Stronger Than Before

In Christ, we can be *stronger than before, but still very aware of great
weakness, of whatever sort it may be.

*(I'm remembering this old album titled, Stronger Than Before; I just checked and it's still available.)


Alright, back to what I was saying... No matter how far any of us may have strayed from God's truth and wholeness there is always a way home.

It will often take brutal honestly and most always the help of
trustworthy brothers and sisters, but God "will make a way where there
is no way."

Rumi, in his poem Sublime Generosity says,"You make my raggedness
silky..." To me that's a great word-picture of how our brokenness can
be touched by grace.

In fact, here's more of the poem. It's one of my favorites as it relates to strength and weakness.

Sublime Generosity

I was dead, then alive.
Weeping, then laughter.

The power of love came into me,
and I became fierce like a lion,
then tender like the evening star.
He said,"You are not mad enough.
You don't belong in this house."
I went wild and had to be tied up.
He said,"Still not wild enough to stay with us!
I broke through another layer into joyfulness.
He said, "It's not enough."
I died.
...He said,"You already have wings.
I cannot give you wings."
But I wanted his wings.
I felt like some flightless chicken.
Then new events said to me,
"Don't move. A sublime genorosity is coming toward you."
"And old love said, "Stay with me."
I said, "I will"
You are the fountain of the sun's light.
I am willow shadow on the ground.
You make my raggedness silky...