tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465467516695654922024-02-19T08:53:58.860-08:00under the palm treeRev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-25428255563181888062014-11-20T07:44:00.001-08:002014-11-20T07:46:30.475-08:00Broken Breakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The breaker that controls the kitchen, living room and hallway lights broke yesterday. Luckily the refrigerator and kitchen plugs weren't on that same switch. It was nice lighting candles this morning when I brewed my 5 am cup of tea. It reminded me of one of my favorite W.H. Auden's poems, which I will include here. May we all show an affirming flame.</div>
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: #e1e7e8; font-size: 24px; text-align: center;">
<b>SEPTEMBER 1, 1939</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: #e1e7e8; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>by W.H. Auden</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #042eee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.newheadnews.com/"><b>Newhead News</b></a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #042eee; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.metafilter.com/58823/His-gift-survived-it-all"><b>Auden -X- </b><b><i>MetaFilter</i></b></a></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(4, 46, 238); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #042eee; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-op-hitchens4mar04,0,3520919.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions"><b>Auden: A poet for our times</b><b></b></a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<b>by Christopher Hitchens</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>I sit in one of the dives</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>On Fifty-second Street</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Uncertain and afraid</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>As the clever hopes expire</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Of a low dishonest decade: </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Waves of anger and fear </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Circulate over the bright</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>And darkened lands of the earth, </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Obsessing our private lives;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The unmentionable odour of death </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Offends the September night.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Accurate scholarship can</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Unearth the whole offence</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>From Luther until now</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>That has driven a culture mad,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Find what occurred at Linz,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>What huge imago made</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>A psychopathic god:</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>I and the public know</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>What all schoolchildren learn,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Those to whom evil is done</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Do evil in return.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Exiled Thucydides knew</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>All that a speech can say</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>About Democracy,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>And what dictators do,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The elderly rubbish they talk</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>To an apathetic grave;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Analysed all in his book,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The enlightenment driven away,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The habit-forming pain,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Mismanagement and grief:</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>We must suffer them all again.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Into this neutral air</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Where blind skyscrapers use </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Their full height to proclaim </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The strength of Collective Man, </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Each language pours its vain </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Competitive excuse:</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>But who can live for long</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>In an euphoric dream;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Out of the mirror they stare, </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Imperialism's face</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>And the international wrong.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Faces along the bar</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Cling to their average day:</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The lights must never go out,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The music must always play,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>All the conventions conspire</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>To make this fort assume</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The furniture of home;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Lest we should see where we are, </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Lost in a haunted wood,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Children afraid of the night</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Who have never been happy or good.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The windiest militant trash </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Important Persons shout</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Is not so crude as our wish: </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>What mad Nijinsky wrote </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>About Diaghilev</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Is true of the normal heart; </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>For the error bred in the bone </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Of each woman and each man </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Craves what it cannot have, </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Not universal love</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>But to be loved alone.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>From the conservative dark</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Into the ethical life</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The dense commuters come,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Repeating their morning vow;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>'I will be true to the wife,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>I'll concentrate more on my work,'</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>And helpless governors wake</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>To resume their compulsory game: </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Who can release them now,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Who can reach the dead,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Who can speak for the dumb?</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>All I have is a voice</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>To undo the folded lie,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>The romantic lie in the brain</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Of the sensual man-in-the-street </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>And the lie of Authority</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Whose buildings grope the sky: </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>There is no such thing as the State </b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>And no one exists alone;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Hunger allows no choice</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>To the citizen or the police;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>We must love one another or die.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; min-height: 23px; text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Defenseless under the night</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Our world in stupor lies;</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Yet, dotted everywhere,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Ironic points of light</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Flash out wherever the Just</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Exchange their messages:</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>May I, composed like them</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Of Eros and of dust,</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Beleaguered by the same</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Negation and despair,</b></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">
<b>Show an affirming flame.</b></div>
<div>
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Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-83793193257721053522014-06-21T07:29:00.001-07:002014-06-21T07:29:35.384-07:00Pastors and sabbaticals<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateContainer" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(36, 28, 28); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
