Favorite Pen

      Do you have a favorite pen? I do. It is a fountain pen that Kerry gave to me for the exclusive purpose of writing. That's what pens are for, right? Well, yes, but some pens are better for just jotting a short note. If you are working on a book or a long meditation, they can be uncomfortable and distracting. Fountain pens are made to give the right amount of feedback and also have a considerable flow of ink. For me, it helps me to focus on the writing and its continuous practice. The other nice thing about fountain pens is that you can use very specialized ink of various colors. A few companies also specialize in ink that is not just
 archival, but also "eternal" or resistant to all types of forgery or erasure. The important writings demand the favorite pen and the best quality ink.

     Our reading for today might inspire us to consider the priorities or attention to what truly lasts. This makes my favorite pen seem silly. Paper will not last very long unless it is carefully kept. The only things that last are the things of God. Our mortality can try to push the envelope by attempting to match the loving persistence of God with stone engravings. These writings, though, should only be about the flesh saving Deliverer who holds us forever.

Job 19:23-27

“O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Great God, harden my resolve to follow you more closely and firm up my devotion to proclaim you more permanently. Let my words of commitment for you be a clear, "Yes!" Guide my actions to be visibly for you and your forever Reign. Make your glory known among your people. Be with those that I lift before you now...In your healing and loving name forever, I pray. Amen.

***Lent starts tomorrow - could you describe Lent and what you plan to add or do extra to an alien (or someone who doesn't know what it is)?