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

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

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

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

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...

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

"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

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

When is enough enough?

Hospitality

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?

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

            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.