pathway

pathway
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet,
My staff of faith to walk upon,
My script of joy, immortal diet,
M
y bottle of salvation.
My gown of glory, hopes true gauge,
And thus I'll take my pilgrimage.

~Sir Walter Raleigh

A hiker, walking for pleasure, likes to choose between several alluring trails.
The pilgrim desires only the road that leads home.

~Frank W. Boreham


Sunday, June 13, 2010

Water

We in the Northwest know water.
It falls from the sky in great abundance.
It is all about us in streams, rivers, lakes, the sea.
It makes green, giving life.
It nourishes the fields as well as the soul.



Miss Austen, as well as others from her era speak of 'taking the waters' in spa towns, principally Bath.



But it gets better than even all these. Today I read



"He who believes in Me - who cleaves to, trusts in and relies on Me..
out from his innermost being springs and rivers of living water shall flow continuously."


Amazing!
The only requirements: coming and thirst.


It is the Spirit of God, of course, that is this water given.
This is our power source.
Living water - not marshy, boggy, stagnant,
but living and life giving waters.


Isaiah speaks

of wells of water from which we draw with joy (12.3)
of water provided in the wilderness
of water poured out on the thirsty and flooding the dry ground(43.20)


This water, taken in then flowing out.
No machinery required, no petroleum products used.
It is Eternal, ever flowing as long as the channel is clear of debris.
And it flows abundantly. Nothing mean or stingy here.


At the end of The Book, two promises are found regarding this water of Life from the Fountain.


"I will give freely...
to him who thirsts, who comes and takes freely-
at no cost."

Giving and taking freely,
from the stream/well/fountain that never runs dry.
This water we take in by which we are refreshed.
Then from us it flows to the parched around us.
May we be like Hagar in the wilderness.
She knew her need was great.
She cried out to the Giver.
"And God opened her eyes and she saw a well...."

7 comments:

  1. 'By this river I daily stand,
    Saints of old have held its edge.
    Plunging deep it penetrates me,
    I am changed, refreshed, renewed.'

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  2. Dear Reader, be informed that the wonderful quote in the comment above was penned by the one who so placed it there for our encouragement and edification!

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  3. footprints... Pastor Mark often says so many are thirsty and too many drink from the toilet bowl. :) Too many miss the clean fresh living water. Living water implies a source of movement. Water that moves is cleaner than stagnant water that just roasts in the sun. I'm babbling now. :)

    Muddy footprints.

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  4. Caitlin: Yes! Julie wrot that, lines from a larger hymn of the heart.

    Alyssum: Your comment is great. Thanks so much for adding not only Pastor Mark's statment (Oh too true) but adding your own thoughts.

    ReplyDelete