A Marvelous Birthday!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Our daughter Patty, on the back of a CD of her poems set to music

Good Day, God!

I am so thankful! I mean, God, I think my Heart has been EXPANDED today — so that I feel just how fortunate I am. I am OVERFLOWING with gratitude and awe.

One fabulous “birthday gift” was given by my friend Pulelehua who came over to put my website “together.” (Click here to see it.) And just this evening I put up our late daughter Patty’s CD in the section of my website called Mango Days. Patty’s poems, journal entries and letters to her best friend were compiled into the book, Mango Days by Kit Smith — her dad and my husband.

Then two years ago a fine musician named Jim Funkhouser — through Kit’s Andover alumni connections — read the book and asked if he could set some of Patty’s poems to music. Wow, God! We were thrilled — and moved to tears when we heard Jim’s music.

So, God, being able to post information regarding Patty’s CD — which contains two Song Cycles, Dusk and Between Worlds — made it more real to me. And even more thankful to Jim Funkhouse, the gifted composer.

Even more than all of that, God, just laying my life out via a website gave me a chance to SEE and APPRECIATE it. For example, the only way I could “improve” life on my birthday was to include a 90-minute massage. Soooo, GOOD! Earlier, after coffee and chocolates at home with Kit, I met a friend to walk around Kapiolani Park and swim in the ocean like I do almost every Friday. It’s hard to improve on my non-birthday life!

Meanwhile our daughter Sandy and her son Mark are on their way from Arizona to Los Angeles to visit our daughter Suzanne. They will (I hope) send me a few photos and text messages. So, God, I have a family I adore — AND I get to live in Hawaii. THANK YOU!

Tagged with: Dusk and Between Worlds, gratitude, James Funkhouser composer, Mango Days, song cycles
Posted in appreciation, daughters, Families, gratitude, LOVE

The Blessings of Maintenance

Posted on March 29, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Maintenance workers emptying one of the sidewalk trash cans

Good Day, God!

Thank You for Maintenance Workers! I have been putting trash in these sidewalk trash cans for years. But I never thought about how they got emptied or who emptied them!

Hmm. Well, YES, God. It takes real people to do maintenance work. Trash doesn’t just disappear over time.

And my Inner Trash bins are not going to empty themselves, either, are they!

Dang! That’s my job. Just like making our bed and brushing my teeth. And, just like filing or tossing my papers — I don’t like doing it. The thing is, God, that I can see the papers piling up . . . I can see the stacks of magazines growing. My Inner Trash is mostly invisible.

Oh, oh. I think I just heard You say that I could ask You for Help in Finding it, and Feeling it. Sigh! Papers and magazines are EASY compared to my inner trash. Inner Trash hurts . . . smells . . . has a nasty buzz to it. I really don’t want to touch it.

But, You say, IT’S TOXIC! OK, God. I hear You.

I will go and Center right now. Back again and oooh . . . most of my trash has been “compacted” and seems to be made up of “Judgments” . . . Yikes! What’s worse is that I have taken my “compacted judgments” and built walls out of them. Yes, YES! I hear You. “Do not judge that you be not judged!” During my prayer time, God, You took one of my Judgments and transformed it into Love for the person. Oh, that is so much better for my soul — and my health.

Let me say with Job (42:2) “I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

I hope that includes your purposes with me. All Praise be to You, God!

Tagged with: cleaning up my heart, decompacting judgments, inner trash bins
Posted in A Spiritual Spring Cleaning, clean and tidy, LOVE, Maintenance, self care as maintenance

My Inner “Service Dog”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by a moment with god — 5 Comments

I traded in my Inner Mother Cat for an Inner Service Dog

Good Day, God!

What an amazing morning I had, God! You truly do love to surprise us with out-of-the-box experiences!

After my early morning Eldest Daughter Prayer Time, I drove up to Tantalus to see June, my Spiritual Director. She prefers calling herself a spiritual friend and it is true that she is gentle and nuanced, not at all directive.

