Animals fall from the sky sometimes.
The Modern Farmer assures us that this is all true (though this photo is from a Grade D sci-fi movie "Sharknado.") Tadpoles have fallen over Japan; spiders over Brazil; frogs over Serbia, ancient Egypt and Kansas City; brown worms over Indiana; scarlet worms over Massachusetts; red worms over Sweden; snails over England; a shower of raw meat (thought to be venison or mutton) over Kentucky; blackbirds over Arkansas; eels over Alabama; snakes over Tennessee and fish over Australia, India and Honduras.
It's all a matter of record. Find out how and why here in "The Science of Animal Rain."
Life is so strange.
Last night I had a bad dream. I dreamt I couldn't sleep. Then I woke up----so-----the dream wasn't true?
I am so confused sometimes. When I think I have this world figured out----for a moment---snakes drop from the clouds, it blizzards in May, I dream about insomnia, and I am a stumbling beginner all over again.
Today, I began again. I beat back tears reading these words by author Trevin Wax. I wanted to start my life over. Or, maybe just the last 10 years? This is what we are missing, dear friends, readers, and anyone confused, hungry, weary with themselves: Repentance. We are not a repentant people. We run from guilt. We don't want to forgive. We don't want to submit or prostrate ourselves before anyone. We fear all of this will rob us of our power. But here is power.
Listen to these words. they are Trevin's. The images are mine. I promise you, you will feel bathed, cleansed, weakened, and restored.
-------------Christians, We Are Repenters---------
We are repenters.
We repent of all the good things we have failed to do, and so we ask God to open our eyes to the opportunities for us to shine His light in a dark world.
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We are repenters.
We repent of serving ourselves and our own interests, and so we ask God to empower us to serve others in the name of His Son.
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We are repenters.
We repent of making God out to be more like us, and so we ask God to change our hearts and make us more like Him.
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We are repenters.
We repent of our silly attempts to justify ourselves before God and make ourselves pleasing to Him through our own efforts, and so we ask Him to save and sustain us in His unwavering grace and help us rest in Christ’s work on our behalf.
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We are repenters.
We repent of our hypocrisy and self-righteousness, and so we ask God to deliver us from doublemindedness and help us seek His righteousness above all.
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We are repenters.
We repent of valuing most what other people think, and so we ask God to help us value most what He thinks.
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We are repenters.
We repent of withholding areas of our life from God’s command, and so we ask God to invade and overcome every part of us – our hopes, our desires, our dreams, our thoughts, our actions – and show us how to love Him and love others from a whole heart.
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We are repenters.
We repent of seeking a life of ease and comfort, and so we ask God for the courage to pick up our crosses and follow Christ no matter the cost.
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We are repenters.
We repent of taking pride in our own repentance, and so we ask God to remind us that salvation is all of grace and to humble us before the cross.
I am a repenter. Of all these things.
Are you?
So powerfully beautiful...yes..yes... we run from the very thing that brings us freedom. thanks for sharing...I am taking this with my today!
ReplyDeleteRo---isn't this just purifying?? I SO need to empty myself of myself. ANd these words do this. . Thank you for sharing in this repentance.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos and words! The first picture is stunning. Want it for my wall!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love the place that photo was taken. I hike there about 3 times a week, its near my house. It's a heavenly place!
DeleteHow wonderful to start my day with this powerful piece...perfect companion for my Lenten readings. I am reading your new book, and it is a call to repentance for me! I am thankful I bumped into you in cyber world. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I am so grateful as well!! I don't know how God does this, but He surely does---joins us with one another for the good of each. SO glad HE does!
DeleteThank you for sharing this. Oh how I needed it this week.
ReplyDeleteAs I reread the gospels during Lent, I'm reminded that John preached first, preparing the way for Jesus. Repentance comes first, then our hearts are ready for the good news of grace.
ReplyDeleteYes Constance. So good. So true. Repentance hollows out space within us to receive. Thank you.
DeleteThis has been a good word for me at the end of one week and on the brink of another. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos...He is so good. :)
ReplyDeleteShari----He is indeed, so good. When we catch glimpses of our true state before God, how really lost and self-mired we are----in that muck we yet hear that He still loves us? Glory!
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