2009 and 2010 and 2011

Krista Tippett Interview - Kevin Kling

2012-02-10T02:37:00.001-05:00

Will anybody see this?

2012-02-05T06:15:00.002-05:00

I say that I post these for myself and this is partially true but I must admit that it would be nice if there was some evidence that someone else cared about what I post to this site...feeling sorry for myself again. I know that most of those who might have read these postings are now spending all of their time on Facebook and Twitter. That's alright. I will continue to post thoughts and other things that I value on my blogs.

An Idea

2012-01-30T18:48:00.000-05:00

A small mind will stay fixed on one idea even unto death.

What is worship?

2012-01-08T18:28:00.000-05:00

Is it as you say?
Is it as I say?
What is worship?
Is it flashy?
Is it quiet?
Is it all together
or is it all alone?
What is worship?

A New Day

2012-01-01T06:37:00.000-05:00

January 1, 2012

Happy new day, Richard.

You can start again this morning.

You can start again right now.

Update of an old Christmas Carol

2011-12-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

Christmas has finally come
And the goose will get no thinner.
We had no penny to put in the old man's hat
So we invited him to dinner

An advent thought.

2011-12-22T08:59:00.000-05:00

It is usually the unexpected events that bring me the most joy, when I see the first blossom on my pea plants, when that single blossom is joined by a multitude of blossoms, when the blossoms turn into beautiful pods that will mature and make food for me. - I expect this all to happen and I get impatient for it to happen in my time and then I realize that it will do what it is going to do in its own time. I will watch and wait and I will rejoice when it all comes to fruition.

Agreed?

2011-12-14T17:33:00.002-05:00

You do not have to agree with me in the least to be my friend.

EXPECTATIONS

2011-12-12T05:16:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for meaningful things to do?
What kind of experiences are you looking for?
Are you looking for the right things?
Are you looking in the right place?

Unexpected Joy

2011-12-05T19:41:00.000-05:00

I got all dressed up in my formal wear and sang Handel's Messiah with a rather large choir and orchestra. It was and unexpectedly exciting and joyful experience for me. It seems that our performance moved the audience to stand and cheer when we finished. I can certainly see why performers are willing to put themselves in front of the public. The pay off is great when it happens.

Seven days into advent

2011-12-03T09:23:00.001-05:00

Sometimes your expectations are too high. Wait Richard. Savor each moment until the moment arrives. Listen quietly. You might be surprised by what you hear.

Affirmation

2011-11-17T04:05:00.001-05:00

God is good.

A Quotation from Dina Craik

2011-11-12T01:23:00.001-05:00

Oh the comfort, the inexplicable comfort of feeling safewith a person-having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouringthem all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that afaithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and then witha breath of kindness blow the rest away.

another Playing for Change video

2011-11-03T09:23:00.001-04:00

more from the desert

2011-10-30T04:14:00.000-04:00

A hermit said to a brother, "Do not measure yourself against your brother, saying that you are more serious or more chaste or more understanding than he is. But be obedient to the grace of God, in the spirit of poverty, and in love unfeigned. The efforts of a man swollen with vanity are futile. It is written, 'Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall' (I Corinthians 10:12); 'let your speech be seasoned with salt' (Colossians 4:6) and so you will be dependent on Christ."

from Saint Augustine

2011-10-30T04:05:00.002-04:00

God is not what you imagine or what you think you understand. If you understand, you have failed.

Oh boy and girl...........

2011-10-18T13:45:00.002-04:00

I can't get past Abraham Lincoln's quotation

A Lincoln Quotation

2011-10-15T13:44:00.000-04:00

I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.
- Abraham Lincoln

A Bit of Wisdom from the Dessert

2011-10-14T04:25:00.001-04:00

A hermit said, "When you flee from the company of other people, or when you despise the world and worldlings, take care to do so as if it were you who was being idiotic."

Praying a Public Prayer

2011-09-23T07:37:00.001-04:00

Am I praying to the audience or am I praying to God on the audience's behalf? If I am only praying to the audience, my prayer becomes a sermon and then is no longer a prayer.

The Question Is...

2011-09-22T04:25:00.002-04:00

Mercy or Justice? Do any of us really want to receive what we deserve? My God is a merciful God and if justice is to be served, it will be served when I can be as merciful to others as God is to me.

