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These are white almond blossoms. They are so beautiful to look at, and can you imagine being in an orchard filled with these beautiful flowers? I hope you’ll take a minute to go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond and read up on almonds. Fascinating stuff!

So, why did I choose a picture of blossoms? Ah, well that was this week’s “Healing Word.” A blossom has a lot of connotations. “He has really blossomed as an artist.” “She’s a blossom in a garden of roses.” “First the blossom, then the fruit.”

A blossom is a confirmation of fertility. It means that the tree, or flower, or plant, or species has successfully prepared to be propagated. A blossom is the flower of a seed-bearing plant, so even grains have blossoms. It is the peak of development for the process of propagation and the beginning of the process of fruition. When we blossom, we go through something of the same process.

Remember the adage, “Bloom where you’re planted.”? When we remind one another about that, we are saying, “Make the best of your current situation. Bring your work, your life, your hopes, and dreams to fruition where you are.” When we blossom or bloom we enter a state or time of beauty, freshness, and vigor as in a state or time of high development or achievement as in “His career is in full bloom.” We produce “flowers” and when we do we are ready for the next step, producing fruit and seed. Fruit of the earth, fruit of the vine, fruit of our labors, fruit of the Spirit, fruit of endeavor; all of these come from our flowering. We have “every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it” as an example of blossoming.

As humans we can make a choice about the environment. We can adapt ourselves to our environment – be adaptable – or we can alter the environment for ourselves – be adaptive. Plants cannot normally do that in a way that is easily discernable to us. We can also choose to make adaptive choices about the environment that ruin it for everyone else. We have heard much about that of late. We can even be adaptable in ways that are unhealthy for us.

And so it is that we carry within us not only the seeds of fruition, but also the seeds of destruction. When you are transplanted, which seeds do you hope will come from your flowering? Did you know even thistles have flowers? Well, you do know that what you sow is what you reap, so if you sow thistles you won’t get sweet peas! And if you sow your wild oats, you won’t get grapes … or much of anything else but trouble, perhaps.

Still, in our human lives, we can generally choose to become something different from the way we began our lives. We can come over or be overcome. We can become a part, or come apart. We can blossom like a rose, or bloom like a thistle. We have been empowered to choose between life and death, blessing and curse, fruition and destruction. So if you are going to decide to bloom where you are planted, also choose what seeds you will bear. Will you be the wheat or the tare? (See Matt 13:27) Not all thorns have roses, and not all roses have names. Not all blossoms/flowers produce seeds either, and not all seeds produce blossoming plants.

“Bloom where you’re planted” is more than just a cute saying for one’s self-assurance. It is a summary of the challenge to live a productive life, one that is of use to oneself and to others. It means finding the seeds you want to plant, planting and nurturing them, and bringing them to fruition so that the cycle of life continues. Where are your seeds? What are your seeds? And what does it take to make a seed from a blossom? Must a seed come from within your self?

Think about these things this coming week. Please remember that if the only place you go to find your self is inside yourself, it could be that all you will find is your self. Beloved, there is so much more to life than that!

Choose something in your life that will blossom and bear fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience and perseverance, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness, self-control, are all attainable in your own life. Choose them all that your joy may be full.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever — at your service.

chick

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When I was in the eighth grade, I had to take some “shop” classes. I was not very handy with tools and my shop projects were usually pretty shabby. I did learn a lot about tools and using tools way back then, but I’m still no prize-winner when it comes to building things and making things. I find it interesting, though, that I can remember some of the details of what was taught back in 1959. One of the things I can remember building was a small, hand-wound, step-up transformer. The image you see above is a transformer. It is the kind that is found in gas-discharge lighting – fluorescent lights and neon lights for example. The image comes from an on-line electrician’s course at http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/AC/AC_9.html

Transformers are pretty amazing things. If you try reading the Wikipedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer you’ll get a lot of really technical information, mathematical formulas, the information about Faraday and electric induction theory. Great stuff. Hard to read and understand, but great stuff. Way more than I needed to know to make my little shop project, that’s for sure.

To make the transformer we took a piece of flat iron bar and bent it into a square, then we wrapped a whole bunch of varnish-coated, really thin copper wire around one side. Next we wrapped an even BIGGER bunch of the same wire on the other side. Finally we attached a 6 Volt dry cell battery to the input side and a Voltmeter to the output side. The voltage coming out the output side was higher than the voltage going in; hence, the voltage was “transformed” by something called mutual induction. So what?

