Chapter 14 is long…very long, but full of good info. It (to me) discusses the language of love, prayer, and healing. There are all different kinds of language, some spoken and some unspoken.
It is good to pray in private, to empty your heart and soul and to ask for a refreshing response. It is just as good to use what Paul calls the prayer language in church…a language that speaks to everyone, for everyone. Language that excludes, does nothing. Why keep God a secret?
That is where I say the KISS principle comes in…..Don’t make the discussion of your side by side trip with God, so difficult that no one can understand your point. A language of enlightening might be done in song, by a gentle touch to comfort, or in the ‘local’ slang.
What makes it important is to say how wonderful God is, what He has done for you and what He can do for all. One can speak all day in English, but if other only people listening speak in Spanish, how can the God point be made.
Keep your churches open to all….preach to and pray for all….be a disciple…..
I would never teach or touch this beautiful chapter in 1 Corinthians….The written word in this chapter 13 is every living thing on this planet.
As my Bible Handbook states….”It is one of the best loved chapters in all the Bible, an undying expression of Jesus’ doctrine of heavenly love. More potent for the building of the Church than any, or all, of the miraculous manifestations of God’s power. The Church’s most effective weapon. Irresistible, Undying, Eternal.
Take time and, if possible, begin to make this chapter, yours.
Each time I read more of this letter, I see the writer, sometimes, just beside himself…..Exasperated, even exhausted! One can see him pacing in the after glow of the sunset, knowing he would have to continue on thru the night.
He further reminds his newbies, he is not asking for the moon. He doesn’t need a big paycheck, not a palace for the duration of the stay, and certainly not taking from those who are disadvantaged, to pay the bill.
The key word here in these pages is ‘compelled’. He is compelled to speak of Christianity. He can’t leave the subject alone. He needs to shout about his Christ, and your Christ. How exciting is that! How many times have you been COMPELLED in your Christian belief? I know I should be more like Paul, so motivated, even at times obsessive in my description of what is Christ all about, and what he means in my life, but I’m chicken. I am not an outgoing ‘evangelizer’, sounding off on busy corners or handling out pamphlets door to door……SOMETIMES I WISH I COULD BE!! I’ve come to understand there are lots of ways to teach and learn about Christ, just like there are lots of ways of healing. Some are loud and even shocking in certain circles, and some are as quiet and calming as the dove cooing before a rain. I understand now we all have healing qualities within….we just have to figure out what they are…ahh, to be compelled in the name of Jesus!!
Chapter 10 looks further into learning and teaching…I like the way Paul talks of drinking of the cup of blessing and having a portion of the loaf of bread….In doing this we take in the very life of Christ and become united. Introducing his thoughts, his teachings, and his promise of eternal life, leaves us enriched.
Paul says there are all kinds of food..real and religious. Be choosy….. eat and share the best from your table and from the table of others. There are many ‘foods’ that should not be eaten, as they have been contaminated by bad teaching. Choose only the best for your body, your life, and your continued service in Christ’s name. Be compelled!!
As you remember, Paul is trying to get the attention of the newest members of the church in Corinth….He’s reminded them that God’s word is not the new trend on the block, but an old message that arrived long before the parishioners were on the scene. Even today, we hear newcomers preach as though they new the final hour….they didn’t in 57 AD and they don’t now. Paul goes on to say only God knows what is ahead, what the big plans are….He does say that God has offered us salvation and true happiness here thru his son, Jesus.
And then…..he reiterates…..that they are new to Christianity and in truth, infants when it comes to this spirit. The temptation to become absorbed in one’s self caused problems then, as it does now…Guess ‘holier than thou’ has been around for a long time, hasn’t it…..
The Corinth congregations needed to review their relationships with one another, and to agree to work and live in peace and harmony. Accomplishments needed to become a united effort in the new churches, instead of working against each other…and Paul was trying to get that point across. There is always that time of reckoning, Paul said, and the people needed remember God has already given them and us everything we needed, as a gift.
Chapter 4 doesn’t let up….He sure didn’t like the attitude of some of his own converts…and said some were self-important, haughty, and even boastful. He told them that self-restraint was something they should consider….and that it was, for sure, destined to be God’s way, and not theirs.
Being a Christin in those days was not a win-win situation. There were plenty of other beliefs that people liked better, and Paul and his buddies were definitely ‘thrown under the bus’ on a number of occasions. They didn’t let that stop them tho…they kept up the pace and always seemed to have room for blessing those who had just berated them.
