Sharing the reading today from the Upper Room website
It reminds me to be mindful, keep Christ in mind, count my blessings, and stay in love.
“GOD, LET US COUNT the ways you never leave us. Your Light of Day greeted us this morning. The smell of life filled our nostrils with the crisp, chilly air of a new day. The melody of gently crackling leaves whispered your love in our ears. These are among the Good Morning gifts we thank you for. You have given us another day in your Precious Presence.
Come what may this day: angry traffic, angry words, paved roads, paved ways, we will praise your Holy Name! And so we greet you this day with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. Amen.
- Sherrie Dobbs Johnson”
The Africana Worship Book: Year A
From page 77 of The Africana Worship Book: Year A, edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua. Copyright © 2006 by Discipleship Resources. All rights reserved.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
“MAY I SEE TODAY
the largeness of your love
in even the smallest part of creation.
May I be ravished
by traces of your beauty
in earth and sky.
May I experience
the eternity of your grace
pulsing within each moment.
- Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation
From p. 130 of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore. Copyright © 2008 by Sam Hamilton-Poore
the largeness of your love
in even the smallest part of creation.
May I be ravished
by traces of your beauty
in earth and sky.
May I experience
the eternity of your grace
pulsing within each moment.
- Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation
From p. 130 of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore. Copyright © 2008 by Sam Hamilton-Poore
Friday, October 15, 2010
Pastor Jeff in Heels, story
link; address is this
http://www.minnesotaumc.org/News/Brainerdpastorsstepupinheelstowitnessagain/tabid/47175/Default.aspx
http://www.minnesotaumc.org/News/Brainerdpastorsstepupinheelstowitnessagain/tabid/47175/Default.aspx
Monday, October 4, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
As Posted on inward/outward
By St. Teresa of Avila on 09-17-2010
Just these two words He spoke
changed my life:
“Enjoy Me.”
What a burden I thought I was to carry--
a crucifix, as did He.
Love once said to me, "I know a song,
Would you like to hear it?
And laughter came from every brick in the street
And from every pore
in the sky.
After a night of prayer, he
changed my life when
He sang,
"Enjoy Me."
Source:
* Love Poems From God edited by Daniel Ladinsky
Just these two words He spoke
changed my life:
“Enjoy Me.”
What a burden I thought I was to carry--
a crucifix, as did He.
Love once said to me, "I know a song,
Would you like to hear it?
And laughter came from every brick in the street
And from every pore
in the sky.
After a night of prayer, he
changed my life when
He sang,
"Enjoy Me."
Source:
* Love Poems From God edited by Daniel Ladinsky
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
August newsletter reprint
The Carpenter's Cave
I have spoken only a little about the week that Beth, Sara and I had in India this past March. One of the highlights I have yet to mention was near the city of Aurangabad. While Beth was working, Sara and I, on recommendation from Craig and Ty Rezac in Mumbai, went to see two separate "World Heritage" sites of some amazing religious cave carvings spanning several centuries. The caves were religious artwork, devotional sites or monastic centers for Hindus, Jains or Buddhists . In Ellora, one of the most famous, and most meaningful caves for us is commonly referred to the Carpenter's Cave. It was built in the early 700's and is called the Carpenter's Cave because the ceiling has stones caught out in the appearance of wooden beams the way a carpenter would build. The acoustics in the cave are phenomenal and when our guide sang a chant in there for us, it was soulfully beautiful. But the other outstanding feature of this Buddhist cave is that it combines features of two differing traditions in Buddhism. In the older tradition images of Buddhism were not used. So as a way of giving devotional attention, a stupa or spiritual monument, was used in the places for meditation. This tradition grew from an understanding that the Buddha had discouraged images of himself. But another tradition uses images of the Buddha in various poses of teaching, meditation etc, replete with symbols that point to certain practices and principles or stories and so a Buddha statue was also added to the cave.
But, when I hear "Carpenters cave" I think of how Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth (Mark 6:3). Or I think of the nativity cave in Bethlehem ! It blesses me to think of how Jesus Christ is constructing a new community in us and among us, building and rebuilding our lives. I see the Carpenter, Jesus Christ, as one who can build us together and construct a larger "holy" house for us . He tells us that "in my Father's house" there are many dwelling places. God builds us into a new temple for all people. So when the carpenter's cave in Ellora demonstrates the practice of accommodation and merging of two traditions into one place, I see it, indeed, as the Carpenter cave of peace , respect and reconciliation.
