SHINE

I am the Light of the World. John 8:12

 

John’s Gospel is not like the other three. I would call it the “touchy-feely” Gospel, or maybe the most “existential” one. Each of the Gospels relate the story of Jesus’ earthly ministry, death, crucifixion, and resurrection, reflecting the writing style of the four Apostles who wrote them. But John begins his story with a different flair that instantly makes us think: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). What a powerful statement! This “Word” that I am reading is…alive! The Word is actually living and breathing. It doesn’t “represent” anything. It’s not just a tale that was handed down through the ages. The Word has power and knowledge, and oh, so much more! “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

 

John also uses the word “light” thirty times in his Gospel, and most of the time the word refers directly to Jesus. “In (Christ) was light, and the light was the life of men” (John 1:4). The people loved the light “for a season” (John 5:35), but later rejected the light (John 3:19). But Christ also told the people, “You are the light of the world”  (John 5:14), and He warned us not to hide that light under a basket, to set it on a hill so that “it gives light to all” (John5:14-15). “Let your light shine so before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (John 5:15).

 

People don’t “see” light directly, but it is by light that we “see” everything else. That’s why it’s so important for us to “be” that light for others, as Jesus is for us. Imagine what we can each do, if we allow Christ’s light to shine through and in and around us all the time. Jesus just wants our cooperation. He’ll do all the “heavy shining!”

 

Blessed Savior, we thank You that You provide this glorious light for us. We want to be Your partners in the “Shine Business!” Amen

 

Meg Blaine Corrigan tells stories of wisdom, strength, fear, joy and risk-taking. Daughter of a raging alcoholic mother, and survivor of sexual assault at gunpoint, Corrigan has shaken a dismal past and flung herself into the arms of Christ, Who sustains her in her daily walk of grace. She shares with her listeners her incredible story of surviving and thriving through many trials during her seven decades walking this fragile earth. She has been described as a Renaissance Woman, integrating her formal training in psychology and counseling, an enlightening experience as a percussionist for a Polynesian show troupe, and most recently as an inspirational author and blogger. Her exposure to many life experiences has enriched her passion for spreading Christ’s word and helping other trauma survivors. She has a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling and thirty-plus years of experience in the field of counseling and social work.  She lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, with the love of her life, Patrick, and their formerly disenfranchised rescue dog Ginger. www.MegCorrigan.com    MegCorrigan@comcast.net

LEADERSHIP STYLES

Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free. Ephesians 6:7-8

 

Sixteenth Century Italian political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli’s wrote a treatise of his country’s society called “The Prince.” One of the first works of modern political philosophy, “The Prince” introduced the term, “Machiavellian,” meaning any measures can be used if it is necessary to maintain political power. In Love Your Enemies, twenty-first century author Arthur C. Brooks, calls today’s political climate in the United States “a system that rewards the loudest voices and most audacious claims.” “Coercive leaders,” says Brooks, lead the charge in such an environment, in government or business or any organization. Studies indicate that bosses are the most stress-inducing people in most of our lives. I was blessed to have experienced one exception: a supervising dean at one of the colleges where I worked. The man was a true “servant leader.” He worked with me, which made me want to work for him. I missed him when he left.

 

In the Old Testament, it is clear that even God’s chosen people preferred powerful kings, bloody wars, and identifiable territory over serving their fellow man or their God. And the Lord was more than a little frustrated with His people. Then Jesus came in the flesh and taught us that we are “clothed from on high” with God’s power (Luke 24:49). Why, then, do many of us fight so to show how tough we can be? These days it seems many people—not just those in management—don’t “get it” now any more than the Israelites in the Old Testament.

 

If we want to look at a really workable leadership model, we have only to turn to the Trinity. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One, flowing in and out of each other and never competing. The Apostle Paul wrote, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13:13). The Trinity shares power among Themselves and passes it on to all of us. No tyrants in the group!

 

Holy Three-In-One, invest your power and goodness in each of us that we may live for You and be like You. Amen

 

Both candid and humorous, insightful and ponderous, Meg Blaine Corrigan’s memoir, Then I Am Strong: Moving From My Mother’s Daughter to God’s Child, takes the reader through her chaotic childhood with an alcoholic mother and enabling father to a violent assault that nearly ended her life. She populates her tale with vivid descriptions of her parents, other influential adults, the attacker, and her disastrous first marriage. But this story has a happy ending, when Meg finds solace in a God she didn’t think she’d ever believe in, when He gently helps her heal from her past lives and move into the best times of her life. Meg has also written a novel, Perils of a Polynesian Percussionist, about said first marriage, as well as a Christian devotional, Saints With Slingshots: Daily Devotions for the Slightly Tarnished But Perpetually Forgiven Christian, comprised of blogs from this site. Stay tuned for sequels to her last two books! All of her works may be purchased through her website, www.MegCorrigan.com or from www.amazon.com .

