Meditation: VII

Shortly after Meditation VI I posted this response to the pain being experienced by a handful of friends.

Two months later, I'm still in the same passage of scripture.

And I need it now as much as I wanted to share it with others then.

Mourning and Comfort.

Matthew 5:4 says

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted."

 

Mourning has followed us to South Korea.

 

Two times now. In the form of loss.

My Grandpa Al.

Mike's god-father and unlce Rick.

 

The two men we've said good-bye to across the oceans are two men who

most desired to be next to the Lord.

 

My heart rejoices that they have made it.

My heart desires to carry out their memory. their legacy.

by living an honorable life

by seeking the Lord

by loving Him first

by extending love, grace and blessing

 

The Message rephrases this verse in the following way:

 

Blessed are you when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you for you will be

embraced by the One most dear to you.

(Typed while in the beginning stages of enjoying a silver travel thermos of Korean Coffee Mix 'coffee')

Mourning and Comfort

Two months ago I was entering the Valley of Shadows
with some dear and beloved souls.

My heart was breaking for and with them.

I'm being drawn to that place again.

The trouble with being so far away
is that I carry these burdens just as if I were there
but I miss the opportunity to cry, to hug, to pray
with these beautiful souls, beautiful souls
who are being broken.

The beauty of being so far away
is that I carry these burdens just as if I were there
my heart is downcast, my sould aches for a redemption
that reaches every corner of every heart ache the world over.

Matthew 5:4 says

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted."

I beg the Lord to make good on this promise
I trust the Lord to make good on this promise.

To those whom house beautiful souls which break in this season
you're on my heart and in my prayers --

(Typed while sipping coffee mix from a delicate and cherished Yellow Teacup)

Meditation:VI

Approximately one and a half months have passed since I used this space to mull over and work through some scripture. However, I've been mulling over a bit of scripture and am quite excited to share some findings and have a place to put them down. First of all, I really enjoyed being in Psalm 139 for an extended period of time therefore I've decided to continue forth with scripture memory in a similar fashion and will spend the next few months in Matthew 5:3-12 ~ The Beattitudes. I'm also considering remaining in the red words of the Bible throughout 2011.

To begin this round of meditations, Matthew 5:3

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

What does it mean to be 'poor in spirit'?

From the perspective of various translations, here is what I learned:

Blessed are those who...

are at the end of their rope

are humble, who rate themselves insignificant

realize their need for [the Lord]

depend only on Him

realize their spiritual poverty

who recognize they are spiritually helpless

are spiritually needy

know that they need Him

Initially, this passage really tripped me up.

Sometimes, I read: Poor in Spirit (i.e. Holy Spirit)

rather than sprit, personality, character, need.

Seeing these translations help me to see just how

blessed

we can be when we recognize our need for Him.

(Typed while finishing off a Brown Bone China mug of Earl Grey with a bit of Sugar and Milk)