So Great a Cloud of Witnesses

Posted on September 6, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Cloud behind Koko Crater

Good Morning God,

Today is Labor Day — a day of rest — and yes, I confess I WAS going to drive in and work. How easy it is to get addicted to useful. A friend sent me a prayer, God, for Perfectionists to say. The first line is: “Lord, I renounce the lie that my self-worth is dependent upon my ability to perform.”

Shoot, God, I know that! DON’T I? Hmmm. I feel a twinge in my throat. Yes, I may believe it but parts of me don’t FEEL IT. Oh, I HATE acknowledging THAT!

WHY? Did You just ask me WHY I should hate to acknowledge that? Why do I not allow myself assorted errors and flaws? I DO! But, yes, just familiar flaws. This is a NEW ONE. I mean, it is newly acknowledged. But, ENOUGH about me, God! I want to talk about the Cloud of Witnesses.

This morning Kit and I drove off to Sandy Beach to join the Greater Miller Family in their 35th Celebration of the life of their dad. We have been invited to join in ever since Patty’s death 29 years ago. That has been more than enough time for our lives to intertwine — becoming part of their Extended Family. They have given us the gift of inclusion. The gift of belonging to one another.

And as Hebrews 12:1 says so well: “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” Yes, God, all by myself I figured out that perfectionism is a sin that ensnares me. And so is not being willing to do a fearless moral inventory. Sin, after all, is just MISSING the Mark. Or is it, MISSING THE POINT?

Tagged with: We ARE surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses
Posted in being together in a compassionate presence, breathing in Your Spirit, busy as an attack strategy, compassion to care for myself, confession, courage to see myself

Living (responsibly) on Our Water World

Posted on September 5, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Looking back at Waikiki

Good Morning, God

Just a few mornings ago I was by the water, looking back at Waikiki. Clear, clean and lovely. But about the same time as I was sitting and enjoying I got an email from a friend about the North Pacific gyre — a floating confluence of plastic — a garbage dump.

Gosh, God, is it just about 100 years that we’ve had plastic? Hmmm. “Had plastic” makes it sound like You handed it to us. Let me correct that — since we started manufacturing plastic. Like so many gifts we give ourselves: it brings short term magic and long term problems.

A research ship for project Kaisei

Hmmm. Seems that way, doesn’t it God. Problems take TIME to accumulate and notice. Now we know that HEATING plastic activates chemical reactions, speeding them up. Time also breaks down plastic into pieces small enough to be eaten by sea turtles.

My friend’s husband and son just got back from a research voyage on this ship — a trip out to the North Pacific Gyre — a plastic vortex — a visual sign of accumulating problems. The research is sponsored by Project Kaisei — Japanese for Water Planet.

We do live on a Water Planet. One Planet. Our minds have made hundreds of countries — and I LOVE my country — but we are ALL ON ONE PLANET.

I’m shaking my head, God. The young who’ve grown up with seeing our world from space, KNOW this. But, can the rest of us learn this fast enough?

Only with Your Help, God. Please help us ALL to do what we can — maybe MORE than what we comfortably can?

Posted in a new view of Commons

A Few Thoughts on Doors

Posted on September 4, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A sunlit door in Dublin

Good Morning God,

I do love photos of doors. This is one of a row of doors in Dublin but the light caught it and made it special. Doors are so symbolic, God.

One of my favorite verses is Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in . . .” No battering ram — no knocking the door down — just knocking. That overwhelms me with the respect You show to us humans. You knock, inviting us to open the door of our hearts to You.

I do wish, God, that Your followers could also be so respectful. Sigh, there have been way too many examples on all sides of the only choice being “converting” or dying. Then there are just those awful times of genocide where no one had any choice at all — genocide requires that we make another group less than human. Labels, name calling, jokes. In Rwanda there was hate radio.

An archway at the Royal Hawaiian

But let me avert my eyes from genocide and go back to doors. Because the yellow door looks like it was intended to keep people out. While this lovely arch way invites us to enter — to look through if not actually walk through. It is so open and welcoming.

