This Sunday’s readings: Matthew 2:1-8

Reflections

It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say ‘It’s as plain as the nose on your face.’ But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?
~ Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) in I, Robot

All of us at various times in our lives believe true things for poor reasons, and false things for good reasons, and that whatever we think we know, whether we’re right or wrong, arises from our interactions with other human beings. Thinking independently, solitarily, “for ourselves,” is not an option.
~ Alan Jacobs, How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
~ William Shakespeare (1564-1616) in As You Like It

If Luke says Jesus was born of a virgin, it is because he believes it to be a historical fact.
~Michael Wilcock, former Director at Trinity College, author, vicar

Live in the moment… but don’t be led by the moment, or the people who belong to it.
~ J. Aleksandr Wootton, Her Unwelcome Inheritance

This Sunday’s readings: Matthew 1:18-25

Reflections

I do not at all understand the mystery of grace—only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.
~Anne Lamott (1954-present)

The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.
~ Soren Kierkegaard, Danish Philosopher

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
~ Corrie ten Boom

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion. “I am dying of thirst,” said Jill. “Then drink,” said the Lion. “May I — could I — would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.
The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.
“Will you promise not to — do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill. “I make no promise,” said the Lion.
Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer. “Do you eat girls?” she said.
“I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.
“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill. “Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion. “Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.” “There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
~ C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

It is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight. And as we fly, we still may not know where we are going. But the miracle is in the unfolding of the wings. You may not know where you’re going, but you know that so long as you spread your wings, the winds will carry you.
~ C. JoyBell C., Author/Thinker