On Fridays, Diane Summers calls from KFUO radio in St. Louis. Her program, “The Essence,” is music interspersed with devotional thoughts and observations on life under the Cross. For 10-12 minutes, Diane is kind to focus on various aspects of Titus 2 for Life. Diane understands. We share the same worldview. She reads my thoughts (can someone do that?) and the conversation flows. But, then, why wouldn’t it when our common foundation is The Word?
Today, however, Diane caught me by surprise. I was blogging. I was taking time out from a week of filling soup bowls. You know. Lots and lots of people gather around: hungry and in need of filling up. I’m not the pot. More correctly, I’m the ladle used to serve out of The Pot (God’s Word). That’s what an ezer does. She’s a “helper.” A server of helpfulness and encouragement. Anyway…
There was Diane’s voice: “In a minute, we’re on. You set?” Near panic. Queasy feeling. But, when one can draw upon the Word of the Lord, one suddenly has something to say. We “chatted” about the Titus 2 Retreat in Cedar Rapids, IA., last weekend. We discussed the influence of the world on women and the ways that “older” woman can be of help to “younger” women. “In the last days,” writes St. Paul to Timothy, “there will be times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self . . . ” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Such people “creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (vv. 6-7).
Diane understood where I was going… and a healthy dialogue followed. We talked about how, in Rome, false teachers came to the doors of women at home. Today, they do the same thing, entering our very homes by way of the internet, television personalities, and self-help books. We are easily swayed, especially when in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Afterward, Diane laughed. “That was fun!” Then she added, “You didn’t seem caught by surprise at all.”
Well, here’s the thing. When we fear — indeed, cling — to God, we are provided with all that is necessary for each moment of life — even when caught by surprise. God is faithful.
Chilean Miners
Posted in Commentaries of others, Faith & Practice on October 15, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Some things speak for themselves.
Printed on the Chilean miners’ shirts: “Porque en su mano estan los profundidades de la tierra, Y las alturas de los montes son suyas.” Translation:
(Psalm 95:4) Then, “de El es las Honor y la Gloria.” Translation:
On the left sleeve of their shirts was printed:
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