Tag: Bible

The Source of Evil

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

A few nights ago Beloved Spouse and Dear Mother and I shared dinner with some close and dear friends. Our conversation ranged over many things. Then, the question was raised,

“If God is sovereign, where did evil come from? Give me Scripture to prove whatever you say.”

This tough question comes just as I am beginning to read a book called None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God, by Matthew Barrett. (Baker Books ISBN -10:0801098742  ISBN-13:978-0801098741)

What an interesting confluence of ideas and questions! The conversation and the book started me thinking and here is what I believe might be the answer to the question and the connection to the book. (Just a note: I haven’t finished None Greater and so am not ready to give it my hearty approval, but so far, it bodes becoming one of my favs right up there with Knowing God by J.I. Packer. (ISBN- 10:083081650X    ISBN-13: 978-0830816507) This one is SO wonderful. I urge you to read it!)

DEFINING GOD

Barrett posits that we “modern” Christians tend to look at God’s attributes from a human-ward angle. He says we look at God

“in a very experiential way: love is a common human experience, so God must be a God of love, mercy is a commendable virtue, so God must be a God of mercy; and so on. Thinking about God was always from the bottom up—that is, from my experience to who God is. But with the help of Augustine and Anselm, that approach now seed dangerous, always flirting with the possibility of creating a God in our own image, always defining God’s attributes according to our own limitations. What was so different about the God of Augustine and Anselm was that they first though of God as one who is not like us. They started from the top (God) and then worked their way down (to humanity). They moved from the Creator to the creature. And this approach seemed far more aligned with the way the biblical authors approached God. As David says, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light” (Ps. 36:9).       Matthew Barrett, None Greater, p. 8-11

Barrett proceeds to unpack our understanding of God and His attributes by laying the foundation that “God is someone that whom none greater can be conceived.” He goes on to show that God must be the most perfect Being. Every attribute which we ascribe to God is gathered into penultimate perfection. So there is absolutely nothing greater or “more” than God. His immensity in every aspect is incomprehensible to us. We are barely able to describe or line out any aspect of Him in even the most rudimentary way, let alone to exhaustion.

THE ALMIGHTY AS CREATOR OF EVIL

So if we confess that God is indeed the Supreme Being, we will have to wrestle with the question posed by my friend.

“If God is sovereign, where did evil come from? Give me Scripture to prove whatever you say.”

I’ve dragged my memory for Scripture that would answer. My trusty concordance yielded some very interesting passages. Let me try to put them into a coherent case for my still nebulous opinion that God is the Creator of evil.

I am beginning to say this because I believe to the core of my being two things: 1) that Barrett (along with Anselm, Augustine and Aquinas) is right:

“[God] is, without qualification, without reservation, the Supreme being, the fullness of Being itself.”    None Greater, p. 54.

And 2) that God is the only source of all things–there is nothing outside of Him. If that is so, we may not say that “God is not the author of evil. He only permits it.” To say that is a logical fallacy. To posit that evil arose from some other place leaves that glaring question that brings the very essence of God into question. So the assertion stands: God created evil. God uses evil to accomplish His purposes. God will do away with evil at the end of the ages.

But we are outraged at the idea that God created evil. I believe our outrage stems from our finitude.

What are your limits? What are you capable of?

We simply cannot conceive of a Being so utterly “Other,” so utterly beyond our comprehension that He is able to be perfect, pure, and holy and yet be the author of the heinousness of evil. But Scripture tells us that God, the vast and inscrutable Other, in His complete perfection does create and use evil. His very “vastness” and being so far beyond our comprehension makes it possible to say that He has created and uses evil. But how? I don’t know. And why? I don’t know. As I dug through my concordance I found Scripture that seems to answer the “why”. The “how” is not ever likely to be comprehensible to me.

SCRIPTURE SHOWS GOD AS CREATOR OF EVIL

Beginning in Genesis 2:9 we hear that God created the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Obviously evil must have existed before the Creation and before the Fall. Nothing exists that He did not create.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

I ask you, what does all mean?

What does the word “all” include? Exclude?

In 1 Samuel 16:14 the story of King Saul proceeds with the sad but stunning statement that “the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him.”

The prophet Jeremiah speaks on behalf of the Holy One, “I am bringing disaster on this people… because they have not listened to My word, and as for My law, they have rejected it also.” (Jeremiah 6:19) Jeremiah speaks for the Divine Potter (there’s a vivid picture of God’s sovereignty!) and declares on His behalf to His rebellious people, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you…” (Jer. 18:11) God is the One who will bring down, destroy and deliver calamity as He sees fit—to judge sin for both time and eternity.

