Pains in the Neck (Part 2)

When one has a pain or sensation that is persistent, always "there," it can become a sort of companion- like a person who is always by one's side. When something distracts and business occupies, it can be forgotten- not that it goes away, but one is temporarily unaware of it. When things quiet down, there it is again.

This is worth pondering because it interestingly is a kind of picture of some of the spiritual truths that are central to the Christian faith.

The Father is the same- yesterday, today, and forever; Jesus says to us that he will never leave us; Believers are "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit. The triune God is as close, or closer, to me than even persistent sensations or discomforts.

What a comfort it can be to have built in "reminders" about the faithfulness of God in our lives- reminders that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and his mercies never come to an end- that Jesus will be with each of us, even to the end of the age.

Pains in the Neck (Part 1)

Being at the age when I am starting to experience some physical symptoms that are not going to go away, I have been thinking about how they teach and remind one of spiritual truths.

The symptoms I am thinking of are not serious or life-threatening; they do not even make a significant different in my "quality of life," as they say. But they are there- and they are there all the time- and they are not going to go away.

I believe that everything we see and do and experience in life contains one or more spiritual lessons or symbolize a spiritual truth. God speaks to us in so many, many ways.

Stay tuned.

What is Holiness? 1

Holiness is a most beautiful, lovely thing. Men are apt to drink in strange notions of holiness from their childhood, as if it were a melancholy, morose, sour, and unpleasant thing; but there is nothing in it but what is sweet and ravishingly lovely. 'Tis the highest beauty and amiableness, vastly above all other beauties; 'tis a divine beauty, makes the soul heavenly and far purer than anything here on earth...(Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758).

On the Road

We had two beautiful days for our round trip to Houghton, NY to get E. She's done with the school year and ready for a break. It was a fun year for her as well as a year of growth and independence, but her courses were tough.

The round trip was almost 900 miles. It was a nice ride- we took a different route. We went via Springfield MA, Albany NY, and Rochester NY. The traffic was light and there was a lot of nice scenery in upper New York state. And the driving time and mileage was the same.

It will be nice to have her home for a while.