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<span style="color: dimgrey;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">June 21, 2014</span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: dimgrey;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">The curse of ingratitude</span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: black;">By Tom Ehrich</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px;">Pop quiz.<br /><br />You are a pastor. You work six days a week, sometimes seven. You are on call 24/7. Every detail of your life is out there for public consumption. People project their unresolved issues onto you, especially parental issues from their childhoods.<br /><br />By church rules, you are entitled to a sabbatical, perhaps three months every seven years. But when you propose it, you hear what a pastor heard the other day: "Sabbaticals are for academics who are making a significant contribution to their field, not for clergy who want an extended vacation and can't take working for a living."<br /><br />What do you say?<br /><br />In that one dismissive sentence, someone you trust tells you your work is insignificant, you want a benefit that you don't deserve, and you are lazy.<br /><br />What do you do?<br /><br />I read this comment on Facebook and was stunned. It reminded me of comments I heard during my parish ministry. It echoed comments other clergy report. I was stunned again at how casually cruel some people can be toward their pastors.<br /><br />And saddened. Saddened for this pastor, who now must suck it up, look beyond the rudeness and be there for this arrogant twit when he needs care and doesn't hesitate to demand it. And saddened for the rude man, because he is receiving so much and doesn't realize it. How much else of God's love for him is he failing to see?<br /><br />Churches die for many reasons, from bad leadership decisions to bad luck to poor execution of programs and ideas. One reason they die is ingratitude. Like the ingratitude of the man who thought himself so clever and analytical when he dismissed his pastor's request for a sabbatical.<br /><br />Families die for the same reason. When spouses take each other for granted, or when one partner does all the giving, or when children take ceaselessly and feel entitled to more, even the sturdiest family crumbles.<br /><br />Enterprises die when bosses demand but don't thank, when executives feel entitled to extravagant salaries, denounce underlings seeking better minimum wages, and lobby hard to deprive workers of the very benefits they take for granted. <br /><br />Societies die for ingratitude, too. The social contract shreds when those who have much feel entitled to more, not grateful for what they have. Suffering and resentment breed when the wealthy give no thought to leaving the edges of the field unharvested for others to glean, and when they consider themselves superior human beings for the good luck of being born into privilege.<br /><br />I am going to guess that the man who dissed his pastor is a moderately successful professional or businessman, who thinks his comfortable paycheck signifies wisdom. He lives within the common delusion that he earned it all, no matter how many contributed to his success, not to mention the role of luck.<br /><br />This is the profile of ingratitude: someone who measures himself against others, takes satisfaction in having more, gives all the credit to himself, sees little of the web of interactions that underlie any success, lords it over the have-nots as inadequate persons, and feels entitled to be as rude and selfish as he likes.<br /><br />What should the pastor say to him?<br /><br />The safe response is nothing. The power imbalance is too great.<br /><br />The Gospel response is something riskier: "When you have need, I am there for you. Now I have need, and I expect you to be there for me."</span></div>
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Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-28477839091901541192014-06-12T08:48:00.002-07:002014-11-18T04:50:53.753-08:00Life, Love, Wonder, Joy, Awe, Connectedness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"You are anointed with this oil and sealed as Christ's own forever,"</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><i> I said as I made the sign of the cross on her forehead with the oil for baptism...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><i>she asked, "will you put some on my toes too?"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">All you need to know about how to live can be found in a prayer in the Book of Common Prayer that is used when we baptize: - I adapted it a bit..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">'Gracious and loving God, we thank you for life itself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">Sustain <i>me,</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"> O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give <i>me</i></span><br style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';" /><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">an inquiring and discerning heart, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">the courage to will and to </span><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">persevere, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"><span style="font-size: large;">a spirit to know and to love you, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">and the gift of joy </span><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">and wonder in all your works.'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';">Inquiring - so we never lose our </span><span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style;">curiosity and desire to engage and learn.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">Discerning- I could have used this a bit more when I was 17 & decided to hitch hike across the country by myself. Bad idea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">Very Bad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">Courage to will & persevere- Some days it takes a lot of courage to just keep on going. I recently read a book that my 16 year old daughter brought home from school called Thirteen Reasons Why. It was written from the perspective of a girl who committed suicide and sent audio tapes to the people who contributed to her decision to take her life. I felt compelled to write a response called Thirteen Reasons Why Not - from the perspective of teen who attempted suicide a couple of times. She wrote letters to people who helped her stay the course, hang in there for just another day, another hour until she reclaimed the spark of life that was meant for her all along. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">A spirit to know and love God - we need to know it's not all about us, there is more, so much more....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;">The gift of joy and wonder - so that we never ever ever lose the capacity to stand in utter awe whether we are gazing at a new baby, a full moon, a small flower or a admiring the beauty of a horse running free, or.... add your own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Goudy Old Style; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-60928034345909245802014-06-11T16:05:00.002-07:002014-06-11T22:12:50.114-07:00Faith and religion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm reading Daring Greatly by Brenee Brown. I have underlined notes on almost every page. A quote from her book that I read today is:<br />
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"When religious leaders leverage our fear and need for more certainty by extracting vulnerability from spirituality and turning faith into 'compliance and consequences,' rather than teaching and modeling how to wrestle with the unknown and how to embrace mystery the entire concept of faith is bankrupt on its own terms. Faith minus vulnerability equals politics, or worse extremism. Spiritual connection and engagement is not built on compliance, it's the product of love, belonging, and vulnerability."<br />
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Amen to that!!<br />
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The photo was taken on Pentecost Sunday at Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka.Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-48119338253380142432013-12-31T07:28:00.000-08:002013-12-31T07:28:18.974-08:00New Years Eve 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My favorite things - 2013</div>
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A poem posted in the RevGal blog site this morning (by revkarla):<br />
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<i>In this morning</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>on the evening of the last night</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>of this calendar year</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I pray…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>to savor the day, I mean, really live it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I will reflect upon the good, the bad, the ugly, the sad, the poignant and the glorious</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>of the past twelve months….</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>and give God thanksgiving and praise for this gift of my life, the fulness thereof, </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And then I pray to move on,</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>and move into whatever is next</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>with courage, spirit, adventure and love…</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>for the moments we really have</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>are the ones we are living now. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Amen. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
2013 was filled with so many blessings. Three (former) members of Grace church were all ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 29th at Trinity Cathedral. On June 30th they were all at Grace church as ordained clergy. Each one had a unique path to ordination with a variety of challenges along the way. Each felt a strong call to the priesthood fueled by a tug deep in their soul. Each one is amazing and talented and thoughtful and brilliant.<br />
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We went to New York in February and were able to have a rare family gathering with the Sabino family. We skated in Central Park, visited old friends, Rob played a gig with his old band, Chic, and went St. John the Divine cathedral. </div>