Amos the prophet asks in Amos 3:6 “If calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?”

“Hold on”, you say. “The Bible says “God’s eyes are too holy to approve (look on) evil.” Yes, it says that in Habakkuk 1:13, but let’s look at that statement in context. Go back to verse 6 in chapter 1 and see that God, speaking through the prophet Habakkuk, describes the Chaldeans (a powerful pagan nation) as a tool He is raising up. They are “fierce”, “imperious”, “dreaded and feared” enemies that “swoop down to devour” and “they come for violence”. With no break or equivocation, Habakkuk says “You, O LORD, have appointed them to judge and You, O Rock, have established them to correct. Your eyes are too pure to approve evil and You cannot look on wickedness with favor.”  The people of God have been wicked and rebelliously turned from God so He is warning them of His impending judgement of them. He cannot and will not look on evil in His people. However, He will use evil to deal with His people. The evil that He brings on them will humble them in repentance to their knees before Him. He will use evil to root out the evil of their (and our) rebellion.

The story of Job with the catastrophes, tragedies and sufferings that befall him are all a result of God, the Almighty One, giving satan permission to use evil against His beloved Job. Satan does not stand separate and co-equal to God. He is a created being as incapable of ex nihilo (out of nothing) creation as any angel or human. Satan did not invent or create evil. Humans did not invent or create evil. God, in His incomprehensible power, His unfathomable plan, and His inscrutable wisdom, has created evil and uses it as His tool. He is working all things for good for those He loves. (Romans 8:28)

How does evil do that? I don’t know. But I do know that God is the Creator of all things. “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for him.” Colossians 1:16

CONCLUSION

I say that God, the Holy One, has created evil I say He uses it according to His sovereign purposes. I make this assertion with great trembling. I do not want to call good evil or evil good (Isaiah 5:20-25). There is divine woe pronounced on any who are “wise in their own eyes.” So if I am wrong, and I easily could be, I pray, “LORD, have mercy and forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Turn my eyes deeper into Your Word to see Your truth.”

QUESTION: What do you think about where evil comes from? Do you think your view of God has any influence on your opinion?

On Waiting: Uncertainty and Anxiety

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

I’m waiting with my husband for the time he will be rolled into surgery. It has been a long and stressful morning of preparation for this procedure. Here he is, all scrubbed, poked and prepped for a big “event” (knee replacement, as it happens), but the actual surgery is more than an hour away. This flurry of action followed by a “wait” is unsettling. I feel off-balance. The whole situation makes me think of how our lives are made up of these experiences of hurry and rush followed by the uncertainty and anxiety of a “wait.”

Knowing that we were facing weeks of limited mobility following this surgery made the daily “to-do” list fairly long. But being busy kept the anxiety and uncertainty of the impending operation at bay. But now, sitting in this blank-walled, “other-world,” I have ample time for all sorts of “what ifs” to play out in my head. So—taking a deep breath, I am taking my thoughts in hand and bring them into captivity to Christ.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raise up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:5b

What does Scripture say about waiting? About anxiety? About the outcome in store for me? Waiting for God is a command. He is the Holy Creator. I am a sinful creature. The vast difference between God and me is enough that I must lay my hand on my mouth in reverent silence and submission to Him and His plans.

The future is invisible to our finite eyes, but God sees. Trust Him.

God, the Eternal and Unchangeable One, is never late and never early. His plans are ripening exactly as He purposes and every second of my life, indeed all of human activity is completely under His control. He knows every aspect, every thought and action of every person. Nothing escapes His all-knowing gaze.

I am anxious about the outcome of this surgery. What if Beloved Spouse is crippled, ends up in a coma, or worse yet, were to die? The same truth regarding the power, wisdom and good purposes of God bring comfort. God knows all that will come. He loves me and assures me that everything that come to me is for my good.

What amazing comfort that God will work EVERYTHING to our best. He is so good!

He has told me that all that makes me anxious, causes me fear or prompts concern, should be cast on Him.

At our darkest times, God cares. Tell Him and He will shoulder your troubles.

He is the All-Powerful One. He is able to deal with anything that will come to me. He has promised His Holy Spirit will guide and direct me. The Word of promise to me is that He will provide all I need. So, as I wait, my thoughts are quieted before my wonderful loving Heavenly Father. He has made me His child by His Son, Jesus.

