Monday, June 19, 2023
Juneteenth in USA
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Sometimes it causes me to tremble
Our friends the Calverts, who have lived in Texas far longer than we have, stopped by after church. We rarely have friends visit our apartment, and it was a good time, reminiscing about Christian Campus House friends in Illinois, where we met in 1990.
As your fellow workers, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
Cheryl spends a few hours each week at North Austin Christian Church working with a puppet ministry. Recently they took their stage to nearby Mueller Park in Austin. One of their families brought their Downs syndrome child, and a mom at the park came up to talk, to share her grief over the death of her own Downs syndrome child. Heartbreak. She could share.
Several people, put off by the Jesus signs on the puppet stage, left the park. However this woman and her family were new attendees at Cheryl’s church the following week.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Brian, Cheryl, Margaret and I talked about the everyday Christian life, and the mystical life as well. Cheryl wants to balance her desire to do more and bless others with her desire to experience God’s presence. We read a few descriptions of the mystical part of it all, and how the words can never keep up with what happens. I remembered the Star Wars scene when Luke needed to get inside the impregnable Empire ship, and Obi-Wan Kenobi told him, “Use the Force, Luke.” Turn off the mechanical targeting mechanism and “trust the Force.”
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Luke’s bomb fell into a tiny hole and destroyed the ship.
Like that, right? Only it’s me, falling into a tiny hole and suddenly into the center of everything, not just the mother ship but the heart of Creator God. Words? What words? Are you kidding me?
Cheryl falls in sometimes. She doesn’t try to describe it. But she had one word to share with us.
“I just tremble,” she said.
Many years ago Ruth Haley Barton introduced our Transforming Community in Chicago to lectio divina. She invited us to read and reread several times a short passage from Isaiah 43.
But now, this is what the LORD says—
   he who created you, Jacob,
   he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
   Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
   and because I love you.
I fell into God’s deep heart that day, and always since those verses call me back. God’s love rushes through my body. Last week a friend from Illinois sent me an encouraging note before my heart work:
 I am reminded of Isaiah 43:1-2….Do not be afraid, I have redeemed you, I will protect you, I call you by name, you are mine.
 I am very thankful for your network of spiritual, medical and physical care champions.
 Again, the fall down deep. And again, as Cheryl called it, the trembling.
 (2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 98, Psalm 119, Matthew 5)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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