Standing in front of the back wall of a cave in Seminole Canyon and viewing the ancient rock paintings, knowing that they are as old or older than the Biblical Abraham, gave me a curious sensation of timelessness and mystery. The pictures include recognizable figures of animals and human–like beings; and one group in particular of such figures standing in a circle looked to me as if it was depicting a ritual of some kind. “Are these figures religious in some way?” I asked our guide. “Honey, those figures can be anything you want them to be,” she answered, “No one has any idea what any of them means. No present day tribe acknowledges the people of these artists as their ancestors. There is no record except these pictures, so it’s up to you what you think they mean.”

Besides the pictures there were other artifacts: partial sandals, baskets, and some spear-

like weapons. As I left the canyon I felt as if time had been telescoped and I had seen some things, but understood very little of the character of the people who once lived there.

By contrast, I felt that I could almost have a conversation with Abraham himself, and we would understand each other. Nothing is left to be seen or touched of that bronze age Biblical man or his family, but his very character is literally an open book to which we can turn at any time.: “Then the word of the Lord came to him (Abraham): “A son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir. . . Look up at the sky and count the stars , if, indeed you can count them. . . So shall your offspring be.’ Abraham believed the Lord and He credited it to him as righteousness.’” (Genesis 15:4-6)

The God of Abraham was the God of Jesus of Nazareth as well. He is the God of all Christians today. The angel who spoke to the women who came to Jesus’ empty tomb said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here. He is Risen!” (Luke 24:6) The God who gave Abraham a son in his old age and the God who raised Jesus to new life after his death on the cross is the God who lives in our homes and in our lives today. He is no less powerful now than He was in Abraham’s day, or in the very day of resurrection, or in the day of our own answered prayers. The material substances of the lives of Abraham and Jesus have disappeared, but the reality of their Spirits works profoundly in ours.

I enjoyed the opportunity of seeing the cave drawings at Seminole Canyon, and imagining the lives of the people, but I love more the renewal and joy I experience in relating to the living Christ and his ancestor, Abraham.

Love in Him,

Prue

Early spring is the time I crave to renew the flower pots and yard beds. I spend the summer exulting in the display of beauty they bring to front and back yards. They’re no real carpets of color, but only accents that nevertheless delight the eye after a winter of brown grass and empty flower beds.

This year I debated between planting dianthus or vinca, which I usually plant. The difference is that dianthus is a perennial, while the vinca dies in the first frost and doesn’t return. Both are bright bloomers with vinca being most reliable, all summer and fall, and dianthus taking breaks from blooming from time to time; but dianthus also spreads and fills in to a greater degree. One advantage of the perennial is that I don’t have to replace so many of them every year. Once I asked my nephew, “When you’re planting your garden in the spring, are you thinking about what you will plant next year?” “Always! I’m always thinking about next year’s garden,” he answered.

On the very night before he died, Jesus knew that every word he said must last forever in the minds of his disciples, and for numberless others to come. He said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He prunes every branch in me that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will bear even more fruit. . . No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” (John 15: 1&4)

Gardening, planting and agriculture mark the beginning of civilization. They also mark a spiritual beginning of hope and anticipation. Jesus told his disciples that remaining in touch with his Father was mirrored by the joy and anticipation of a rich harvest. The goodness he offers is the joy of union with God in our lives. It is a close union, as the vines are actually part of the plant itself. Jesus also said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” ( John 15:11)

It’s a joy to be deciding which beauties to lavish on my yard, but a deeper and higher joy to know that I’m sharing this with the Creator behind all joy.

I decided on the dianthus.

Love in Him,

Prue

In the year 2000, Joy Perfume was declared the “Scent of the Century” by the Fragrance Foundation Fifi Award event in Paris. Joy Perfume had been introduced in 1926, and for some time was known as the world’s costliest perfume. By many, it is still regarded as the best perfume in the world.

One day I was showing a friend some of the plants in our garden, and I said proudly, “This is the “Joy” flower whose fragrance is that of the perfume.”

