Far and Near

Feet on the ground, eyes toward the heavens. Stuck between heaven and earth.

Ephesians 2:17
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

What are the limits to God's Love? You're right - this is one of those hypothetical questions. And not even a cleverly disguised trick one - how can there be limits on God? The unbounded love that we've been hearing about and marveling over is real! What joy for us! Coming to understand just how this can be is one of the sublime discoveries of our journey. One of the first steps is the completion of human maturation - parenthood. To be a parent is to love unconditionally. We've all seen shows or heard news about the kid who goes awry trying to please his cold father or some other equally sad scenario. Unconditional love, like that of the ever sacrificing mother is the love of God reflected through our human frailty. What is unconditional? Not much these days. But one thing is certainly true. Unconditional love is God's plan for us and also His will for us. As we ascend that golden staircase, our eyes on Him alone we come to understand that turning the other cheek, offering up our tunic as well as our cloak becomes easier with practice but never loses its power to amaze even us who attempt to live the way of the Savior. That He has provided the bar to which we must attempt to reach is our belief. To see how high above our standards that bar is set takes a great swallow of pride.

To love those who wrong you is not the way of the world. It is the way of the Cross.

Be Blessed brothers and sisters,

Ki

TV Time Out

A minimalist reading of scripture will reveal that ABC's recent tv movie, The Ten Commandments was irreverent and inaccurate. I voted early (and I'm not talking about American Idol!) by turning the set off and refusing to see and therefore be influenced by any high dollar commercials during this shows airtime. The writers made up some interesting episodes of early meetings between the child Moses and his birth mother at the Egyptian princess' behest. This isn't mentioned in the Bible. What is mentioned however is a curse in Revelation which may or may not pertain to that one book or as some interpret, the entire Bible. The curse is for anyone who adds to or detracts from the sacred text. Now, my God is about love and mercy. I wouldn't want to get involved in any silly arguments about Him being powerful enough to make a rock even He couldn't lift but one thing God truly cannot do is go back on His word. Could there be trouble in ABC's future? I surely hope not because I just love the Extreme Home Makeover. They do such good work for such deserving people. I'm reminded presently thought that our good works are like filthy rags to the unfathomable grace of God. ABC - it's not hard to make a reverent Bible-based show that knowledgeable believers can enjoy. Just ask Mel Gibson how.

MME

HEADLINE: I Discover that Life really does go on.

I've been walking through a wood that began deeply shadowed but moved into more openness and I had been enjoying pleasant flashes of light through the leaves. Suddenly, the wood has given way to a clearing. In front of me spreading in all directions is a field with long waving grass and flowers. A shocking blue sky vaults overhead and the air has changed. It's cleaner now and breathing comes easier.

This is called self-discovery. Thank goodness my precious Father is holding my hand all the way or I would be frightened by this new freedom. Dearest Daddy! I'm gonna run now!

Be blessed!

Ki