Shining Spirit

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,
not for a month or a week or a day,
it’s a life-long commitment to bear his name:
part-time players are out of the game.

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
I think this turn of phrase has gone a bit too far.
There is no glamor, no personal fame
because war and hell are exactly the same.

Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
taking him at his word to bring
peace on earth, goodwill to men,
a chance to start all over again.

O God, our help in ages past,
how long, good Lord, will evil last,
the kind that tears apart our land,
condemns each woman, child and man
to suffer the pain of power and greed,
that refuses to speak to human need.
O God, our hope for years to come,
must we live on evil’s crumbs.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
So why do you whimper, complain and whine?
If Jesus really belongs to you,
should not that determine what you say or do?

Just some thoughts for your meditation today.
Receive the blessing, then become the blessing.

Musthftuyadnsdayurwedoynoadsensudyaesryadduraysaiadrya. Do you agree?

Once in a while I will have a day that defies logic, reason, and common sense. The state of the day is Confusion with a capital C. Less common than the bad day is the bad week, like the one above. That long string of confusion is the names of all the days of the week with their letters rearranged. And that’s the way some days and weeks feel. This level of confusion creates fear, anger, frustration. Just the things that want to take over and take you over the hill. So the question is: when this level of confusion and frustration appears, what can I do? Answers to the question come from all directions, lots of self-help books on lots of shelves. But I offer this answer from the perspective of Christ’s Way. One word: Jesus.

Just saying that name opens a door beyond which is the peace that passes all understanding. The old hymn says: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name. So, the next time you feel like your day or your week looks and feels like that first line above, share the load, renew both yourself and the moment, recognize that right by your side is a spiritual power capable of bringing order out of chaos and peace out of confusion. He waits to be invited. It’s true: there’s just something about that name.

“This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
(Psalm 118)

This is the particular moment the
Lord has made for you; use it
wisely for the good of all.

This is the time to speak for justice
and mercy…raise your voice; be heard.

This is a time in history for which you
were born; find a need and fill it.

That was your moment, the one
that just passed. You missed it.
But here comes another one.
You have something special to
offer, gifts to share; give
yourself away in gratitude because:

This is the day the Lord has made:
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(And, we will make a difference
in the name of The One who
sent us.)

Amen!

Have you ever seen light? Not the reflection of light, but light itself? Pure light? Well, the answer is “yes” but only when that light allows you to see. Only when the constant, ever present light is reflected off something. You and I, according to Mark Nepo in his wonderful book “The Book of Awakening,” are constantly surrounded by light, but it is invisible until it touches or strikes something. The beauty of the flower is seen when light strikes it just the right way. And so it is with God. We are surrounded by and immersed in God but God becomes “seeable” when Presence and Love/Compassion come together. In that act of generosity, of sharing, or caring for someone who has great need…in 1,000 ways, when love is given, the Light comes on and there is God.

Look today at all the faces that pass by, the ones you see everyday. Today, though, offer help, be generous, give a compliment, praise a job well done…and watch the light come on. You’ve just opened a doorway and God is present.

May it be so for you today. Amen.

He said, “Sit down,” like a teacher
to his students. The ground was rocky
and uncomfortable and my full weight
on a sharp stone caused me to grunt
or make some guttural sound. He
turned his face to me, inquisitive at
first but quickly inviting. Then he
spoke. In some way I cannot explain,
his voice warmed the earth, replaced
all the jagged stones with soft blankets.
He captured time. His words filled the
evening air with magic and mystery,
my soul with beautiful confusion.

Words. Just words. But to this day
I can hear that voice like a song that
won’t go away. I hear him as I work
in the field or sit at my table at home.
He haunts my heart like no other
teacher I’ve known…and with such
simple stories. “Once there was a
man who had two sons…”

No wonder people call him
Rabbi. Such stories! Such
a man!

Even if dark clouds come floating by, they won’t stay.
Even if you are not aware of the sun shining,
it is.
Even if you wonder whether you are loved,
you are.
Even if you think you can’t,
you can.
“I can do all things through Christ,
who strengthens me”
You don’t belong to yourself;
you belong to God.

