Month: April 2016

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity Reading

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #16

I tried reading WAR AND PEACE once. Emphasis on the word ‘tried’ – because I didn’t finish it. In my defence, I had young children at the time, was running my own business, and studying. So I probably didn’t give it the concentration I needed to. I’ll try again one day… I don’t like to be beaten 😛

But the title has always intrigued me. Are they opposites? Or just two different places on a continuum? (Jane Austen’s SENSE AND SENSIBILITY comes to mind.) Because I, for one, don’t think that the opposite of peace is war.

In my humble opinion, for what it’s worth, I think that the opposite of peace is tension.

And for me, ANY type of tension – even the merest hint of it – is enough to negate peace.

Maybe I’m not a good judge. I *am* a highly-strung person, I think. It’s on the rare occasion that I ‘relax’. Seriously. The last time I really “relaxed” was the 2nd of April, at about 10.30am. And I stayed relaxed for about 7 hours, which is rather a record in recent years. The time before that? I can’t actually remember.

[A Bible verse that always challenges me is the one they made a song out of: “Be still and know that I am God.” I get the ‘I am God’ bit – it’s the ‘being still’ bit that I have problems with!!! (And yes, my tongue’s in my cheek there. Because if I ‘knew’ – enough to trust, like in the ‘B for Bread of Life post’ – then I’d be *able* to ‘be still’!)]

But back to peace:

PIsaiah 9:6 says, “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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Yes, this is the same verse that we saw in post #5, ‘E’ is for ‘Everlasting Father’, the post about my Dad.

The last title for Jesus is ‘Prince of Peace’.

I love thinking that Peace is like the name of a country – like Australia, or America, say – which has a King… and Jesus is the Prince of that country. (Although if there was a King, then it wouldn’t actually be a country, it’d be a kingdom, yeh?)

And if this kingdom called Peace, were here on Earth, then it’d have a geographical location, and people could live there. I’d like that, I think. To live in a place of Peace. To not have to worry – or be tense even! To just ‘be still’ 🙂

And that’s my lesson today. If Jesus is what God says He is, the ‘Prince of Peace’, then as one who follows Him (as in, who dwells in His kingdom) then I can be free from tension, too. ‘Be still.’ A challenge for me! But here goes…

Have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

 

 

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity family anecdotes

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #15

Last year, I gave in. My eyesight had been deteriorating, so I breathed a deep sigh and booked an eye appointment. And ended up with glasses. Which is fine. I *am* 41, after all.

But it only hit me, after years of watching my mother remove her glasses before removing baking from the oven, why she always did that.

I yes, I meant ‘hit’.

Because the steam which issued forth, the first time I opened the oven with glasses on, instantly fogged them, rendering me momentarily blind. I squealed, then laughed (after putting down the cake carefully). Of course! THAT’S why she always removed them first!

Mr7 (who was 6 at the time) asked me what was wrong. I explained that the steam had fogged up my glasses, and then we moved into a long discussion about what steam was and where it came from. (Prior to that, he’d always called it ‘smoke’ whenever he saw it rising from the top of pots at the dinner table.)

He was intrigued at the idea that water could become three separate states, depending on temperature. I guess it *is* a tricky concept for a young mind.

And yet, that same idea: One God, in three ‘states’, is exactly what we have in the God of the Bible. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. My Mum’s cross-stitch has an image of three inter-locking circles.

OIn John 10:30, Jesus says to the people listening: “The Father and I are one.”

Those were the crucial words for the religious Jews of the time. They had laws that said anyone claiming to be God should die. And from this exact moment on, they looked for an opportunity to have him killed by the Romans (who were the rulers in Israel at the time.)

Because Jesus was stating, clearly and unmistakably, that He was divine. And rightly so! He *is* One, in essence and nature, with God the Father, and with God the Holy Spirit (who was given to believers at Pentecost, after Jesus had ascended back into heaven).

Jesus IS God. Not just a good man, or a good teacher. He is GOD. God who came down to our world and lived among us for over thirty years, before suffering the most painful death possible – for our sake.

I don’t know about you, but pondering on that blows my mind every time! It makes me shake my head, and realise again just how grateful I am that He loves me so much!

And that’s my take-away lesson for “O”. Jesus, fully God, came here and died for me. And for that, I am grateful!

