Grow Up!

We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

There are two kinds of law, high and low. One sets a high standard, sometimes called Roman Law, that no one is expected to reach, so allowances are made according to how major or minor various infractions occur. An example would be a speed limit. It's against the law to go over a certain mile an hour, but when you do, the fine will correspond to the degree of violation. On the other hand, the low standard, or common law, sets up a mode of acceptable operation to which everyone is expected to adhere. Failure to comply carries penalties according to the severity of the infraction. An example is the Magna Carta, the guarantor of basic rights, and the basis for most legal systems in the world today. Unfortunately, legislation is vulnerable to political trickery, craftiness, scheming, and in some cases, religion. The Big Ten from the Bible (Exodus 20) is neither, as it exemplifies what it means to be human in relationship to our Creator. When we fail to be human, we also jeopardize our relationships to one another. Let us grow into the Love of Christ, which is respectful, decent, and sacrificial. Shalom, Mother BE

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Photo by Ken Brin

What Is Your Address?

A Psalm of David.
O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?       Psalm 15:1

The Psalm goes on to answer that question: the upright, the blameless, the trustworthy. It pretty well leaves out everyone who ever fibbed, envied, or fell short of any standard of behavior, which, of course, excludes most of us, though we try to do what is right.That is where the gospel, good news, comes to our rescue. Y'shua of Nazareth for all time took on our failures, and with his life covered our short-comings. Like him and with him, we enter into the holy places where estrangement dissipates. We do not need to doubt our capacity to live at Love's address. Love loves us already and wants to abide with us. Shalom, Mother BE

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Rise Above It All

As for me, I will look to Yahweh, I will wait for Elohim, my salvation, who hears me. 
Micah 7:7 ...BE

The first six verses of this chapter pretty well reflect our current political scene. It begins with "Woe is me.." then goes on to complain about the bickering among leaders and perversion of public service. The prophet advises caution about speech and enemies within one's closest circles. Do we never hear good news? Has nothing changed since Y'shua of Nazareth walked upon the Earth and suggested, with his life, that we love one another? Love is patient and kind. It doesn't throw mud or look for iniquity under every pebble. I can almost see Micah heading to the poles, waiting for that still voice within him to guide his vote. Not only does the Holy One hear our questions, but we can trust in the salvation of divine answers. Shalom, Mother BE

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order at Amazon.com/Kindle. Thanks.
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Rock Solid

That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. Luke 6:48

The Rocky Mountains are full of rocks, and most of us have to dig them up in order to put down a foundation. On the other hand we have a nearby example of an old chapel literally built upon a huge boulder surrounded by marshy terrain. Even the highway department went around it rather than remove it. It'll be there for a long time. The point of the pericope above illustrates the value of a person who has a solid foundation for his or her life of faith, which manifests in good works for the community. When faith comes from the heart which focuses on the Other rather than the Self, the inevitable floods of disappointment or sorrow cannot prevail. Faith based upon early parental guidance or solid conversion forms a foundation for unwavering convictions regarding shifting cultural mores. Without it, the vicissitudes of society deplete our resources of integrity. Keep the Faith. Shalom, Mother BE

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order at Amazon.com/Kindle
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Fear Not

Learn not the ways of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens. The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens. Jeremiah 10:2&11.

The planets circle in their orbits, and once in a while a few of them line up with Earth. That phenomenon occurs later this year when the ancient Mayan calendar runs down, and there are all kinds of fearful predictions joined with global warming and irrational announcements by certain national rulers and fanatical biblicists alike. Do Not Be Afraid: may phobos, in Greek, from whence English derives phobia. Jeremiah is not the only prophet who calls us to faith, not fear. We can stand with him to affirm that Yahweh is creator (verse 1) and has our best interests in hand. We can also stand with historic persons such as St. Remigius of Rheims (Fifth century France) who upheld the Trinity which means that Y'shua of Nazareth is One with Yahweh and the Holy Spirit, together the One creator and sole ruler of the universe. Remigius was up against those who argued against the divinity of Y'shua, an opinion expressed by many people today. The ways and gods of the nations still demand allegiance, but the one who knows us best, our triune Creator, blooms among the weeds of sophistry for our well-being. Fear Not. 

Shalom, Mother BE

See a list of my books and articles at www.woodlily.org and order from Amazon.com/kindle. Thanks. 

Photo by Ken Brin