God loves me! Remember the Sunday school song, “Jesus Loves Me.”? It is true. “The Bible tells me so.”

His love and concern for me are vast and eternal.  The eternal God is a dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms.     Deuteronomy 33: 27a

I am able to relax. I am able to wait. The tides of uncertainty may swirl but I can rest and wait in perfect quietness and confidence. God has it all in hand.

QUESTION: What are you waiting for? Does God’s power, sovereignty and love for you help you obediently wait?

P.S. I wrote this post last week and then after I finished writing it, I found this quote today in the daily devotional book Beloved Spouse and I read together each morning. There is a passage of Scripture to read, a very helpful article explaining it and then as a sidebar called Coram Deo (Living before the face of God). This is the quote from May 10.

God offered David many specific encouragements when he was on the run from Saul. The Lord continues to encourage His people today through His Word, which assures us of God’s presence and power. When you need fresh assurance that the Lord is with you, turn to His Word, for its promises of God’s presence, power, and provision are sure.

The magazine is called Tabletalk. It is a monthly publication of Ligonier Ministries. Find it by going to: tabletalkmagazine.com. The subscription cost is quite modest and well worth the getting. They are willing to send you a sample copy if you request it.

AND… God is healing Beloved Spouse very quickly. Praise God!

A piece of calligraphy I did trying to use the lessons in the uncial alphabet and the lesson on how to create Celtic knots.

 

 

Make Your Mark

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

Learning a hand-written alphabet requires careful focus on each mark as it is made. The shape, direction, weight and placement of each mark is critical to the letterform carrying its intended meaning. I’ve just finished a lettering workshop where I spent 2 days learning the basics of a new-to-me alphabet. It is called “Bone” lettering because the strokes and shapes of the letters resemble a bone, being widened at each end. It required careful attention and lots of work to learn the new skill of twisting my pen as I made each mark to form the letters.

This intense scrutiny of mark-making stirred me to think and remember a conversation I had years ago. “Uncle Jerry” (my son-in-law’s uncle), along with his wife, had come to Central Oregon to visit us. During the drive back to Portland Airport he pointed out that all humans are “mark-makers.” Mark making is a distinct human activity that is one of the things which distinguish humans from all other living creatures. Jerry declared that with two simple strokes he could convey his entire cosmology. Can you determine what he believes by looking at the marks?

 

Think of it. We communicate our thoughts to other humans using our voices to form words. Those sounds can, and usually do, correlate to marks we make to record our thoughts in a more permanent fashion. As others look at those marks, the meaning we intended is conveyed to the reader of the marks. In ancient times, the marks would be pictorial as people used sticks burned to charcoal or minerals ground to powder to create images –marks- to tell others something of importance. The hieroglyphs of ancient Egyptians, the cuneiform wedges pressed into soft clay, the inky swirls of Sanskrit brush strokes all carry meaning from the minds of those who made the marks to those who read them then and now-even after millennia have passed. Whether the marks are pictorial or letter form, the maker of the mark is sharing abstract thoughts.

Consider these marks. Any guess as to their meaning?

When I made the marks to form these words, you were able to read my marks and think what the writer of the Psalm nearly 4000 years ago thought and wrote. I was able to share what was in my mind by making marks on the paper and showing you the result. The words are ones that were in the mind of the Psalmist (probably King David) four millennia ago! And even more amazing is that the thoughts are actually the thoughts of God Himself, communicated to us—David, me and you and all other readers of this Scripture.

 

Because we are made in the image of God, we are beings who are able to communicate with one another. We can do this by forming and speaking words. But we can also make marks—write or draw—the thoughts of our minds and people yet unborn can and may be able to think and hear from us. God has given us His own thoughts. He actually wrote them with His finger when He delivered the tablets of the Law (the 10 Commandments) to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Holy Spirit inspired men to write as He moved them, and thus God continued to direct the mark-making, meaning-giving, wonder of words.

 

Here we are, millennia after the marks were first made, able to read and know the mind of God. As we look at each mark on the page, whether on the lightweight page of a printed Bible or on the glowing screen of a phone, the meaning comes unmistakable over the ages. And if you like writing by hand as much as I do, you are able to make marks that put down those very words right there in front of yourself. God’s thoughts, your writing, and your heart’s thoughts all tied together. All because of marks!

