Cut and Paste

I've been to DC often but it wasn't until we visited Rome last fall that I could appreciate the extent to which certain architecture had been "borrowed".  In the case of the National Gallery of Art, you might say "cut and pasted".  All the way down to the lower ceiling height on the front porch which we were told in Rome was due to a column fabrication error.

We feel a certain safety in building on what's already been done and there can be great wisdom in that.  But I wonder if the degree to which Microsoft has made the cut (or copy) and paste function so easy hasn't also shut down our ability to question whether those patterns can really be "pasted" into the current situation without thought.

"The children of Issachar....had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." (I Chr 12:32)

Perspective

If this was the only impression you'd ever had of these familiar landmarks, what do you suppose your opinion would be about their proximity to each other?  Would you affirm strenuously that they were close neighbors?  Perhaps argue forcefully if someone suggested a two-mile distance between their extremes?

Often a simple change of perspective, perhaps offered by another whose view of the same thing is from a little different angle than ours, can fill out detail that we never imagined.  We should probably ask for that kind of help more often than we do.  Or at least temper our responses to each other against the very real possibility that our vision just might be limited.

"In the multitude of counsellors there is safety." (Prov. 11:14)

DC

I guess it's no secret that I love visiting our nation's capital.  This past weekend we had the opportunity to take our turn there for minister rotation at our DC church.  We had heard that the mild winter might have moved up the cherry blossom schedule but that didn't quite pan out.  The magnolias were a pretty good stand-in, don't you think?

In the Shadow

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)

In my simple thinking, it seems fairly straight forward.  We are saved by grace through faith, not of works because we would boast.  Getting "works" ahead of faith has troubled many a soul in meaningless religion, spiritual pride, anxious striving, depression, and fearfulness.

Yet shouting "legalism" anytime mention is made of sanctified living and good works is as grievous an error in my view -- the strident language itself seems to take on a "legalistic" tone as angry exchanges about theological purity and smug certainty pollute the very cause they espouse.

Paul simply asks, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  I love how this flower just blooms for its Makers glory in the shadow of the Cross.  Can there be any other response than fruitfulness to the great and complete sacrifice made there for you and me?

(Image taken in Itea, Greece -- Oct. 2011)