A New Word

for me.

Eucatastrophe 

A eucatastrophe is a sudden turn of events at the end of a story which ensures that the protagonist does not meet some terrible, impending, and very plausible and probable doom. The writer J. R. R. Tolkien coined the word by affixing the Greek prefix eu, meaning good, to catastrophe, the word traditionally used in classically inspired literary criticism to refer to the “unraveling” or conclusion of a drama’s plot. For Tolkien, the term appears to have had a thematic meaning that went beyond its literal etymological meaning in terms of form. In his definition as outlined in his 1947 essay “On Fairy-Stories”, eucatastrophe is a fundamental part of his conception of mythopoeia. Though Tolkien’s interest is in myth, it is also connected to the gospel; Tolkien calls the Incarnation of Christ the eucatastrophe of “human history” and the Resurrection the eucatastrophe of the Incarnation.  source

Acts 4: 33 And with great ability and power the apostles were continuously testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace [God’s remarkable lovingkindness and favor and goodwill] rested richly upon them all.  source

Well, Now!

A new word for me.

Eucatastrophe: A eucatastrophe is a sudden turn of events at the end of a story which ensures that the protagonist does not meet some terrible, impending, and very plausible and probable doom. The writer J. R. R. Tolkien coined the word by affixing the Greek prefix eu, meaning good, to catastrophe, the word traditionally used in classically inspired literary criticism to refer to the “unraveling” or conclusion of a drama’s plot. For Tolkien, the term appears to have had a thematic meaning that went beyond its literal etymological meaning in terms of form. In his definition as outlined in his 1947 essay “On Fairy-Stories”, eucatastrophe is a fundamental part of his conception of mythopoeia. Though Tolkien’s interest is in myth, it is also connected to the gospel; Tolkien calls the Incarnation of Christ the eucatastrophe of “human history” and the Resurrection the eucatastrophe of the Incarnation.    source – Wikipedia 

May our what we see as pending catastrophes be transformed into eucatastrophes by The Living Christ! 

I Resemble That Remark!

I am familiar with Scripture that tells us we are a peculiar people.

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; source

Peculiar in Scriptures’ original languages does not mean what it has come to mean in our recent culture. Interestingly and not surprisingly Webster’s Dictionary of 1828 had a good handle on that definition.

Here let me share with you from my readings today:

The word “peculiar” here is used in a way not often seen today. The Greek word means literally “to make around,” that is, to make something and then to surround it with a circle, thus indicating ownership. The same verb is used in the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 43:21 which reads, “This people have I formed for myself.” The word “peculiar” today usually means “odd, strange.” But it is not so used here. The Greek word speaks of the unique, private, personal ownership of the saints by God. Each saint is God’s unique possession just as if that saint were the only human being in existence. Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (1 Pe 2:9). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

See what I mean? Look at that: unique, private, personal . . .  Each saint is God’s unique possession just as if that saint were the only human being in existence.

Oh! if that makes me odd and strange by today’s definition, I’ll take it! It is my quest to more and more resemble that ‘remark’! 🙂

Until then + + + Kathie 
The Blood of Jesus is Enough

NO SIN GOES UNPUNISHED.
EITHER WE BEAR IT OR JESUS DOES FOR US; AND WE GET TO CHOOSE WHO DOES THE BEARING. 

 

Tiz Kinder, I Think

Flaws.

My Scripture reading this morning was Revelation 2:1-7. Click HERE if you’d like a link to read it. One thought led to another and soon I found myself hearing a word about flaws.

We’ve all used the word, right? She, he has this flaw _________________.
I have this flaw ____________________. 

Free Dictionary dot com gave me some definitions. Here are a few:

An imperfection, often concealed, that impairs soundness. 
A defect or shortcoming in something intangible: The two leaders share the flaw of arrogance.

And just for fun – yes, it’s new to me too:
A quick, intense burst, especially of wind, rain or snow

Who knew? One more.

A feature that mars the perfection of something. 

And so as I read these definitions it confirmed the word I heard while looking at the flaw of the Church in Ephesus and those of someone(s) close and loved. The word flaw seems kinder than other words we might use. Don’t you think? That is why we use it, right? I thought so too, until today. 

