Window
Building Name: First United Methodist ChurchCity: Alpena
Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)
Date of Window: 1975
Subject/Title of Window: Blessed are the Pure in Heart for they shall see God.
Brief Description of Subject: Fleur-de-Lis, Symbol of purity
The design was based on the white iris, and is also called flower of the lily. It appeared on the scepters of Egyptian rules in 1500 B.C.
Purity, a freedom of sin of guilt, in the Old Testament days, was an external condition.
If a person did the traditional, accepted thing, he was pure. If a person was born of the right lineage, he was considered pure.
Christ added The Heart, denoting one’s Inner Love and Determination, and made purity available to all, for which each person is responsible.
Blessed is the person when his heart and mind are acting in unison… He has become honest with himself and God. Knows very clearly what he has to do. Is able to be open with people and free to act with utter sincerity.
Acquires a beauty of righteousness about him.
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” the word pure comes from the Greek Katharos and is used over 150 times in the Old Testament alone. It carries two different and distinct meanings:
- Ceremonial purity: as may be claimed by one who observes certain convention church going, Christian liberality, reading, or using pious language.
- A deeper purity. While man sees the external things such as appearances, speeches, works, God searches for the heart motives. He is looking for the Christ like actions which dignify human relations. Jesus said, Blessed are the pure in heart.
Purity of heart cannot be attained, but only imparted by the ill-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. David realized this when he prayed, Create in me a clean heart, Oh Lord.
Awareness of sin and humility of spirit open the door for the Holy Spirit. Only a pure heart can really see God- by our attitude we fit or unfit ourselves to see him. This process begins while we are yet upon Earth; but it will reach completion only across Eternity.
It is a fact-what we see depends not so much upon what is in front of our eyes; but upon what is within our minds and hearts. The pure in heart see God in the world about them; while others are blind to his presence.
James Reid says, “Life is like looking at a stained glass window. The impure person sees it it from the outside, but the pure in heart sees it from the inside- from a true and single motive. The pure in heart have the capacity to see God where he reveals himself.
Blessed-happy- and satisfied are the pure in heart.
Condition of Window: Good
Height: 105"
Width: 24"
Type of Glass and Technique: Slab or Faceted Glass (Dalle de Verre)
Blessed are the Pure in Heart for they shall see God
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