Revelation 21:1-8 “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 

Psalm 40:1-5 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

~Blessings and Peace~

I found today’s writings by Lewis somewhat comforting in the sense of growing older and getting old. They are drastically different and much depends on one’s perspective. I have recently heard a couple of songs that truly resonate with me and my journey both in physical years and spiritual. There are times I look at my life and wonder just where the time went, remembering carefree days of just living life, then one day realizing things changed, I changed, people changed…I’m reminded that this is called life. I have recently had conversations with a few very close friends of mine posing the questions of “why did it take me so long to learn this?”; “When did I stop calling, writing or talking to_____(too numerous to type).” Do you know the answers? I didn’t at first, be but was right in front of me all along, it is all part of a plan, God’s plan. I learned in the manner that was best for me, not everyone else, just me! I think one of the toughest things I’ve felt guilty about over the years is loosing touch with people who profoundly impacted my life, some in small ways and others on a larger scale, nonetheless they all made a difference. I remember thinking these individuals are going to be a part of the my life for rest of my life, little did I realize at the time that would be true but it did not occur exactly the way I thought it would. My best friend from high school, we drifted apart and reconnected a few years ago and then gone again as quickly as she returned, I was sad about this even hurt but I decided to trust God, if we are meant to be friends during this part of my life journey we will. Does this or others that I have drifted away from change anything about how special those memories were, absolutely not. I learned so many valuable lessons about life and experienced a lot of great times. We can’t go back, we must move forward and live in the present. We cannot be Jesus’s hands and feet if we are trying to relive our past. The same scenario goes for college, wow…where did that time go(?)! My friends from college now have grown children if their own and careers…life! I’ve been able to reconnect with some via Facebook and it makes my heart glad to see their lives filled with the love of God and beautiful life experiences. So as I was thinking about all this things and feeling very melancholy, the only words I can say is, I’ve lived, I’ve experienced life, I’ve got a career and I’ve always got each and every person that has brought me joy within my grasp every single day in my heart and in my memory. So, thank you (your name) for your friendship and the memories, good and the not-so-good they have all helped in making and molding me into the person I am today. Aging is just part of the journey of life, God has certainly blessed me with an abundance of joys and memories. I’m sure most of you have read the poem by Flavia Weedn “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”  There’s  not much anyone can add to that, but I can’t just stop here without mentioning my current friends, some brand new and others for a while (your name here), you each add to my life in unique and special ways! I am the person I am today because of add the people who were the literal hands and feet of Jesus to me. Much love you all of you!

Aging, don’t have regrets everything we go through can teach us something, sometimes it’s easy to know what that is other times it takes a lot of patience and prayer.

Isaiah 55:1-7 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the people’s , a ruler and commander of the people’s. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.” Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Psalm 37:23-26 “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”
~Blessings and Peace~

The devotional for today was a poem “Launcelot” by C.S.Lewis. What an imaginative mind yet extremely disciplined that Lewis had. I was not able to find a copy of the poem in an electronic version it I did attach photos of the poem at the bottom. I was able to find a by I video called ” The Necessity of Chivalry” using Lewis’s Launcelot poem. I hope you enjoy it. Hebrews 9:11-15 “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Psalm 23:1-6 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

~Blessings and Peace~

As you will read below, Lewis’s intent was not that Aslan and Jesus would be an allegory, rather for it to be a supposal. It’s a beautiful story that can be enjoyed by all ages. If you have not read the series, I highly recommend reading them. If you prefer the visual you can always watch the movie; however, the exciting part of reading is that you can use your own imagination to see Narnia. Aslan is the Jesus is his world! Aslan and Jesus, as explained by Lewis and found at narniweb.com” Supposedly, there’s a supposal Although Lewis makes it clear that “The Chronicles of Narnia” isn’t an allegory, he doesn’t deny that some symbolism was written into the series. But, to understand his approach, you need to recognize that Lewis differentiates alle- gory from something he calls supposal. In a December 1959 letter to a young girl named Sophia Storr, he explains the difference (emphasis mine): I don’t say. ‘Let us represent Christ as Aslan.’ I say, ‘Supposing there was a world like Narnia, and supposing, like ours, it needed redemption, let us imagine what sort of Incarnation and Passion and Resurrection Christ would have there.’ Allegory and supposal aren’t identical devices, according to Lewis, because they deal with what’s real and what’s unreal quite differently. In an allegory, the ideas, concepts, and even people being expressed are true, but the characters are make-believe. They always behave in a way reflective of the underlying con- cepts they’re representing. A supposal is much different; the fictional character becomes “real” within the imaginary world, taking on a life of its own and adapting to the make-believe world as necessary. If, for example, you accept the supposal of Aslan as true, then Lewis says, “He would really have been a physical object in that world as He was in Palestine, and His death on the Stone Table would have been a physical event no less than his death on Calvary.” 
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Psalm 40:1-5 “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

~Blessings and Peace~

The reference story for this devotional is “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe-Chapter 16 What Happened About The Statutes.” Below is a video of this chapter, I hope you enjoy it.

