Welcome to the Summer Meditation Station!
Each week a new image and meditation will be available in the Chapel at Christ Church on Sunday mornings and shared here in our "virtual chapel" for your use at home.
August 14, 2016
Reflection
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. ~2 Corinthians 3:18
Several people have been urging me to enter some of my photos in our county fair. The deadline for entries was this week, so I’ve been sorting through my images trying to decide what might make a worthy entry. I’ve discovered I have a lot of pictures that incorporate reflections. I’m fascinated with reflections.
Like many words in the English language, the word reflection has multiple meanings. There’s the image you see when light bounces off a mirror, window, or the surface of a body of water. A reflection might also be a serious thought or consideration of an idea or object. I confess to being fond of that type of reflection, as well.
One of my favorite singer-songwriters, Carrie Newcomer has a song titled “The Speed of Soul” about which she says, “This song was inspired by Phillip Gulley’s essay The March of Progress and a Native American saying, “You should never travel further in a day than your soul can travel.” Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.”
The chorus goes like this: “Come back, Come home. I’m gathering the crumbs and stones. Been traveling faster than my soul can go.”
That’s how life feels lately…like I’ve been traveling faster than my soul can go. Perhaps I need to slow down and take a little time for reflection?
And if it rains enough to make puddles, maybe I’ll shoot some more reflection photos while I’m at it.
Do you have a favorite time or place for reflecting on life? Do you give yourself the time you need to do it regularly? As Christians, we’re called to be reflections of Christ. What do people see reflected when they look at me? At you?
Prayer: God, who holds the mirror of Christ up for us, guide us to become reflections wholly pleasing to you. Amen.
Here’s the link to Carrie’s song, if you’d like to listen to it.
http://www.carrienewcomer.com/content/kindred-spirits-collection
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
Reflection
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. ~2 Corinthians 3:18
Several people have been urging me to enter some of my photos in our county fair. The deadline for entries was this week, so I’ve been sorting through my images trying to decide what might make a worthy entry. I’ve discovered I have a lot of pictures that incorporate reflections. I’m fascinated with reflections.
Like many words in the English language, the word reflection has multiple meanings. There’s the image you see when light bounces off a mirror, window, or the surface of a body of water. A reflection might also be a serious thought or consideration of an idea or object. I confess to being fond of that type of reflection, as well.
One of my favorite singer-songwriters, Carrie Newcomer has a song titled “The Speed of Soul” about which she says, “This song was inspired by Phillip Gulley’s essay The March of Progress and a Native American saying, “You should never travel further in a day than your soul can travel.” Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.”
The chorus goes like this: “Come back, Come home. I’m gathering the crumbs and stones. Been traveling faster than my soul can go.”
That’s how life feels lately…like I’ve been traveling faster than my soul can go. Perhaps I need to slow down and take a little time for reflection?
And if it rains enough to make puddles, maybe I’ll shoot some more reflection photos while I’m at it.
Do you have a favorite time or place for reflecting on life? Do you give yourself the time you need to do it regularly? As Christians, we’re called to be reflections of Christ. What do people see reflected when they look at me? At you?
Prayer: God, who holds the mirror of Christ up for us, guide us to become reflections wholly pleasing to you. Amen.
Here’s the link to Carrie’s song, if you’d like to listen to it.
http://www.carrienewcomer.com/content/kindred-spirits-collection
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
August 7, 2016
Olympic Faith
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. ~Hebrews 12:1-2a
It’s time for the highly anticipated summer Olympics in Brazil. Where do the olympians get their drive and determination to work so long and hard? Good mentors and coaches? An inner drive to succeed? Perseverance in the face of great challenges?
This summer our Vacation Bible School learned using a Faith Olympics theme. The stories they chose were Esther, Ruth, and Job. Where did these witnesses to our faith get their perseverance? In these three stories, the main characters are already adults, and we join their stories in progress at the point of a crisis. Esther and Ruth had good role models. Esther, in her cousin Mordecai, who adopted and raised her after her parents died, and Ruth in Naomi, her mother-in-law. Job is described as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” He is seemingly put to the test because of his strong faith developed over a life-long relationship with God, and his friends chide him for it. And like Olympians, each of these characters practiced their faith to strengthen it.
How do we develop Olympic sized faith? Practice, practice, practice. Practice what? Prayer, study scripture, worship, music, service, and humility for starters. Here’s what the Bible advises.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~1Thessalonians 5:16-18
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ~Matthew 22:37
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. ~Colossians 3:16
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? ~Micah 6:8
What if I don’t have the faith of an Olympian? Maybe it’s not required, after all, we’re not all olympic athletes.
“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” ~Matthew 17:20
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 5:3
But it’s good to work out whatever muscles and faith we have, so pick a faith practice, set a goal, and begin. You never know when you might need it. (We can recommend resources, if you’d like help.)
Prayer: God, send us good coaches and mentors in the Faith Olympics, and guide us as we strengthen our relationship with you. Amen.
© Shirley K Weyrauch, 2016
Olympic Faith
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. ~Hebrews 12:1-2a
It’s time for the highly anticipated summer Olympics in Brazil. Where do the olympians get their drive and determination to work so long and hard? Good mentors and coaches? An inner drive to succeed? Perseverance in the face of great challenges?
This summer our Vacation Bible School learned using a Faith Olympics theme. The stories they chose were Esther, Ruth, and Job. Where did these witnesses to our faith get their perseverance? In these three stories, the main characters are already adults, and we join their stories in progress at the point of a crisis. Esther and Ruth had good role models. Esther, in her cousin Mordecai, who adopted and raised her after her parents died, and Ruth in Naomi, her mother-in-law. Job is described as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” He is seemingly put to the test because of his strong faith developed over a life-long relationship with God, and his friends chide him for it. And like Olympians, each of these characters practiced their faith to strengthen it.
How do we develop Olympic sized faith? Practice, practice, practice. Practice what? Prayer, study scripture, worship, music, service, and humility for starters. Here’s what the Bible advises.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ~1Thessalonians 5:16-18
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ~Matthew 22:37
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. ~Colossians 3:16
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? ~Micah 6:8
What if I don’t have the faith of an Olympian? Maybe it’s not required, after all, we’re not all olympic athletes.
“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” ~Matthew 17:20
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~Matthew 5:3
But it’s good to work out whatever muscles and faith we have, so pick a faith practice, set a goal, and begin. You never know when you might need it. (We can recommend resources, if you’d like help.)
Prayer: God, send us good coaches and mentors in the Faith Olympics, and guide us as we strengthen our relationship with you. Amen.
© Shirley K Weyrauch, 2016
July 31, 2016
Gifts of Time
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21
Reflecting on this text this week, I’ve been wondering what example Jesus would use in our time. What windfall or gift would require building bigger barns? The first man is worried about an inheritance. The rich man received an exceptionally abundant harvest, and so he built a bigger storehouse for his gift of grain, intending to keep and protect it all for himself.
I have a book titled “How Much is Enough?” I don’t know the answer to that question, but I’m beginning to think I know what is too much. I have too much stuff. Things have just accumulated during a life lived, and there it all is, in my house, taking up space and energy. Now what? I’m sure I don’t need a bigger house.
I’ve been for a while now at a point where I don’t want to accumulate more stuff. In fact, I’d like to get rid of some of it, but most of it has no value to anyone else. When my family asks what I want for my birthday or Christmas, I tell them I would really like “gifts of time.” I’d rather spend time together doing something we both enjoy, than have them spend money on something I don’t really need.
When a meeting is changed or an appointment cancelled, I get an “unexpected gift of time” that I can then choose how to spend. What fun that is! Of course, I can just as easily fritter it away doing something mundane, but imagine the possibilities!
I was scheduled for jury duty on Monday. When I called in on Friday, I was told not to report for duty. A whole day opened up on my calendar! I do have staff meeting in the morning, but otherwise – a whole day. Anyone want to help me spend it?
Prayer: Oh God, who gives us so many gifts, help us learn to use them in ways that also lead us to be rich toward you and to know just what that means. Amen.
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
Gifts of Time
Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21
Reflecting on this text this week, I’ve been wondering what example Jesus would use in our time. What windfall or gift would require building bigger barns? The first man is worried about an inheritance. The rich man received an exceptionally abundant harvest, and so he built a bigger storehouse for his gift of grain, intending to keep and protect it all for himself.
I have a book titled “How Much is Enough?” I don’t know the answer to that question, but I’m beginning to think I know what is too much. I have too much stuff. Things have just accumulated during a life lived, and there it all is, in my house, taking up space and energy. Now what? I’m sure I don’t need a bigger house.
