Trying to print out a pamphlet in the church work room I was frustrated with the slow progress and the repeated stops of the machine, and I said to the aid who was better qualified than I, “It seems to me that in some times and places, some machines are truly capricious and arbitrary.” Walking past the open door was a man who stopped, and looking into the room said, “No! No machine is capricious or arbitrary. There is always an explanation and a reason for what it does.”

I thought that surely this man was an engineer, and almost asked him to check out our printer for us, but he had quickly walked on, not waiting to chat.

I believe that almost everyone from time to time believes that God, the creator of the universe, is in fact, capricious and arbitrary. When much of the world makes little or no sense to us, and contradictions are more common than affirmations, when no two people mean the same thing using the same words, it’s easy to believe that the arbitrary is the universal norm.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:1) From this unpromising start came light and life that our Creator declared “good.” The Bible outlines all of creation in an orderly progression—no capriciousness at all. as His Spirit hovers.

Thousands of years later, David the psalmist will write, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (psalm 51:10) The Spirit that hovered over the deep is known by the Psalmist to be able to renew his own spirit. The very creative Spirit of God is recognized by David when David has sinned and wandered from his close relationship with God.

The character of God is creative and, renewing, orderly, and loving. He is the opposite of capricious and arbitrary. David experiences the emptiness when he transgresses, and knows his God well enough to return to Him for renewal and for the joy of his salvation. (vs. 12) The world is full of contradictions and strife, but the Holy Spirit of God still hovers. He never created a universe to leave it to itself, but so that He could share it with us. He has never stopped hovering and creating in us clean hearts when we come to Him to receive them. Beneath all the confusion is our God who is never capricious or arbitrary, but always loves.

Love in Him,

Prue

We turned off our porch light and extinguished the candles in the jack-o-lanterns at about 9:45 Monday night, as the doorbell had stopped ringing and the last “children” were teenagers; but this was the first Halloween since covid that we had trick-or- treaters with costumes and even full face (gruesome) masks. Spirits were buoyant , children happy, and the parents were hovering close by.

Halloween’s history may have been murky, but it was a joy to see happy healthy young people enjoying the old ritual again, and the sense of community it helped restore for our street. The same houses turned on their lights, and the same ones turned theirs off. The children were all smiles, and neighbors chatted again.

In ancient Israel God established three “community” pilgrimages when the people would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate their rescue from Egypt, their union with their God, and their bond with one another. These celebrations reinforced their whole national identity, as well as the faith of the people in their God.

Community ties keep people together and responsive to each other’s needs, but they also convey a sense of security and strength. In God’s mind these are strong bonds that are capable of producing much fruit for His Kingdom.

Jeremiah the prophet was told by God to offer wine to a tribe of Rekabites, but the tribe answered, “We do not drink wine because our forefather. . . gave us this command: “Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents.. . . We have obeyed everything our forefather Jonadab commanded us.”

Though God had not made any of those demands upon His people, the Rekabites’ faithfulness to their ancestor was counted by God as faithfulness to Himself: “The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says, ‘Jonadab, son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.’” (Jeremiah 35:6, 19)

God honors faithfulness and strength in community. He chose both of those as a means of freeing His people from slavery and blessing them with good life in faithfulness. This week Halloween was for me, a snapshot of blessing in community.

Love in Him,

Prue

This week I went to the hardware store and, to my surprise as I saw shoppers buying hardware and Halloween paraphernalia, I heard Christmas music being “piped” into the aisles. For a moment it was nostalgic, but then I thought, “How extraordinary!

Some two thousand years after the birth of that obscure Jewish baby born in Israel, shop owners were celebrating the designated anniversary of his birth for two months before it occurs, in a nation that didn’t exist when he was born!” All of this is in anticipation of being able to sell more goods in the name of that birth.

Christmas has become many different things to people, but the appearance on earth of a single baby who fulfilled prophesies and grew up to display the power and love of God to His people has remained at the center for over two millennia. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you, you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11&12)

Through generations, cultures, locations throughout the world these words have carried a lasting message. No matter how dimly we understand them, or even how dimly we hear them, these words continue to resonate with a message that is irresistible. It touches hopes that have been dormant and in-articulated in human souls.