An Important Discussion

2011-09-11T17:36:00.000-04:00

a quotation from Sydney J. Harris

2011-09-11T14:06:00.000-04:00

The three hardest tasks in the world are neither physical feats nor intellectual achievements, but moral acts: to return love for hate, to include the excluded, and to say, "I was wrong".
-Sydney J. Harris

A wonderful video from Playing for Change

2011-09-08T13:30:00.002-04:00

Shared Toil

2011-09-07T12:52:00.000-04:00

One man could not do it all. One man could not own all of the equipment needed. The other farmers needed to know that we would help them and we needed to know that they would help us. When this worked we would share manpower and resources. This worked to the benefit of all concerned.

A beautifully challenging Video

2011-09-07T11:10:00.000-04:00

LET GO

2011-09-05T05:10:00.000-04:00

Take just one breath at a time

2011-08-28T05:53:00.000-04:00

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Romans 8:26-27

2011-08-28T01:45:00.000-04:00

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

-from New Revised Standard Version

Difference in Courage and Strength

2011-08-27T14:17:00.001-04:00

It takes strength to be firm,
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard,
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer,
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain,
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in,
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain,
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains,
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse,
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone,
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love,
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive,

You Say - God says

2011-08-26T06:44:00.003-04:00

You say: It's Impossible
God says: All things are possible - Luke 18:27
You say: I'm too tired
God says: I will give you rest - Matthew 11:28-30
You say: Nobody really loves me
God says: I love you - John 3:16
You say: I can't go on
God says: My grace is sufficient - II Corinthians 12:9
You say: I can't figure things out
God says: I will direct your steps - Proverbs 3:5-6
You say: I'm afraid
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear - II Timothy 1:7
You say: I’m not smart enough
God says: I give you wisdom - I Corinthians 1:30
- Author Unknown

judgement day

2011-08-23T10:29:00.001-04:00

As wet sand clenched empty illusions of security

tightly in one’s fist no passion for adventure

ends up on the ground safety in empty places

nothing much left nothing grew

Fear of losing all because we didn’t dare

grasping tightly put the seed to ground

left with nothing

hidden treasures

never shared

Maybe...

2011-08-23T05:58:00.001-04:00

Maybe you don't need God but I do.
I can't seem to be who I need to be without God.
I must diminish so that others can shine.
and as I diminish I will begin to shine

An early poem of Carl Sandburg's

2011-08-22T20:43:00.000-04:00

"Take up your cross and go the thorn way.

If a sponge of vinegar is passed you on the end of a spear,

take that , too!

Souls are woven of endurance

God knows!"

HUMILITY

2011-08-18T13:35:00.002-04:00

I become a more humble person when I lose myself in the act of creating, be it in my garden or in front of my word processor. The creative process gives me somewhere to go to get away from myself. This is very important. This is prayer. This is life at its best.

QUESTION

2011-08-17T12:47:00.000-04:00

When is enough enough?

Hospitality

2011-08-14T06:30:00.000-04:00

Inviting others into one's space is an age old blessing that each of us can share with others. "I" and "you" becomes "WE".

What Is Success?

2011-08-06T12:32:00.001-04:00

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;

Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than he found it,
Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;
Whose life was an inspiration;
Whose memory a benediction.

Bessie Anderson Stanley 1904

An Opening Prayer

2011-08-02T00:24:00.000-04:00

God our creator, we thank you for bringing us safely to this place today. We pray that as we grow more aware of your presence with us that we will be drawn closer to each other just as we are drawn closer to you. Amen.

CREDO

2011-07-08T15:37:00.001-04:00

I believe that the seed of good and evil resides in each of us.
I believe that each of us is capable of committing acts of good and evil depending on which seeds we nourish. It is for us to choose.
I must work diligently to identify the acts of violence that I participate in knowingly or unknowingly and take action to make things right with the victims of said violence.
I believe that I should not stand in judgment of anyone.
I must never believe that violence can serve righteousness.
I must never believe that I am incapable of violence.
I must never believe that good is good if it is only for me and mine.
I believe that I will know peace only when I find it at the center of my being.
I believe that I will be an effective peacemaker in the world only to the degree that I know the peace that is at my center.
I believe in silliness.
I believe in taking “ME” lightly.
I believe in the spirit of play that is holy.
I believe in the holy human spirit.

