Grace is the taking down of walls. Christmas in action.

Christmas Caroling

Fri. Dec. 21st was the most blessed Christmas caroling event in Resurrection history.
Five singers started by warming their voices on the church stairs.  Across the road, the aparment windows filled with a few onlookers; one was a mother and child, who rocked with the music. A couple of women with carts returning from the supermarket stopped to listen, to soak in the sound, to hum along.  And then a women on a bike road past, dismounted, turned around and came back to listen.  She was overly thankful...it was the first time this season that she felt at peace.  The gift of caroling songs was her hope for the day, to carry into tomorrow.
If this had not been enough...
singing in front the Superstore, led to smiles, nods, a clapping of hands, and just as the songs finished a worker came out and was disappointed, she wanted to hear, in fact she wanted to sing too!  Her co-workers came out and took pictures.
If this had not been enough...
At Canadian Tire a father and his two children stopped and waited for their mom.  The one little boy danced the whole time.  He even came and sang too!  And just for him, a chorus of "Deck the Halls" echoed loud and clear. One passer by wished to leave money and wasn't able to, as the singing was all gift!
What a great night of sharing God's hope and Good News with the world!

Grace, in rain?

It is pouring rain and has been since yesterday.  It is Dec.19th and for some of us in the Maritimes (most of us CFAs -come from awayers) the prayer is for snow.  As a family that shares a car, it was hubbies day to take the car to work, so that means the final Christmas communion visits will be done on foot in a bright yellow rain coat (and perhaps the yellow pants too, unless the bus is taken).  Ick!
Perhaps grace is found in how bright the Christmas lights look against such a backdrop.  Yes it is on while this blog post is being written, along with the electric fireplace.
May grace is how warm the morning cup of tea feels or the warmth of the wool sweater.
On days like this visits can require extra energy and patience...aches and pains seem worse, people move slower, the weather makes people sleepy and sad.  Here's praying that grace moves ahead and behind the feet, wherever they go, all day, every day, but especially in the darkness of today.

A Prophet in Our Midst

On Sunday the sermon was about prophets.  It began with tinkling of bells on the hem of Zechariah the priest's robes as he went to take the incense offering into the Holy of Holies.  While there, he encountered the angel of the Lord, who told him that his wife, Elizabeth, in her old age would bear a child.  "How will I know this?" asks Zechariah.  For this Zechariah is speechless until his son is born.  Zechariah's speechlessness speaks volumes.  Then, on regaining his voice, he sings a hymn of praise.  His son, John the Baptist, offers the Good News in a very different way than Zechariah -he is like a magnet-a-phone.  
The point of the sermon was that for a short moment in time Zechariah and John were proclaimers of Good News; they were prophets for a particular time and in a particular place.  Are we ever called to be bearers of Good News?  To be prophetic for a short moment of time in the place where we find ourselves?
At the end of the sermon, as the pulpit was vacated, a loud "thank-you" came from the back of the church. Then the gentlemen walked out of the building.  This gentlemen came back in shortly, as the congregation was singing.  He walked right up to the altar and handed me two plaques.  Both were black with gold writing; one said "love", the other "home".  Then he left again.
The gentlemen's name is Brian.  He lives on the margin of society, often spending the night on the street.  He is part of the neighbourhood and will stop to tell stories about his grandmother, his faith, some of his life experiences.  He passes on treasures from one person to another, to bring joy, to share love.
Sunday morning Resurrection was awakened by two prophetic words: love and home.  Sunday morning we were that for Brian, and reminded that that is our prophetic word for the world.
Thank-you Brian for being God's prophet in our midst.