I got to telling her about my Inner Mother Cat — that’s the one that has been really hard on me for “letting” our daughter Patty die. June suggested that maybe I didn’t need her inside me any longer?

What? I had to ask June to repeat that, God, because it was so unexpected. Did I have a choice? Really? June thought I did.

So, I closed my eyes and a mini series of inner images flowed through my mind: putting my Mother Cat in my lap and petting her; handing her to Jesus; being horrified as she put out her claws and made Jesus bleed; Jesus holding her and smiling at her and breathing on her.

My Mother Cat was going to be healed and comforted — things I had never been able to do for her. What a comforting feeling that was, God! And so freeing, too!

Then, and I forget exactly HOW it happened, but it seemed that You wanted to give me a Service Dog to replace my Mother Cat. Slowly the dog came into focus. It was an Irish Wolfhound. A white Irish Wolfhound. June said she didn’t think they were white. But, they are! Anyway, I am Very Thankful, God, because I know that I need a Service Dog (her name is Jacqueline) to help me take better care of myself.

Tagged with: An Inner Service Dog, Inner Adventures, Inner Scenes, My Mother Cat, Spiritual Director
Posted in a prayer for healing, asking for help for myself, Our inner Cat, responding to God's Spirit, small meaningful moments

When the Impossible happens

Posted on March 27, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The safe landing on the Hudson River

Good Day, God!

Impossible things DO happen. And if we notice that they have happened, we respond with joy and awe. We certainly rejoiced at the safe landing of the US Airways plane on Jan. 15, 2009, on the Hudson River!

Two thousand years ago, as told in the first chapter of Luke, came another “impossible” event: Zechariah and his wife have a son in their old age, just as the angel Gabriel had foretold.

Because Zechariah expressed doubt, his ability to speak was cut off at that moment — all the way through the pregnancy. When it came time to name his son, he had to write out “His name is John!” Immediately Zechariah’s voice returns, and he bursts forth into praise and prophesying.

My favorite part comes right at the end where he says:

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the Morning Light from Heaven is about to break upon us, to give Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the Path of Peace.”

These are glorious words, God. I love them. I hope You don’t mind if I use them “out of context,” so to speak, and as a prayer.

Thank You, God, that because of Your Tender Mercy, The Morning Light from Heaven shines on us — giving Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Guide us, Oh God, to the Path of Peace.

That’s a good way to greet each new day.

Tagged with: birth of John the Baptist, impossible events, the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah
Posted in mysteries, Praise, Prayer, rejoicing

What’s possible? What’s not?

Posted on March 26, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

a young Golden Plover (Ka Leo) soon to fly off to Alaska

Good Day, God!

I love these birds. This one still looks very young. I saw others last week who were already in their Mating Plumage. Sometime in mid-April they will begin to gather on fields and then they will fly off to Alaska. Alaska!

It is things like that flight to Alaska, God, that make me realize Nothing is Impossible to You!

If I didn’t know anything about migrations and someone showed me this bird and said, “Next month it is going to fly from Hawaii to Alaska.” I would say, NO WAY!

This morning, while I was reading the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, I thought about this whole question of what is possible and what is not.

As humans we are often quite certain about what is not possible. Take Zechariah. There he was in the Holy of Holies, doing his priestly duties — when an angel appears. The Bible says the angel appears just to the right side of the altar of incense. I liked that detail, God.

Anyway, the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that his prayers are to be answered and his wife will bear him a son. But, Zechariah knew that he was old man and his wife was “well along in years.” In short, Zechariah KNEW that it was NOT possible for his wife to bear him a son.

Sigh. I am tempted, God, to think that if I saw an angel I would have no trouble believing his message. But, I am just like Zechariah. There are some things I am sure about. I know they are not possible.

But, now I’m thinking about the Ka Leo about to fly off to Alaska. And, I am realizing that I know very little. More and more I am believing ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO YOU!