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<br />Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-64804348675359619782012-01-05T09:32:00.000-08:002012-01-05T09:50:29.052-08:00Dear Mom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hUrWbZkHjq3_gQ51WjVAStM202H5bFAcmGRYRGdNdVWthTgBvvQdwAxFBX-N1JiBxbT8EdcCU9AXrXeUbNHvo6yFiJEA74ds20uUsMphrfcTSgaZ8ynJXRgpf5zspSV_HLXapykLgg/s1600/boat.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hUrWbZkHjq3_gQ51WjVAStM202H5bFAcmGRYRGdNdVWthTgBvvQdwAxFBX-N1JiBxbT8EdcCU9AXrXeUbNHvo6yFiJEA74ds20uUsMphrfcTSgaZ8ynJXRgpf5zspSV_HLXapykLgg/s400/boat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694206732840225970" /></a><br />It has been almost a year since you died. Those last few months I spent with you were a blessing I will always treasure. I have slowly been going through your things and never knew what a pack rat you were. I hope you don't mind that I tossed out those little wooden spools of thread that had about 4 feet of thread left on each one. I kept a few packets of sewing needles, but didn't think I'd ever use 85 packets of them. Right now I am looking a bag you kept of maps. Roseville, San Francisco city guide, USA, Santa Cruz, Lake Tahoe, Florida, Sarasota, Michigan, Detroit, Lakeport, Placerville, Grass Valley , and ....India? I remember stories about many trips you took - the white sand in Sarasota, many trips to San Francisco and Michigan, but I never heard about India. Did you ever go there and I never knew about it? Did you want to go there? I'll never know. I think I will give these maps to a thrift store. I have kept them in a bag in my closet for 11 months now. These were records of your trips, your stories. Some will live on in me, but little by little I keep letting you go. Not that I love less or miss you less, it's just the reality that you are no longer here. I have a box with some of my own maps that I will hold on to - and I imagine that one of my children will be going through them one day tracing my journeys and wondering whether to hold on to them or give them away. I hope they will smile as they remember stories I've told them or trips we took together, and then let them go as I am yours.<div><br /></div><div>I miss you.</div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-88386893218695436682011-12-30T16:54:00.000-08:002011-12-30T17:07:50.925-08:00Friday Five<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lRj1zFI4b3-XIthDCRkgSlDmWlHS-CU4RX5RC7U2Iiw1MxMSfRY5JFNBG8G_p__x1Pwvwc65lmsmsFZyEdqw5y8wNkRVk3-DmKUKpHYFJ8cefXh8hLbC0qmPeH9xI6Feri9uMo7WJw/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lRj1zFI4b3-XIthDCRkgSlDmWlHS-CU4RX5RC7U2Iiw1MxMSfRY5JFNBG8G_p__x1Pwvwc65lmsmsFZyEdqw5y8wNkRVk3-DmKUKpHYFJ8cefXh8hLbC0qmPeH9xI6Feri9uMo7WJw/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692092791561728978" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">One of the online communities I belong to asks questions for reflection on Friday's called the Friday Five. This week we were asked: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i>As you look back over 2011 share 5 blessings, they can be as grand or as simple as you like,if you year has been like mine they are probably a mixture!</i></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><i><br />As you look towards 2012 share 5 hopes- again, anything goes!<br /><br />Pictures and songs welcome!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Blessings:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >1. My family, especially the birth of my newest grand daughter, Charlotte. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >2. Amazing friends, both online and live.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >3. A congregation that is vibrant and loving.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >4. My self-defense instructor.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >5. Mocha and Chloe- a huge labradoodle and tiny schnoodle.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >Hopes for 2012:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >1. To put my keys and purse in the same place every day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >2. To be responsible for the energy I bring into a room. I heard that on an interview with Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard brain scientist who suffered a stroke. During her recovery she was aware of people's energy in a very palpable way. There are some people who really do suck our energy and leave us feeling drained. I want to be aware of my energy and what I bring into a room as I enter it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >3. To stay away from people who have toxic energy as much as possible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >4. To find a new living situation for my 35 year old disabled son. I need to find a counselor who can help him deal with agoraphobia and begin to engage in life with the limitations he has.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >5. To sleep at least 7 hours a night.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(25, 25, 25); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-6117963971722750452011-12-30T07:20:00.000-08:002011-12-30T07:40:01.567-08:00Advent Christmas and new lifeI<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">t was a quieter Christmas than most. There were only a few around the dinner table. We normally have tables linked together that wind all throughout the house. This year we all sat at one table. I normally love the chaos and confusion and nieces and nephews and children running all over, but this year was nice in its own way. I needed a more quiet time. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I woke up feeling rested yesterday. It was the first time I woke up feeling that way in a long time. I haven't had a nightmare in 4 days. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">I am settling into a routine with prayer, exercise, sleep, errands, napping, cooking and did I mention sleeping and napping? I am also continuing with self-defense training and counseling. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; ">One of my Canadian friends just e-mailed me a portion of the psalms he read this morning from Psalm 144 which <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "> sounds like a motto for self-defense training; "Blessed is God, who traineth my hands to war and my fingers to fight."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; ">I miss my congregation and work at the church, but know that this is still a time to unplug and re-set my body and soul. </span></span></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-46553636779421708062011-12-17T07:49:00.000-08:002013-12-28T13:20:49.287-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGeXXDCg-GrP6GSJWaNTZcyC6T3Oha2Z1MI6jUlIU8DL3vsjdf5nlReSze_qbHCFTRNsIugDcbciZnz2Wo3WPuRF_FyET-c_16Qwz2OC8yZPX845zSY6n7rkipPUF3D9r83EVTI9wqQ/s1600/220px-Scan-of-original-poster-1939-300px.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGeXXDCg-GrP6GSJWaNTZcyC6T3Oha2Z1MI6jUlIU8DL3vsjdf5nlReSze_qbHCFTRNsIugDcbciZnz2Wo3WPuRF_FyET-c_16Qwz2OC8yZPX845zSY6n7rkipPUF3D9r83EVTI9wqQ/s400/220px-Scan-of-original-poster-1939-300px.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687125238663358274" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 329px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 220px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">There is a story about an old Cherokee goes like this:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that was going on inside him self. He said, "My son, it is between 2 wolves. One is evil: </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego... The other is good: joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith..." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">"Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one I feed." </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">On another note: I am reading, for the millioneth time, a book called Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas by Jan Richardson. It’s a beautiful book with her art work and reflections. The reflection for today is titled Working On It and is</span> accompanied by a paper collage. You should all go out and get her book so you can see the art work too. The reflection is this:</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>And so let me let you hold me</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>when I have come to the place beyond the willingness to labor</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>beyond anything but the longing for rest.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Let my emptiness be emptiness till it reveals to me your face,</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>and let my weariness be weariness till it prompts me to your rest.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Then may I know the healing of slumber </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>and the possibility of dreams;</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>then may I greet the dawn and take up my work again.</i></span></div>
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Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-42042284797426666902010-02-11T17:54:00.000-08:002013-12-28T13:21:15.588-08:00Families, friends and conflict<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">Today we remember the lives of Orthodox Saints. Today's example is sadly a story that is too ordinary; friends and family members involved in a dispute that leads to division and hardness of heart. My daughter called yesterday to say that one of her friends' brother was killed in an accident. The two siblings got in an argument four days ago and weren't speaking. When I heard that and then read this mornings story about St. Nicephoros I thought of something that a friend of mine, a Methodist pastor, recently sent the following to me. I include it here fyi. I found the photo on the website of the Daily Word - and I'm including it just because I like it! May you bring peace to others today- Rev Deb</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">Nicephoros</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">In third century Antioch, Syria, Nicephoros was a layman and Saprikios was a presbyter , and they were friends. However, once after a disagreement, they refused to speak to each other. With humility, Nicephoros later tried to accept the blame, but the Saprikios was unmoved.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">Saprikios was later arrested during a persecution and sentenced to die. Nicephoros waited along the path to the execution and begged for Saprikios' forgiveness, but Saprikios' heart was hardened. Finally Nicephoros told the executioner that he would take the Saprikios' place, and Nicephoros was beheaded.</span></span></div>
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Peacemaking is not avoiding conflict or running from problems…that is cowardice. Peacemaking is courageous. Also, Peacemaking is not appeasement or simply letting the other person have their </div>
