Shining Spirit

Let me explain. These things are called trees. Say it after me: Trees. A friend called the other day and asked for our street address here in Oregon, wanting to find the location on an iphone app. I gave him the information, there was a slight pause as he entered it properly, and then he said: Oh, well. I can’t see where you are. There are too many trees in the way. So, my greeting this morning is for everyone, but especially for friends in Tucson and Oro Valley, AZ who needed the explanation because these giants do not exist in the Sonoran Desert. The desert is beautiful in its own way, and those adapted trees called Mesquites are very nice. But, oh, the amazing height of these ancient inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest. Ancient is the word, even older than my good friend, Harvey, the centenarian. Isn’t it wonderful how living things can adapt to location and climate. Living beings are remarkable creations, related and relying on each other. So, whether in Oregon or Arizona, say good morning to a tree, those hummingbirds that dart and dive at your window, to your sometimes grumpy neighbor, to mountains and oceans…you get it. All living beings. And while you’re at it, say thank you to God for all our interactions in this beautiful creation. Be blessed today, and then share the blessing.

We have such friendly neighbors. They stop by to say hello, nibble a little greenery in the yard, and pose for pictures. I am pleased to report that this is a very cordial neighborhood. I’m thankful today for my neighbors who extend themselves in kindness. I’ll bet you have good neighbors, too. As an act of grace, let them know today how much you appreciate their place in your life. And, remember…to have a good neighbor is to be a good neighbor. Be blessed today and, in turn, bless along the way.

Creation is a huge canvas on which sacred art is displayed. The meaning, the metaphor, is striking.
The first photograph is a stunning example of the earth’s ability to carve and sculpt one common thing into something extraordinary. The old, weathered, long-traveled wood is shaped into the truth, here in metaphor, that all things are beautiful in their own way. The second photograph is one friend helping another, holding him or her up, embracing in assistance and care. Look, today, for your piece of the canvas. Be aware. It is there. Be blessed and be a blessing.

Water from the rock, gushing from the side of the mountain. Living water that renews and refreshes. May we, today, be bathed in the Living Water of Life, the viable and visible presence of the Spirit who moves in and among us. Grace and peace to all. Be blessed and be a blessing.

It was a mystical walk along a short trail through a thick forest onto a secluded beach. Surely this is the place of angels. Isn’t it wonderful when, without plan or warning, you stumble into place or a moment that is enchanting? For those of you who know the Celtic term “thin place,” this is it. Hope you find one today. Keep your eyes and your heart open. It might be just around the corner. Be blessed today, and be a blessing in return. Press on.

At first glance, I thought the forest was on fire. But it was just the sun saying hello in a spectacular sunrise. And it wasn’t long before three neighbors stopped by to say hello and welcome us to Manzanita. It was a very kind gesture. I offered coffee and a pastry, but they preferred stems and leaves. We visited for about half an hour and then they disappeared into the thick brush. Wasn’t that a thoughtful gesture? Their visit made me wonder how I could be welcoming and generous today. I’m going to work on that. How about you?

Living on the Oregon coast for a few months provides so many Reasons To Rejoice. May I share some with you from day to day? Be blessed this day and be a blessing to someone else.

It might be said that each of us is a mirror reflecting the experiences that have made us who we are. What people see today is a kaleidoscope of my yesterdays. The joys, the fears, the affirmations. You and I are complex creatures who, over time, adjust and adapt into the people we are today. The question is: “Who will I be tomorrow?” And that question, perhaps rephrased into: “Who am I?” is the doorway to discovery. It’s a sacred question, a holy wondering. If and when you ask it, the light is beginning to slip through the cracks. Regardless of faith traditions, people have expressed this holy wondering for ages. Your next door neighbor, people in the Great Depression, St. Paul in the magnificent Letter To The Romans, Moses, the male and the female who emerged from a cave, looked up into a starlight night and wondered: Why? Who? Am I merely the sum of my parts, my experiences? I offer you this answer: I am made to mean something. I am not an accident. I count. And so do you. Yesterday I collected stones washed up on the beach. Each was different from the other and they all glistened in the surf. The water covering made them shine. But when they dried out, the luster was gone. It was the water that made them beautiful in their diversity and in their commonality. The water of hope, of faith, of sacred awareness brings together all the experiences of our lives. The Christian scriptures called it Living Water.
I can never escape the reality of my experience, but that reality does not identify me, nor does it guide my way. You, either. In faith, in trust, in hope we shine because the sacred surf of grace, mercy, and forgiveness has washed over us. And the stunning truth is, the shining surf is a gift to every culture, every society, every race, every identity, every human being. Even me. Even you. I am not merely a composite of yesterdays. I am a creation, using my yesterdays, that shines in Living Water and walks toward tomorrow with hope. You, too.

Reputation: the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community or the public generally.

Reputation is the star that streaks through the night,
brilliant, flamboyant, amazingly bright,
as it leaves a trail of stardust behind,
a flash and it’s gone, not the usual kind
of star that fills the evening sky.

Reputation is a judgement that others make,
opinions about decisions and actions I take.
They define me by what they hear and see,
they determine the essential, public me.
I am the product of community.

Character: the aggregate of features and traits that form the
individual nature of a person.

Character is that star that anchors the sky;
reliable, stable, not needing to fly
in a burst of brilliance, here and gone.
It’s the beautiful sounds of a classic song,
not a pop-star that fades over time.

Character is built one stone at a time,
deeds that are just, enduring, kind.
It’s not about who people think you are;
their opinions won’t carry you very far.
It’s what you think of yourself.

Two words describe the lives we live,
reputation is what the community gives,
character, on the other hand,
is the inner measure of a thoughtful man,
foundational stones put into place
by diligent effort and sacred grace.

We share this world with some truly amazing neighbors. I walked along the shoreline of this lovely lake the other day admiring the smooth, glass-like surface, the reflections of pines and oaks decked out in their autumn coats, the brilliant white bird that swooped low over the water. All the pieces of the neighborhood fit so nicely together and produced a very memorable moment. And as I ducked beneath the low hanging branches of a nearby tree, I felt those silken threads brush across my face, the unmistakable signal that you’ve just walked through a spider’s web. When that happens, I always hope no one’s at home. When I accidently wrap myself in a spider’s web, I always feel a tinge of regret. This amazing creature has spent hours, maybe days, constructing his silken home and I’ve destroyed it in a matter of seconds. And now, if the spider family is to catch another meal, they have to start all over again, thanks to my inattention to the almost invisible. The handiwork of creation is stunning, isn’t it. The colors and textures, the sounds and smells, the “in your face” obvious and the subtle, almost unnoticed delicacies are, all together, breathtaking. Can you remember the last time you were stopped in your tracks by unexpected beauty or by a sacred surprise? Experiencing grand moments is rewarding, but there is something extraordinary about a soft breeze moving the silken threads of the spider’s home. Make a memory today. Be alert and aware, attentive to the Presence that is endless and inviting. All is gift, and all is yours.