Entering into the Wilderness of Solitude and Silence

SABBATH: IN THIS SMALL AND SIMPLE THING SALVATION LIES: COME FOLLOW ME: Terrence C Smith's commentary: Noah fashioned the ark exactly as he was instructed to do. The Lord was very specific in His instructions to Noah. It was to be made of certain specified materials. It was to be of a certain height, length, and breadth—300 cubits in length, 50 cubits in width and 30 cubits in height (which is about 137 × 22.9 × 13.7 m. or 450 × 75 × 45 ft. – about 11⁄2 football fields long, 4 stories high). After God had told Noah what to do (v. 14-16), then God told Noah what He would be doing at the same time (v. 17-18), then He went back to what Noah was to do (v. 19- 21). God did what He said He would do, but...What if Noah had decided to make alterations, cut a few corners? Cutting all that wood was doubtless very tiring; and there were, after all, only eight of them...He had to carefully follow the revelation that the Lord had given to him. It required an exactness, a completeness in following the commandments of the Lord, even when the reason for every bit of counsel might not have been apparent to him. This is a part of the faithfulness and courage required to have a saving faith. The Seventh Day (Exodus 16:22–30; Hebrews 4:1–11) 1Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work.Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.  Root Concept: Ceasing and Rest שָׁבַת is the verb that gives rise to the noun "Sabbath"; at its heart lies the simple yet profound idea of stopping ordinary activity so that God-ordained purposes may prevail. The word appears in settings that range from the grandeur of creation (Genesis 2:2-3) to the mundane rhythm of farming (Leviticus 25:2-4) and even to the cessation of manna (Joshua 5:12). Whether God, land, beasts, nations, or speech are in view, the verb always carries the nuance of deliberate disengagement from what is common in order to honor what is holy or to herald a divinely appointed change. "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day." — Deuteronomy 5:15 "It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:12)? The Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look, why are your disciples doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath." — Mark 2:24, 27-28   In the meantime, we are not meant to construct a world where suffering ceases so much as we are meant to transform suffering forever into love.This Is Grace By Tyler Johnson   Sadness and mourning. "The Sabbath does not 'do away' with sadness and sorrow," writes Pinchas H. Peli in The Jewish Sabbath; "it merely requires that all sadness be 'tabled' for one day so that we may not forget that there is also joy and happiness in the world and acquire a more balanced and hopeful picture of life." Even mourning is suspended in order to rejoin the community for Sabbath. "The Sabbath, by its very being, comforts and heals." From Practicing our Faith by Dorothy Bass

Thoughts taken from John Mark Comer's book, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry." "Little moments throughout our day wake us up to the reality of God all around us." Pg. 121 Today by Mary Oliver   Today I'm flying low and I'm not saying a word. I'm letting all of the voodoos of ambition sleep. The world goes on as it must, the bees in the garden rumbling a little, the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten. And so forth.   But I'm taking the day off. Quiet as a feather.   I hardly move though really I'm traveling a terrific distance. Stillness. One of the doors into the temple.   Matt 4:1 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tested, tried, tempted.1. to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline ἔρημος: 2048 érēmos – properly, an uncultivated, unpopulated place; a desolate (deserted) area; (figuratively) a barren, solitary place that also provides needed quiet (freedom from disturbance). In Scripture, a "desert" (2048 /érēmos) is ironically also where God richly grants His presence and provision for those seeking Him. The limitless Lord shows Himself strong in the "limiting" (difficult) scenes of life. (érēmos) in the strict sense expresses a lack of population (not merely "sparse vegetation") https://biblehub.com/greek/2048.htm   "From the call of Abraham to the exile of Israel, God repeatedly shapes His people in lonely places. The Greek Old Testament (LXX) uses erēmos to translate the Hebrew midbar, the setting of Sinai revelation, tabernacle worship, prophetic preparation, and chastening wanderings. By retaining this vocabulary, the New Testament presents a seamless continuation: the same God who met Israel in the desert now meets His people in Christ."   The wilderness is a place of strength: "that's why, over and over again, you see Jesus come back to the eremos." P. 125   "The friend of silence draws near unto God." John Climacus Pg. 132. Lewis quote.   Come away          He said to them, "Come away          to a deserted place all by yourselves          and rest a while."                          —Mark 6.31 Come away. The world will turn without you. Let go of the "have to," the should, the ought. Notice what you set down: the weight of expectations, the feeling of proving yourself to yourself. Notice how you feel, unburdened: At peace? Anxious? Free? Afraid? Waiting for the gavel to drop? Notice… What if it's OK? It's OK. Practice this sabbath exercise, this holy desertion so you may take it with you into the crowd. • You honor what is in your hands only if you hold it lightly. • Come away to the place of solitude where you already are, waiting for you. _________________      Steve Garnaas-Holmes  Unfolding Light  www.unfoldinglight.net    July 14, 2021  Published July 14, 2021 https://unfoldinglight.net/2021/07/page/2/  