GINGER AND THE DELIVERY TRUCK DRIVER

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15

 

My husband Patrick and I adopted a rescue dog named Ginger three years ago. Ginger is half Bassett Hound and half Beagle, and reportedly has had five homes. Her tumultuous life began in an Oklahoma  puppy mill. Ginger is a sweet and loving animal who loves to run until one would think her lungs would burst. She takes a break and then runs some more, all around our half-acre fenced lot. She is smart, usually follows directions, and adores both my husband and me. She has only one bad habit: she cannot stand men in delivery trucks. When one comes, she completely loses all decorum, slams herself against our front window, and poises herself to attack any delivery man who comes to our door.

 

Last winter on a blustery January day, a delivery man entered our driveway and walked toward the front door with a box of my books. I was alone that day—no hubby to hold the dog—so I decided to step outside in my fuzzy slippers while Ginger continued her tirade inside. The delivery man handed me the box and I turned, carrying my load while attempting to keep Ginger from escaping. The nice delivery man said, “Let me get the door for you!” Ginger charged through the partially opened doorway, encountering what she thought was this evil delivery man—but instead her jaws connected with my knee. She didn’t break the skin, but I was badly bruised, and she was instantly ashamed. I scolded her. She sulked for three days. In her completely unwarranted frenzy, she had hurt the one she dearly loved. She paid for it in spades of guilt.

 

How like Ginger I am sometimes! I have created mountains where not even a molehill existed, for the sake of being right, or having the last word. When I miss the mark, as the Apostle Paul said, “…I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do…..evil lies close at hand” (Luke 7:19,21). Paul says staying as close to Jesus as possible is our best chance to avoid sinning.

 

Lord, be my constant companion so that I am able to avoid sin. Amen

 

Meg Blaine Corrigan tells stories of wisdom, strength, fear, joy and risk-taking. Daughter of a raging alcoholic mother, and survivor of sexual assault at gunpoint, Corrigan has shaken a dismal past and flung herself into the arms of Christ, Who sustains her in her daily walk of grace. She shares with her listeners her incredible story of surviving and thriving through many trials during her seven decades walking this fragile earth. She has been described as a Renaissance Woman, integrating her formal training in psychology and counseling, an enlightening experience as a percussionist for a Polynesian show troupe, and most recently as an inspirational author and blogger. Her exposure to many life experiences has enriched her passion for spreading Christ’s word and helping other trauma survivors. She has a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling and thirty-plus years of experience in the field of counseling and social work.  She lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, with the love of her life, Patrick, and their formerly disenfranchised rescue dog Ginger. www.MegCorrigan.com    MegCorrigan@comcast.net

 

THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

One of my very best friends has survived cancer twice in the past two years. She has survived a heart attack and a stroke, both events happening while in the hospital after yet another surgery. Then, about two weeks ago, she woke up to discover her husband, who had apparently been in good health, died in his sleep.

My question to God is, “Why her? Why now? Is this part of some huge divine plan?” and “Why not me?” I have no answers. Am I to trust and not feel any emotion in the face of this injustice? Is this just the way of nature and not some lesson in sanctity?

Then, two weeks ago on a Friday, I read these words by Abraham Joshua Heschel: “In Jewish tradition, dying in one’s sleep is called a kiss of God, and dying on the Sabbath is a gift that is merited by piety. For the pious person, my father once wrote, it is a privilege to die.”

Again, how do I comfort my friend? Do I simply sit with her and say nothing?

I am brought to the Book of Job: “This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East” (Job 1:1, 1:8, 2:3).

An upright man who lost absolutely everything, and I mean everything, yet he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22).

God knew we would hurt and struggle greatly in this life, some more than others. Jesus, His only Son died on a cross, misunderstood, even hated for the message of salvation that He brought. We can look to Him and will find that anything we suffer, He has also suffered. We will find peace and comfort in Him, no matter how great our pain.

Lord, only You know me, the real me—Your fickle, sometimes angry, ever questioning servant. Thank You for Your patience. Comfort my friend in her grief, and stay with us. Help our unbelief. Help us grow in wisdom, grace, faith and love. Amen

 

Midwife-turned-author, Stephanie Sorensen seems to swim seamlessly through cultures, religions, superstitions, raw fear and ecstasy to the first breath of a new baby. She invites her readers to join her, taking us on a tour to the innermost workings of another world in her first book, Ma Doula: A Story Tour of Birth. She lives among one of the most diverse populations on earth and has given birth to a book that takes us on a bizarre journey, giving us a rare, intimate glimpse into her daily life. With graphic prose we enter with her into the Land of Birth. Midwife, mother, grandmother, doula, world traveler and author, Sorensen lives and breathes birth. She has five children scattered around the world, grandchildren, and over a thousand babies she calls her own, even when she cannot pronounce their names correctly. After writing three books about birth, she has begun the next phase of her writing career: A memoir about death. Stay tuned.

Email: ssskimchee@gmail.com   Blog: www.callthedoula.blogspot.com