Dear Readers,
Today’s Guest Author is my husband, Stephen, describing portraits and murals:
“Over the last 10 years I have made the following transition:
I view my earlier understanding of Christianity as a large portrait of me. It was about my salvation and what Christ could do for my family and me. This was not all wrong and there is still some truth in it. However, over the past 10 years, my portrait has become smaller and smaller and it has been inserted into a large mural. The mural is God’s big plan of both Creation and Redemption.
Each year, my portrait becomes smaller and smaller, to the point that it is now hard to distinguish it within God’s Redemption plan. It is less about me and more about being part of Christ’s Bride. I still strive to understand God’s Love and the Redemption he has provided; however, I now understand that I am part of a great mystery that is completely beyond my understanding.
Stephen Payne
July 2012
Margot’s Corner 
My word Steven, your comments are very profound and humbling. This sounds like a good Wed. morning discussion with The Group. There’s even a sermon in this. thank you for sharing.
Stephen wishes to confirm: Do you mean “The Curmudgeons?”