Art: Flaming June, by Fredrick Leighton Welcome to Season 5 and the invitation to rest, pause and center.  For a link to the book "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry", please visit:  https://amzn.to/49k3yqX Sounding the Seasons Tangled in time, we go by hints and guesses,  Turning the wheel of each returning year. But in the midst of failures and successes We sometimes glimpse the love that casts out fear.  Sometimes the heart remembers its own reasons  And beats a Sanctus as we sing our story, Tracing the threads of grace, sounding the seasons  That lead at last through time to timeless glory.  From the first yearning for a Saviour's birth To the full joy of knowing sins forgiven, We start our journey here on God's good earth  To catch an echo of the choirs of heaven. I send these out, returning what was lent,  Turning to praise each 'moment's monument'. by Malcom Guite "Sounding the Seasons."   iOde My private portal to a world between, My placeless place of virtual exchange, I see through you though you remain unseen And make familiar what you once made strange.   You make a stranger means to make me 'friend' Whom I can 'touch' to 'like', to show I care. You make a means to every unknown end And make one little screen an everywhere.   I am familiar with a hundred faces, All famished for their fifteen minutes fame, I am half present in a hundred places But never present in the place I am.   I pull you from my pocket when you call I touch and swipe as I am bid to do, You do my bidding too, you do it all, What will you make of me, or I of you? https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/iode-a-little-poem-for-my-iphone/      

Welcome to a preview of the year's coming events, and Forbidden Adventure's "Exploring Ancient England."  To purchase "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," click here: https://amzn.to/49k3yqX For more information about the tour or to sign up for it, click here: https://www.forbiddenadventure.com/unlocking-england Jerusalem ["And did those feet in ancient time"] BY WILLIAM BLAKE And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon Englands mountains green: And was the holy Lamb of God, On Englands pleasant pastures seen!   And did the Countenance Divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here, Among these dark Satanic Mills?   Bring me my Bow of burning gold: Bring me my arrows of desire: Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold! Bring me my Chariot of fire!   I will not cease from Mental Fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand: Till we have built Jerusalem, In Englands green & pleasant Land. Source: Preface to Milton a Poem. (1810)   ..So, while the light fails On a winter's afternoon, in a secluded chapel History is now and England. With the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.  Through the unknown, unremembered gate  When the last of earth left to discover Is that which was the beginning; At the source of the longest river The voice of the hidden waterfall And the children in the apple-tree Not known, because not looked for But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea. Quick now, here, now, always-- A condition of complete simplicity (Costing not less than everything) And all shall be well and All manner of thing shall be well When the tongues of flames are in-folded Into the crowned knot of fire And the fire and the rose are one. The Little Gidding is the last of T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets.

Art by Wendy Keller "For Unto Us A Child is Born" Winter Solstice Night—PODCAST 2:   One of four cardinal points where the earths elliptical  celestial paths  align. Thinking of you. Holidays, while wonderful, may not always elicit triumphant and joyful tidings. Loss and grief seem to weigh in more heavily during the season. I know we've felt it with the loss of our nephew from suicide a year ago, the recent death of my uncle and aunt just 9 days apart, dear friends who experience the loss of a spouse, or child, others I love going through divorce, miscarriages, children away from home or estranged. I see you. More importantly you are seen and known in heaven.   I'm reminded Jesus came into a very imperfect world as well. He didn't wait for the "opportune moment"  but rather came in the fullness or meridian of time, into difficult circumstances, money scarcity, roman occupation, unwed mother, chased by Herod and the list continues.   In the Book of Mormon, we read of an outsider prophet, Samuel, who visits the people on the Americas prophesying of the Saviors birth. He tells them, in lovely Lady Hawke fashion, the night the Son of God is born, the sun will set, but the earth will remain lit as if the sun were shining. As the day approaches, evil builds. And those in power set aside a date for the believers, who wait for such a sign. If the sign doesn't occur by that date, they will all be put to death. I'd like to read a bit from the Book of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. ( And if you don't have a Book of Mormon, I recommend it! From any theological standpoint, it's' a fascinating witness of Jesus Christ, and one for consideration regardless of your personal beliefs or affiliations.) And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people. 5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite. 6 And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain. 7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass. 8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain. 9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet. 10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. 11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers. 12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: 13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. 14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given. 15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. So in this spirit, as we wait, with this stubborn hope, as Kate Bowler names it, I wanted to share a message my brother in law, Richard Green delivered last Sunday, about how the Lord has been with him through the darkness he and his family have experienced over the last year.This is hope in the trenches. This is audacious faith in the face of loss. This is the promise of a Savior. I hope it will find you in the dark of this winter solstice night tonight. And as one of my favorite artists, Noah Kahn sings, "DOn't let this darkness fool you. All lights turned off, can be turned on. I"ll drive all night. I'll call your mom." I hope this message feels like a call from a loving mom. And I thank Rich and his wife Whitney and his daughters Calais and Hilary for their amazing examples to me, of living in hope.  Merry Christmas my dear ones.  