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way…that is passivity. Peacemaking is active. Jesus was never a doormat. Jesus stood his ground and made things happen. </div>
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Second, some truths about unresolved conflict. Unresolved conflict blocks your fellowship with God. I John 4:20 "For anyone </div>
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who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." I Peter 3:7 "Husbands …be considerate with your wives and treat them with respect…so </div>
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that nothing will hinder your prayers." ...Check out your relationships. Unresolved conflict hinders your happiness. Job 18:4 "You tear yourself to pieces in your anger." Resentment is consuming…it </div>
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monopolizes your attention, thoughts, and feelings. We all need to learn to be at peace…then learn how to become makers of peace. </div>
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PLAN a Peace conference. P.E.A.C.E. Matthew 5:24 "If you remember your brother has something against you go at once to make peace." </div>
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YOU take the initiative…”you go”. Don't wait for them to make the first move. It doesn't matter if you're the offended or the offender; </div>
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it is always your move. Why? Because Jesus said so. And because you are more mature. Schedule a face to face. (not via e-mail!) Conflict is not </div>
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resolved accidentally. You must intentionally deal with it. When? "...at once ..." Don't avoid or delay, it only grows worse. </div>
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EMPATHIZE with their feelings. * Philippians 2:4 "None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people's interests also." </div>
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Pay attention to their needs. When you're upset, who are you thinking about? Yourself, your needs, your hurts. God says reverse </div>
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that. When you hold your peace conference, step into their shoes and think about them for a moment. What you are thinking and feeling is important, but you need to empathize with them as well. </div>
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Parents of children, adult children of parents, spouses, friends - all know they have to listen, be sensitive, and empathize with what </div>
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going on with the other person. One of the values of conflict is when you solve it, it usually leads to greater closeness because you understand them better. You've been listening and caring. </div>
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ATTACK the problem not the person. * Ephesians 4:29 "Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed." Don't go criticizing, condemning, and comparing. Say things that build people up, not put them down. You can't focus on fixing the problem and fixing the blame at the same time. It's impossible. If you meet planning to blame the other person, then forget it. Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer quiets anger but a harsh one stirs it up." Engage your mind before you engage your mouth. Be sincere, not sarcastic. You don't get the point across by being cross. Attack the problem not the person. </div>
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COOPERATE as much as possible. * Romans 12:18 "Do everything possible on your part, to live at peace with all men." </div>
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The hallmark of a Christian ought to be our ability to get along with other people. However, for all of us, some people are a </div>
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challenge. “Do everything possible.” Peace has a price…always. It costs your self-centeredness. “We” is the goal, not “me”. </div>
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Maybe they are right…or a legitimate gripe…or maybe they do know what they're talking about. Learn to say: "I was wrong" and "I'm </div>
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sorry". </div>
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James 3:17 says "Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." Whatever you sow is what </div>
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you're going to reap. If you want people to cooperate with you, you have to cooperate. If you want people to be nice to you, you've </div>
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got to be nice to them. Whatever you're dishing out is what you're getting back. So you look and say, "What can I do? What seeds </div>
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am I planting?" If you are always planting seeds of griping, complaining, arguing, hassling, and putting down others guess what </div>
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you're going to reap. Start planting seeds of peace and cooperation. </div>
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EMPHASIZE reconciliation not resolution. * 2 Corinthians 5:18 "God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation." </div>
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Jesus models what God wants us to do. A synonym for peacemaker is reconciler -- one who brings people together. God sent </div>
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Jesus Christ to bring us to Him so we could have peace with God. God is the original peacemaker…Jesus is the Prince of Peace. </div>
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What Jesus has modeled God now wants us to do with other people. “Reconcile” means “to reestablish a relationship.” It does not </div>
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mean you resolve all the problems. A lot of times there are some legitimate, honest differences. Reconciliation means you bury the </div>
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hatchet, not the issue. You can disagree, agreeably. You can walk arm in arm without seeing eye to eye. Reconciliation focuses on </div>
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the relationship. When you help restore relationships you're doing what God would do. When God looks down on you and you are </div>
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taking the initiative to restore harmony in that marriage or in that office or with that parent or child - God looks down on you and says, </div>
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"That's my girl!" or "That's my boy!" That person is a child of God. </div>
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Who can be a peacemaker? Anybody. But first you must have peace on the inside of you. You can't spread peace if you're at war </div>
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on the inside. Only what you have can you offer to others. </div>
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A poem from the Panhala website<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Why Regret?</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 85%;">Didn't you like the way the ants help<br />the peony globes open by eating the glue off?<br />Weren't you cheered to see the ironworkers<br />sitting on an I-beam dangling from a cable,<br />in a row, like starlings, eating lunch, maybe<br />baloney on white with fluorescent mustard?<br />Wasn't it a revelation to waggle<br />from the estuary all the way up the river,<br />the kill, the pirle, the run, the rent, the beck,<br />the sike barely trickling, to the shock of a spring?<br />Didn't you almost shiver, hearing book lice<br />clicking their sexual dissonance inside an old<br />Webster's New International, perhaps having just<br />eaten of it izle, xyster, and thalassacon?<br />Forget about becoming emaciated. Think of the wren<br />and how little flesh is needed to make a song.<br />Didn't it seem somehow familiar when the nymph<br />split open and the mayfly struggled free<br />and flew and perched and then its own back<br />broke open and the imago, the true adult,<br />somersaulted out and took flight, seeking<br />the swarm, mouth-parts vestigial,<br />alimentary canal come to a stop,<br />a day or hour left to find the desired one?<br />Or when Casanova took up the platter<br />of linguine in squid's ink and slid the stuff<br />out the window, telling his startled companion,<br />"The perfected lover does not eat."<br />Didn't you glimpse in the monarchs<br />what seemed your own inner blazonry<br />flapping and gliding, in desire, in the middle air?<br />Weren't you reassured to think these flimsy<br />hinged beings, and then their offspring,<br />and then their offspring's offspring, could<br />navigate, working in shifts, all the way to Mexico,<br />to the exact plot, perhaps the very tree,<br />by tracing the flair of the bodies of ancestors<br />who fell in this same migration a year ago?<br />Doesn't it outdo the pleasure of the brilliant concert<br />to wake in the night and find ourselves<br />holding hands in our sleep?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 85%;">~ Galway Kinnell ~</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 78%;">(<em>Strong Is Your Hold</em>)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-59714756010761547382009-03-03T07:01:00.000-08:002009-03-03T07:16:25.044-08:00gossip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRvppAw0G4wGdOh4VSLtO1VNYMWwCQl-nKpSb4TR2Zh1xVNn0Cb6opLnIdhXs5ONikRDx3RojhWn_Xcp8M8e1-L3fiWRl8dFIGUcdoVK1HBmlYCIx1raRumj_DFN7wxY5umTaYUwfpw/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRvppAw0G4wGdOh4VSLtO1VNYMWwCQl-nKpSb4TR2Zh1xVNn0Cb6opLnIdhXs5ONikRDx3RojhWn_Xcp8M8e1-L3fiWRl8dFIGUcdoVK1HBmlYCIx1raRumj_DFN7wxY5umTaYUwfpw/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308977826679107186" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The story about gossip that I used in my sermon on Sunday came from the movie Doubt. When I did some research on the story I discovered that John Patrick Shanley, the writer/director of the movie heard the story preached in a sermon when he was a boy attending St. Anthony's in the Bronx. He said: “Gossip and cutting the pillow was a sermon I had heard. The Cure of Ars (St. John Vianney) used that sermon in the Middle Ages. And before that it’s Jewish in origin. The story told in the sermon has a priest reproaching a woman for gossiping by telling her to cut open a pillow on the roof of her apartment building and shake out the feathers. When the woman tells the priest she’s done so, he then tells her to pick up each feather — a near-impossibility, like stopping the spread of gossip once started. “To me as a kid, gossip meant nothing,” Shanley added. “It was (imagining) the pillow and the feathers and all that.