“And why would you want that? What difference does that make?” asked my friend. I couldn’t think of an answer. “Of course, I said, “It doesn’t matter at all.” I didn’t dare to admit that a small bottle of Joy Perfume resides on my dresser.

Truly , the most famous perfume in the world was introduced more than two thousand years ago. It was made of pure “nard”, a root that had been used by the ancient Egyptians before it was ever poured over the feet of Jesus of Nazareth: “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured is on Jesus ‘ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But Judas Iscariot objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and given to the poor? It is worth a year’s wages.’. . .

“Leave her alone”, Jesus replied. . “It was intended that she should save this perfume for my burial.” (John 12:3-8).

Lent is a time for deep thinking, and the Bible presents lots of food for such thinking. When Mary’s love for Jesus overflowed in her extravagant gesture, Jesus saw in her more than a dutiful young woman, but a loving spirit with an unutterable appreciation for all that Jesus had meant to her and her family. Jesus recognized his own Father’s Spirit at work in Mary, and it outstripped every other consideration, even the ongoing care for the poor.

Nard is a powerful, lasting perfume. It is possible that its fragrance could have been been still detected one week later when Jesus endured the Cross. My friend’s words made me think more deeply about the “perfume flower”, and about my real source of Joy.

Love in Him,

Prue

Rock Language

The word “bergmal” in the Icelandic language can be translated as “rock language” in English, but it means what we call an “echo.” This piece of information came from the website “Mental Floss” which I was browsing for the fun of it. The phrase “rock language” triggered images from the Bible of trees and mountains rejoicing: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 50:12) and “Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, (psalm 98:8)

The jubilation is so great that only the voices of nature can capture the joy of a people who belong to God. In the “Chronicles of Narnia”, C.S. Lewis’ seven novel collection of stories of the mystical land of Narnia, trees and rivers and animals and imaginary characters raise their voices and speak of the wonders of Aslan, their Savior: “Have you ever stood at the edge of a great wood on a high ridge when a wild southwester broke over it in full fury on an autumn evening? Imagine that sound. And then imagine that wood. . . was rushing at you; and was no longer trees but huge people; yet still like trees…” (Prince Caspian, Chapter 14).

For Christians the goodness of nature, its beauty , variety, renewal and fullness of life, are forever reminders of Christ’s resurrection: “See, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Songs2:11-12). The splendors of nature, coupled with the imagination of human beings, produces awe and praise for the Creator of life itself.

The Icelanders’ language gave a voice to rocks, as God gave a voice to The rock at the tomb. It was sealed and marked by Rome before it was rolled away to expose an empty tomb. Its language echoes still in the world as we probe the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection during Lent, in preparation for Easter, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–His power and Divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”(Romans 1:20)

The secret of knowing the rock’s language is knowing nature’s creator, a knowledge He loves to impart, and His Son loves to share, It echoes today, and it’s ours for the asking.

Love in Him,

Prue

On the “Antiques Roadshow” a woman brought a small piece of old paper with a faded note written on it , and Abraham Lincoln’s signature. She assumed that the note was written by a secretary, but that the signature might be worth something. She was

right about the signature, but the appraiser told her that the message itself was in Lincoln’s handwriting, and was certainly written by him.

The message was a “pass” to allow a widow to cross Union lines during the Civil War in order to visit relatives in the North. The owner was astonished that the whole piece was hand written by Lincoln, and the appraiser said that the signature was worth a few thousand dollars, but having the whole note gave a window into the character of Lincoln, and placed us at the time and place. It was worth many thousands more than just the signature alone.

When Christians say “It’s a God thing!” I think they have perceived the signature of God in an incident in the world around them. Many times it seems to be the closest that we can come to our Savior God, but His whole Book is actually available to find Him and find ourselves in His timelessness and perfect place. Daily reading His book opens vast windows into the life of our God, which He intends to share with us: “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him,” (Proverbs 30:5),and “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. . . teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 11:18)

In the New Testament Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)

The faded piece of paper contained an undeniable truth, not only of a point in time, but of the character of the writer. For that, it was very, very valuable. The Bible contains glimpses of a distant time and place, but also it reveals the character of a timeless God who has not changed, but whose character has become clearer with the years of believers who have read His word, and held to His teachings. Indeed, in the midst of confusion His words have the power to set us free. What could possibly be more valuable?

