“Pull in your elbow”, my violin teacher told me over and over again. I always obeyed, but I thought, “I don’t need to do that. I’ve seen violin players that held the instrument lots of different ways; this is just her style, but it might not be my style.” One day when I was practicing, I could ‘t get even close to the right pitch. I remembered my teacher’s admonition to pull in my elbow, and suddenly I heard a sound on the D string that was a rich, resonant G, and it sounded lovely. I had heard it from others, but I had never quite achieved it on my own. It occurred to me that my teacher was not teaching me her style, but she was teaching me to play the instrument that I wanted so very much to be able to play. In fact, she was not teaching me “style” at all; but she was teaching me the basic, elementary methods of just learning to play the simplest pieces. This revelation changed my attitude, my practicing and even my relationship to my teacher. I no longer thought that she was selfishly trying to replicate her own technique, but I began to recognize the gift that she was conveying to me.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us. ”

Jesus answered : “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you for such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

What is it that prevents us from seeing the Father? It is just what prevented me from playing the violin: my foolish belief in myself more than my belief in my teacher. It was awkward to “pull my elbow in”, and didn’t seem easy. It was a preconceived idea of the Father, and the familiarity of Jesus that prevented Philip from seeing God in Jesus. Jesus painstakingly repeated that he, Jesus is “in the Father, and that the Father is in me.”

God doesn’t teach us His “style.” Rather, He extends His heart to us unconditionally in love. It’s a huge concept, and also a reality. Besides all the rules , commands, and the Covenant itself, God is a Person who extends His Character of love to us, who have preconceived and mistaken ideas of Him. His patience is eternal and His instruction renews us. Our obedience is an acknowledgment of our faith in Him. It is sweet, rich resonant music to God; and when we recognize the gift He has for us, we hear that music with Him.

Love in Him,

Prue

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in amity! It is like precious oil poured on the head running.. . down on “Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Herman were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even peace forevermore. (Psalm 133)

When I watch the news on TV, it is packed with eruptions and emergencies around the world. It is complex and various in the opinions of the speakers.
World changing events are reported almost hourly and interpreted variously . I can hardly bear to watch and listen.

In this world, thousands of years ago, when the entire Western Hemisphere was not known to exist, the civilizations of that ancient time were brutal and full of strife, driven by absolute monarchs that had life and death authority over their subjects. They were plagued with tribal and nationalist competition, hatred, and revenge. The psalmist who wrote Psalm 133 lived in those times, and yet found that there was a blessing in the life that came from an invisible source: The God of the people of God. It was a blessing of peace, and brought an exclamation of, “How good and pleasant when God ‘s people live in unity” Whether the psalmist had experienced such pleasure, or had acquired a vision of it hardly matters, for in the midst of division and strife it proves that there is the possibility of vision and hope, unity and peace.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times, and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The son is . . . sustaining all things by his powerful word. (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Isaiah wrote of this oil of joy at a very dangerous time for Israel: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor . . . to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning.

The oil of joy still anoints our faith in Christ. It releases the fragrance of salvation into our souls and to our world.

Love in Him,

Prue

A few years after my father died, I had a dream in which he approached me as I stood out of doors, and spoke to me. “Your mother is doing everything right for Stephanie” (my daughter) he said, “but I want her to have some of my duds.” Then he held out his hand, and gave me a Good News Bible. He smiled, and turned and walked away.

