Sunday, July 25, 2021

Reflection - Number Our Days - Going and Not Knowing

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 18, "Going and Not Knowing", Page 91.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


God of coming years, through
paths unknown we follow Thee.
PHOTO: God of coming years, through
paths unknown we follow Thee.

- Hugh T. Kerr

Abraham was seventy-five years of age when he was taken from his home in Ur of the Chaldees. His entire life from that time on became nomadic as he moved from one place to another - from Ur to Haran, to Shechem, to Bethel, to Egypt, to the Negev, to Hebron . . . "By faith Abraham . . . obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8) Rootless, homeless, going and not knowing - that was the story of his life.

Thinking about Abraham's changing environment, it occurred to me that aging itself is a journey away from settled and secure places to endless change, uncertainty, and adjustment. It is transition from a familiar past to an uncertain future. It is movement from a family home, to a smaller place, to a daughter's home, to a retirement community, to a nursing home - the "last resort," as a friend of mine says. Sociologist Paul Tournier describes the experience as always being "in between," like a trapeze artist suspended in mid-air.

So, like Abraham, as we grow older we pass "through paths unknown," making our way from one place to another, always traveling, going and not knowing, "just lookin' for a home." Yet we can be at home in every place we dwell, for our safekeeping lies not in the place, but in God himself. He is our home and our habitation. We dwell in the shelter of the Most High. We rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1, 9)

It is noteworthy that Abraham raised a rough-hewn altar in every place he lived. There, we're told, he "called on the name of the Lord" - he bowed his heart in worship.

Worship is the way we get our minds off our circumstances and ourselves and give our full attention to God. There, in His presence, under His wings, we find refuge. The eternal God becomes our dwelling place. (Psalm 90:1)

Peter was told, "When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Nevertheless, Jesus called to him, "Follow me!" (John 21:18-19)

Though it may seem that others are choosing our habitation, it is our sovereign Lord who actually makes these choices, leading us from one place to another. He will turn each dreary dwelling place into a house of grace in which we can shed the light of God's loving kindness on other travelers. And He will be our companion and friend until our traveling days are over and we reach our heart's true Home.

God of the coming years, through paths unknown
we follow Thee.

Picture posted by Isira
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https://www.isira.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TheTruth_a-WEBSITE.jpg
https://www.isira.com/the-truth-within-us



God of coming years, through
paths unknown we follow Thee.

- Hugh T. Kerr [90]

Abraham was seventy-five years of age when he was taken from his home in Ur of the Chaldees. His entire life from that time on became nomadic as he moved from one place to another - from Ur to Haran, to Shechem, to Bethel, to Egypt, to the Negev, to Hebron . . . "By faith Abraham . . . obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8) [91] Rootless, homeless, going and not knowing - that was the story of his life.


Abraham was seventy-five years of age when he was taken from his home in Ur of the Chaldees.
PHOTO: Abraham was seventy-five years of age when he was taken from his home in Ur of the Chaldees. His entire life from that time on became nomadic as he moved from one place to another - from Ur to Haran, to Shechem, to Bethel, to Egypt, to the Negev, to Hebron . . . Rootless, homeless, going and not knowing - that was the story of his life.
Picture posted by Group Bible Study

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-WH0Q-xI_NA-xKN5ICVHtoATSWFI2oMWB-7N9_IX8IdI4fsRUQUr_wXVHKt9aS9DU0xqSXx_6jqqzqR0c9LCFv1GV9INQq4sduWp3ftOV56f53S9vGO6DvZxFOqIjAsFHsP55BGPV1o/s1476/00f46b_06746f08022b480d9097dba20b26ba8b%257Emv2.png
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/00f46b_06746f08022b480d9097dba20b26ba8b~mv2.png
https://www.groupbiblestudy.com/post/abraham-did-not-know-where-he-was-going-1?lang=en



Thinking about Abraham's changing environment, it occurred to me that aging itself is a journey away from settled and secure places to endless change, uncertainty, and adjustment. It is transition from a familiar past to an uncertain future. It is movement from a family home, to a smaller place, to a daughter's home, to a retirement community, to a nursing home - the "last resort," as a friend of mine says. Sociologist Paul Tournier describes the experience as always being "in between," like a trapeze artist suspended in mid-air.