Have a great day, dear reader 🙂

— KRidwyn

 

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity

Lessons from God’s metaphors: #14

During my years as a High School English teacher, I introduced my fair share of students to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The balcony scene, “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name… What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet” was guaranteed to cause significant classroom discussion.

But I’m recalling this now, for a different reason. You see, that “what’s in a name?” question that Juliet poses, has a different answer to the one she gives.

Yes, a rose *would* smell as sweet if it had a different name… but I posit that the reactions people would have to it, because of the different name, would differ greatly to what they do now.

Because unlike Juliet’s ‘answer’, names ARE important in the eyes of society. Like the ‘King of Kings’ post from Wednesday, names imply heirarchy. “King” is higher than “Duke”, just as “Bishop” outranks “Deacon”. If I’m travelling by plane, I’d prefer a pilot flying, rather than a flight attendant. If I’m on trial for murder, I doubt a lawyer who specialises in real estate to the wisest choice of person to defend me. And before I get sidetracked onto chess or The Castle analogies, I’ll head straight to today’s Bible verse: Philippians chapter 2 verse 9:

N“Therefore, God elevated him [Jesus] to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all names” – which means, just that. The name of Jesus is above all other names. It’s greater, higher, ‘above’ all others.

And the reason why, is revealed in verse 8 immediately prior:because Jesus had “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Obedience to God’s will for His life, brought death – and with it, God’s exaltation.

And my response to that is to pay him homage. To honour Him by being obedient myself – well, I try, anyway!

Have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #13

MSo I’ve been basing these #AtoZchallenge posts on a cross-stitch my Mum made for me a few years ago. Each letter depicts a title for God, with a picture and a Bible verse. Today’s letter, M, shows the phrase ‘Merciful Lord’ and the verse Psalm 100:5.

The Bible version I’m reading this year is the NLT, the New Living Translation. It’s a modern-language translation first released in 1996, like the more popular NIV (New International Version, first released in 1978) which I’ve used previously.

Neither the NIV nor the NLT however, have the word ‘mercy’ or ‘merciful’ in this Bible verse though. In fact, I needed to go back to the King James Version of the Bible (released in 1611) to find the word ‘mercy’ in that verse! It reads:

“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth for all generations.”

Instead of ‘mercy’, the NIV uses the word ‘love’ and the NLT uses ‘unfailing love’. I also found it interesting that the English Standard Version (ESV) uses ‘steadfast love’ and the New American Standard Bible uses ‘lovingkindness’ for this same word.

So that got me thinking: What is ‘mercy’, anyway?

Google’s definition: “compassion or forgiveness shown to someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm”. Yup, that’s kinda what I had it pegged as.

According to www.gotquestions.org, “Mercy is the withholding of a just condemnation.” Now that’s concise. I like it.

Whenever I think of mercy, I think of Aesop’s fables. There’s The Lion and the Mouse and its parallel tale, Androcles and the Lion.

In both situations, the more powerful creature could have harmed the weaker, but chose to show mercy instead. Then the situations are reversed, and the weaker shows mercy to the stronger.

Well, God’s definitely the more powerful one in our relationship, and I’m glad he’s chosen to show me mercy. (Unlike the Aesop’s fables though, I can’t imagine the situations ever being reversed!)

So that’s my lesson for today: His mercy begets my gratitude!

Have a lovely day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity Writing

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #12

I had originally planned to write a 26-instalment work of fiction for this #AtoZchallenge. Titled “The Daughter of EmGeen”, it ended up being FAR too M+ rated for me to feel comfortable publishing it on this site. So I have other plans for that story.

But the “B” entry for ‘The Daughter of EmGeen’ was ‘B is for Black’. And it is that which I wanted to write about today.

An online friend and writer, KD James, is also participating in the #AtoZchallenge this year. She’s part-way through her story, a mystery involving her main character Zoey, who befriends a dragon amidst her other adventures. Her description of the dragon’s cave really invoked for me what ‘dark’ feels like. It’s here: A to Z challenge: D

LContrast that to what the Bible says in John Chapter 8 verse 12. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

I like that. The opportunity to NEVER walk in darkness. To never worry about barking a shin, stubbing a toe, or spilling hot candle wax on yourself…

So today’s metaphor? Light of the World.

Used for? To never walk in darkness again.

How to receive? Follow Jesus.

