I’m still in the January of New Beginnings

Posted on January 16, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Makapuu Head with hang glider

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday, while I was busy with this and that and playing games with my Mom, Kit was hosting his Punahou classmate, Ron Brunk by driving up to the Pali and back via Waimanalo and Makapuu and Hanauma Bay.

It is a lovely drive — and a lovely part of the island. I love Kit’s photos. But, I was very glad I wasn’t needed as cohost! I am still not quite recovered from the many joys of the Holiday Season.

Yesterday I put up my Change Chart — and checked off my first 5 minutes of exercises! I have even sent a Change Chart to a friend. We are reinforcing each other.

Change is HARD, God. Timothy Ferriss made 4 suggestions on how to improve our chances of changing: 1) Make it conscious 2) Make it a game 3) Make it competitive 4) Make it SMALL and temporary.

Small I can handle. 5 minutes. How can I not find 5 minutes in which to do sit ups and push ups? Important things don’t take very long. In fact, I had a chance meeting in Costco that took less time than that, and it might have been the most important thing I did all day. Making A Connection — Hearing a Neighbor.

Ferriss’s ideas are from a male viewpoint. From my female perspective I’d say — 1) invite a friend to do it with you 2) ask for ideas and help from friends 3) figure out how to record it visibly 4) pray about it. Actually, God, that last one is most important. In fact, thinking about yesterday, I’d say that I ought to pray about what changes YOU would like to see in me. Please, Help me, God, to Step Into Your Wider World.

Posted in Changing, Choosing Meaning, connections, Conversations, Help me to see, humility, Humility or Needing Help!

Appreciating the GREEN GREEN world

Posted on January 15, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Diamond Head in the morning

Good Morning, God!

The rain has paused and yesterday I jogged around Kapiolani Park — stopping to take photos — loving the sunlit green grass. Actually, just loving the GREEN. New Life! Hope! And I pray for the Greening of our Country, and our World.

Yesterday, sorting through the gift books at Arcadia I found that I distinctly DID NOT WANT books that were POST APOCALYPSE! I don’t mind books that are about apocalypse threatening — and being fought off. But, to reinforce the idea of DISASTER? Sigh.

So, God, I am praying for peace and understanding. I have commitment to PRAY with Sandy FOR those politicians who scare me. I am WANTING to HELP. And, that does sound funny to me — but, that is what I feel CALLED TO.

A few days ago I happened upon a section in the book BEING WRONG about the early Zealots in Israel. These men determined ONLY YOU should rule — NOT THE ROMANS. And they set about killing — killing Romans AND any Jew who they considered to be working WITH the Romans. They burned the crops of their own people — trying to force them to join them. All of this in the 60s A.D. It sounded horribly familiar. It led to the destruction of the TEMPLE in 70 A.D. and their stand at Masada. Hmmm. I had admired them. Now I fear them, AND their example.

Worthy Causes? Making the END justify the MEANS? PLEASE GOD, KEEP US FOCUSED ON YOUR COMMANDS. Help us to LOVE You — AND to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR as WE LOVE OURSELVES!

Posted in LOVE

The Storm Departs

Posted on January 14, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Sunset over Barnes and Noble at Kahala Mall

Good Morning, God!

All is still, quiet and dark. The sounds of Kit making coffee come up from the kitchen. And I re-see the GLORIOUS CLOUDS that stopped me in my tracks last evening as I was leaving Kahala Mall. Awesome! I just kept snapping photos — turning first to the right and then the left to make sure I was appreciating everything.

The wind from the South was sweeping the low grey clouds along. Kona Winds. But up high I could see the blue sky — and the bright sun-lite clouds. Ah, the Winds of Time are blowing, too. Blowing us along. But, mostly I don’t notice. That has been a great kindness, God. That I have not HAD to notice.

We work hard at not seeing. I suspect it takes more energy than seeing. YES! IT DOES. So, I feel in this photo Your Reassurance that YOU and YOUR LIGHT are above the Grey, Fast Moving Clouds. I like that. I need it. THANK YOU!

Posted in being together in a compassionate presence, Light, Light shining through, LOVE

The sounds of wind and rain

Posted on January 13, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

a palm outside my Mom's

Good Morning, God!

This morning there is the sound of rain dripping off the eaves. Yesterday, leaving my Mom’s place I was stopped by the SOUND of the wind stirring the fronds of this palm tree. It was almost musical.

We live in the suburbs and aside from birds and neighbors, there aren’t many “sounds.” And, I rather enjoy the silence.

Which reminds me of a quote that says “SILENCE is GOD’S first language, all the rest is poor translations.” I like that, God! There is so much “communication” that takes place in silence. Perhaps that is why a simple hug can say so much. Our Bodies speak to each other — giving and receiving — comfort, assurance, love.

