Character Formation and Change

Rocks & Water

Water wears on stones – Job 

It is good news indeed that this world is filled with an abundance of demonstrations that the things of life are essentially malleable. Even amidst the testimony of so many objects in nature that give all appearances that things are permanent and fixed, there is a slow current moving in the underbelly of life that churns and presses out new combinations through the various matrixes of existence. Although for many change can be disheartening and provoke anxiety, it none the less will happen, and we can have hope that it will. That is the essential condition of this world, the material world; material items do not remain the same, but are under constant movement from one state to another. Whether it is something coming into existence, or going out; whether something is altered, increased, or decreased, or simply changing locations, everything in this world is changing. Continue reading

Am I my Brother’s Keeper? Making our Relationships Safe

Lion Girl Pic

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately – Book of Matthew 

            Perhaps the reason why God chose Joseph to be the Husband of Mary, and the father of Jesus, was because he was a just man; for “to do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” Prov. 21:3, and “the Lord loves justice” Is 61:8.  Joseph gives us a beautiful picture of justice which allows us to see how marvelously justice reflects the goodness of God’s character.  Not only that, but we can see why God also delights when we perform acts of justice ourselves – then we become a sweet smelling aroma. Continue reading