QUESTION: Are you finding meaning in the marks on the pages of Scripture?

Sunshine on My Shoulder

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

February here in my area was very cold and very snowy compared to nearly all previous recorded February weather. As a consequence, today, the first official day of spring, there are large expanses of snow on lawns and fields. Driveways and curbs suffer heaps of grubby, gravelly ice. All these sordid remains of the miseries of winter are fast fading under the onslaught of sunshine—relentless, lovely, blue-sky sunshine. The patter-drip of melted snow in the gutter downspout is background to the cheerful songs of juncos and robins in the throes of spring romance.

Sunshine is so delicious to the soul after so many weeks and months of grayness. I sit facing my big window soaking in the “shine.” I smile at the pleasure of the light and warmth of the sun and as I sit, rather like a turtle on a rock, my mind ranges over the similarity of the sun to Jesus. You may be puzzled at that comparison. Let me elaborate.

In the book of John we read that Jesus declared “I am the Light of the World.” Obviously He isn’t the sun we see in the sky, but rather His Light is truth and reality for all mankind.

Ponder this: the sun is an incredibly powerful element of creation. It pulses with unfathomable energy. Though it is 93 million miles from earth it wields influence in every corner of the globe, every hour of the day. It even displays its glory by sharing its light with the moon. That entrancing silvery light, cold and in the night, is the sun second hand!

As the sun warms the earth it stirs plants to grow, giving each green leaf and blade the energy it needs to grow and flourish. That energy and life makes possible the very air we breathe and provides what we need to nourish our bodies. The fundamentals of our very existence are right there in the light of the sun.

So it is with Jesus. As His Light is shed in our hearts we are made into new creations. We flourish and grow. He and His Word are the very spiritual air we breathe and bread we eat.

 

“Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose had is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Job 12: 9-10

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the Bread of Life, he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’

                                                                                                                                                                                               “John 6:35

He lights our life with His Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides our footsteps and lights our way.

 

reading God’s Word is the way to soak in His True Light

Jesus is the most powerful light – eclipsing the sun. What joy to bask in His love and wisdom. What comfort to have Him as the One who shows me the way to live.

It is my hope and prayer that I would reflect His light just as the moon reflects the sun. The moon, even with its pale reflection of the sun, inspires wonder at its mysterious beauty. I hope that as I live for Jesus that His Light would shine through me so others see His beauty, mystery, and power.

QUESTION: Do you have the True Light of Jesus in your heart and Life? Are you reflecting His light to a dark world?

What are the chances?

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

“What a coincidence!” “What are the chances?” So many times I’ve said or heard those surprised remarks when events have come together in ways that seem completely unlikely. Events that amaze us in this way make us think, consciously or not, that they have come about completely at random. My mental picture is of a galaxy-sized green felt gaming table with hands shaking a pair of dice, tossing them and “ta-dah: a pair of sixes!”

Is there really such a thing as “chance”?

But on serious reflection, my belief in God makes this silly picture utter nonsense. What I believe about
God makes and enormous difference in what I believe about how life unfolds. My beliefs shape what I think when I’m running late for an appointment and stalled a traffic light. It changes my vision of the timing of all the transactions and details needed to sell my house, find a new one and make a major move. My convictions about God and His character colors my response to this winter. It seems endless with more snow and cold that has stretched into March. “Where is spring?!”

When face with events that come together in very beneficial and unexpected ways I am turned again to contemplate my amazing Heavenly Father.

The Scriptures say “He has made everything that was made.” (John 1:3) He has named every star (Psalm 147:4) and knows every hair on my head (Matthew 10:30). Scripture declares that Jesus holds every molecule of the universe together “by the word of His power.” (Hebrews 1:3) It says He has set the bounds of the seas (Proverbs 8:29), turns the hearts of men and women where He desires (Proverbs 16:9) raises up kings and puts others down. (Psalm 75:7).

God asks Job piercing questions that vividly show the limits of puny human powers in the face of the Almighty God. I am stopped cold by the force of the comparison of who I am in relation to this vast, inscrutable and almighty Being.

If God orchestrates the rise and fall of nations and kings, if He controls the wind the waves with just a word, if He holds back the ocean by His decree, why would I ever think that two events colliding in a surprising way in my life are “coincidence.”?

He created all things. He upholds all things. He has made me His child by His Son, Jesus’, merciful sacrifice in my place. So why would He leave the unfolding of my life to “chance”?

