Single-handed Theology: The beginning of wisdom

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is in vain,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30

Fear is the humility to place oneself before God, acknowledging ignorance. Fear is the tears of frustration that turn to God in prayer, asking for guidance. Fear is knowing Whom to ask when wisdom is lacking.

Fear is the awe of the mystery that is both God’s otherness and nearness, His infinity and His intimacy.

Fear is the heart that trembles at the life given to my care, the heart that must love even while learning love, the heart that lives only because of love that has been poured in by the Holy One.

We know because He loves.

And this love casts out the shadow-fear, the faltering-fear of darkness and doubt.

Fear is knowing I am loved.

This Fear is the beginning of my wisdom.


~lg

Single-handed Theology - And a little child shall lead them

Maybe being a parent means being less of a grown-up.

Her dependence on me, the me who lacks so much wisdom and experience, is humbling.

It is this humility that gives me the heart of a child, breaks me open enough that I must run to my Father and say “help please!” because I cannot put the pieces together the way they should go.

She looks up with so much eager wonder, with outstretched arms and pleading eyes, with total reliance, and I see myself in her.

She is the little child leading me back to God.

(Isaiah 11:6)


~lg

Epiphany Playlist

I had so much fun with my Advent playlist that I decided to create one for Epiphany! Epiphany (meaning manifestation, appearance, revelation) is January 6th (after the 12 Days of Christmas), and celebrates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, as well as the Incarnation, the revelation of God's Son in human form.

This playlist is quite short, but I like having a few songs on hand in one place that celebrate the Wise Men, the Star, and Light.


Light of the World - Chris Tomlin feat. Matt Redman (Glory in the Highest)
Good King Wenceslas* - David Francey (Carols for a Christmas Eve)
The Wassail Song/All Through the Night - Yo-Yo Ma (Songs of Joy & Peace)
We Three Kings - David Francey (Carols for a Christmas Eve)
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem - (Stuart McLean The Christmas Concert)
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Connie Scott (25 Songs of Christmas Vol. 2)
Glory in the Highest - Chris Tomlin (Glory in the Highest)


*Good King Wenceslas isn't exactly an Epiphany song, as the Feast of Stephen is celebrated December 26th in the Western church, but I thought it was a nice place to highlight Wenceslas.


~lg

What could have been a dark day

Today, when the last thing I wanted to do was open up the curtains to the world outside, you gave me light.

Sunrise, another bright and brilliant Christmas morning with the arrival of a package from the north.
Then a little golden glimmer, with the relief of a responsibility shifted off my shoulders.
And a long, warm afternoon sunbeam – a little one napping for over two hours.

Finally, I was ready to pull back the heavy material and acknowledge grace, to understand the revealing of light on a winter’s day.

Epiphany.


~lg

A new year's thought from CS Lewis

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

(CS Lewis, from Prince Caspian)


A good thought for a new year.


~lg