For the complete movie 🎥 presented by the BBC see below.

POEMS ‘Five Sonnets’ by C.S.Lewis

Lewis’s series titled “Five Sonnets” in Poems is about bereavement and seems to have been written after Joy’s death. “Read Dante,” Lewis says there, because before Dante was comforted he had to pass down to the frozen center and up the mountain of pain. Lewis ended A Grief Observed with Dante’s words: Por si torno all’ eterna fontana. (For if I become all ‘eternal fontana). Another favorite book of mine by Lewis is “A Grief Observed,” I’ve read it twice since my mom passed away in 2012 and it brings me comfort each time. We all find ways that best help us navigate grief and mine was and is writing my thoughts down. By writing my thoughts down I have gained clarity and through that knowledge I found a way to not be angry that my mom was gone. I’ve since realized that as long as she is alive in my heart she hasn’t really left at all. I speak her name often and smile while reliving moments with her in my mind. Her laugh, her smile, her heart, her respect for family and her charity, how she lived and loved out loud. 

The Day
The day I never wanted to come

That day has come and gone

The imagined loss and emptiness

Those feelings have settled in

A void that cannot be filled 

How does one grieve such a loss

Not with time, family or friends

Such a loss with open wounds 

Wounds that are felt more than seen

Pain that blocks all healing

Mourning that feels no relief

Just one more hug or embrace

One more I love you

No one can ease the pains of life

Nothing like a mothers love

Mom, I miss you 

I miss you everyday.

C.A.Robinson

~July 28, 2012 @ 10:26pm

Revelation 3:19-22 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

The passage below from the Psalm is one of history, the history of the Israelites and their sin, time and time again, God did not destroy them; for the true reason is, He is full of compassion.

Psalm 78:23-39 “Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat. He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow. He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore. He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents. They ate till they were gorged— he had given them what they craved. But before they turned from what they craved, even while the food was still in their mouths, God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel. In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.”

~Blessings and Peace~

I found two videos that explain “The Grand Miracle” or ‘Mystery of Death’ more clearly than I ever could, I found them to be both entertaining and filled with richness of human creation from perfection to sin to redemption, I pray you find nuggets of knowledge and wisdom along with a deeper understand of C.S.Lewis and the wonders of God’s everlasting love for you!

Hebrews 13:11-16 “The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Psalm 116:1-7 “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”

~Blessings and Peace~

I heard a song the other day and I instantly fell in love with it, it brought so many wonderful memories to the surface and I just wanted to share it with you. I hope it has a positive impact on you! 

References: 

Preparing for Easter by C.S.Lewis

The Grand Miracle by C.S.Lewis

I just discovered a new favorite book of C.S.Lewis, if you are not familiar with it I hope you enjoy the video I have added below, it is the preface and chapter one of the book, “The Great Divorce” (1945). Today’s devotional makes references to chapter 13 and I will also add that video as well. If you are familiar with Lewis’s writings, this book is somewhat similar to “The Screwtape Letters” (1942), such imagination and thought-provoking content fills the pages of his writings. The singular question that arises in these two books and in the Bible passages below is, where is “your” trust? Do you trust in Christ? Are you persuaded by “Uncle Screwtape” or by the “solids” and “ghosts” while traveling on the bus from Hell to Heaven? What is your hope in?

Romans 8:14-25 “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Psalm 25:1-7 “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.”

Quotes from “The Great Divorce”:

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.

C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce:

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.

~Blessings and Peace~

Seize the day, seize the opportunities. Today, like most days I enjoy connecting with people if only for a moment, to share a smile or a wave, or just a nod of acknowledgement.  It only takes a few seconds to validate someone’s existence but the effects of such a small action could be all the difference in the world to the one on the receiving end.  Often times these interactions are unplanned and are just chance encounters.  Also, on a daily basis I am intentional in my interactions with individuals who add joy and challenges to my life.  I seek to reassure and reaffirm who they are not just for me but to those surrounding them, to let them know that I see them and see the work they perform. I don’t just seek people out just to say hello but to sincerely ask them how they are doing and offer my assistance if it something I can help with. I am a firm believer that we have opportunities on a daily basis to share joy! I pray that all of you leaning in the everlasting arms of Jesus!

Matthew 13:18-26 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.”

Psalm 25:1-7 “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.”

Quotes from The Weight of Glory:
“Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”

“Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.”
~ Blessings and Peace~
References:
Preparing for Easter by C.S.Lewis
The Weight of Glory by C.S.Lewis