To be entrusted with a holy child in our midst, to know that because human beings were co-parents with God in bringing salvation to the world, we have a deeper and higher hope than ever before. Long before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, and he will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ( Isaiah 9:6)

To God and men and women a child is given, a joint gift. In uniting with His people in such a way, God makes us His family in a very real way, and Jesus a true brother to us. This truth is still alive in the Christian community. It hasn’t disappeared in spite of merchants using it to sell their goods. For young and old the Christmas message signals a closer communion with our God, a drawing near and staying close. The angel’s announcement of great joy has never failed, for the baby is our brother and Savior.

Love in Him,

Prue

A story is told about a polar bear in the Bronx Zoo in New York that began to decline. He lost interest in his food, and no longer cared to take a swim in the pool. He gradually refrained from coming out of his enclosure, and was seldom seen. The veterinarian found no illness or disability, but the bear was losing weight and in danger of serious illness or death if nothing was done.

Eventually one of the keepers thought he would try to rouse the bear by hiding his food in various locations around his habitat. To just about everyone’s surprise, it worked. The bear began to “hunt”, and pounce on his food, and displayed a healthy appetite to devour it. Everyone was relieved and marveled at such a simple solution. The bear had been simply bored without challenge or motivation, and the cure lasted.

When I hunt in the scriptures for a word from the Lord that speaks to my need, it revives my spirit, and I shake off my lethargy and remember my connection to a holy God: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Life in the zoo was perfectly suited to the bear for meeting his physical needs, but the deepest character of the bear was as a predator, a hunter; the zoo didn’t touch that reality until one keeper recognized the problem.

Each of us drifts away from our connection to our real character as Christians from time to time. Often God supplies a “keeper” to remind us of our deepest need in Him, but some times He waits for us to remember our roots, and turn to scripture again. Our spirits need to eat and drink at His Word. It’s all too easy to drift away, but if we listen we’ll hear a call to return. It may be a nagging discontent or an over-heard phrase or expression. It may be the loss of a good friend, or a surprise blessing. Our “keeper” never sleeps, and He looks for those who are awake to Him.

Love in Him,

Prue

Reset for Love

In the 1937 movie “The Amazing Adventure” Cary Grant plays Ernest Bliss, a fabulously wealthy young man in London who is told by his doctor that the only cure for his lethargy and boredom is to “disappear” for a year, and live as a person on a very limited income working for his board and room and all other needs. When the doctor refuses to shake his hand because he is convinced that Earnest has no intention of following his “prescription”, Earnest vows to do exactly as the doctor ordered. Thus begins Ernest’s great adventure.

In the course of the year Ernest meets many needy individuals and finds himself indebted to the kindnesses of others who are sympathetic with his poverty and need, and others who try to take advantage of him. He meets Mary, a secretary in an office where he applies for a job, and falls in love with her. His love for Mary is cinched when Mary, who believes that Ernest is rock bottom poor, tells him that she loves him, but doesn’t see any way they can be together, as neither of them has enough income to support even one.

Telling a friend of his dilemma, Ernest says, “”She loves me! I know she loves me because she thinks I’m poor, and she still told me she loves me!” Ernest’s whole self –worth is tied up with his personal wealth, and he is shocked to find someone entirely ignorant of his wealth who loves him for something else. In the end they find a way for Ernest to complete his year of poverty, almost; and for Mary to marry him knowing that he is actually very rich. The doctor shakes his hand at last, and the Cinderella story ends happily. Ernest will spend the rest of his life loving Mary, for he is convinced that she is the only woman in the world who could truly and authentically love him for himself.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

When Ernest first visited the doctor he knew only that he had fatigue, restlessness, and a feeling of discontent. He didn’t imagine that his condition was spiritual instead of physical, but the doctor recognized his symptoms after examining him, and said that he had several patients like him, who needed a “restart” in their lives also. Of all his patients, only Ernest accepted the “reset”, and it changed his life permanently.

“Love never Fails” (1 Corinthians 3:8).

