Shining Spirit

I’m having difficulty focusing on important
prayer topics for this early morning.
My mind is still sleepy,
my eyes are heavy,
and I am distracted by
back pain and a black dog.

Speaking of pain, I was surprised to
learn that my friend Jim is
in the hospital with a bad
case of pneumonia.
Need to send a card.

Prayer!  Focus!

I caught a glimpse of an early headline
as I was pouring coffee a few
minutes ago.  This ugly virus
is spreading even more rapidly.
I’m rethinking some travel.
Terrible stuff!

Drifting again!  Focus!

By the way, did you happen to see
the homeless man near the mall
yesterday?  He had the most forlorn
looking dog by his side.  How an
he feed himself and that cute dog?

There I go again!

I am determined to think of something
or someone to pray for…but, one
last thought and then I’ll really
concentrate.  Politics!  Elections!
Debates!  I’ve had it up to here!
Do you think we’ll ever figure
out how to get along?

Ok, that’s it.
Enough of these distractions.
I want to think of some important
things to prayerfully
consider.

I’ll call you later and we can talk
about these other things.

Yes, you are allowed to smile during Lent!

Go ahead…try it.

Like it or not, acknowledge it or not, believe it or not…everyone is invited to God’s abundant table.

The table is set, let the banquet begin.
Open the doors and usher them in.
The tables are bending with delicious repast,
and the wonderful moment has arrived at last.

I invited all my prosperous friends,
they promised to come to the meal and then
each one sent a note:  “Sorry, my friend,
something’s come up and I can’t attend.”

Will all this food, then, go to waste?
Not on your life!  Let’s fill this place.
Send all the servants out in the street
and have them invite everyone they meet.

The beggar, the poor, the down and out,
people that nobody cares about.
Bring them in and sit them down,
people who live in the worst part of town.

They are my guests at the banquet tonight.
Their presence here is a great delight,
for they are the ones who need this most.
So fill up the hall and let’s have a toast:

For the joy and the blessing we share this good night,
for the presence of these, often out of our sight,
our sisters and brothers who all have a place
at the festive table of mercy and grace.

Like it or not, acknowledge it or not, believe it or not…it’s true.

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.