So, that’s an electrical transformer. I used to have a nice one on my Lionel train set, and it also had a rheostat (don’t even bother to look that one up!). Cracking the lever to the right made the train go faster. So, transformers take an input and step it up or down so that the output is different from the input.

“Transform” is also a word that is synonymous with the kinds of change we call metamorphosis, and that’s what got me thinking about transformers. One of my very favorite Bible passages is Romans 12: 1-2 : 12:1 I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. 2 Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” The word Paul used there was μεταμφοώ metamorpho’o {met-am-or-fo’-o} to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure. He’s talking about changing our bodies from vessels of carnality to offerings of service to God. I used to think Paul used the work Metanoia there (that one you should look up), but he did not. So when I heard that passage in last Sunday’s readings, my mind locked onto the idea of transformer, transformation, transforming – not the silly toys or goofy movie about machine changing into “living” things – and about the whole mutual induction thing.

This could go on for pages and pages, but let me just shorten it all up by saying that it dawned on me that Christ is part of my transformer, my transformation, my transforming. How well a transformer works depends on the content of the core, the number of windings on each side of the core, how tightly the windings are wound, how much current is on the input side, and a whole bunch of other things that also apply to living The Transformed Life.

So, beloved, how tightly are you wound? And are you a step-up or step-down transformer. Christ is the input. How much resistance do you put in the inbound current? Is your core solid so that the current of the Gospel eddies around and leaks away, or is your core laminated – made of hundreds of faith experiences – so that nothing is lost as the power of Christ’s love courses through you and into the output junction to which you’re attached? Are you transformed? Are you transforming others?

So, think about that for me, will you? And while you’re at it, take a look at this:
Back in the 1840’s there was a rancher named Sam Maverick. He was infamous for not branding his cattle – something which everyone else did as a way to protect the community from rustlers and other disruptions to the community. Eventually the word Maverick was used to describe unbranded cattle – particularly calves – and later became synonymous with someone who did not follow the herd-instinct, someone who didn’t stick to the community norm, a bit of a rebel but a responsible rebel. A maverick is someone who exhibits a lot of independence in thought, word, and deed. In Sam’s day, the first person who could catch an unbranded calf and put his own brand on it got to keep the calf. Nowadays the connotation is that a Maverick can’t be branded because it can’t be caught. Living as a Maverick means living independently outside the community norm. A Maverick does not necessarily represent a deviant or a law-breaker; it is only someone who is well-known for being consistently independent. Just thought I’d throw that little piece of feedback in there. (Remember, feedback is nonjudgmental information given for the purpose of facilitating change.)
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.
Aloha nui loa.
Chick

Oh dear! I almost forgot! Living with Jesus is another form of mutual induction – very transforming indeed! See http://www.gcse.com/gcse_science_physics_past_paper_j03_2.htm

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The past two weeks have had some special days. The 14th we celebrated the memory of St. Maximilian Kolbe who gave up his life in a Nazi concentration camp so that a young father could live. The 15th was the Feast of the Assumption when Catholics celebrate the transition of St. Mary the Mother of Jesus body and soul into Heaven. It is also the 54th anniversary of the ordination of my dear friend, mentor, and spiritual director Fr. Blane Grein, OFM. The 21st is the Birthday of my commadre Katie, Wife of Joseph, mother of Meghan our goddaughter and also of Tara and Alex, Meghan’s brother and sister. 23rd we remember the Queenship of Mary. 25th St. Louis, one of my all-time favorites – maybe because I wrote a tem paper about him in French in high school, but mainly because he was a pious and practical leader. 27th and 28th the mother and son combination of St. Monica and St. Augustine, another pair of favorites in our household because Monica never gave up on praying for her son’s conversion and she inspires us to pray for all the sons and daughter, godsons and goddaughters, spiritually adopted brothers and sisters and sons and daughters that all may have a deep and lasting conversion that is renewed daily. The 28th is also the second anniversary of my sister’s sudden departure from this world and joyful reunion with our Dad in Heaven. August is a month of memories, and each of them is precious.