When I woke up in the morning , I thought, “Stephanie doesn’t own a Good News Bible,and it couldn’t hurt to get her one;” so I went to the Christian bookstore and asked for one, and was shown a lovely embossed leather covered, very expensive Bible. I felt sure that it was not what I wanted. As I turned to leave, I noticed a rack near the door that held a book covered with what looked like dungarees. I asked, “What is that?” “Oh”said the clerk, “That is a Good News Bible it’s the only one left. We carry those for the teenagers. You’d be surprised how many foot-ball players come in to buy this Bible.” “That’s just what I want,” I answered, and bought the book. Stephanie was thirteen years old. I didn’t tell her about the dream until a long time later. She took the Bible and spent time reading it. Eventually when she went to college, she took that Bible with her.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.( Matthew 7:7) Jesus spoke these words to his disciples early in his ministry. When they had walked together for about three years, and Jesus knew that he would be leaving soon, he told them that he would be sending them a gift, an “advocate”who would never leave them: I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. . .you know him, for he lives in you, and will be with you.” (John 14:16&17)

Even before Jesus’ gift to his disciples, the Spirit of truth lived in David, Jesus’ ancestor:

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right. . . the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much fine gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.(Psalm 19:8-10) The Spirit of truth that David knew, and that Jesus gave to his disciples, and so to all believers, can live in human beings, and be found in the pages of the Bible that is in all our homes. He never fails.

Love in Him,

Prue

In the 1938 movie The Amazing Adventure of Ernest Bliss, Cary Grant portrayed a multi-millionaire bachelor who was told by his doctor that his discontent and unhappiness were due entirely to his arrogant, careless lifestyle and isolation from ordinary working people. The movie was filmed in England during the Great Depression, giving our generation a glimpse of life in those hard years.

Ernest made a bet with his doctor that he, Ernest, could disappear, and live entirely by his own labors for one year, or he would pay his doctor $50,000. The jobs Ernest could find included selling stoves, and chauffeuring. One night when he was called to drive the doctor to a patient’s home, the doctor was astonished to recognize his own patient.

Ernest experienced kindness from his landlady, and fellowship with others struggling to support themselves. He fell in love with Frances, a secretary played by Mary Brian, but part of his bet required him not to reveal his real identity, and though she loved him, she was the sole support of her mother and ailing sister, and felt she couldn’t marry someone without a steady income. Ernest came face to face with material shortage, with life lived on the edge of sheer want. It surprised him and deepened him, exactly as the doctor had prescribed. For the first time in his life Ernest was grateful for an offered cup of tea, and for an extension on his rent bill. The layers of reality overlap in the movie in intriguing ways. At one point his landlady says, “Don’t worry, Mr. Bliss. There are those who don’t pay, even when they can, and those who don’t pay because they can’t; and I know the difference.”

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy,” and he also said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:7 &5) From the friendships he made, and the grace that was shown him, Ernest’s adventure was a spiritual trip to humility , and even meekness.

The Bible asserts, “Now Moses was a very meek man, more meek than anyone else on the face of the earth.” ( Numbers12:3) Both the Old and the New Testaments affirm the importance of meekness in the kingdom of God. It is a quality that brings with it God’s own Spirit. The movie ends happily, and in the end, the Beatitudes are in glorious display.

Love in Him,

Prue

At one time we lived near a ranch that bred and raised Arabian horses. They were magnificent animals, and often grazed in a field near the road that we usually traveled. One day, when I drove by the pasture, I had to slow down, as a graceful deer crossed the road in front of me, walked toward the fence , and easily leaped it to join the horses, some of which were grazing at the rack which held food in the field for them. Two horses stopped long enough to look up at the deer, and resumed their meal at the rack. The deer simply stood next to them and shared the feast. It didn’t stay long, but returned over the fence and into the woods. The image of that graceful, fragile looking wild deer next to the Arabian horses stays with me. The wild animal was such a contrast to the horses, that it seemed to represent an entirely different world, yet the deer was not shy about joining the horses.

The whole scene, experienced in only a very few minutes, reminded me of C.S. Lewis’ books in The Chronicles of Narnia, where the animals talk and interact like human beings. In describing the nature of Aslan, the great lion who is a savior figure in the book The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Mrs. Beaver says, “He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.”