Abraham's changing environment is like aging itself.
PHOTO: Abraham's changing environment is like aging itself. It is a journey away from settled and secure places to endless change, uncertainty, and adjustment. It is transition from a familiar past to an uncertain future. The experience is always being "in between," like a trapeze artist suspended in mid-air.
Picture posted by GW, Columbian College of Arts and Science - Laura Wooster, a trapeze artist

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxoFBXi4gEdD5F6iRvRypM69tTqcq6JsSQnwBq38IW_8pyxpWqZEpk9xCR0AytoWOLSH6GBQ3nc_On8AJXCeIWfwW-zjL7S78mKvXuJa9ewoO7rjnTned5jnLTqpbNpRJ0CZc8ccBEa4/s720/Trapeze_21.png
https://columbian.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs1971/f/styles/gw_editorial_article_full/public/image/Trapeze_1080x720.jpg?itok=BMiwNgnx
https://columbian.gwu.edu/daring-alumna-flying-trapeze



So, like Abraham, as we grow older we pass "through paths unknown," making our way from one place to another, always traveling, going and not knowing, "just lookin' for a home." [92] Yet we can be at home in every place we dwell, for our safekeeping lies not in the place, but in God himself. He is our home and our habitation. We dwell in the shelter of the Most High. We rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1, 9) [93]


Like Abraham, as we grow older we pass 'through paths unknown,' making our way from one place to another, always traveling, going and not knowing, 'just looking for a home.'
PHOTO: Like Abraham, as we grow older we pass 'through paths unknown,' making our way from one place to another, always traveling, going and not knowing, 'just looking for a home.' Yet we can be at home in every place we dwell, for our safekeeping lies not in the place, but in God himself. He is our home and our habitation. We dwell in the shelter of the Most High. We rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1, 9)
Picture posted by Emden, Deutschland
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLucqAKGfhRHjP16lgHWpFvVD7IeCts0w4cbtVUjb1l55B9pf686dkRs0sVtkwxQqC6uTHpkeNjnuPqGl59l35PERgURPTiaQfz8FKyLM6km13i6Egl1OyoMmDyTNNAm_fAqO-E9Y5ZXk/s2048/altitude-bright-christ-the-redeemer-2818895_1.jpg
https://integraleschristsein.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/altitude-bright-christ-the-redeemer-2818895.jpg
https://integrales-christsein.blog/2019/09/08/der-kosmische-oder-universale-christus/



It is noteworthy that Abraham raised a rough-hewn altar in every place he lived. There, we're told, he "called on the name of the Lord" - he bowed his heart in worship.

Worship is the way we get our minds off our circumstances and ourselves and give our full attention to God. There, in His presence, under His wings, we find refuge. The eternal God becomes our dwelling place. (Psalm 90:1) [94]


It is noteworthy that Abraham raised a rough-hewn altar in every place he lived.
PHOTO: It is noteworthy that Abraham raised a rough-hewn altar in every place he lived. There, we're told, he "called on the name of the Lord" - he bowed his heart in worship.
Worship is the way we get our minds off our circumstances and ourselves and give our full attention to God. There, in His presence, under His wings, we find refuge. The eternal God becomes our dwelling place.
(
Psalm 90:1)
Picture posted by Alamy - Abraham offering Isaac
PHOTO: Peter was told, "When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Nevertheless, Jesus called to him, "Follow me!" (John 21:18-19)
Painting by by Caravaggio - Saint Peter's crucifixion (1600-1601)
Painting at Santa Maria del Popolo Church in Rome
Picture posted by Pastor's Postings on 19 April 2013