I believe that this is the spirit of “LIFE”.

pax

Credo Codicil

2011-07-08T02:39:00.000-04:00

I must be willing to insert myself into a situation when it is necessary. I can not wait for others to include me in their plans. I will never be chosen for the team if I wait for others to choose me. If I want to be a part of it, I will have to make it a place for me.

A Wise Man's Epitaph

2011-06-23T09:52:00.001-04:00

What I gave away, I have.
What I spent, I had.
What I kept, I lost.

The Small Group

2011-06-21T14:40:00.001-04:00

There are five or six members of our small group. We know each other well enough that we can dare to be real. We read and discuss books. We read and probe the scriptures. Each of us is allowed to bring our own filters to the discussion. We are very supportive of each other in our discussions and in our prayers for each other and for the world. Jesus tells us that when two or three of us gather in his name, he is there. Our small group has proved that over and over.

Philippians 4:2-9

2011-05-02T05:38:00.001-04:00

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

A Flood Parable retold by Richard Burton

2011-04-27T05:14:00.002-04:00

The river near my house was flooding and the water was getting closer and closer to my house. The emergency team came by the house and suggested that I should leave and get to a safe shelter. I knew that my God was going to take care of me so I did not leave. The water got closer and closer and deeper and deeper and finally drove me to the second floor of my house. I was so certain that my God would save me, that I refused help from the boat that was sent to take me to safety. The water continued to rise until I had to go up on the roof. I was praying for my God’s assistance when another boat came by with an offer to take me to safety. I was still sure that my God would save me from the raging flood so again I turned them down. I waited for my God’s assistance as the water continued to rise, driving me to the very top of the roof. And now I was in a panic. “God, are you going to help me or am I bound to go down in this flood?” I cried out.

And God replied, “I have been sending you assistance all along. You could have walked out of here to safety if you had followed the advice of my messengers. I also sent two boats to rescue you and you turned them down. Do not tell me that I haven’t responded to your prayers. I have and you have refused to take advantage of the help that I sent.” ¹

1. What little I know of God, I know through God’s people and how God’s people relate the WORD to the world and to me. I tend to overlook God’s people and what they have to offer me if I am looking only for showy and dramatic interventions in my life. - While this story did not actually happen to me, I have experienced the truth that it illustrates.

Easter Proclamation

2011-04-24T04:08:00.000-04:00

Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed.

Easter has come.
The tomb is empty.
Death has been conquered.
Fear has been banished.
Our hearts are filled with joy.

Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed.

SQUANDERED

2011-04-11T02:00:00.003-04:00

- a tragedy

- so much beautiful potential

- thrown away
- unrealized because we settled for mediocrity
- easy trumps beautiful?
- usually

God Will Provide

2011-04-09T05:19:00.000-04:00

I was praying fervently for the well being of a young couple and their young son. I was praying that God would provide for their needs. After awhile I calmed down and listened for the answer and what I received from God was the call to minister to them. I was to be the answer to my prayers for them. I was able to give them the money that they need for him to buy the equipment that he needed to start his small business. When we pray for others, we must stop long enough to hear if God is leading us to be the answer to our prayers.

Gratitude

2011-03-27T04:46:00.000-04:00

Take nothing for granted. Know that everything you treasure can be taken from you. Enjoy what you have been given and don't be afraid to share it with others. Remember that you are not where you are simply on the strength of your own endeavors. You have had help from the moment of conception to the present moment. Acknowledge this help and give thanks for it. Look for opportunities to help others just as you have been helped.

The Choice

2011-03-23T08:15:00.003-04:00

There are those who have much.
Of those who have much, much is required.
There are those who have little.
Often those who have little are more appreciative of what they have
and more willing to share it.

the choice?
GRATITUDE

Giving Up For Lent

2011-03-15T21:51:00.002-04:00

We who call ourselves Christians are invited to give up something during the season of Lent. Where is the sacrifice if I get to choose what I am going to give up? Am I not still in control? The real sacrifice comes when giving something up is forced on me by life. Then God is in control and I can decide only how I am going to respond. Am I going to respond with joy or with dread?

Let go of the need to give up and let God use you as God will.

I'll Be Back...

2011-02-21T05:52:00.002-05:00

When I Take Myself Too Seriously

2011-02-17T08:09:00.000-05:00

When I take myself too seriously, I become weighted down with all of the seriousness and I sink and sink and sink until I realize that I must let go. When I let go, I begin to rise again.

from Thomas Merton

2011-02-08T10:19:00.001-05:00

What I am saying is this: the score is not what matters. Life does not have to be regarded as a game in which scores are kept and somebody wins. If you are too intent on winning, you will never enjoy playing. If you are too obsessed with success, you will forget to live. If you have learned only how to be a success, your life has probably been wasted.

