OnTree

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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.

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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.