Reflections on an old house

The old folks had moved to town. The farm house stood empty, in a stand of bare trees and old memories . . . the rusty pump, broken down barn, the piece of rope on a tree limb that used to be a swing where children felt the wind rushing swift as swallows on the wing. More than wood and metal were being buried there by nature.

My eye caught the sun reflecting on the old window, still intact. How many little eyes had pressed close against that glass, properly fogged by the warm breath of childhood? Little blue and brown windows (For eyes too are windows!) looking for what the clear-paned glass would reveal . . . the first snow of winter, father coming home for supper. Older eyes also had looked out of that old window, eyes filled with tears of joy or sorrow. It was a place of vision, as windows always are.

On that cold day, with the north wind chilling to the bone, I looked up to heaven through my spirit's window and thanked a Father God who loves us in all seasons, who rejoices when our cup overflows, and whose tears fall with ours. I looked to the eternal God who sees us always through heaven's windows . . . God, who preserves cherished life and value through all our changes. "Our times are in Thy hands, O Lord, and in Thy presence is fullness of joy always."

from Seasons by Bill Spencer

The Cosmic Nativity

Key verse: “A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun…” Rev. 12: 1

  Reflection Title: In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning’

  When I begin to read this section of Revelation I find myself humming a tune, without fail, and without first thinking about it. It just happens in the course of reading scripture. I take this humming, and similar such occurrences, as signs or messages, probably undecipherable, but real. The tune I find myself humming is the old spiritual, “In That Great Gettin' Up Morning’.” I’m not certain where I first heard it; but I think it was recorded back in the fifties by Harry Belafonte. (Back in the middle ages! Remember the cartoon of the little child sitting on grandpa’s lap, looking at the old black and white pictures in his scrap book, and asking, “Was the whole world in black and white in your day grandpa?”) At any rate the words come creeping up in the back of my mind, slipping under conscious thought, sliding beneath the concentration of the moment, and before I know it I am humming them. When they break out into song I know that I am leaning toward the end of Revelation – beyond the war in heaven, beyond the beast and the dragon, beyond the persecutions and the terror. I state my faith in heart tones that there is a better day a comin’. Let me recall just a few of the words for you.

In that great getting up morning fare you well, fare you well… 
There will be no more sorrow, fare you well, fare you well… There will be no more dyin’, fare you well, fare you well…

What do you think of when you read of the woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet? It is a wonderful image. There is a church in Quebec with a great sculptural portrayal of those words. The picture is lodged in my mind, though I cannot recall the church’s name – Is it St. Anne’s? Or some may think of the Lady of Guadeloupe. The words have taken shape in our midst, from time to time, in beautiful sculpture. Someone called this passage the Cosmic Nativity. Is that so, do you think? It is a strong picture of life and opposition, hatred and rescue. And it is the beginning of a cosmic battle. We get a clear sense here that God has strong opposition. Have you ever had to face any dragons? When was the last one? Not many statues, but much reality in the dragon with heads and horns and crowns.

  In verse six, the woman finds a place of safety and sends us a message. She flees into the wilderness, into a place of safety. There she is led by God, nourished and strengthened for one of those incalculable times. Into the wilderness – waiting, watching, praying, getting ready for a new day. There’s a better day a comin’, hallelu, hallelu. The message is that we may have a place like that for our own struggles with opposition, with dragons on a grand scale, with disappointments and losses. There’s a better day a comin’, hallelu, hallelu. Stand on God’s promises, the Word. Wrap yourself in the light of an ever-shining Light. There’s a better day a comin’, hallelu, hallelu. You’ll be ready for the battle, hallelu, hallelu. Get ready for the struggle. Victory and rest are down the road, In that great getting’ up morning, hallelu, hallelu. It’s as certain as sunrise, light filling the fields of our daily labor, chasing the shadows away.

Light and Warmth,
Willard Spencer

Matthew 9:18-26

This is the Gospel record of a miracle within a miracle. The first begins with a request from a ruler. The rulers, generally, did not look favorably on Jesus' works. It took some courage for this ruler to come to Jesus. His faith is clear. He believed that Jesus could help. While Jesus was on his way to help the ruler's daughter a woman with a flow of blood reached out and touched the hem of his garment. It is interesting that in the tussle of a large crowd Jesus could detect a touch. He turned and spoke directly to the woman, telling her that her faith had healed her. It is a wonderful thing to remember that Jesus can pick out a little faith in a large crowd. We are not unknown to him. He knows our needs and he knows us. Then Jesus proceeded to the ruler's home and awoke the daughter. The mourners had already gathered. They laughed at Jesus. They did not laugh at the young girl restored to life and health.

from a book by Willard Spencer

Genesis 13:5-17

This is the record of Lot's mistake. He was given the choice of areas in the land to graze his flocks. He looked at the green valley of the Jordan and chose that area. It was a mistake. His uncle, Abraham, was being gracious in offering his nephew the first choice. If Lot had been thinking clearly he probably would have discussed the matter. Can you hear him say, "What do you think would be best?" Or perhaps it would have been wise to give the choice back to Abraham. He could have said, "I chose that portion which you give me." Instead his self-centered haste is clearly shown in verse eleven, "So Lot chose for himself." The basic human inclination to choose for ourselves, and to choose the "greener pasture," is still with us. Not thinking of others and choosing what looks good still gets us in hot water from time to time.

from a book by Willard Spencer

Prayer For those who have suffered this week

Dear Lord Jesus, another week of our earthly lives has just gone by. During that week we have done some good things. We have missed doing some of the things we should have done. We have thought noble thoughts and some thoughts less than noble. We have fussed and complained, griped and grumbled. We have prayed and praised. We have given compliments and supported others. In short, we have been amiable and surly this week just past. What can we say? We are what we are? Help us to be increasingly what we should be. Shape our lives in this earth time you have given us. Lead us toward perfection. Help us lean toward the light. Fit us for your everlasting time, soon to be upon all of us.
Dear Lord Jesus, we remember all those who have suffered during this week past: some have died untimely deaths, some have been burned in fires or injured in accidents, some have fallen and broken bones, some have been abused by those who are kin to them, some fight battles against infernal illness. We remember before your throne all those who have suffered this week. We thank you for the great joys you have given us: moonlight on snow, frost flowers on windows, laughter of grandchildren, the smile of a loved one. For music and friendship, for the barely perceptible lengthening of the days we give you thanks. For your love continued to each of us, we offer praise and thanksgiving. For the nudging of your Spirit, for the certainty of your gracious life and atoning death, we bless your name.

Dear Lord Jesus, touch each of us as we bow before you at the beginning of a new week. Stay with us and bring us each day a little closer to you, to home. We ask in the power of your name, and we lift our hearts and voices toward you in the strong words you taught us to pray….Pray the Lord's Prayer.
from a book of prayers by Willard Spencer