Why We Celebrate Not-so-real Stories

Over the past few days, I have been reminded of conversations over the years,  that there is very little actual truth in the details of Christmas narative and the way we celebrate it.  -Dec. 25 more like some time in Sept....and so on.
      On Monday my son asked if I needed help putting up the Christmas tree.  To start with it is about a week earlier than it usually goes up.  "I wasn't thinking about doing that today."  "OK :(   Well I changed my mind and together we hauled the tree up from the work room and the wooden box it sits on.  We had a grand time, my 17 year old, talking up a storm.
       The next day after school, "Mom are we decorating the tree sometime."  Well it wasn't on my schedule.  So he helped me put the lights on it - a job over the years that we have always done together.   Once again excitedly chatting up a storm.  If I didn't see the almost 6ft young man in front of me, I would have guessed he was five.  He was totally affected by the nip in the air, the snowflakes gently falling, and making the house festive.  For me it was two afternoons of grace -time with my son, seeing delight as the old decorations were pulled from their paper, joking about me moving decorations after they are already on the tree (I only rerouted two this year).
This in itself is a reason why we celebrate a story that didn't happen exactly the way it says that it did.
       Then last night at the supper table my 19 year old talked about friends who get caught up in her fascination with science and tell her she is wrong, those who read the Bible in a black and white manner.  We talked about learning to be a discerning reader, embracing metaphor, finding truth in the pieces presented, and loving hope, God, in a well told beloved story.
They appreciate celebrating the story in all its parts, feeding on the hope, love, and grace found therein.  ....and on top of that reminding "mom" that being giddy is a gracefilled attitude.

Finding a way to communicate | The Chronicle Herald

Finding a way to communicate | The Chronicle Herald

What makes this story so full of grace, is that it was a parishoner (John Labelle) who had an idea.  He saw a glimpse of what God's kingdom looks like and is endeavouring to make it happen.  We should all be inspirted to bring God's kingdom into the now.

I Have Done My Time -a poem

``I HAVE DONE MY TIME``

If this were true I would not be alive.

I would cease being a mother when my children

                reached a magic age.

I would never have to learn anything once leaving

                        high school.

I would not have to pray because I have already

               done it.

I wouldn`t have to clean the house, do laundry, go 

               grocery shopping, or shower

...been there and done that.

Whatever  makes us think that,

 “I have done my time”?

It is that time of year again,

 when churches are seeking council members and ministry facilitators for the coming year.

I would like just one year not to hear:

...I  have done my time...

I  taught Sunday school when my kids where little,

I’ve done my time...

I have sat on church council, more than once,

I’ve done my time...

I’ve changed light bulbs and fixed this and that,

I’ve done my time...

I’ve made sandwiches and worked in the kitchen,

I’ve done my time...

...so does that mean you have no more opinions?

Does it mean you have nothing to teach anyone?

Does it mean that you have no more faith to share?

Does it mean no more responsibility to the community?

Does it mean there is no more love?

Are you telling me, that because

“you have done your time”,

you are no longer required to be about God’s ministry in the world?

You are alive.

You are a child of God.

You have been given gifts to share.

As long as you are present in this world,

you are responsible to be a part of the community.

The church is not just a building,

not just an institution,

the church is not everyone around you;

you are the church when working in community with like minded people to share the Good News;

to be the Good News

to be hope in a hurting world.

Light in the darkness.

A Continuing Moment of Mystery

For the past month and a half, my running route has included running past a the most delightful Japanese maple tree.  It is one of the highlights of this route all year around.  At the time of Canadian Thanksgiving, the tree was its best in maroon coloured leaves, alive, fluttering and breathing.  It looked like it enjoyed the breeze and every breath.
As autumn became full the tree turned slowly, day by day, to a vibrant red.  Each leaf would change from its veins (from the core) to the individuals tips.  Every time one passed the tree, it was different. Glorious.  It shone with grace.
As autumn progressed the leaves lost their brilliance, dripping from the tips and then curling up, turning to dry blood, and then falling off...to scatter the ground in a circle of "it is finished".
Tonight I reflected on how the tree  transformed in glory.  I ran past this evening in the dark.   Only a few spots here and there shone in the light of the streetlight.  One could run past without even knowing.
...except that I did know...I could feel the tree.  Over the autumn season the awareness of each other became relationship.  The tree was always reaching out. I just had to open my eyes and become engaged.
This is grace.

