I recall plenty of
snow, ice and WIND during this wonderful month.
Shamrocks, green, Irish heritage seem to win over this month.
So does Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday, which usher in Lent.
It's a crazy month filled with unknowns.
That's the fun of it.
Let us begin!
March 1, 2017 Ash Wednesday
What a way to usher in this crazy month.
This warm, windless day seems perfect to begin the litany of penance as we celebrate the beginning of Lent today.
It's a day to remind ourselves of our mortality.
No matter how hard we try, we will die.
Prayerfully, I continue to live a satisfying life until that happens.
So, what am I doing in my life that provides satisfaction and gives glory to God?
I pray that each day . . . no matter how mundane . . . no matter how disorganized . . . no matter how many times I feel I've failed God, I am fulfilling the purpose God gave me as a fellow human being on this earth.
I pray that I make a difference in someone else's life each and every day.
It might be a smile or a complement or a prayer or a word of encouragement or whatever I give to another.
I feel much like the gentle breeze of today . . . unseen but felt by a sensitive spirit.
I'm not flashy and I rarely speak profound words but I've learned to make the best of each day so I know the day has been well spent.
Life is so very daily.
Wild and crazy is just not me.
Perhaps the old proverb for March . . . "if it comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion," can speak for today.
Ever so gently, ashes touch my forehead to remind me of God's gentle touch as I am led on a circuitous life journey.
And so we begin Lent.
Forty days of fasting from indulgences that get in the way of time with God.
Forty days of fasting from anger, impatience, jealousy, selfishness, unsavory speech, anxiety, murmuring, dislike of those I do not understand . . . and the list goes on.
This will be a softer, gentler lent . . . and it all starts on this special Ash Wednesday.
3-2:: A story a day.
As usual, we lingered on the outdoor lanai and let the faint breeze brush through our hair.
What a delight to listen to stories of hope and well-being, of 'epiphany' and enlightenment.
By sharing our story, as it happens today, we gain insights and encouragement.
What we are discovering, however, is that we cannot always share words with another and may loose the "moment" over time.
By journaling, writing just a few words each day . . . with the day's date . . . we are able to capture a 'moment closest to God' or 'a moment where emotions need to be expressed somewhere.'
Journaling need not be lengthy.
A word, sentence or even a page or two may be written according to the situation.
Most important, words from the heart may capture another glimpse of the story we had not seen before.
Also, as we journal we need NOT go into great detail, tell tails on another or express ourselves in a manner that might compromise another or ourselves.
It's amazing how insights can go deep without blaming or igniting harsh feelings.
Whether it's a sentence or a novella, I write a story about a moment, or even an instant, in my life . . . like today . . . now . . . as I blog for the whole world to see.
It's all good.
Perhaps my insights regarding my own life may encourage another? . . . or not.
A story a day.
It's all good.
This other group has been meeting weekly for nearly twenty years.
It's called the 4th day . . . after a Cursillo weekend.
The 4th day is the rest of our lives.
Even though I moved away for almost eight years, I'd join the group when we came down on our two vacations a year.
Nothing beats a group of women who have shared life's ups and downs and ins and outs for all these years.
Some have moved and some have died.
New faces join us as their heart-felt words provide further depth to the group.
We share our lives, our hopes and dreams, our deep hurts and frustrations, our moments 'closest to Christ' and how we have kept our personal 'rule of life'.
Yet, in that sharing we always share it with God who is forever
God: Father, Son and Holy Spirt . . . our stake in the ground.
When we are reeling from a 'catastrophe' or spinning out in excitement, our God is there . . . leading us, guiding us, loving us, pouring grace out upon us and being very present through the presence of all in the room.
For the past several weeks we have shared honest truths.
We have encouraged those in challenging situations.
Most of all, we simply listen . . . truly listen . . . and ponder in our own hearts, "It might be me, how would I fare in the same
God uses each of us to provide a word of wisdom when appropriate.
Most of all, by sharing from deep in my soul, honestly and without couching words, I breathe more deeply and feel satisfied for the rest of the day.
God is good
Life is good
I am good . . . after sharing with my dear 'sisters.'
3-4:: Blow Wind Blow
Winter is still winter down here.
Too cold for me to walk the beach, I linger a little longer with all my reading.
It's not really all that cold but 59 with 25 mph wind seems a bit to chilly for this spoiled body.
I LOVE this kind of weather.
I give myself permission to sit behind closed windows looking out at the water.
I give myself permission to read or write or simply enjoy a second cup of tea.
I give myself permission to wait, watch and let my mind meander down glorious labyrinths of thought . . . all good.
I pray for my dear namesake who had a tough time with elbow surgery.
I pray for my dear sister who entertains the whole world as missionaries camp in their home for days on end . . . and then she wonders why she becomes sick.
I pray for so many, myself included, who still hang on to control of a situation or time or whatever we choose to hoard for ourselves.
So, blow wind, blow.
It's my grand excuse to do the things I should be doing every day . . . especially on those nice days!