My grandfather sold men’s clothing in a very nice downtown Dallas establishment. And, believe me, he was a sharp dresser. He knew how to match a tie to a suit or which shirt looked best with a double-breasted sport coat. In fact, once a month the clothing store put on a little fashion show to highlight the latest merchandise, and Grandfather was a model in the show. He was dapper and he loved to show it.

I started my business career at the same Dallas store, but unlike Grandfather who was selling clothes on the first floor, I was in the basement, in a stock room, counting, sorting, and making sure the salesmen got all the correct items they needed. Not very glamorous, but necessary.

I don’t remember any Gospel verses that describe Jesus as a man of style, or any that tell us he was concerned about or conscious of how he looked. On the other hand, I recall more than one mention of how the religious leaders, the Pharisees, loved to look good in front of people. Appearance mattered to them, even if they had to fake it. And this was especially true about their religious appearance; “holier than thou” might have been their mantra. Well, they might have looked good on the outside, but they failed the inside test. And Jesus never let them off the hook: Be what you say your are. Show us how much you care, don’t just tell us. Roll up those embroidered sleeves and get your hands dirty.

That language, that approach to faith, hasn’t changed over the centuries. He’s still saying the same thing, except now it’s to us. Don’t wear your religion, weave it into every aspect of your life. Jesus could spot a phony a mile away…still can. It occurs to me that Appearance + Action = Authentic. Well, look at me! I’m a formula creator! Never mind.

As this day begins to unfold, to
gain life and breath as a living entity,
I bring the beat of my heart to you as
an act of my gratefulness, the breath
that sustains me, the magnificent mystery
of the human mind. I bring my whole
self and I lift my hands in praise for
the sleep and rest of the night, the dawning
day with its challenges and possibilities,
for the promise of your presence, and for
the certainty that in my trust and unknowing,
I will know you. My soul is in your hands,
my life makes sense, this day and every other,
only as I share it with you. You lead, Christ of Life,
and I will follow with song and rejoicing. Amen.

The author of God’s Little Devotional Book tells a wonderful story about the Argentine professional golfer Roberto de Vincenzo, a name I remember from long ago on a TV show called Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. Memory lane seems to be one of my best walking paths.

de Vincenzo had just won a golf tournament, received a substantial winner’s check and was loading his clubs into his car in the parking lot when he was approached by a young woman who told him that her young daughter was seriously ill and that if the child did not receive an operation, she would die. Without hesitating, the golfer pulled a pen out of his pocket, endorsed the winner’s check over to the woman, and placed it in her hand. Her smile was beautiful as she turned and walked away.

A couple of days later, one of de Vincenzo’s friends, having heard about Roberto’s amazing generosity, called him on the phone and said: “What did you do? The woman who took your money is a fraud. There is no sick child.” The caller waited through a silent moment, waited for de Vincenzo’s eruption of anger, and he almost dropped the phone when he heard these words: “That’s the best news I heard in a long time.”

How you and I hear that story and respond to it says a lot about both of us. What if I gain everything and lose my soul? Generosity requires risk. Yes, Jesus. I hear you.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of unhappy news, but…are you sitting down?…churches are not perfect. Take a deep breath. The reason? They are made up of people, folks like you and me. Come to think of it, friendships aren’t perfect, either. Marriages? Book clubs? HOA Boards!!? This tells me several things, and this is the “something to think about” part: you will wear out the tires on your car before you find the perfect neighborhood; it’s hard to see the speck in your neighbor’s eye when you have a log in your own; the little phrase in the Book of Hebrews is right…”be satisfied with what you have”. Trust me, just because it’s new and shiny doesn’t mean it’s better. Chasing perfection is exhausting, a waste of time, and usually expensive. There is another helpful saying that sums it up: The grass may look greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed. Just something to think about as we search for perfection in people, places and things. Afterthought: There was a man who lived a long time ago, a man who sought perfection but found truth instead. In a letter to his friends, Paul thought back over his former way of living and his present situation, then concluded: “I’ve learned how to be content with whatever I have.” He began to look at life through grateful eyes, and he did that because he came to the fundamental principle that applies to us all: I’m not perfect; therefore, how can I demand perfection of others? Then he topped off the letter by saying: Even so, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Not of myself…only through Him. Got it?