Gods answer is a baby. Artwork: Tshikamba, Nativity Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,     neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth,     so are my ways higher than your ways     and my thoughts than your thoughts. TOUR INFORMATION!~ https://www.forbiddenadventure.com/unlocking-england Unlocking Ancient England with Mandy Green March 13-27, 2026 With special Guests: Margaret Barker Tom Bree & Guy Olgilvy $4,800 USD price per person Double Occupancy $5,900 USD price per person Single Occupancy   For Beginning Biblical Hebrew Lessons at the discounted rate please visit:https://projectillumination.thinkific.com/courses/beginning-biblical-hebrew    

Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you find a home and a place in this glorious conversation here at Reflecting Light. Welcome home.  "Perhaps the secret of living well is not having all the answer, but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company." Rachel Naomi Remen You're invited to join me and other truth seekers in this ongoing conversation in the U.K., March 13-27th, 2024 with Margaret Barker, Guy Ogilve, and Tom Bree! For more information, please visit: https://www.forbiddenadventure.com/unlocking-england "Then, after the consecration of the Holy Sacrifice of God, because He wished us also to be His sacrifice, a fact which was made clear when the Holy Sacrifice was first instituted, and because that Sacrifice is a sign of what we are, behold, when the Sacrifice is finished, we say the Lord's Prayer which you have received and recited. After this, the 'Peace be with you' is said, and the Christians embrace one another with the holy kiss. This is a sign of peace; as the lips indicate, let peace be made in your conscience, that is, when your lips draw near to those of your brother, do not let your heart withdraw from his. Hence, these are great and powerful sacraments." St. Augustine, SERMON 227, The Fathers of the Church,(1959), Roy Joseph Deferrari, Genera editor,  also, Sermons on the Liturgical Seasons, vol. 38, p. 197. See also: Sermon 227 in The Works of Saint Augustine: A New Translation for the 21st Century, (1993), Vol. 6, part, 3, p. 255. Keep on Keeping on like a bird that flew. "Tangled up in Blue." Bob Dylan 1974

The Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene, July 22, honors this remarkable woman. This podcast is a updated version of the most recent information about this singular disciple of Christ and the illuminating path she forged forward for the rest of us.  Additional reading: 

The Saturdays of our lives are sometimes our darkest hours, as we wait, like disciples of old, for the new life promised in Christ. In this episode, Mandy speaks to this darkness as we wait and hope.  artwork: The Grey Havens, by Matt Stewart, as seen in the Middle-earth Collectible Card Game INTO THE WEST, Lyrics by Annie Lennox, Produced by Howard Shore Lay down Your sweet and weary head The night is falling You have come to journey's end Sleep now And dream of the ones who came before They are calling From across the distant shore Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see All of your fears will pass away Safe in my arms You're only sleeping What can you see On the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea A pale moon rises The ships have come to carry you home And all will turn To silver glass A light on the water All Souls pass Hope fades Into the world of night Through shadows falling Out of memory and time Don't say We have come now to the end White shores are calling You and I will meet again And you'll be here in my arms Just sleeping And all will turn To silver glass A light on the water Grey ships pass Into the West   READING: For Holy Saturday: Pg. 174-175 From: Have a Beautiful Terrible Day by Kate Bowler. (SO MANY GEMS IN THIS BOOK! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!) To purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TX23pE or on Target: https://www.target.com/p/have-a-beautiful-terrible-day-by-kate-bowler-hardcover/-/A-89186641#lnk=sametab   HEBREWS 12:5-12 "My son, do not despise the c]"> [c]chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 Ifd]">[d] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened usas seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no e]"> [e]chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Today's podcast features guests, Adelaide Roberts, Miss Wyoming For America Strong and Tyler Schwab, President and CEO of Libertas International, an organization committed to the rescue and after care of girls imprisoned in human trafficking. It's a tough and tender conversation--and an necessary one. To beat an evil of this magnitude, it's going to take all of us! Please listen to the end if possible. For more information about how you can help or to sponsor a girl, please visit: Libertas International.  If donating, please enter: REFLECTING LIGHT PODCAST into the memo space.