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I thought about cutting a pillow during my sermon to add a visual effect, but thought I better try it at home first. Robert and Maria had a great time throwing feathers around the yard. I decided not to use the feathers in church though. They got everywhere, in everything and spread all across the neighborhood. Since I am of the belief that if I make a mess then I clean it up and I didn't want to clean up a million down feathers from the red carpet. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I chose the New Testament reading, instead of the one from the Old Testament, from the Daily Office. I like the phrase "t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">oday, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." The poem comes from Linda Hogan (which I get from Panhala.net) </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, today if you hear the voice of God, harden not your hearts. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hebrews 3:1-11 (NRSV)</span></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also “was faithful in all God’s house.” Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God’s house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.</span></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors put me to the test, though they had seen my works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.’ As in my anger I swore, ‘They will not enter my rest.’”</span></div><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><div style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-family:Helvetica;"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Radiant</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In night,<br />at the dark limits of earth<br />where land ends and water begins,<br />at the elemental border<br />where you can go no further<br />without one entering the other,<br />the green light goes on.<br />It's not the man who fishes here,<br />not the light of human making<br />because we are the ones who measure light<br />and because light was created before us<br />from blood of flesh and sea<br />like this animal light of the manta ray<br />traveling the latitudes of night<br />and longitudes of darkness<br />knowing the blue unfathomable shifts<br />and dark ranges of the world beneath water.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It travels a rich sea away from us,<br />its light falling on plankton,<br />bringing food and fish toward it,<br />as if it is moonlight<br />opening across water,<br />it passes over the fished-out places<br />beyond the reef where coral is dying,<br />out past the point where the British captain was killed<br />by those who first thought he was a shining god.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It moves steadily out into darkness<br />to where the colder darkness begins to well up<br />from the sea depths that have no bottom,<br />the place where I have feared the pale face of a shark<br />with its deadly touch<br />against my naked legs.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The ray travels over the many<br />other lives that have light<br />and below them is the blindness<br />of fish who need no sight,<br />and out toward the place where sun left the sky,<br />to where the larger creatures live,<br />where fishermen once found their boat cast in shadow<br />and looking up, saw what kind of cloud it was,<br />the manta ray risen out of water, a leap<br />so large it darkened the sky.<br />The men returned haunted by<br />everything that was larger than they were,<br />more beautiful and bearing its own light.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tonight on this dark shore,<br />watching the animal light go over the horizon,<br />I long to be in water heading for open sea,<br />for no other power,<br />no other light.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">~ Linda Hogan ~<br /></span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rounding the Human Corners</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">)</span></span></div><div></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span></div></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></p></span></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-31412890161835921682009-03-02T06:24:00.000-08:002009-03-02T06:36:47.817-08:00morning thoughs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsrjq9Sbjql198p91Pp0K5LJeu9yVoqS8qbMkukxUUwXbs_WsYTroA1d7Dom6hbtfWBX5R8tDTvELxOd4UCDylzvvrjsX1iUhftJHW8ZeRQYnSnU8zrb4YtEBQDHSYTGg09ceuaXk3g/s1600-h/gangwhainterior500.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsrjq9Sbjql198p91Pp0K5LJeu9yVoqS8qbMkukxUUwXbs_WsYTroA1d7Dom6hbtfWBX5R8tDTvELxOd4UCDylzvvrjsX1iUhftJHW8ZeRQYnSnU8zrb4YtEBQDHSYTGg09ceuaXk3g/s400/gangwhainterior500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308597836282289474" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">i've been using a great blog site to get the readings from the Daily Office (dailyoffice.wordpress.com) each day and will include one of the readings here, along with a poem from another site (Panhala)<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Daily Office website had the following caption and photo on its page. Lent is a good time to ask ourselves what are the idols in our lives. They could be material or they could even be things like the prayer book or hymnal. We need to distinguish what we use as tools to help our experience of God from God. peace, Rev Deb</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Interior of Anglican church on Gangwha Island, South Korea—so that we don’t make an idol of our own familiar architecture and furnishings."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;font-size:18px;">The poem is called The Apple Orchard. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:'Comic Sans MS';font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Apple Orchard</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Come let us watch the sun go down<br />and walk in twilight through the orchard's green.<br />Does it not seem as if we had for long<br />collected, saved and harbored within us<br />old memories? To find releases and seek<br />new hopes, remembering half-forgotten joys,<br />mingled with darkness coming from within,<br />as we randomly voice our thoughts aloud<br />wandering beneath these harvest-laden trees<br />reminiscent of Durer woodcuts, branches<br />which, bent under the fully ripened fruit,<br />wait patiently, trying to outlast, to<br />serve another season's hundred days of toil,<br />straining, uncomplaining, by not breaking<br />but succeeding, even though the burden<br />should at times seem almost past endurance.<br />Not to falter! Not to be found wanting!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thus must it be, when willingly you strive<br />throughout a long and uncomplaining life,<br />committed to one goal: to give yourself!<br />And silently to grow and to bear fruit.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"></span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rainer Maria Rilke: Selected Poems</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, trans. by Albert Ernest Flemming)</span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></span></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-71673259866889364202008-12-19T06:32:00.000-08:002008-12-19T06:36:09.613-08:00hard times<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px; "><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Dear ones,</span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Good morning everyone. I have chosen the canticle from Morning Prayer for today's selection. It has a verse that kept me going during a time that was quite difficult (quite difficult... that's my polite English side keeping my wilder Irish side from using other adjectives). It seems like a story I read about rather than one I lived. When I was 21 years old, an undergrad in Michigan, I was the victim of an attempted rape and murder. I escaped, but was badly badly beaten. The perp, although known (he was my Abnormal Psychology professor, Dr. Henry Orloff) was never put behind bars. I used to meditate on the verse from today's scripture "Violence will no more be heard in your land, ruin or destruction within your borders." Meditating on that verse helped me turn the corner (eventually) from continuing to live in fear to tip toeing into life again. God is present, even in violence. God is present, even when destruction comes. God is present, always, to carry us through those times. Peace. </span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; "></span></span></p><p></p><table width="393" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td width="84%">Canticle 11 The Third Song of Isaiah <br /><span style="font-size:-1;">Surge, illuminare Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div><br /></div><blockquote><span style="font-size:+1;">Arise, shine, for your light has come, *<br />and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.<div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">For behold, darkness covers the land; *<br />deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">But over you the Lord will rise, *<br />and his glory will appear upon you.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">Nations will stream to your light, *<br />and kings to the brightness of your dawning.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">Your gates will always be open; *<br />by day or night they will never be shut.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">They will call you, The City of the Lord, *<br />The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">Violence will no more be heard in your land, *<br />ruin or destruction within your borders.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">You will call your walls, Salvation, *<br />and all your portals, Praise.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;">The sun will no more be your light by day; *<br />by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.</span></p><span style="font-size:+1;"><div><br /></div></span><p class="Body"><span style="font-size:+1;"><span style="font-size:+1;">The Lord will be your everlasting light, *<br />and your God will be your glory.