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Around The Table

September 6, 2010

Today it was a tight squeeze around the lunch table; half the people I knew well, half I knew hardly at all. Mike always asks: “What’s your story?”

I love hearing about people’s journeys as we sit around the table. I love how one person has the floor, sharing something about their “long and winding road” and everyone else listens in. A connection is formed as this person moves from being a stranger to being known; and not just on a “I know your name” basis, but “I know your story” which is completely different.

There are moments when I feel like I am both a participant and an observer. Part of me is sitting in the circle and part of me feels a tap on my shoulder and a whisper that asks, “Do you see it?”

I do. I saw it today as we moved towards one another, as we heard honest words, vulnerable and sometimes painful words; as credit was given to God for being a life-saver. Would any of us find each other, naturally? Children, adults, young adults, seniors, parents, singles; what do we have in common except this thirst to know Christ and to walk a narrow road in a big wide world? He threads us together, as diverse as we are, into a Body; and the invitation is always open. I saw that again today.

It is easy to lose sight of this, but around the table, in my heart today I heard that whisper again, “Do you see it?” Did I see how Jesus fishes people out of self-destruction; mending us and setting us upright?

You’re right Lord, She is lovely, this Bride, this idea of yours. It is lovely when strangers aren’t strangers because of what You have done. It is lovely when we can admit broken things, without shame because You redeem it all. All. You make it lovely; You put on our heads “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isiaah 61:3)

– Teresa Klassen (http://onebrownleaf.wordpress.org)

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Whew!

September 1, 2010

Ever wonder who you would be today if…

Or where you would be today if…

This can be a fantasy or this can be a nightmare!

One choice this way or that way and life changes for the better or for the worst.

I was thinking about that this morning as I read Psalm 124 and where I would be if Jesus hadn’t led me the way He has this past decade (not to mention my whole life). I am not saying I have been easy to lead or that I have always followed His leadership (I have not). Have I followed more than I have strayed? Perhaps another blog for that thought.

Anyway, Psalm 124 is a beautiful thing to personalize, so I decided to do that today.

Psalm 124 (if I had written it):

If the LORD had not been on my side—

let me say that again so no one misses it—

if the LORD JESUS had not been on my side

and by my side

inside my head and my heart all these years

where would I be?

Who would I be now?

When I felt misunderstood or misrepresented?

What would have become of me

if I was just stuck with that;

if the Lord had not said, “Onward!”

Where would I have put anger

and disappointment and hurt,

sin and confusion and weariness?

It would have swallowed me alive!

Everything piled up on everything else

would have broken the dam;

it would have broken me.

Without Jesus, I would have been undone,

engulfed by a flood I could not manage;

swept off my feet

that once stood firm.

The raging waters

swirling outside,

swirling inside,

would have won the day.

If it were not for Jesus

I would be far away from the rapids;

I am afraid of whitewater, naturally.

Praise be to Jesus,

I have not been torn apart.

Look:

I am not ruined and

still of some use.

I feel as if I have given bitterness the slip

(and depression

and disillusionment)

like a bird out of the fowler’s snare;

the snare has been broken,

and I have escaped.

I take no credit for this.

I am not strong

I am not resolute

I am not certain;

But I am confident in one thing:

help comes in the name of the LORD

the Maker of heaven and earth

and for this I

wipe my hand across my brow

and say, “Whew!”

Wouldn’t have made it

without you, LORD.

—Teresa Klassen (http://www.onebrownleaf.wordpress.com)

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