Grace for all! Jazz for Cows

Dancing Flowers

http://vimeo.com/vorobyoff/flowers

This is a fantastic video.  Imagine the flowers are dancing and telling/showing/sharing the grace of the Creator God.  Take a moment and disappear into the wonder of God's beautiful grace.

"A Snow Day"

Grace today was in a non-snow day snow-day.
Whether this is fantasy or not, I remember a year when I was in public school, that had 15 snow days.  Mom and dad continually tell me it was not that many....but it sure seemed liked it.  I loved school, so to have a school day was brutal.  It's not that I didn't like hanging at home or with my mom and dad.  I really enjoyed learning and watching other people; the best place to do this was at school.
Well today, many of my activities were cancelled.  I could stay home (which was alright as it is very gusty and wet outside thanks to remnants of hurricane Sandy).  So I had a snow day that was not a  snow day.  As I get older, I find grace in the moments when there is a chance to slow down, and a surprise moment of time given in which one can do a project one has wanted to do for a long time.
Today has been grace.

When Something Amazing Happens at Church

This morning the most amazing thing happened:
During the sermon time was given to silently pray our sadness.  People were invited to pray through the alphabet, a word, phrase, or thought beginning with each letter -all related to sadness, grief, guilt and the like.  The grace came in the silence...total silence....no coughing....no fidgeting...no breathing sounds....silence...
And then people were invited to call out thanksgiving and praise as we worked through the alphabet.  Grace came in the laughter, the joy.
ahhhhhhh

Pray in this way today: Psalm 37

breathe
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for God.
breathe
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently
breathe
Be still before the Lord and wait
breathe
Be still before the Lord
breathe
Be still before
breathe
Be still
breathe
BE 

Social Change is grace in action

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/what-if-creating-social-change-was-your-school-assignment/article4586581/

www.feednovascotia.comCheck out this web-site, particularly the upcoming event "The Great Canadian Food Fight".  This is an awesome "fight" between cities across Canada, the winners are the food banks in each participating city. 
The grace for me in this is the excitement of members in the congregation: the woman who suggested we do it, the support of the council, those volunteering to be at the church, and a group using the hall who will be going door-to-door to collect food.
Please support your local food bank.
Thanksgiving weekend is fast approaching.  Out of the grace you have received, go and be bread for the hungry.

Engraved on the heart

Last night I went to bed sad and was not sure why.  Yes, I will admit that I was stressed and felt overwhelmed -all explainable; but sad?  Today is the 18th of September.  It would have been my grandmother's birthday.  Each year, I remember this day, it is not engraved on my mind, it is part of my heart.  You see this grandmother was my kindred spirit.  Sadness is the ache of missing her physical presence. Grace is knowing that she embraces me with a host of the communion of saints. 
No longer sad after a moment of pause; now there is a joy that comes in the morning.

Grace, Resurrected

Sometime overnight, GRACE, was resurrected.  At the top of this blog page there is a note that I know two graces, one a little girl with curly hair and a woman in her 90s.  98 year old Grace slept away from her life in our reality.
I have debated what I would do with the intro. and have decided to keep it as is.  I do know Grace, present tense.  Grace, over the past 8 years has become apart of me; in the begining interacting with her in the church communiy, then through visits and the learning of her story, and in the past years through praying for her. 
Grace has given me grace and in her passing has once again graced us with reassurance of resurrection. 
Grace, peace, and blessings -to you Grace -on the resurrected journey.  

sermon - Mark 7: 24-37

PENT 15B

Michael Harvey, the visionary behind Back to Church Sunday, says in his seminars  that “fear is the boundary of the kingdom of God.”

The Gospel of Mark is an escalating series of steps where Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God and manifests it through miraculous healings.  Jesus continually tells parables teaching the mysterious plan of the kingdom to the disciples and others in the movement.  His ideas of the kingdom are presented in a sustained narrative of growing conflict.   BUT in the midst of this God-talk, from one who sounds wise –at least makes one shake their head and say, “what, What did he just say”?  The writer of the Gospel presents to us a very human Jesus, more human than in any other Gospel.  Although wise, well spoken, charismatic, a philosopher of big ideas –God-sized visions; a mind for political debate and confrontation; a hand of healing...Jesus is but human.  Jesus is as much a student as the disciples and crowds.

