Count it All Joy — when you fall into various trials

Posted on August 19, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Crater Lake, Oregon Photo: by Tom Kaser

Good Morning, God!

Looking at Crater Lake, it is EASY to praise You. Your creation calls out to be admired and enjoyed. But, right now my friend Heidi and the Advocates for Africa’s Children team are stuck in Manila — waiting for a flight home. They are tired. Make that exhausted! And I am certain they do not feel able to Count it ALL Joy.

Yet, THAT IS the way to move mountains. And, thank You, God, for pointing out to me that it isn’t about feelings. Happy is a feeling. Joy enters into us from the doorway of trust.

When we commit to TRUST YOU — then the words in James 1:2 begin to make sense: “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” That is so hard to do! The next verses try to explain: “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Now, God, I would wonder if You really meant these words — except that I see them over and over again. My most meaningful verse is Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God Yes! You mean it. And I have lived it. It makes ROOM for You to come in.

Aha! Now I remember! The Book of James was their devotional study for the trip. A trip that is not yet over.

God, I am trusting YOU in this. I am trusting You to HELP THEM be able to PRAISE YOU IN THIS! Maybe even FOR it. Heidi is doing Your Work in caring for the Widows and Orphans. Her faith is great. But I pray that you will DOUBLE IT!. Please, God, inhabit the praises of Your people!

And now, God, I hear they are on their way home! THANK YOU!

Tagged with: Please God help us to Count it ALL Joy
Posted in a hand up, Advocates for Africa's Children, letting the Holy Spirit flow through us, Meaning, Praise, The sacrifice of praise

Life in the Spirit — An opportunity to be Heard and to Ask for Healing

Posted on August 18, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Life in the Spirit

Good Morning, God!

Tomorrow evening, Thursday the 19th, I start the Life in the Spirit Conference at the Ko’olau Ballroom. I’ve heard the speakers and I know I’ll enjoy them. What will be different is that I am going to receive prayer — instead of giving prayer.

I really love praying with people so it will be an adjustment to ASK for prayer. But, a very good, adjustment. Kit was talking about the scripture he’s going to read in church this Sunday, Luke 13:10-17. Apparently the woman who is bent over — chained by Satan for 12 years — doesn’t ask for healing. It is one of the few times where Jesus heals without being asked.

So Kit and I were pondering the reasons why we are to ask for healing. My first thought was PRIDE! What leader of the synagog or church wants to ask for healing in public ? That is a BIG problem for many long-time church goers — humbling ourselves to ASK!

It was C.S. Lewis who said “Two Christians are ten times stronger than One Christian.” We need one another. There is no shame in that! Joy shared, is joy doubled. Sorrow shared, is sorrow halved.

So why don’t we ask? Like we’re perfect? DUH! But, there seems to be a deep shame in our culture about asking for help. Aaah, God, please help us with that! Please, let us ask one another for help and for prayers. And, let ask for REAL help!

Afterall, we are NOT Jesus. We are coming to Jesus for healing!

Tagged with: Asking for Help - Asking for Healing
Posted in A Spiritual Spring Cleaning, confession, connecting, humility, Humility or Needing Help!, Prayer, Praying together extemporaneously

Fluorescent Corals, Cancer, Illness — Markers and Connectors

Posted on August 17, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Fluorescent coral found 400 miles east of Australia

Good Morning, God!

Fluorescent coral! Amazing! Beautiful and it seems useful for cancer research. They will use their cells to attach to cancer cells and then use a fluorescent microscope to observe them.

Aah, God. Are we going to find a “cure” for cancer? For other illnesses? It strikes me that we are going at it by branching — each new specialty dividing into 10 to 100 more subspecialties — twigs. I wonder if, maybe, God, the trick would be to look the other way — toward the roots — toward the GROUND.

I remember, from years ago, reading of the medical conflict between Pasteur with his “kill the germs” orientation and Claude Bernard with his “strengthen the person’s body or ground” approach. Pasteur is supposed to have said on his death bed, Bernard was right, THE GROUND, THE GROUND IT IS EVERYTHING.

Meaning, to me, God, that it isn’t so much the illness — as the WHOLE PERSON — that should be the focus. And that while fluorescent markers are marvelous — what we need — each one of us — is not so much a Marker as a CONNECTOR.

