Where the sun awakens the day
Where the road winds on its way
Where the fields are sweet with hay
I have seen the Lord.
From "Through the Year with St. Columba"
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Advent Musings
From another essay in the "Watch for the Light" book, comes a dead-on essay by Phillip Britts entitled "Yielding to God."
"True expectancy, the waiting that is genuine and from the heart, is brought about by the coming of the Holy Spirit, by God coming to us, and not by our own devices. Spiritual depth, if it is true, is the working of God coming down and penetrating to the depths of our hearts, and not of our own soul's climbing. No ladder of mysticism can ever meet or find or possess God. Faith is a power given to us. It is never simply our ability or strength of will to believe. The spiritual experience that is truly genuine is given to us by God in the coming of his Spirit, and only as we surrender our whole lives to an active expression of his will."
Phillip Britts, British horiculturist and poet, died at the age of 37. It struck me how deep his understanding of God was at such a young age.
Amen
"True expectancy, the waiting that is genuine and from the heart, is brought about by the coming of the Holy Spirit, by God coming to us, and not by our own devices. Spiritual depth, if it is true, is the working of God coming down and penetrating to the depths of our hearts, and not of our own soul's climbing. No ladder of mysticism can ever meet or find or possess God. Faith is a power given to us. It is never simply our ability or strength of will to believe. The spiritual experience that is truly genuine is given to us by God in the coming of his Spirit, and only as we surrender our whole lives to an active expression of his will."
Phillip Britts, British horiculturist and poet, died at the age of 37. It struck me how deep his understanding of God was at such a young age.
Amen
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Exquisite Cold
Ken and I walked this morning when the temperatures were in the teens. Looking like grown-up versions of Charlie Brown, we outfitted ourselves with two layers of pants, gloves, scarves and hats. And good cheer.
The air around us echoed only quietness. The ground crunched slightly as we walked across it. Stars shone brightly and we were fine and fit. We walked and talked and prayed. And the world slept around us.
I love to walk in the crisp coldness of winter. I look for lights on houses and revel in the quiet. I feel very alive walking in the cold.
Given to me years ago by a Johnson City, NY friend, a favorite book of mine, "Not Faster Than A Walk" tells in short, daily essays, the adventures of a small town librarian who made it a practice to walk, regardless of the weather. Each entry captures a time and a place and a feeling. The book is now out of print but worth tracking down. Wonderful little woodcut prints grace the pages and although it is a slim volume, I read it time and time again. And I'm enriched by her love of nature and her connectedness to it.
Yes, baby, it's cold. But get outside with a loved one and embrace it. Your cheeks and your heart will be warmed by the experience.
The air around us echoed only quietness. The ground crunched slightly as we walked across it. Stars shone brightly and we were fine and fit. We walked and talked and prayed. And the world slept around us.
I love to walk in the crisp coldness of winter. I look for lights on houses and revel in the quiet. I feel very alive walking in the cold.
Given to me years ago by a Johnson City, NY friend, a favorite book of mine, "Not Faster Than A Walk" tells in short, daily essays, the adventures of a small town librarian who made it a practice to walk, regardless of the weather. Each entry captures a time and a place and a feeling. The book is now out of print but worth tracking down. Wonderful little woodcut prints grace the pages and although it is a slim volume, I read it time and time again. And I'm enriched by her love of nature and her connectedness to it.
Yes, baby, it's cold. But get outside with a loved one and embrace it. Your cheeks and your heart will be warmed by the experience.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Thought For The Day
From an essay entitled "To Be Virgin" by Loretta Ross-Gotta (American Presbyterian author, dramatist and chaplain):
"What if, instead of doing something, we were to be something special? Be a womb. Be a dwelling for God. Be surprised."
Amen
"What if, instead of doing something, we were to be something special? Be a womb. Be a dwelling for God. Be surprised."
Amen
Monday, December 5, 2011
Advent Readings
Years ago, a parishoner gave Ken and me this book for Advent. I can't recommend it highly enough. The essays are long and short, always insightful and full of truth, written by authors known and unknown. They are not always easy to read, but I always, always feel enriched after reading an essay. It has become an Advent discipline for me.
Find it and be challenged. Read it and be grateful.
Peace and joy to all this blessed Advent.
Advent Prayer
I've needed this prayer lately:
God be in my head
And in my understanding
God be in mine eyes
And in my looking
God be in my mouth
And in my speaking
God be in my heart
And in my thinking
God be at my end
And at my departing.
-- Anonymous
God be in my head
And in my understanding
God be in mine eyes
And in my looking
God be in my mouth
And in my speaking
God be in my heart
And in my thinking
God be at my end
And at my departing.
-- Anonymous
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thanksgiving
People eat at Thanksgiving.
And give thanks.
We did that too. But we also made head-dresses, drew on our chalkboard placemats and looked at Matt's artwork. We had fun. And gave thanks. And rejoiced in the blessing of being together.
And give thanks.
We did that too. But we also made head-dresses, drew on our chalkboard placemats and looked at Matt's artwork. We had fun. And gave thanks. And rejoiced in the blessing of being together.
So What Else Have I Been Doing?
Oh, the usual stuff.
- being with the ones I love
- church
- knitting
- painting
- work
- and not necessarily in that order
I'm trying something new with my paintings. I've taken small, 3" by 3" quilting squares, that many year ago my Grandmother Gordon gave to my Mom. I've gessoed them and I'm using them as small canvases. It's an experiment that I'm hoping will turn into refrigerator magnets or brooches that I can sell at a local gallery.
Color and Light
I love color. I love light. I love colored glass that catches and reflects the light.
To that end, I recently re-arranged the hand-blown glass globes in our kitchen, placing them near the light over the kitchen sink and organized them according to the color spectrum. You'll have to just come see it for yourself.
To that end, I recently re-arranged the hand-blown glass globes in our kitchen, placing them near the light over the kitchen sink and organized them according to the color spectrum. You'll have to just come see it for yourself.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)