Shining Spirit

In the cool evening breeze, they heard the Lord walking through the garden.
The perfect garden. Manicured and magnificent.
And they hid! Hid from God!
From the One who had given them life.
Because they were ashamed.
It is so sad when shame rules life,
defines reality,
controls and conquers the human spirit.
Shame is an acid that corrodes,
a malignancy that redefines
who we are
and drives us into the shadows.
But there is someone who calls us out
of hiding, out of the shadows,
out of our shame and into
the new Light of Life.
No one has to live in
shame.
It can be released,
restoration is possible.
There is an option.
His Way leads to life.
Shame leads to spiritual death.
There is an option.
His name is Jesus.

Today I need not to think of these
pandemic days as depravation
and empty time…

Today I need not to hope for my
side to win at the expense of
the other side…

Today I need not to think in terms
of them versus us…

Today I need not to let my mind
be filled with name-calling,
resentment and anger…

And there is only one way to
make all of this happen…

Today I need to let my mind
remember ancient words that
invite me into a different world…
“focus your thoughts on all that is true,
all that is holy, all that is just, and all
that is pure, all that is lovely, and all
that is worthy of praise. Think on
these things…”

Life-giving advice.

I heard the song, beautiful song,
so I stood with them and
sang to the mountain.
It was a happy song,
like one would sing at a
grand celebration.

The saguaro choir sang of
beauty – “How lovely your white
winter coat”, hospitality – “you
welcome us to explore and discover.”
The song echoed through canyons
and along narrow trails.
Big horn sheep lifted their heads
from the sweet mountain grass,
a ground animal started toward
his burrow under a large stone,
but stopped, sat upright,
and listened.

The saguaro serenade, a magical melody
of gratitude, covered the mountain
like the soft blanket in the newborn’s crib.
Please, never let this end.
Let this song of songs bless the mountain,
then ride strong currents of wind,
stopping at each star, filling the universe
with the joy of gratitude.

Would you like to sing, too?
Stand here, just beside me.
Feel your heart open as our song rises
to the summit of Mystery.
Lift your arms,
embrace the Eternal.
For this we were made.

“…if anything is excellent, if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is holy, all that is just and all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, or heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.”

“Be glad in the Lord always. Again, I say be glad!…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”

“…but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and I press on for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus. So all of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, and if anyone thinks differently, God will reveal it to him or her. Only let’s live in a way that is consistent with whatever level we have reached.”

“,,,do everything without grumbling and arguing…among these people you shine like stars in the world, because you hold onto the word of life.”

“…don’t do anything from selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.”

Words that can change the world!

On your walk through this day, stop for a moment and admire the golden colors on the small shrubs.

Feel the texture of the large wet stone. Is that frost on your hand?

Wish for the pine tree a good and peaceful day.

Do you see your reflection in the little pond? That’s you looking back at you.
Give yourself a big hug. No one is looking.

The mist over the pond and moving through the trees has come to greet you.
Good morning, soft and beautiful mist.

Follow the way. It’s tempting to stay in this lovely place. But, guess what
awaits you farther along the Way.

Now, repeat after me….”This is the day the Lord has made…”

Words on a page?
No. Light for a journey.

Irrelevant?
No. Irresistible.

Out of date?
No. Read behind the words.

Comfort and Encouragement?
Yes. Without question.

Lifegiving?
Not unless you read it.

There’s a story being told all over town.
Have you heard it? It’s making the rounds.
Remember the deaf man who sits at the gate.
the one who holds out that nasty plate,
begging for coins or food?

They say he hears now, as well as I do,
and it’s all because this Jesus came through,
observed the poor man’s unfortunate state,
walked over to him, took his plate
and shattered it on the ground.

Then standing before the Nazareth man,
the beggar felt his gentle hands
as a hush fell over the gathered crowd
and, never speaking a word aloud,
Jesus opened his life to sound.

He restored his hearing, set him free
to hear a song, listen with glee
to children at play, a bluebird sing,
the voices of friends, so many things
he had never heard before.

The crowd was amazed, and I was, too,
but I remember now, there were a few
who frowned and scowled as they walked away,
these Temple leaders had nothing to say
about the deaf man’s miracle day.

As this day begins,
this unmerited gift of Grace,
may you be drawn ever closer to
the Christ within your being, and may he
guide you through the hours,
comfort you in any sadness,
protect you from all harm,
speak to your heart’s longing,
remind you that you are loved,
share your laughter and joy,
open your spirit to the mystery of awe,
and tell you again that you
are wonderfully made —
spoken into life by the God
who knows your name.
Amen

Maggie never liked thunderstorms.
At the first hint of thunder,
before my human ears could hear it,
she would start looking for a place to hide.
This was one of her favorite spots.

The thunder in my brain right now is
pretty intense. The Pandemic is still
out of control. Terrorists threaten
again…here, in our own nation.
Unbelievable, but true.

Just like Maggie, I have found my
comfort retreat, and I recommend it to you.
“Praise be to the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles…”
(2 Corinthians 1:3)

Drawing closer to Christ through
acts of praise or study or acts of
compassionate care will provide
the comfort and the sense of
stability we need in these uncertain times.

The choice is ours: We can hide in our
fear or we can go deeper in our faith.
It’s our choice.

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

I will not be afraid.

Therefore, we will not fear,
though the earth should change.

I will not lose hope.

Though the mountains shake
in the heart of the sea.

I will live with courage.

Though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble
with its tumult.

I will not lose hope.

Let love be genuine, hate what is evil,
hold fast to what is good…Rejoice in
hope, be patient in suffering, persevere
in prayer…If it is possible, so far as
it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

I will hope.