Shining Spirit

When Sue and I drove up to the rental cabin in the White Mountains, I did a double-take. This little bench, announcing the name of the cabin to the world, sits just by the front door as a welcome party of one for the next guests…that’s us. I feel great pressure now living in a house on Mark Twain Drive in a lodging called “The Writing Cabin.” I must produce something more substantial than rhyming couplets. And this was supposed to be a restful holiday!

Otherwise, the weather is comfortable, the scenery is fabulous, the altitude is breath-taking, literally, but that’s not the location’s fault. All in all, this is a great get-away and we are thankful for the opportunity to see the remarkable examples of God’s creative imagination.

O Lord, how lovely is your dwelling place…

That’s it. Yes, Mr. Twain, I’m coming.

I don’t want heaven to be gates of pearl, streets lined with gold and angels’ wings flapping around everywhere. I would be very happy in this heavenly place, a spot not far from
Pinetop, Arizona. Sit back and take it all in. Shapes and textures; color combinations and contrasts; lush yet simple; a balance of plenty and scarcity. I first thought the rising land feature in the background was a nice launching pad for folks on the next flight to heaven. But, I have reconsidered. I now believe it is a landing strip for incoming heavenly beings who just want a vacation in a lovely spot. Much of the drive from Tucson into the White Mountains where Pinetop is located is through beautiful landscape like this. Of course, you don’t see it if you are focused on getting from A to B. So many of us miss the joy of the journey because we are destination focused instead of seeing amazing beauty along the way. So today, slow down, look around and up, hum a tune or sing a song, do something outrageous, laugh until your sides hurt, dance even if you don’t know how. Find your little piece of heaven. It’s probably right under your nose. Psalm 84 begins with the words: How lovely is your dwelling place. And it’s right here on US Highway 77. Who would have thought!

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.