There is a time to do cartwheels on the sand
and a time to retreat,
A time to build castles and a time
to surrender them,
A time to be bold and daring and a time
to be cautious,
A time to own the moment and a time
to lose it.
It will never look exactly like this again,
so see with your spirit,
sit in awe and
wonder.
Canvas will capture the scene,
your heart will capture the moment.
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone says to me: “I’ve tried ‘silence’ but it doesn’t work for me.” They usually go on to say something like: “Yea, my phone alarm went off, reminding me that I should take time for silence, so I put the barbells down and found a corner of the gym where I could sit on the floor and I tried to be silent for about twenty minutes. I gave up at fifteen. Doesn’t work. I think I’ll go do some situps next.”
Read the sign on the left door very carefully. I think it means ‘enter the Silence in silence’. Preparation is part of the prize.
It is frustrating and disappointing to flip the “Silence” switch and expect deep quiet to come on like a light bulb. The journey to the center of the soul starts before you sit in a Lotus position or in your prayer chair or some other special place that is conducive to reflection and meditation.
Sneak up on Silence. Tiptoe, don’t run. Enter the Silence in silence. Then, in time, you will know the joy of walking through the other door.
May it be so for you.
These pews are as hard as stone!
(It had better be a short sermon.)
This church is too cold in February
and too hot in August! Why can’t
they do something about that?
What is that moving under that bush?
Wouldn’t you think they could put up an awning!
The sun is right in my eyes.
So, where’s the organ? We can’t sing without
an organ!
I spent $175 on these shoes and I have to
walk on gravel!
But isn’t this a beautiful church!
Don’t you just love it!
(Did you bring my cushion, Sam?)
When I feel weak I look to the sacred mountain
who reminds me that for centuries he has
stood in spite of circumstances and
changes in the world’s
temperament.
When I feel regret because of life’s inevitable changes,
reflected in my body and my mind, I sit with the
sacred mountain and he points to the rocks and
boulders that have fallen away and found their
homes on the rugged slopes that drop down
into the valley below. Everything changes.
Everything.
I find great encouragement and comfort in my
conversations with the sacred mountain. Simply
sitting with him in a quiet moment often brings
clarity and perspective. It is a blessing to have
a special friend who can sort through the
rubbish and find the diamond.
Yes, it’s there.
So, I was walking around in my backyard the other day and I had
the distinct feeling that I was being watched. The yard is enclosed
by a traditional stucco wall and, given the elevation, no one could stand on
the other side and peek over. Well, maybe with a ladder.
I could find no evidence of an intruder hiding behind the roses bushes, nor
under the Anonymous Plant in the corner…strange, ugly plant.
I was alone. Until I glanced at the east wall and found the culprit.
Who invented “smiley faces?”
I told him to go away. He stayed. (Could be she)
I said: “Stop that silly smiling.” He smiled.
I warned him I was going to get a scrub brush. Didn’t phase him.
I turned my back and ignored him. He wouldn’t quit.
I gave up. He persisted.
Pretty soon I began to wonder about a smile showing up on a stucco wall,
and why here and why now
and I found myself turning up the corners of my mouth
and I thought “My Lord, I’m smiling at a wall.”
But it felt pretty good,
and I was more relaxed
and the ugly plant in the corner didn’t look so ugly anymore.
Strange and rather wonderful what a smile can do.
Don’t you think?
Be glad in the Lord always.
Let your gentleness show in your treatment
of all people.
Don’t be anxious about anything…
Then the peace of God that exceeds all
understanding will keep your hearts and minds
safe in Christ Jesus.
I have learned the secret of being content in any circumstance.
I know the experience of being in need and of
having more than enough.
I can endure all things through the power of the one
who gives me strength.
Philippians 4 Selected verses
Yesterday the clouds played games in the sky.
They swirled and rolled and tumbled.
Looked like they had a great time!
When was the last time you played a game?
So, today make time to play. Maybe it will be your
already favorite game, a new one, or one you make up.
But, do yourself a favor…set aside some amount of time
during your chores and routines and responsibilities
to play.
And, by the way, don’t feel guilty about using your
valuable time like this. You deserve some
playtime. Go for it.
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