Love in Him,

Prue

A young woman soprano performed in concert at the church I once attended. Her voice was fresh, very pretty and expressive; I thought she showed real promise to be a professional concert singer. Her program was varied and the audience was appreciative. On the back of the printed program she gave a brief autobiography that included her musical history, her family, and finally, her hobby.

I smiled when I saw her “hobby”. It was “Taking naps.” She was a young mother with two small children and I could easily guess that her life was very busy and that a nap must have been a luxury that rose to the level of a hobby.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation; In quietness and trust is your strength.’” (Isaiah 30:15) The Old and New Testaments both emphasize the need for quiet and rest in our lives with God; “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:7) and “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and I will give you rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11;28)

In my experience the quiet and rest has to become habit, perhaps even a “hobby”in order to receive the real fulfillment of God’s promise regarding rest. Since God initiates the idea of coming to Him in peace, He also enables this. While we think of our schedules and distractions and obligations, He leads us sometimes to the early mornings, sometimes to another time of day or evening, to carve out a time and place to which we can frequently return for the rest that leads to Him.

The lovely soprano was not embarrassed to say that naps were her hobby. Is it so far fetched to say “Time alone with God is my favorite time”? The Psalmist returns to this theme in Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” That God desires the time of rest with us should be enough to seek Him out in our everyday lives. I think that we can hardly imagine the goodness that would take shape in our lives if we made time alone with God our “Hobby.”

Love in Him,

Prue

The Road Less Traveled , by Scott Peck was a hugely popular best seller in the United States and around the world in the 1980’s and 1990’s. First published in 1978, the opening words of the book are, “Life is difficult.” All of Dr. Peck’s observations and suggestions about life on earth spring from this defining sentence. Its simplicity was admired and often quoted, as it is impossible to imagine a human life that has not encountered at least some difficulties.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy. ” ( 1 Peter 2:9&10)

The difficulties of life are certainly many and varied and real, but the Holy Spirit of God has poured out through Peter a definition that transcends all others: You are redeemed as a person of God. Human beings have received redemption by the death and resurrection of His son Jesus. Human life is redeemed, set right with God, in order to receive the Holy Spirit of God into our own lives. It is God’s desire. It was His plan from before the Fall, and it has worked in the lives of countless Christians for millennium.

The crippling effect of guilt consciousness, and even sub-conscious guilt has been lifted by the redemption that Christ has delivered to us. The power of such a shift in reality can’t even be measured. It conveys a freedom and a strength that is not accessible from any other source. It is celebrated today for forty days of Lent culminating in the great celebration of Easter.

It’s easy today to cast about in our ubiquitous technologies in order to access specialists and communicators to find hundreds of paths to happiness on earth. Most of them overlap one another, but they all claim that changes in our behavior can reap great rewards and “rescue” us from all the things that distress us. But God has done something without even consulting us, in sending His own Person literally to take our place in dying, and in being raised again, so that we, too, could share His supernatural life, and become genuine members of His family. “All we, like sheep, have gone astray. We have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6-7). Life, created by God, is redeemed by God. We are His.

Love in Him,

Prue

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried about many things, but few are needed—or indeed, only one. Mary has chosen better part, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42)

This exchange unfolded in the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus , who were entertaining Jesus and all twelve of his disciples for dinner. As they waited, Jesus was talking to his friends about God, while Mary sat at his feet listening.

Whenever I have asked a class which sister was most like themselves, the majority have always responded that they identify with Martha. They cannot see how Jesus couldn’t understand that there would be no dinner at all without the work of Martha, and what was Mary doing except enjoying herself?

They are right , I believe, to focus on the dinner, as this incident is all about feeding and being fed; but Jesus draws a different conclusion in responding to Martha’s request. He displays his love for Martha in addressing her as he does, and he’s not unmindful of her generous hospitality. Later in their relationship, at the death of her brother, it was to Martha that Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the life.”