All the “Virtual Stuff” is grand. I enjoy it. But, there is no substitute for BEING THERE. Being TOGETHER in the NOW. Small moments, like my pause to HEAR the wind interacting with the palm fronds, are reminders that we ARE here — hearing.

So, this morning, TODAY, help me to hear You. Help me to hear what is NOT said. Thank You, God, for pouring out YOUR ASSURANCE, COMFORT, and LOVE!

Posted in comfort, Hearing, LOVE

Help us to be like Trees, Planted beside the Rivers of Water

Posted on January 12, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Mindanao gum tree outside the hospital window

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday morning was a a Gift from You, God! A dear friend — a Prayer Friend — asked me to be half of her prayer support that morning at the hospital as she was having her right hip replaced. I expected it to be a “good thing” to do, but maybe tiring. But, it was refreshing. It was stepping out of ordinary time and entering “Non-Time.”

I was to pray with, Judy, a person I had never met, But, in a very short time, I felt I had know her for years. She was a Contemplative Prayer Person — but she joined me in Talking Prayer and we prayed and chatted a bit, and prayed some more, chatting and praying for two hours. Our friend was our PRIMARY prayer focus. But, there is no sense of “scarcity” with YOU, God, so we were free to pray for other people and other situations.

AAAh, God! How I LONG for all people to be TOGETHER in PRAYER — to be TOGETHER in YOUR COMPASSIONATE PRESENCE! I think of our beloved country. How healing it would be to have people who have been judging each other — pray with each other!

Would that be A miracle? Yes, but that miracle would lead to even BIGGER miracles. Was it in Northern Ireland, God, where people came together, not to BLAME, but to CONFESS. What an enormous difference — between blaming others — and confessing our own wrong doing. That is the sort of prayer that transforms!

There is something about praying with other people that reminds me of of what Mother Teresa said — THAT WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER.” That was the REALITY I inhabited yesterday! Thank YOU, God! THANK YOU!

Posted in a prayer for healing, Prayer, web of life

A Bright Spot in a Grey Day

Posted on January 11, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A hibiscus in my car port garden

Good Morning, God!

I’m off to an early start — taking a good friend up to Red Hill for an operation. Yesterday was grey and rainy and once again I saw the Gold Tree against a grey sky. Aah, but I have this photo of my hibiscus taken in full sun. It is GOOD to hide bright moments in our Hearts! Good to Treasure the beauty of a simple flower. Good to Treasure a Kind Word. Good to treasure Times of Prayer.

Sandy and I have pledged to pray together FOR the folks we used to get angry at. I can feel the prayers changing me. Hmmm. Come to think of it, God, I bet that is what YOU want prayer to do — to change the heart of the one praying. It feels so GOOD to pray FOR people I have seen as opponents.

I confess, in the past — mostly in the past — I have prayed that You would CHANGE the person I was praying for. Now, it seems as if I deeply identify with my “opponents.” That makes it easier to begin with praying for myself — confessing and repenting my mistakes and inner serpents.

Then, AFTER repenting, and praying for myself, I can pray for the same sort of healing in others. But, this isn’t easy. It really helps me to pray WITH someone — to pray OUT LOUD. Please, God, help us all to pray more, and help to pray together. Help us remember this quote from Mother Teresa: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Posted in A Spiritual Spring Cleaning, connections, Prayer, Praying for our enemies, Praying together extemporaneously

My Heart and GUT in Need of Cleansing!

Posted on January 10, 2011 by a moment with god — 2 Comments

A Gold Tree, blooming early

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday, driving home from church I saw this Gold Tree against a bright blue sky and stopped. I had seen it before, but against a grey sky. There is something about the bright gold and the brilliant blue that cheered me. Thank You, God, for all the glorious colors of our World.

I must confess I have been taking the shooting of Congresswoman Gifford personally. It has taken a while, but I am so aware of MY NEED to REPENT! I like to think of myself as open-minded and respectful. I’m pretty sure ALL of us like to think of ourselves that way. But, I have a lot of Judging going on inside of me. Sheesh! There was a TORRENT of it pouring out after the shooting. I was CAUGHT UP IN BLAMING! ASKING WHO DID THIS.

Years ago, God, I learned that in stressful situations humans almost always ask “WHO” QUESTIONS — as in WHO’S TO BLAME HERE! What we really need to be asking are “WHAT” QUESTIONS — as in WHAT went wrong and WHAT can we do about it?

What I am doing is working on my personal repentance! I remember Rev. Dan Chun saying that he has learned to say to himself, “I think I’m right, but I might be wrong.” Wow, God! I think I need to post that on my mirror. I COULD BE WRONG!

