Be The Light

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

God's Temple

This is the church I attended as I was growing up. It is "the first church" of Monticello, and this July, it will be 200 years old.

I remember when this stained glass piece was put in. It lights from behind, and it's beautiful.

This is my sister with my children and our nephews, sitting at the foot of the alter where I was married...

And from where I received communion. And in front of which I celebrated Christmas and Easter and Christ's life. And this July, this church will be closing it's doors. It's congregation has dwindled; it's tithing not enough to support it's existence.

While this is sad, tragically sad, it's important to remember where Christ's work really takes place. The literal church is a building, created by man -in which wonderful things happen-but still, created by man. A place to celebrate, to remember, to meditate, to share fellowship; to repent, to forgive, to receive, to promise, to praise, to grow, to share. All these things are nurtured here. They are expected to be nurtured here. But they can (and should) also be nurtured in our homes. And in our yards, and in our cars, and in our schools, and in our families, and in our friendships. And within ourselves.

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

(I blog-lifted this song from Kimba... thanks for sharing, girl.)

Sunday

A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another;  as I have loved you, you must love your brother.

John 13:34

Sunday

 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... 

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 1-8, 13

Sunday

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that

has been given to you....

May you be content knowing you are a child of God....

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Sunday

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 6:10

Easter Sunday

He is Risen

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

John 3:15-17

Sunday

"Where can I go from your Spirit?


Where can I flee from your presence?


If I go up to the heavens, you are there;


If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.


If I rise on the wings of the dawn,


If I settle on the far side of the sea,


even there your hand will guide me,


your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me


and the light become night around me,”


even the darkness will not be dark to you;


the night will shine like the day,


for darkness is as light to you."

                                                                                                    Psalm 139:7-12