Love in Him,

Prue

We have all heard of a “new normal” in the world since the appearance of the covid pandemic. For each one there is a different understanding of what that “normal” is like, and what it means. Some ideas overlap: “I’ll never feel the same about being in a crowded place.”, or “Business will never be the same now that so many can do their work anywhere”, or “Shopping is altogether different now that people are buying so much online.” The list of differences is long.

Is there anyone who doesn’t wish that “things” could be more stable and predictable, more like “things” were before the first covid outbreak and before our political upheavals, and before the many changes that technology has wrought?

The most beloved psalm in the Bible, the twenty third, speaks to both time and eternity. In this psalm the presence of God in the life of the psalmist makes all the difference: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” After some beautiful images of still waters and green pastures he sums it up with, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”(Ps. 23:4&6) The calm assurance of this psalm evokes peace in the present, and peace in the future founded simply on the presence of God Himself in every particular of the psalmists’ life. He rejoices in his relationship to the Lord: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Both the present and the future are secure in his relationship to God.

In Revelations, Jesus says, “Behold, I make all things new!. . . Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” ( Rev. 21:5) He is telling us that He is making a new normal, full of the Spirit of the 23^rd Psalm, but offered to all who would listen and believe. Jesus’ new normal will never stop being new, as it is continually renewed exactly as the psalmist says, “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake.” (Ps. 23:3)

Jesus’ new normal finds its roots in the old revelation , and brings newness to a world looking for “normal”

In giving us all these words God has extended to us His eternal normal. We get to experience a foretaste of His life here and now. The words are scripture, and they deliver a new normal that has everlasting life.

Love in Him,

Prue

In reading a biography of ST. Augustine I found that it contains vocabulary words in English which were entirely new to me, beside the occasional Latin or French or German word. In spite of that I persevere, feeling certain that the subject himself will be worth the reading. In fact I have learned much so far. What I really need is a key to the deep scholarship that went into the writing of this book, in order to gather all that it has to offer of the mind and heart of St. Augustine.

When Peter recognized Jesus as the “Son of the Living God”, Jesus said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”(Matthew 16:16&19)

Such recognition is a key to understanding the Kingdom of God, and being instructed by the Holy Spirit of God. Peter only dimly understood this at the time, but later understood that the indwelling Spirit would be with him and in him for more and more understanding of God’s purposes for his life. In the process Peter would grow in actual sharing of the mind and heart of Jesus.

St. Paul wrote, “’Who has known the mind of God, so as to instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” The “mind of Christ” becomes available when we accept Jesus’ identity as the unique son of God. It is the first step in a relationship that yields a key to both God’s nature and our own. Peter later wrote, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1Peter 1:23). He himself experienced new birth with Jesus, and it reshaped his life.

In the early fifth century Augustine preached, “At first your understanding was very shaky and hesitant; later you came to understand with greater certainty and clarity. It’s not He that is growing, but you that are making progress, and it’s as though He seems to be rising up with you. That’s how it is, brothers and sisters. Trust God ‘s instructions, and carry them out, and He will give muscle to your understanding.”(sermon117,17)

When I read his biography I learn about Augustine, but when I read his sermons I share his heart as well as his mind. Why? Because he preaches about the same Spirit I have met in Scripture, and his words are full of the heart and mind of Christ. He has, with Peter, received the keys to the Kingdom that Jesus holds out to each of us.

Love in Him,

Prue

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August of 2005, many people were displaced. Busloads arrived n Houston, Texas and were temporarily housed in the Brown Convention Center. I watched an interview on TV with a young man at the center who had recently arrived after being twenty four hours without food or sleep. The interviewer asked, “How do you feel, having gone through such devastation? It must be horrifying for you.” Well”, he answered, “I’ve just had a nice shower, and I have on clean clothes, and I can smell something delicious for dinner waiting for me in the dining area, so I’m feeling quite good right now.”

Some refugees were numb from their experience and barely responsive. Some were angry, and others poured out their griefs to anyone who would listen; but this young man seemed resilient and even grateful for the change in his condition, no matter how temporary.

St. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again, “rejoice!” Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 4:4).