Thomas Merton. Love and Living. (New York: Harcourt) p. 12

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seed that you plant"

-Robert Louis Stevenson

I Wonder

2011-01-10T14:16:00.001-05:00

I wonder what would happen if we all quit taking advantage of those with less power than we have?

What would happen if we could let go of just a little of the need for control that we so strongly cling to?
Am I all that matters? Does the world revolve solely around me and the meeting of my needs?

I wonder?
--

The Holy Human Spirit

2011-01-01T01:51:00.001-05:00

Today I find myself more attuned to the “refuge” that is close at hand, the “refuge” that is deep within my being. I have discovered the inherent worth of my life. It is important to remember that that value does not depend on anything that I do. Remembering this frees me up to DO the things that I do with greater ease and with more peace. There is nothing to prove. There is nothing to gain. Life is already accomplished and I am free to live it to the fullest.

Folk Tales From the Russian: Baba Yaga

2010-12-23T08:10:00.000-05:00

Folk Tales From the Russian: Baba Yaga

I remembered reading variations of these stories when I was younger.

The Cortland Review - An Online Literary Magazine in streaming audio

2010-12-23T08:03:00.000-05:00

The Cortland Review - An Online Literary Magazine in streaming audio Publish Post

A great site for people who enjoy good literaature.

Advent Highlight

2010-12-21T18:53:00.000-05:00

I was at the farm very early one morning several weeks ago putting feed out for the cattle who would be coming to be milked. It was dark and mostly silent. I was enjoying the solitude when it was interrupted by the sound of a calf calling for its mama. This was a wonderfully unexpected event to experience during this advent season. I felt connected to the shepherds visited by the angels so many years before. “I am taking care of these animals and I too will soon be visited by the Herald Angels. Glory to God in the highest.”

A Very Nice Web Site

2010-12-21T00:12:00.002-05:00

never mind.

The Weather

2010-12-05T03:12:00.003-05:00

The weather is what one talks about when one has nothing more to say.

Notes To Myself

2010-11-30T13:15:00.002-05:00

Self, please be careful with how you spend your money.

Sometimes it is important to go through difficult times in order to see one's life as it really is.

Today is the last day of the first of your life. Get ready for a change.

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-11-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

1. Thanks-thinking
2. Thanks-giving
3. Thanks-living

I have so much to be thankful for. I must stop every so often and think about these things. When I have realized the gifts that I have received, I must give expression to the gratitude that I have to those who have given me the gifts. As my sense of gratitude grows greater, I must share these gifts with others.

To Rabindranath Tagore's Prayer

2010-11-15T00:54:00.004-05:00

Let me not pray...

Wisdom from the Past

2010-11-15T00:35:00.001-05:00

Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. But if God be among us, we must at times give up our opinions for the blessings of peace.

Furthermore, who is so wise that he can have full knowledge of everything?

Do not trust too much in your own opinions, but be willing to listen to those of others.

If, though your own be good, you accept another's opinion for love of God, you will gain much more merit; for I have often heard that it is safer to listen to advice and take it than to give it.

It may happen, too, that while one's own opinion may be good, refusal to agree with others when reason and occasion demand it, is a sign of pride and obstinacy.

-Thomas à Kempis

Thoughts Inspired by my Garden

2010-11-13T06:58:00.000-05:00

I have a beautiful little vegetable garden growing right now. The collards are growing beautifully and should have some leaves of eating size before much longer. The carrots that I seeded a month ago are being so slow about growing. I am getting impatient with them though I know that carrots are naturally slow growers. I am probably not giving them enough water either. The beets and the chard are doing well but are still quite small, just seedling stage.

I have not been writing or reading much poetry lately.

Maybe “spiritual” does not lend itself to words.

Silence

– hearing the still small voice

– the public pulling in every direction

– Retreat Richard. Retreat.

Do not waste your energy mourning your losses.

Use that energy to celebrate the life that you have and all of the gifts that remain.

Meditation of Gratefulness

2010-11-12T06:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday

2010-11-09T06:46:00.000-05:00

A cool day
but sunny

nice day
to be
outside

finding something to do
or sitting still
enjoying life.