Okay 🙂

Have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

 

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #11

I discovered a new favourite author recently: Kristin Cashore. I found her novel GRACELING to be absolutely extraordinary; a modern-day equivalent to Feist’s RIFTWAR  novels. I rejoiced on hearing she’d written companion novels FIRE and BITTERBLUE, and neither disappointed.

There was a particular scene in the final novel where I leaned back in my chair and thought, ‘Wow’. Cashore’s main character, the queen, was walking on a dock in her city, realising exactly how wealthy she was. Not only was she more wealthy than all her citizens and the members of the court in her own land, but she was also far wealthier than every other king, in every other kingdom, in every land that she knew of.

There was wealth, and there was *her* wealth. It was a moment of revelation for her, and for the reader too.

I stopped, and pondered the structure of societies. From hers, to ours, to even Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss, there is always someone with power at the very top. They may not have the most money (GAME OF THRONES, anyone?) but they have the most power. The most influence.

Throughout history – here on Earth now, back in the real world – who were the people who’ve made it right to the tippy-top? They were the leaders. For good or bad, they controlled nations; empires; they had dynasties named after them.

Everyone’s heard of Alexander the Great. Of Julius Caesar. Of Genghis Khan and Chairman Mao – even people such as Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx, Mother Theresa and Steve Jobs – they changed the world as we know it, too!

But of all the influential people you can think of, (and I’m sure your list above differs from mine,) who had the MOST impact?

I submit: the person whose date of birth influenced the calendar – well, the one that’s adopted by the majority of the world.

That would be Jesus.

KThe book of Revelation, chapter 19 verse 6 calls Him “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”. As in, ‘so high above all over kings, and so far above all other lords’.

That’s pretty ‘high’ up there. Deserving reverence, I’d say.

I can understand that.

So my lesson for today: God is the King of Kings. And I’m going to revere Him, remember to regard Him as such.

Have a great day, dear reader!

-KRidwyn

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity Life

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #10

I have three children: Miss11, Miss8 and Mr7. I love them more than I could possibly imagine, and want to protect them from the evils I know exist in the world. I’m sure all parents feel the same. Before becoming a parent, I never felt this way. I didn’t know it was possible to feel the overwhelming love that would sacrifice everything for this child who relies on you so utterly.

As a teenager in High School, I once heard the story of a man who controlled the switch at a train track. He was about to switch the track for a passenger train to pass safely by, when he realised that his four-year-old son was playing on it. Now that’s a dilemma! Choose who dies – a train full of passengers, or your own child?

That story has remained vivid enough that I could remember it this last week, and use it for an illustration today. Snopes though, tells the background to the story, as ‘story’ it appears to be.

JNonetheless, it is a relatable illustration of God and His choice – to send His son to Earth, knowing He would be killed the most excruciating way possible. For us. Because it was the only way that He could save us from the consequences of our sin. And Jesus – who knew, and obeyed.

Now I’m a parent, God’s choice confounds me and humbles me. There’s no way I would voluntarily sacrifice my one of my own children for strangers. Not even for friends. And yet – that’s what God did. And Jesus – who knew, and obeyed? The mind reels.

God loves us, did you know?

I’m humbled by that.

And that’s my takeaway lesson for today. J, for Jesus. Who obeyed.

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #9

When she was younger, Miss11 loved to watch Fireman Sam. I didn’t mind – those Welsh accents were delicious to listen to! I think the bit she always liked was when Fireman Sam climbed into the tight spot with naughty Norman who’d managed to get himself into trouble. He, the hero, would put himself into danger, to save the kid who needed help. And I could understand why she liked those scenes best; difficult situations always seem easier to endure when someone’s doing the hard yards with you. ‘A burden shared is a burden halved’ and all that.

[Ever the critic, I always felt that Fireman Sam shouldn’t have *had* to always come to Norman’s rescue. Really, the kid should have learned after the first few episodes – but no. Story after story, he keeps on causing the problem, and Fireman Sam comes in and rescues him, clambering into the tight spaces, putting himself in harm’s way… and the kids just goes and does it again next episode! And in case you were wondering, my tongue *is* firmly in my cheek right now. I realise that Norman will never learn, and that it’s Fireman Sam’s job to save him each time…]

But my point is, that at the height of the danger, Fireman Sam gets in with Norman to help him get out. And that’s what God did.