3-5:: Forty Days
Thunderous words come from above, "This is my beloved Son of whom I am well pleased," and the Spirit comes from above like a dove to remain upon Jesus.
From there, people follow Jesus and are sent by John to receive far more than the baptism for cleansing and renewal, Mikvah, that John was providing.
The next thing we encounter is Jesus spending forty days in the desert praying and fasting.
It seems strange to us in the 21st century to begin a ministry with great pomp and circumstance and immediately go into hiding.
But if we think about it, this is a logical move.
Jesus was preparing for the most challenging three years of his life.
This was not forty days in a nice retreat center with plenty of food and drink.
This was forty days in the midst of harsh sun by day and cold winds by night.
Forty days of nothing.
In fact, I learned that our bodies begin to break down and eat our own muscle after forty days, the maximum one should fast from food.
Thus, those who call themselves Christians are invited to fast from at least one thing during this season of Lent in which we walk to the Cross with Jesus.
Lent is longer than forty days so many choose to be released from their fast on Sundays.
For others, Holy Week becomes an addendum to the forty days of Lent but the fast is retained.
During Holy Week we intentionally focus on the Cross and the three days from Maundy Thursday to Resurrection Sunday. . . from Jesus' last super with his disciples to his crucifixion to his resurrection.
We take these forty days to focus on the real meaning of being a Christian.
Jesus said, "Take up your Cross and follow Me."
Jesus did not say, "if you choose . . . if you feel like it . . . if you think it might be a good idea for a day or two . . . "
Jesus went to the Cross for us, to take all our sin upon himself, to pay the price of real death . . . separation from God . . . which sin does.
Sin separates us from our creator, God.
Jesus chose to die a horrid death for us but, being fully human and fully divine, Jesus suffered and died.
He then rose from the dead and walked among us and is with those who choose to follow him.
Yet, we must be willing . . . forever and always . . . to bear the burdens set upon us as true Christ-followers... bear the Cross.
More Christians have been killed in the past few years for standing firm in their faith and not wavering than all the Christians who have been killed in all the centuries since Christ's crucifixion.
Questions I ask myself:
Even though I've not fasted in the desert, what time in my life have
When have I remained steadfastly on a fast from some thing?
How am I carrying the Cross of Christ and following my Lord daily?
What 'rule' or daily commitment can I create to draw myself more deeply into the presence of The Presence?
I will ponder these questions, and more, throughout these forty days.
3-6:: Christ was tempted after his fast
I think, deep in my soul, if I could fast from all food for forty days.
If I'd been strong enough to remain forty days without food I would also be starved, as Jesus was.
I definitely would succumb to temptation.
Jesus held firm, in his humanness, as an example for us.
Jesus was starved!
We never hear these words about Jesus again.
Even though he was starved and weak and craving a morsel of bread, he held firm against satan's deceptive words.
Fully in community with his Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus held
Jesus did not need to test the Father, to trust angels to catch him if he stepped off of the temple tower, as satan tormented him.
Jesus stood firm, quoting the correct words of scripture that satan had mashed up for his own egotistical needs.
How often do I stand firm in temptation?
1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds me that no temptation is too strong for me to endure with Christ Jesus leading me every step of the way.
Perhaps, this forty days, I can record each temptation set before me and my response to that temptation.
If Jesus can withstand temptation, so can I.
Easier said than done, I'm sure!
3-7:: Serendipity
I love serendipity when I least expect it.
This was planned a few days ahead but I still think it was serendipity.
How else does one explain meeting with a friend who lives two hours away?
She just 'happened' to be coming into town and had a few hours in the morning before she returned home.
As we shared our personal stories, eight years of my being away seemed like a few days.
Her story, still unwrapping as events unfold, was fascinating.
She and her daughter have been on an adventure over the past year, writing a book.
The book was published and is being passed around to some pretty influential people.
The story sounds so serendipity but her daughter's journey has been long and circuitous and challenging.
It's all in the book.
Is it serendipity that we meet just when the book is exploding on the market?
Is it serendipity that her daughter, for whom I've been praying for years, is sharing her gift of words with the world as she tells her heart-wrenching story?
As wonders unfold in our conversation, I know who has been there all the time . . . leading, guiding, holding and pouring grace over this family, this project, these past few years.
I think God has his hand on this little bit of serendipity.
3-8:: Disciplines of Holy Lent
I'm finding my lenten discipline is taking a bit more time than usual.
These on-line blogs and videos just pop into my 'in' box each morning so that I can enjoy electronic meditations.
Only one problem.
I'm involved with about four fabulous commitments.
Videos on the Sacraments.
N.T. Write weekly blog notes that make me ponder deeply.
Daily scripture readings with meditation and prayer all on one blog.
Choosing the best of two saint's stories each day with Lent Madness brackets.
I can't complain as this is far easier than Jesus' forty days of fasting in the desert.
This is suppose to be my 'desert time' but I feel like I've hit the oasis every single day.
I'm filling my soul with the presence of God as I fill my mind with new understanding.