I find myself wondering what kind of door I have. I’d confess, God, after the attack by the burglar, I keep my doors LOCKED. I am like the door in Dublin. No open airy archway for me.

But, that is what I would like to be like — inside. Trusting and OPEN to YOU.

Posted in doors and doorways, Light, Trusting God

Being by the Ocean and Loving It

Posted on September 3, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Looking east to Koko Head and Koko Crater from Kahala

Good Morning, God!

There is almost nothing as wonderful as sitting by the water. A small stream or creek will do. Water has an incredible attraction. But sitting by the water here in Hawaii has a special SUPER SATURATED FEEL to it.

Blue! How You must LOVE Blue! In fact, the only speaker I ever heard who seemed to GET how ENTHUSIASTICALLY YOU LOVE is Tony Campolo. He was talking about You making daisies and how You loved them so much You just kept making them.

Orchids lining the main stairs at the Kahala

Aaah, God, if you love daisies how about orchids? Wow!

Of course, You love US too . . . I was going to say that You love us EVEN MORE but I think trying to quantify You is impossible. Anyway, I was just going to observe that even more fun than the venue are the friends! Yesterday my friend was telling me all about “Second Life” (3D virtual reality web sites) — telling me how REAL it feels — how she feels as if she has WALKED on the Great Wall of China. She is amazing and she’s learning to create sites in Second Life.

I teased her about the Joy of “Playing God.” But she observed that as we are “Made in God’s Image” it makes sense that we LOVE to create. Good point, God! Creating IS a JOY! Then my friend observed that SHARING what we create is EVEN MORE of a JOY! And, here I am with my mini creations — sharing as best I can — so I sure do agree.

Is that why You made us, God? So You could SHARE with us? It sure feels like it and it feels really good, God.

Tagged with: Loving the COLORS of Hawaii
Posted in appreciation, beauty, Creating, Flowers, God as an Ongoing Gift, gratitude

On Becoming More Resilient — Part 2

Posted on September 2, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life

Good Morning, God!

I enjoy reading books like the one above. This week the lectionary included Deteronomy 30:15-20. This is where Moses says “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curse. Chose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him . . .” Choices — Free Will — if only we knew how much power lies in our choosing.

It was Nietzsche who said “He who has a good WHY to live for can bear with almost any HOW.” You, God, have given us the freedom and power to make choices. Choosing YOU — choosing to Trust You and Trust Your Commands — that’s the foundational choice.

But there are other choices that we rarely think about — like Dr. Chaney’s Resilience Prescriptions. 5) is develop acceptance and cognitive flexibility, meaning the ability to learn and adapt your knowledge and thinking to new situations. Such a sentence — I guess it means, when your world turns upside down DEAL WITH IT! Best to get help to deal with it, says I.

6) is face your fears and learn to control negative emotions. Yes, God. It takes more energy to hide from fear than to face it. But, I can’t help thinking that these two “prescriptions” involve a whole life’s work. 7) Build active coping skills to handle your problems. Yes, we have problems. And there ARE skill sets we can acquire to help us. Again, God, hard work!

8) Establish a supportive social network to help you. 9) Stay physically fit 10) Laugh as much as you can. Aaah! Now those, God, I can understand RIGHT AWAY. Those I GET!

Now I’m off to join my supportive social network! THANK YOU, GOD!

Posted in asking for help for myself, Balancing and adjustments, choices, resiliency, resourcefulness, social support networks

On Becoming More Resilient

Posted on September 1, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Dr. Dennis Charney -- expert in resilience

Good Morning, God!

So, imagine, God, yesterday I found 10 tips to become more RESILIENT. I found them in a book called, The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life by Ben Sherwood. In the book he talks about what Dr. Dennis Charney has to say about becoming more resilient.

