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!

Tagged with: Celebration, Christian speakers, consistent time spent together, Hawaiian Islands Ministries, HIM Conference, Honolulu 2012, relationships
Posted in Families, Prayer, Praying together extemporaneously

A Gray Day with Dash of Courage

Posted on March 20, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Looking at Koko Crater from the Kahala

Good Day, God!

This view of Koko Crater is one of my favorite views on Oahu. And what would it be without the coconut palms! The colors here are not our usual bright blue and green . . . but the gray softens the image . . . and I like that. Come to think of it, I have definitely “softened” the image I have of myself. Hmm. Maybe “enhanced” would be a better word.

For example, today I finally had the courage to even think about transferring and redoing my website. Aiee! I have been terrified even to look at it. Too many options! Too many ways to approach it! Too many ideas swirling in my brain!

Fortunately, our house guest Ann is still here — so I pressed her into service as a Second Brain. I do so appreciate the importance of Second Brains! I guess that the second person must act as the outrigger on the canoe — keeping it from capsizing.

I do know that I would not have even considered starting this Huge Project if I didn’t have her here to help. Now that I have begun and established a beachhead it is actually becoming fun. Too bad my fear kept me from asking for help at the start of her visit!

Dang! I think the bigger problem is that I PUSH the things I am afraid of DOWN, down below consciousness. That way I can view myself as “brave.” Ha! I am not brave at all. And, I am not sure that I even want to be all THAT brave.

What I do want is to know what I am avoiding! Mostly I am avoiding and burying stuff because I don’t know what to do or what to say. If I could bring the situation up to the surface I could ask others for ideas . . . I could pray about it!

Tagged with: a second brain, courage, fear, Koko Crater
Posted in courage, fears

Shedding the Superwoman Illusion

Posted on March 19, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A Walkway under an arch of Hau Trees looking toward Sans Souci beach

Good Day, God!

My Life is beginning to feel like this lovely Hau Tree walkway. There is time to stop, take photos, appreciate the beauty all around me. I am Walking, not Running. It is Wonderful!

Of course, first I had to stop valuing SPEED and PRODUCTIVITY. That was not easy, God. In fact, I guess it happened slowly — over time — no doubt with Your help. I say that because folks stuck in addictions need Your Help!

Turning our lives over to a Higher Power? I don’t suppose You fret too much about what we call You, God. After all, You are looking at our Hearts — looking WAY beyond Words!

And now I am honestly puzzled as to why it took me so long to slow down and do less. Why, indeed!

Maybe because I was born around the same time Superman was created? I did grow up listening to Faster than a Speeding Bullet . . . able to Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound!

I’m smiling, God. I realized a few years ago that while I was still (in my own mind) leaping tall buildings in a single bound, landing was getting harder and harder! Ah, but I thought I just had to TRY HARDER.

Now, I am working at building in recovery time. In May, after returning home across 11 time zones, I am going to do NOTHING for several days! I will just block that time off on my calendar.

Wow! I am actually starting to stop pretending to be Superwoman and beginning to take care of myself!

Tagged with: Illusions, recovering from an addiction to busy, retirement, Sans Souci Beach, Superman, Superwoman
Posted in rest, slow incremental change, time

Fountains, Water and Our Hearts

Posted on March 18, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Dillingham fountain with Diamond Head in the background

Good Day, God!

I was so happy to see that the Dillingham fountain has finally been renovated. For many months it had yellow patches showing as they worked to restore it. I took photos anyway.

Now here it is, looking just pristine, with it’s new white coat!

Still, God, fountains without water are so Empty! So Functionless!

It makes me think, God, of how some people manage to DO everything RIGHT

Dillingham Fountain at night in 2010

— having a clean coat of white paint — but lack the free flowing water — the Living Water. Actually, I think trying too hard to be “right” may very well block that Water of the Spirit. Sigh. By that, I don’t mean that we shouldn’t try to be good people. We should try to love You and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

I guess what I meant, God, was what St. Paul talked about when he said that we have this Treasure in fragile clay pots. We are nothing fancy. No need for us to dress up in fancy robes, God, because it isn’t about us. It is about YOU. I find that vastly comforting.

Hmm. Perhaps not totally comforting as You do look on our Hearts. But, maybe even then You are not looking for a perfectly clean and tidy heart but a Heart of Flesh — a tender heart that is easily broken over the sorrows of this world.

Please help me remember, God, that simply giving a cup of water to a thirsty person is something well worth doing.

Tagged with: Dillingham Fountain, fragile clay cups, Hearts of Flesh, living water
Posted in Hearts, water and love

Unexpected Delight

Posted on March 17, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Living Fireworks -- a plant I didn't even like -- until the Light hit it.

Good Day, God!

This plant has a bulbous lump at the bottom of it’s trunk and I have never liked it. So, God, I was stunned when I saw it in the full sun — the light made it look like a living fireworks — albeit static.

I love unexpected sights. Could it be that’s why we love to travel, God? Seeing things that surprise and delight us? Actually, my ordinary routine world seems full enough of sights that delight.

In the middle of the week, my husband Kit, suggested that we go and look at the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in the Western Sky. We walked toward the park that’s behind us — scanning the sky. NOTHING!

Jupiter and Venus -- when we saw them they were equally bright and on the same level -- looking like headlights.Photo from Deanspace

Well, not nothing, there were lots of clouds. We stood and peered for several minutes. We did see Orion’s Belt overhead. (Anyone interested in just WHO Orion was can click here. But, that was it.

We turned to walk home. But, I slipped off the sidewalk and turned back for another look. There they were! They really did look like a pair of headlights coming toward us! I didn’t have a camera with me, God. I guess because I didn’t expect it to be so dramatic. I wish I had a photo that did them justice!

But, all of this is just to say Thank You, God! Thank You for all the interesting and delightful things in life.

Tagged with: Deanspace, Jupiter and Venus conjunction
Posted in Curiosity, delight

Interacting with Art — or are they Entings?

Posted on March 16, 2012 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A new "stickwork" creation by sculpture Patrick Dougherty on the lawn of the Honolulu Museum of Art.

Good Day, God!

This intriguing Stickwork graces the lawn of the Honolulu Museum of Art. I’d previously seen Stickwork on Maui at the Hui No’eau’s Kaluanui Estate. These Honolulu stickwork are creations of sculptor Patrick Dougherty. Remarkable!

I sense in these, God, some Creature from a Bygone Age. I thought of Ents and then, well no, maybe Entings? But some living creatures, surely? Ah, God, author J.R.R. Tolkien would know!

I like that. And I liked walking

Peering out of a Stickwork Creature.

inside them — and peering out of them. I felt as if I were in a sort of “living” tree house.

On a more mundane level, God, it made me remember that peasants in Europe lived in daub and wattle huts. Hmm. I just read that daub and wattle construction has been used since neolithic times and on most continents. Of course, Patrick’s “wattle” is ART.

Still, I can’t help picturing them covered with “daub” and set in some exotic locale. Is that just me, God? Or do women tend to look for places to set up housekeeping? Ah well. It was a joy to interact with this stickwork creation.

Thank You, God, for Art that delights and surprises and stimulates our imaginations.

Tagged with: Entings, Honolulu Museum of Art, Patrick Dougherty, Stickwork
Posted in Creating, imagining