Thursday, January 21, 2010

Tree of Life...

Mark 10:15 (New American Standard Bible)

15"Truly I say to you, (A)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."














In the oldest story we hear of a young lovely couple being told... not to eat of the
Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Hmmmph. Why not? Isn't it good to know what is evil and who is bad and who is just plain selfish?
Wouldn't we be able to navigate this world better if we just knew... who was good, who was evil, and try - really try to be good ourselves?
Not really.
We were never intended to navigate anything OURSELVES. We were intended to be so close to the source of all love and all good that we would not be burdened with having to know.
We were intended to be reflections of LIFE. ~ not the knowledge about life ~ we were intended to be vessels of LIFE itself.
I have a dear friend who uses the phrase Judgy Mcjudger...I love that. It sums up the absurdity of one of us taking on the role of deciding with finality what is and what should be! Come on... we all do it!
Yes- discerning and wisdom and prudence are noble and important...ask me about politics some other time...BUT...ultimately it is small potatoes compared to being a conduit of Life to someone who needs a little air. On your tombstone do you want it to say-
" she really knew right from wrong and was glad to tell you about it!"
or would you like it to say
"She was a force of love and life and generous of spirit."
Powerful isn't it?
I believe this is the main challenge from day to day as we inhabit this earth. The divine tension between recognizing real evil and fleeing from it and being ensnared -trapped- by offense, judgement and pride.

I have heard a few stories of various opinions about different responses to Haiti...people using it as a platform to pontificate and critique. REALLY? Now?

I want to live from the Tree of Life.









I desire to be a vessel for that which brings life ~ not that which can articulate the rights and wrongs about life.

Something to ponder...

Proverbs 18:2 (Amplified Bible)
2A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.


Happy Day, Wishing you Tree of Life moments.





Addendum...
I just recieved this email please help if you are so inclined!
What a way to make a difference.

"My sister, Rose Sliepka, started a non-profit to support the troops back in 2004. Her efforts were entered into the Hero Next Door contest. This grassroots project supplies engraved dog tags to our military in the war zone. The military parent then sends the tag back to their child so that the child will be able to hold their parent close to their heart until their parent returns home.
The nominee that receives the most votes in the Hero Next Door contest wins.
The deadline for the contest is Feb. 26, 2010.
To vote, please go to:


http://www.care2.com/hero-next-door Look for ROSE SLIEPKA and then PLEASE cast your vote for her great endeavor,
Be sure to complete the voting page by clicking on the directed animal. You should get a confirmation back in your e-mail in- box.
One vote per person. However, more than one person can vote on the same computer. After voting, click at the right top where it says LOGOUT.Another person then can vote.
The Dog Tags for Kids Project’s website is: http://www.dogtagsforkids.com/
Rose does all the fundraising and engraving herself. Your support would really be appreciated!!!
Please pass this on to as many family and friends that you can reach.
Thank you "

3 comments:

  1. Loved this lesson...needed it as I am probably guility as charged!

    ReplyDelete
  2. We all are Jerri... it is a constant discipline isn't it?

    THE GOOD NEWS IS YOUR AWARE... HALF OF THE BATTLE.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Melanie,

    What a writer you are!! These words are words of LIFE. Thank you so much for such an inspiring (and much needed) post!

    I hope we meet someday, girlie!!!! :)

    XOXO

    Ruth

    ReplyDelete


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