My Creed

2010-11-08T10:14:00.000-05:00

I believe that the seed of good and evil resides in each of us.
I believe that each of us is capable of committing acts of good and evil depending on which seeds we nourish. It is for us to choose.
I must work diligently to identify the acts of violence that I participate in knowingly or unknowingly and take action to make things right with the victims of said violence.
I believe that I should not stand in judgment of anyone.
I must never believe that violence can serve righteousness.
I must never believe that I am incapable of violence.
I must never believe that good is good if it is only for me and mine.
I believe that I will know peace only when I find it at the center of my being.
I believe that I will be an effective peacemaker in the world only to the degree that I know the peace that is at my center.
I believe in silliness.
I believe in taking “ME” lightly.
I believe in the spirit of play that is holy.
I believe in the holy human spirit.

I believe that this is the spirit of “LIFE”.

pax

Which Way

2010-10-20T07:50:00.000-04:00

"We have places of fear inside of us, but we have other places as well - places with names like trust and hope and faith. We can choose to lead from one of those places, to stand on ground that is not riddled with the fault lines of fear, to move toward others from a place of promise instead of anxiety."

-Parker Palmer

At Summer's End

2010-09-14T17:37:00.000-04:00

Summer will soon be over. This summer a lot happened to me and because of me to others. All of that is now over and after a time of rest, recuperation, and relaxation, we will see what we can get into. I was visited by an angel who had no wings, harp, or halo. As he visited with me, it became clear to me that God was letting me know that I was and am forgiven. Thank you God.

Amazing Grace

Nobody Reads My Blog

2010-09-01T02:16:00.001-04:00

How many of the blogs that I claim to follow do I actually read? Only a few everyday. It would take twenty-four hours straight to read every word in every blog. I scan them and read what seems relevant to my needs at the time.

I don't know who reads my blog. I know that not every post is inspiring. I know that not everyone who reads them would become a follower. It doesn't really matter because I enjoy posting them and that is worth as much as anything.

Wisdom or Folly?

2010-08-12T17:18:00.000-04:00

Be careful what you wish for. You might get it and sometimes what you think you want doesn't feel so comfortable when you get it.

a beautiful concert

2010-08-11T18:21:00.001-04:00

--
PAX PAX PAX

roller coaster ride

2010-08-06T16:50:00.001-04:00

slowly up the incline

gradually to the top

and then and then

it seems to be straight down

and then we hit bottom

and

start around a treacherous curve

no chance of catching our breath

as we speed back up another hill

full of twists and turns

up and down

adventure at every turn

no tension and then you will enjoy the ride
--
- PAX -

A Picture

2010-07-19T19:47:00.000-04:00

My cat amongst the mess in the room that I call office.

One second at the time

2010-07-05T06:29:00.000-04:00

Any more than that is looking entirely too far into the future...

What do we do now?

2010-07-03T21:59:00.000-04:00

^{John 13:34-35}
³⁴I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

What Do We Do Now?

2010-07-03T20:03:00.000-04:00

What do we do between the time that needs arise and the time that programs designed to meet these needs begin to function?

Who is in charge?

2010-06-26T05:22:00.000-04:00

As we argue, fuss, and fight, over matters of little consequence we must stop to remember who we are and we must stop and remember who is in charge? No institution of human invention is going to be all that it should be, not even the body of Christ we call church.

This I Believe

2010-06-22T12:25:00.001-04:00

1. I believe that the seed of good and evil resides in each of us.
2. I believe that each of us is capable of committing acts of good and evil depending on which seeds we nourish. It is for us to choose.
3. I must work diligently to identify the acts of violence that I participate in knowingly or unknowingly and take action to make things right with the victims of said violence.
4. I believe that I should not stand in judgment of anyone.
5. I must never believe that violence can serve righteousness.
6. I must never believe that I am incapable of violence.
7. I must never believe that good is good if it is only for me and mine.
8. I believe that I will know peace only when I find it at the center of my being.
9. I believe that I will be an effective peacemaker in the world only to the degree that I know the peace that is at my center.
10. I believe in silliness.
11. I believe in taking “ME” lightly.
12. I believe in the spirit of play that is holy.
13. I believe in the holy human spirit that is one with God.