Nevertheless, Jesus is unequivocal when he says “Mary has chosen the better part.” While Martha is feeding the literal body of Christ and his disciples, Mary is being fed spiritually at Jesus’ feet. Jesus draws a distinction between feeding and being fed, and tells us, along with Martha, that receiving supernatural food, the kind that he called “the bread of life” is more important even than satisfying our physical hunger.

Most of us are eager to see relief from hunger in the world, and we want to help those who are experiencing it. We all want to feed our families and provide delicious meals. We know how to feed others, but to be fed requires a willingness to come to Christ and sit at his feet. It’s a willingness that God looks for in His people, a quality Jesus seeks in his followers. It’s hard to be fed when we really want to feed others, but Jesus says clearly , being fed by Him is always the better part.

Love in Him,

Prue

Skaneateles Lake in New York State was the place for our final scuba diving test. Jack and I had finished the test and were sitting on the deck of a friend of our instructor. He told us about the lake in all seasons and then said, “One spring morning I was sitting out here having coffee. There was still some ice along the shore of the lake. I saw a buck and a doe walk up to the water, not far from where we’re sinning now. They didn’t even hesitate to step into the cold water, and just kept walking until it got deep enough to swim.

They both swam steadily until I saw the doe struggling to keep her head above water. It lasted several minutes until the doe disappeared beneath the surface. The buck kept swimming for a short while, then went under. He came back, then went down again. After what I thought was a long time, he rose up again and the doe was on his his back! I could hardly believe it, but I had my binoculars on by then and I saw it. He carried her almost half way across this lake in water that must have been in the 40’s. On the other side she slipped off his back and they both walked into the woods.”

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

Nature is a wonderful resource for people. We cam all appreciate a breath-taking sunset or a walk in a quiet woods, and sometimes God gives us an even closer glimpse of His Spirit through the lives of animals and even plants. God taught Jonah a lesson in humility by raising up a plant and then allowing it to wither. (Jonah 4:6-11)

Our love of nature we share with nature’s Creator. It is a window into the creative and sustaining nature of God Himself, and an important bond with our God.

When our host witnessed the deer swimming across the lake he saw a bond that reflected God’s bond with us. There are countless examples of such bonding in the world, and if we allow ourselves to see our God as creator and sustainer, nature displays many manifestations of Him. St. Paul goes so far as to say that people have no excuse for rejecting the reality of a living God in the midst of all of life on planet Earth. Nature is a reminder in beauty and poignancy, power and strength of our God. Perceiving this is another path to His life.

Love in Him,

Prue

Jack emerged from the bottom of the St. Lawrence River and reached out to hand me a glass goblet he had just found. When I took the goblet I could see that it had a very large chip on one side. “It’s chipped,” I said. “Throw it back!” “Look at the date on it,” he answered, and I found that it was an 1876 commemorative goblet designed to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence a hundred years earlier.

I took the goblet home and cleaned and admired it, regardless of its useless condition. I think that I somehow identified with this broken glass goblet because of its association with the historic event, regardless of how remote, I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away. I knew that it had no monetary value, but still I kept it for its “provenance, ”

the idea that regardless of intrinsic value or lack there of, objects can be measured and seen as valuable simply by their close association with a famous person, place, or time, or by their great age.

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22) I believe that no matter how broken our own lives, how many regrets we harbor, or how much time we believe we have wasted, when God sees in us the image of His son, our “value “ in His kingdom grows. Each tiny act of obedience, or growing in prayer or scripture reading increases our divine provenance, making us “keepers “ in God’s kingdom.

Having the broken goblet made me feel connected to a time of intense patriotism and a formative time for my country. Having us turn to Him gives our God a gratifying reminder of His original creation and His ultimate sacrifice for us. Our turning to Him reunites us with our roots and puts in order and even repairs the cracks and chips and brokenness in our lives.

“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5). Restoring the fullness and joy of life is a great joy of our Savior’s . In spite of the sea changes in our world, His hand of restoration reaches to large and small and never fails. When I find myself feeling like a cracked goblet, I know where to turn for the wholeness I need.

Love in Him,

Prue