Whenever we give ourselves over to moments of reverie, we usually can focus on the great times in our lives, but occasionally there are memories of not-so-great moments, too. Of these, the most unyielding are those moments of regret we feel for failing to live Christ’s law of Love. I think that is because we feel those moments make holes in the fabric of our lives, and that is not the kind of holiness we crave. Being holey is not wholly holy. Here is a story send to me by David Conrad’s parents about those holes. I’ll say a little something about remembering holes at the end.

The Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us our lives were laid out like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare, and empty, like binding air together with smoke.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn’t had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, somehow only to muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering g it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, “Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.”

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! God determines who walks into your life….it’s up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity, and power as s/he seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

Send this on to others. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life!

Epilog: The things that really struck me here is that this story illustrates God does not look at holes the same way we do. Good thing! You see, He doesn’t remember the holes, or the sins and struggles that made the holes. What He remembers is the Light because He is the Light and when that Light shines through us, we resemble Him all the more. As the LORD tells us in Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved
You are precious in my memories – every single one of you. Aloha nui loa …

chick

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All this week I have been thinking about forgiveness. I’m not exactly sure why that is, but I want to share with you what I found. Perhaps it may be of use to you or someone you love.

I think most of us have read the story about the black wolf and the white wolf inside of us, fighting for control. The story ends with the promise that the wolf we feed is the one that wins. In everything in our lives we face the same kind of dichotomy – the conflict between good and evil, between carnal and spiritual, between conscience and consciousness of the effect of our choices.

Many of us know – either directly or indirectly – of someone who has carried anger or hurt and nurtured it until it became huge and vicious, a snapping, snarling, terrifying beast, a black wolf that endangers the person and everyone who comes near. It has been said that hurt and anger when caged and constantly provoked become bitterness and a blind grudge takes its place in our hearts and minds. Grudges are heavy, difficult to carry because they have no handles, and dangerous because they can suddenly grow teeth and claws and tear us to shreds. They are the most fearsome and deadly form of self-awareness and the cause of much suffering. Forgiveness is the anti-grudge, the “grudge-icide” if you will, and it is something that all of us have within us because all of us need it. It is part of the Image of God which resides in our souls.

As sweet as forgiveness is to receive, it is even sweeter to give. Why? Because when we forgive, when we give the gift of forgiveness, we are acting as God intended us to act and being who God intended us to be. To forgive another is a divinely-inspired act. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” To forgive ourselves is also an exercise in holiness; by making ourselves whole again – in union with our Creator and therefore in our rightful place in Creation – we become wholly holy. We live in a state of Grace – until the next time we need to forgive or be forgiven.

Forgiveness is the way we come to understand the greatness within us because in forgiveness we see the smallness of our hearts and minds. It is something we all need and ironically something we all have. The only way to know it is to use it. The best way to use it is to share it. The best way to share it is to live it. The best way to live it is to give it when needed and accept it when given. So, here are some references for you to consider

Psalm 32:1 Happy the sinner whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven.

The Need of Forgiveness (Rom. 3:22-23) But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction;
23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus;

The Cause of Forgiveness (Acts 13:38-39) 38 You must know, my brothers, that through him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, (and) in regard to everything from which you could not be justified under the law of Moses, 39 in him every believer is justified.

The Fullness of Forgiveness (Col. 2:12-14) 12 You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; 14 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross;

The Blessedness of Forgiveness (Rom. 4:6-8) 6 So also David declares the blessedness of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.”

Peace and Joy are the Result (John 16:24) 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Col 3:12-15 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. 14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.

Be forgiving and become forgiven. Ask and offer. Always seek, and expect to receive, the greater gift: The gift of giving.

Have a blessed day, Beloved. Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever — at your service.

Chick

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Beauty grows where love shows, so spread it around.

THE FRONT ROW

Life is a theater – invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is holy enough and healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships! Observe the relationships around you.

Pay attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don’t really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?

The more you seek God and the things of God — the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of God but the face of God – the more you seek things honorable — the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life. You cannot change the people around you…but you can change the people you are around! Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.

And remember, theater often takes some supporting personnel to keep things going. Stage hands and stage managers, ticket sales, musicians, roadies, lighting crews, and a host of other helpers. All of them should be compatible with your audience. If they are compatible, even people in the balcony will have a great experience, so wisdom and discernment are also essential for these persons in your life (especially the “roadies”, eh?)

