We see through a glass darkly...

Looking through a “glass darkly” is not about stained glass windows. It’s about noble efforts to see things that may not be readily perceived without some imagination.  In some ways stain glass windows remind me of  an intense desire to understand and then communicate what God sees and thinks.   There is enough concept clear to believe there’s more to be perceived.  It creates a hunger to look longer, deeper, or at least to anticipate a time when it will finally be clear!   Sometimes it’s the complexity of a vague image that is the attraction.  Like this! The wooden mirror captures the essences of 1 Cor. 13:12 for me.  The desire to see more coupled with the fascination of how it is made visible. Imagination is awakened but can also lead us down forbidden ways of thinking. Since the beginning of time, in virtually every culture “pictures” have helped illiterate cultures remember stories and concepts that were important to them.  Some written on cave walls,  stone monuments and eventually created with strategically placed stain glass.  During the renaissance stain glass windows became a key method for communicating Bible Stories to uneducated populations.  But it also became an avenue for inspiring artists to be able to express their love and devotion for the story and the God who made those stories happen. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Kirkwood First Presbyterian Church where you can sit in the pew, listen to a sermon and virtually “see” the gospel story in vivid color. The purpose of this blog is to celebrate the desire to understand things not quite clear.  I hope at minimum it will create a hunger to look longer, deeper, or at least to anticipate a time when everything that matters will finally be made clear! There will be some controversial topics introduced. There will be challenges for leaders to step out in areas that many are reluctant to search.  My prayer is that God honoring harmony and charity will result. In the words of the Apostle Paul,“Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Cor. 13:12,13 via We see through a glass darkly....