I find so much satisfaction in my disciplines that I forget to take time writing this blog each day.
I'm actually having FUN with all this.
Digital faith practices are fabulously enticing as I lengthen my lenten discipline with research on Marcion or deeply digest the history of scrutinies.
I so enjoy all of this that when most of these offerings end well before we celebrate Christ's resurrection, I may not know what to do with myself.
Of course, I could return to the ever-growing pile of books we have accumulated . . . all just as fabulous.
Holy Lent may continue far longer than is required as I continue to pour God's presence into my soul.
3-9:: A New Sensation
I had an epiphany today.
It's been four months since I actually retired . . . as much as I could retire, at least.
We moved to a retirement state for a few months but I have had little time to realize that I am actually retired.
I 'volunteer' at the church and teach which keeps me quite busy.
Yet, today I no deadlines to meet . . . no expectations from others.
I walked the beach, made my usual breakfast, read the paper, dove into my lenten readings on the computer, explored some questions on the internet, threw in a load of laundry and then ran some simple errands with hubby.
No deadlines.
No time-limits.
No obligations.
Nothing I did today was necessary. All I did was my choice.
I think I am beginning to feel the freedom of retirement.
Amazing!
3-10:: Community
We met again as we do every week.
Seven women with the only common thread being our desire to walk more deeply into the presence of God on our daily journey.
Today the women shared an insight they embraced as they walked more deeply into God's holy space this week.
By doing so, something ignited within the group.
Something clicked.
We added our own wonderings and affirmations to the pile of insights already presented.
Enthusiasm, agreement, sparkle, smiles, nodding heads and this little community rocked!
Each week we marvel at the depth of insight we share with one another . . . especially since none of us regards one as better or more knowledgeable than another.
We each have dug deep as we seek answers to life's questions.
We each have faced challenges head on and called on the hand of Jesus to hold us, lead us, guide us.
We each think ourselves to be simple, ordinary women.
Yet, today affirmed to me that none of my sisters in Christ are ordinary.
Each has been intentional for years . . . to meet weekly with one another, to attend church regularly, to take advantage of bible studies, special seminars, new books, church events and so much more that helps us build a strong faith foundation so that, in crises, we are not easily moved.
We've sent our roots deep as we thirst for greater understanding of our awesome God.
We've sucked up the nutrients of knowledge and understanding over decades which, in turn, melt into godly wisdom that we share with others who are only beginning their journey.
We are strong, wise, beautiful in spirit, faith-filled, faith-firm and move forward in our lives as God directs.
I feel blessed each time we meet and others have said the same.
Community.
That's what it's all about when God is in our midst.
3-11:: Almost St. Patrick's Day?
I cannot believe we never attended this parade all the years we lived here full time.
This was our first time as we joined the 40,000 people from near and as far as an hour away.
I looked to me like all the school bands and every volunteer in town signed up to be in the St. Pat's parade.
So many, in fact, that after 1.5 hours, when we left, there were a few more bands and/or volunteer groups still coming down the street.
It was a wholesome parade - far different than I heard about
elsewhere.
We had loads of kids, loads of bands, old cars, just a couple hastily put-together floats and BAGPIPES.
We forget that the Irish have just as many, if not more, bagpipes as the Scottish.
The best part of the parade was the people who attended!
What a riot of green and crazy.
Families galore with little kids ready to pick up the scads of candy thrown from vehicles or by those walking in the parade.
Of course the parade began with the flag carried by veterans and included not only people from the armed forces but also retired fire fighters.
And, as would be expected, we stood up and applauded when they passed.
Alums from all the Catholic Universities were also represented.
Most interesting was St. Patrick himself, on a float!
Everyone stood and cheered when he passed by.
He tossed BLESSINGS!
GREAT FUN was had by all on this sunny, hot day.
3-12:: Nicodemus
Yet, every year that we focus on this passage in John 3:1-17, I am thrilled.
It was Nicodemus who made such a major impression on me when I was searching to know this gift from God, both human and divine, Jesus Christ.
I was given a bible [the pile in the photo shows you how I study in a bit of a scramble of books and notes] and was told to read the book of John.
Anyone who has suggests that a 'seeker' read this very long book without first reading it, should step back and take time to read it.
It is filled with incredible stories that show us that the kingdom of God is right here . . . right now . . . if we choose to become part of it through God's Son, Jesus Christ.
For a seeker who does not know the jargon or the stories, this can
Those non-seekers who have no clue . . . and may not even care . . . that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, have seen John 3:16 on a sign or huge banner at sports events over the past thirty years.
Everyone seems to nod if I ask if they have seen John 3:16 even though they are in the dark about its contents.
Nicodemus sought out Jesus on a dark night because he, also, was 'in the dark' about this rabble rouser in his midst, Jesus Christ.
His own, personal, darkness seemed to seek the 'light' of Christ as he sought out Jesus to ask about this 'new birth' he'd been hearing about.
