Lofty thoughts, which become ideals and hopefully–actions like forgiveness, freedom, liberty, holiness, purity, redemption, atonement, justice, retribution, love, kindness, patience, or equality begin as seeds planted in the souls of mankind by the Spirit of God hovering upon the treasure of the universe. As we mature to grapple–chew and swallow these, they break through concrete barriers with rapid force and power like…
Tag: Death and Dying
Shelter
She moves with stealth behind the scenes of autumn, steadily edging toward the razor cold and lacy veil of ice and crystal. Then quietly she falls, winter’s glorious mystique reveals in a day. In layers, it descends and deeper it penetrates, much more than surface. The chill and snow seeps below. But not to spurn. It’s the season of fireside reflections,…
Terror and Beauty
I pause with reverence on the balcony of my hotel room in the Holy City. Across from me stands the New Gate, and my eyes follow Jerusalem’s ancient walls as far as I can see. The golden Dome of the Rock faintly gleams as dawn peaks its way up and over the horizon and walls….
The next time you want to shake your fist at God…
It is essential in our walk with God to understand him as a consuming fire. Most consider our Creator and his acts toward humankind to center around judgment or discipline. That he is ever-watching from heaven to smash our plans or even our lives. But the consuming fire of the Holy One of Israel and…
Slow-Smoked Meat
Outside the barbecue smokehouse, a tattered flag waves, “Tr*mp W0n.” Apparently this theory does not effect the good eats inside. “It takes time to get the flavor just right—you can’t hurry,” said the smokehouse owner with a slow southern drawl. People flock from miles around to tickle their palates with southern barbecue favorites. Not a…
Peering into the Dark
Peering into the Dark Friends and family line up orderly, row by row, to pay respect to the widow’s dead husband. Each peers and pauses with reverence. But the corpse is a mirror, reflecting every mourner’s face. That glimpse into the grave is deep and dark and universal, but only for a second. You can’t…
Delighting in What Remains…
Today is the anniversary of the death of my father-in-law. I am pondering this morning how we felt on this day last year. His death was bitter, but there was sweetness in his expiration from this realm to the next. And there was and is much joy in the knowledge that he is in heaven, and we will…
Shadows
It has been some months now since I have written about the passing of my father-in-law last December. The grieving process continues. I still cry at unexpected times, and I enjoy great pleasure in many warm memories as well. Recovering after the death of a loved one is a process. Sometimes I just sit and think, “Wow,…
Spring Mourning
tenderly remove morning’s frost from spring petals, some still mourn winter During the lifetime of Jesus, the Jews had a unique custom pertaining to the temple in Jerusalem. When entering, the people had to walk in only one direction. They moved up the stairs, through the outer courts, inner sanctuary, and down the stairs to exit, all in the same…
Something Irrevocable
Since my father-in-law passed away before Christmas, I have been on a journey of embracing the reality of his death, walking through the process of grief, and praying for acceptance and healing on the otherside. Here are a three thoughts on grief.
Bonnie Saul Wilks 