</span> </span></p></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote></span><p></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-72704467540315428512008-11-29T18:01:00.001-08:002008-11-29T18:04:16.664-08:00Move over Martha Stewart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisY69RvamexbyDxqXIx8P6s5gIMskZUnwSKYVycBVQM-CQn4Z8is-GLJHkkAdB5D21W3xXEyAXxZtqeXl_RxOHuACja1rCcLcN92kmGHHeGBHS60LfanVmLjfvQzs-y8eABdFQd6j39w/s1600-h/DSC_0135.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisY69RvamexbyDxqXIx8P6s5gIMskZUnwSKYVycBVQM-CQn4Z8is-GLJHkkAdB5D21W3xXEyAXxZtqeXl_RxOHuACja1rCcLcN92kmGHHeGBHS60LfanVmLjfvQzs-y8eABdFQd6j39w/s400/DSC_0135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274265378111466930" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>The turkey at my sister's house - nice shot, huh?</div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-89121286038807943992008-11-27T06:01:00.000-08:002008-11-27T06:03:00.713-08:00Advent Conspiracy<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eVqqj1v-ZBU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eVqqj1v-ZBU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-50196682347616757592008-11-22T05:19:00.002-08:002008-11-22T05:50:10.315-08:00blessings passed down<div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDztBfUnCjfSn98tDLPfqwsRCg4OuNf0qMs9Qi2n1lCnbUSS0jP8trida1Dvq3K9LTBCltk03hGlEmEHTmjXrKjMNuZfV0X6ZeVPjq4WLzDIEnR8ZzeCHImStg4ZAYHzktVL53sU6MHQ/s1600-h/IMG_1252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDztBfUnCjfSn98tDLPfqwsRCg4OuNf0qMs9Qi2n1lCnbUSS0jP8trida1Dvq3K9LTBCltk03hGlEmEHTmjXrKjMNuZfV0X6ZeVPjq4WLzDIEnR8ZzeCHImStg4ZAYHzktVL53sU6MHQ/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271471908190584866" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><p>Dear ones,</p><p>We survived the Treasure Hunt that we did for the twins birthday. My thoughts turn to another time when 11 years ago I was holding two new babies in my arms. I recall that wonderful newborn smell and the softness of their skin as if it just happened. There was an older woman at my church who was a twin and had been looking forward to the birth of my twins, but she had been battling cancer and was near death. It seemed like the only thing keeping her alive was meeting Robert and Maria (we called them Click and Clack then - we didn't know that we had a boy and girl until they were born). Her doctor kept calling me and asking when I was going to go into labor. He said that this woman, Zelda, was ready to die but refused to do so until she met my babies! Finally they came - and when we left the hospital our first stop, even before we went home, was to visit Zelda. Her twin sister came down from Reno for the occasion. They were 95 years old. In preparation to greet these new twins Zelda got out of bed and put on makeup so she could look her best, and I have to say, she looked stunning. She shone with joy that day. I will never forget the image I have of Zelda and her sister holding these babies who had just come into the world. When Zelda held each one, she leaned over and whispered into their ears. She told me that she had to wait for their birth because they needed to have the blessing of elder twins to welcome them into this world. I don't know what she whispered but I know that she passed on to them a powerful blessing for their lives.</p><p>Enjoy the readings. Take time to reflect on the questions that the poem asks. Peace. Debra+</p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Malachi. 3:13-4:6 (NRSV)</span></p><p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">13 You have spoken harsh words against me, says the LORD. Yet you say, "How have we spoken against you?" You have said, "It is vain to serve God. What do we profit by keeping his command or by going about as mourners before the LORD of hosts? Now we count the arrogant happy; evildoers not only prosper, but when they put God to the test they escape." 16Then those who revered the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the<br />LORD and thought on his name. 17They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. 18Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. Remember the teaching of my servant Moses, the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. 6He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse. "</span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What's In The Temple?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the quiet spaces of my mind a thought lies still, but ready to spring. <br />It begs me to open the door so it can walk about. <br />The poets speak in obscure terms pointing madly at the unsayable. <br />The sages say nothing, but walk ahead patting their thigh calling for us to follow. <br />The monk sits pen in hand poised to explain the cloud of unknowing. <br />The seeker seeks, just around the corner from the truth. <br />If she stands still it will catch up with her. <br />Pause with us here a while. <br />Put your ear to the wall of your heart. <br />Listen for the whisper of knowing there. <br />Love will touch you if you are very still.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If I say the word God, people run away. <br />They've been frightened--sat on 'till the spirit cried "uncle." <br />Now they play hide and seek with somebody they can't name. <br />They know he's out there looking for them, and they want to be found, <br />But there is all this stuff in the way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I can't talk about God and make any sense, <br />And I can't not talk about God and make any sense. <br />So we talk about the weather, and we are talking about God.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I miss the old temples where you could hang out with God. <br />Still, we have pet pounds where you can feel love draped in warm fur, <br />And sense the whole tragedy of life and death. <br />You see there the consequences of carelessness, <br />And you feel there the yapping urgency of life that wants to be lived. <br />The only things lacking are the frankincense and myrrh.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We don't build many temples anymore. <br />Maybe we learned that the sacred can't be contained. <br />Or maybe it can't be sustained inside a building. <br />Buildings crumble. <br />It's the spirit that lives on.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you had a temple in the secret spaces of your heart, <br />What would you worship there? <br />What would you bring to sacrifice? <br />What would be behind the curtain in the holy of holies?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Go there now.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ Tom Barrett ~</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Keeping in Touch</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span> </span></div></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-86335061028846453822008-11-20T18:48:00.000-08:002008-11-20T18:50:46.621-08:00malachi and aquinas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLP2ODAQcOX0lTatO0f43atcq9lWM_E7sDYVJGN0qiMxM3uvPiiHHVJ5GzI1E-1xUCH6jnZf7KzNLlsciiZBwMAsaCvcxMpzIOyMrym1MgKVCf-ButXYuMORBjQpRcaCC2vmOSKxQ52g/s1600-h/eagle_kp09-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLP2ODAQcOX0lTatO0f43atcq9lWM_E7sDYVJGN0qiMxM3uvPiiHHVJ5GzI1E-1xUCH6jnZf7KzNLlsciiZBwMAsaCvcxMpzIOyMrym1MgKVCf-ButXYuMORBjQpRcaCC2vmOSKxQ52g/s320/eagle_kp09-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270937737731282402" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><p>Dear ones,</p><p>Interesting reading from Malachi this morning. It is directed at the integrity of priests. Rest assured, I am not guilty of the things that the priests are accused of in this reading. The poem is attributed to St/Thomas Quinas. I will have to go back to my old Aquinas textbooks and see if I can find more of his poetry. Peace. Rev Deb </p><p><br /></p><p>Malachi 2:1-16 (NRSV)</p><p><span style="font-size:+1;">And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give<br />glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings;<br />indeed I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart. 3I will rebuke your offspring, and<br />spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and I will put you out of my presence. 4Know, then,<br />that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the LORD of hosts. 5My<br />covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave him; this called for reverence, and he<br />revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his<br />lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7For the lips of a priest<br />should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the<br />LORD of hosts. 8But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your<br />instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, 9and so I make you despised and<br />abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your<br />instruction.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:+1;">10 Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another,<br />profaning the covenant of our ancestors? 11Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in<br />Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the<br />daughter of a foreign god. 12May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this-any to<br />witness or answer, or to bring an offering to the LORD of hosts. 13And this you do as well: You cover the Lord's<br />altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor<br />at your hand. 14You ask, "Why does he not?" Because the LORD was a witness between you and the wife of<br />your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15Did<br />not one God make her? Both flesh and spirit are his. And what does the one God desire? Godly offspring. So<br />look to yourselves, and do not let anyone be faithless to the wife of his youth. 16For I hate divorce, says the<br />LORD, the God of Israel, and covering one's garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So take heed to<br />yourselves and do not be faithless.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10px;"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">WE ARE FIELDS BEFORE EACH OTHER</span></div><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">How is it they live for eons in such harmony -<br />the billions of stars -</span></div><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">when most men can barely go a minute<br />without declaring war in their mind against someone they know.</span></div><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">There are wars where no one marches with a flag,<br />though that does not keep casualties<br />from mounting.