As I was coughing and hacking away, I thought — THANK YOU GOD — I need this. The first one 1) is be / or become optimistic. Not OVERLY optimistic — we have to confront reality, but we don’t have to give up our optimism and hope! 2) Identify a Resilient Role Model — choose one who inspires you. Role models are great — they expand our boundaries of what humans can be and do. 3) Develop a moral compass and unbreakable beliefs. Guess what, God. Resilient people find strength in YOU. And having ideals and principles greater than we are, that helps too.

That third point is making me think, God. A few days ago I came across a verse in I Corinthians 14:3 that really helped me understand what Saint Paul meant when he talked about “prophecy”. He clearly says we should desire the Spiritual Gifts, especially PROPHECY. Then in verse 3 he explains what he means by prophecy when he says “But everyone who prophesies speaks to men [and women] for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”. Wow! Now THAT is what our world needs MORE of, God.

It came to me that when some people get sick or fall on tough times they think YOU are punishing them. Now, that thought does not promote resilience. How much more helpful it would be they were strengthened, encouraged and comforted by their belief in You!

Then 4) is practice altruism. Helping others can help us feel better in tough times. How true is THAT! Hmmm. It looks like tips 5-10 will have to wait for another day. Meanwhile, today God, please help me speak words of encouragement!

Tagged with: How good it is to speak words of encouragement
Posted in encourage and comfort, reframing, resiliency, words to strengthen

Happy Birthday, Patty!

Posted on August 31, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Patty at her Uncle David's home

Good Morning, God!

Today is Patty’s Birthday! Let’s see, she would be 48 today. Only, up there with You, she might still be 18? Or do we somehow become our True Self — outside of Time? Now THAT’s a lovely thought.

Acceptance is a slow slow process. As The Mother, I shall always “feel” as if — as the Builder or Compiler — I was missing nutrients or failed in some way to do an adequate job — thus the cancer. Is that Excessive Personal Responsibility, God. Or just a fact to absorb and process and deal with? Or, both?

This morning I am willing to accept my part in all of this — peacefully — although, perhaps my cold and coughing represent a residual residue, wanting to be removed. Still, I am forgiven. And, I have, mostly, forgiven myself.

And now I look at this photo of Patty — enjoying frozen yogurt — and smile. I am THANKFUL!

How fortunate we were to have had Patty for 18 years. To have been given the GIFT and RESPONSIBILITY of CHILDREN! Three extraordinary daughters. Your Children, as am I. As we ALL are.

Recently, God, I have become much more aware of Your Desire to NOURISH us. We do so need Your Spirit to care for us — helping us to forgive — to remove toxins. Helping us to OPEN to Your LOVE and then helping us to let Your Love flow through us to others. We err in just calling You Father. YOU WHO ARE THE COMPLETE PARENT and MORE — FAR MORE.

But, back to the point I wanted to make! IT IS NEVER TOO LATE. YOU are always DESIRING to FORGIVE us, to REDEEM us and to LOVE us! Thank YOU!

Posted in gifts and giftings, God wants to nourishes us, going THROUGH the sorrow, gratitude, LOVE

At Home — Hovering between OFF and SLOW

Posted on August 30, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

An orchid in my kitchen

Good Morning, God!

Here I am, curled up in my bed — occasionally coughing — and SO THANKFUL that I had the wit (read: humility) to cancel all my Monday appointments. Doing that was a big deal. Somehow, I take my “showing up as promised” way too seriously. I mean, would anyone WANT to be around me with my coughing and nose blowing?

Still, a commitment IS a commitment! Except, You point out, for the commitments I make to me and to You. Yes, God. That is true.

I guess I feel that You and I will understand and forgive. AND OTHERS WON’T? Hmmm. What springs to mind is the Anglo Saxon shield wall. Warriors standing side by side — together — protecting each other while resisting the onslaught of the enemy. Your colleagues on either side DEPENDED ON YOU. You had to hold your place — hold your section of ground. And if you were wounded? You fought on — as best you could — and never ever complained.

