Saturday, July 3, 2021

Reflection - Number Our Days - Deformed

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 13, "Deformed", Page 67.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


O God, I am too ugly for human beings,
PHOTO: O God, I am too ugly for human beings,
perhaps you have a use for me.
- St. Vincent De Paul

I came across a tortured, twisted pine tree some years ago, high on a ridge overlooking Boulder Meadow - an ugly, misshapen thing at first glance. But I looked again and saw something deeper and better and thought of those whose deformities are overwhelmed by beauty.

Appearance is overrated, a mere sensation in the eyes (or brain) produced by shape, color, and motion and conditioned a good deal by society and association. (In some cultures, foot-long earlobes are considered the essence of loveliness.)

There is a spiritual beauty, however, that is much deeper and more enduring than everything we can see with our natural eyes. It is a symmetry and splendor that God brings to His Children - the "beauty of holiness."

Our present culture turns the phrase upside down, worshipping instead the outward appearance - the holiness of beauty. [66] That's a terrible mistake, for it leads us to vanity - the desire to exceed the limits God has appointed for us - and is the means by which pride and self-preoccupation enter in and whereby we miss the highest good.

We must be satisfied with the way God has formed us. Our disabilities and deformities are not a mistake, but part of God's eternal plan. His way of dealing with them is not to remove them, but to endow them with godlike strength, dignity, and beauty and put them to His intended use.

William Holmes McGuffey had it exactly right . . .
 
Beautiful faces are they that wear,
The light of a pleasant spirit there;
Beautiful hands are they that do,
Deeds that are noble, good and true;
Beautiful feet are they that go,
Swiftly to lighten another's woe.
- McGuffey's Second Reader

Has aging brought humiliating disfigurement? Do you consider yourself an eyesore, too ugly to be of use?

Do not believe that for a moment. No, you are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [you] to do." (Ephesians 2:10) [67] You are His special creation, designed from birth to manifest God's loveliness in a unique way. The Craftsman's plan surpasses the material.

Your countenance (face), though wrinkled or blemished, can be adorned with the joy of the Lord and made lovely with His kindness and compassion. Your body, be it ever so humble and lumpish, can be graceful in unselfish service and love. This is "grace beyond reach of art," human ugliness hidden in divine loveliness, beauty at its best.

And, of course, this is not all that will be. On ahead lies the redemption of our bodies. We will be made new: "We are as God has made us, but we are not as God will make us. We will be made over again and everything will once for all be set right" (George MacDonald).

And so I pray, may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon you.

Odd, this twisted form
should be the work of God.
God, who makes, without mistakes,
the happy norm, the status quo -
the usual - made me, you know.
The Royal Palm He made;
and, too, the stunted pine.
With joy I see the lovely shapes;
with pride I live in mine.
No accident I am:
a Master Craftsman's plan.
- Ruth Bell Graham
 

O God, I am too ugly for human beings,
perhaps you have a use for me.
- St. Vincent De Paul


O God, I am too ugly for human beings,
PHOTO: O God, I am too ugly for human beings,
perhaps you have a use for me.
- St. Vincent De Paul
Picture posted by Thỉnh Viện Vinh Sơn - Saint Vincent de Paul canvas by S.C. PONS, Basilica of the Medal
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgTRHhRHefU1ffM8m4y-uNEcEPwRPn84heuZXPGz-e3d4VKbzdmlZiudprMPEmyxCfnap64CBbzun7gGFiQIFyJ0TAPZty1fUACG2e52OF0_znfxpkI7cXDaTfXw4tH8a1kg7tUMDXeM/s1711/MADRID-SC-Pons-CM.jpg
https://mitsubishidanang.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MADRID-SC-Pons-CM.jpg
https://mitsubishidanang.xyz/heroes-of-the-storm-global-championship-2017-starts-tomorrow-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html


I came across a tortured, twisted pine tree some years ago, high on a ridge overlooking Boulder Meadow - an ugly, misshapen thing at first glance. But I looked again and saw something deeper and better and thought of those whose deformities are overwhelmed by beauty.