Patty, in her journey through CANCER had CONNECTORS. Friends she could talk to and write to. And I did too. I still need them. With our Loved Ones, God, we would rather go through it ourselves than watch helplessly as THEY go through it.

PAIN, GRIEF, GUILT, HELPLESSNESS — all of these afflict those who love the one who is “ill.” All of these drive us into isolation — aloneness. THAT, GOD, IS THE GREAT ENEMY! We need a Connector — someone to Walk With Us — someone to hear us. Someone to HEAR US even in our SILENCE.

When I was on this “journey” and away, I, like Patty, journaled. I heard myself. That’s not enough. But it is a step toward connecting. Of course, YOU are with us. But You are with us in a special way when two or more of us come together. Being Connectors. Being Connected to You. Thank You, God, for friends who walk with us.

Tagged with: We are never "alone" but God likes to come through ordinary people
Posted in being heard into speaking, being together in a compassionate presence, Grief, healing, Hearing, hearing myself, Roots

Soaking, Wallowing, and Digesting on a Sabbath Day

Posted on August 16, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The soap bubble nebula

Good Morning, God

Aaaah, there I was, God, soaking in the tub, when it occurred to me that ONCE AGAIN, I have MISSED the POINT. Sabbath Rest is about letting You pool up inside me FOR YOUR PURPOSES.

I am so habituated to useful that I have been looking at the Sabbath Day as “useful.” And, no doubt it is in a hundred ways — but that is besides the point. It isn’t about my perspective, but Yours. Hmmm. Let me restate that, God. Your Perspective is WAY BEYOND me. My perspective morphs moment by moment.

In the tub, soaking in epsom salts, I felt like the right word wasn’t so much soaking as WALLOWING. (To wallow — to indulge to an immoderate degree, usually with pleasure.) Yes, that IS the right word. I was wallowing in my Day of Rest. And I could see that I was not the “active ingredient.”

Not being the Active Ingredient was a RELIEF. A cup being filled is not active. It is receptive — one of the qualities a good listener “exercises.”

Then, God, I went from wallowing in the water to inviting Your Light to flow through me. Bubbles of LIGHT and LOVE . . . which is what led me to find the photo of the Soap Bubble Nebula. This amazing nebula is the result of a massive release of gas as an old star released its outer layer.

And that brings up the whole question of emptying the cup . . . hmmm. Yesterday, after church, I came home and ran for two miles with a few rest/walks. While I was running on the Sabbath I kept asking IS THIS WORK? What I “heard” was IS DIGESTING WORK? Digesting goes on even during the Sabbath. Maybe SWEATING is some sort of “cleanup/clean out” processing too?

Maybe, like forgiving?

Tagged with: Getting our cup emptied
Posted in A weekly day of rest, Digesting as processing, rest, sabbath rest

A New Day! A Gift from God!

Posted on August 15, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A view from Kailua Beach

Good Morning, God!

It is Your Gift of a Sabbath Day! And I am up early — savoring it — appreciating it — thanking You for it. The rains came down our valley a few minutes ago, bringing with them the SMELL of rain — a smell that gladdens my heart.

I got rained on shortly after I took this photo from Kailua Beach . It’s Odd, God, how friendly the rain is here in Hawaii. The dark cloud approaching me looked threatening. But, being enveloped in rain — while one is jogging or walking — is refreshing.

Hmmm. It makes me think of how other things that LOOK dark and threatening can actually be refreshing. I have learned how to set up a review of records added to the library I care for. The volunteer who enters the records was so pleased that now she had a way of CHECKING for her mistakes. We all make mistakes. The idea that we make them is a bit of a dark cloud. But knowing that we can find them and then fix them is such a good feeling — like being enveloped in rain?

Oh my, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could find and fix all our mistakes so easily? Actually, what would be truly wonderful would be if we had a fuller understanding of what constitutes a “mistake.”

Hmmm. I’ve been sitting and pondering that. Some “mistakes” are just cultural differences. Other “mistakes” are injurious to ourselves and others. All the years I didn’t understand my NEED for a day of REST could be considered a significant Error of Omission (read: Mistake).