He was right to ask since he know he'd already been born in the
"What does it mean to be 'born from above,'"?
Jesus told Nicodemus, "One must be born of water and spirit" to enter the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus was a well educated Jew.
He'd studyed Torah and Talmud most of his life.
He knew the prophecies . . . knew messiah would eventually come.
Yet, it was hard for him to comprehend what Jesus was telling him.
Nothing further is said in scripture about Nicodemus but tradition says that he was present when Jesus was taken down from the Cross after his crucifixion.
If it were not for Nicodemus perhaps none of us would have ever known John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life."
Nicodemus . . . John 3:16 . . . began my very long journey in Christ.
3-13:: Surgery!
Most of us don't 'elect' to have surgery unless there is something in our body that bothers us to the point of ill-health.
Hubby was bothered so long with eye-floaters, like seeing through a net every day, that he opted for his fifth eye surgery.
I hear that this surgery has only been viable the last few years.
There is only one surgeon in two counties up North who will do the surgery so people often wait months to have it done.
Several surgeons were recommended to hubby right in our own backyard in this tropical town because there are so many people having eye surgery down here.
The surgery was a great success.
Not even any pain!
Only one blip . . . hubby got sick from the anesthesia and may have been dehydrated before, which did not help.
Needless to say, I played nurse.
It's not my gift.
Yet, with God's grace, I hung in there as I catered to his every need, prayed with and for him and made sure he was as comfortable as was possible.
I'm reminded why I never 'opt' for surgery until it's absolutely an emergency.
I don't do well either.
Surgery - truly a miracle from God in this age - amazing results.
3-14:: "In sickness and in health . . ."
That's what we said to each other in our marriage vows.
We were young . . . or youngish . . . what did we know?
We both have been totally blessed with relatively good health.
So, when hubby is sick for a few days, I feel stuck.
Poor me . . .
I haven't a clue what sickness really is.
I've been spoiled.
Hubby is the picture of health.
I'm the one with blips on the radar regarding this old bod.
The big questions is, "Do I run errands while hubby sleeps and hope he does not wake in agony?"
Do I hang out and simply wait while I know full well that we are out of everything?
With his well wishes I choose to trot around picking up the groceries that he loves when he is well.
The basics like milk, eggs and bread are loaded in the car.
I manage to stop several places and enjoy some 'alone' moments before I return to loads of laundry.
I'd intended to write all day and study and read another book from the 'great pile.'
Yet, there was a need here and a need there, a tenuous request from the 'sick one' that I could not refuse.
It's all good.
After all, I vowed to be at hubby's side 'in sickness and in health."
I am more than blessed that this 'sick time' is so finite, so easily handled, so yesterday.
I pray God will give me His Grace to handle deeper health challenges if I'm ever presented with them.
The vow we made is good for my soul.
3-15:: The Saints
We have been enjoying Lent Madness, brought to anyone who dares, by Forward Day by Day Movement.
Since the first day of Lent, we who sign up to partake of this electronic 'blog' challenge are given short bios of two saints each weekday.
We vote for the one who we think should move on to the next 'bracket' of saints.
We learn about saints we've never known but also about trivia we may not know about well known saints.
For instance, Joan of Arc was pitted against Franz Jagerstatter, Austria, 1936.
I shared this interesting combination when I spoke at our Wednesday Eucharist. Most never heard of Franz.
Who would?
Of course this farmer with a large family was incarcerated and later executed.
Guess who won the bracket! Franz.
Who cares that Joan of Arc withstood whole armies during the Hundred Years Wars to protect the best future ruler of France.
It's all wondrous, great fun, and filled with fabulous trivia to tuck away for the future.
Saints . . . they remind us that we are also everyday heroes who are stetting the example for others as we stand firm in our faith.
3-16:: Soaring Through Life
It seems like hubby is a new man.
It's like he was asleep forever and finally awakes to join humanity.
Of course he feels he has to catch up for the days he lost.
In my opinion, I would have reveled in those days of sleep and would have taken ample time to get into gear.
Not hubby.
He makes lists.
He eats, finally, far more than I thought possible after 'fasting' for four days (that includes pre-surgery).
He runs errands (gas in the car) even though I can do it.
He has to feel as if he were contributing, I guess.
I simply smile, watch him run in circles for a few hours and then tuck him into bed when he finally implodes later in the day.
Hubby may feel like he is soaring through life again but he is still a bit fragile.
He had a great day.
He is ready to face the world and enjoy the blessings set before us.
It's good to sleep but there is something wonderful about gaining strength and, once again, soaring through life.
3-17:: The REAL St. Patrick's Day
In fact, we should be wearing orange.
In fact, most of our neighbors should be wearing orange.
In fact, I don't have one thing that is green except a shawl that has a bit of green in between the bright red and blue designs.
Yet, our little condo complex loves to gather for parties.
We bring bits of this and that to eat and enjoy great conversations.
This celebration is a bit different.
"Children" (about our age) of one of the residents choose to contribute Corn Beef and Cabbage with potatoes and carrots as the entree.