Here’s a little note I put up over my desk. When I find my mind wandering, or know I am being distracted by something other than what I should be doing, this helps remind me to refocus:

Have a wonderful day, a great weekend and go to church Sunday. Many of the people you meet there could be front-row candidates. See you in my theater!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.

Chick

The flowers are Rhodedendrons — Rhodies for short!!

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A Bridge
If I could sit on the porch with God, the first thing I would do is thank him for you….

…because you have become a bridge that allows safe passage over difficulties and dangers, a bridge which keeps me on the path toward Home. It is only one of the many reasons why I love you so much.

Bridge Work

Bridges join things together
reaching across differences
in the common ground.
It is difficult to tell if they
reach fro one side to the other, or
reach from the center to the ends, or
reach from the bottom to the top;
but, they do

reach.

In a war, a bridge must be
secured ahead of us and
burned behind us. It must
be defended if it is ours,
destroyed if it is theirs.
A bridge is the weakest link
in most of our roadways.

Bridges are open, vulnerable,
easy to attack, hard to defend.
Even covered bridges are
exposed to what they span.
Bridges must be built, which means
they must be planned.
The best bridges are built by
the best planners and honest workers.
Natural bridges do occur and
are delightful to find and try.
They are usually dangerous
and suitable only for adventures
or travels of the citizens of nature.

Bridges are often perilous,
as we learned at San Luis Rey,
sometimes dangerous. More often,
though, life-sustaining. They may be
huge artworks of iron or stone,
they may be bamboo, or jungle vine.

They are usually utilitarian but
occasionally decorative,
sometimes both, but,
no matter what, they connect us.
A bridge always has at least
two ends and traffic passes
both ways, and by courtesy or design,
important connections in both directions
are made just as expected.

Bridges usually need support across the middle
and strong anchors at the ends.
As they reach across impassible obstacles
they cross a void, span a gap, unite
what nature made separate.
When support is columns or pylons,
the footing must be impervious.
When support is by suspension,
the anchors must be deep and strong.

Bridges are beautiful, even if not
intended to be so. They are easily
taken for granted — ignored for
what they cross or where they go.
We really only notice them
when they’re gone — washed-out,
blown-up, abandoned, decayed,
collapsed into the space they span.
If they’re really important
we try to take care of them,
but we seem to know, somehow,
that bridges can usually be rebuilt,
often better than before.

There are few substitutes for a bridge,
and most of these are unsatisfactory.
Where a bridge can be built,
little else does a better job there.
Commerce usually shuns the place
where a bridge cannot be built
to carry us past certain toil or injury.
What little traffic there may be
changes course in deference to an
indomitable obstruction.

Bridges change relationships.
Two sheer cliffs along a river canyon,
a coldly-separate double jeopardy,
become less threatening
when joined by a well-built bridge.
A previously arduous and hazardous crossing
becomes a treat to the traveler,
a pleasant memory to the visitor,
a changed perspective for the
one who lives the change.

Now, look here: Around this turn.
Once more from the top. Love
is a bridge.

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I have three stories today. The first one is about Billy, and about the far-reaching power of love. The second might also be about Billy, but really it is about all of us. The third one is for those who feed on the Word and especially those who hunger for it. Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved.

BILLY

Remember to hug your loved ones daily.

It starts in the heart:

Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: “How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?

The surgeon said, “I’m sorry. We did all we could, but Billy didn’t make it.

“Sally said, “Why do little children get cancer? Doesn’t God care anymore? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?

The surgeon asked, “Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he’s transported to the university.

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said goodbye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

“Would you like a lock of his hair?” the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes.

The nurse cut a lock of the boy’s hair, put it in a plastic bag, and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, “It was Jimmy’s idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else.” I said no at first, but Jimmy said, “Mom, I won’t be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.”

She went on, “My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.” Sally walked out of Children’s mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy’s belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult.

It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy’s belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son’s room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things, back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke.

Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:

Dear Mom, I know you’re going to miss me; but don’t think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just ’cause I’m not around to say I LOVE YOU.

I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won’t be so lonely, that’s okay with me. He can have my room, and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn’t like the same things us boys do. You’ll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, y’know.

“Don’t be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn’t look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD”! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God’s knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important.

That’s when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you goodbye and everything. But I already knew that wasn’t allowed.