A tortured, twisted pine tree, high on a ridge - an ugly, misshapen thing at first glance. Looking again, there is something deeper and better and brought thought of those whose deformities are overwhelmed by beauty.
PHOTO: A tortured, twisted pine tree, high on a ridge - an ugly, misshapen thing at first glance. Looking again, there is something deeper and better and brought thought of those whose deformities are overwhelmed by beauty.
Picture posted by Francesco Bruno
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4DbxJSOU7-a42NOP1ICKI0vP0PgTEissdU6U0AkBFJYNlIHCzp1qRhRA2QU7e10QsOrzn__R2_blyWZn91H0VlZMeVCIdG0uTAS5IQ-40BqGizflztxclb_ap6BEcJjilTDc_qVSDQ4/s1329/07ec12c3570031de3843e8eb2f8c7bbd.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/07/ec/12/07ec12c3570031de3843e8eb2f8c7bbd.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/61783826115271841/


Appearance is overrated, a mere sensation in the eyes (or brain) produced by shape, color, and motion and conditioned a good deal by society and association. (In some cultures, foot-long earlobes are considered the essence of loveliness.)


Appearance is overrated, a mere sensation in the eyes (or brain) produced by shape, color, and motion and conditioned a good deal by society and association.
PHOTO: Appearance is overrated, a mere sensation in the eyes (or brain) produced by shape, color, and motion and conditioned a good deal by society and association.
Picture posted by Kuryakova on 04 September 2016 at 17:20:25
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t6qrtFpl9edMek1TjRF5gnS_LgtKa7VYYXqmGK48mIbzfr7hnamQk_GaDd4Tcd6Is3VYezEBc3yL_npoRrCi6ALPSn4aY978x_2x_yrutNF53nA_O-vos1WHJ2_8zj4_q2EHw3UMtEM/s693/c67136e790cee2e850ab8748213b60d6.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/c6/71/36/c67136e790cee2e850ab8748213b60d6.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/812547957763944433/


There is a spiritual beauty, however, that is much deeper and more enduring than everything we can see with our natural eyes. It is a symmetry and splendor that God brings to His Children - the "beauty of holiness."


There is a spiritual beauty, however, that is much deeper and more enduring than everything we can see with our natural eyes.
PHOTO: There is a spiritual beauty, however, that is much deeper and more enduring than everything we can see with our natural eyes. It is a symmetry and splendor that God brings to His Children - the "beauty of holiness."
Picture posted by theinfo.me on 25 August 2018
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1TIyB7ZHJhX1XG1sUhI_nUT92ZrizO8-8I_v_8LjxIiP3_LBN6wxJjcnHN4H2Pk7liU-h5zc0OQ1capIj__FKZT6_qJtCjRF2VqKfxrOHtglo5SfUYRnm5q4QE8PKnl-1b15NK2_JDc/s1280/10-Reasons-To-Fall-In-Love-With-A-Spiritual-Girl_1.jpg
https://theinfo.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/10-Reasons-To-Fall-In-Love-With-A-Spiritual-Girl.jpg
https://theinfo.me/10-reasons-to-fall-in-love-with-a-spiritual-girl/


Our present culture turns the phrase upside down, worshipping instead the outward appearance - the holiness of beauty. [66] That's a terrible mistake, for it leads us to vanity - the desire to exceed the limits God has appointed for us - and is the means by which pride and self-preoccupation enter in and whereby we miss the highest good.


Our present culture turns the phrase upside down, worshipping instead the outward appearance - the holiness of beauty.
PHOTO: Our present culture turns the phrase upside down, worshipping instead the outward appearance - the holiness of beauty. That's a terrible mistake, for it leads us to vanity - the desire to exceed the limits God has appointed for us - and is the means by which pride and self-preoccupation enter in and whereby we miss the highest good.
Picture posted by junmeitu.com - Sayaka isoyama
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1qWWesAOGHRgTShndwhjmk66hNrqtA9o7bGjV_0JjSU-ZO90QVl-ftxILf8TDlKq31w4qGOZ8j6NBf3MPW7T_rxvuxDx62Vw_8N7yrZAxwWypyvyKHsQUgTYy37xd29pZHp41N7P7wk/s1786/gosxhzuar0s.jpg
https://i.wujituku.com/jmt/nvshen/2020112802/gosxhzuar0s.jpg
https://www.junmeitu.com/beauty/jishanshayejia_jishan_perfect_angel_taotu-55.html


We must be satisfied with the way God has formed us. Our disabilities and deformities are not a mistake, but part of God's eternal plan. His way of dealing with them is not to remove them, but to endow them with godlike strength, dignity, and beauty and put them to His intended use.