I’ve been for a while now at a point where I don’t want to accumulate more stuff. In fact, I’d like to get rid of some of it, but most of it has no value to anyone else. When my family asks what I want for my birthday or Christmas, I tell them I would really like “gifts of time.” I’d rather spend time together doing something we both enjoy, than have them spend money on something I don’t really need.
When a meeting is changed or an appointment cancelled, I get an “unexpected gift of time” that I can then choose how to spend. What fun that is! Of course, I can just as easily fritter it away doing something mundane, but imagine the possibilities!
I was scheduled for jury duty on Monday. When I called in on Friday, I was told not to report for duty. A whole day opened up on my calendar! I do have staff meeting in the morning, but otherwise – a whole day. Anyone want to help me spend it?
Prayer: Oh God, who gives us so many gifts, help us learn to use them in ways that also lead us to be rich toward you and to know just what that means. Amen.
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
July 24, 2016
Love Yourself
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Have you ever seen something so many times that you barely even notice it, and then one day you look at it and something about it catches you up in a brand new way? That happened to me in worship last Sunday morning. We prayed this prayer of confession:
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
“We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.” But the part that smacked me between the eyes was “as ourselves.” What if the problem isn’t that we don’t love our neighbors, but we don’t love ourselves? Do you love yourself? Really?
How often do we think “I’m not ____________ enough.” Fill in the blank with your personal “lack” – smart, thin, pretty, popular, athletic, talented, musical, creative, you know the litany by heart. We all do. Everything about our culture tells us we are not enough. Look at magazine covers and the articles they boast. Look at the size of the self-help section in the bookstore. There’s an expert ready to help you repair any problem you have with yourself!
That is not God’s message to us, however.
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:27 & 31
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Psalm 139:14
God made each of us with specific talents, gifts, intelligences, and ways of being, and God loves what has been created. I believe God intends for us to love ourselves as we have been created too.
And maybe, if we love ourselves, stop finding fault with ourselves, we will finally know how to love our neighbor.
How often do you catch yourself saying, “I’m not enough?” What would it take to change that thought? If we weren’t finding fault with ourselves, would we then stop finding fault with everyone else, too?
Prayer: God help us to see ourselves through your eyes and to love ourselves and our neighbors as you intend. Amen.
Love Yourself
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Have you ever seen something so many times that you barely even notice it, and then one day you look at it and something about it catches you up in a brand new way? That happened to me in worship last Sunday morning. We prayed this prayer of confession:
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
“We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.” But the part that smacked me between the eyes was “as ourselves.” What if the problem isn’t that we don’t love our neighbors, but we don’t love ourselves? Do you love yourself? Really?
How often do we think “I’m not ____________ enough.” Fill in the blank with your personal “lack” – smart, thin, pretty, popular, athletic, talented, musical, creative, you know the litany by heart. We all do. Everything about our culture tells us we are not enough. Look at magazine covers and the articles they boast. Look at the size of the self-help section in the bookstore. There’s an expert ready to help you repair any problem you have with yourself!
That is not God’s message to us, however.
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:27 & 31
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. Psalm 139:14
God made each of us with specific talents, gifts, intelligences, and ways of being, and God loves what has been created. I believe God intends for us to love ourselves as we have been created too.
And maybe, if we love ourselves, stop finding fault with ourselves, we will finally know how to love our neighbor.
How often do you catch yourself saying, “I’m not enough?” What would it take to change that thought? If we weren’t finding fault with ourselves, would we then stop finding fault with everyone else, too?
Prayer: God help us to see ourselves through your eyes and to love ourselves and our neighbors as you intend. Amen.
July 17, 2016
Hope
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. ~Rom 5:3-5
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Rom 15:13
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. ~1Cor 13:13
Right now, today, this moment, where do you see hope? Even when things are chaotic and don’t make sense, is there still hope? The Bible (NRSV translation) lists two hundred two references to hope. If all we watched was the news channels on TV or read the headlines in the newspaper or magazines in the checkout line at the grocery, we might think there was no hope anywhere. Things are bad in the world. But still. We are instructed to have hope, so I’ve been looking. Here’s what I found this week.
Carrie Newcomer, a favorite singer, songwriter and poet, wrote last week, “Let us remember that the best of humanity is still at work in the world. Remember that the commercial news we are getting is tilted and weighted toward fear and division. Think about it...how many people do you personally know that have reached across some kind of line or another- for family, for friendship, for work, for community, for the food bank...for love of some kind? I would venture to say that most everyone reading this post can name many people (including themselves) who endeavor to speak and act with kindness and dignity, who were raised to value honest but respectful conversation, who do not believe that callous ridicule or bullying deserves to be lifted up. Let us speak up and speak out in a way that balances the news of the world with the news of the heart. And remind one another of what is decent and whole and absolutely accessible to us. Let us counteract the first violence and the second violence with thoughtful, deliberate connection, open hearted truth and well placed trust.”
Nadia Bolz-Weber preached a sermon titled Why it is the Parable of the Merciful Samaritan and not the Parable of the Robbers. She began with a retelling of the story in modern terms, then quoted Stephen Gould’s writing after 9/11, “Good and kind people outnumber all others by thousands to one. The tragedy of human history lies in the enormous potential for destruction in rare acts of evil, not in the high frequency of evil people. Complex systems can only be built step by step, whereas destruction requires but an instant. Thus, in what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible as the ”ordinary” efforts of a vast majority.
We have a duty, almost a holy responsibility, to record and honor the victorious weight of these innumerable little kindnesses, when an unprecedented act of evil so threatens to distort our perception of ordinary human behavior.” Then she went on, “The entire focus of the story of the Good Samaritan, was not on the violence or the idiocy. The focus of the story was mercy and lovingkindness. The robbers get about a dozen words but the Samaritan gets the rest of the story. Because it is not The Parable of the Robbers. Amen? It’s the parable of the Merciful Samaritan. And yet this week I was afraid to look away and see any good because to do so felt perilously close to pretending that the violence wasn’t bad.”
Yesterday, I went to Pilgrim Hills to hear the closing concerts of the Junior and Senior Choir Camps. Two different people who worked with those campers this week said “These people are the reason I have hope.” They told about how the campers came together to build a community, cared for each other, trusted one another and worked together to learn so much in one week, and they offered a wonderful witness for their parents and friends.
Some of our Christ Church family are in Steubenville this weekend as ambassadors of hope, working with the Joshua Project in that city. They are painting, preparing a community meal, working in a food pantry, sorting donated clothing, and worshipping with that community of faith.
And so my attitude has been re-oriented towards hope. I’ll ask my opening questions again. Right now, today, this moment, where do you see hope? Even when things are chaotic and don’t make sense, is there still hope?
Prayer: God of Hope, help us to not be blinded by the twenty-four hour news cycle, so that our focus is only on the evil in the world and we miss the signs of your hope. Amen.
Links:
Carrie Newcomer - https://www.facebook.com/CarrieNewcomer/?fref=ts
Nadia Bolz-Weber - http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2016/07/a-sermon-on-why-its-the-parable-of-the-merciful-samaritan-and-not-the-parable-of-the-robbers/
Outdoor Ministries posted a video of the Senior Choir closing with “Our Gift to You”
https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorMinistriesOCUCC/
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
Hope
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. ~Rom 5:3-5
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Rom 15:13
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. ~1Cor 13:13
Right now, today, this moment, where do you see hope? Even when things are chaotic and don’t make sense, is there still hope? The Bible (NRSV translation) lists two hundred two references to hope. If all we watched was the news channels on TV or read the headlines in the newspaper or magazines in the checkout line at the grocery, we might think there was no hope anywhere. Things are bad in the world. But still. We are instructed to have hope, so I’ve been looking. Here’s what I found this week.
Carrie Newcomer, a favorite singer, songwriter and poet, wrote last week, “Let us remember that the best of humanity is still at work in the world. Remember that the commercial news we are getting is tilted and weighted toward fear and division. Think about it...how many people do you personally know that have reached across some kind of line or another- for family, for friendship, for work, for community, for the food bank...for love of some kind? I would venture to say that most everyone reading this post can name many people (including themselves) who endeavor to speak and act with kindness and dignity, who were raised to value honest but respectful conversation, who do not believe that callous ridicule or bullying deserves to be lifted up. Let us speak up and speak out in a way that balances the news of the world with the news of the heart. And remind one another of what is decent and whole and absolutely accessible to us. Let us counteract the first violence and the second violence with thoughtful, deliberate connection, open hearted truth and well placed trust.”
