A simple, personal, exercise.

February 9th, 2006 by admin

Johnathan, how could I give you up?

My heart turns against it.

When Johnathan was a child I loved him,

I myself taught him to walk,

I took him in my arms;

Yet he has not understood that I was the one looking after him.

I led him with reins of kindness,

with leading-strings of love.

I was like someone who lifts an infant close against his cheek;

stooping down to him I gave him his food.

How could I treat you like Admah,

or deal with you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils from it,

my whole being trembles at the thought.

I will not give reign to my fierce anger,

I will not destroy Ephraim again,

For I am God, not man;

I am the holy one in your midst

and have no wish to destroy.

Hosea 11:1a, 3-4, 8c-9

(An exercise from Brennan Manning’s book, The Ragamuffin Gospel)

peace.

johno~

Jason Hill

2 lines that jump out at me:

Yet he has not understood that I was the one looking after him. how true

For I am God, not man; I’m thankful for this
kristi w

I love the gentle parental images – being held to His cheek, being fed by Him, holding on to His hand while learning to walk.

Beautiful exercise-
Brandon Moore

Great book, and I loved the post, and after skimming through your blog I really enjoyed the rest of it as well.