The rest of us bring appetizers and desserts.
LENT . . . deserts . . . does not compute.
Amazingly, there were dozens of appetizers and just as many desserts.
Oh, why not!
It's just this one day.
What I learned about the 'corned' beef is that there is no corn in it.
It's filled with "corns" of salt.
Each table had a fact about St. Pat's day and I was able to fill in with the story that Patrick was kidnapped from Scotland as a very young lad by the Celts.
He was raised by and uncle who was a bishop and he soon became a priest with a yearning to return to Ireland to 'convert' them to Christianity.
He did so - not only converting all he met but also converting the 'land-lords' who converted all who were under their 'lordship.'
After decades, Patrick had trained up leaders who became priests.
He helped to create parishes and provinces and, much later, beloved by all, became the Bishop of Ireland.
Now that's what I call evangelism.
No wonder everyone becomes 'Irish' for a day.
Happy St. Pat's Day!!!!
3-18:: The ART Show
This is my favorite art show of many that come to town.
People from all over the U.S. enter this 'juried art' show.
I assume they plan vacations so they can come down here and hit all the shows throughout Florida.
I honored the artist by not taking pictures of their work.
Some was totally amazing . . . and expensive.
I think of this wonder of creativity as my walk through an outdoor museum.
I learn.
I linger.
I drink it into my soul.
A new technique for photographers is 'melting' their photographs on thin aluminum sheets.
The photos can withstand anything, even outdoor southern heat.
They sparkle and seem to come alive.
I so wanted to purchase one, and could have, but we have such limited space that I chose simply to enjoy.
I did take pictures of the graffiti on the boarded up area that hides the continuous downtown construction.
That, indeed, is art . . . that may not make the 'cut' for this show.
Yet, it was right there, in the midst of great talent.
We all can be artists.
I decided to be a photographer for just a moment.
No fancy photos on aluminum.
Just more 'blog shots.'
I felt I was part of the Art Show.
3-19:: Dandy Andy
I knew he was coming.
He was invited to our current church months ago, before we even came south.
I did not know him well but spent nine months in classes with him . . . and four dozen others.
After graduation we all went different directions.
He went UP . . . up the ladder of success . . . if you call becoming a Bishop successful.
It's definitely not the pay that drew him into this position as he could be making far more . . . and perhaps do less . . . leading a large parish.
But he was destined.
"The Compass Rose Society takes its name from the symbol of the Anglican Communion: a mariner's compass representing the spread of the gospel to all its points around the world. The Society was formed so that parishes, dioceses, provinces, and other Communion related organizations throughout the world could join in providing financial support for the Communion's work."
Andy is so down to earth that one cannot call him anything other than Bishop Andy.
I recall his delight-filled diversions when the academic scene was getting a bit too serious.
I recall his jokes and cartoon doodles but I also remember his very serious questions that would dig deep into scripture.
He made his peers think deep about our commitment to Christ and, in turn, our commitment to Mission.
What a blessing that 'Dandy Andy' and I could touch base after all these years.
3-20:: Gone Fishing
Down here it's the first day of Spring and it feels like spring.
Temperatures are quite low in the morning so I have to bundle up to take my daily walk on the beach.
It's time to go fishing every day down here but I never do it!
Some days I just want to put a sign on the door, "Gone Fishing."
Today was that day, sort of.
It's my day to catch up, to relax a bit, to continue reading from the piles that mount higher than planned.
But I actually went fishing . . . of sorts.
I went over to the beach to click away . . . to fish for photos that are interesting.
I found a fisherman.
I found crisp breeze in my face.
I found moments to breath deep and linger with the Lord as I walked the beach.
It's nice not to have anything scheduled some days.
The days I remember to take my camera I'm always surprised by what I find. The fisherman is there most days but the small boat with the tiniest sail is new to me.
Why row when you can catch a little breeze to help move forward?I'm always surprised by the serendipity of life on these strolls.
It's nice to add a little fun to my daily walk.
The only way I can ever do this is to clear my calendar and put a sign on the door, "Gone Fishing."
3-21:: Lent Madness is madness.
It's ridiculous.
Saints or near-saints vie for a place in the next level of brackets.
Who would pit Sarah, the wife of Abraham, against Elizabeth Seaton, the one responsible for children's education with a Christian foundation?
They are both phenomenal in their own right.
I read the blog and prayer for each and wonder which deserves my vote.
And so it goes, each week day, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week.
We're almost finished with the first set of brackets but we have a long way to go.
I thought I knew enough about each person presented but there is always something new and interesting about each who is dedicated to giving away all that God has given to them.
lentmadness.org
FUN!
3-22: God's reminder to keep going deeper
God has called me to 'go deeper.'
A few others chose to join me so I guide them in our weekly class on Wednesday afternoons.
I chuckled today as the Lord spoke through the preacher at mass today.
"The well is deep, deep, deep," he said.
