Open up the windows...

Robert Penn Warren once wrote that he could only be a follower of Emerson from an airplane (where, presumably, up above it all, the world looks to be beautiful and intelligible.) I once took this as a powerful critique but have come to believe the opposite.
When we are receptive to the very small, quiet, "brooks of joy" all about us, Rev. Tilden reminds us in today's Leaflet, "the light and warmth of our glad religion may shine in"

"GOOD CHEER (Scripture Reading)

Son, be of good cheer: thy sins be forgiven thee.
Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
*********
And it came to pass afterward, that Jesus went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.
*********
And all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
*********
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven.
*********
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
*********
. . . will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Matt. ix. . Mark x. Luke vi. viii. xili. John xvi.
________________________________________________

GOOD CHEER (Tilden's Meditation)

A CHEERFUL Christian is like a man living on the summit of a mountain. His days are longer and sunnier than in the valley. The day-spring greets him earlier, and the twilight lingers later on this child of light. We should not plant the seeds of our faith in the shadows of life alone, but also in the open fields where the sun of a healthy joy can quicken them. Keep the windows of the soul wide open, that the light and warmth of our glad religion may shine in. Find God oftener in the gladness of life. Think of Him not only in the dark days, which are so few, but also in bright days, which are so many. See Him not only through tears; but always in smiles. Think how many brooks of joy and gladness there are running along our way from youth onward. The stream of life itself is a joy; then it gives to the spirit a buoyancy that lends a healthy hue to all our thinking. Be of good cheer; Jesus brought glad tidings. Keep bright colors in your faith, and your heart shall rejoice.
" And your joy no man taketh from you."


Open up the windows! Blessings