the substance of things hoped for...
Stat crux dum volvitur orbis is the motto of the Carthusian monks- the cross stands, while the world turns.
This has been a world turning week for San Diego.
I’ve been preaching through San Diego Presbytery’s, Essential Tenets and Reformed Distinctives for the last month. I’m very grateful for the work and precision that went into this document. Obviously it was a hard won thing- task force meetings, writing, wrangling over writing, voting, more wrangling - all took energy and time. What came, in the end, is a clear, helpful, biblical work, that will assist sessions, congregations, and other middle governing judicatories- for years to come - orient elders and deacons to reformed and biblical theology- Scripture, God, Humanity, Christ, the Cross, Salvation. Clear boundaries articulated, for the wide a spacious land the Lord shepherds his people into.
I’ve also been reading Bob Davis’ blog, his trenchant analysis of the newly proposed Form of Government. Bob is a pastor in San Diego presbytery, and a former lawyer.
Alright, honestly, my eyes begin to glaze over also, when I think about the words “... trenchant analysis of the newly proposed Form of Government...” but, I’m glad someone’s doing it, and I’m particularly glad Bob is doing it. Not only does he bring an analytical mind to the task, but a heart for Christ and people is exhibited.
But Bob’s blog changed this week. The FoG stuff seemed just so, well, superfluous.
Now we read of hundreds of flaming molten baseball size cinders shooting ahead of 100 ft tongues of flame driven horizontal by 80 mph winds. Roofs and trees bursting into flames, self combusting. Cars melting into the pavement, radiators and engine blocks becoming aluminum slag. Snakes of flame slithering along the hills, jumping, dancing from crest to valley to crest, devouring all in their wake. Mordor writ real.
Stat crux dum volvitur orbis.
Clark Cowden is the newly hired Executive Presbyter of San Diego presbytery. He spent his week buying supplies, shuttling from church to church, locating resources- offering a word of encouragement, a prayer- connecting people and congregations with each other. He writes of churches- the people- opening up their homes as newly minted evacuees show up on church doorsteps. An overflowing worship service on Thursday night, were fire fighters get standing ovations and prayers. Where stories are told, tears are shed, and it seems gratitude flourishes. Out of Chaos, Hope indeed.
T.S. Eliot writes, “It’s bad tonight. My nerves are shattered. Just talk to me. I’ll make it through the night.”
Wounded healers, all. May God continue to bless and use his saints in San Diego, to his glory, and for the healing of the world.
Stat crux dum volvitur orbis. The cross stands while the world turns.
blog 137
Friday, 26 October 2007
