Shining Spirit

Just look at the expression on his face.
Do you see the disdain? As if to say, “So, what is it you want?”
Well, all I wanted was to have a pleasant conversation. Just,
“How are you today? Or, I think you are a handsome bird.”
But, no. He paused for just a moment, and he didn’t even smile
for the camera. He flitted his tail and raced off after a careless lizard.
But he is handsome. I think elegant is the word. Self-confident.
And he is very fast on those skinny legs.
The world is filled with beautiful creatures, isn’t it.
And I think it’s nice to compliment them every now and then.
They appreciate it as much as we do.
Beautifully and wonderfully made?
Yes, I think so.
The handiwork of the Creator is really amazing.

May you walk in the sunlight of Love today.

May Hope arise from the ashes of your disappointments.

May Joy surprise you and
Kindness, received and given,
cause your spirit to smile.

In difficulty, be determined.
In pain, remember the promise:
“I am with you always…”
When you want to give up, don’t.

Practice Justice.
Promote mercy.
Pray from your heart,
not just your head,
for friend and foe, alike.

And this will be a Remarkable Day.

The announcement of Christmas…
A Dove is released into the world.
Good News of great joy!

The wonderful illustration above is an Icon, defined by the dictionary as “the representation of a sacred personage.” Icons have been in existence for many centuries and are used even now as portals to another world of spirituality. People who meditate with an Icon usually spend quiet time looking at the drawing until it invites them into a deeper level of understanding or awareness.

As a window or a portal, the Icon is a very valuable resource for someone wanting to probe new dimensions of spiritual consciousness. Let’s spend a moment with the Icon above, and let me make a couple of observations. What quickly comes to mind is the biblical story of Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus in their flight to Egypt when Herod announced the deaths of all male children of a certain age. So, the portal opens for someone who follows the thought pathway of the stressful journey. Think and pray about a fearful journey you have undertaken. Pray for those who are now on such a journey. Let your mind and your heart feel the stress of such an experience. Or, look at their faces. No smiles, no happy countenance. Individually each one feels the dangerous threat. The portal opens and invites you into prayerful meditation on the fears that drive us to run and on the comfort we have in Christ. Or, look at the donkey. Head down, moving very slowly, carrying a heavy burden. See how this works. The Icon pulls you into the story and you become a character, a player.

Sure, it takes practice to feel comfortable with this form of spirituality. But it is worth the effort.

Might I suggest, also, that any object can invite you into spiritual meditation. Trees, the mountain,
a flower, birds nesting — just about anything can issue the invitation for a grand experience of touching the Holy through the ancient practice of spiriting looking. Try it. Not just once. Try it until the portal opens and you are invited in. Like I said, well worth the effort.

Uninvited guests can be a blessing
or a bother. Sometimes it’s “O boy!” and
at other times it’s “O NO! Not you again.”

The grim guest I’m thinking of at the moment
is named “What if?” He likes to sneak up behind
me and whisper over my shoulder, “What if you
make a mistake, a really big one? What if you
suddenly speak Norwegian and nobody can
understand you? Or, what if a meteor hits you
on the head? Or…O my…what if your best friend
turns out to be a Republican/Democrat, Progressive/
Conservative, you know, one of those? What if…”

“What if?” is persistent but he’s really not a
problem. And that’s because he’s a phony,
a momentary madness. When I introduce him
to reality, to truth, he wanders off to pick on
somebody else.

But he’ll be back. He gets a little charge out
of pestering me, I guess. In the end, truth always
wins out…and faith.

“What if all this religion stuff is bogus?”
And I reply, “Let me introduce you to my friend
whose Way is Truth.” Old “What if?” shuffles off,
but no worry. My friend is always around.