Nadia Bolz-Weber preached a sermon titled Why it is the Parable of the Merciful Samaritan and not the Parable of the Robbers. She began with a retelling of the story in modern terms, then quoted Stephen Gould’s writing after 9/11, “Good and kind people outnumber all others by thousands to one. The tragedy of human history lies in the enormous potential for destruction in rare acts of evil, not in the high frequency of evil people. Complex systems can only be built step by step, whereas destruction requires but an instant. Thus, in what I like to call the Great Asymmetry, every spectacular incident of evil will be balanced by 10,000 acts of kindness, too often unnoted and invisible as the ”ordinary” efforts of a vast majority.
We have a duty, almost a holy responsibility, to record and honor the victorious weight of these innumerable little kindnesses, when an unprecedented act of evil so threatens to distort our perception of ordinary human behavior.” Then she went on, “The entire focus of the story of the Good Samaritan, was not on the violence or the idiocy. The focus of the story was mercy and lovingkindness. The robbers get about a dozen words but the Samaritan gets the rest of the story. Because it is not The Parable of the Robbers. Amen? It’s the parable of the Merciful Samaritan. And yet this week I was afraid to look away and see any good because to do so felt perilously close to pretending that the violence wasn’t bad.”
Yesterday, I went to Pilgrim Hills to hear the closing concerts of the Junior and Senior Choir Camps. Two different people who worked with those campers this week said “These people are the reason I have hope.” They told about how the campers came together to build a community, cared for each other, trusted one another and worked together to learn so much in one week, and they offered a wonderful witness for their parents and friends.
Some of our Christ Church family are in Steubenville this weekend as ambassadors of hope, working with the Joshua Project in that city. They are painting, preparing a community meal, working in a food pantry, sorting donated clothing, and worshipping with that community of faith.
And so my attitude has been re-oriented towards hope. I’ll ask my opening questions again. Right now, today, this moment, where do you see hope? Even when things are chaotic and don’t make sense, is there still hope?
Prayer: God of Hope, help us to not be blinded by the twenty-four hour news cycle, so that our focus is only on the evil in the world and we miss the signs of your hope. Amen.
Links:
Carrie Newcomer - https://www.facebook.com/CarrieNewcomer/?fref=ts
Nadia Bolz-Weber - http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2016/07/a-sermon-on-why-its-the-parable-of-the-merciful-samaritan-and-not-the-parable-of-the-robbers/
Outdoor Ministries posted a video of the Senior Choir closing with “Our Gift to You”
https://www.facebook.com/OutdoorMinistriesOCUCC/
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
July 10, 2016
Racism and Violence
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:26-28
Another week with too much violence. Two more black men dead following encounters with police officers, five Dallas officers dead from sniper fire during a peaceful protest about violence, then the sniper himself killed. What are we to do? I don’t have answers, only more questions. Like…
Why must I choose a “side”?
Can’t I believe “black lives matter” and support police officers?
Do there have to be “winners” and “losers”?
Can there be multiple “realities” in an incident and they all are “true”?
Are my beliefs any more valid than your beliefs just because they are mine?
A lot of crime statistics are being reported, but by whom?
Whose views do those statistics support?
Are statistics being used to divert our attention?
Are statistics being used to dehumanize the victims?
Is race even real?
Does the amount of pigment in someone’s skin make them different than me?
And maybe the hardest ones…what’s my role in all of this? How have I been involved in perpetuating stereotypes and myths about differences between myself and people of color? What have I done to bring about change?
This whole thing seems too big for any one person to change anything, but that’s just the kind of despair and attitude that allows this to continue. A friend of mine told me it starts close to home – with ourselves, our families and our own communities. Challenge everything that you know is not right, no matter how big or small. Don’t let jokes and slurs pass as acceptable. Don’t let yourself or others talk about “us and them.” There is no “them,” there’s only “us”. Accept and acknowledge that people’s experiences and stories are real. Ask questions, then listen.
Do you have any real friends whose skin is a different color than yours? If not, why not? If so, do you talk to them about their experiences of racism?
No answers here, just more questions. But maybe questions are a place to start. It’s surely better than nothing.
Prayer: God it certainly seems like the world has gone crazy and the violence is escalating. We could sorely use some of your peace right now. We wish you would just rain it down on us and fix all that is wrong. But you left us here to do your work, so give us a glimmer of hope, and show us how to begin. Amen.
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
Racism and Violence
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:26-28
Another week with too much violence. Two more black men dead following encounters with police officers, five Dallas officers dead from sniper fire during a peaceful protest about violence, then the sniper himself killed. What are we to do? I don’t have answers, only more questions. Like…
Why must I choose a “side”?
Can’t I believe “black lives matter” and support police officers?
Do there have to be “winners” and “losers”?
Can there be multiple “realities” in an incident and they all are “true”?
Are my beliefs any more valid than your beliefs just because they are mine?
A lot of crime statistics are being reported, but by whom?
Whose views do those statistics support?
Are statistics being used to divert our attention?
Are statistics being used to dehumanize the victims?
Is race even real?
Does the amount of pigment in someone’s skin make them different than me?
And maybe the hardest ones…what’s my role in all of this? How have I been involved in perpetuating stereotypes and myths about differences between myself and people of color? What have I done to bring about change?
This whole thing seems too big for any one person to change anything, but that’s just the kind of despair and attitude that allows this to continue. A friend of mine told me it starts close to home – with ourselves, our families and our own communities. Challenge everything that you know is not right, no matter how big or small. Don’t let jokes and slurs pass as acceptable. Don’t let yourself or others talk about “us and them.” There is no “them,” there’s only “us”. Accept and acknowledge that people’s experiences and stories are real. Ask questions, then listen.
Do you have any real friends whose skin is a different color than yours? If not, why not? If so, do you talk to them about their experiences of racism?
No answers here, just more questions. But maybe questions are a place to start. It’s surely better than nothing.
Prayer: God it certainly seems like the world has gone crazy and the violence is escalating. We could sorely use some of your peace right now. We wish you would just rain it down on us and fix all that is wrong. But you left us here to do your work, so give us a glimmer of hope, and show us how to begin. Amen.
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
July 3, 2016
Hospitality
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. ~Hebrews 13:2 (NRSV)
In the midst of preparations for a wedding, two new babies, and houseguests, I’ve been thinking a lot about hospitality. I discovered some biblical examples that I would not at first glance have even thought of in terms of hospitality. Delia Halverson says “hospitality comes from the heart without expectation of anything in return.” She suggested that Jethro offering a meal to Moses was hospitality, but so was Moses helping Jethro’s daughters water their sheep at the well. He need not have done it, it was certainly not expected, and he crossed cultural boundaries by doing so. Hospitality can be offered even in the midst of fear – as Rahab did in offering shelter to the Hebrew spies, Ananias did in meeting Saul, or Joseph of Arimathea giving the tomb for Jesus’ burial.
Why are Christians called to offer hospitality? According to the Handbook of Bible Application, hospitality is a practical way to serve God. In Abraham’s day, a person’s reputation was connected to their hospitality, even extending to strangers, and meeting someone’s need for food and shelter is still a call from God.
There are two sides of hospitality – giving and receiving. When we accept someone else’s hospitality, we allow them to practice generosity, and we learn to be gracious in how we receive from others.
Hospitality is a gift that improves with practice. It differs from social entertaining, because entertaining is focused on the host – their home, their food, their good nature – but hospitality focuses on the guest and their comfort and needs. The author is even audacious enough to suggest hospitality can happen in a messy house, around a table where the main dish is canned soup, while the host and guest do the chores together.
I hope that’s true, because my home and I are rarely as prepared as I think we should be.
Consider a time when you received amazing hospitality. What made it special? When have you offered hospitality to others that seemed particularly meaningful? What made it so? Do you think there’s difference between biblical hospitality and entertaining?
Prayer: God help me to recognize your presence in everyone I meet, that I might welcome and treat them as your beloved child. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, 2016
Hospitality
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. ~Hebrews 13:2 (NRSV)
In the midst of preparations for a wedding, two new babies, and houseguests, I’ve been thinking a lot about hospitality. I discovered some biblical examples that I would not at first glance have even thought of in terms of hospitality. Delia Halverson says “hospitality comes from the heart without expectation of anything in return.” She suggested that Jethro offering a meal to Moses was hospitality, but so was Moses helping Jethro’s daughters water their sheep at the well. He need not have done it, it was certainly not expected, and he crossed cultural boundaries by doing so. Hospitality can be offered even in the midst of fear – as Rahab did in offering shelter to the Hebrew spies, Ananias did in meeting Saul, or Joseph of Arimathea giving the tomb for Jesus’ burial.
