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Topic: Design (01/19/04)
TITLE: Metallurgical Design By John Whitfield 01/25/04 |
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It is into this kind of fire that He, The Master Metallurgist, carefully and gently places the ladled crucible, now filled with the crude gold ore. He placed the ore into the container in a precise way. Just enough space between the chunks to let in some air. Stacked in just the right manner to provide perfect melting.
Into the fire.
Slowly at first, a golden liquid tear trickles out and collects in the cradle of the vessel. Some smoke. Some steam. Another trickle. Then, He gently blows across the flames, guiding the fire closer to the right spot. The ore is now giving in to the flame and the threads of gold now lead to the small pool of yellowish light in the bottom of the cup. The smelting is nearly imperceptible. Slowly. Slowly.
Then, when no more ore remains to be seen,there is only a small liquid lake, somewhat luminous. He gently and ever so slightly, shakes the handle and settles the liquid metal.
Then, with His other hand,as a careful craftsman, He skims across the surface with the skimmer, softly removing small particles of dross.
He skims. He waits until the surface settles. More heat. He looks into the molten materials. Again He passes lightly over. He skims. He looks. He skims. He looks.
It appears that He is looking for something. He deeply looks into the hot, liquid metallic glow. He gently blows a breath across the surface.
He slightly turns his head as if checking out all angles of light and luster.
Then, He finally holds His head and face directly over the hot, now still, crucible.
He pauses, and looks deeply and directly, and then, with a satisfied sense of finality, He smiles.
He has seen His own reflection in the golden mirror.
DONE.
Now, this gold, tried by the fire, is ready to be made into His Crown.
It has now been purified in the fire.
HE disigned:
The crucible. My body. And yours
The ore. Me. You.
The fire. Our trials.
The dross. Our sins.
The skimmer. The Holy Spirit.
The Mirror. A Christ-like life
HE is the Master Metallurgist.
Jesus.