I believe that this is the spirit of “LIFE”.

pax

Written 1st part of last century

2010-06-22T12:22:00.001-04:00

So bountiful hath been the earth and so securely have we drawn from it our substance, that we have taken it all for granted as if it were only a gift, and with little care or conscious thought of the consequences of our use of it; nor have we very much considered the essential relation that we bear to it as living parts in the vast creation.
-Liberty Hyde Bailey

Old Saw?

2010-06-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

Today is the last day of the first part of your life.
Enjoy it and then get ready for what comes next.

More Wisdom

2010-06-22T11:35:00.000-04:00

Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.
-Isak Dinesen

A New Revelation

2010-06-18T08:45:00.000-04:00

So many times life does not turn out as I had planned. Usually it turns out better. When I try to control my life, nothing that happens seems to satisfy me. Only when I let go and live with the life that I am given do I feel satisfied and at peace.

Wisdom for this Day.

2010-06-08T11:38:00.001-04:00

If you always look for snakes, you will sooner or later find them. If you feed your soul on nothing but the evil of this world, your soul will die and fear will have killed it.

Why do the Judeo-Christian scriptures take so much space to encourage us to live without fear?

Doubting

2010-06-05T04:32:00.000-04:00

When things don't seem to be going as you planned, know that events are in the hands of one who sees the big picture and the smallest details. God will see you through.

2010-06-01T11:09:00.000-04:00

No one seems to be able to see the correctnesss of what I am doing. I am not sure that I do but until I have a clear indication to do otherwise, I will continue doing what I am doing. - I must be true to who I am and that is all there is to it. It doesn't seem to matter whether any one agrees or not.

We couldn't say no...

2010-05-27T11:38:00.000-04:00

We could not say "no"
And now we must.
BUT
Is it all too large to fail?
What will the impact be?

Doing The Right Thing

2010-05-25T08:39:00.000-04:00

Doing the right thing is not always easy but it is made easier when it is the right thing to do.

2010-05-19T07:54:00.000-04:00

I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.
—from "Poetry" by Pablo Neruda

ups and downs, twists and turns

2010-05-17T05:17:00.001-04:00

roller coaster ride
relax and enjoy the trip
up down all around
adventures unlimited

Tough Times

2010-05-07T15:56:00.001-04:00

We are all going through tough times. It will serve us well to remember that the Lotus Blossom, as beautiful as it is, grows only in muck and mud. One will never find the Lotus Blossom growing in beautiful Granite or Marble. We must know suffering and hardship if we are to know joy and peace.
(The words are mine. The thought comes from Thich Nhat Hanh, a wise and wonderful teacher.)

Matthew 25:34-40

2010-05-05T05:36:00.000-04:00

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Taking Risk

2010-04-30T06:07:00.000-04:00

Here is the choice: I have a small hand full of seed. Do I eat the seed now or do I sow it in the hopes of having much seed later on? Every time we plant a plant or sow a seed, we are participating in a act of hope that is inherently risky. This is the way life is. This is faith. We sow the seed, believing that the harvest will come.

Maybe it would be wise to save some of the seed for sowing so we can have more food but we should satisfy the NEEDS of the present moment before considering what to do with the remainder of the seed. Plant them. Seed will not remain usable forever. Put them in the ground and risk crop failure.

I Wonder...

2010-04-27T06:38:00.000-04:00

I do not know why I have been given the life that I have been given. I just know that I have been given this life and I must be a good steward of it.- It is so easy for us to live our lives believing that our lives are not worth much when the truth of the matter is that we do not know and maybe shouldn't know what kind of impact our lives have on others. I must not have an overly inflated opinion of myself nor should I sell myself short.

PAX

2010-04-24T05:03:00.001-04:00

--
PAX

Comfort in Times of Trouble

2010-04-20T05:46:00.001-04:00

"The lovely lotus blossom
does not grow on
beautiful granite or
any other beautiful stone.
The lovely lotus blossom grows
in muck and mire
that might not be so pretty
if not for the lotus blossoms growing there."
-Thich Nhat Hanh and just a bit of embellishment by me...

A Plea

2010-04-15T09:23:00.000-04:00

Do not sell yourself short. You never know what kind of impact your simple gift might have on another.

A Wonderful Day

2010-04-13T15:45:00.000-04:00

Today is one of those days that I consider a turning point Because I will be turning 62 next month I have become eligible to receive a Social Security Retirement check from the United States Government. Adding that check to the University retirement check that I am already receiving will seem to be a significant raise. When the payments start, I can make more charitable donations and do more for myself as well. I am very excited.