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qBDP9nVQFYNbHSJkoi8jS1V941qf-_MxJnm4HGe7QV_7M9MfzRVF_QkY9OPuHgTPaPsG_47FLA5TNL4OUpTF7eSmGuK25kLbs0YzkhXUXnwvyAYXhOmSto1qprHvpp5co1QaMXNYkEA/s1500/crucifiction-of-peter.jpg
https://pastorfergus.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/crucifiction-of-peter.jpg
https://pastorfergus.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/fishing-and-following-a-reflection-on-john-2118-19/



Though it may seem that others are choosing our habitation, it is our sovereign Lord who actually makes these choices, leading us from one place to another. He will turn each dreary dwelling place into a house of grace in which we can shed the light of God's loving kindness on other travelers. And He will be our companion and friend until our traveling days are over and we reach our heart's true Home.


Though it may seem that others are choosing our habitation, it is our sovereign Lord who actually makes these choices, leading us from one place to another.
PHOTO: Though it may seem that others are choosing our habitation, it is our sovereign Lord who actually makes these choices, leading us from one place to another. He will turn each dreary dwelling place into a house of grace in which we can shed the light of God's loving kindness on other travelers. And He will be our companion and friend until our traveling days are over and we reach our heart's true Home.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuIQlkw3hvkHSr2-OLpgecewrP1egorzqqUCTB8RchoEYu48u-Nbf4VREJGyVWDd2Nh1TwLneH-PqP60-0fxohjKVTcR0PZqzYjem8nRbxKXAmUxztrjXLQ1LyBAGFWsZuRdTBLJgarI/s600/1102014736_univ_sqr_xl.jpg
https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102014736/univ/art/1102014736_univ_sqr_xl.jpg
https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/jesus/final-ministry/sea-of-galilee/
 

God of the coming years, through paths unknown
we follow Thee.



God of the coming years, through paths unknown
we follow Thee.
Dear Lord
PHOTO:
"Dear Lord, we learn that Abraham was seventy-five years of age when he was taken from his home in Ur of the Chaldees. His entire life from that time on became nomadic as he moved from one place to another. Rootless, homeless, going and not knowing - that was the story of his life.

Abraham's changing environment is like our aging - it is a journey away from settled and secure places to endless change, uncertainty, and adjustment. It is transition from a familiar past to an uncertain future. It is movement from a family home, to a smaller place, to a daughter's home, to a retirement community, to a nursing home - the ‘last resort.’ The ‘in between,’ is like a trapeze artist suspended in mid-air.

Lord, like Abraham, as we grow older we pass ‘through paths unknown,’ making our way from one place to another, always travelling, going and not knowing, ‘just looking for a home.’

Lord, we learn from Abraham, worship is the way we get our minds off our circumstances and ourselves and give our full attention to God. In every place he lived, he raised a rough-hewn altar, and ‘called on the name of the Lord’ - he bowed his heart in worship.

Though it may seem that others are choosing our habitation, it is our sovereign Lord who actually makes these choices, leading us from one place to another. May He turn each dreary dwelling place into a house of grace in which we can shed the light of God's loving kindness on other travellers. And we pray that He will be our companion and friend until our travelling days are over and we reach our heart's true Home.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Paintig by Solomon Joseph Solomon (1860-1927) - The Judgement of Paris (1891)
Picture posted by Wikipedia
Reverse Gif file is generated from the link - (http://freegifmaker.me/reverse-gif/)
Reflection - Number Our Days - Going and Not Knowing
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 18, "Going and Not Knowing", Page 91.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.




"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 18, "Going and Not Knowing", Page 91-93.

[90] "God of Our Life through All the Circling Years"

[91] Hebrews 11:8

[92] "Boil Weevil," American folksong.

[93] Psalm 91:1, 9

[94] Psalm 90:1

[95] John 21:18-19


Links


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