Consider the difference in the two healing stories from the scripture reading today:

Immediately Jesus takes the deaf man aside and takes time to heal him; without question.  The healed was male, of the house of Israel, of Jesus people, the people to whom Jesus came to teach and be a sign of the kingdom of God being fulfilled.

A Syro-phoenician woman came to Jesus to ask for healing for her daughter. She was a woman, not of the house of Israel –a gentile; not belonging to the group to whom Jesus felt responsibility.  The human Jesus puts God and God’s kingdom in a box, restricting its capacity, and with-holding life giving power. But the woman dares to open Jesus’ mind to new possibilities, a new bigger understanding of God, God’s kingdom, and grace.  Jesus learns that wisdom lies outside of his human ideas and vision, that God dwells in what he considers the fringe, the desert, the undeserving.  It is from this point that Jesus’ message grows bigger, it changes...the message is no longer relegated to the so called “chosen people”, for God embraces all.  Jesus’ understanding of his mission changes, meaning Jesus’ heart changes –loving more deeply by becoming more inclusive.

 I began with Michael Harvey’s words that “fear is the boundary of the kingdom of God.”

Jesus’ human side exhibits fear in today’s passage.  There is a boundary where Jesus did not cross: until this experience with the Gentile woman, Jesus was a Jew among Jews, for 30 years of his life.  He ate in the family, shopped in the kosher market, had friends in the neighbourhood, participated in the synagogue community, honoured Sabbath.  He did not go seeking anything in the Gentile Roman world.  So, as he began teaching and performing miracles, it was out of a call, a vocation, grown in prayer and through the reading of scripture; it was a living enactment of faith and an understanding of God’s kingdom for the Hebrew people.  There was never a thought, the question was not asked, that others could be included, or would want to be included.

And wouldn’t that change everything if God’s kingdom was going to include the unclean, the outsider, the foreigners in the land God had promised them as a people?

 The woman confronts the boundary Jesus has, as to who is included in God’s kingdom grace.

Her comments bash against his fear and in so doing the boundary of the kingdom of God moves wider.  Jesus’ heart is changed, never to be the same again.

Jesus’ fear –what was it exactly: that he would no longer be accepted in his community of 30 years? That he might be seen as a traitor? That if he heals one foreigner, there will be many many more that come along? That he has misunderstood God, or God’s vision? That he really doesn’t want to be God’s messenger?  Things are going to get messy?

If Jesus was in such a place, how much more are we susceptible to having fear keep fences and boundary walls around God’s kingdom; boundary walls, by the way, that are ready to burst and overflow with a love indescribable, if we let go of the fear.  We are holding back the kingdom of God from becoming a living reality.

Jesus had another fear.  This passage, and many like it, have phrases like:

“he did not want anyone to know he was there”; “he took [the deaf man] aside in private”; “Jesus ordered them to tell no one”. 

Every week a group of local clergy get together to discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday.  One of our conversations this past week included asking, “Why would Jesus keep telling people to be quiet, don’t tell anyone”? 

What if this phrase was said by Jesus to protect himself?  Not from the need to defend himself with the authorities or the religious leaders; he proved himself quite capable of doing this.  I wonder,did Jesus have a fear of stardom?  Or perhaps the temptation of stardom? Or what could happen to his character through popularity?

His community was waiting for a messiah, had been for centuries, and in the last two hundred years in particular many had called themselves just that.

We know from our own time what often happens with stardom:  Visions of grace, working out of love, living and being from an authentic God-driven purpose disappear, replaced by what the world thinks and dictates; juggling so much –especially social engagement; energy zapped before the matters of the heart are heard, digested, and shared. The pressure to live beyond everyone’s expectation, instead of going out being you? How many famous religious leaders, good Christian leaders, evangelists have in the course of God’s mission and call on their lives, been struck with stardom? How many stars have fallen? Was Jesus afraid of stardom?