We must be satisfied with the way God has formed us.
PHOTO: We must be satisfied with the way God has formed us. Our disabilities and deformities are not a mistake, but part of God's eternal plan. His way of dealing with them is not to remove them, but to endow them with godlike strength, dignity, and beauty and put them to His intended use.
Picture posted by Fashionism.gr
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOYEBQMk-nRzFPhO9hHZHQbWBAGUmnbLgGGwWju1FTAX5PRyXXZRwg_iT8L2OFf8xrB4I1ULO8oiyQXZT8EC4u1z-bSvcP4AvbxtParbzR6uXEOmb0VcKyiuCn7_ux9gBImHM_QR7Sqs/s1354/Niovi.jpg
http://www.fashionism.gr/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Niovi.jpg
http://www.fashionism.gr/13/personal-style-niovi/


William Holmes McGuffey had it exactly right . . .
 
Beautiful faces are they that wear,
The light of a pleasant spirit there;
Beautiful hands are they that do,
Deeds that are noble, good and true;
Beautiful feet are they that go,
Swiftly to lighten another's woe.
- McGuffey's Second Reader

Has aging brought humiliating disfigurement? Do you consider yourself an eyesore, too ugly to be of use?

Do not believe that for a moment. No, you are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [you] to do." (Ephesians 2:10) [67] You are His special creation, designed from birth to manifest God's loveliness in a unique way. The Craftsman's plan surpasses the material.
 

Has aging brought humiliating disfigurement?
PHOTO: Has aging brought humiliating disfigurement? Do you consider yourself an eyesore, too ugly to be of use?
Do not believe that for a moment. No, you are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [you] to do." (Ephesians 2:10) You are His special creation, designed from birth to manifest God's loveliness in a unique way. The Craftsman's plan surpasses the material.
Picture posted by But Natural Photography on Wednesday, 14 April 2021 at 10:35 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9CnEc0lrtZjiFwfYAINU9LCGIlo7A_A9RoZxizVxQvDNUgeCuK4K5zY97N-o-QKUBSl8wptYl-35Ho91iE0FReWk_9OTEv4F2so4jcIa45RSLPfhc19SkhnTgOaZ10q2BARO8WGJAnU/s1680/173797359_302958917861690_2188480385408456603_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin9-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/173797359_302958917861690_2188480385408456603_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=CvywzS3nidsAX_dC_TS&tn=sM-76T1B-VMUBVbg&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin9-2.fna&oh=04984f54cf2defc3376f01a714d29737&oe=60E4DA38
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=302958911195024&set=a.201928637964719


Your countenance (face), though wrinkled or blemished, can be adorned with the joy of the Lord and made lovely with His kindness and compassion. Your body, be it ever so humble and lumpish, can be graceful in unselfish service and love. This is "grace beyond reach of art," human ugliness hidden in divine loveliness, beauty at its best.


Our countenance (face), though wrinkled or blemished, can be adorned with the joy of the Lord and made lovely with His kindness and compassion.
PHOTO: Our countenance (face), though wrinkled or blemished, can be adorned with the joy of the Lord and made lovely with His kindness and compassion. Our body, be it ever so humble and lumpish, can be graceful in unselfish service and love. This is "grace beyond reach of art," human ugliness hidden in divine loveliness, beauty at its best.
Picture posted by But Natural Photography on Monday, 04 January 2021 at 11:17 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qEgZCrB1rWKSX2aJvDqXMOuklLbYsrX5-BI26N2RDB46LjOzsIvR9_lwz1r50oNEm3UVFd-OSGOB_4tYj4WrPv9Br3NC6TPArxoOYTpNZzZHkwW2lsOXC510AQf5qF9_T6o02IZONGE/s1830/136640635_243481547142761_1520732483306561101_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/136640635_243481547142761_1520732483306561101_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=hylrUAx5tDcAX_kfYNY&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin9-1.fna&oh=fd07acb1ae42c91973b02aee530558b2&oe=60E4523E
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=243481543809428&set=a.201928637964719


And, of course, this is not all that will be. On ahead lies the redemption of our bodies. We will be made new: "We are as God has made us, but we are not as God will make us. We will be made over again and everything will once for all be set right" (George MacDonald).