Tagged with: Angel Gabriel, Golden Plovers, migrations, what's not "possible", what's possible, Zechariah
Posted in complexity, Faith, humility, mysteries, Rethinking

We are all on a voyage

Posted on March 25, 2012 by a moment with god — 2 Comments

a portion of a mural at the Hawaii Convention Center

Good Day, God!

Sunday evening . . . the long awaited conference is over . . . leaving behind so many useful ideas and so many memories. But, it isn’t really so much about useful as it is about relational.

This is a chance to see people that I only see once a year. It is a chance to be together in prayer on the Prayer Team with friends from other churches and other denominations. Putting aside differences that have divided people for years, we focused on what unites us.

This evening my husband Kit and I went to hear Tony Campolo talk at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu. Tony spoke at the conference and this was one more chance to hear him before he flew home. We both love Tony Campolo even though we are always challenged by him. Or maybe we love him because he challenges us.

Being “challenged” doesn’t happen very often, God. Not nearly often enough. Because what we call “Christianity” has been filtered through 1,950 years of CULTURE! It has been Americanized to fit comfortably with Our Values. I fear, it fits far too comfortably.

Looking at this photo of Hawaiian voyaging canoes makes me think about the difficulties of transmitting The Message from one culture to another. As St. Paul said, “we have this treasure in earthenware vessels.” Sigh. It is hard work, God, trying to get the Message from one culture to another — or even from one generation to another.

Tony talked about Red Letter Christians — mostly young people who focus on following the Words of Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus speaks to our Hearts. Please help me, God, to spend TIME in His Words — not just to read them but to let them soak in.

Tagged with: Culture, Gospels, Jesus, Red Letter Christians, Tony Campolo
Posted in Inner Journeys, words to strengthen

Quitting Our Old Way of Living?

Posted on March 24, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A bright bit of greenery in the Hawaii Convention Center

Good Day, God!

Wonderful and Overwhelming! That’s my take on the annual Christian conference called Honolulu 2012. This year the theme was Name Above All Names.

There were, of course, TOO MANY interesting seminar topics — and it’s hard having to choose. But, this morning I had no trouble at all deciding which talk to go to.

The speaker was Geri Scazzero, the author of I QUIT!: Stop Pretending Everything is Fine and Change Your Life. I bought the book last night. I got all the way up to page 74 before I fell asleep. In Geri’s case she really did temporarily “quit” the church her husband was pastoring. That is pretty drastic, God, and it sounds scary — or at least, unsettling. But, her book is about quitting things that are injuring us and others. How sensible it THAT!

A few examples: When we Quit Blaming, we can Choose to Take Responsibility. When we Quit Lies, we Choose Truth. When we Quit Faulty Thinking, we Choose to Live in Reality.

It all makes very good sense, God. We are, after all, told clearly told Speak the Truth in Love. Ah, but doing that takes real skill.

She points out that, “It is one thing to stop lying; it is quite another to start speaking the truth.” At her church they teach people to speak the truth Respectfully, Honestly , Directly and Clearly.

As Geri says, “Doing that takes Time and Energy.” It is a SKILL and as a skill it can be learned.

It is one of many new skills calling out to be learned. This book is calling all of us to QUIT our old lives and choose TO LIVE NEW LIVES as FREE PEOPLE.

Tagged with: an emotionally healthy life, Geri Scazzero, Honolulu 2012, I QUIT!: Stop Pretending Everything is Fine and Change Your Life, Name Above All Names, speaking the truth in love
Posted in Abundant Life, choices, health, self care as self compassion and humility

A Heart Filled with Joy!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Looking up at the top of the Hawaii Convention Center

Good Day, God!

Aaaaaa! Another marvelous day at the Honolulu 2012 Conference! It was a full day — filled with speakers and music and even a fabulous slam poet. It was also filled with visits with friends and new friends and most of all it was filled with prayers.

