Very thought provoking. Thank you.
One thought I have about burning everything on the alter....
I'm no spring chicken and just learned how "deep" and rich the offering procession is at mass. It is here, that we unload all our cares, miseries, trials, hopes, cries for help, prayers for family members....everything! When the gift bearers walk up the isle, they represent all of us (and I think even those not in the church). We are offering up all our trials and tribulations and thanks to God. When the priest holds up the precious body and blood of Jesus and offers Him to God the Father, all our offerings go along with Jesus as something united. This is the climax of the mass.
Today, let us all offer up our sorrow that we have regarding Terri and her family. Let's unload all our hurt and disappointment and give it to our Father so that he can turn our offering into a greater good.
I'm reminded of the frequent question, "why does God allow all this evil?"....The answer is so that he can take all this suffering that is offered up to Him and convert it to a greater good. I believe we will see this greater good reveal itself and probably sooner than later. Bottom line...hang in there and keep praying.
He is Risen, alleluia.
Thanks Russ7 for visiting my site. I'm no spring chicken either, dear one, I've got grandkids!
I want to expand "burning everything on the altar"a bit. This is a process. It is achieved by urgently seeking God one on One, in our quiet place, whether it's in our homes, in the backyard, anywhere we can meet with God alone. It is a time of very deep review of everything we hold dear, allowing the Holy Spirit to take his holy light and to begin to shine on all that keeps us from a very high knowledge and committment to God.
As we begin to see these revelations (it could be our possessions, family members, attitudes, even our churches), He gives us an overcoming spirit to release our control to God.
The end result is that our attitude about all that we know is changed forever. And as all of these layers begin to peel away, we stand before Him naked. He then fills us with a new purpose, a new understanding and an increased desire to lay down ALL for Him. This is just the first step and again it is a process that can be painful at times. John the Baptist said it, we must decrease that He may increase in us.
Christ in us the hope of glory. Col 1:27.
God Bless you brother as you seek after the Lord. We're never too old, hey, in the light of eternity, we are spring chickens.