standing stone monument-Joshua 4:9Standing stones in a jar as a spiritual practice
When I first spoke about remembrance stones, or Ebenezer stones, a visitor friend of mine wrote this:
I also have small “alters” of stones in my house…up in jars. They are written on with a sharpie pen. I write one or two words down when I have a breakthrough, or a praise. When people come to visit, they ask about the stones and I can tell them that “good things happen here”. I take that from the Bible. Whenever there was a victory, as you probably already know, they use to build an alter…so that when people came by, they would see, know and remember.
This visitor’s practice of erecting contemporary “standing stones” helps her remember God’s goodness, mighty works, and faithfulness in her life. It can help her tell her story. It’s wonderful to have a visual reminder, also, because we can too quickly forget God’s work when we hit troubling times, or get too busy.
The practice of using stones as a memory device goes WAY back. For a brief devotional or your own research, look up the Scriptures of Joshua 4:9, and I Samuel 7:12.
Consider trying this practice for yourself. The materials are easy to find, and when you go through your jar and reflect on what’s inside as you are alone with God, or with someone else, you’ll be reminded of God’s faithfulness, and goodness.
I just mailed off my 1st Ebenezer Stone, (help stone) and 18 spiritual practices/remembrance ideas to use with it for a more enriching walk with God, and awareness of his presence in everyday activities.
To get yours, or better grasp what in the world I’m talking about, just read the info., and see my awkward video clip on the Ebenezer Stones page.
By the way, each stone smells fantastic! I just said “stinky” for alliteration purposes. :)
To be clear: I LOVE my country, and I’m so happy to have the privilege of being born here, and living here! I am indebted to those who’ve struggled, and died to keep us free. I know our freedom isn’t free. My support is fully behind all those who so bravely serve us, and our prosperous country, in the armed forces.
whoops! Van proves English IS a difficult language.
While it’s important to encourage fidelity to one’s country, sometimes what is termed “patriotism” can actually be the manifestation of other, less-than-worthy, vices. Selfish, exclusionary attitudes, callousness, malice, a favored political agenda, or certain policy of the moment can be masked by so-called patriotism. For instance, some say it’s patriotic to pay taxes, but others say it’s patriotic to free citizens from the burden of taxes. I’m not creating this quiz to espouse my political leanings, only to garner awareness that “love of country” shouldn’t be confused with self-interest. And, I hope to do so in an enteraining way. You can leave your feedback, or other entertaining questions, to think will tease out hyper-patriotism tendencies of visitors.
Take this quiz to find out if (so-called) patriotism is getting the best of you. (And, yes, it’s meant to be funny/amusing, at least mildly.)
-Answer True or False-
1. You own more than two pieces of apparel that includes the stars and stripes. (Bonus “True” if at some time in your life you had a matching flag shirt with someone else in your family.)
2. You have somehow thought of God as American.
3. You wear a flag pin, or tie clip more than once per month, or think about doing it, (especially when you see someone else donning one.)
4. You’ve practiced folding the flag into a triangle, just for something to do. (Bonus “True” if you like to see how perfectly tight and pointed the corners can come out, and engage in multiple refolds.)
5. When you see Old Glory at half mast, you imagine that it must feel sad.
6. Seeing seasonal flags, NASCAR flags, and the like, erected over a porch, makes you want to puke, because it seems the flag of the U.S.A. should be flown instead.
7. You make judgments about who should be allowed to sport a flag pin, and /or who is truly patriotic.
8. You think people who criticize the political side you oppose should move to another country.
9. You are strangely drawn to the Uncle Sam character, (even if you aren’t sure why.)
10. Your church says the pledge of allegiance to the flag, and you find that a great relief. (Or you wish your church would say the pledge.)
READY TO FIND OUT THE RESULTS?
First add up your all your True scores.
1-3 True answers means you have either a mild, healthy, or manageable level of patriotism. OR possibly you could be a commy. I would need another test to sort all of that out.
4-8 True answers means you’re in big danger of making a weird sign at a rally that you’ll likely be sorry for later, if you happen to progress as a person. Take some internal inventory, and check to see if your patriotism is misplaced, or there because you’re just a super insecure individual. There is hope for you to adjust your outlook, and grow into a deeper understanding of patriotism. Best wishes!
8-10 True answers means you are at the point of being delusional, and you probably suspect I’m a spy for Iran or Russia for even putting this “humorous self-test” out there. You’re wondering what the #@*% kind of American am I for ever questioning American patriotism in the first place. How could there be too much patriotism, you ask? This test is probably lost on you. But, it’s okay, God is in control. We’re all a bit afraid of you, but you help us draw more sufficiency in our Redeemer. Sorry if the premise upset you.
Did I miss anything? :)
What question/s SHOULD be in there? Thanks for playing!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS WAS MEANT for the PURPOSES of HUMOR. My hope is that you have some.
Many of us weigh the decisions we make against the consequences that may happen. For instance, a financially desperate person might say, “I need money, but if I rob a bank, I’ll surely get caught.” A person with a more developed sense of morality may instead reason, “I need money, but that money is not mine to take.” Either way, some kind of assessment of right and wrong takes place, or at the very least pragmatics, which is the determined usefulness, or useful outcome of a particular action (like robbing a bank.)
Pragmatics gets down into the everyday choices, and can be the default setting for our choices. It’s like a common denominator. But really it’s not very good ethics that drives those kinds of decisions. Instead it is only the perceived consequences at the wheel, steering the choice. While it may seem practical to decide something based on whether it will help or hurt, or be useful or not useful, there is a glaring flaw in this method.
What is it? Simply put, we can never truly know the actual consequences of our choices, or their ramifications which lay in the future. What may seem helpful, can hurt many, instead of help. Or, sometimes certain people are helped, while others suffer greatly. History is quite full of these sorts of examples, and we continue to repeat them.
We can abandon a foundation of pragmatics, (the consequential, illogical, ad hoc reasoning method of decision making) by choosing from an altogether better starting point. God. It sounds so simple, but I will not say it is. But, what I refer to is the ultimate ideal, outside ourself–perfection. (Think: Socrates’ model)
The reference of God “himself,” and the nature and Standard of our best choices actually resides in and with God. The best values, the best and most perfect way–that is the way of God. More than that, it is how reality is grounded. God is the ultimate reality. Yes, we won’t measure up. In about two seconds we won’t, to be honest. However, this is not the reason to head for pragmatics, and assume The Good is not possible, a worthy choice, or viable for a standard–or at least the aim, of our own choices. It is the goal of each of us to decide to not choose for ourselves, or for the consequence alone, but for what is the ultimate Good.
Weigh-in with your take, or insights. I realize this particular post is a lofty one. Yes, and idealistic!
ALSO-Please help me spread the word about this website. I would love to have more regular readers. Many thanks to those who’ve read today!