Then….Paul must have sit back a little, re-read what he just penned and said the following….I’m writing to you as a father..I really care about you. I know there is a line of people ready to tell you what you’ve done wrong every day, but I don’t want to be a father who just scolds. I want to help you understand, to explain once again what is expected, so you can get those ducks in a row. Jesus helped me, and now I’m helping you. Get off the soap box, re-unite your church, think of those less fortunate,and guide those in your parish who are not following our teachings. If they are engaging in unacceptable ways, be God’s guide, his representative, and a father to those who,deep down inside, yearn to confess and go forward.
Mother Nature teaches us all kinds of lessons. Some are very quiet and peaceful, such as the sun touching our face, or wind conducting a symphony with my outdoor chimes. I love the fog clouds as they climb come over the mountains. They seem so strong and determined and then the sun touches their fingertips and they go way to who knows where.
The sounds of nature used to be distant, as I was too busy to stop and listen to the branches sway, the finches bathe, and the maple leaves land on the lawn grass.
Now, I take the time….as time is drawing nigh in my life. I watch the sun rise on some mornings, knowing that my grandchildren are up and already in school and my brother is loading is truck for the day. I take comfort in knowing these quiet moments, before the day begins.
As I make coffee, finches, by some magical design, come from nowhere and everywhere to breakfast on sunflower and thistle in my back yard. We evidently have a friendship because when I put my kitty out on his leash and discard the morning paper, they continue ‘talking over the fence’ as though I didn’t exist.
The iris have faded for the season and I am trimming their tired leaves, as new ones reach to the sky for added enrichment before winter. Each day, when my inside work is done, I take my little seat, my gloves, an my clippers and work my way around the yard, just to freshen everyone’s looks for those who walk by. I hope it makes them feel better, cause it makes me feel better.
I’ve given up on the gopher and the two ground squirrels. I think the gopher knows he is okay as long as he stays on the slope, but woe to him, if he ventures onto my yard. The squirrels, however, come and eat the dropped seeds with their feathery friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Crow, however, even tho they come almost every day, have not been welcomed by the aforementioned. I don’t know what was said, but it sure rubbed everyone the wrong way. The couple come in late morning to miss the breakfast crowd and they waddle their way thru the dropped seeds, not minding if the picking is thin. If, by mistake, the squirrels are still there, they might nip at their tails now and then, to gain the prime seed spot.
And so it goes, Mother Nature, tapping us on the shoulder, every moment of our lives….if only we would take time to feel her touch.
“You may have a medical problem”……runs shivers up and down your spine. Even in the movies, those words make us tremble. We are all act brave, showing that ‘devil may care’ attitude, but deep inside our gut is churning and the sunny day goes to turbulent winds with the threat of rain.
It is checkup time…..an ultrasound for me and a colonoscopy for him. Been there more than once and yet it still creeps into our daily living, like the fog from the Pacific. Warm winds of serenity touching the cool winds of change…..cause us to become solitary, even though there is no prediction of doom.
So the bootstraps are pulled up…..as we become nonchalant in the face of our inner fearfulness.
We then begin to rationalize, and examine…..what are the odds…I take good care of myself….it doesn’t run in my family, and on and on. We do begin to feel better, and our sleep goes undisturbed.
The day comes for our tests…..and the phone rings for each of us…..”sure, we’ve done everything, we’ll be there, no problem”. The medical facility is warm, and friendly, and we are ushered to our rooms. We look into the eyes of the staff, watching as they take pictures, in hopes of finding reassuring glances that all is well. The procedures are over almost as quickly as they begin and we welcome the lifting of the haze of marking time.
The phones ring the next afternoon….and with certitude, we answer. “Just calling to say your test was negative and all is well”…..”We’ll see you next year”. The phone rings again. “The results of your procedure are negative”. We’ll see you in 5 years”. And the sun shines once more.
I remember……(and that’s saying a lot sometime), how it was to be a kid on Outer Drive South in the summertime……It was outstanding……but, I’m sure, not by today’s kid rating. We played….I mean really played. We played outdoors…..in the yard, under the magnificent shade of maple trees. We day dreamed with the clouds..as they displayed magical formations, that, in turn, gave us magical ideas. We played in sandboxes, using spatulas, sifters, rocks, wood, and whenever, Tonka. We had peanut butter sandwiches, a banana, and milk for lunch before heading for the summer afternoon…..or the ever favorite, grilled cheese and an apple..
