Friday, December 31, 2021

Elon Musk's Prayer

 

In an interview with Lex Fridman, Elon Musk said this:



At about two minutes in, he says he is not a religious man, but he got down on his knees and prayed before the SpaceX launch in 2020. A man who can do anything paused for a prayer. To me that is more than everything, even going to a faraway rock in the sky like Mars or the moon. This was good to hear, a hopeful way to start this New Year. Words fail me.


Thursday, December 30, 2021

Peace, my word for 2022

 

Peace like a river,

A wall of water.

You can't outrun it.

It piles up at the feet of a sinful man.

"You can't touch me," he tells it.

But in his heart he hopes it will,

that it will reach him too and

take him with it

to the promised land.

I think it will.


Peace is my Word for 2022

It's going to be great.


War was my Word for 2021, though I didn't tell anyone. 

I think we've had a People war this year, not a Weapons war. 

Old ways falling, new ways replacing them, people changing, 

that sort of thing. Now it's time for peace. 

I can't even imagine what it will be like. 


Do you think we've been in a war? Do you think it's over?


Sunday, December 26, 2021

A light for the Gentiles, Glory for Israel

 

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”


Luke 2:28-32



Thursday, December 23, 2021

Tidings of Comfort and Joy





And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, 

I bring you good news of great joy that will be 

for all the people. For unto you is born this day 

in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”


Luke 2:10-11


Thursday, December 16, 2021

Speak

 

Her friend was talkative and friendly to strangers.

"How do you do that?"


"Do what?"


"Talk."


She slinked in the shadows, searching for survivors. 

She found them one by one, in hovels, holes in the ground, 

and on youtube. They were like her 

and she prayed for them without making a sound.


Her friend called into the night, "Hello, you over there!"

 

And people turned. 


She made a big impact in the world. Lives were changed. 

People were seen. Stories were told. She knew others.


"How do you do that?"


"Do what?"


"Speak."






Wednesday, December 15, 2021

They Fell to the Ground

 

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”


John 18:4-7




Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Greatly Troubled

 

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” 

from John 11:32-37



Jesus was greatly troubled. I feel like this is the first time I've noticed that. He loved Lazarus. He was greatly troubled

These weren't simple tears, he was weeping too.



When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:43-44



Lazarus was in the grave four days, but when it was time, he came out. 

Unbind him. Let him go. This refers to the grave clothes, 

but I think it also means someone can be bound in sin 

for a long, long time, but one day come out.




Monday, December 6, 2021

Coffee With My Niece

 


'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la


La. La. La. La.



"Everyone should have their own little world that will protect them from the big world." 

Erich Maria Remarque


Friday, December 3, 2021

Are You Afraid to Die?

 

He: Everyone is afraid to die.


She: Not me.



This is a short conversation I had with a co-worker more than 25 years ago. I don't know if he believed me. He probably thought I was crazy. Or delusional. 


A conversation that I've never had with anyone, except you, here:




Other he: Do we just stop existing? Do we go to Hell? 


She: Can't you feel that?


Other he: What?


She: The love of God reaching for us.


Other he: Even me?


She: Yes, you too.


Other he: No. I don't feel anything.


She: It feels great.




Do you fear death? Do you know God? Can you feel Him reaching for you?







Happy Hannukah to my friends who celebrate.

To those who don't, Happy Hannukah anyway.