tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post8872646555732791926..comments2023-09-30T06:31:56.558-07:00Comments on Living Stones Community: As Through Glasses Darklyliving stoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07444266250380793763noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post-78580686829557075432010-02-12T21:18:05.757-08:002010-02-12T21:18:05.757-08:00Thank you so much for this post; it resonated so d...Thank you so much for this post; it resonated so deeply with me, as I've been confronting, as of late, my many weakness and limitations - physical, emotional, and spiritual - learning to acknowledge them, accept them, and then surrender them to God. Since I arrived in Korea over a month ago, it seems that everything I once prided myself on has been stripped, little by little, until I see that I can do nothing on my own. This is a major reason God brought me here: to teach me humility and blind faith (pardon the shameless pun). <br /><br />Truly, I am nothing. But how beautiful: our Savior became nothing, obedient to death on a cross (Phil 2:7). Someday, we will arise from our hiding place and appear with Him in complete glory (Col 3:3-4) when "the weather clears and the sun shines brightly," but until that day, I want to bear His image by sharing in His nothingness, by considering everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Him (Phil 3:7). <br /><br />Lord, help us surrender not just our riches and our gifts to You, but our weaknesses and frailties, becoming like you in death and humility. Thank You for the grace of revealing Yourself to us even through our failing sight, aching bones, and helpless sighs. <br /><br />In His love,<br />JoyJoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02783931614597203744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post-81169003923554053472010-01-26T21:06:48.257-08:002010-01-26T21:06:48.257-08:00I've always found this paradox very interestin...I've always found this paradox very interesting. On a separate (kind of related) note, it reminded me of Shakespeare: he often uses this theme of blindness or not seeing leading to clarity. King Lear comes to mind right now. <br /><br />Thanks for this post and also for the link to the eyeglasses website- that is a great deal!<br /><br />Jennicaliving stoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444266250380793763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post-17458982039605354212010-01-24T04:12:20.723-08:002010-01-24T04:12:20.723-08:00Bill, several points you made in your comment abov...Bill, several points you made in your comment above on Paul's post struck me. I really liked the way you expressed this need: "...connect everything with what God is doing in, through and around me, including getting my eyeglasses updated." And how important for all of us, I think, to remember this point: "What I am perceiving is only a part, maybe even a distorted part." Thank you for investing in this kind of mutual reflection!<br />--RickeyRChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06953614290688725077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post-19891117450209804762010-01-19T15:08:01.373-08:002010-01-19T15:08:01.373-08:00Paul, Obviously God is trying to get my attention ...Paul, Obviously God is trying to get my attention since I just had my bi-annual eye exam and need a new scrip. Then you remind me to connect everything with what God is doing in, through and around me, including getting my eyeglasses updated. <br /><br />Like Rickey, I am reminded to consider humility and not to assume that how I think I am seeing something or understanding something is the totality of what is real. What I am perceiving is only a part, maybe even a distorted part. <br /><br />Another connection is that this week one group I meet with is using breathe prayers and the one I am working with is "Jesus, be light" which fits well with be able to discern and see clearly.<br /><br />Your sharing has really struck several chords in my life today and I will sit and let God tune the melodies for awhile,<br />BillBill Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05997601121641614175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post-86783927145392030622010-01-18T06:01:41.968-08:002010-01-18T06:01:41.968-08:00Paul, I'm grateful this humble and insightful ...Paul, I'm grateful this humble and insightful posting. And grateful, too, that our community is "seeing" and engaging these kinds of spiritual dynamics. Your post encourages me and helps me persevere in the path of humility and the call to accept and welcome everyday reality with its diminishments as well as its joys. Thank you!<br />--RickeyRChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06953614290688725077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4680282344162469445.post-90445950339464655292010-01-17T14:32:10.061-08:002010-01-17T14:32:10.061-08:00Paul,thanks for this thoughtful post about accepti...Paul,thanks for this thoughtful post about accepting our limitations with grace and humility. I'm certainly getting more practice with every birthday. (First it was needing glasses, then needing drops for extra dryness in my eyes, and now I'm needing to rest my eyes before I'm ready to close them for the night--mercy, mercy.) Gradually, I'm learning God is giving me these opportunities to learn to let go of expectations. In the meantime, it's good to know God sees me and is with me. Thanks again for sharing. Blessings--Annaliving stoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444266250380793763noreply@blogger.com