Let us pause for a moment and reflect on fear; the fears we have as Christians.  I am guessing that most of us are not afraid of stardom or what stardom might do to our characters, but we can relate at some point in our lives, to not wanting to be noticed or drawn out, especially in areas of religion, faith, church. 

Michael Harvey says, that “fear is the boundary of the kingdom of God.” Think of it as those places where we draw the line in the sand.  I am afraid so I will not share a kind word or medical help for the daughter of a distraught woman.  It might cost too much: Too much money. Too much time. Too much drama.  I am afraid so I will not try to speak to the man who is deaf or take the initiative to learn sign language, better to smile and walk by quickly. Too much bother.

As Back to church Sunday approaches, in light of the readings from today, of what are you afraid?  Of whom?  Deep down we know that when we invite others to come to church something is going to change: us, our hearts, our attitudes, our relationships, our community. What we learn from the stories today is that Jesus was in the same place, only the Gentile woman and the deaf man came to Jesus with the invitation, heal me, let God touch me through you.  Are we afraid that those who come will ask more of us than we think we can give?  Heal me. Let God touch me through you.  Does this scare you? 

Jesus’ experiences with the woman and the man, and many others throughout the Gospels are there to dissuade our fear.  The people come, the crowds gather, and Jesus in whatever state of mind he is in, God works through him to heal the suffering, comfort the lost, give peace to the forsaken, offer hope to the poor.

This week we are asked to wrestle with the question of what it is that we are afraid of?  Are we willing to erase fear and move the boundary of the kingdom of God?  Are we willing to simply invite someone and then leave everything else up to God; including letting God work through us?  Heal me....and it will happen.  Let God touch me through you....and it will happen; God’s kingdom will come closer, until that boundary too is eliminated, and the next and the next. God’s kingdom can blossom when we put away fear by stepping outside of our boxes, take down our walls, and purposefully give God’s love and grace; having faith that there is a never ending source and abundance of such blessing.

God open our eyes for the gentile woman and the deaf man who invite us to enter into relationship.  We lay aside our fears so that through our hands You may touch, through our hands You will heal. We invite You to continually warm our hearts, direct our ways, so that through our journey we continue to move the boundary of the kingdom.  Amen.

The Old Hwy.2

a.k.a.  the Apple Trail, the Wine Route, the 1000 Island Parkway, the Heritage Hwy.
There is something to be said, about maturing in nature, such that one chooses to take the slower road of a long distance journey.  It was 11 hours of bliss; grace.  400 series highways, good-bye!
The lime-green Ford Fiesta pulled a U-haul trailor today, from Owen Sound to Cornwall, ON.  It possed a bunch of questions, the biggest being, does one dare to take it on the 401 at speeds of 100k/hr fighting transport trucks and many lanes of fast moving traffic?  The answer was "no".
The choice of leisure and more time, translated into beautiful God-filled scenery, meeting lovely people, no traffic, seeing flowers, old houses, heritage sites, quaint villages, animals (wild turkey mom and young, oodles of Canada Geese, hens in yards, goats, sheep, lots of horses); alone time between two people who love each other...it was a happy trail.  One that showed life, was full of life, and renewed life.
Today's lesson: slow down, choose leisure and take more time; it equals renewed life! Grace.

OnTree

www.ontreepark.com

This is a fantastic adventure.  I found grace in the challenge. It happens so often that I have trouble finding a physical challenge that is not only exhausting but creative and full of the need to solve problems/puzzles.  This met all these criteria and more.  The other part of the adventure was going with an awesome friend!
I also know that grace will happen in the future when I share the experience with my teenagers.