We live in a time when religious diversity is a daily experience. Some are threatened by this and feel the need to resist. But I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way who shows us how to live together with reconciliation love, respect, peacemaking and forgiveness. The world desperately needs followers of the Carpenter who can build a roof of community to cover all people. I have been enjoying this quote: "As our world becomes smaller, through a growing common culture, the true test of community will be our tolerance for our most profound differences and love for the most challenging among us." ( Wayne Teasdale in A Monk in the World) I pray that Christianity in our country can model this spirit. It sounds like Jesus to me ! What will you build in Christ's name today? How can we learn the carpentry skills at Park church?
Grace and peace, Pastor Rory
If you would like to see a picture of the carpenters cave, try this one: http://www.360cities.net/image/carpenters-cave-ellora-cave-india#2.00,0.00,70.0
I have spoken only a little about the week that Beth, Sara and I had in India this past March. One of the highlights I have yet to mention was near the city of Aurangabad. While Beth was working, Sara and I, on recommendation from Craig and Ty Rezac in Mumbai, went to see two separate "World Heritage" sites of some amazing religious cave carvings spanning several centuries. The caves were religious artwork, devotional sites or monastic centers for Hindus, Jains or Buddhists . In Ellora, one of the most famous, and most meaningful caves for us is commonly referred to the Carpenter's Cave. It was built in the early 700's and is called the Carpenter's Cave because the ceiling has stones caught out in the appearance of wooden beams the way a carpenter would build. The acoustics in the cave are phenomenal and when our guide sang a chant in there for us, it was soulfully beautiful. But the other outstanding feature of this Buddhist cave is that it combines features of two differing traditions in Buddhism. In the older tradition images of Buddhism were not used. So as a way of giving devotional attention, a stupa or spiritual monument, was used in the places for meditation. This tradition grew from an understanding that the Buddha had discouraged images of himself. But another tradition uses images of the Buddha in various poses of teaching, meditation etc, replete with symbols that point to certain practices and principles or stories and so a Buddha statue was also added to the cave.
But, when I hear "Carpenters cave" I think of how Jesus was a carpenter from Nazareth (Mark 6:3). Or I think of the nativity cave in Bethlehem ! It blesses me to think of how Jesus Christ is constructing a new community in us and among us, building and rebuilding our lives. I see the Carpenter, Jesus Christ, as one who can build us together and construct a larger "holy" house for us . He tells us that "in my Father's house" there are many dwelling places. God builds us into a new temple for all people. So when the carpenter's cave in Ellora demonstrates the practice of accommodation and merging of two traditions into one place, I see it, indeed, as the Carpenter cave of peace , respect and reconciliation.
We live in a time when religious diversity is a daily experience. Some are threatened by this and feel the need to resist. But I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way who shows us how to live together with reconciliation love, respect, peacemaking and forgiveness. The world desperately needs followers of the Carpenter who can build a roof of community to cover all people. I have been enjoying this quote: "As our world becomes smaller, through a growing common culture, the true test of community will be our tolerance for our most profound differences and love for the most challenging among us." ( Wayne Teasdale in A Monk in the World) I pray that Christianity in our country can model this spirit. It sounds like Jesus to me ! What will you build in Christ's name today? How can we learn the carpentry skills at Park church?
Grace and peace, Pastor Rory
If you would like to see a picture of the carpenters cave, try this one: http://www.360cities.net/image/carpenters-cave-ellora-cave-india#2.00,0.00,70.0
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
From Henri Nouwen's words
Crossing the Road for One Another
We become neighbours when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation: between black people and white people, between gay people and straight people, between young people and old people, between sick people and healthy people, between prisoners and free people, between Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics, Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics.
There is a lot of road crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the street once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might become neighbours.
Crossing the Road for One Another
We become neighbours when we are willing to cross the road for one another. There is so much separation and segregation: between black people and white people, between gay people and straight people, between young people and old people, between sick people and healthy people, between prisoners and free people, between Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians, Protestants and Catholics, Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics.
There is a lot of road crossing to do. We are all very busy in our own circles. We have our own people to go to and our own affairs to take care of. But if we could cross the street once in a while and pay attention to what is happening on the other side, we might become neighbours.
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