Wonderful writing Meg. And from the Lord of the Rings film there is this:
Mithrandir... why the Halfling?
Gandalf:
...I don't know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid... and he gives me courage.
I'm walking out on dystopia too. Time is too valuable to be preoccupied with worst case scenarios and false binaries. I'd rather have second breakfast.
http://godblesstheusabible.com What is more he is enthusiastically supported by millions of Christian true believers too, who pretend that he is "God's" chosen vehicle to re-Christianize the USA.
Beautifully said. Some days it feels like a fine needle to thread, but it really is quite simple, isn’t it. The “upside down kingdom” where the smallest things are actually the most powerful, where dying to self is to finally come alive…
This is wonderful. Thank you for the reminder not to listen to Wormtongue. Several of my friends are protecting their joy but not focusing on the news. I aspire to that. It’s so hopeful to think of the third way— the redemption of all things. Thank you for highlighting this for me as well. Looking forward to reading more.
In a world chock full of content that’s the digital equivalent of cottonwood seeds, this was worth my time. Thank you. N.T. Wright describes the final state of those who refuse to have Jesus rule over them as ex-human.
“This opens up a possibility: that a human being who continually and with settled intent worships that which is not God can ultimately cease completely to bear God’s image. Such a creature would become, in other words, ex-human: a creature that once bore the image of God but does so no longer, and can never do so again. Humans do, I believe, possess the freedom [45] (some would say even the ‘right’, but I think that is difficult language at this point) to choose to worship creation rather than the creator. The God who made them and loves them grants them that freedom, even though they may misuse it. The New Testament indicates strongly that there are some, perhaps many, who go that route.” (https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/rethinking-the-tradition/)
It makes sense to me that this is the ultimate destiny of every single person, either fully human in the image of God, like Jesus, or else ex-human. But you’re absolutely right, that it starts now and carries on through a million million ages (to quote Jonathan Edwards). There’s no such thing as a man-made utopia, but we are promised that the mountain carved without human hands will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:35).
“The mountain carved without human hands will fill the whole earth.” Now that is an excellent image. Thank you for reminding me of it, and writing a comment that is worth my time! :)
It makes sense too, that if what we behold we become, then if what we’re beholding is not God, we could cease to become human--meaning made in the image of God. Much food for thought here. Thank YOU.
That is certainly a spiritual axiom. My friend Rick, a fellow Warrior Poet, reminded me the other day to “mind your appetites.” I think that’s another way of saying, “be careful what you behold, because it will ultimately define you.”
Which brings to mind another line from Lord of the Rings: "Night changes many thoughts." I have found dark-of-the-morning thoughts tend toward darkness and doom. This gives me permission to ignore some of them, knowing they will change in the morning. "In the morning counsels are best, and night changes many thoughts." Théoden King
Wonderful writing Meg. And from the Lord of the Rings film there is this:
Mithrandir... why the Halfling?
Gandalf:
...I don't know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid... and he gives me courage.
Exactly. Simple acts almost too small to mention against such a force.... Until you see that is its weakness.
On that best portion of a good man’s life,
His little, nameless, unremembered, acts
Of kindness and of love.
Lines above Tintern Abbey
Wordsworth said it first.....
I'm walking out on dystopia too. Time is too valuable to be preoccupied with worst case scenarios and false binaries. I'd rather have second breakfast.
Wormtongue is of course alive and "well".
http://godblesstheusabible.com What is more he is enthusiastically supported by millions of Christian true believers too, who pretend that he is "God's" chosen vehicle to re-Christianize the USA.
Beautifully said. Some days it feels like a fine needle to thread, but it really is quite simple, isn’t it. The “upside down kingdom” where the smallest things are actually the most powerful, where dying to self is to finally come alive…
I think this might have been what Jesus was saying in the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:1-12.
So forget the glory seekers, fighting the good fight, look to the marginalised, those on the edges, doing their best in hard situations.
This is wonderful. Thank you for the reminder not to listen to Wormtongue. Several of my friends are protecting their joy but not focusing on the news. I aspire to that. It’s so hopeful to think of the third way— the redemption of all things. Thank you for highlighting this for me as well. Looking forward to reading more.
This is so beautiful, and I really needed to hear it. Thank you for what you’ve written ❤️
In a world chock full of content that’s the digital equivalent of cottonwood seeds, this was worth my time. Thank you. N.T. Wright describes the final state of those who refuse to have Jesus rule over them as ex-human.
“This opens up a possibility: that a human being who continually and with settled intent worships that which is not God can ultimately cease completely to bear God’s image. Such a creature would become, in other words, ex-human: a creature that once bore the image of God but does so no longer, and can never do so again. Humans do, I believe, possess the freedom [45] (some would say even the ‘right’, but I think that is difficult language at this point) to choose to worship creation rather than the creator. The God who made them and loves them grants them that freedom, even though they may misuse it. The New Testament indicates strongly that there are some, perhaps many, who go that route.” (https://ntwrightpage.com/2016/07/12/rethinking-the-tradition/)
It makes sense to me that this is the ultimate destiny of every single person, either fully human in the image of God, like Jesus, or else ex-human. But you’re absolutely right, that it starts now and carries on through a million million ages (to quote Jonathan Edwards). There’s no such thing as a man-made utopia, but we are promised that the mountain carved without human hands will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:35).
Excellent read! Thank you.
“The mountain carved without human hands will fill the whole earth.” Now that is an excellent image. Thank you for reminding me of it, and writing a comment that is worth my time! :)
It makes sense too, that if what we behold we become, then if what we’re beholding is not God, we could cease to become human--meaning made in the image of God. Much food for thought here. Thank YOU.
That is certainly a spiritual axiom. My friend Rick, a fellow Warrior Poet, reminded me the other day to “mind your appetites.” I think that’s another way of saying, “be careful what you behold, because it will ultimately define you.”
The real question is why you’d take a guy named “Wormtongue” as an advisor. He’s not exactly hiding what the end result will be.
Pretty sure it was Gandalf named him Wormtongue. He went by Grima, son of Galmod, prior to this.
Dang
I needed this as I sit here with my brain scrabbling over doom thoughts at 3 am. I think I will go back to bed now. With a little bit of hope. ;)
Which brings to mind another line from Lord of the Rings: "Night changes many thoughts." I have found dark-of-the-morning thoughts tend toward darkness and doom. This gives me permission to ignore some of them, knowing they will change in the morning. "In the morning counsels are best, and night changes many thoughts." Théoden King