The Arch of Faith

Have you ever considered a stone arch? It is a perfect illustration for God, the master builder, and for us humans, the stones.

To build an arch we first need a designer/ creator. Someone to determine width and height and to select and shape the stones. And we also need someone to do the actual building. That's God the Father.

Next, we need some unseen forces - gravity and friction. That's the Holy Spirit. Helping bind together all the essential elements.

Now we are ready to start construction. But first we need a few 'special' stones. The beginning stones of any arch are called springers. On one side we have Adam, the beginning of mankind. On the otherside we have The Law - Moses.

All of the intermediate stones are called voussoirs. That's us.

Here's a partial construction materials list for our 'arch of faith.'

God the Father - designer, creator, essential, the constructor, stone shaper

Adam (springer) - the first man, the Hebrew word of 'man', sinner, beginning

Abraham (voussoir) - 'faith credited as righteousness', the first covenant

Moses (springer) - the Deliverer, the law, murderer, head

David (voussoir) - "a man after my own heart," adulterer, murderer, King, leader

Mary (voussoir) - virgin, bride, "the church", submissive, obedient

The Thief on the Cross (voussoir) - us, by faith alone, submissive in death, totally dependant on God's mercy and grace

Jesus - (Keystone) Savior, King, teacher, example, the last Adam, essential, new covenant

Building an arch requires support during construction, something to hold it all up until the keystone (Jesus) makes His appearance. That's called faith.

It also requires a 'stone shaper.' Someone to chisel us into the exact shape needed. We stones come in all shapes, sizes and colors. But God can use us all for his glory.

Here's a short video of a young couple constructing and arch bridge. It's beautiful. It's a wonderful illustration for God's design for us humans to cross from death to life through faith in Jesus. Our Bridge.

"Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy." - Psalm 61:1-3

Dry Stone Bridge

The Parable of The Old Stud

The Old Grey Stud

Before you say anything, no, this is not a biographical piece. LOL! It's building a tiny home and not having enough supplies on the job site. You get desperate. How desperate? You'll see.

My friend Chuck and I were working on a few of the remaining walls on the project. I was looking through the scrape heap for a 48" 2x4 or something a little longer that I could cut without too much waste. There was nothing.

Well, there was some of the craps I had used last winter to hold the tarp on the trailer. I was indeed desperate. I picked up an old grey, weather piece of wood and measured it. Exactly 48"!! I wouldn't even have to cut it! So I picked it put it in place and nailed it into the wall.

The Old Rugged Cross

As I thought about it later I smiled. It was just like me. God reached down and grabbed a weathered old man and called him to be part of His family. He takes chances on lots of people and things seem to work out just fine.

How has God used you for His glory? He wants all of us to serve Him in some way. Are you using your gifts to shine a light on Jesus? We should be doing that. It's our job. :)

I was taking a break later that afternoon, looking at the old stud I had used when I noticed something else. Take a look at the picture to the right. I'm sure you can see it too.

What a blessing to be a child of God and to be serving others through the gifts He has given us. It makes me feel useful in my old age. Not "a stud" by any means, but a useful part of His family. And that is a good feeling.

"For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God." - Hebrews 3:4

The Old Rugged Cross - Johnny & June Carter Cash