The Training of Braves

The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy's thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long.

Sometimes it may feel like God is far away from us in a cold, dark world. We may feel that danger surrounds us and we are utterly helpless...not true! He is as close as a whisper...if it feels like God is far away, He hasn't moved, you have. He is ever ready to help, guide and protect us.

Growing beyond Self-Rejection

One of the greatest dangers in the spiritual life is self-rejection. When we say, "If people really knew me, they wouldn't love me," we choose the road toward darkness. Often we are made to believe that self-deprecation is a virtue, called humility. But humility is in reality the opposite of self-deprecation. It is the grateful recognition that we are precious in God's eyes and that all we are is pure gift. To grow beyond self-rejection we must have the courage to listen to the voice calling us God's beloved sons and daughters, and the determination always to live our lives according to this truth. Henri Nouwen

Forgiveness

John 11:35 "Jesus wept."

This is the shortest verse in the Bible and it tells us much more than you might think at first. It shows that when Jesus became a man and came to redeem us from our sins, He poured out His power and became a shell of what he really was. Jesus felt the same emotions, faced the same temptations and had the same kind of problems that we do. He knows how difficult it is sometimes to maintain self-control.

Jesus came to earth as the ultimate sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven. Even if we get angry and lose control, Jesus forgives and forgets. If you think about it, you realize that this is the kindest thing anyone can do for another. Always remember to forgive just as Jesus has forgiven you and recognize when you should apologize and ask others to forgive you.

Epiphany

Today is the traditional date for Epiphany. J.B.S. Haldan once said: "The world will not perish for want of wonders, but for want of wonder."

On January 6th, we remember that the Wise Men stepped forth with wonder. They didn't know where the journey would lead nor how long it would take. Tradition tells us they felt the star foretold an important event. It's obvious they felt something wonderful would be at the end, otherwise, why take such expensive gifts? But even they, wise as they were, could not have known Who they would see.

Webster defines epiphany as an "illuminating discovery." The Magi followed the illumination of the star to behold the "Light of the world", the Christ. I would pray that we all feel the wonder of the journey that leads to a deeper relationship with Christ and that we have the courage to take the first step.

Something to remember...

Faithful Christians will be persecuted. There are no two ways about it...if we're not offending some people, we're likely not loving people as Christ would love them. This does not mean to antagonize others just because you can. It means to stand firm in your faith, be steadfast in your calling and have the courage to live your convictions. We have an example to follow and even though we will always fall short of His standard, it is not an excuse to be anything other than what we are called to be...the children of God and the brothers and sisters of Christ.

Vulnerable, Like a Bird

Life is precious. Not because it is unchangeable, like a diamond, but because it is vulnerable, like a little bird. To love life means to love its vulnerability, asking for care, attention, guidance, and support. Life and death are connected by vulnerability. The newborn child and the dying elder both remind us of the preciousness of our lives. Let's not forget the preciousness and vulnerability of life during the times we are powerful, successful, and popular.

A meditation by Henri Nouwen

Believe

Sometimes it's really hard to be happy. From time to time bad things do happen to us and to those we love. Often we don't understand why and in those times the only thing we can lean on are the promises of God. Many would say that this sounds cliche but that's a word that should never be associated with truth.

Somehow, some way, God will come through. Our sorrow and our mourning will be turned to gladness...How? However God chooses...it is His hand that turns bad things into good, water into wine, tragedy into triumph. The promise is there. Accept it, receive it, believe it and Rejoice!!!