"Out in the desert, where one can visit Jacob's well, it's a long way to the bottom. But, if one is willing to go deep, to reach deep, to seek even deeper, there is fresh flowing, "living" water down there."
I smile.
That's what Jesus was trying to tell the woman at the well.
Fresh, living water is within our reach at any time through Jesus Christ . . . the Word made flesh, 'living water.'
When the Holy Spirit is called down to swirl in the water of baptism and when that water is splashed on the one who is being brought into the presence of God, the water comes 'alive.'
This water is filled with the Holy Spirit, who is alive and active within those who believe in God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
BUT . . . There is always a BUT.
We must dig deep.
We must press into the 'presence' within us to draw out that living water.
It does not come naturally unless we give the Holy Spirit 'permission' to come alive in us, to work in and through us, to guide us into the presence of God more deeply each time we choose to connect with the Lord . . . through prayer, through bible study, through worship, through so many avenues.
The deeper we are willing to dig our well of curiosity, the more deeply we dig into God's presence through our seeking, the more Living Water we can drink into our soul.
Going deeper . . . it's all about our life-journey.
Today was another wonderful reminder.
3-23:: I AM
Moses is with God on Mt. Sinai.
God is shrouded by cloud but God's voice is clear.
God says to Moses, "I am the I AM."
God is not 'being.'
God cannot be put in our box of time and space.
God is infinite.
God cannot be defined.
God is simply I AM
God is neither past nor future.
God IS.
Our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is very present.
God is presence.
We are made in God's image.
I AM . . . but we are beings, finite, filling space, thus filling time.
We remember our past, live in the present and have a future . . . even if that future in unknowable beyond a millisecond.
BUT, because I am made in the image of God, I am . . . all things God created me to BE.
I'm a human-BEING.
However, I am a child of God who connects to God by 'doing.'
I worship God through praise and thanksgiving.
I rejoice in my spirit even if life does not go the way I choose.
I learn about God through Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son:
God from God, Light from Light, begotten, not made . . . of one being with the Father . . .
Because I AM created ME, I can BE all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I AM because the I AM created me to BE.
3-24:: Study
Daily I dive into blogs that reveal to me deeper layers of understanding in scripture.
I learn about saints and I watch videos as I grow in my faith.
I learn so that I can give what little I understand to others.
I choose to be so filled to overflowing that the JOY of Jesus gushes from my soul.
My source is God's eternal Word, Jesus Christ.
I can't get enough.
I am in the midst of an on-line video series on the Sacraments.
A friend loaned us his set of DVDs that will take about 12 hours to complete.
Today I dive into all of this, taking copious notes, trying to
It's all part of the story . . . the story of God's revelation to us regarding the Son God gave to the world so that we might drop our sin at His feet, at the foot of the Cross and be forgiven and acknowledge God's eternal sacrifice for us.
"Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us," are words we acknowledge just before we receive the consecrated 'body and blood' of our Lord in remembrance of Christ's death, shed blood on the Cross and resurrection.
I know it all deep in my heart.
I've heard it, read it, said it.
Yet, as I go deeper in study I go deeper into my soul, into my understanding . . . into the Real Presence of God.
What can be more satisfying?
3-25:: The Annunciation
"Announcement, announcement, announcement," we would hear as someone wanted to stop the children's chatter to insert a direction or event about to take place.
I step back as I read words in Luke 1 between Gabriel and Mary as he brings 'good news' into her presence.
Gabriel gives her an honored welcome . . . hail . . . profoundly deeper than the new translation of 'greetings.'
"Hail" . . . Rejoice! . . . glory, laud and honor . . . a directive of great tidings . . . the recipient of YHWH's abundant blessings.
"Full of grace". . . instead of Mary.
Mary's title is, "Full of Grace"
The greek word, "kechritomene" is far more revealing than the traditional word for grace in our own lives.
It means that God already filled Mary with grace.
She is God's vessel who has already been filled, and is being filled, with divine life.
God purposely gave Mary his full abundance of grace to prepare her for divine motherhood.
This title is translated, "most exalted one."
"Rejoice,[ Mary] Most Exalted One". . .
Mary is deemed so very righteous by God that the angel of all the angels, archangel Gabriel, brings the news directly from the Father.Mary's name was not picked out of a basked as if she were the winner of 'lotto.'
God saw simple purity, total devotion to YHWH, obedience beyond mere obligation . . . in the parents as well as in Mary.
God, our Creator, created humanity to be as pure and holy and devoted to our Creator as Mary but a few of us missed the memo.
God made sure Mary was without sin, and had no inclination to sin, from conception.
She had to be free of sin to grow and bear the 'sinless One.'
God can change every molecule in our body if deemed necessary for his purpose.
Mary was conceived to be who she became.
She was conceived to become the "bearer of God".
Announcement, announcement, announcement . . .
Mary, Full of Grace, Most Exalted One, Mother of God, bearer of the Lord of lord's and the King of kings, is given good news of great joy for all the world.
and . . . by God's eternal Grace . . . she said "YES!"
3:26:: Perception is 9/10 of the Law.
