Musings with PWC

Last Wednesday, as part of a class assignment for a course I am taking, we participated in a time of meditation around the “Stations of the Cross.”  This ancient worship practice surrounds viewing artistic pieces that depict 14 places of significance on Jesus’ road to Calvary (the Via Dolorosa—the Way of Suffering).  The particular Stations I was viewing are displayed in the Tyndale Chapel in Toronto.  The artistic pieces are sculptures created by Donald de Lue.   It was at Station number three that my heart and spirit were cemented.  The Station—called ‘Jesus Falls for the First Time’—depicts as noted, Jesus falling.  There are three others in the sculpture.  A Roman solider with a whip driving Jesus back onto his feet—and two others.  Lue, known for his ability sculpting hands and feet had depicted these two as follows.  One man, in the top corner—had his hand held out flat as if to say ‘stop!’ The woman is reaching towa...

Ac 9:2 “…and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way , whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” I recall having to write a paper, many years ago, as I was studying to finish my Bachelor’s degree in theology.  That paper was to answer a need in my then congregation.  The paper was to introduce some new ministry that would propel my congregation—and conversely me—to greatness.  Well, the new idea didn’t work—LOL—and I’m still not great! Oh, the idea you ask?  I took the Acts 9:2 passage and used the concept of the Way.  ‘The Way’ would be a newly launch ministry that was to be spectacular.  Well, it didn’t actually ever get off the ground.    However, ‘people of the way,’ struck me today as the read that phrase in Margaret Silf’s book Inner Compass. Here’s the entire sentence: “This kind of journey is not for ‘pillars of the Church.’...

John 14:19 “ In just a little while the world will not see me again, but you will. For I will live again, and you will, too.” Ephesians 2:6 “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one with Christ Jesus.” Lord I am ALIVE in you! Lord I am SEATED with you! Alive NOW!  This day!  This moment!  This Season! Seated now with you.  Not tomorrow—not next year—now!  I am seated with Jesus in the heavenly realms! I can see Jesus now….because I am alive… LORD may my spiritual eyes ALWAYS see you! See where I am (seated with you in heavenly places) • Giving Divine enablement to live above the hum drum of life • Giving Divine enablement to live above the pains of life • Giving Divine enablement to live above ⁃ disappointments ⁃ struggles ⁃ depressions ⁃ anxieties ⁃ unanswered questions ⁃ ego ⁃ pride ⁃ selfishness These things —life, circums...

Self Emptying If I empty myself out—there is room for God, Grace and Mercy (Richard Rohr) Philippians 2:5 * Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,   6 * who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,   7 * but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,   8 * he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death--even death on a cross. (NRSV) Jesus emptied Himself—it is an incarnational life of self emptying.  Jesus came to do the will of the Father.  He emptied Himself.  (Surrendered the independent use of His Divine attributes. ) There needs to be a practice of self-emptying.  Emptying ourselves of our agenda—our ego—our desires—our pride. What am I full of?  (If I am pricked by a pin—what comes out?) What do I need to empty-myself of?  (Or Better—what do I pray tha...

Whenever the Word of God is read, seen, or heard in any manner---we have all four possibilities of responding to that "Word." This has NOTHING to do with the "Word" itself.  The issue lies in the condition of our hearts.  Jesus' parable in Mark 4 talks about four heart conditions.  We--in western culture--critique the preachers and presenters of the Word that we hear.  We make the mistake of thinking "Oh, that person is really anointed---I got a lot out that sermon---etc."  When Jesus tells us that the issue is NOT related to the speaker of the WORD but the condition of the heart of the one who listens!  Yikes! Every time we read the Word--our heart ---has the possibilities--of being in one of these four conditions If you are not a follower of Jesus--not one of His disciples--every time you are expose to the Word of God--these four possibilities exist Mark 4:14-20 “The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where th...

We are a society that avoids pain--which is good!  I'm a fan of pain-less living!  I usually do not go out of my way to find pain. However, in our spiritual lives--all advancement require pain. pain of endurance pain of ego pain of pride pain of denial Jesus understood this and lived it!  Jesus' battle was certainly ON the cross--but a huge battle took place prior to the cross.  Jesus was walking in the perfect will of the Father--doing only those things that pleased the Father.  Jesus predicted three times in Matthew's gospel that he would be killed and rise again the third day.  The most intense battle took place in the Garden of Gethsemane where he fought for his very life.  It was there--in that garden--that the real choice was made. endure pain--walking in the perfect will of the Father endure pain--walking into the realm of glory Jesus remained focused--working towards the goal:  the co...

Awesome words! Eleanor Hull: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qatBrbqoUdY Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art; Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r: Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r. Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art. High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qatBrbqoUdY