Rescued Pieces

 

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he 

prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 

and not only for that nation but also for the scattered 

children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 

John 11:51-52

She stands at the doorway of forever, looking from the future to now. In her time the church stands as one, healed and whole. In our time it is in pieces, longing for what will restore it. That is Jesus the Messiah, the Savior who joins all the scattered children of God to make them one.

This beautiful church, The Stavropoleos Monastery in Bucharest, Romania, dates to 1724. Time and earthquakes have damaged it over the years, but it was always restored. These days it holds parts of murals saved from churches demolished during that country's communist regime. These pieces were rescued and kept safe. Now they are on display for us to see.

The church has been pastored since 1991 by father Iustin Marchis, the first hieromonk, a monk who is also a priest, of the church in the last century. The choir of the church is known for a rare type of neo-Byzantine singing, featuring a single voice accompanied by an extended note called an ison. 

Come and sit here with me. 

Not now. I'm not there yet. Maybe one day.

She looks from now to the future when the church is restored and the children of God are one. Maybe she will sit here in this courtyard. She will remember all the ways it has changed, earthquakes and time or revelations of God. She will be grateful. It seems the whole Earth is shaking. 

Do you feel it too?

Heaven is my Home

 

What Things

I just really love that title. It's short and precise and vague all at the same time. 

Here we are again with Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. Join in here!

1. What makes you tired? 

Worry. The battlefield is in the mind, as they say.

2. What things do you value in life?

My sons and husband. My little great-niece and great-nephew who come stay with us sometimes. Jesus who never leaves me. Peace and quiet. Good coffee. 

It lifts up my soul to see or hear about something and then pray about it. 

I know God answers prayer. I've seen it. He'll answer you too.

3. How do you want others to see you?

I want to have kind eyes. You can't see me, so you don't know. 

I hope that is what other people see in me.

4. What things do you enjoy most and find most relaxing to do?

Daydreaming

Praying

Writing

What do you look like?

 

For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, 

but the LORD looks on the heart. 

from 1 Samuel 16:7

What Do You Think?

"The gates of Hell

are locked

from the inside."

C.S. Lewis

I Did it Again

Tuesday 4 

1.  If you had to flee this life and there was a posibility to actually live in a  place based on a story or book or movie, which would you choose and why?

Star Trek. I know it well, having spent so much time there. I am talking about the old Star Treks such as the original with William Shatner, Picard's ship, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise with Scott Bakula. I love Voyager. We watched these shows a lot when my kids were young (on Netflix mostly. They had long gone off the air before I had children.) Voyager was the one we watched whenever my husband traveled out of town. It was like a safe place, comforting, reassuring that there is always an answer, always a solution, (see below) always hope.

2.  What kind of story line do you just not like either in books or movies.

Doomsday scenarios with no hope. I don't accept it in fictional shows or the news. There is always hope.

3   How many of the Great Classics have you read and/or popular book series?

Not enough. Please make suggestions in the comments.

4.  There are reading playlists available for various genres of literature. Do you play any music while reading?

I play music while writing, but it is too distracting while reading.

Destruction of the Church

 

The ground was silent. The shaking had finally stopped. The only sound was flowers pushing up through the soil to bloom in the sunlight. They made a terrific noise, part praise and part ordinary days.

She stood in the dust. Every vice she had ever leaned on had fallen and turned to stone. She had to learn to stand without them.

"What now?" She asked Him. 

"Now live."

In the distance a cathedral also stood. Every vice it had ever leaned on had fallen and turned to stone. It had to learn to stand without them.

"What is that?" She asked.

"A reminder," He answered. 

"Many people thought this was the end, but it stands and you stand and I stand." 

built 1839-1883, standing 1903

destroyed 1931

rebuilt 1995- consecrated 2000

photographed recently

What Do You Think?

 

I am doing a thing! Look here.

1.  What do you believe the purpose of life is?  

I think we are here to learn something. And choose something.

2.  How do you handle stress ? What do you recommend to others who are stressed out?

The right answer is to cast our cares on the Lord for He cares for us. The wrong answer is worry, sleeplessness, and fear. How do we cast our cares? I am still learning that part, but here is a good start:

Phillipians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer and thankfulness and giving it to God really, truly works. Try it.

3. What enjoyable things do you wish you could do more often? How would  it improve your life? 

I like to walk on the beach. I think it is best not to do it too much, though. It is always special when I go. The nearest beach is about two hours from here.

4. Do you believe in God?   Why or why not? 

Yes.

"In this galaxy, there is a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that and perhaps more, only one of each of us." -Dr. Leonard McCoy

There is only one you. Why?