Why are Christians called to offer hospitality? According to the Handbook of Bible Application, hospitality is a practical way to serve God. In Abraham’s day, a person’s reputation was connected to their hospitality, even extending to strangers, and meeting someone’s need for food and shelter is still a call from God.
There are two sides of hospitality – giving and receiving. When we accept someone else’s hospitality, we allow them to practice generosity, and we learn to be gracious in how we receive from others.
Hospitality is a gift that improves with practice. It differs from social entertaining, because entertaining is focused on the host – their home, their food, their good nature – but hospitality focuses on the guest and their comfort and needs. The author is even audacious enough to suggest hospitality can happen in a messy house, around a table where the main dish is canned soup, while the host and guest do the chores together.
I hope that’s true, because my home and I are rarely as prepared as I think we should be.
Consider a time when you received amazing hospitality. What made it special? When have you offered hospitality to others that seemed particularly meaningful? What made it so? Do you think there’s difference between biblical hospitality and entertaining?
Prayer: God help me to recognize your presence in everyone I meet, that I might welcome and treat them as your beloved child. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, 2016
June 26, 2016
Creating Reality
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7
Remember the Sunday school song “Oh be careful little eyes what you see!”?
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see,
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see,
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.
The second verse says, “Oh, be careful little ears what you hear” and the third is “Be careful little mouth what you say.” All very sound advice. I’ve been thinking that we need to add a fourth verse – “Oh, be careful little mind what you think.” I’ve read in several sources, by different authors that what we focus on becomes our reality.
From The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry, “What we focus on becomes our reality.” – Sue Annis Hammond, 2013
"The life you have, you've created - with your thinking and emotions." – Rod Hairston, CEO, Envision U
“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” – Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking (1952)
When I get the same message multiple times from different sources, I pay attention, and I’m wondering, especially in today’s political realm, what reality are we creating? Think about the words being said, the things we are all hearing, what we are seeing in the news, and what everyone is focused on today. Genesis tells us we are co-creators with God, given authority and stewardship of all creation. What are we doing?
So, should we put on rose colored glasses and ignore the problems, pretend discrimination, bigotry, violence and poverty do not exist? No, of course not. But people with a different vision, people with God’s vision of abundance, equality and love, need to be helping create that vision and world for everyone. We should be as vocal about the good in people and the world as the ones promoting the negative view that there is not enough, there is only evil, that other people are the problem. We are charged with sharing the Good News.
I think sometimes God must surely be shaking her head.
What is your experience with how your thoughts and attitudes influence your reality? Do you know anyone who always looks at the negative side of life? What is it like to be around them?
Prayer: God help me to look for You and Your vision in the world around me and to focus on that. Give me courage and strength to help create a more abundant and loving world, and some of the peace Paul talks about in Philippians wouldn’t hurt either. Amen.
©2016 Shirley K. Weyrauch
Creating Reality
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:7
Remember the Sunday school song “Oh be careful little eyes what you see!”?
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see,
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see,
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you see.
The second verse says, “Oh, be careful little ears what you hear” and the third is “Be careful little mouth what you say.” All very sound advice. I’ve been thinking that we need to add a fourth verse – “Oh, be careful little mind what you think.” I’ve read in several sources, by different authors that what we focus on becomes our reality.
From The Thin Book of Appreciative Inquiry, “What we focus on becomes our reality.” – Sue Annis Hammond, 2013
"The life you have, you've created - with your thinking and emotions." – Rod Hairston, CEO, Envision U
“The way to happiness: Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.” – Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking (1952)
When I get the same message multiple times from different sources, I pay attention, and I’m wondering, especially in today’s political realm, what reality are we creating? Think about the words being said, the things we are all hearing, what we are seeing in the news, and what everyone is focused on today. Genesis tells us we are co-creators with God, given authority and stewardship of all creation. What are we doing?
So, should we put on rose colored glasses and ignore the problems, pretend discrimination, bigotry, violence and poverty do not exist? No, of course not. But people with a different vision, people with God’s vision of abundance, equality and love, need to be helping create that vision and world for everyone. We should be as vocal about the good in people and the world as the ones promoting the negative view that there is not enough, there is only evil, that other people are the problem. We are charged with sharing the Good News.
I think sometimes God must surely be shaking her head.
What is your experience with how your thoughts and attitudes influence your reality? Do you know anyone who always looks at the negative side of life? What is it like to be around them?
Prayer: God help me to look for You and Your vision in the world around me and to focus on that. Give me courage and strength to help create a more abundant and loving world, and some of the peace Paul talks about in Philippians wouldn’t hurt either. Amen.
©2016 Shirley K. Weyrauch
Called
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ~Genesis 22:11
In an old comedy sketch by Bill Cosby called “Noah,” he retells the conversation when God called Noah to build the ark. Noah isn’t sure it’s actually God speaking to him, and he argues through most of the tale. The Bible is filled with stories about people who were called to particular tasks by God, and they responded with a wide variety of excuses. Moses didn’t know what to say, Jeremiah was too young, Isaiah didn’t recognize God’s voice, Jonah ran the other way. None of them felt prepared to do what God asked.
This summer’s camp curriculum is titled “Fearless Faith,” and our first story was about Abraham and Sarah being called to leave their home in Ur and go to a new land God would give them. They didn’t even know the final destination, but they stepped out in faith and followed God’s call.
One of our intergenerational mission trips went a little like that. The planning seemed too hard. The destination was set, but the contact at the other end didn’t know what we’d be doing when we got there. We wondered if we should just call the whole thing off. But on the appointed day, we loaded up our cars and headed to Nashville, still not knowing what we would be doing. We arrived, settled in, and went to bed wondering what the next day would bring. It brought an unexpected move to another location! We packed everything up again, got back in our cars and drove to Cleveland, Tennessee, grumbling the whole way. It was three hours and a time zone change away, we still didn’t know what we’d be doing, and we wasted a whole morning when we could have been working. When we arrived, we spent an hour filling out all new paper work. But…this turned out to be one of our best trips. The work was hard and the weather was frightfully hot, but the people were generous and kind, their need was real, we had wonderful accommodations, and the week flew by. We left feeling like we had done some good, learned about another area of our beautiful country and the people there, and learned about ourselves and God.
There’s a quote by Rick Yancy, “God doesn’t call the equipped, God equips the called.” In the Bible stories this appears to be so – Moses had Aaron to speak for him, Jeremiah was given what he needed in spite of his age, Isaiah was counseled how to respond the next time God spoke his name, and Jonah, well he got an attitude adjustment in the belly of a fish.
So, what’s your story? Have you been called to a task you didn’t really want? How did you respond? How did God provide what you needed?
Prayer: God, sometimes I’m not even sure it’s you I’m hearing. Please make it clear and provide what is needed to do your will. Amen.
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ~Genesis 22:11
In an old comedy sketch by Bill Cosby called “Noah,” he retells the conversation when God called Noah to build the ark. Noah isn’t sure it’s actually God speaking to him, and he argues through most of the tale. The Bible is filled with stories about people who were called to particular tasks by God, and they responded with a wide variety of excuses. Moses didn’t know what to say, Jeremiah was too young, Isaiah didn’t recognize God’s voice, Jonah ran the other way. None of them felt prepared to do what God asked.
This summer’s camp curriculum is titled “Fearless Faith,” and our first story was about Abraham and Sarah being called to leave their home in Ur and go to a new land God would give them. They didn’t even know the final destination, but they stepped out in faith and followed God’s call.
One of our intergenerational mission trips went a little like that. The planning seemed too hard. The destination was set, but the contact at the other end didn’t know what we’d be doing when we got there. We wondered if we should just call the whole thing off. But on the appointed day, we loaded up our cars and headed to Nashville, still not knowing what we would be doing. We arrived, settled in, and went to bed wondering what the next day would bring. It brought an unexpected move to another location! We packed everything up again, got back in our cars and drove to Cleveland, Tennessee, grumbling the whole way. It was three hours and a time zone change away, we still didn’t know what we’d be doing, and we wasted a whole morning when we could have been working. When we arrived, we spent an hour filling out all new paper work. But…this turned out to be one of our best trips. The work was hard and the weather was frightfully hot, but the people were generous and kind, their need was real, we had wonderful accommodations, and the week flew by. We left feeling like we had done some good, learned about another area of our beautiful country and the people there, and learned about ourselves and God.