There was always the sprinkler to keep us cool, and then we would all lay in the grass, looking for a 4 leaf clover, as the sun cooked the landscape. We played hopscotch, using rocks for chalk, and when it got to be close to suppertime, we’d sit on the front step and wait for our daddy to come home
We didn’t know about air conditioning…..well, we did, but it was called….a fan. Our grandparents had ‘summer kitchens’ to keep the house cool, and we had summer porches, screened in rooms where we slept when going for a visit.
There was always the ice cream man and we could set our watches by him…..money was not in abundance, so it was truly a treat when we got change from the house to get something.
There was a field in the back of our house, even tho we lived in town. One year it was corn, and the next beans, then maybe it was weeds for a year or two…..It was our ‘extended’ playground….close to home for safety and yet a place to run races, and hide between the stalks.
There were girls and boys, but not girlfriends and boyfriends…..C’mon, this was in the 50’s when kids actually acted like kids. TV’s were what the ‘rich people’ had…..and Mickey Mouse was just beginning his club of followers.
When the sun went down, it was time for ‘kick the can’….only to be played at night…..and did we play. We had at least 3 houses each way, plus the ‘field’. The ‘gas thing’ out in the front yard next door was ‘home’ and 10 kids disappeared and reappeared, running in for ‘free’, as the lightning bugs covered the fields of hazy central Indiana.
When mother range the bell, it was the close of the day……we would scamper from wherever and whatever we were doing…..cause the bell always ment ‘come and come NOW’.
Oh, summer days are still beautious, and the lightning bugs still hover the cornfields, but the memories of being a kid in the 50’s, can hardly be duplicated…..It was so, so very special.
learn good life lessons in reading about others…..especially those who have just departed. A job well done by them, thru feast and famine….another chance to see just what it takes, in the lives of most of us ordinary folks.
As one ages, their perspective of life, in general, tends to become mundane and then intense in a matter of moments. When once Christmas came every million years, it now comes every three months. When the difference between a 2nd grader and a 4th grader was, like grandparents and kids, it is now the age difference of people we befriend,date, maybe and marry.
And, as we age, we lose lots of things, including a firm body, naturally blond hair, the ability to wear a 2 piece anything, chemistry formulas, and friends.
For this reason, I’ve begun reading the obituaries. I no longer live in the same town where I was born or raised, however, I to cling to many wonderful memories and friendships. It still is a surprise, however, to see friends die. I am 68…..and, as one once stated, “68 when I look in the mirror, and 28 when I look away”.
Today, I see the obituary of one gal I never knew personally, however, it would have been a pleasure to meet. Her name is Joan and she was born in Pittsburg, Pa. on a wintry day in December. She grew up loving softball, tennis and the outdoors. She was married to Alan for 58 years and together, they ran a honeybee business. Joan laughed and cried. She loved and forgave. She learned and blossomed with her kids, cherishing the opportunity to work in her community.
Then there was Al, who died at age 91 after a brief illness. Al formerly lived in Akron, Ohio before retiring. He served in the Army and was in Vietnam for 9 years with the 101st Airborne where he earned many badges and medals. He loved his wife Sarah and they were married for over 42 years.After his tours, he became a policeman and was very very proud of his work there.
Helen passed away having lived the wonderful profession of being a housewife and professional in small midwestern town. She and her parents and siblings had grown up during the depression, farming their land next to her grandparents. She became a nurse and worked until her children were born. After the third one was in school, she went back to her beloved nursing and worked for another 20 years. She was active in her church, in scouting, and dedicated to husband and children. She left children, grand and great-grand children, and many friends.
All of these wonderful, ordinary people, touched more wonderful and ordinary people, to make this life better. They may have had gardens, they may have volunteered at church, they may have done bake sales, and they may have invented what you use today. And now they are a memory.
When I was a kid, I believed my parents, and grandparents, would live forever. Now I know….they do live forever, only here in my heart, and in their heaven together. So as my heart aches for family and friends, theirs are rejoicing as they are, once again, reunited with family and friends. Who knows,…….they may talk about their abundant gardens, or how they made it out of the war. They may remember the depression, and also the Christmas of 47, as their children waited for Santa. And, I hope they remember us…….
seriouslyscorpio 