Isn't it true?
Don't we perceive in our mind what we think is truth but, if we dig deeper this 'truth' falls apart?
I 'perceive' that what I hear, read, learn and inwardly digest is correct because I 'perceive' that the origin of what I believe to be the truth is true.
In other words, I believe in the source so I believe what the source says is truth.
After years of believing my parents, I grew up to laugh at some of the perceptions I saw as truth.
The words given to me were silly anecdotes on my circumstance like "Only smart people wear glasses" . . . because I had to wear glasses since I was a toddler.
I believed other words like, "Because you have difficulty reading, your glasses must not help your eye sight much."
Isn't this a contradiction?
Shouldn't glasses help me to read with the greatest of speed because I can now see?
Perception: "You must be dumb because even though you have glasses to help you see and speed read, you still have trouble reading."
I grew to understand that even though I had glasses to help me see, I must be dumb because I cannot read well.
I believed what others perceived.
Amazingly, this 'perception' made me work all the harder.
I "knew" I had a simple mind so I worked even harder to make this simple mind absorb what 'normal' people absorb far more easily than I.
Once I was on my own, in college, I made an incredible discovery.
My perception was all wrong.
With a couple sessions with adults who could see my potential, I learned study habits that I still use to this day.
I learned to work around what I learned decades later to be dyslexia.
I learned to translate words into pictures in my brain and store them until I could apply the information.
I memorized, not words, but pictures.
Over the decades I learned that I can 'perceive' anything I want.
Yet, I can SEE with my soul the fruit of all I digested.
I turned 'perception' into inSIGHT.
I turned 'perception' into reality.
The I AM, our Creator, created me to be creatively creative.
The I AM showed me how I am made in the image of the I AM.
I am not perceived.
I am created in the image of God, our Creator.
I am overjoyed that, even though perception may be 9/10 of the Law, the other 1/10 is the insight given to me to see Truth.
I'll take that extra 1/10 to SEE Truth any day.
3-27:: Reflection
Sunday's Gospel lesson was awesome.
John 9:1-41 is a long read.
In fact, so long that the preacher did not read it.
We were given the 'big picture', the essence of John's Gospel.
He parsed this gigantic read into small sections as I pictured the time, place, event and its meaning.
In essence I saw that the people of that day perceived, "Since he was blind from birth, he was born in sin . . . in fact he was conceived in sin."
The people could only attribute such a catastrophe of being born blind . . . to sin . . . perhaps the sin of the parents.
How could it be the baby's fault?
This 'baby' was now a grown man and just 'happened' to be in the presence of Jesus and just 'happened' to be delivered from his blindness from this 'Prophet of prophets.'
An amazing feat no one in this world so long ago could comprehend.
Jesus' divinity was front and center in all the 'signs' written about in the Gospel of John.
Today we simply go to an eye specialist and, voila, we can see!
In Jesus' day, this was impossible.
And yet, with Jesus, all things are possible.
But giving sight to one born blind?
Of course the story has layers of stories within the story.
The pharisees could not see past their Law and 'saw' the miracle of giving sight to this blind man as breaking the Law because this was 'work' and it was the Sabbath!
Of course the people could not 'see' because they perceived this man to be filled with sin.
He'd become a beggar.
Jesus could have simply touched his eyes and said words . . . spoken words from the living Word . . . creating a new creation.
Yet, Jesus chose to create an elaborate healing process for the crowds.
Jesus chose to show all present a new creation . . . "a new creation in Christ," as we say today.
Jesus placed mud on the man's eyes and spoke the words of new creation, "GO, cleanse in the pool of Siloam (which means 'sent')."
"Become a new creation through washing away what was perceived to be sin through. . . michveh . . . baptism . . . newness of life."
And, just as the name of the pool suggests . . . GO, be SENT.
And the man, who had never seen the 'Divine One' who healed him, came face to face with Jesus.
Jesus spoke.
The man understood.
"I see," said the man, once blind.
Healed, cleansed, renewed, a new creation . . . he went into all the world to share his story . . . no matter the implication.
He SAW.
Others remained blind in their 'perception' of righteousness.
I'd rather 'see' without eyes than have eyes to see and be totally blind to the divine power of God working through Jesus Christ who turns perception into insight.
3-28:: Blindsided
What does it mean to be blindsided?
My 'perception' is that being blindsided is being placed in a situation for which I am totally unprepared.
It's like I'm picked up in my gardening clothes and placed on the stage at Carnagie Hall.
My world as I knew it would be turned upside down and inside out
I don't ever remember if I have been blindsided.
I perceive that one is totally unprepared for a turn of events when this happens.
Jesus never blindsides anyone.
The Holy Spirit is far too polite to penetrate our soul unless we give Him permission to do so.
That's what is so wonderful about God's presence in our lives.
We can "just say NO."
But we loose so very much . . . eternal life.
A blind soul is far more degenerating than lack of eyesight.
To be blind to the glory and the wonder and the awesome gifts God gives us daily must be totally debilitating.