‘The Lewis story rests on prophesies of rescue of the world of Narnia by Aslan, of the return of spring and blessed living. In the Bible, the Book of Isaiah prophetically announces the coming of a rescue from darkness into light: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. . . For unto us a child is born. . . and he will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor , Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2&6),

The promise of the coming of Christ has echoed for thousands of years. It is renewed at Christmas and Easter, and in individual lives throughout time. His coming into our lives cannot be forced or fabricated. He is not, after all “a tame lion.” the “wildness” of God is the source of hope for us, for His all sufficiency covers our entire well being.

That He can leap over the fences of our lives, and fellowship with us and even rescue us, is our hope for eternal life.

St. Paul experienced this: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) In life and in stories our God makes Himself known to us.

Love in Him,

Prue

When the Queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon as well as the palace,. . . the food on his table, . . . his officials,. . . servants,. . . and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed. She said to the king, . . . “Praise be to the Lord your God. . . Because of the love of your God for Israel. . . He has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” ( 2Chron.(9:3-8)

The Queen of Sheba was not among the chosen people of Israel. She lived far to the south, perhaps on the continent ofAfrica, in what is Ethiopia today. The exact location is disputed, but it was at least a forty day journey with a caravan of camels such as accompanied the Queen. It was a treacherous undertaking, motivated entirely by reports of a king who spoke with the wisdom of God.

Many generations later Jesus spoke to some Pharisees and teachers of the law: The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:42) The Queen’s visit to Solomon was a signal to Jesus and to all believers that though the people of Israel were the chosen people of God, His Spirit was not confined only to them,but given to all believers. The Queen of the South believed, or perhaps at first only hoped, that the God of Israel was true and real. Her visit to Solomon was confirmation that her trip had not been in vain, that the extraordinary wisdom was divinely inspired and even transparent in the qualities of justice and righteousness. In an almost entirely pagan world, and from so great a distance, the Queen’s resolution and determination to see for herself the validity of the accounts she had heard, was itself inspired, for centuries later Jesus recognized her visit as the work of his Father.

The Queen of Sheba’s visit, and her recognition of the divine origin of Solomon’s wisdom and reign, can be an inspiration to us, who sometimes feel as far as the ends of the earth away from God. Nevertheless, we have at our disposal gifts, such as the Queen brought to Solomon , and that he in turn gave to her. We have the wisdom and sheer inspiration of justice and righteousness contained in our Bibles. We have lives to submit to God. More than all of these, we have the One who is “something greater” than Solomon in our lives. The Holy Spirit who inspired the Queen of Sheba is able to inspire us as well. How rich we are!

Love in Him,

Prue

OOPS

The last blog, Steadfast Love contained a glip, an ad for some kind of chair. Neither Jack nor I can understand exactly how that happened, but I’ll be monitoring more closely from now on. Also, if you do not receive a blog on a Sunday or a Wednesday, please let me know. So far, they have been published every week on those two days, yet some have not received one or more. I’m grateful for this technology, but mindful that nothing, and only One is perfect.

Love in Him,

Prue

Why does God love us? Is it because we are made in His image? Is it because His son loves us and gave his life for us? Are there more reasons? One reason draws us closer to Him throughout our lives: of all the living things in all creation, human beings are the ones who engage in the battle between good and evil both in the world and within themselves. The struggle in which we engage, engages Him, and He shares His Spirit with us to achieve our victory.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55) Stephen, the first martyr of the Christian faith, had been chosen by the Apostles to serve and minister to the early church. Because Stephen’s sermon was offensive to the members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, they could not endure his message and stoned him to death. Stephen received a vision of Jesus standing next to God Himself, who welcomed him to heaven as Stephen died. Stephen was an early believer in Jesus as the Christ, and never wavered, even when threatened by death.

The battle that Christians fight is an internal one as well . The battle to remain faithful, to renew our commitment to Christ, to forgive and to remain steadfast, is shared with us by the Holly Spirit; and our bond deepens. God loves this. It is a life-long experience and a journey that God loves to share. Because Jesus gave his human, physical life as well as his spiritual life to God we have favor with God. He has placed a path at our feet which, if followed, leads to more of Him in our lives.

