Everybody has a context that God uses to shepherd us toward hope. But it is never as we would prescribe. If you are in the valley or the harvest, growth in hope is ALWAYS better in the shared light of community.
THE PRISM
Indiscriminate Light
Variant beams land on the Left and on the Right.
Every scar and hammer receive equal beam.
Gracing faded glory, in colors not yet seen.
Some colors carve out valleys, days to disdain.
Others give like harvest, with endless fields of grain.
Unshakable Light
A purpose veiled for the wrong, and the right.
Prophets and Poets, all receive a proper share.
Who gets the fortune and who gets despair?
In long lean split mysteries, our shadows beg to shine.
When wishes get divided, by fractures and by lines.
Boundless Light
Submission is abiding, in escapable flight.
All the jars are cracking, each one wanting to know.
Can those touched by darkness, trust the light, then wounds to show?
No one can escape it, a wisdom that is Just.
The deeper mercies found, when light shines upon the dust.
Lay it up to the Light
-B.Oaks
“ But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?”
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
“Questions #1
What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer:
That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.”