There’s a quote by Rick Yancy, “God doesn’t call the equipped, God equips the called.” In the Bible stories this appears to be so – Moses had Aaron to speak for him, Jeremiah was given what he needed in spite of his age, Isaiah was counseled how to respond the next time God spoke his name, and Jonah, well he got an attitude adjustment in the belly of a fish.
So, what’s your story? Have you been called to a task you didn’t really want? How did you respond? How did God provide what you needed?
Prayer: God, sometimes I’m not even sure it’s you I’m hearing. Please make it clear and provide what is needed to do your will. Amen.
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2016
August 23, 2015
Happiness
Happy are those who live in Your house, ever singing Your praise. Happy are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. ~Psalm 84:4-5
Have you ever noticed how certain themes recur in your life? For example, a few weeks ago, we had a guest pastor at Sunday’s service, and he said “attainment does not equal contentment.” That struck me enough that I wrote it on the back of my bulletin and have kept it in view on my desk. Then I saw this quote, “There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.” (Gautama Buddha) Next I read a blog post about how happiness changes with age. And finally, there was this quote: “There is no key to happiness. The door is ajar. Just open it and walk through. There is no lock on peace’s chest. Just open the lid and take from the trove of tranquility at your fingertips. You have all the treasures you need for a satisfied life right within you.” (not attributed to any author.)
Coincidences (or God-incidences, as I like to call them) like these, always make me wonder why I’m getting these recurring messages. Is there something I’m missing? Something to which I need to pay more attention? So, I’ve been pondering happiness, contentment, joy. Are they just different words for the same thing?
I would agree that attainment does not equal contentment. Our accomplishments and stuff do not create our value to others or the world. Also I think my ideas of happiness and contentment have changed over the years and stages of my life. Now the people in it and the experiences we share are much more important than any things I have. When I was younger, it seemed like there were only two choices – good or bad, right or wrong, happy or sad, black or white. Now there are so many subtle shades of gray in between. Are those gradations the difference between happiness, contentment, and joy?
Several years ago, I heard someone talk about having “an attitude of gratitude” and that has stuck with me. I do find that when I’m practicing gratitude for what and who I have in my life, I don’t have time to fret about what might be lacking.
I’ll leave you with this final quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
What’s your experience?
Prayer: Generous God, help me to recognize my blessings and know from where true happiness comes. Amen.
©2015 SKWeyrauch, text and images
Happiness
Happy are those who live in Your house, ever singing Your praise. Happy are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. ~Psalm 84:4-5
Have you ever noticed how certain themes recur in your life? For example, a few weeks ago, we had a guest pastor at Sunday’s service, and he said “attainment does not equal contentment.” That struck me enough that I wrote it on the back of my bulletin and have kept it in view on my desk. Then I saw this quote, “There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path.” (Gautama Buddha) Next I read a blog post about how happiness changes with age. And finally, there was this quote: “There is no key to happiness. The door is ajar. Just open it and walk through. There is no lock on peace’s chest. Just open the lid and take from the trove of tranquility at your fingertips. You have all the treasures you need for a satisfied life right within you.” (not attributed to any author.)
Coincidences (or God-incidences, as I like to call them) like these, always make me wonder why I’m getting these recurring messages. Is there something I’m missing? Something to which I need to pay more attention? So, I’ve been pondering happiness, contentment, joy. Are they just different words for the same thing?
I would agree that attainment does not equal contentment. Our accomplishments and stuff do not create our value to others or the world. Also I think my ideas of happiness and contentment have changed over the years and stages of my life. Now the people in it and the experiences we share are much more important than any things I have. When I was younger, it seemed like there were only two choices – good or bad, right or wrong, happy or sad, black or white. Now there are so many subtle shades of gray in between. Are those gradations the difference between happiness, contentment, and joy?
Several years ago, I heard someone talk about having “an attitude of gratitude” and that has stuck with me. I do find that when I’m practicing gratitude for what and who I have in my life, I don’t have time to fret about what might be lacking.
I’ll leave you with this final quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
What’s your experience?
Prayer: Generous God, help me to recognize my blessings and know from where true happiness comes. Amen.
©2015 SKWeyrauch, text and images
August 16, 2015
Walking in the Dark
And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. ~Genesis1:14-16
Jadon and I decided to go out after dark to watch the Perseid meteor shower. I carefully packed my camera gear and binoculars, a light quilt to put on the ground, and at the last minute snagged two beach towels that were hanging on the stair rail. The only lights I brought were a tiny penlight and my cell phone. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, you don’t want to use artificial light.
It was all good as we got in the car and drove to our selected viewing spot. Then we left the car. And it was dark. Really dark. There wasn’t even a sliver of moon to offer us guidance. We found a place to spread out the quilt, placed all of our stuff on it so we wouldn’t lose anything, and sat down. The air was cool and damp. We stretched out on our backs gazing up at the infinite sky. The night sounds of crickets and frogs closed in around us. Shortly, Jadon asked to snuggle up to me. The darkness, the sounds, the damp chill were all working to create apprehension in him.
We snuggled up, wrapping the blanket over our legs and using the towels for pillows. I identified the night sounds. We looked for constellations. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we discovered we could see better than we expected. We set up the tripod and camera and took some night sky photos. Even a bit of the Milky Way was visible! We talked about the stars, how far away they are, and how long it takes the light to get from them to the earth. He told me he wished Pa John was with us. “Me too,” I assured him.
We saw a few meteors - one really bright one and several smaller ones. After about an hour and a half we thought about going home. I told him I’d like to see one more really good meteor before we called it a night. Just then a bright, bold one streaked across the sky, as if it heard my request. I shouted “Thank you” to the heavens, and we laughed ourselves silly.
What memories do you have of being outside after dark?
Are you comfortable without turning lights on at night?
Have you ever wondered why we have so many lights that it creates a phenomenon known as “light pollution?”
What’s the most remote place you’ve been where you could contemplate the vastness of the night sky without light interfering?
I’m reading a book by Barbara Brown Taylor titled “Learning to Walk in the Dark.” I highly recommend it.
Prayer: God of both the daytime and the nighttime, help me to trust in you at all times. Amen.
© 2015 SKWeyrauch, text and images
Walking in the Dark
And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. ~Genesis1:14-16
Jadon and I decided to go out after dark to watch the Perseid meteor shower. I carefully packed my camera gear and binoculars, a light quilt to put on the ground, and at the last minute snagged two beach towels that were hanging on the stair rail. The only lights I brought were a tiny penlight and my cell phone. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, you don’t want to use artificial light.
It was all good as we got in the car and drove to our selected viewing spot. Then we left the car. And it was dark. Really dark. There wasn’t even a sliver of moon to offer us guidance. We found a place to spread out the quilt, placed all of our stuff on it so we wouldn’t lose anything, and sat down. The air was cool and damp. We stretched out on our backs gazing up at the infinite sky. The night sounds of crickets and frogs closed in around us. Shortly, Jadon asked to snuggle up to me. The darkness, the sounds, the damp chill were all working to create apprehension in him.
We snuggled up, wrapping the blanket over our legs and using the towels for pillows. I identified the night sounds. We looked for constellations. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we discovered we could see better than we expected. We set up the tripod and camera and took some night sky photos. Even a bit of the Milky Way was visible! We talked about the stars, how far away they are, and how long it takes the light to get from them to the earth. He told me he wished Pa John was with us. “Me too,” I assured him.
We saw a few meteors - one really bright one and several smaller ones. After about an hour and a half we thought about going home. I told him I’d like to see one more really good meteor before we called it a night. Just then a bright, bold one streaked across the sky, as if it heard my request. I shouted “Thank you” to the heavens, and we laughed ourselves silly.
What memories do you have of being outside after dark?
Are you comfortable without turning lights on at night?
Have you ever wondered why we have so many lights that it creates a phenomenon known as “light pollution?”
What’s the most remote place you’ve been where you could contemplate the vastness of the night sky without light interfering?
I’m reading a book by Barbara Brown Taylor titled “Learning to Walk in the Dark.” I highly recommend it.
Prayer: God of both the daytime and the nighttime, help me to trust in you at all times. Amen.
© 2015 SKWeyrauch, text and images
August 9, 2015
Screen Time
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? ~Psalm 8:3-4
I forgot the power cord to my laptop twice this week. That means, at best, I had two hours of computer time in which to check my email, do any writing I wanted to accomplish, post updates to our websites and Facebook page, and any other tasks I usually complete with the aid of my digital assistant. I jokingly told Randy I thought it was a sign I was supposed to “unplug” for a while.
