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| Courtesy of HubbleSite |
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It's not fresh, this rain puddle-y mug of coffee. But I'm feeling frugal and tired, so I slide last night's forgotten zucchini out of the microwave and slip in this mug to reheat old coffee. It's acrid from too much time on the hot burner and slightly stale, but I'm craving a jolt of caffeine.
In between hours at work, and time at home watching a Ronald Regan documentary or bent over metric conversion tables, I pull my Bible close, craving time with Him. I ponder words from the oldest New Testament letter (this letter from Jesus' half brother James to his Jerusalem church and beyond).
"Don't be deceived, my brothers," he says.
I pause again now, the coffee too stale for me to finish. Ugh. I shudder, and pour myself some orange juice. Tangy sweetness washes away acrid staleness.
"Don't be deceived, my brothers," James says, tying this thought in with the sentences above. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Refreshing words rinse staleness from my mind. The Father of heavenly lights. Hubble space images of spiraling galaxies, twisting green nebulas, and hulking red stars fill my mind.
"Lord of the Star-fields, Ancient of Days, Universe-maker, here's a song in your praise," croons Canadian musician Bruce Cockburn in my memory.
Father of heavenly lights, dropping every good and perfect gift from above. He Who Does Not Change Like Shifting Shadows.
"Lord of the Star-fields,
Ancient of Days,
Universe-maker,
here's a song in your praise."
The Father of heavenly lights rinses staleness from me.
Linking with Imperfect Prose and A Holy Experience.
16 comments:
:) I was just thinking about that verse! I was reading someone's bumper sticker that said "I'm not lucky, I'm Blessed"... which made me think about the verse you quoted... and then made me think "I wonder what someone would think who has no car, no food, no home... when they read that bumper sticker... would they wonder why God hasn't blessed them?" Dark thoughts for a 5 minute trip to the store. God's voice whispered - "But every good and perfect gift is from me... who are you to question how I give those out..." SIGH. ;) I like what you did with it much better!!
That verse is one of my mostly referred to as I get up and Praise Him for the fresh new day, life-anew mornings.... that's been sustained and protected.
So very true indeed, it washes away the staleness of our thoughts and makes us ponder how He controls every single dweller of the Universe even the meteor or even the heavenly dust...and me, us.
Thanks for this, Jen. I too needs my daily stale-mind jolts from His word.
Blessings.
AJ,
I agree, those are sobering questions. I don't think our blessings need to be material (and in fact those may lead to us not learning other great treasures that those in other circumstances do). Hmm, I can tell that we would have good discussions over coffee. :)
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Lolita,
Nice to have you here with me... :)
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Ah. My Cade verse. I love how you paired it with those amazing images! And, too, I just want to say: you're so pretty. I seem to notice physical beauty more than ever, now: having a hard time keeping up w/ myself.
Oh, how I love this line...The Father of heavenly lights rinses staleness from me. YES, that's exactly what I grow desperate for- the "fresh work" He promises to do in my desert places. And sometimes just every day life can feel like a desert. Wouldn't it be fun to sip a cup of FRESH coffee together and chat! Thanks for taking time to introduce yourself to me at the Overflow. I HAVE done Breaking Free- three times- and every time God showed me something NEW to break free from. Funny for the woman who agreed to lead that study the first time with this disclaimer- "Ok, I'll lead it if you need someone to... but I don't think I'm living in bondage, so it probably won't be my favorite one..." :) Ahh.. love how God loves us to much to leave us as we are.
I like the NLT translation of Psalm 37:23 "The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives." He cares about the smallest detail of our lives. How awesome that is to me.
So beautiful...like shifting shadows. It's so true that God is not like shifting shadows.
I love the blog post and the pictures. It was awesome. God is so good and His mercies endure forever. We have such a loving Father. God bless you for sharing with us.
Glenda Parker
Love those words of praise from fellow Canadian , Bruce Cockburn... inspiring more worship from this follower =)
ty for visiting FHC and your inspiriting words!
Have a blessed rest...
Brandee,
You're so sweet to me. :) Thanks for the compliment. We all need to hear that sometimes -- as I lean in close to the mirror and notice more and more silver hairs these days.
What's a cade verse?
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Alicia,
Sitting down over a cup of coffee sounds lovely! Let me know if you are ever in MN. Breaking Free is one of my favorite studies, and I grinned at your comment about learning so much especially as the leader. So true, huh?
Thanks for stopping by. Sorry for my delay in getting back to you,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Jayne,
"He delights in every step..." ahh.
Thanks for jumping here, Jayne. Sorry for my delay in getting back to you.
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Rachel,
Thank you. Nice to have you here today.
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Glenda,
So nice to see you here.
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
Faith Hope Cherry Tea,
What a fun name, by the way. :) Thanks for stopping by. Had you heard of fellow Canadian Bruce Cockburn before learning of him here?
Sorry for my delay in replying to you,
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com
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