IToday’s letter is “I” and one of the names given to Jesus in the book of Isaiah (chapter 7 verse 14) is “Immanuel”. This name means “God is with us”. Jesus, the Son of God, came down to Earth from heaven to be with us. The human race had sinned, and that sin had broken our relationship with God. And the consequences of that sin was death. But then Jesus came. He got in with us, in this situation that we’d managed to get ourselves into, and paid the price for us so that we could get out. He died, and took the consequences of sin onto Himself. And then when He rose again from the dead, conquering death, we now are able to as well. We can be saved. Which, like Norman is every episode, I am very grateful for!

So, my takeaway lesson for “I” is this: that Jesus, our Immanuel, came to be with us, and save us. And I, for one, appreciate that!

Have a great day, dear reader!

– KRidwyn

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity family anecdotes momentous events More about me

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #8

In each post in this #AtoZchallenge, I’m highlighting one facet that God has revealed about Himself in the Bible. Most are metaphors (I am the Bread of Life; I am the Good Shepherd etc.) but they aren’t always.

This one isn’t.

FullSizeRender (4)In the book of Psalms, Chapter 103 verse 3, the Bible says, “[the LORD] forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases…”

God is a healer. The cross-stitch sampler to the left shows a man leaping for joy, no longer needing a walking stick; he’s been healed of his physical illness. Stories abound throughout the Bible wherein people are healed physically; and also emotionally and spiritually, when their sins were forgiven.

It’s taken me a while to decide what ‘life example’ *I* could give here, to illustrate my point. I mean, I’ve never really suffered any physical aliment from which I needed healing. Nor, to my knowledge, have any close friends or family, so I can’t relate their story here either.

Emotional healing I’ve had a little more experience with though, and long-time readers of this blog might remember the roller-coaster ride that was the time when my youngest was diagnosed with autism.

But the biggie was probably when God healed my marriage.

Screen Shot 2016-04-05 at 10.10.01 amI posted this photo on Facebook earlier in the week. Hubby and I were out, and I managed to snap a selfie of the two of us – where he was SMILING! This would be the first ever smiling selfie, in over 20 years of marriage.

And I’m sharing that piece of information so you can see how completely He healed us.

You see, we broke up after just 18 months of marriage.

It was pretty bad. And I was the cause… well, to be specific, it was my experiences with a cult a few years prior, which had screwed me up BIGTIME, that had driven us apart.

Anyway, SUPERlong story short, we patched things up and got back together again.

This was only possible because of God. No, really.

The story is too long to tell here – you’ll need to read the longer post here instead – but suffice it to say, God healed us. And look, twenty years later, we’re still together. And I’m proud of that.

That’s not to say we haven’t fought in the meantime. I’m a stubborn thing, and a control freak, neither of which do me any favours. We’ve had some doozies of arguments. But we’re in this for the long haul, and are both committed to that. No matter what. God healed us, and for that I’m eternally grateful.

So that’s my lesson for Day 8. God Heals. He’s healed others, and He’s healed Hubby and I. I can take comfort in the fact that He’ll heal again, whenever and wherever is needed.

That’s pretty awesome 🙂

Have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn

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#AtoZchallenge Blogging challenges Christianity More about me teaching

26 lessons from God’s metaphors: #7

As a teacher for *cough* over twenty *cough* years, I’ve had a few student teachers in that time. You know, the people who study ‘teaching’ at Uni, who come and practice teaching for a few weeks, or months, to learn the ropes of how a classroom operates. Or should.

Some of those student teachers were fantastic. Dedicated, willing to learn, like little sponges eager to hear and absorb ‘the pearls of wisdom that dropped from my lips’. (Ha! I just quoted from my own Film and TV teacher, from my own days as a Senior. She was a fervent teacher, Nicky Bricknell.)

Other student teachers? Not so much.

But when it boiled down to it, they weren’t in charge. I was. The responsibility for the cherubs in my classes lay entirely with me.

Likewise with God.

FullSizeRender (3)In the book of John, chapter 10, verses 11 to 14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

I like the idea that I’m not in the class where the student teacher has assumed entire responsibility. I’m in the class where my teacher is the Head Honcho. So I can be confident that my needs – all of them! – will be attended to. He’ll look after me, because I belong to Him.

And that’s my takeaway lesson for Day 7. Because God is the GOOD shepherd, I can be confident. (And if you’re interested in seeing what BAD shepherding is like, and how God feels about it, read Ezekiel 34. But be warned: He doesn’t like it!)

So on that note, have a great day, dear reader!

— KRidwyn