Before this morning (and it will again, unless I practice what I preach) when I see flaws in others it just gives rise to one of my own flaws: irritation. But I see something different this morning.

My new definition for flaw: well practiced sin.

Seeing a flaw in him or her or me with this definition brings a new response. A response of prayer for mercy and grace for them and for me. This new definition of flaw doesn’t let me off the hook, I can’t just dismiss the practice (action) as oh well that’s just who I am. Live with it!  And when it’s out there in someone else, with this new definition, rather than irritation, love prevails and so I pray.  Because she who loves does not want a brother or sister or child or spouse bound up in sin, right? 

Flaw. Tiz kinder I think to call it what it is — a well practiced sin. 

No more excuses. Not just a flaw. But a sin I have practiced way too much, and way too long!

ABBA, desiring to call it what it is and pray, for me and for them. To love You and them enough to do the kindest thing, offer mercy, grace and forgiveness instead of irritation and aggravation, no matter what the ‘flaw’ is. I love you, ABBA. Thank You. 

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie 

Simple

Who that has children would not want them to be happy children? 

Define happy. Okay.

3. Being especially well-adapted; felicitous: via happy – definition of happy by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia..

And I really like that word Felicitous.

1. Admirably suited; apt 2. Exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style 3. Marked by happiness or good fortune  via felicitous – definition of felicitous by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia..

Who would not want offspring like that?! 

But how? How would we manage that? See verse 7

7 The righteous live a life of integrity; happy are their children after them.

First being a JESUS believer – having received the gift of YESHUA’s righteousness in exchange for our sins and thereafter live a life of integrity. That’s it! That’s all there is to it?

Yep. I think so. So why do we not have more happy children?  

It’s simple.

Simple does not mean easy! 

Oh to embrace the simple, hard work of living with integrity! 

Wish I had started this hard work earlier! How about you?  BUT the good news is as long as we are breathing, it’s not too late to begin!!! 🙂

Felicitous Friday to you my Friends!!

Day 171 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie

email me 

Proverbs 20 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

1 Wine is a mocker, strong liquor a rowdy; anyone led astray by it is unwise.
2 The dread of a king is like when a lion roars; he who makes him angry commits a life-threatening sin.
3 Avoiding quarrels brings a person honor; for any fool can explode in anger.
4 A lazy person won’t plow in winter; so at harvest-time, when he looks, there is nothing.
5 The heart’s real intentions are like deep water; but a person with discernment draws them out.
6 Most people announce that they show kindness, but who can find someone faithful [enough to do it]?
7 The righteous live a life of integrity; happy are their children after them.
8 The king seated on his judgment throne can winnow out all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 False weights and false measures — Adonai detests them both.
11 The character of even a child is known by how he acts, by whether his deeds are pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye — Adonai made them both.
13 If you love sleep, you will become poor; keep your eyes open, and you’ll have plenty of food.
14 “Really bad stuff!” says the buyer [to the seller]; then he goes off and brags [about his bargain].
15 A person may have gold and a wealth of pearls, but lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Seize his clothes, because he guaranteed a stranger’s loan;  take them as security for that unknown woman.
17 Food obtained by fraud may taste good, but later the mouth is full of gravel.
18 After consultation, plans succeed; so take wise advice when waging war.
19 A gossip goes around revealing secrets, so don’t get involved with a talkative person.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother — his lamp will go out in total darkness.
21 Possessions acquired quickly at first will not be blessed in the end.
22 Don’t say, “I’ll pay back evil for evil”; wait for Adonai to save you.
23 Adonai detests a double standard in weights, and false scales are not good.
24 A man’s steps are ordered by Adonai, so how can a person understand his own ways?
25 It is a snare to dedicate a gift to God rashly and reflect on the vows only afterwards.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked [from the righteous] and threshes them under the cartwheel.
27 The human spirit is a lamp of Adonai; it searches one’s inmost being.
28 Grace and truth preserve a king; with grace he upholds his throne.
29 The pride of the young is their strength; the dignity of the old is gray hair.
30 Blows that wound purge away evil, yes, beatings [cleanse] one’s inmost being.
via Proverbs 20 KJV;CJB – Wine is a mocker, strong drink is – Bible Gateway.