</span></div><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">Our hearts irrigate this earth.<br />We are fields before<br />each other.</span></div><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">How can we live in harmony?<br />First we need to<br />know</span></div><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">we are all madly in love<br />with the same<br />God.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:85%;">~ St. Thomas Aquinas ~</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;">(<em>Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West</em> by Daniel Ladinsky)</span></div><div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></div></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div></span>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-29256719729413350632008-11-12T06:10:00.000-08:002008-11-12T06:12:39.633-08:00rending and healing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYvEnVCvClSm929SgOpo1f4_AMzuLTcxLNXAL8XQNtidB3PAb3Eo7ftLbh7YyZXSVYnde1fvAVa2tf4eUL3zeAl9EuY6KgG4obbDe1_ZIDkWXwVCXlmZCclnKB9qtwAIePF3azFCP8g/s1600-h/IMG_0273.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYvEnVCvClSm929SgOpo1f4_AMzuLTcxLNXAL8XQNtidB3PAb3Eo7ftLbh7YyZXSVYnde1fvAVa2tf4eUL3zeAl9EuY6KgG4obbDe1_ZIDkWXwVCXlmZCclnKB9qtwAIePF3azFCP8g/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267773618233992482" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><p>Dear ones,</p><p>The prophet Joel tells the people to rend their hearts, not their garments in today's reading. The practice of rending garments was written about in Genesis and is a sign of mourning. Joel calls for the real thing, not just a symbol. Most of you know that my first marriage ended in divorce after 14 years of marriage (it was an 'arranged marriage' which is longer story than my daily reading intro can deal with). A few years after the divorce, when I was in seminary and studying the practice of rending garments I decided to rend the garment of my first wedding dress as a sign of that marriage ending. I had no idea how hard it is to rend a garment! It's easier to split a 2x6 in half with your hands (that also is another story from my martial arts days!). I persisted and successfully 'rent' the garment and then sewed two of the pieces together to make a small baptismal stole for a young girl who had been sexually abused by a priest (she was only 2 years old when she came into my life). I carefully stitched the tear together and sewed a cross over the tear in the fabric. It was very healing for my soul to do that. What do you mourn? What do you carry in your heart that you need to let God take care of for you?</p><p>Thanks to Evelyn Wickham for the poem we have for today. Peace. Debra+</p><p><br /></p><p>Joel 2:12-19 (NRSV)</p><p><span style="font-size:+1;">12 Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with<br />mourning; 13rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and<br />merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. 14Who knows whether he<br />will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD,<br />your God? 15Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16gather the people. Sanctify the<br />congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his<br />room, and the bride her canopy. 17Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD,<br />weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among<br />the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"</span></p><p><span style="font-size:+1;">18 Then the LORD became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. 19In response to his people the LORD<br />said: I am sending you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a mockery among the nations.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:16pt;">Forewarned<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:16pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">Now when the breath of frost has chilled<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">The waiting aspens, when the sky<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">Has floated the birds to another country<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">and summer’s brook goes dry,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">I can review and list my losses<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">Without complaint, shoulder my grief<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">While the cold-fingered wind strips<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">My heart of its last leaf,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">And watch time’s plow turn under days<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">Like stubble, I must lace my boots<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">And fill the cellar bins – they winter,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">Trees, in their roots.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:6;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-family:Papyrus;font-size:14pt;">~James Hearst,<span> </span><u>Snake in the Strawberries</u><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><p></p></span></div></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:14px;"><br /></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"></span>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-25728199796523328332008-11-03T08:37:00.001-08:002008-11-03T08:40:37.105-08:00<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:18px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Today's reading comes from the book of Ecclesiasticus again. There are many days I find myself disagreeing with the words of scripture. This is one of them. I think that incredible wisdom comes from those laborers that are described in the following passage. Read it, engage in it, talk to God about it. God loves to engage in dialogue! My grandfather, God rest his soul, was an amazing craftsman. He made his living as an engraver. I remember sitting next to him when I was a child and watch while he carefully engraved etchings into copper that would become a piece of art or a logo for some business. He was a loving and steady presence in an otherwise chaotic childhood. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Also, I ask your prayers today for Tracie Schissel and the repose of the soul of her sister, Leslie. Leslie died yesterday from Lyme disease. I met Tracie and Leslie a few weeks ago at a Lyme Disease Conference. Leslie looked healthy and vibrant, but Lyme is a very strange disease. I went to the conference to learn more about Lyme because my son Cory (32 years old) was diagnosed with it. He moved in with us 6 months ago so we can help him. You can follow the link to <a href="http://www.lymefighters.org/">http://www.lymefighters.org</a> if you wish to know more about Lyme disease. It is more prevalent than you might think. Patty Butler's niece is recovering from it and MaryJane Ostrom's son was diagnosed with it several months ago. Please hold them all in prayer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Here is the reading and a poem for today:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"> Ecclesiasticus 38:24-34</span></span></div>"The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure; only the one who has little business can become wise. How can one become wise who handles the plow, and who glories in the shaft of a goad, who drives oxen and is occupied with their work, <br />and whose talk is about bulls? He sets his heart on plowing furrows, and he is careful about fodder for the heifers. So it is with every artisan and master artisan who labors by night as well as by day; those who cut the signets of seals, each is diligent in making a great variety; they set their heart on painting a lifelike image, and they are careful to finish their work. <br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:18px;">So it is with the smith, sitting by the anvil, intent on his iron-work; the breath of the fire melts his flesh, <br />and he struggles with the heat of the furnace; the sound of the hammer deafens his ears, and his eyes are on the pattern of the object. <br />He sets his heart on finishing his handiwork, and he is careful to complete its decoration. So it is with the potter sitting at his work <br />and turning the wheel with his feet; he is always deeply concerned over his products, and he produces them in quantity. He molds the clay with his arm and makes it pliable with his feet; he sets his heart to finish the glazing, and he takes care in firing the kiln. <br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:18px;">All these rely on their hands, and all are skillful in their own work. Without them no city can be inhabited, <br />and wherever they live, they will not go hungry. Yet they are not sought out for the council of the people, nor do they<br />attain eminence in the public assembly. They do not sit in the judge's seat, nor do they understand the decisions of the courts; <br />they cannot expound discipline or judgment, and they are not found among the rulers. But they maintain the fabric of the world, <br />and their concern is for the exercise of their trade. How different the one who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><img width="231" src="http://lymefighters.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/tracieandleslie.75110404_std.jpg" height="346" class="yssImg yssImgE" /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;">Tracie Schissel and Leslie Wermers</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-65336321852615687822008-11-01T09:20:00.000-07:002008-11-01T09:28:09.330-07:00poetry from a site I subscribe to called Panhala<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTa8ve69Sft0yWzeumMdf8VXnWCH28oyOzmowzTxdxg3-oMNTwa0M3TZqm8RJzCXhS-SbH4uben_CEDjxSd1qkiYmt0Ua46_GThqfqkMCkPLM1cwNsS3ls5Flmajwg6DIusRac50CAiA/s1600-h/2244667-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTa8ve69Sft0yWzeumMdf8VXnWCH28oyOzmowzTxdxg3-oMNTwa0M3TZqm8RJzCXhS-SbH4uben_CEDjxSd1qkiYmt0Ua46_GThqfqkMCkPLM1cwNsS3ls5Flmajwg6DIusRac50CAiA/s320/2244667-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263725898357880562" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Comic Sans MS';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Comic Sans MS';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Comic Sans MS';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Let's remake the world with words.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Not frivolously, nor<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">To hide from what we fear,<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">But with a purpose.