Stephen found the path early, as did the disciples of Jesus. Paul found the path on the road to Damascus . Unknown numbers of people find the path in a local church, or in their own families, but each one must struggle to “keep the faith” in the face of a world of confusion and denial. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord. . . will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Why does God love us? Love is the very character of God. “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

God loves us because of who He is.

Love in Him,

Prue

Whenever, as a child, I complained to my grandmother of some heinous crime that one of my sisters had committed, my grandmother would respond, “But she said she was sorry, and so we don’t speak of it again. It happened, and it is over with.” The message to me was that forgiveness is a lifestyle. It has a pattern and perimeters. An offense occurs, repentance follows, and forgiveness causes it to vanish. I think that my grandmother knew herself to be forgiven by God, and that made her confident in making forgiveness her lifestyle. She didn’t sympathize with me,or even acknowledge that I had been grievously wronged, but simply closed a door and opened another, healthier door.

David wrote in Psalm 51, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Part of the reason that God chose David as a “Man after His own heart” ( 1 Samuel 13:14) is hidden in this psalm. Here the psalmist acknowledged his wrong doing and wrong spirit. He bemoaned the loss of joy and gladness. He expressed the condition of all of sinful humanity in the face of our creator God, and held onto the hope of remedy and reprieve from God Himself. David knew that he could not help himself, and that God alone could make him, and us, clean. David’s intimacy with God enabled David to believe that, in spite of his own emptiness, God could and would fill him with His grace and life. He knew that forgiveness would bring joy and relief from sorrow and dismay..

Centuries later, after the birth of the one whom Isaiah had called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” the child would grow up to fulfill all the words of the prophets. The man Jesus taught his disciples, as well as us, a prayer that included , “ forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6:12), and then he demonstrated the extent to which he would go to secure forgiveness for his people, by accepting death on the cross. The stakes are literally infinite, as Jesus’ words were received by his Father God: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Forgiveness holds together families, friends, and even nations. It is connected to our eternal destination. It is the lifestyle of God, which he seeks in us.

Love in Him,,

Prue

Our Father God is quick to forget our sins when we repent. As Corrie Ten Boom once wrote, “He buries our sins in the deepest part of the ocean; and then posts a sign that reads “No Fishing!” He forgets our sins many times in our lifetimes; but there are other things that God never forgets.

Sometimes it is hard to feel in touch with Gd, and our prayers seem like sawdust. Those times can drag on longer and longer unless we remember that every believing prayer is bound in God’s “Bundle of Life” (1Samuel 25:29). The very prayer that was prayed for each of us at our baptism remains in God’s bundle throughout our lives. The prayers of our grandmothers are still in God’s bundle when our own lips are silent, and we can’t discern God’s presence. Our prayers, prayed under the influence of God’s own Spirit, remain in His memory all our lives and beyond. When we remember that He remembers, it is easier to approach God in prayer. We come to Him not alone, but accompanied by a host of believers whose prayers for us are in God’s bundle.

When Abigail met David, who was not yet the king, and offered him food for the men who followed David, she said to him, “Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies He will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.” (1 Samuel 25:29) Abigail knew that the revenge that David sought would wreck his unique relationship to Israel’s God. She was protecting not only her own home, which David might have destroyed, but the heritage of David himself as God’s chosen king.

More than all this, God gave us His son, who presented the disciples with a prayer straight out of God’s bundle of life. The Lord’s Prayer is a gift from the Father to son, and to all of us, that we may partake of the goodness in the Father’s bundle of life. Jesus shared his birthright with all of us when he gave the Lord’s Prayer to us.

Mary received God’s bundle of life when her baby was placed in her arms. It is God’s plan that each of us receive that bundle and find His life in it. God loves to see His bundle grow and flourish. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” (John 10:70)

Love in Him,

Prue