Maybe the joke’s on me. As I thought more about it, perhaps I should unplug for a couple of days. Have you noticed how attached we’ve all become to our gadgets? The glow of the screen accompanies us everywhere. People sharing a table in a restaurant are more attentive to their cell phones than their dinner companions. Playing games on our devices has taken over time that was once spent outdoors with family and friends. It starts at a very early age. Who’s the youngest person you’ve seen looking dazedly at a small screen clutched in a tiny hand?
There’s even tension between my technology and I when I’m traveling. So many sights to see, so much local color to absorb, and yet I want to capture and save it with my camera, and then put it on the computer to see what I’ve got. A couple of times lately, I was without my “big girl camera” when something arresting caught my eye, and I found myself having to use “soul film.” Just savoring the moment and capturing it with my soul to be relived as a memory instead of a photograph.
Another interesting illustration occurred during my photo seminar on Molokai. We took numerous field trips to isolated, and some protected areas of the island to practice our photographic skills. At the end of the week, we each submitted ten of our best images for the closing slide show. Thursday, Norman brought his guitar and other musicians joined in playing Hawaiian songs on ukuleles, guitars, percussion and violin. What an enchanting way to pass a couple of hours! But what were some of us doing? Staring at screens, sorting images, processing photos, stressing over finding the perfect shot to share! There was paradise right outside the door, and technology had won again.
I closed my computer and walked out those doors.
What would you have done?
Do you control your technology or does it control you?
Prayer: Imaginative and colorful Creator, help us unplug our gadgets and look up in wonder at the world you have made. Amen
©2015 SKWeyrauch, images and text
Screen Time
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? ~Psalm 8:3-4
I forgot the power cord to my laptop twice this week. That means, at best, I had two hours of computer time in which to check my email, do any writing I wanted to accomplish, post updates to our websites and Facebook page, and any other tasks I usually complete with the aid of my digital assistant. I jokingly told Randy I thought it was a sign I was supposed to “unplug” for a while.
Maybe the joke’s on me. As I thought more about it, perhaps I should unplug for a couple of days. Have you noticed how attached we’ve all become to our gadgets? The glow of the screen accompanies us everywhere. People sharing a table in a restaurant are more attentive to their cell phones than their dinner companions. Playing games on our devices has taken over time that was once spent outdoors with family and friends. It starts at a very early age. Who’s the youngest person you’ve seen looking dazedly at a small screen clutched in a tiny hand?
There’s even tension between my technology and I when I’m traveling. So many sights to see, so much local color to absorb, and yet I want to capture and save it with my camera, and then put it on the computer to see what I’ve got. A couple of times lately, I was without my “big girl camera” when something arresting caught my eye, and I found myself having to use “soul film.” Just savoring the moment and capturing it with my soul to be relived as a memory instead of a photograph.
Another interesting illustration occurred during my photo seminar on Molokai. We took numerous field trips to isolated, and some protected areas of the island to practice our photographic skills. At the end of the week, we each submitted ten of our best images for the closing slide show. Thursday, Norman brought his guitar and other musicians joined in playing Hawaiian songs on ukuleles, guitars, percussion and violin. What an enchanting way to pass a couple of hours! But what were some of us doing? Staring at screens, sorting images, processing photos, stressing over finding the perfect shot to share! There was paradise right outside the door, and technology had won again.
I closed my computer and walked out those doors.
What would you have done?
Do you control your technology or does it control you?
Prayer: Imaginative and colorful Creator, help us unplug our gadgets and look up in wonder at the world you have made. Amen
©2015 SKWeyrauch, images and text
August 2, 2015
Bad News – Good News
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Be still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:1-3, 10 (NRSV)
I’ve got bad news for you. There’s a new dis-ease out there. It’s called “News Overload.” Yes, it’s the result of consuming the constant stream of “news” that’s available to us via television, radio, computers, smart phones, iPads, and newspapers. You remember newspapers, right? This continuous barrage of news – almost always bad news – is affecting our minds and our health. It creates an adrenalin rush, raises our blood pressure, causes depression, makes us more fearful, and may trigger angry responses toward our friends and family.
Now the good news. You control whether you contract this dis-ease or not! Yes, you are in control! Turn off the TV! Put down that digital gadget in your hand! Tune that radio to a different channel. Peruse the newspaper headlines, and then lay the paper aside and engage in polite conversation over breakfast.
The fact is that our world is actually safer than it’s ever been. The level of violent crime has decreased over time, though the news anchors would have you believe there’s a burglar, murderer or rapist around every corner. The immediacy of the news and 24/7/365 reporting creates time that must be filled with something. So we have a constant stream of chaos and crises, real or imagined. Add to that the ongoing speculation and analysis by people who rarely have all the facts in their rush to break the latest story, and you can see why we’re always looking over our shoulders.
In 2012, I attended a workshop in a place that had no TV, no radio, and unreliable internet connection. So I spent ten days without all of that accompanying noise. It was wonderful! When I got home, I just didn’t turn on the TV again. Shortly after that, was when the shooting happened at Sandy Hook Elementary school. I sought enough information to be informed, but I didn’t listen to the blather and inane questions of news anchors seeking to fill their one-hour time slots. And I didn’t miss it one bit. It didn’t make me any less attuned or sympathetic to the families affected.
These days, I catch the headlines, follow up on top stories – mostly through reading online news sites – and I still feel like I’m informed on local, national, and world events. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to think about it. And then I take the advice of my friend, Dewitt Jones, who started a website called “Celebrate What’s Right with the World.” I look around me for the good stuff, and there’s plenty of it! Start with his website and read the blog posts. The photos people share will take your breath away. Then sit on your porch or look out your windows. Smell the summer flowers or let the rain fall on your upturned face. Take a walk and greet your neighbors.
One of my favorite places, the Hui Ho’olana, has wonderful outdoor bathtubs. The big cast iron, claw-footed kind. They advise a good soak in the tub and watching the sunset, because “the evening news is always good here!” Stop news overload. You can do it!
©2015 SKWeyrauch, text and images
Bad News – Good News
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Be still and know that I am God. ~Psalm 46:1-3, 10 (NRSV)
I’ve got bad news for you. There’s a new dis-ease out there. It’s called “News Overload.” Yes, it’s the result of consuming the constant stream of “news” that’s available to us via television, radio, computers, smart phones, iPads, and newspapers. You remember newspapers, right? This continuous barrage of news – almost always bad news – is affecting our minds and our health. It creates an adrenalin rush, raises our blood pressure, causes depression, makes us more fearful, and may trigger angry responses toward our friends and family.
Now the good news. You control whether you contract this dis-ease or not! Yes, you are in control! Turn off the TV! Put down that digital gadget in your hand! Tune that radio to a different channel. Peruse the newspaper headlines, and then lay the paper aside and engage in polite conversation over breakfast.
The fact is that our world is actually safer than it’s ever been. The level of violent crime has decreased over time, though the news anchors would have you believe there’s a burglar, murderer or rapist around every corner. The immediacy of the news and 24/7/365 reporting creates time that must be filled with something. So we have a constant stream of chaos and crises, real or imagined. Add to that the ongoing speculation and analysis by people who rarely have all the facts in their rush to break the latest story, and you can see why we’re always looking over our shoulders.
In 2012, I attended a workshop in a place that had no TV, no radio, and unreliable internet connection. So I spent ten days without all of that accompanying noise. It was wonderful! When I got home, I just didn’t turn on the TV again. Shortly after that, was when the shooting happened at Sandy Hook Elementary school. I sought enough information to be informed, but I didn’t listen to the blather and inane questions of news anchors seeking to fill their one-hour time slots. And I didn’t miss it one bit. It didn’t make me any less attuned or sympathetic to the families affected.
These days, I catch the headlines, follow up on top stories – mostly through reading online news sites – and I still feel like I’m informed on local, national, and world events. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to think about it. And then I take the advice of my friend, Dewitt Jones, who started a website called “Celebrate What’s Right with the World.” I look around me for the good stuff, and there’s plenty of it! Start with his website and read the blog posts. The photos people share will take your breath away. Then sit on your porch or look out your windows. Smell the summer flowers or let the rain fall on your upturned face. Take a walk and greet your neighbors.
One of my favorite places, the Hui Ho’olana, has wonderful outdoor bathtubs. The big cast iron, claw-footed kind. They advise a good soak in the tub and watching the sunset, because “the evening news is always good here!” Stop news overload. You can do it!
©2015 SKWeyrauch, text and images
July 26, 2015
Go With the Flow
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6
We planned to camp in West Virginia following one of our mission trips. The older boys wanted to kayak on the river. We arrived at the Greenbriar River Campground, and Virgil, the owner, taught Jacob how to gamble to determine our fees for our campsite. There was a thick piece of crosscut log mounted on a pole when we drove up to the office. It meant nothing to me. Turns out it was a target where Virgil taught our boys how to throw axes and knives. Virgil was a character.