And so I pray, may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon you.


On ahead lies the redemption of our bodies.
PHOTO: On ahead lies the redemption of our bodies. We will be made new: "We are as God has made us, but we are not as God will make us. We will be made over again and everything will once for all be set right".
And so I pray, may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon you.
Picture posted by But Natural Photography on Monday, 05 August 2019 at 06:19 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxF6ehJlxaNBw1hCgPEhpzHPag33ihZNTiXmhTXC89phXQ8D3S5VISRjyRbIuAfdv7FknHqkjOqT2ImWZQfXEGztL4S0dD9e9ve2teuB7mi6EeZdiKCyN9GKpCEK4aQd6xDeHB06DJk0/s1840/67680354_1187569311443772_2289665559626776576_n.jpg
https://scontent.fsin9-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/67680354_1187569311443772_2289665559626776576_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=kTUd-Mse-soAX8enNfN&_nc_ht=scontent.fsin9-1.fna&oh=4531f7deac2430be1b97dd95e95059de&oe=60E379CE
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1187569304777106&set=a.201928637964719


Odd, this twisted form
should be the work of God.
God, who makes, without mistakes,
the happy norm, the status quo -
the usual - made me, you know.
The Royal Palm He made;
and, too, the stunted pine.
With joy I see the lovely shapes;
with pride I live in mine.
No accident I am:
a Master Craftsman's plan.
- Ruth Bell Graham


With joy I see the lovely shapes;

With joy I see the lovely shapes;PHOTO: With joy I see the lovely shapes;
with pride I live in mine.
No accident I am:
a Master Craftsman's plan.
Picture posted by But Natural Photography on Friday, 03 Jyly 2020 at 11:1\05 pm
Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we learn that ugly and misshapen thing at first glance may have something deeper and better, even though the deformities are overwhelmed by beauty.

Appearance is overrated, a mere sensation in the eyes (or brain) produced by shape, colour, and motion and conditioned a good deal by society and association.

Lord, thank You for giving us also spiritual beauty that is deeper and more enduring than everything we can see with our natural eyes. It is a symmetry and splendour that You brings to us, Your Children - the ‘beauty of holiness.’

Please help us not to worship outward appearance instead of the holiness of beauty. Because otherwise pride and self-preoccupation will enter in and whereby we miss the highest good.

We pray that we can be satisfied with the way You has formed us. Our disabilities and deformities are not a mistake, but part of Your eternal plan. Your way of dealing with them is not to remove them, but to endow them with godlike strength, dignity, and beauty and put them to Your intended use.

Lord, help us not to believe that aging brought humiliating disfigurement making us an eyesore, and too ugly to be of use. We are ‘God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ We are Your special creation, designed from birth to manifest Your loveliness in a unique way. The Craftsman's plan surpasses the material.

We learn that our countenance, though wrinkled or blemished, can be adorned with the joy of the Lord and made lovely with Your kindness and compassion. Our body, be it ever so humble and lumpish, can be graceful in unselfish service and love. This is ‘grace beyond reach of art,’ human ugliness hidden in divine loveliness, beauty at its best.

Thank You for giving us the promise that on ahead lies the redemption of our bodies. We will be made new: ‘We are as You has made us, but we are not as You will make us. We will be made over again and everything will once for all be set right’.

We pray, may the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by But Natural Photography on Sunday, 21 July 2019 at 01:19 am - Beautiful Mother
Reverse Gif file is generated from the link - (http://freegifmaker.me/reverse-gif/)
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Reflection - Number Our Days - Deformed
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 13, "Deformed", Page 67.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


Other Books

"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 13, "Deformed", Page 67-70.

[66] I am remined here of the character on Saturday Night Live who ended his monologue with the reminder: "And remember, looking good is better than being good."

[67] Ephesians 2:10


Links


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