I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.Jeremiah 29:10-11 God speaks these words to His people exiled in Babylon. He promises … Continue reading Hope
Hope
Spiritual Warfare II: Warlike Strengths
If we are aware of Spiritual Warfare raging around us, we need the best training. The Lord himself trains us for war. All the Children of God have the opportunity to develop warlike strengths--virtues to aid us in battle.
God’s Laws
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord … Continue reading God’s Laws
Restless Hearts
You have made us for Yourself, [O Lord,] and our heart is restless, until it rests in You. Confessions, St. Augustine of Hippo St. Augustine lived in the 4th century in North Africa. This quote from the beginning of his spiritual autobiography makes two bold statements: "You have made us for Yourself" and "our heart is … Continue reading Restless Hearts
Fairy Tales
I have a soft-spot for fairy tales. They are an authentic way to tap into the stories of my Anglo-Germanic heritage. When people compare life to a fairy tale, they are asking whether or not it measures up to some beautiful ideal. But really, fairy tales are more often stories of fear, death, and magic … Continue reading Fairy Tales
Sorrow and Sadness
In Tolkien’s Silmarilion, he describes one of the Valar, Nienna: [S]he dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda has suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded, that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of … Continue reading Sorrow and Sadness
A Grain of Salt 