Almost forty years ago I was totally blind to the wonders of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
My perception was clouded with untruth.
Ever so slowly I opened my eyes to the Way, the Truth, new Life for my soul.
I was never blindsided when Christ Jesus became Lord of my life.
That's why it took so very long for me to SEE, for my blindness to evaporate.
God was patient then.
God is still patient with me today.
God will continue to be patient with me as I, ever-so-slowly, learn to SEE as I clear away the blind spots from my soul.
3-29:: Be there
I read the 9th Chapter of the Gospel of John.
Forty-one verses is not the normal length for a Gospel reading.
In fact, this elderly group would have felt quite uncomfortable standing (as is the custom) for the entire reading.
Thus, I invited them to sit down.
"Sit down, imagine . . . be there," I said.
Imagine that we are among the crowds entering and exiting the Jerusalem temple.
Notice the many pharisees mingling about.
Are those the blind man's neighbors?
What do we hear, see, smell, taste, touch?
As the story unfolds, let's imagine that we are one of those surrounding the blind man or, perhaps, we are the blind man?
Or, perhaps, we are a little of each?
"Close your eyes, seek the story within the story and then connect this story with your own story."
Since we all have a story of how God, through Christ, has drawn us into His Presence, this is a good time to connect to this story of how the blind can see and those with sight are blind.
What does God want us to see . . . understand?
After I finished reading the passage and after I unfolded the greater story of regeneration,
after the blind man's sight was restored and
after I gave a few details about the pool of Siloam, I let the story BE.
I let the others do the work to further understand the impact of this sixth of seven 'signs' of Jesus's divinity in their own lives.
After the service, many thanked me for the 'meditation.'
I did almost nothing.
They did the meditating.
All too often I pour information into other's minds.
It's of far greater importance for us to simply meditate on the words coming from the Gospel and let God do the work in us that is just for us.
It's as if these people were finally given the opportunity to hear, inwardly digest, and 'see'.
By 'being there,' being present with the story, could they do this.
Some felt rested, a bit restored, refreshed.
Reading from the 'Message Bible' may have helped a bit.
We all could actually 'see' as the fog may have lifted a bit from our blindness to the deeper meaning of the story as we connected it with our own, personal, story.
It was great to 'be there.'
3-30:: Still Pondering God's Grace
I went so deep into my own imagining of the Gospel lesson that I am still thinking about it today.
I associate with the blind man . . . on many levels.
I was born a premie and no incubator was available to help my tiny body develop.
I've been blessed with good health but my eyes suffered.
I've worn glasses almost since I could walk.
But it's more than that.
I was blind to the divinity of Jesus Christ even though I was baptized and attended Sunday school since I was a toddler . . . faithfully.
Rarely did we miss a Sunday.
Yet, I was blind well into my adulthood.
I was fed the Word of God but my brain did not move whatever I heard from teachers or pastor or scripture to my heart.
I was as blind as the Pharisees in the Gospel of John.
It took the presence of those who knew and loved and believed in and worshipped the Lord, our God, to show me . . . to bring the light of Christ Jesus into my life.
It was because of God's grace and faithful disciples, my friends, that I . . . ever-so-slowly . . . came to accept Jesus Christ as Lord.
Since then, I have tried to be ever-so-faithful to share my story with others.
It is now my job to ponder and pray and seek and wait and BE and . . . and teach . . . or whatever God calls me to do . . . daily.
I praise God others did the same for me.
I will forever ponder God penultimate GRACE that brought me this far on my journey.
3-31:: Like a Lamb
March came in like a lamb and it's going out like a lamb.
I love these old traditions such as the one for March.
"In like a lamb, out like a lion?"
That's how it's suppose to go . . . or the reverse.
But here, in this wonderful tropical paradise, I don't think March has volatile weather patterns during this particular month.
Wait until August or September and apply the same little ditty of a verse . . . in the height of hurricane season.
We are so very blessed that we have been able to take this most wonderful adventure this year . . . down South.
I acclimated almost instantly while it took hubby a little longer.
Now many of our dear friends are leaving to return North.
Way too early, in my opinion.
We will linger awhile longer . . . perhaps too long . . . but I'll love every moment.
As we say 'goodbye' to friends we also say goodbye to March.
Warmer days melt into shorter nights.
Windy becomes breezy.
Dry becomes a bit more humid.
Walks on the beach are far less crowded (which they never were in the first place at the hour I walk).
Now we have more time to concentrate on our walk to the Cross as we come closer to Holy Week.
It's a time to slow down, meditate a bit more, imagine ourselves walking with Jesus' disciples into a place we know not yet.
We are blessed with the Story . . . the scriptures . . . the history . . . the sacred spaces . . . the pageants and liturgies that bring us into the full Presence of God in the flesh.
We are blessed to be able to march through March on the way to
As March goes out like a lamb, I choose to worship the Lamb who was slaughtered for me, His blood covering my sins, His very being given for me . . . and for all . . . that we may live eternally with Him.
