Math and Faith

Math and Faith

I like math because

a=b
b=c
∴
a=c

I am praying that I can apply that formula to this verse....

God is my refuge and my strength

∴

I will not fear.

Not that I think having faith in God can be reduced to a formula.

We develop a relationship with Him just as we do with any other person.

The depth of our relationship with anyone depends on how well we know that person.

But I want that "therefore" in Ps. 46 to be as

real

solid

and logical

to me as the ∴ in a math equation.

However the truth is

although I "believe" He is our refuge and strength

I find that I don't logically follow through

with the "therefore I will not fear"

I find that after 35 years of "believing" and growth in many areas of my spiritual life

that I still fear... many things


I can only conclude

that I do not know Him well enough

and when I speak of "knowing " Him I refer to

deep knowledge - familiarity gained through experience or association

that recognizes and accepts the truth about something - or Someone.

that knowledge that would enable me to consistently

"be still and know"

"believe"

"have faith"

Dallas Willard writes that

"Great faith, like great strength in general, is revealed by the ease of its workings. As 'the quality of mercy is not strained' so also with faith. Most of what we think we see as the struggle of faith is really the struggle to act as if we had faith when in fact we do not." Hearing God

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

to believe, rest, have faith like this...

knowing I am held

and

∴

He who began a good work in me

will complete it.

Friends - of the furry sort

A house without either a cat

or a dog

is the house

of a scoundrel

--Portugese Proverb

My National Geographic Moment

picture credit - my best friend and kayaking buddy - Rinda Dean

Kayaking among the icebergs in the Northumberland strait.

Doesn't it look like a National Geographic moment?

Who says winter isn't any fun?

(The water is only waist deep but don't tell anyone...)

Light

The sun is shining this morning - which is very welcome on this little Island in "the true North strong and free". It's amazing how my heart lifts when I see a beam of sunlight slanting through my kitchen window.

I've been thinking about light...

I don't mind the cold of winter, in fact I like it - it's invigorating - and I love to play in the snow. But sometimes the early darkness can be trying to the spirit. So I long for light - for sunshine.

Now that we've passed the solstice we are gaining a few minutes of sunlight every day. Although it is still dark when I get up, I notice that there are bands of light at the edge of the horizon.

Every sunrise has a special beauty but there is nothing like the sun rising through a hoar frost. The sky is so clear and the air so still - the frost reflects the sun's light on every branch and twig - so radiant. This exquisite beauty fills me with unspeakable longing and wonder - and praise to the Creator of such loveliness.
"For God, who said,
'Let light shine out of darkness,'
made His light shine in our hearts
to give us the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Now that is a subject worth lifelong contemplation...the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. I long to be filled with that light given by the Father - the Light of the world - Jesus Christ.

I want to be daily cheered, encouraged and strengthened by gazing on His face and walking in the light of His presence. I want to long for Him so much more than I long for sunlight in the long, dark winters or any other created thing.

A good resolution/prayer for 2006 and every year to come.

picture credit - Rinda Dean