It had been raining for most of the week, so the river was high and fast. Having never kayaked before, I was more than a bit skeptical. Virgil gave us two kayaks to use alongside our campsite for practice that evening, and we made plans to get on the river the next day. Adam and Jeff had kayaked before, so they were fairly adept at it and tried to teach me the basics. John would be in a canoe with Jacob, since he was too young to kayak alone.
Still unsure of my skills, we got outfitted for our trip the next morning. Life jackets, helmets, kayaks, paddles, old tennis shoes. We left our valuables in the camper. The safety demonstration instructed us that if you capsized, float on your back facing up, and keep your feet pointed downstream ahead of you, knees bent to act as shock absorbers if you hit any rocks. Virgil hauled us up-river and put us in for our trek downstream.
The first few rapids came and went with some challenges, but no ill effects. The next one loomed larger. Adam scooted through first. Jeff paddled in and out quickly, and then it was my turn. Guess who got baptized in the Greenbriar River? My kayak went one way, my paddle another. I kept thinking “feet first, feet first, feet first.” Eventually, I realized the turbulence had eased, and I was able to get to the bank of the river. The boys rescued my gear and returned to help me. The hardest thing I had to do was get back in that kayak.
The rest of the trip was less eventful – a few more rapids, areas of smooth paddling, and no more capsized boats. The only damage was a broken fingernail, loss of my sunglasses and a slight dent in my pride. But I learned that the best way to get out of the rapids was feet first and go with the flow. It’s a lesson that continues to serve me.
What about you? Have you ever had a “go with the flow” moment? Or one where you didn’t and wished you had?
Quote: “Only when you resist what happens, are you at the mercy of what happens.” Eckhart Tolle
Prayer: God, there are times when I’d be best served by going with the flow, and occasionally there are times that call for resistance. Help me to know which is which and do what’s best. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, text and images
Go With the Flow
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6
We planned to camp in West Virginia following one of our mission trips. The older boys wanted to kayak on the river. We arrived at the Greenbriar River Campground, and Virgil, the owner, taught Jacob how to gamble to determine our fees for our campsite. There was a thick piece of crosscut log mounted on a pole when we drove up to the office. It meant nothing to me. Turns out it was a target where Virgil taught our boys how to throw axes and knives. Virgil was a character.
It had been raining for most of the week, so the river was high and fast. Having never kayaked before, I was more than a bit skeptical. Virgil gave us two kayaks to use alongside our campsite for practice that evening, and we made plans to get on the river the next day. Adam and Jeff had kayaked before, so they were fairly adept at it and tried to teach me the basics. John would be in a canoe with Jacob, since he was too young to kayak alone.
Still unsure of my skills, we got outfitted for our trip the next morning. Life jackets, helmets, kayaks, paddles, old tennis shoes. We left our valuables in the camper. The safety demonstration instructed us that if you capsized, float on your back facing up, and keep your feet pointed downstream ahead of you, knees bent to act as shock absorbers if you hit any rocks. Virgil hauled us up-river and put us in for our trek downstream.
The first few rapids came and went with some challenges, but no ill effects. The next one loomed larger. Adam scooted through first. Jeff paddled in and out quickly, and then it was my turn. Guess who got baptized in the Greenbriar River? My kayak went one way, my paddle another. I kept thinking “feet first, feet first, feet first.” Eventually, I realized the turbulence had eased, and I was able to get to the bank of the river. The boys rescued my gear and returned to help me. The hardest thing I had to do was get back in that kayak.
The rest of the trip was less eventful – a few more rapids, areas of smooth paddling, and no more capsized boats. The only damage was a broken fingernail, loss of my sunglasses and a slight dent in my pride. But I learned that the best way to get out of the rapids was feet first and go with the flow. It’s a lesson that continues to serve me.
What about you? Have you ever had a “go with the flow” moment? Or one where you didn’t and wished you had?
Quote: “Only when you resist what happens, are you at the mercy of what happens.” Eckhart Tolle
Prayer: God, there are times when I’d be best served by going with the flow, and occasionally there are times that call for resistance. Help me to know which is which and do what’s best. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, text and images
Fear
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
~Proverbs 1:7
But the angel said, “Do not be afraid.” (many Biblical citations)
I believe I’ve led a charmed life. I can’t remember ever being truly in fear. I know this speaks to my fortunate birth to a white, middle-class, American family in Orrville, Ohio. No one has bombs aimed at my home town. I’ve never been threatened due to my skin color or sexual preference. I have a roof over my head, a mostly harmonious family life, friends I count on, a church family who cares for one another, food to eat, a bed to sleep in, and reliable transportation. The closest I think I’ve come to fear is after our house was burglarized, I was leary of coming home alone to a dark, empty house for a while. Few worries and no great fears.
There are some things of which I’m respectfully afraid – take snakes, as an example. At Pilgrim Hills, there are snakes in the Nature Center, which a staff person removes from their cages and allows campers to touch. One was so tame that they let people drape it around their necks. Just the pictures make me shudder. Then there was Sally, whose home was disturbed in a landscaping project this summer. She would slither through the open doors of the Meeting House to listen to the choir camps rehearsing. She seemed to enjoy their music. During the closing concert, she put in an appearance as she undulated across the road to the safety of the rock wall. I took her photo then gave her plenty of room. I wasn’t fearful, just respectful. Snakes aren’t my favorites of all God’s creatures.
Spiders also give me the creeps. They have their place in the web of life, but I wish they’d stay in their place and out of mine! I once saw an unmown lot that was draped lavishly with dew-laced spider webs. It was beautiful, but it would give me pause if I had to walk across that field.
The scriptures at the top of the page at first seem contradictory. We are to fear God, but then the angels always lead off with “Do not be afraid.” Which is it? In the Proverbs texts, the word “fear” is used to mean “honor” or “respect.” In the case of the angels, they were actually instructing people not to be afraid. Usually they were bringing good news from God. So it’s both – pay homage to God, but have no fear.
Rev. Gehres uses a benediction that I particularly like – “Love God enough that you love nothing else too much, and fear God enough that you fear nothing else at all.” I’m working on that, but then I haven’t been visited by an angel yet.
What do you fear?
How might “fear of the Lord” help you deal with your fears?
Prayer: God lead me to fear you enough that I need fear nothing else at all. And if an angel visits, well, remind me. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, text and images
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
~Proverbs 1:7
But the angel said, “Do not be afraid.” (many Biblical citations)
I believe I’ve led a charmed life. I can’t remember ever being truly in fear. I know this speaks to my fortunate birth to a white, middle-class, American family in Orrville, Ohio. No one has bombs aimed at my home town. I’ve never been threatened due to my skin color or sexual preference. I have a roof over my head, a mostly harmonious family life, friends I count on, a church family who cares for one another, food to eat, a bed to sleep in, and reliable transportation. The closest I think I’ve come to fear is after our house was burglarized, I was leary of coming home alone to a dark, empty house for a while. Few worries and no great fears.
There are some things of which I’m respectfully afraid – take snakes, as an example. At Pilgrim Hills, there are snakes in the Nature Center, which a staff person removes from their cages and allows campers to touch. One was so tame that they let people drape it around their necks. Just the pictures make me shudder. Then there was Sally, whose home was disturbed in a landscaping project this summer. She would slither through the open doors of the Meeting House to listen to the choir camps rehearsing. She seemed to enjoy their music. During the closing concert, she put in an appearance as she undulated across the road to the safety of the rock wall. I took her photo then gave her plenty of room. I wasn’t fearful, just respectful. Snakes aren’t my favorites of all God’s creatures.
Spiders also give me the creeps. They have their place in the web of life, but I wish they’d stay in their place and out of mine! I once saw an unmown lot that was draped lavishly with dew-laced spider webs. It was beautiful, but it would give me pause if I had to walk across that field.
The scriptures at the top of the page at first seem contradictory. We are to fear God, but then the angels always lead off with “Do not be afraid.” Which is it? In the Proverbs texts, the word “fear” is used to mean “honor” or “respect.” In the case of the angels, they were actually instructing people not to be afraid. Usually they were bringing good news from God. So it’s both – pay homage to God, but have no fear.
Rev. Gehres uses a benediction that I particularly like – “Love God enough that you love nothing else too much, and fear God enough that you fear nothing else at all.” I’m working on that, but then I haven’t been visited by an angel yet.
What do you fear?