The peace that the gentle young man exhibited didn’t come from the nice shower or the clean clothes or the anticipation of a good dinner. If it had, then all the refugees would have felt the same. Instead, it came from within the young man’s character, even as Paul’s “peace that passes understanding” comes from the Holy Spirit of Christ, who lives within us. Paul doesn’t say that such peace can be found in clean clothes and a good dinner, but that it can be found within ourselves. In a world that talks much about peace, but experiences very little of it, these words of Paul are very strong, for he makes it clear that peace, which people of all religions crave, is accessible through God in Christ.

When I am anxious the memory of this promise fills me with the sweetness of intimacy with God. It seems very personal, an actual sharing with God’s Holy Spirit. It passes understanding that this unlikely peace could be ours; it’s an extravagant claim, but one of the most quoted and cherished in the Bible.

Love in Him,

Prue

“Now Zelophehad, son of Hepher. . . had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hogliah, Milkah, and Tirsah.  They went to Eleaser the priest, Joshua son of Nun,  and the leaders, and said, ‘ The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.’  So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father.” (Joshua 17:3)

Richard Hawkins (my father). Had four daughters whose names were Nancy, Prudence, Holly, and Margot, as well as a son named Richard.  Each of these received a rich inheritance from their father that would serve them all their lives.  They received humor, and caring, and self confidence, and a knowledge that God is somehow at the center of everything. 

When I first read about Zelophehad’s daughters I was pleased to find that small incident recorded in the Old Testament at the dividing up of the Promised Land in Joshua’s time.   It was good to see that the sisters were confident that the promise extended to them as well as to the men, and provision was made for the Promise to be fulfilled.

Zelophehad’s daughters inherited a perishable tract of land by the Promise of God, but centuries later Paul wrote, “Flesh and blood can not inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the. Perishable inherit the imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:50) He also wrote, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the Promise.” (Galatians 3:29)

My father could not make me belong to Christ, but his character would and did open portals through which I could grow toward Christ.

In writing to Timothy Paul wrote, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded, now lives in you also.(2Timothy 1:5). Paul didn’t take credit for bringing the Gospel to Timothy.  Paul witnessed a faith that came from Timothy’s home, from his mother and grandmother, and Timothy became like a son to Paul.

Our father did not preach to us girls or to our brother, but he showed us a joy in life that we loved and wanted for ourselves.  Saying “Yes” to Christ brings His Spirit into our own, and attracts and even leads others to Him. Zelophehad’s daughters’ inheritance simply points to the imperishable fruit of God’s kingdom in Christ.

Love in Him,

Prue

The calendar has turned, and so has the weather. Beautiful cooler days have replaced our summer of gasping at the temperatures and hibernating inside. The feeling of fall has brought wonderful home made displays of pumpkins and exotic gourds, not to mention Halloween paraphernalia onto front yards and doors. It happened almost overnight, and the joy of the season seems more evident this year than the last two years. It bodes well for the holiday season that lies ahead.

The ancient Greeks lived in anxiety that the springtime might not return in any given year, for their gods were capricious and arbitrary, and the people lacked faith that spring and summer would surely return and their fall harvest would come.

For the Hebrews, however, the Word of God told them, “As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22) And, the psalmist wrote, “The land yields its harvest; God our God blesses us. May God Bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth may fear Him.” (Psalm 67:7)

The harvest is the culmination of a spring and summer’s worth of labors, and holds the promise of well-being for the future. One of God’s strongest blessings in the Old Testament concerns the harvest: “You will be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new.” (Leviticus 26:10) The promise of abundance and well-being accompanies God’s covenant with Israel.

When Jesus looked out at the fields of grain in Samaria he compared it to the spiritual harvest of faithful souls: “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. (John 4:35)

Though we’re not all farmers, we all can plant and harvest spiritual seeds in our lives with our families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. The action of a single woman who anointed Jesus’ feet has resonated for over two millennia in the Scriptures. (Mark 14:9)

Celebrating the harvest is a display of thanksgiving and joy for God’s provision. In the midst of uncertainties, pumpkins on the lawn remind us of a goodness that never leaves, a Spirit that endures and looks up and makes us glad together.

Love in Him,

Prue