Yes! That is it! That is the WASP / Warrior genome. Shoot! I’ve been BRED to this! I feel like some sort of dog — bred to point or retrieve. Dang! I feel proud, foolish, and helpless all at the same time! A prisoner of a thousand years of breeding.

Ah, but God! You wait, every day, for us to be about the business of BECOMING — becoming New Creatures in Christ.

I’m lying here — aware of how much You long to help us grow — grow even out of our cultural virtues. But, let’s be honest here. It is that picking-up-my-CROSS thing. I don’t even like having a cold.

So? Being part of a Shield Wall — dying quietly while fighting on — that’s OK. But some new or unexpected “cross” scares me? How humiliating! How human. Oh me of little faith or trust — PLEASE GOD, HELP ME TRUST YOU!

Posted in accepting my need for help, an invitation to abundant life, asking for help for myself, Balancing and adjustments, changing who I want to become, choices, Trusting God

What Women Want – The Lady Ragnell Story and Respect

Posted on August 29, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Good Morning, God!

This morning I wanted to talk to You about RESPECTING OTHERS as opposed to LABELING OTHERS. This, God, is what comes of thinking. Or maybe it is what comes of shaking bits of information together as if the Mind were a Kaleidoscope? But, somehow, what came up was the old story of Lady Ragnell.

Hmmm. Why might that be? But, on to the story which is set in the Era of Chivalry. In the story King Arthur (unarmed) is confronted by Sir Gromer and offered the Choice of immediate DEATH or death one year later if he fails to answer the question: WHAT DO WOMEN WANT?

King Arthur and his nephew Sir Gwain scour the countryside asking women want they want. But no answer rings true. Then a HAG offers to give King Arthur the answer IF Sir Gwain will agree to marry her. Noble Sir Gwain agrees at once. The correct answer is Sovereignty. Or, as it was defined in Midieval Times as “the right and capability of individuals to make their own choices in life”.

The answer saves King Arthur’s life and Sir Gwain marries Lady Ragnell. In the bridal chamber she asks for a kiss and upon receiving it the enchantment snaps and she stands as her true and beautiful self. But, then she tells Sir Gwain that it is only HALF broken. She must be a HAG for half the day — either day with others — or night, with him. She asks him to choose. AMAZINGLY he replies that this MOST affects her and THE CHOICE IS HERS.

Ta DUM! Now the spell is completely broken. Her husband has granted her sovereignty and she is free to be herself ALL THE TIME. Free to CHOOSE!

DUH! THAT, God, is what You have given to us. CHOICE. Now that is RESPECT — that is LOVE! And, do I hear You ask me to extend it to others as their right?

Posted in choices, Expand my Heart, freedom, gender universes, respect

A Cat Concerned for Other Cats?

Posted on August 28, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Christopher the Cat

Good Morning, God!

It’s funny, God, what appears on my Mind’s Eye when I go to select a photo. Each day has thousands of “images” of which I have “captured” maybe 10 or 12. I LOVE taking photos. It helps me see.

But some images come in through the flow of electronic images — like this one of Christopher the Cat. Suz sent the photo and the story to my Mom — a story about a cat that has the “gift” of caring for other cats.

Now, God, I LIKE cats. But, they are NOT the concerned-for-other-creatures that DOGS are. So, when I read this story about Christopher who helped feral kittens become tame and licked and cleaned the fur of terminally ill cats — I was really touched.

I guess I was thinking of being concerned-for-other-creatures as a HUMAN gift. Now, I’m thinking, did You design this in to all species? Seeing it show up in a cat — no offense, cats — is humbling.

Hmmm. Humbling and CHALLENGING! I don’t want to be “shown up” by a cat. So, what can I do? LOVE PEOPLE. SEE PEOPLE. HEAR PEOPLE. ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EXISTENCE AND VALUE AS YOUR CHILDREN.

Yes, God. Yes.

Tagged with: On being a-concerned-for-other-creatures Being
Posted in connections, growing toward up, Hearing, inner paths of the heart, interactions, interspecies contact