Ah, God! Here is the thing! Is the JOY of discovering a mistake GREATER than the PAIN of knowing I made it! In my case with the Sabbath, YES! MUCH GREATER! THANK YOU!

Tagged with: On making mistakes -- pain and joy
Posted in a hand up, God's gifts, Mistakes, Sabbath as PLAY, sabbath rest

Sandy Beach, the Blow Hole and Zooming in

Posted on August 14, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

looking toward the Blowhole from Sandy Beach

Good Morning, God!

This photo of the Blow Hole from the west end of Sandy Beach was taken a bit after sunrise. There were a few surfers out and I was enjoying a latte and a little prayer.

Now, here is the same area enlarged! No longer the serene scene. Now it surges with energy. What we focus on makes all the difference.

We live in SUCH A BIG WORLD, God! And it looks so different to each one of us — and a lot of that depends on direction we are looking . . . and what we are zooming in on. Somehow, we don’t seem to take that into account when we “discuss” things. What direction am I looking? Where am I standing? That’s about spatial differences.

Then there are TIME differences. How do we process TIME? I was listening to SuperFreakanomics and hearing all about how poorly designed our Emergency Rooms are for a REAL emergency. Dang. But, of course, I understand why. It is so easy to think that if something is unlikely to happen — it won’t happen. People who talk about Dark Eventualities are called Paranoid. Why pay more to plan ahead — for something that might not happen?

Now I’m thinking, God, of my grandfather shaking his head at the people in Southern California who built in Arroyo Secos (dry riverbeds). True, they were dry for 49 out of 50 years. But there was ALWAYS that 50th year. And then I remember, in Honolulu, where we had a hundred year storm — followed a few years later by a 200 year storm. Hmmm.

Don’t live on the Edge? Keep MARGINS? Aaah. The Sabbath is to my body and being — the way automatic saving is to my bank account! Yes, God, yes. I need Your Help!

Tagged with: The Sabbath as the Body's automated savings plan
Posted in a matter of scale, a prayer for healing, both / and, Possibilities, sabbath rest

Like Light through Leaves — Please, God, Shine through us.

Posted on August 13, 2010 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

light through leaves

Good Morning, God!

I absolutely LOVE light shining through leaves! Thank You! Really, what artist could do as well? Your Creation, Your World, bring such JOY! Thank YOU!

The thing about seeing through the lens of a camera is that I can SHARE what I see! I might even love sharing more than SEEING! Conversations, where I get to share and pray and let You “participate” — at least it feels that way — are the BEST. Oddly enough, focused listening is key to true sharing. One has to absorb what the other person is saying and doing as completely as possible. Focused attention seems to call forth better responses.

I want to thank You for a Background / Foreground shift that happened yesterday as I sat in prayer. I was praying for the Team in Swaziland and apparently putting some effort into it. All of a sudden it seemed so clear that YOU WANTED TO PRAY THROUGH ME. I didn’t have to put any effort into it — YOU were the One doing the WORK. You just wanted me to sit and focus — but maybe more of a focus on You and what You want — than ASKING YOU for stuff. Hmmm.

Then I look at the light illuminating the leaves and flowers and laugh! Yes, our job, so to speak, is to seek You — to ask to join with YOU praying for our family, our friends, and our world.

Ah yes, You are right! I mustn’t neglect to pray for our enemies — to BLESS and not to curse — to Overcome Evil with Good! Actually, that is so beneficial. As we pray for huge and harmful people — we see them as YOU see them — small and crippled children. Children that NEED blessing.

Ah, but for THAT, God, we need Your Light!

Posted in Light, Light shining through, listening, Praise, Prayer, Praying for our enemies, reframing, rejoicing, relationships

Waikiki at Mid-Morning and Me at Mid-Afternoon

Posted on August 12, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Waikiki in Technicolor

Good Morning, God!

I’ve always thought of Hawaii as being in Technicolor — while the rest of the world is mostly Black and White. Coming to Hawaii felt a lot like stepping into Oz — and I was coming from California, not Kansas!

Of course, I know the rest of the world is beautiful, too. There are all kinds of beauty. But I love the fully saturated colors of mid-morning in Waikiki. Even when I am just driving by. And I’m very pleased about how Mayor Harris overhauled Waikiki and planted grass and flowers and widened the sidewalks. Now it looks as if the city is proud of Waikiki.