I have to tell You, God, that the prayers were the MOST Fun! Last night, Memry Casey, the speaker at one of the 18 available sessions that evening, gave us a great assignment. She had noticed that there were a lot of members of the prayer team present in her audience. So, at the end of her talk she told the Prayer Team members present in her session to stand up and then go and bless the people around us. Wow!

Who knew that giving Blessings to random strangers could be such a High? I asked one woman if she had been prayed for and she said “Oh yes.” But, when I asked her if she would accept a second blessing, she agreed. I have no idea just what words came out of my mouth but after the prayer she hugged me and cried and hugged me again and again.

Yes, God, praying for You to bless folks could get addictive real fast!

Tagged with: Hawaii Convention Center, Hawaiian Islands Ministries, Honolulu 2012, Offering Blessings, Prayer Team
Posted in Blessing, Prayer, Risky living with the Holy Spirit

The parable of the Fig Tree and Humankind

Posted on March 22, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A Welcome Bromeliad in the women's bathroom at the Hawaii Convention Center

Good Day, God!

This morning I read the parable about the Fig Tree. The Owner was disgusted that in three years there had been NO FIGS! But, the Gardener said, “Let me dig around the tree and give it more fertilizer for one year. Then if there are no figs, it will be cut down.”

Often, I take that personally — take it as an Individual Fig Tree — and wonder if I am bearing fruit. But, this morning, God, I wondered if the Fig Tree might be US, All of us Humans. Sigh.

I can’t help but notice, God, that there have been a lot of extinctions here on Planet Earth. And I also have noticed that we Humans have not been the Best of Tenants. This worries me.

We are a marvelously clever and creative people. And I think most of us are people of good will and good intentions. I am certain You have given us — as a species — the ability to do far better than we currently are at being stewards and caretakers of our planet and all that is on it.

I do have hope, God. My dear friend Heidi is dedicated to helping the orphans and vulnerable children in Swaziland. She is making it possible for people here to help orphans and caregivers there become self-sustaining — working with and through the local rural churches. She is one of a vast array of people working in countless diverse ways to make this a better world. Thank You, God!

I hope, God, that You are giving our species one more of Your Long Years to bear real fruit. Please, God, open our Ears to Hear. Open our Eyes to See. Please, most of all, Open our Hearts to Love.

Tagged with: doing better, extinctions, hope, parable of the fig tree, stewards, taking care of our planet, working for the common good
Posted in Guardians and Protectors, Heal Us Now, hugs

Let the Celebration Begin!

Posted on March 21, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

The silent corridors of the Hawaii Convention Center waiting for the HIM Conference to begin on Thursday

Good Day, God!

Tomorrow — Thursday — is the BIG DAY! I’ve been part of a Prayer Team praying all year for the Speakers, the Staff and the Attendees at the annual Honolulu 2012 Conference. And praying for all the families involved, too, God.

Tonight I just got back from a meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center of all the volunteers that it takes to put on a conference for over 3,000 people from over 300 churches. It felt really good, God, to be all together with the other volunteers. I’ve been privileged to be a part of this prayer team for many years, and there is a definite “family reunion” feel to our times together.

Time spent together — consistent time — builds relationships. It is as if our bodies “recognize” one another at some invisible level. Or at least, that is how it seems to me. I remember going to one conference where we all sat in the same seats for a whole week. I had a friend on my left — and a person I didn’t know on my right. By the end of the week — without much in the way of chatting — the person on my right had become a friend. Not just a friend but a valued friend. How does that happen, God?

Hmm. Maybe more to the point, God, would be the question: How might we make use of continued regular proximity to break down prejudicial walls?

Meanwhile, the Pre-conference begins tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. and then the Conference that evening. There will be WAY TOO MANY wonderful speakers to listen to — choices will have to be made — choices made easier by inexpensive mp3 files of the talks.

Thank You! And please God, bless us ALL — Everyone!