The Cornerstone



Smawley's Chimney



The cornerstone or foundation stone is that which is laid down first. All other building blocks are aligned with it in order to create something that will endure, be sound, strong & sturdy. Therefore, a foundation stone can be considered the bedrock, basis, starting point not only of actual structures but of teachings or of life itself. Because it binds all other building materials together, it must be genuine.

An excellent quotation from Stefan Doering’s EzineArticle “Setting the Cornerstone - The Purpose of Your Life” yields a great understanding for the extreme importance of the first cornerstone.

 “One of the other volunteers - an architect from Canada - explained that placing the first cornerstone is the most important step in creating a solid foundation. For placing everything after that will either be in alignment or not. When the first stone is set properly, the other stones go into place much easier. And if the stone is not set properly, the entire house will be unstable and weak, perhaps even unlivable.”

As I study the photo of the chimney, I think about what went into constructing it. How carefully the stonemason chose the building materials, making sure that each stone was just the right fit, placing it in exactly the right spot; therefore, ensuring its usability and endurance over time. He employed the perfect substance for the filler and the binder. (A little sidebar about the chimney – it exists today as part of a homestead owned by Marvin, my husband’s family.)

The Master Builder makes a startling statement about His Son!

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken” (Isaiah 28:16).

Writers of the New Covenant proclaim that Christ Jesus Himself IS the chief Cornerstone (Eph.2:20), declaring also that is indeed Christ the living stone/cornerstone of God’s temple (1 Peter 2:4). Note the use of the word “living” as an adjective. Living defined as having life, existing, breathing, active, full of vigor – not dead or lifeless. Jesus clearly states in John 14:6 that He is the life or Zoe – that which is of the “absolute fullness of life”!

While writing this blog, I began to take conscious inventory of my cornerstone(s) and fell very short of really healthy ones.  Well, I’m stopping for now to begin a review. Life changes are definitely in order!

♥ Ocean Jasper Necklace ♥

The necklace is a handmade expression of my passion for jasper gemstones with a complementing computer friendly bracelet. I enjoy working with various gemstones, but my favorite has gravitated to jaspers. Their diversity in color is intriguing and yields itself to much creativity. If you study the stones in the sunlight, you discover beautiful aspects not seen without the light.

What do gemstones, water and light have in common with each other? … one really vast component – The Lord. He calls Himself each of these, but more about this in a later blog.

If we believers are “living stones” fashioned by the Creator-God and Jesus is the Light of the World, our real beauty is uncovered when His Light fills us! If we would see each other through His Light, we would realize a world of beauty that only His Light can illumine!

I want to thank the ladies at Beadlush in Charlotte NC for their patience and kindness in continuing to teach me about gemstones, facilitating me in seeing such beauty in them! A Loud “Shout-Out” to you all! ♥

Their website is posted in my List of favorite websites.

Living Water versus Cistern Water

When Jesus was referring to Himself as “Living Water”, his audience understood the term living water. It was a reference to an everyday detail. They used water in at least two basic forms: rain water that was caught in cisterns which was still, becoming stagnated and dirty or fresh water flowing from rivers, streams or springs that could sustain life. The second example was simply called living water.

The surprising thing was that Jesus was referring to Himself as Living Water – that which could quench human thirst for God and deep inner needs. 

 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39 nasb

A footnote from BibleGateway regarding John 7:37 grabbed my attention:  “let him keep coming to Me and let him keep drinking.” Jesus is claiming that He is the Source – Well-Spring or Fountain of that which gives life and keeps on giving life!

I love the fact that the Word validates itself beforehand! Jeremiah described the Lord as the Fountain of Living Waters. Zechariah declared that “living waters will flow out of Jerusalem”. The Psalmist created a song celebrating – “They that sing as well as they that dance shall say, all my fountains are in thee.” Psalm 87:7 erv

Water Scriptures

Today I desire to delight in and meditate upon – or allow my thoughts to gravitate to “water” scriptures during my day’s activities. Letting them settle into my soul becoming a source of refreshment as they are treasured in my heart.

  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Ps.1:2-3

    There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. Psalm 46:4

   Jeremiah 2:13 The Lord = “… the fountain of living waters …” = the source of LW

   Zechariah 14:8    “… living waters will flow out of Jerusalem ...”

    Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4: 13-14

   He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:38-39

   Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, Rev. 22:1

Planted by Streams of Water

Yesterday morning I found myself feeling so fragmented – too many loose ends – circumstances too overwhelming – too many prayer needs. Even having a quiet time seemed too complicated! Everything felt just too … too … too – well, you know just “TOO”!

I pushed aside my journal, thoughts of praying for others and my desire to just scream and said “Ok, Lord, I’ll start very simply!” Opening my Bible to Psalm 1, I began reading!  Suddenly everything inside of me slowed down as verses 2 & 3 caught my breath and heartbeat holding them gently. Those two verses pulled me into a peaceful calm. I was being “washed by the water of the Word”.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:2-3

Life became simple – delight and meditate on Him today. He is the Word – the Logos of God. In His lovingkindness He became a Rhema to my heart and soul.

Though my day’s activities wouldn’t come to a halt, the inner me did. So … I just sang very simply throughout the day phrases like “I delight in You. I meditate in Your Law.” While singing I thought about the meanings of the words and their applications to me.

Delight … delight, pleasure, desire, longing,

the good pleasure; that in which one takes delight

Meditate … to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak

I found myself “being planted by streams of water” during the day and I drank deeply from that stream!

This morning I continued contemplating those verses. As I did, parts of other verses began flowing over me … “Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His Holy Name”; “Rejoice in the Lord always”; “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, strength”. Usually I get trapped by trying to figure out the “how to’s” of “all” & “always”... but not this morning. Those phrases washed over me with cool refreshing!