back for such a clever plan. If he couldn't get to God directly, he could at least cause the man and woman to defy God and fall.

Little did Satan know that God already knew the scheme. He saw it, and yet He still allowed free will because love is not true if it is forced. God already had plans in the works to send His one beloved Son to earth...

I love the perspectives of this epic poem. The reader gets to hear the devils speaking, planning, and the debating that goes on in hell. Then, the reader gets to hear the talks in Heaven, where God speaks to the angels and sends them to earth to keep watch over Adam and Eve. The imagery in the lines of poetry brings you into the supernatural realm where the battle for man is just beginning.

Upside Down

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

-1 Corinthians 1.27-29

What do we have to boast about? Nothing we have accomplished or achieved is due to our own strength. We didn't make it possible to be smart, or to have certain gifts and skills. If we could handle everything ourselves, we wouldn't need God, who is the source of our lives.

God has an upside down way of thinking. Or, come to think of it, God turns our way of thinking upside down with truth and love. We need to go against our own impulses to be the best, the most powerful, the smartest, the most loved, and the last word. We need to think about how Jesus would act, and follow suit. Think in terms of how at the end of all things, the last will be first and the first will be last (Matthew 19.30).

When you think about how God uses the weak, it changes the way you view your life. We, as a culture, value success. If we are prosperous and successful in our business or career, we are highly valued and sought after in society. People don't rush to meet and greet a homeless person, or someone who cannot find a job. But these are the people Jesus would rush to. 
See? Upside down.

"God doesn't need justification. He certainly doesn't need us. God doesn't need anything. Yet, it doesn't make us superfluous or unimportant, the fact that God doesn't need us," I rushed on, "Actually, quite the opposite. It's because He loves us in spite of not needing us that makes His love so, well, awesome.... in the original sense of the term." -Carolyn Weber

Voir la Joie

Star Light

Star Bright

Make way for

God's good light

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. -Matthew 2.10-11

We give gifts to our family and friends on Christmas as a reminder of the gift we have in Jesus. It should be a time of thankfulness and joy at the great gift that God gave to all of us. Instead of giving gifts to Jesus, we show our thankfulness in the way of giving gifts to others. Jesus doesn't need our wrapped presents; He just wants our hearts.
And on this joyous Christmas Day, remember that it's all about Jesus. He is the greatest gift of all!

Voir la joie (see the joy)

Christmas Eve

By Christina Rossetti

Christmas has a darkness,

Brighter than the blazing noon,

Christmas has a chillness

Warmer than the heat of June,

Christmas has a beauty

Lovelier than the world can show:

For Christmas brings us Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

Earth strike up your music,

Birds that sing and bells that ring;

Heaven has answering music

For all angels soon to sing:

Earth put on your whitest

Bridal robe of spotless snow:

For Christmas brings us Jesus,

Brought for us so low.

What are your Christmas Eve traditions? My family's Christmas Eve over the past few years has consisted of a lasagna dinner, followed by the traditional Christmas Eve service at the church I grew up in, at 8:00 PM. We dress up and gather in the sanctuary for the traditional reading and singing of the Christmas lessons and carols. The service fills me with memories. Being in that sanctuary automatically triggers recollections of going to the traditional service with the whole family as a child, of singing in the youth choir as a teen, and the memorial for my Dad two years ago. A feeling of joy about the arrival of my Savior arises as the sadness of missing my Dad lingers in my soul. I sit on the cushioned pew remembering that as we celebrate Jesus' birthday, the reason He came here at all was to die for us. He changed the world, and filled us with hope. If the Creator of the Universe is willing to come down to earth to suffer and die on my behalf, and yours, this is a love deeper than anything we could ever comprehend. It is the love of God that has always been and always will be.

The service always ends with everyone holding small candles, now lit with a tiny flame. The lights are turned off and we sing all the verses of "Silent Night" as old and young voices mingle in harmony and the dark world is lit up with God's light, Jesus.