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Let's, As Wordsworth said, remove<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The dust of custom" so things<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Shine again, each object arrayed<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">In its robe of original light.<br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">And then we'll see the world</span></span></span></div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As if for the first time.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As once we gazed at the beloved<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Who was gazing at us.<br /></span></span></div></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">~ Gregory Orr ~</span></span></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span> </span></span></div></span>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-19757947249091855432008-11-01T09:17:00.000-07:002008-11-01T09:20:27.554-07:00Reading from the Daily Office<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><p>The lesson today comes from Ecclesiasticus 31:12-18,25-32:2 and the poem is from a favorite author of mine, Wendell Berry. Enjoy. It provides some good 'grist for the mill' to reflect upon.</p><p><i>Ecclesiasticus</i>: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; ">Are you seated at the table of the great?Do not be greedy at it, and do not say, "How much food there is here!" Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing. What has been created more greedy than the eye? Therefore it sheds tears for any reason. Do not reach out your hand for everything you see, and do not crowd your neighbor at the dish. Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful. Eat what is set before you like a well brought-up person, and do not chew greedily, or you will give offense. Be the first to stop, as befits good manners, and do not be insatiable, or you will give offense. If you are seated among many persons, not help yourself before they do. </span></p><p><span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking, for wine has destroyed many. As the furnace tests the work of the smith, so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel. <br />Wine is very life to human beings if taken in moderation. What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy. <br />Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul. Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit, to quarrels and stumbling. <br />Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt, reducing his strength and adding wounds. Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, <br />and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not distress him by making demands of him. If they make you master of the feast, do not exalt yourself; be among them as one of their number. Take care of them first and then sit down; when you have fulfilled all your duties, take your place, <br />so that you may be merry along with them and receive a wreath for your excellent leadership."<br /></span></span></i></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Reflections:</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">How do you handle it when you are slandered?</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">When have you slandered someone else? Why?</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Bring your thoughts and offer them to God who will lovingly care for you and fill your souls.</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; "><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Rev Deb</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; "><br /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-5019947339843435672008-10-19T04:05:00.000-07:002008-10-19T04:31:05.010-07:00Lyme Disease<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykLkL7g67n2cjcgc3lBj5UjEbEONOnKDnijMAOl0ML-Dxxk7Sba2kvqctA5f8yYjRPiqbtIBM8vbZ5828o4Xef36wNs_reJMB5u-nqOWmWxp6cjZmkSObo2F6fsf-sk_6_PDLRbuK-w/s1600-h/cory+and+bec+1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykLkL7g67n2cjcgc3lBj5UjEbEONOnKDnijMAOl0ML-Dxxk7Sba2kvqctA5f8yYjRPiqbtIBM8vbZ5828o4Xef36wNs_reJMB5u-nqOWmWxp6cjZmkSObo2F6fsf-sk_6_PDLRbuK-w/s320/cory+and+bec+1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258826046732179922" /></a><br />I spent the day at the International Lyme Disease Conference in San Francisco. It was primarily for physicians who presented results of their research and those who are engaged in ongoing research for the disease. I wanted to go so I could put a face to some of the names that have become common in my household since my so Cory was diagnosed with Lyme. I wanted to go to have some hope about treatment for my son. I wanted to go to connect with others who are dealing with the devastating disease.<div><br /></div><div>There's a new movie that made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival called Under Our Skin. It's the story of lyme, its effects on people and the controversy within the medical and pharmaceutical community. Amazing film.</div><div><br /></div><div>But for me, it is a journey of being with a child who is very much in the middle of a long process of healing. It's easier to be a support for illness that is more acute, but chronic illness calls for the ability to walk the walk of long-suffering and complexity. Cure Unknown is the title of a new book that just came out about lyme. There are many ways to treat, and anti-biotics need to be changed periodically. Treating lyme is an art form that demands physicians to be creative and passionate about their patients. Many doctors have lost licenses over treating these very needy patients.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a mother I can only take in a little at a time. Not all lyme patients survive the disease, although I fully believe that Cory will. It's hard to see my son who got a full sports scholarship to USF be relegated to a life of survival. He sleeps 16 hours a day and is in a fog much of the time he's awake. He is not currently suicidal, although did buy two guns last year, just in case. The guns are now gone and the police are on notice in case he tries to purchase another.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that's about all I can write now. I am in for the long haul and it does my soul no good to delve into a darkness that I sometimes get lost in.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-51315461396979541822008-09-16T05:42:00.000-07:002008-09-16T05:56:11.499-07:00Football - at 10?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_8NLVhlA2ncv9o4mBwv6qDwfhBPvKgdSz21TfqUZzoYOUbaxF9cbpwh76nwvboKqiuAKH69K-hcT7ny-4zMGSC9PlQSiHij254kbk_jXz_gVJnMBzQJL_QHFI-Km7DZ3SOcKQLmIYA/s1600-h/IMG_0872.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_8NLVhlA2ncv9o4mBwv6qDwfhBPvKgdSz21TfqUZzoYOUbaxF9cbpwh76nwvboKqiuAKH69K-hcT7ny-4zMGSC9PlQSiHij254kbk_jXz_gVJnMBzQJL_QHFI-Km7DZ3SOcKQLmIYA/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246599657399637042" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Number 43 -That's my ten year old disguising himself as a football player. When he told me he wanted to play football last year, I tried to look very wise as I replied, 'If you really want to play football, there is one thing you need to do first. It has helped all major league football players (I just read some of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's stuff on truth and figured I could tap into a deeper truth of motherhood and lie)..... you need to take ballet for a year first.' He was not convinced and is now Number 43.<div><div><br /></div><div>Last week he came home very excited about being switched to play as a receiver for the offense. So, not wanting my little guy to get tackled, I said in my 'Deborah Under the Palm Tree voice', 'when the ball comes to you, you need to run in the opposite direction to make room for the other person to catch the ball.' I don't think the Palm Tree Voice works on him.</div></div></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-81969375347440995842008-08-11T17:05:00.000-07:002008-08-11T17:14:24.297-07:00Baptism<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU-z8oAbEvz01acAepm52Mt5ked7Td9iFACvc06vP8UYy7ZxFPDidDedwbMCdnBbNE7zqNU7WCPk1qFKkC8l5ORJLQcJCKtZK4-Y0_2XzAMlc4jaeYUYMK6P6k5muXxi89YwMpHSQpA/s1600-h/ImageResizer.aspx.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU-z8oAbEvz01acAepm52Mt5ked7Td9iFACvc06vP8UYy7ZxFPDidDedwbMCdnBbNE7zqNU7WCPk1qFKkC8l5ORJLQcJCKtZK4-Y0_2XzAMlc4jaeYUYMK6P6k5muXxi89YwMpHSQpA/s320/ImageResizer.aspx.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233417564272704594" /></a><br />"You are anointed with this oil and sealed as Christ's own forever,"<div> I said as I made the sign of the cross on her forehead with the oil for baptism...</div><div><br /></div><div>she asked, "will you put some on my toes too?"</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46546751669565492.post-53285870912276212542008-07-26T06:38:00.000-07:002008-07-26T10:02:13.920-07:00LifeI decided to start blogging a bit again. There are going to be big changes ahead at Grace Church and in my life. Rob, my husband and music director, resigned and took a gig at a larger church and will oversee 50 musicians and have several choirs with cantors. He will be able to use his many talents that my smaller church was not able to utilize.<div>I am going to add a service so there will be one early no music Rite I, one traditional and one praise service. I'm still working on the times of services. There is a lot to do and I leave on Thursday for my turn at the diocesan chapel followed by two weeks vacation.The piece we can't quite figure out is our young twins - we both leave too early to take them to church. We may get a babysitter and leave them home sometimes and do church at home with them for the time being.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On the family front, I'm very concerned about my oldest son who is battling Lyme disease. He is on a variety of medicines; antibiotics, antimicrobials, antipsychotic, and many more. He called last night to talk about his final resting place - and as a mother it tears at my heart to have that conversation with my son who very well may die as a result of this disease. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm feeling a bit worn out these days and can't wait to get up to the mountains.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Rev Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12726406869967857511noreply@blogger.com0