jloucks@uts.amdahl.com (Jim Loucks) (06/23/91)
Here's something I enjoy reading and thought I'd share it with you. :-)
Thoughts of God
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the
things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or
hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president. I
recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know
Him.
But later on when I recognized this Higher Power, it seemed as
though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem
bike, and I noticed than God was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that he suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since, life with my Higher Power,
that is. God makes life exciting!
But when He took the lead, it was all I could do to hang on! He
knew delightful paths, up mountains and through rocky places and
at breakneck speeds. Even though it looked like madness, he said,
"Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. When I'd say,
"I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing,
acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my
journey, our journey, God's and mine.
And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're
extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received, and our burden became
light.
At first I didn't trust Him in control of my life. I thought He'd
wreck it. But He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it lean to
take sharp corners, dodge large rocks, and speed through scary
passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places.
I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant Companion.
And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and
says, "Pedal!"
--
Jim Loucks jloucks@uts.amdahl.com
{apple, pyramid, sun, uunet}!amdahl!jloucksanonymous@hmivax.humgen.upenn.edu (06/24/91)
In article <Jun.22.21.34.49.1991.18286@athos.rutgers.edu>, jloucks@uts.amdahl.com (Jim Loucks) writes: > Here's something I enjoy reading and thought I'd share it with you. :-) > > > > Thoughts of God > Along the same lines, I ran into something by John Henry Cardinal Newman the other day which gave me a much-needed lift: GOD HAS CREATED ME to do Him some definite service He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another I HAVE MY MISSION I may never know it in this life but I shall be told it in the next I AM A LINK IN A CHAIN a bond of connection between persons He has not created me for naught I shall do good -- I shall do His work I shall be an angel of peace a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments THEREFORE I WILL TRUST HIM whatever I am, I can never be thrown away If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him HE DOES NOTHING IN VAIN He knows what He is about He may take away my friends He may throw me among strangers He may make me feel desolate make my spirits sink hide my future from me -- still HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS ABOUT ************************************************************************ * Liz Broadwell (broadwel@penndrls.upenn.edu) * * * Department of English * Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam * * The University of Pennsylvania * * ************************************************************************