Posts Are Like Roses

 

I received a series of hand-made cards, drawn and described, eloquent and thoughtful. The flower drawings were equally impressive - right from the heart, as they say.

The lack of gardening today is definitely a sign of moving away from the beauty of Creation. The first two white puppies visiting me - both went right for my face for kisses. I garden on the ground, which gives a lot more intimate detail. Rabbits also casually walked through  the garden, their eyes to mine - no anxiety and darting away - a great honor in my opinion.

I gave a Veteran's Honor to one person, who then took it to a dying patient she was helping. Each day that "tiny" rose opened up more, until everyone who saw it gasped at the size, perfection, and beauty. The helper said, "My client never met you, but that rose captivated her and me and everyone else.

 Norma Boeckler, gardener and painter.

My paternal grandfather was a rose expert and my mother loved keeping the secrets away - such as letting the chlorine escape for better results.

Flowers are ephemeral but lasting. Spreading them around is important. Luther observed that responding to a difficult person with bad feelings will never get anywhere. That is so easy - to only give flowers or similar gifts to the favorites. Using the stink eye or ignoring the bad person - nothing is gained, plenty can be lost. The Luther method is to be especially positive toward others, especially those who never expect it. Yes, it is tough to hand that gift, smiling the first time. But that can do a lot over time.

Enchanted Peace Rose reminded people on the perimeter of the garden. They could see problems and were glad to mention them too. Later the rain gave us 8 foot tall Enchanted Peace Roses - making people lean back to see them. 

St. John's Revelation - Gospel Content

 

I was waiting for an important document to finish today, so I read St. John's Revelation out loud to myself. 

Revelation is heavy with Gospel proclamations, and I think they should shine even more obviously because they are so glowingly powerful about the Son of God, the Trinity, and the evil ones. People ruin the balance when they pick out ideas that seem odd or quirky. 

Try reading Luke 21 - a miniature Revelation - on the threatening side.

My Waterloo Lutheran Seminarians of the 1970s have gone to their rewards (judge for yourselves). Their beautiful chapel hosts Doggie Day Care on cushions, and the seminary itself is sectarian for a future graduating class of 3 or 4. Likewise, the two giant Lutheran churches of the 1970s are 1) a motellette, and 2) another motellette.

The most important ingredient of this world - as Luther taught - is grace through faith, but it is the buried beneath the glory of Revelation gory.

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.