Is there really such a thing as “chance” in the face of the reality of our Almighty God? “Chance” is not chance even on the gaming tables of every casino in the world. God knows and directs those dice rolls, roulette spins and poker hands. He is using every human action, every weather event, every purpose and plan we make to accomplish His will.

what a contrast to believing “chance” rules the universe!

This knowledge give me tremendous peace. Faced with so many unexpected twists and turns in life, from small “where are my keys?!” moments to “I have cancer?!” shocks, God is there. He has planned and is ruling every detail. He is not a diabolical, cruel puppet-master, but as the good and gracious One who made me, loves me and loves the world He created. He has plans that will come to pass as He chooses. And every event will glorify Him and be for my good. (Romans 8:29)

QUESTION: What or who do you believe controls the events of life?

Do you rest in the living God who keeps and leads you every step toward eternity?

 

Here is a poem by one of my favorite poets: William Cowper, 1731-1800. It is from his series of poems called the “Olney Hymns.” Olney Hymns LXVIII

Satisfied- Not Stuffed – Not Starved

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

What can compare to the wonderful sensation of being satisfied at the end of a delicious meal? One is not still vaguely hungry, nor stuffed to painful misery. Satiety is that “goldilocks place” of being filled “just right.” It is tricky trying to balance our eating so that we hit that spot regularly.

Have you ever eaten at one of those “all-you-can-eat” buffets? I have and there is just something about all that alluring food that I am drawn to eat. And eat. And eat. When I finally come to my senses and push back from the table I am miserably stuffed. A grim pall comes over me as I remember how long this bloated, belly-bursting feeling will take to pass. Why did I do it? What was I thinking?

Or maybe you have had days that were so busy from the moment your feet hit the floor until late afternoon that you didn’t eat. You were so engrossed or entangled that you waited too long to eat. Now you are light-headed, ache-y stomached, raving hungry and grouchy. You are, in my daughter’s made up word, “hangry.” That dreadful place of low-blood sugar induced anger at little or nothing.

Comparison can be made to our spiritual lives. The Holy Scriptures are our necessary spiritual food.

We will starve without a regular diet of reading, hearing and meditating on them. It is difficult to get a good balance on the amount of Scripture we regularly read. We are not like boa constrictors. They devour their prey in one large bite and then go for weeks or months without eating again. Physically and spiritually we need to eat much smaller meals much more often. A binge-eating episode at the buffet is really hard on our physical body. And, although it can seem pretty “holy” to read a long passage or even a whole book of the Bible at one sitting, it is like eating at the buffet. There are times when it is helpful to read a long passage. If you are beginning a study of a particular aspect or book of Scripture, reading for an overview is helpful. But for daily spiritual nourishment, we need to be more moderate.

The opposite approach is also a problem. Taking one small verse (or even a phrase) and considering that adequate spiritual nourishment is rather like eating a single soda cracker and thinking you have the nutrition you need for the day or even the week.  Many Christians think that the single verse at the top of the page of a little devotional book plus the short homily that accompanies it is enough to grow on spiritually. I would challenge that notion. It is entirely too easy to take little bits of Scripture out of context and be badly mislead about what God is communicating. Think of that little story about someone who uses the “point and read” method of daily devotion. She opens the Bible and points to the verse she is going to feed herself on today. It reads: “And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed, and he (Judas) went away and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:5 Well, that isn’t terribly uplifting, so she tries again. “…then Jesus said to him, ‘go and do likewise.’ “ Luke 10:37b It is so easy to misunderstand God if we only listen to a single sentence or two of His Word to us.

Are you being satisfied by what is on your spiritual plate? Will it help nourish your inner man?

May I suggest a way to eat a more satisfying spiritual “meal”?  Get your Bible out. Now open your little devotional booklet. Find today’s verse in the selection in the Bible itself. Go digging for the context by reading the verses that come before and after the one in your devotional. It should be obvious where the paragraph or thought starts and ends.

Using the two verses I just noted, here is what I mean. Open your Bible to Matthew 27. Find verse 5 and then “back up” until you come to where the thought begins. Verse 1 starts to tell this part of the story. Begin reading there and it will be obvious that you should read until verse 10. When you have read that amount, there is much to consider that will feed you spiritually. Now try the verse in Luke 10. If you “back up” to verse 30 and read through verse 37, you will have a really nutritious spiritual “meal.” This amount of reading can be very satisfying without leaving you starved or stuffed.

QUESTION: What are your spiritual eating habits?