“Well, y’know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him–‘Where was He when I needed Him?’ God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. “Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I’ve written. Only you. “To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn’t that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life.

Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I’m sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don’t hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I’m glad because I couldn’t stand that pain anymore … and God couldn’t stand to see me hurt so much, either. That’s when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me.

The Angel said I was Special Delivery How about that? Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me,

Billy.
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His First Seven Years

All he left was sorrow.
He could not face the new music
and was already tired of the
same old song and dance.

The way he smiled and nodded —
even then I thought,
“He must feel so sad!”
But, oh my God, how he could laugh!
About anything, and still
never be irreverent.

Small things held special fascinations
lost to others, but
treasured, even cherished,
for an instant,
an instant that preserved all things.

The way he smiled and nodded —
even then, I thought,
“He must feel so glad!”
But good Lord he could cry!
For hunger, or pain,
or in chorus with his brothers;
never the initiator, nor the lager,
but always lending his voice for free.

And someone was always there
who’d know exactly
the meaning of every
smile, every
nod, every
tearless sob.

All he left was sorrow
planted deep in our hearts.
But when its season comes
it will blossom, nod, and smile.

He would have been
eight years old, tomorrow.

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Why go to Church?

If you’re spiritually alive, you’re going to love this! If you’re spiritually dead, you won’t want to read it. If you’re spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church-goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”

This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

“I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this… They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!” When you are DOWN to nothing… God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible!

Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say,

“Jesus, could you get that for me?”

In Christian Love

chick

“Work for justice with joyous compassion, dispense mercy with generous kindness, live righteously, and walk humbly before God and man.”

Jaspard to Fortitude Foundling in The Adventures of Fortitude Foundling

The best way to get through life is to live every single moment of it, because each of them is brand new.

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Yes, it happened again. It is FRIDAY, and time to share some news and a few scattered thoughts. Today Crucita ends her 25 day sojourn among family and friends. She will be back at our house in about 10 hours and there will be pictures to see and stories to tell. It has been a good time for her to reflect, to relax, and rejuvenate. For the kittens and me, it’s been 25 days of trying not to make so big a mess we couldn’t get it cleaned up in time, and 25 days of continuing to trust God to keep his hand around her while she is traveling. In other words, even though we missed her terribly, we pretty much stuck to what we always do: Try to stay out of trouble and thank God for all His blessings.

I also give God thanks for each and every one of you who hosted her during her visit. I appreciate everything you have done to share your lives, your thoughts, your homes with her. How good of you! And how wonderful to know that you are vessels of His love which you have poured out into our loves.

I have been thinking about a real-life little story I heard in church a couple of weeks ago. I little child was praying her night-time prayers, and as she was finishing up she asked for God’s blessing on her family, on the soldiers, on her dog, and then finished up by saying, “And God, you take care of yourself, too, because if something happens to you, we’re all in trouble.” As our saying goes, “From the mouths of babes….”

Well, of course, in years to come the child grew in wisdom and in stature and learned more about God’s omnipotence; but, I suspect that the caring love, so innocent and personal, that she felt for God as she “admonished” Him also grew to a deeper and even more personal relationship. I believe she now knows with the certainty that comes from personal experience that God understands our burdens, our joys, our thoughts, and the desires of our hearts.

Many of us in the MBN know that as well, don’t we? The Gospel reading that week was from Matthew 11:25-30. It’s the one that ends with “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I AM meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” In the Epistle from that Sunday, Paul was telling the church in Rome that the Sprit gives life to our Sprit and to our mortal bodies as well, “if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” That phrase landed in my ear in a new way during the homily. I had always heard it as “if only” like “if after all the Spirit of God….” That is the meaning in the Greek word ei;per eiper {i-per}. That Sunday, and even now, I heard “if only the Sprit of God Dwells in you…” Ah. Another moment of, “oh, my!”

Do I ever let a spirit of discouragement, or doubt, or meanness, or coveting, or greed, or unjust anger, or despair, or any contrary spirit interfere with my relationship with the Holy Spirit? “Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” [NAB] So I ended up with something new, another handle on the Word: “… if after all the Spirit of God [and only the Spirit of God] dwells in you…”

I think that may be part of the way God responds to the child’s prayer. He takes care of Himself in us; within us He takes care of the love, the Spirit in our spirit, the Body in our body, the Life in our life. And He asks us too to take up that task, to follow the command that we love one another, that we put balance in our lives between spirit and flesh, and with him, that balance is easy because he is meek and humble of heart and only the Holy Spirit dwells in him.

