"The magic thread"

I read a good story recently in a Joshua Harris book. It is easy to wish our life away, especially when it comes to work-wanting to get through the day as quick as possible. This story is a poignant reminder for all!

In the book of Virtues, William J.Bennett tells a story called "The Magic Thread". In this French tale we read of Peter, a boy who is strong and able, yet sadly flawed by an attitude of impatience. Always dissatisfied with his present condition, peter spends his life day-dreaming about the future.

One day while wandering in the forest, Peter meets a strange old woman who gives him a once in a life time opportunity- the chance to skip the old mundane moments in life. She hands Peter a small silver ball from which tiny gold thread dangles. "This is your life thread", she explains. "Do not touch it and time with pass normally. But if you wish time to pass quicker you only have to pull the golden thread. But I warn you, once the thread has been pulled out, it cannot be pushed back in again".

This magical thread seems to answer to all of Peter's problems. Its just what he always wanted. The following day Peter is at school. The lesson is dragging and he gets told off for not paying attention. Peter reaches for the silver ball and tugs at the thread. Suddenly the teacher dismisses the class and its the end of school. From this moment on Peter pulls the thread a little everyday. But soon peter uses the ball to rush through larger portions of life. Why waste time pulling a little of the thread when he can use it everyday? He does so and finds himself completed school and working.

Peter uses the same technique to rush through the marriage of his sweetheart.Peter continues this passage through his life. When trying times come, Peter uses the golden thread as his get out. When the baby is crying, when hit with finiancial struggles, when wishing his children to be launched into careers, out came the magic thread. But sadly when it comes to the end of Peter's life, Peter realises the emptiness of his existence. Peter had robbed himself of life's precious moments by rushing through them.

The root of the righteous

This is the second book in the series, the first being the well know pursuit of God, which I read a few months ago. What has been helpful is these books are short snippets of Tozers work which are profound and rooted in Gospel truths. They are relatively easy to read however I recommend not too many chapters in one go otherwise you may find it difficult to process.

The book begins quoting from proverbs 12:12, 'the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit'. The are a number of books in the Bible where trees and roots are found to describe. For example the apostle Paul envises a Christian as a tree to be well rooted and as a temple to rise on a solid foundation;

"Rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17)

"Rooted and built up in him" (Colossians 2:7).

In chapter 32 Tozer discusses 'Narrow Mansions' which is a commonly associated prayer with the great Augustine- bishop if Hippo. At the beginning of Augustines famous devotional work 'Confessions', he says, "narrow is the mansion of my soul; enlarge it, that mayest enter in".

On the surface this seems quite an egotistic thing to say.Not so, Augustines vision of God was so big that his own capacity to receive it seemed to him very restricted. And when Augustine looked at his own heart, as many of us would, he saw narrowness and constriction.

Keep me rooted, grounded in firm foundations and enlarge the mansion of my soul!

A. W. Tozer-legend!

This guy is truly a legend of the Christian faith. Tozer was a pastor, preacher, author and editor. He was often called the 20th centtury prophet. Tozer became a Christain when he was 17 after meetinga street preacher.

I have recently been working my way through the collection of essays that have been compiled from his editorials from Donkey's years ago. I thoroughly recommend them. However, prior warning- Tozer says it how it is...not for the faint hearted!

Thoughts and reflections to follow.

"Time to climb mountains"

I look ahead to this next week with a mixture of feelings; excitement, joy, elation, satisfaction , a sense of achievement..... sadness. This year has been a big year for me, having completed my Newly Qualifed teacher probation year. An amazing year it has been, having learnt so much, met some great people, and experienced a huge amount. My thanks to all who have supported, encouraged and cheered me on in this process.

Those who know me well know that I have an active faith in Jesus Christ, and try to live out my faith in every part of my life. This year has been a big test of this, in which God has asked on many occasions "Do you trust me"? This I am still learning! Last summer God spoke to me through a lady who prophesied that "I will climb mountains". This like many prophecies was confusing as I hadnt planned to physically climb any mountains in the near future! It was only the other day when driving back from work, reflecting on this year, that God revealled that this year was one of those mountains. I feel a big sense of achievement that I have reached the peak (almost), looking down on all that I faced. This leads me to thank my God who has sustained me, given me strength and energy, kept me safe, and provided so clearly for me!

Back blogging!

Yes, I am back blogging. After a period of substaining from some social networking I have decided it would be good to voice some of my thoughts, ideas, and experiences of the last year and ahead. Please feel free to comment, add, and correct where necessary!

Lou x