Are you feeding on God’s Word in a way that nourishes your soul or are you starving and spiritually anorexic?

Will you commit to reading more substantial portions of Scripture? I pray that you will be well-fed and spiritually robust because of your diet of God’s Word.

Your Life Matters: Lessons from Saint Patrick

Posted on by Karyn Jeffrey

I’m a fan of the wonderful spring holiday of St. Patrick’s Day. I’m not Irish, but having corned beef, cabbage and Irish soda bread is a great tradition.  And then there is the tradition a friend of mine and I started years ago of enjoying chocolate in the form of “Black Bottom Cupcakes” on the day.  (See the recipe at the end of this post.) I don’t remember how or why, but having the ritual of chocolate consumption is never a bad thing.  But all that aside, there is a much more serious reason I love this holiday.

St. Patrick—he’s technically not a “capital S” saint since the Roman Catholic Church has never elevated him to that status—wields an amazing influence on us today. Let me explain.

In the early 5th century, Patrick was a young teen living in Scotland northwest of present day Glasgow. He was captured and enslaved by a barbarian Celtic lord. During his six years of captivity he returned to the faith he had abandoned. After escaping, he went back to Scotland and became a cleric. When he was nearly 40, he returned to Ireland.  Palladius, the first missionary to Ireland, had gone in 451 AD. Palladius wasn’t terribly successful in his mission to the pagan Celts in Ireland. Patrick, following about 5 years later however, had strong influence and is largely responsible for establishing the Christian faith on the Emerald Isle and virtually preserving Christianity and the Bible throughout the Western world.

There are many legends surrounding Patrick, but what I think is most important is that because he was faithful in sharing the Gospel of Jesus and working to teach and nurture Christian faith among the Irish we have Bibles in our hands today.  I can hear you exclaim, “What?!” Hear me out.

Ireland became and still is the home of many medieval monasteries. There in many of them, the Scriptures were carefully copied by hand by monks laboring quietly in Scriptoriums. These isolated places were first established in the 5th century about the time Patrick was working to share the Gospel.  Hear what “Ask About Ireland”-  a website shares in explaining this to school children:

 

The first monasteries were usually built in isolated places like Glendalough in Co. Wicklow or on islands such as Skellig Michael off the coast of Co. Kerry.   Some monasteries were also built near the forts of important kings like the monastery of Clonard in Co. Meath. The monks chose these isolated places because it allowed them to pray and work without distraction.

As well as praying and fasting, some monks spent their lives making beautiful copies of the Bible. The Book of Kells, written in the ninth century, about 800 AD, is a famous example of this. It was named after a town called Kells in Co. Meath where it was once kept. This book can now be seen in Trinity College, Dublin. Another famous book which was written by monks in Ireland is the Book of Durrow.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/subjects/history/history-the-full-story/early-christian-ireland/monasteries/

 

These manuscripts of the Bible were God’s way of preserving and extending the spread of His Word. There were no printing presses for nearly a thousand years yet and Europe was deep in what has been called the Dark Ages. While the rest of Europe was experiencing a time of illiteracy, superstition, cultural and intellectual darkness, these monks were laboriously and scrupulously copying God’s Word. Their work preserved the Scriptures which otherwise would have completely disappeared.

How amazing that the quiet life of Patrick and these unknown men faithfully following their calling have given us the unspeakable privilege of having the Bible in our hands today!

So, thinking of my life, my skills, my “calling” makes me reflect on our Faithful God who uses the most obscure and interesting ways of accomplishing His work. So I ask myself, “Have I been a faithful parent, teaching my children and grandchildren to love Jesus and His Word?  Have I used the opportunities that come because of my daily life to tell others of Jesus? Have I worked to build up and encourage others in their faith? How is God using me and my plain, obscure life to accomplish His Plan?”

Question:

What is your calling? Are you being faithful to it? Do you know that you will have an influence for generations to come if you are faithful?

And here is the promised recipe:

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Mix the following and set aside.

1 — 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

1/3 C. sugar

1 egg

6 oz. (½ C.) chocolate chips

Make the cake batter as follows.

1 ½ C. flour

1 C. sugar

¼ C. baking cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 C. water

5 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350°. Stir dry in ingredients together. Mix liquids and combine with dry gradually. Spoon into 18 paper-lined muffin cups (Be sure to make 18!!)  Top with cream cheese mixture. Bake for 25 minutes until toothpick put into cake comes out dry.