Calvin on 1 John 1:9

"It is of great moment to be fully persuaded, that when we have sinned, there is a reconciliation with God ready and prepared for us: we shall otherwise carry always a hell within us. Few, indeed, consider how miserable and wretched is a doubting conscience; but the truth is, that hell reigns where there is no peace with God. The more, then, it becomes us to receive with the whole heart this promise which offers free pardon to all who confess their sins. Moreover, this is founded even on the justice of God, because God who promises is true and just."

--From Calvin's Commentaries on the Epistles

As I think I've mentioned before, historically I'd say I'm the least likely to read Calvin or catechisms, but their richness is winning me over more and more. I read this yesterday and it was a good word for me.

this far will you come but no more

after two days of feeling some desolation, this morning has been good consolation. listening to the innocence mission. and wishing for some candles, having burned out my last one yesterday night. and then i checked my mail. and lo and behold. a little autumn of omaha. in my lap. in my room. with love from a friend. the lord gives good gifts. it was like the answer to prayer i hadn't prayed yet.


I Was In The Air

Birds of every wing shall dwell within.
Birds of every wing shall dwell within.
Who raised high the lowest tree?
Who raised high the lowest tree?
Birds of every wing shall dwell within.

This far will you come but no more.
This far will you come but no more.
Who holds back the raging sea?
Who keeps trouble far from me?
This far will you come but no more.

I was in the air and you were there.
I was in the air and you were there.
Like my mother at the fair.
Like my father at the fair.
I was in the air and you were there.

-Don Peris

mmm

She conceived of life as a road down which one traveled, an easy enough road through a broad country, and that one's destination was there from the very beginning, a measured distance away, standing in the ordinary light like some plain house where one went in and was greeted by respectable people and was shown to a room where everything one had ever lost or put aside was gathered together, waiting. --Marilynne Robinson, Housekeeping


**update**

speaking of things one has lost, about a year ago i took some pictures of butterflies in beaufort, sc. but when i got home, the pictures weren't on my camera. odd. well. today. almost year later, i plugged in my camera, and there they were. and here they are.