Sigh, it is when we are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT WE ARE RIGHT that we are tempted to do bad things to reach THE RIGHT goals. I never really thought about Uncertainty and Humility as important values. Hmmm. Please, God, I need Your help.

Posted in a prayer for healing, healing, humility, Humility or Needing Help!, processing on deeper levels, Repentance

A Tragedy for Our Entire Country

Posted on January 9, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Gabrielle Giffords, Sandy's congressman in Tucson

Good Morning, God!

Oh, such PAIN and ANGER and SORROW yesterday morning when I came home from the Farmers’ Market and Kit told me that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords had been SHOT. We thought she had been killed.

This is Sandy’s congresswoman. I had seen the campaign signs when I was visiting in October. I knew I would have voted for her when I saw the signs against her. They alternated between blaming her for “Obamacare” and then accusing her of CUTTING MEDICARE.

Sarah Palin had her as one of the TARGETED districts — putting the district in the CROSS HAIRS of a gun scope. Her challenger had a fund raiser that invited people to shoot a fully loaded M-16 rifle. The Pima County Sheriff, Clarence Dupnik, was quoted in this morning’s paper, as saying “The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And unfortunately, Arizona, I think, has become the capital.” Unstable folks are “activated” by Hate Talk.

Actions begin with words. God. And words begin in our hearts. And ALL of our HEARTS need cleansing. I FELT ENOUGH ANGER TO WANT TO STRIKE BACK. And You revealed to me, once again, that MY HEART could HATE just as much as the hearts of those folks I deplore. Only, YOU did pull me back. You had me call Sandy to PRAY — to pray for Gabby’s recovery — even though half the reports said she was dead. And to pray for all those hurting, frustrated folks who forget that we are ALL AMERICANS, all HUMAN.

Sigh, People who Hate WANT others to hate, too. That is the purpose of evil — to spread itself! Please help us to PRAY FOR our enemies.

Posted in Prayer, Praying for our enemies

A View from the “Stairway to Heaven”

Posted on January 8, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

View of the Pali from the Stairway to Heaven

Good Morning, God!

This photo of the Pali was taken from the Stairway to Heaven above Kaneohe. Over 4,500 steps — almost straight UP. Yesterday I walked DOWN 11 floors and it was fairly easy. I can’t imagine walking UP 4,500 steps!

But, of course, I AM. If each day were a STAIR, I would be well PAST that number. Ah, PERSPECTIVE! The views from the physical stairway are glorious! Hmm. On a Clear Day, you can see a long, long way. But, on a rainy day, you can see just a few feet.

I suppose, God, that is true of my Stairway in Time, too. There are days when I feel I can see so clearly. And other days when I can’t. Did YOU just ask me if I was stopping to LOOK?

Gosh, God, You are RIGHT. I am busy with the CLIMB. I am RUSHING! Now I am pondering the purpose of these stairs. Apparently they were built — during World War II — to erect and maintain an antenna to make it possible to communicate with our submarines.

Makes me think, God, that perhaps OUR CLIMB is about COMMUNICATIONS, too. I was just saying to Kit that I love all the people in our lives. Our family member — and those who are part of our Family of Friends. Ahaa, YES, and then there is YOU! You, Our Unseen Creator, in whom we live and move and have our being. Calling us to LOVE, as You Love US.

So, please, God, help me today to pause on my climb. Help me to LOOK, and LISTEN — to You, to myself, and to those around me.

Posted in a matter of scale, busy, Hearing, listening, Perspective, stopping to listen, stopping to see

Prevention, Health and Our Sticky Life Styles

Posted on January 7, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Dr. Neal Palafox. Director of Hawaii's Health Department

Good Morning, God!

How good to wake up with Kit telling me about the article in the Star Advertiser about the new Director of Health calling for all governmental agencies to “think outside the box” and consider health factors in their decisions.

Actually, it was the quote about how our health care system “costs too much and doesn’t work” that really made me happy. Kit, of course, was concerned about WHY Dr. Palafox didn’t mention the life style changes that citizens could be making. Diet, Exercise, No Smoking, and Less Alcohol were on Kit’s list.

That’s a good list, God! But, it is REALLY HARD for humans to make changes. Kit and I decided to cut back on caffeine — we decided that a week ago — today we are drinking decaf. I didn’t realize decaf had less than a tenth as much caffeine as regular coffee. But, I have known for YEARS that caffeine and stress hormones double the bad effects of each other.

It takes a long time — maybe NEVER — for what we KNOW to work its way out to our hands and feet and daily behaviors! That is SAD, God. But, not impossible!

Nothing is impossible for YOU! So, please, today — this month of new beginnings — help me to spend time and effort thinking strategically and logistically on how I can make some healthy changes!

Posted in a matter of scale, acknowledging my need for prayer, Changing, health