Spiritual Formation; Following the Movements of the Spirit -Henri Nouwen

The reading  of this book gives the reader a new perspective through lectio divina and visio divina. It has the reader practice both as "A Way of the Heart". 
One of the visio divina exercises had the read focus on two images: one was a mosaic cross, with all four arms the same length and placed in the centre of a circle; the other image was of a wagon wheel.
In both images the arms/spokes were the same length.
Once upon a time crosses were drawn with equal lengthed arms.  The book says, "The horizontal beam points left toward the Jewish people, the right toward the Gentiles.  The vertical beam points toward God above and to the earth below.  This is the mystery and promise of the cross- the crossbeams grounded on the mounatin where Jesus brings all divergent points together into one circle of God's great love."
Over time the vertical beam became longer, on the earth side; human beings concentrating on themselves.  When this happened the circle of God's love couuld no longer encompass the cross.
It meant and means that there are people left out, in fact pushed out by so called Christians.
The grace in the exercise of visio divina with these two images, is the inclusive character and nature of God's love. It is a reminder, a wake-up call, that humans need to act in such a way that the God's love can encompass, include, and "wheel-y" be uninhibited by us.

"Soul Friend", by Kenneth Leech

This book is about Spiritual Direction in the modern world and offers poignant thoughts, academic knowledge, and helpful lists.    Today's piece to  meditate on comes from the definition of prayer as "the mind in the heart".
"Prayer then is not essentially a work but the manifesting and flowering of God's grace in us."

on the Veranda

A week ago, Resurrection Council met on the veranda of the parsonage.  Not only was the church in view, so was the neighbourhood, and the people who make up the community.  People walked by, giving a nod, a wave, a smile.  What a way to go about doing church business?  The perspective and conversation had a slightly different air as we were outside confronted by the very streets we are asked to be a part of.

The Council was brave.  Business was done as usual with a devotion at the beginning and standing, holding each others' hands, to say the Lord's Prayer in the end.  Not every church council would do this.  These faithful people acted out of who they are, without a second thought.  Grace. 

Grace in Little Actions

* A note to those at the ES Assembly, "the Runner's Psalm", from opening worship is on this blog, May 4, 2012.

It has been a while since I used the bathroom across the hall from the church office.  I was reminded today, when I was in there, that there are little actions that can be a big grace for others.  In the bathroom, on the back of the door, we have a small poster that says: "In the cycle of abuse, call........(shelter #)....You are not alone."  This seems like a small action, and one wonders how often the poster has been of value.  A group in Halifax, a number of years ago, encouraged women to post posters in bathrooms with this information.  If you are a woman in abuse, the bathroom is a place where an abuser will not see  you memorize a number or write it down for future reference.  A small piece of grace offered so simply; can be a big grace to the woman who uses the number.

In your life, what is a little action that you can do that has the potential to be a big grace for someone else?

The Past and Present

Many years ago, I was given a daily prayer calander, where each day one flips over the ring to the next prayer. The person who gave me this calendar is one whom I consider an example of what all people should be like: compassionate, listening, exciteable, motivated, deep faith and spirituality, flexible and loves tradition.  The calendar was given to me when I was on internship at Zion Lutheran in Sault Ste. Marie; it reminds me of the people who grew me to be who I am.
Todays prayer is lovely -on a day that is sunny and hot, with a brief afternoon shower:
"Thank-you for this day.
Make me aware, Lord, that today never returns.
may the sweet fragrance of Your loving kindness
follow me throughout the day.
Amen."

TEDxSF - Louie Schwartzberg - Gratitude

amidst giants and storms

The readings for Sunday service were David and Goliath, and Jesus calming the storm.
It was ask of those in attendance to consider the "giants" that this world faces today -those things that seem so huge that they are impossible to fight, let alone beat.  Giants: war, slavery, environmental degridation, epidmeics, poverty.
Then it suggested that such giants are not faced by one person but, rather by a community.  David goes out to fight Goliath on behalf of his community.  He goes with a deep trust and faith.  He also carries something extremely special and priceless.  David goes with FIVE SMOOTH STONES on his belt.
The stones were taken, not when Daivd was with Goliath, but when David was with his people, in community. Perhaps the stones are a reminder of the five books of the Torah and all the knowledge their in.
What is it that you learn in community, what stones have you found to take into the world to fight the giants?  Has your community given you stones of hope, grace,faith, trust, love, peace, humility, patience, more hope?
Choose your stones and with the whole community go into the world and dispel the darkness, slay the giants one stone at a time.

http://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=9193

But By the Grace of God

Have you had one of those days were you are angry or frustrated?  When the phone keeps ringing every time you sit down to eat?  When someone asks you to fix something that they could easy have done themselves without having to complain too?

