Lent Post Listen First

Listening is the first expression of communication in prayer. We know that listening precedes speaking in the development of children’s language skills. The same order applies to the development of our prayer life. Something in our spirit is touched by the Divine Spirit before we are drawn to speak.
- Marjorie J. Thompson
Soul Feast

Lent Post on Leadership

In the absence of Jesus’ physical leadership, a new power to lead emerges among the disciples. Like the disciples, we honor Jesus’ absence when, as Christian communities, we do not look for a single leader to ride into town on a white horse and save us. We honor Jesus’ absence when we do not "look up" to a single human leader on whom we can depend for everything. We honor Jesus’ absence when we discover the Spirit of Jesus the Servant animating us as a Christian community of faith.
- Thomas R. Hawkins
Faithful Leadership
from a recent Verse and Voice mailing from Sojourners.
Read this along with Jeffrey Ozanne's blog post on the Prophetic Power of Tolkien

Rhythm patterns

Watching camp fires, fire places or even a candle; standing in the rhythms of ocean waves... being caught or moved in forces that come from far beyond my sight; or being near the lapping of lake waves along a shoreline..or the flowing sounds of a river , creek or stream...just watching it go on seemingly endless...
or like today, with the lure of stopping, slowing, just to watch the snowflakes come down..we all know the feeling....we have been there and know the attraction..why does it affect us all? Why does it work that way? Does it call us to ; or remind us of; some larger rhythm,
a wave , a flow, a source that we know we are from, or participate in, in some pre-verbal...pre rational kind of way?
Maybe old fashioned ticking clocks can have the effect for some people as it does for me. Or in music too, is it the sound waves, the beat and the rhythm that does the "magic'?
Maybe.... maybe not...but it feels good in my soul.

So I'm going to catch the falling snow flake views for a while..before going back to church for a meeting. Maybe we could have a church meeting, or a worship service where we all had to watch the snow fall for 20 minutes before we ever called the meeting to begin...before we ever spoke a word.
Rambling on and trying to find my rhythm?

Lenten Post on Discipline

Another copy from the Henri Nouwen society and their Daily Meditations.
This one is an obvious fit for Lent and any Lenten disciplines.
And once again, if I could only follow the advice and really embody the wisdom!
At least I keep reminding myself and the very act of keeping this blog is a part of the reminding.

Creating Space for God

Discipline is the other side of discipleship. Discipleship without discipline is like waiting to run in the marathon without ever practicing. Discipline without discipleship is like always practicing for the marathon but never participating. It is important, however, to realize that discipline in the spiritual life is not the same as discipline in sports. Discipline in sports is the concentrated effort to master the body so that it can obey the mind better. Discipline in the spiritual life is the concentrated effort to create the space and time where God can become our master and where we can respond freely to God's guidance.

Thus, discipline is the creation of boundaries that keep time and space open for God. Solitude requires discipline, worship requires discipline, caring for others requires discipline. They all ask us to set apart a time and a place where God's gracious presence can be acknowledged and responded to.

Lenten Post on Bible

A quote of Martin Luther about the Bible...
"The Bible is alive, it speaks to me, it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold on me."

And then go read Bishop Sally Dyck's blog (see my side link) and related comments on Bible Literacy . Blessings on the day!

Lenten post A Prayer

Come, O Holy Spirit!
Come, open us to the wonder, beauty and dignity
of the diversity found in each culture,
in each face, and in each experience we have
of the other among us.
Come, fill us with generosity
as we are challenged to let go and allow
others to share with us
the goods and beauty of earth.
Come, heal the divisions
that keep us from seeing the face of Christ
in all men, women and children.
Come, free us to stand with and for those
who must leave their own land in order
to find work, security and welcome in a new land,
one that has enough to share.
Come, bring us understanding, inspiration,
wisdom, and the courage needed to embrace
change and stay on the journey.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
show us the way.

--a prayer from the Sisters of Charity of New York
From Life Upon the Sacred Stage ;blog of Retta Blaney

Lenten Post In Light of the Oscars

From the Henri Nouwen Society Daily Meditations:

Hidden Greatness
There is much emphasis on notoriety and fame in our society. Our newspapers and television keep giving us the message: What counts is to be known, praised, and admired, whether you are a writer, an actor, a musician, or a politician.

Still, real greatness is often hidden, humble, simple, and unobtrusive. It is not easy to trust ourselves and our actions without public affirmation. We must have strong self-confidence combined with deep humility. Some of the greatest works of art and the most important works of peace were created by people who had no need for the limelight. They knew that what they were doing was their call, and they did it with great patience, perseverance, and love.

I'm guessing that the people who selected this daily meditation knew about the Oscars last night.
Even though glitz and glamor gets much of the attention the Oscars can also be a way of celebrating creativity, hard work, social commentary and large scale story telling. This is where the modern myth making happens. But I am still not much of a red carpet fan and I like what the Nouwen quote is suggesting.

Don't' get me wrong. I am not against having people in the "lime light." I am not against celebrating a generous act or bold decision. Of course, there are stories that must be told and public thanks that should be given. I am very much aware that some other organizations, causes and groups do a much better job than the church of thanking donors and doing volunteer recognitions. I am all for that! It is a way of giving witness, sharing faith, and encouraging good actions.
So in light of the Oscars: I hope you saw the newspaper piece today about Thomas North and the $100! Or the coverage that Cris Weber has gotten with the reading program software he has designed. Those stories encourage me. And I don't think they were looking for the limelight. But those are the kind of Oscars I want to present. Just being true to a call. Who gets the Oscars in your life? Enough said?