Shattered shards of clay pots, that’s all we really are. Knowing it deep within and being reminded often—whether in dreams by night or everyday events--there is no hiding from our own brokenness as human beings. Is that why the pervasive anxieties all around are so hard to truly face, much less absorb? The Old Testament Nathan’s prophecy to King David was hardly spent on him. It continues through the ages, coming down on us as well: “You are the man!”
One can, of course, like so many keep doing, run and hide from it all, proudly pretending innocence. We see it all the time in others and know it in ourselves, deep within. Ought we not rather thank God that he persists in calling the likes of Nathan to break through our hidden nature and confront us with our sin?
What’s so amazing about grace is that the God who thus probes our depths does so not to destroy our lives but to recreate them from within. Stay up on your own high hill and you will be brought low. But receive him in the valleys of your life and you will be exalted.
Read the hymn by Joseph Hart (1712-1766) below—even sing it to the Beach Spring tune if you can. Allow it to illumine the darkness within you. And let it awaken the joyous reminder that God sent his Son to make us whole.
Come, you sinners, poor and needy, bruised and broken by the fall;
Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pard’ning grace for all.
He is able, he is able, he is willing, doubt no more;
he is able, he is able, he wis willing, doubt no more.
Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream;
all that he requires of sinners is to turn and trust in him.
He will save you, he will save you, ‘tis the Gospel’s constant theme.
He will save you, he will save you, ‘tis the Gospel’s constant theme.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended, pleads the merit of his blood;
venture on him, venture wholly, let no other trust intrude:
none but Jesus, none but Jesus can do helpless sinners good.
None but Jesus, none but Jesus can do helpless sinners good.
The Covenant Hymnal: A Worshipbook, No. 324
For more reflections check links at Home
About Me
- James R Hawkinson
- White Bear Lake, MN, United States
- Nearly seventeen years into retirement, I am enjoying the opportunity to share thoughts and life experiences on a regular basis. This blog is part of a larger personal website at www.rootedwings.com. Your comments, thoughts, and life experience responses are not only invited but welcome!
Blog Archive
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2011
(24)
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January
(11)
- Quietness and Renewal
- Our Choices Matter, Our Motives Even More!
- 'I Will Awake the Dawn' (Psalm 57:8)
- Epiphany on the Way to Lent and Easter
- Laugh a Little--at Yourself!
- Wandering and Wondering
- 'The People, Yes!'
- 'A Capable Wife Who Can Find?'
- Redemptive Light Sometimes Hurts!
- Darkness Transformed by Light
- A Blessed New Year Reminder
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▼
January
(11)
Companions
.JPG)
Alyce and Jim
Lest We Forget
Are we forgetting
the things that remain?
One often wonders
in looking around.
A child, leaving church
was in a quand’ry,
not concerning faith
but concerning sports.
‘It is a bummer,’
he said ruefully,
‘The Vikings are on
during my game time.’
Innocent enough,
as boys tend to be.
Yet it made me sad
and broken in heart.
Where is life, really?
What are we teaching
our children to think
subliminally?
O Lord God of Hosts,
come down within us,
lest yearning for life
we fail to find it.
Renew our passion
to gather ‘round you,
lest we all forget
where true glory waits.
JRH
1/31/10
the things that remain?
One often wonders
in looking around.
A child, leaving church
was in a quand’ry,
not concerning faith
but concerning sports.
‘It is a bummer,’
he said ruefully,
‘The Vikings are on
during my game time.’
Innocent enough,
as boys tend to be.
Yet it made me sad
and broken in heart.
Where is life, really?
What are we teaching
our children to think
subliminally?
O Lord God of Hosts,
come down within us,
lest yearning for life
we fail to find it.
Renew our passion
to gather ‘round you,
lest we all forget
where true glory waits.
JRH
1/31/10
Outside and In
Outside in the night
a lamp shines
on a single pole
in an empty lot
behind our home.
Humanly speaking
its lone beam
is hardly enough
to explain the warmth
I feel on waking.
Yet borne by Spirit
and filter’d
by prisms of color
created elsewhere
it fuels my soul.
Who should be so blest
as to know
and feel what I do
time and time again
when light breaks through.
Inside it is morn,
time to wake
and offer God praise
with kindred spirits
who understand.
Night never prevails.
Sing it now!
Rise, shine, be thankful,
for your redemption
is drawing near.
JRH
8/11/98
a lamp shines
on a single pole
in an empty lot
behind our home.
Humanly speaking
its lone beam
is hardly enough
to explain the warmth
I feel on waking.
Yet borne by Spirit
and filter’d
by prisms of color
created elsewhere
it fuels my soul.
Who should be so blest
as to know
and feel what I do
time and time again
when light breaks through.
Inside it is morn,
time to wake
and offer God praise
with kindred spirits
who understand.
Night never prevails.
Sing it now!
Rise, shine, be thankful,
for your redemption
is drawing near.
JRH
8/11/98
Grandchildren
You stand there, in space and time,
not unlike seedlings budding,
planted by streams of water.
Living out of your own roots
you too carry the Word.
No random selves, you were each
born to fulfill some promise,
no matter how soon or late.
In clearly diff’rent stages
You still bear similar marks.
Trunk and bark and leaves diff’ring
do not mask the common grain
that grows new rings ev’ry year.
Who knows in time how God works
to bind such layer’d wonders?
Ever taller and deeper,
in whatever loam God plants,
one sees a whole new promise.
Be not each your own, alone,
But care for others and earth.
You must sow the seed you are
and see your lives in common,
lest fear or pride deceive you.
You were born for godly things,
to stand tall and grow and bless.
JRH
12/7/03
not unlike seedlings budding,
planted by streams of water.
Living out of your own roots
you too carry the Word.
No random selves, you were each
born to fulfill some promise,
no matter how soon or late.
In clearly diff’rent stages
You still bear similar marks.
Trunk and bark and leaves diff’ring
do not mask the common grain
that grows new rings ev’ry year.
Who knows in time how God works
to bind such layer’d wonders?
Ever taller and deeper,
in whatever loam God plants,
one sees a whole new promise.
Be not each your own, alone,
But care for others and earth.
You must sow the seed you are
and see your lives in common,
lest fear or pride deceive you.
You were born for godly things,
to stand tall and grow and bless.
JRH
12/7/03
Pass It On!
Our inheritance flows
like a fresh, clean stream
from the heart of God.
Who knows where it begins
or finally ends
in oceans of time?
Whatever we may say
is inadequate
to trace it clearly,
except that God once gave
and still is giving
out of love for us.
We are never worthy
to receive or share
the fruits of such grace!
No wonder we long now
to offer God thanks,
"Thanks for ev'rything!"
And, after the off'ring,
to reach, teach, and love
those yet without hope.
JRH
The Covenant Companion
June, 1991
like a fresh, clean stream
from the heart of God.
Who knows where it begins
or finally ends
in oceans of time?
Whatever we may say
is inadequate
to trace it clearly,
except that God once gave
and still is giving
out of love for us.
We are never worthy
to receive or share
the fruits of such grace!
No wonder we long now
to offer God thanks,
"Thanks for ev'rything!"
And, after the off'ring,
to reach, teach, and love
those yet without hope.
JRH
The Covenant Companion
June, 1991
Roots exist forn the wings that propel them into life as we know it.
Wings exist to magnify the creative power of roots within them
Wings exist to magnify the creative power of roots within them