Yes, God, it is true the infrastructure didn’t get overhauled. Infrastructure doesn’t get much respect. Sewers degrade so slowly. Roads congest over time and we adapt.

Infrastructure is mostly invisible — aging without crying out for help. Hmmm. I’m thinking of our bodies and our minds — our “infrastructure”. Maybe slowing a bit. But carrying on with only an occasional demand for ibuprofen.

So, God, I am sitting here thinking of the BALANCE between caring for my hidden inner infrastructure and caring for the joyful colorful “Beach Time” outer portion of my life. I feel as if You are PLEASED that I am turning in toward an appreciation and concern for my unseen infrastructure.

Good old Jack LaLane comes to mind — USE IT or LOOSE IT. So my Body NEEDS to EXERCISE. My Mind needs to exercise. And my so do my Heart and Spirit. But again, it is about BALANCE. Exercise AND rest.

Rest to Rebuild. Right food to provide the Repair Materials. And Right Purposes, too? Ah, God. We ARE connected all around the world, aren’t we. True religion is to care for the widows and orphans in their distress.

Posted in adjusting, attunement, Balancing and adjustments, beauty, Borrowing from the Body's Bank, growing toward up

Rachel Naomi Remen

Posted on August 11, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Rachel Naomi Remen

Good Morning, God!

How utterly wonderful to find a new author — and especially an affirming author filled with a quiet wisdom. No dogma or rules — just true stories that bless us. Stories are how we learn and how we grow. Jesus didn’t just heal the sick and do miracles — he told stories — stories that reach inside us and invite us to be changed.

I suppose You gave her an Orthodox Jewish grandfather — a mystical one at that — as a gift to her that later on would become a gift to all of us. Here is a short vignette from Peter Chou’s coverage of a talk she gave at Stanford in 2004: My grandfather used to give me presents. Once he brought me a paper cup when I was four years old. I was disappointed that the cup was filled with dirt.

He took me to the kitchen and showed me how to put a little water in the cup. He told me “Neshume-le, you put some water in the dirt every day and something will happen.” The first week I waited for something magical, but nothing happened. The second week, I wanted to give the cup back to grandfather.

But the third week, two tiny green leaves appeared out of the dirt. I was thrilled and when I showed the cup to him, Grandfather said, “Life is everywhere— hidden in the most ordinary and unexpected places.” I asked, “And all it needs is water, Grandpa?” And he laughed, “No Neshume-le, all life needs is your faithfulness.”

Yes, God, yes! Life needs our faithfulness. The dear friend who shared Rachel’s books blessed me. Sharing Wise Words is a Blessing. But as Rachel says we can be a Blessing by listening — or by sitting together in Silence. Help me, God, to grow toward Faithfulness.

Posted in Being a Blessing, Faithfulness, listening

A Welcome Day of Rest

Posted on August 10, 2010 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A Pink Ginger in our neighborhood

Good Morning, God!

I looked at my calendar yesterday and I can stay home ALL DAY today! A Low-Stimulous Day! A GIFT! I think, God, that You might be installing a rheostat inside myself. Not an ON or OFF switch, but a rheostat. A DIAL I can turn. Imagine that!

Yesterday, I got a fast start — but came home to a late lunch and a nap — a nap that wasn’t long enough. Then it was off to visit Mom, eat dinner, pray and go to bed early, reading from Kitchen Table Wisdom.

My old Persona shouted WHAT A WHIMP TO BE SO TIRED! I think she is the one that thinks I’m supposed to LEAP TALL BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE BOUND. I used to actually DO that, God. But the LANDING got harder and harder. That’s sort of a joke, God. But that was my Self Image — my Favorite Illusion.

Now here I am, God! It is a New Day. Pink clouds are floating in a blue sky. And slowly the idea surfaces that PERHAPS having Patty’s Fun Run on Sunday means it wasn’t exactly a Sabbath. Well, yes. It was WONDERFUL. But both Kit and I were WIRED. So, here I am, God. Sitting. Aware of YOU. Hearing Your Call to Come • Sit • Receive. And so I shall — I shall take my timer and go to sit in Centering Prayer. Sitting in Your Transforming Presence — with gratitude and humility. Thank You!