This was so spot on…not to belabor the whole Spotify thing. And it was so needed, at least for me. It’s so easy to get caught up in the spectatorship of the name calling, fear-mongering, poll watching, and gamesmanship of this whole thing that one can come to despair over the sheer ugliness of it all. I’m quite sure Screwtape and his nephew are having a field day. But, in the last analysis, it is our souls that matter, as you so eloquently note. In many meditation practices one learns to focus on a still point. And Thomas Merton posited a still point in our souls - the Le Point Vierge. Thank you for reminding me that what matters are those still points and to stay focused on those when in the middle of the whirlwind.
Yes, only God the Father knows what will happen tomorrow. And I take comfort in the fact that He will still be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent after the dust settles. Presidents come and go, but my King reigns forever. Amen.
"A man was waiting anxiously to be called in for his surgery. He was extremely agitated, ready for this whole thing to be over. 'It's a funny thing,' he thought, 'that doctors refer to people they treat as patients. Perhaps I should try being more patient!’
The rest of the time he waited, he was relaxed. He even had a conversation with a man sitting beside him. The two enjoyed each other's company and remained friends for many years."
Thank you for this reflection! The perspective is welcome as I've been trying to keep my useless anxiety in check about the outcome of this election. I'm having a hard time watching my fellow faithful choose emotion and pride over reason in regard to voting, (or not voting), while rationalizing it with pseudo reasoning. I'm watching so many women choose the expansion of abortion over any other possible "good" in their lives, wondering if they are also going to be willing to hand over their already born children first to be cannon fodder should s*$t hit the fan internationally with weak leadership. It would be only fair.
And I have very little confidence on the vote counting level as well. I've seen enough over the years in my home state to know that one side is perfectly fine with bending rules with things like felons illegally voting, setting up voting advantages for amenable immigrant populations, and poll workers who somehow "magically" find ballots in the back seats of their vehicles after their preferred candidate is behind.
All I can do, and have done, is pray, vote and hope that God has mercy on our nation, and the hearts of people in our nation, which are so in need of it but so undeserving of it.
I stand all amazed in the middle, trying to learn from the past and look forward to the promises of eternity. What mattereth our choices today or tomorrow if we have not chosen Christ?
Yes, it's time to work on our souls and try to avoid the clutches of Screwtape. Even tomorrow. Question: how does one glide above the surface and stay grounded, on the surface, at the same time?
Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in His sight.
Just as Joab did not know the outcome of his battle against the Arameans and the Ammonites, we do not know what the future holds till tomorrow comes; even so, we must trust - and make it a mantra if need be - The LORD will do what is good in His sight; and it is enough.
And who best epitomizes “farce and buffoonery” as Donald Trump, whose recent antic was to simulate fellatio (oral sex) with his microphone on stage at a rally while the audience laughed? This behavior by a presidential candidate, which indicates not only a depraved personality, but an unsound mind, would never have been accepted by “Christians” prior to Donald Trump. How you can believe that this man: stupid, evil, narcissistic, violent, promoter of division, admirer of dictators, completely devoid of empathy, is going to lead us into spiritual revival is completely beyond me - unless God uses Trump to cause us to repent of all that led to him being on the ballot in the first place. God has used evil people to accomplish His will in the past. I do not respect supposed spiritual leaders who support Donald Trump. “By their fruits you shall know them.”
This was so spot on…not to belabor the whole Spotify thing. And it was so needed, at least for me. It’s so easy to get caught up in the spectatorship of the name calling, fear-mongering, poll watching, and gamesmanship of this whole thing that one can come to despair over the sheer ugliness of it all. I’m quite sure Screwtape and his nephew are having a field day. But, in the last analysis, it is our souls that matter, as you so eloquently note. In many meditation practices one learns to focus on a still point. And Thomas Merton posited a still point in our souls - the Le Point Vierge. Thank you for reminding me that what matters are those still points and to stay focused on those when in the middle of the whirlwind.
Yes, only God the Father knows what will happen tomorrow. And I take comfort in the fact that He will still be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent after the dust settles. Presidents come and go, but my King reigns forever. Amen.
AMEN!!
"A man was waiting anxiously to be called in for his surgery. He was extremely agitated, ready for this whole thing to be over. 'It's a funny thing,' he thought, 'that doctors refer to people they treat as patients. Perhaps I should try being more patient!’
The rest of the time he waited, he was relaxed. He even had a conversation with a man sitting beside him. The two enjoyed each other's company and remained friends for many years."
Thank you for this reflection! The perspective is welcome as I've been trying to keep my useless anxiety in check about the outcome of this election. I'm having a hard time watching my fellow faithful choose emotion and pride over reason in regard to voting, (or not voting), while rationalizing it with pseudo reasoning. I'm watching so many women choose the expansion of abortion over any other possible "good" in their lives, wondering if they are also going to be willing to hand over their already born children first to be cannon fodder should s*$t hit the fan internationally with weak leadership. It would be only fair.
And I have very little confidence on the vote counting level as well. I've seen enough over the years in my home state to know that one side is perfectly fine with bending rules with things like felons illegally voting, setting up voting advantages for amenable immigrant populations, and poll workers who somehow "magically" find ballots in the back seats of their vehicles after their preferred candidate is behind.
All I can do, and have done, is pray, vote and hope that God has mercy on our nation, and the hearts of people in our nation, which are so in need of it but so undeserving of it.
I stand all amazed in the middle, trying to learn from the past and look forward to the promises of eternity. What mattereth our choices today or tomorrow if we have not chosen Christ?
Something happens every day and something is learned every day, even if we are not paying attention to it. And yes, God is paying attention.
I am holding back tears...thank you Spencer...Lord have Mercy
Yes, it's time to work on our souls and try to avoid the clutches of Screwtape. Even tomorrow. Question: how does one glide above the surface and stay grounded, on the surface, at the same time?
Perfect. Just what I needed.
2 Samuel 10:12 (NIV)
Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in His sight.
Just as Joab did not know the outcome of his battle against the Arameans and the Ammonites, we do not know what the future holds till tomorrow comes; even so, we must trust - and make it a mantra if need be - The LORD will do what is good in His sight; and it is enough.
And who best epitomizes “farce and buffoonery” as Donald Trump, whose recent antic was to simulate fellatio (oral sex) with his microphone on stage at a rally while the audience laughed? This behavior by a presidential candidate, which indicates not only a depraved personality, but an unsound mind, would never have been accepted by “Christians” prior to Donald Trump. How you can believe that this man: stupid, evil, narcissistic, violent, promoter of division, admirer of dictators, completely devoid of empathy, is going to lead us into spiritual revival is completely beyond me - unless God uses Trump to cause us to repent of all that led to him being on the ballot in the first place. God has used evil people to accomplish His will in the past. I do not respect supposed spiritual leaders who support Donald Trump. “By their fruits you shall know them.”
I'm not even American and I'm excited!