well woman (John chapter 4)

Jesus seemed willing to engage anyone in conversation, on any topic, at any time. He was extraordinarily skilled at speaking the hardest of truths with kindness and acceptance.

dis-illusion

“They say to the seers, ‘See no more visions!’
and to the prophets,
‘Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Leave this way, get off this path,
and stop confronting us
with the Holy One of Israel!’” Isaiah 30:10, NIV

Oh boy... this is a tough one. My illusions have been very dear to me, and I’ve mourned each one’s passing. Certainly, there are many remaining -- including the illusion that I’m relatively free of illusions!

A world cobbled together with denial is a rickety affair. It won’t hold up against the blasts of reality. It lacks depth of foundation and openness to light. How can relationships find health in a place like that?

Disillusionment is a strange friend, never welcome but often bearing excellent gifts.

Tell me the truth
Show me what is right
Confront me with holiness

presence

Is there a difference between the omnipresence of God (his ‘everywhere-ness’) and his real presence or manifest presence (his ‘right-here-ness’)?

It certainly feels different, but is that due to changes in us or changes in him? …Or both?

Is it our perception of God's closeness that changes as we yield our splintered wills to his One Will? ...Our cloudy truths to his Clear Truth? Or is God actually pressing nearer to us during certain holy moments?

restraint

"It does not take many words to speak the truth."

Chief Joseph
Nez Perce