my burg

Bible reading for weekend March 20-22: Exodus 31-33; John 10-12.  "...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs..." (Exodus 31:3-4) Spirit and Sabbath (Ex 31). Here is the first mention of the Holy Spirit gifting people with special skills (Ex 31:1-11; cf Eph 4:7-14). This tells us that God cares not only about how we worship, but also about art, beauty, and craftsmanship.  And we learn that Sabbath-keeping is the sign of the covenant between God and Israel (31:12-18).  In the NT the keeping of the Sabbath, at least in the form as it is kept in the OT, is not continued in the same way.  The principle of taking and giving needed physical rest, ceasing from sinful and self-righteous works, and taking time for corporate worship still continues for those of us who follow Christ today, but there is more freedom as to the form that may take (see Rom 14:5-6; Col ...

Kintsugi and kintsugori are Japanese techniques of restoring pottery and ceramic in such a way that the break and repair are seen as beautiful.   Using epoxy and gold dust (or silver dust) the fracture is repaired but not hidden.  Rather the restoration is highlighted in beauty and value.  Henri Nouwen writes, "The great mystery of God’s love is that we are not asked to live as if we are not hurting, as if we are not broken. In  fact, we are invited to recognize our brokenness as a brokenness in which we can come in touch with the unique way that  God loves us. The great invitation is to live your brokenness under the blessing. I cannot take people’s brokenness away  and people cannot take my brokenness away.  But how do you live in your brokenness? Do you live your brokenness under the  blessing or under the curse? The great call of Jesus is to put your brokenness under the blessing."   "But we have this treasure in ...

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.  But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."  Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.  (John 6:19-21 ESV) "Christ Walking on the Water" was painted about 1901 by Russian landscape artist, Julius Sergius von Klever (1850-1924). 

Jesus comes to the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda.  By Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1617-1682.

When we lived and worked in Dallas I always enjoyed my visits to nearby Las Colinas.  In the plaza is one of my favorite sculptures, the "Mustangs of Las Colinas", which is the largest equestrian sculpture in the world.  With the water fountains placed near the horse's hooves it really looks like they are running through the water!  

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.  (Luke 2:15-20 ESV)   [Above: Caravaggio's "Adoration of the Shepherds" (1609)]