It has been one of those days.  A normal human day.  For whatever reason though the "normal" seems to much.  And then, when you sit down for a moment to chat with another human being, you realize that they too are experiencing the same, "normal as too much".  In the conversation and solidarity with the other, in the relationship of being honest and real, there is grace.  Drawing the conversation to a close, both leave to finish their day, but by the grace of God.

Grace from Osho's "Art of Tea"

Rejoice in everything,
even small things.
If you start rejoicing,
even a cuup of tea
starts having a sacred significance.

----------

Silence is not a word
it is an experience.
It is not a doctrine, a dogma
but a taste on the tongue.
Somethingto be eaten, to be drunk, to be digested
something that becomes part
of your blood, bones and very marrow.

Grace (U2 version of song)

The Power of a Poem

This weekend there is a wedding at the church and one of the readings is the Dr. Seuss poem, "Oh the Places We'll Go".  What a wonderful poem to describe a new adventure, a step into relationship, with an understanding of the ups and downs of life and committed togetherness.
Dr. Seuss' images are powerful illustrations of truths that preachers preach, teachers teach, and prophets prophesy.  His stories and poems remind humans of what is truly important and reconfigures how people see themselves.
Grace is found in the learnings of each of his stories: the deep theme, the important truth, the quirky characters, and of course the delightul pictures and the metered rhyme.
Take a moment to "google" - "Oh the Places We'll Go".  Enjoy this poem as a devotion for today.

http://www.hds.harvard.edu/news-events/harvard-divinity-bulletin/articles/why-i-love-the-bible

http://www.hds.harvard.edu/news-events/harvard-divinity-bulletin/articles/why-i-love-the-bible

Vacation: Day 1

This was a vacation day, the first one since last October -and that was really school not vacation.  The sun was shining: the first grace.  Eco-shopping at Value Village on their 1/2 price day was next: grace two.  The front porch has been washed and the solar lights put up, as well as hanging baskets: grace three.  A super full day, with all kinds of other happenings, and a good tired -tired from things that were done out of want not necessity - a good tired has come over the household: grace four.

Runner's Psalm

Runner’s Psalm         -Rev.Kimberlynn McNabb 2012

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.

It’s been weeks since I have heard you.

I tie up my shoes to run away,

Sneakers running from chaos.

You have remained silent:

Quiet in the face of death, upon death

Funeral to funeral

You have stepped aside,

In crisis been invisible.

And the sneakers go, 5k

Angrily carrying me away:

Pray, pray, pray.

Silent you have been at home -

Teenagers rail as boyfriends change and life decisions overwhelm,

The brunt of tears and anger fall to me, parent.

And still there are no words, no comfort.

Where is the One who makes us lie down in green pastures,

leads us beside still waters?

And the sneakers go, 10k

Thumping out the rhythm: pray, pray, pray.

Hear the prayers of the people, O God

Incline your ear to me, to us:

For those suffering, for those places, of

prejudice and injustice

            Hunger and pain

            Darkness and malaise of the heart...Lord in your mercy...

And the sneakers go, 15k

Pray, pray, pray.

In loving kindness, have mercy on me, O God

For I am stubborn, busy, driven...

Create in me a clean heart,

renew a right spirit within me

And the sneakers go, 20k

Pray, pray, pray.

And there you are in kilometer 21

Almost home, you find me in exhaustion;

            Empty, prayed out.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.

You sing for me a new song, envision a new race

And so I return home renewed,

Running in steadfast love, singing God’s faithfulness forever.