Bring it!

Ark of the Covenant.

Atonement cover.

Curtain.

Table.

Bread of the Presence.

Lampstands and Lamps.

Altar of Incense.

Anointing Oil.

Altar of Burnt Offering.

Basin.

Phew! Five chapters in Exodus, 36-40, ending the book of Exodus. Such detail in all that went into the building of the holy tabernacle. In this place of wandering. Just the time it took to weave cloth in Moses' time was daunting. Having more than one set of clothing was an indication of wealth. So, just imagine the amount of time, energy, talent and commitment it would take to produce just the curtains! Imagine the embroiderers!

So, what really gets me today is the way, through all the moaning, whining, complaining and really dumb actions after leaving the "comforts" of Egypt behind how the following passage conveys that EVERYONE brought all they had to this holy project:

'The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.' 

Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: 'No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.' And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Exodus 36: 4-7

So, here's my question: When was the last time you had to be restrained from bringing more than enough to your job, your marriage, your children, your friendships, your presence in another person's life or taking time to be with God? 

I love those people who tell you they are committed to...whatever. Baloney, I say! Oops, to tough? Well, seems to me that being "all in" or "bringing it all" or "all together" sounds more like what 11 misfits brought to the table of life. Some gave all.

I so admire the pastor of my faraway church home in Nashville, The Village Chapel. He who has a different approach to that nasty, sticky, guilt laden tradition of tithing. He says something like this: Here at the Village Chapel we do not do the basket passing thing.  We are all about joyful giving from a joyful heart. On the front table over there, there is a plastic container [NOTE: *the basket is tiny, blue plastic, crate-like with a small piece of paper reading "Gifts"] for when and if your heart moves you. 

I have given, and continue to give more to this church with a smile on my face (and smiley face on the bottom of my checks) than any other church I have attended. I am a citizen. I am all in.

I will not be restrained.

Think about it. 

All in.

(b)

Why do we hide the glow? What's the deal with that?

Exodus 34:29-35  

What's the deal with Moses covering up his face with a veil every time he came from talking with God and then talking to the people? 

"...whenever he entered the Lord's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord."

I totally do not get this. What an amazing feeling to be covered by and with God's light: Glowing. Radiating. Ignited. Ablaze. Burning. 

Embarrassed? Concerned others would feel left out? Less valuable than him? Too much pressure? Unworthy of carrying the light? Truth is...I do this, too. What's with that? God gives us His gift of inspiration, revelation, enlightenment. His and your moment shared in Parenthesis. And then instead of going out and glowing all over everyone, absolutely showering them with the dripping joy, radiant colors and explosive celebration that praises and worships Him for His  amazing gift and grace, we look around to make sure no one else is listening or watching. Because they might think you are a weirdo. Crazy. Insane. Drunk. Out of it. Well, seems to me that pretty well describes a bunch of guys called Disciples. So, here goes: I am weird, crazy, insane, drunk, out of it, sold out, all in, all out, out of my mind about any fragment of a moment in the light. Maybe the real pronunciation for ENLIGHTENMENT should be IN LIGHT IS WHAT I MEANT. 

Reminds me of one on my favorite quotes ever about "letting your light shine." 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is not just in some of us.  It is in everyone.  And as we let our light shine, we give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Nelson Mandela

Your light is meant to shine. It's a part of the invitation to switch your point of view: Click here. 

Emphasized.

(b)

The Parenthesis Paradox Begins

No more waiting. This is the very moment we are given. And so I move into (  ).  After much transitioning, reflecting, refracting and traveling I am settling into this next phase of my story. I will be posting on a (fragmented) regular basis, unfolding into myself. I invite you to bring your self into these moments of (  ). I invite you to comment and refract any flickering light. I invite you to share any and all. 

What is the Parenthesis Paradox? Here is the illustration that was revealed to me as a part of this unfolding into:

What does this convey?

1. We are invited to enter into (  ) with God.

2. He wants YOU: 

Your entire being: YOURSELF

Your youth-full heart (Abraham and Moses were NOT too old!)

Your hunger: YEARN

Your knowing Him: UNDERSTAND

Your coming together in Him: UNITE

Your using His gifts: UTILIZE

3. He wants:

You to bring the riches of your heart: GOODS

You to come with others: GATHER

You to give it away...to give it a way: GIVE

You to prospect & mine: DIG

You to find and see: DISCOVER

You to be and live and illustrate: DO

What does this define?

The moments of Parenthesis are found at the intersection of Life and Faith.

Think about it. Talk about it. Be in it.

(b)