Many of us who are reading this now have physical or spiritual burdens; some of us have both. I have found much solace – and lightening of my own burdens – in your lives, in your meekness and humility, in your willingness to help God take care of Himself in His children. Perhaps MBN members C.W. & G.W. say it more clearly: “God is on His throne and we’re hanging tough.” That is balance. That is the way to endure, and not only endure, but prevail.

Thanks for the love you share among us all, “for the love we have comes from God through Christ Jesus by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.”

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved

chick

Pray for one another, especially those who are dealing with long-standing burdens of illness whether in body, mind, or spirit.

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Happy Aloha FRIDAY!!
This is something some of you may remember. I had a request for this recently, and so I thought I might just send it to the whole MBN as well. This picture is just a perfect representation of the following parable:

I felt so blind, so burned out, so tied down. I prayed:

God, I am tired. I know you created me, and I am grateful for that. I have been formed in your image, and my spirit rejoices in knowing you and reaching up to you. I feel as though I’m failing you, God, by living a life that does not give you glory. I am lost in sin and darkness, and nothing I do has any merit. My energy seems to flow away into a trail of smoke. I’m melting down, and my resources puddle around my feet. I am unable to recover them or to use them. I feel as though my feet are locked in cement. I can make no progress. I can’t get going anywhere, yet I feel I should withdraw from the world and cease to embarrass you with my utter failure. I’m being worn down. I can’t be steady about anything any more. The least little thing seems to blow me away. Worst of all, I know that at the very core of me, I am wicked, and . . . .

Just then, I heard God chuckle.

Excuse me, Sir, but that wasn’t meant to be funny.

Well, child, you’ve got the concept right, even the spelling is right, but the pronunciation is wrong. It’s not a two-syllable word – “wick-ed.” For you, it’s just a one syllable word as in “wickt.”

HUH?

You’re confusing my creation of you in this world with the life I have given you. Dear child, you have failed to notice that you are a candle. Of course you have a wick at your core. That is what I use when I make a candle. I created you in my image, and I am Light. Not candle. Light.

When you let my Spirit use your wick and everything in your life that supports that wick, my light shines in you. Don’t you remember what you pray every Sunday: “God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God.” You cannot fail me. I created you, and as you live – you will live forever – you give me glory.

You are not “lost” in the darkness because I know where you are; but, you are in a world of sin and darkness. You have not given in to that darkness, and therefore everything you do has merit. Even when you yourself are unaware of the light because you see only darkness, you are my light in this world. Despite the fact that you do not know it, even while you are contaminated with sin, I keep your light burning. I protect the flame.

As my Spirit transforms your worldly life into the Light of Heaven, your life in the world gets shorter, but your life in heaven shines on through all eternity. Your light will never fade because it is my Light. The energy that flows away from you is the surrender of your soul – the very core of you – to my power. The resources that puddle at your feet are the bounteous gifts I give you over and above your needs. These gifts are meant for the use of others like you. The surplus helps in the creation and support of other candles. They are not meant for your use nor are they meant to be wasted.

For that reason, I have anchored you in a candle holder called “faith.” Held firmly in faith, you enjoy peace and stability. Even though the winds of evil blow all round you, sometimes causing your flame to gutter and fade, I will protect you and send my angels to shield you. Let your little light shine. Don’t let Satan blow it out. And don’t obscure it by running away or hiding behind some pretentious screen of humility or basket of religion.

When you have used up the gifts I have given you, when you, my candle, have burned down to just a stub, then your faith will release you and your light will be set free. Once freed, it will not become darkness, but will be joined with The Light forever.

Remember, my child, you are a candle. I have set my light on you. I have trimmed your wick. I have anchored you. I have protected you from the winds of evil. Even if darkness overcomes you and your light goes out, I will restore you. Your soul is the strongest part of you; concentrate on seeing the light, and the darkness will be unimportant. “Let your light so shine before all that they may see the Glory of God.”
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Thank you, all of you, for shedding a little of your light on my life. Be who you are as God created you so that what you do says who you are.

All in Love

chick