Saturday, February 11, 2012

Reflection

So we have been away for a while.  Why?  Well MOM got a new laptop and she has been frustrating over it getting things moved, transferred and such.  I don't know what all the fuss is about, just turn it on and go.  Right?

Anyway, that has left me some time to reflect on some things.  Mainly on reflection.  In Mark's Gospel there is this cool story about a leper who was healed (Mark 1:40-45).  Jesus heals him but tells him to say nothing.  But this guy just could not help himself, he just could help but sing of what had happened.


When the leper encountered the divine in Jesus, he could not help but “bounce back” that light, that love, that energy. The cleansed leper became a reflection of Christ’s transforming, healing wholeness. He reflected God’s power and glory with his cleansed skin and his clear voice.


But what does it mean today to be a “reflection” of the divine? What does it mean to be an echo, a likeness of Christ?



Like the first century leper, I think it means giving up some control, letting the personal experience of a Christ-encounter take hold and take you away. Once you add leavening to a mixture of flour, water, and sugar, things are going to happen. You cannot tell the infused dough not to rise. Once we experience the power and presence of Jesus, we cannot help but be altered. We are changed. We are charged. We are challenged.


On a recent walk MOM and I came across a broken mirror.  MOM picked up a piece or two and I was fascinated by the fact that she could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine ‑‑ in deep holes and crevices and dark places. It became a game for both of us.  For me to chase the light and for MOM to get light into the most inaccessible places she could find.


But you know we are not the light or the source of light. But light ‑‑ truth, understanding, knowledge ‑‑ is there, and it will only shine in many dark places if we reflect it.


We are a fragment of a mirror, both people and pups alike, whose whole design and shape we do not know. Nevertheless, with what you have you can reflect light into the dark places of this world ‑‑ into the black places in the hearts of others.   Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I think life is about. This is the meaning of life.

Blessings,
Goose

27 comments:

  1. I love how your beautiful photos reflect your thoughtful message today. I think you and your mom are absolutely right, too!

    Bunny

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  2. Buddy this one really gives us PAWS to Reflect.

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  3. What totally awesome reflection shots....and wonderful written too

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  4. Well, Goose, you wrote your mom's sermon for tomorrow for her and you illustrated it beautifully!

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  5. A great story that definitely leaves you thinking. What great reflection photos!

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  6. Goose, you amaze me with your deep thoughts. I only think about food. And squirrels. And a certain cat.

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  7. Hi Y'all,

    That was beautiful Goose. The pictures were fascinating. Loved the last one especially.

    Y'all come back now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  8. That was a great message, Goose!! Thanks for sharing!

    AROOOOOOF!
    Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

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  9. You know, we run and jump, we hike and play together all the time and you still amaze me. I am so glad we are friends....you keep me trying to be better.....

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  10. Goose, I think this is just beautiful! You give us so much to think about, to rejoice about!
    Let His light shine, my friend!
    Luv,
    Dave

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  11. Goose, the friendship of you and your Mom and this inspiring message have touched me. Thank-you.....

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  12. Wow Goose, my Mommy talks like that all the time. When wes broke a mirror when we was packing at the little house, my Mommy said, "Looks Nellie Bell, See all these pieces of mirror? If God was the sun and we were all pieces of the mirror, we would all reflect God to the best of our abilities, it would all be the same, but be different, because all the pieces are different."
    Moms can be profound sometimes.
    Kisses
    Nellie Bellie
    PS
    Me LIKES Allred. He is not as evil as some think he is.

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  13. Reflecting light into the dark places in the heart of others... that's what I think that you do, Goose. Thank you. And, thank you for your wonderful comment about Fridays.

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  14. Hi Goose! This is such an inspirational post! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and your beautiful pictures with us!
    Xoxo
    Chloe and LadyBug

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  15. Love all your reflection photos Goose!
    My mom received a new laptop for Christmas (from her mom and dad) and well, she used it like 3 times and now it will not even turn on. She is super sad.

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  16. Goose we missed you. We love all your reflection shots!
    Have a great weekend
    Big Nose Pokes
    The Thugletsx

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  17. Hi Goose, As always your Sunday sermon hits the nail on the head! I am so thankful for these posts, the photos are great as well. Glad your mom got a new laptop.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  18. That was absolutely beautiful and moving, and absolutely reflective. The pictures matched with the words left me smiling and thinking at the same time. Just beautiful! Thank you and happy seeing beautiful!

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  19. That was very relevant for me today Goose. Thanks! :-)

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  20. Hi Goose! Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures! I'm looking forward to see you and your girl at the Valentins Dance!!!
    Sealed with a kiss Charlotte

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  21. Hi Goose
    I missed you ! I loved your reflection pictures !
    Kisses
    IRIS

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  22. Goose - loved your reflection pics!
    Stewey

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  23. Goooooooose, Uh...I wanted to come by early and wish you a Happy Birfday! We can go has a beer to celebrate your big day! Ain't tomorrow your birfday? If not then we can still go has a beer and some yummy delish Cheetos!
    'But I am purty sures tomorrow is your special day.

    Puddles

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  24. Dog gone those 3 doxies, I wanted to be the first to wish you Happy Birthday.

    HUMMMMM oh well, I'll just settle for wishing you HB in person.

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  25. Oh Goose, this was a lovely post. The pictures and words. Thank you. Mom needed a little today and this definitely gave her one!

    Happy Birthday!

    Your pal, Pip

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  26. Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing issue with ur rss. Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

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