How might “fear of the Lord” help you deal with your fears?
Prayer: God lead me to fear you enough that I need fear nothing else at all. And if an angel visits, well, remind me. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, text and images
Trust
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ~Matt 6:27
I remember being a child when my dad was on the board of directors for an agricultural organization. This required him to travel, sometimes flying. He would tell us how he “never put his full weight in the seat.” I found this funny, because in his younger years, he had taken flying lessons. He just didn’t trust other people to fly the plane. Now as an adult myself, I’ve flown a bit, and I understand what he said, but I don’t worry about it. I’ve flown on a small, nine seat plane, and the views are fantastic. Every seat is a window seat. If I wasn’t willing to get on that small plane, I’d have missed some of the best experiences of my life and failed to meet some wonderful people.
This week at Choir Camp, the Senior choir campers sang “On Eagle’s Wings” during their closing concert. Those lyrics ( http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/o/oneagleswings.shtml ) got me to thinking about trust. We make choices daily about who to trust – some of them without even thinking about it. When we flip a switch, we trust the power will be there, and the lights will come on. When we turn on the faucet, we trust that water will come out. When we open the refrigerator door, we trust that it did its job and kept our food cold. We buy food at the grocery trusting that it was processed properly and is safe to eat. We trust the other drivers on the road to stay in their lane and follow the rules. Most of the time, our trust is well placed. Occasionally, the power goes out, the water is contaminated, or the refrigerator conks out. Accidents happen.
Then there are bigger decisions – life choices – what career to choose? Where to work? Who to marry? Where to live? Where to go to school? How will I pay this bill? Is there food in the refrigerator? To whom or what do we turn for answers to life’s bigger questions? Where do we place our trust?
Remember the hokey pokey? You put your whole self in, you take your whole self out. Maybe it wasn’t just a childhood game, but a lesson on trust. When is it safe to put your whole self in?
What have been your experiences with trust?
Has your trust been honored or betrayed?
Do you trust that God has a plan for you and wants the best for you?
Prayer: God, help me to live trusting in You, and putting my whole self into the opportunities and experiences that You offer. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, text and images.
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ~Matt 6:27
I remember being a child when my dad was on the board of directors for an agricultural organization. This required him to travel, sometimes flying. He would tell us how he “never put his full weight in the seat.” I found this funny, because in his younger years, he had taken flying lessons. He just didn’t trust other people to fly the plane. Now as an adult myself, I’ve flown a bit, and I understand what he said, but I don’t worry about it. I’ve flown on a small, nine seat plane, and the views are fantastic. Every seat is a window seat. If I wasn’t willing to get on that small plane, I’d have missed some of the best experiences of my life and failed to meet some wonderful people.
This week at Choir Camp, the Senior choir campers sang “On Eagle’s Wings” during their closing concert. Those lyrics ( http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/o/oneagleswings.shtml ) got me to thinking about trust. We make choices daily about who to trust – some of them without even thinking about it. When we flip a switch, we trust the power will be there, and the lights will come on. When we turn on the faucet, we trust that water will come out. When we open the refrigerator door, we trust that it did its job and kept our food cold. We buy food at the grocery trusting that it was processed properly and is safe to eat. We trust the other drivers on the road to stay in their lane and follow the rules. Most of the time, our trust is well placed. Occasionally, the power goes out, the water is contaminated, or the refrigerator conks out. Accidents happen.
Then there are bigger decisions – life choices – what career to choose? Where to work? Who to marry? Where to live? Where to go to school? How will I pay this bill? Is there food in the refrigerator? To whom or what do we turn for answers to life’s bigger questions? Where do we place our trust?
Remember the hokey pokey? You put your whole self in, you take your whole self out. Maybe it wasn’t just a childhood game, but a lesson on trust. When is it safe to put your whole self in?
What have been your experiences with trust?
Has your trust been honored or betrayed?
Do you trust that God has a plan for you and wants the best for you?
Prayer: God, help me to live trusting in You, and putting my whole self into the opportunities and experiences that You offer. Amen.
©Shirley K Weyrauch, text and images.
Take Care
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. ~Matthew 14:13
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. ~Matthew 14:23
“Take care, now!” Has someone said that to you lately, or have you admonished someone else? We are a culture of hard working, stressed out, over achievers who do not know how to take care of ourselves. Depending on the study you read, between 20 and 40% of Americans are chronically sleep deprived. On average, we earn 18 days of vacation time per year, but only use 14 of those days. Productivity is valued, relaxation is not. All of this is contributing to serious, long-term health consequences. Increased levels of obesity, higher risks of stroke, some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and even changes to our brains and our genes can result from elevated levels of stress, lack of sleep and no down time. We need to be told to “take care!”
Recommendations include daily methods of self-care, like exercise, yoga, or meditation. Something as simple as a ten minute walk outdoors has an effect on blood pressure, oxygen levels, and reduces stress. A few deep breaths while sitting at your desk can raise your alertness. Gazing at photos of flowers, woods, waves or the beach can remind one of a recent vacation and bring back that sense of well-being felt after a time away. Even a 24 hour time-out (you might shut off the electronics) can have beneficial effects.
If you listen to the flight attendants on an airplane, they always remind passengers to put on their own oxygen mask first before helping children or other passengers. Jesus even withdrew from his disciples and the gathered crowds regularly for some rest and prayer. When we get caught up in our day-to-day busy-ness, we need to be reminded that we are no good to others, if we haven’t taken care of ourselves first.
What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
Try taking a walk, sitting on your porch or in the back yard, listening to the birds, and absorbing the sights and sounds around you.
Dig out a photo or two from a favorite getaway and set them where you’ll see them this week when things feel hectic.
Take care!
Prayer: God, you know I wear my busy-ness like a badge of honor. Keep me honest as I go about my life this week, and help me to take needed breaks to rest in you and your love. Amen.
©2015 Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. ~Matthew 14:13
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. ~Matthew 14:23
“Take care, now!” Has someone said that to you lately, or have you admonished someone else? We are a culture of hard working, stressed out, over achievers who do not know how to take care of ourselves. Depending on the study you read, between 20 and 40% of Americans are chronically sleep deprived. On average, we earn 18 days of vacation time per year, but only use 14 of those days. Productivity is valued, relaxation is not. All of this is contributing to serious, long-term health consequences. Increased levels of obesity, higher risks of stroke, some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and even changes to our brains and our genes can result from elevated levels of stress, lack of sleep and no down time. We need to be told to “take care!”
Recommendations include daily methods of self-care, like exercise, yoga, or meditation. Something as simple as a ten minute walk outdoors has an effect on blood pressure, oxygen levels, and reduces stress. A few deep breaths while sitting at your desk can raise your alertness. Gazing at photos of flowers, woods, waves or the beach can remind one of a recent vacation and bring back that sense of well-being felt after a time away. Even a 24 hour time-out (you might shut off the electronics) can have beneficial effects.
If you listen to the flight attendants on an airplane, they always remind passengers to put on their own oxygen mask first before helping children or other passengers. Jesus even withdrew from his disciples and the gathered crowds regularly for some rest and prayer. When we get caught up in our day-to-day busy-ness, we need to be reminded that we are no good to others, if we haven’t taken care of ourselves first.
What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
Try taking a walk, sitting on your porch or in the back yard, listening to the birds, and absorbing the sights and sounds around you.
Dig out a photo or two from a favorite getaway and set them where you’ll see them this week when things feel hectic.
Take care!
Prayer: God, you know I wear my busy-ness like a badge of honor. Keep me honest as I go about my life this week, and help me to take needed breaks to rest in you and your love. Amen.
©2015 Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
Roots
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. ~Jeremiah 17:8
Have you ever paid any attention to roots? Tree roots, in particular. Besides seeking water and providing nutrients for the tree, there are some very specialized purposes for roots.
Some trees have a central tap root that goes straight down and creates a deep anchor for the tree.
The tropical Ceiba (pronounced say-bah) tree has very distinctive, thick, fibrous roots that can protrude from the ground as much as ten feet and stretch well out from the base of the trunk. (photo above) The roots make pockets and alcoves big enough that a person may hide in them. People cut out sections of the root to use for fires, medical purposes and teas.
Banyan trees have wide branches that get so heavy they need extra support. So the tree drops a root down from the branch, and eventually the root is so thick, it looks like another trunk. There’s a very old Banyan in Lahaina, Hawaii, which covers nearly an acre, has one main trunk, and sixteen huge aerial roots supporting its enormous branches. It’s an amazing tree. (photo below)
On a recent walk, I noticed prop roots growing on cornstalks about an inch above the ground, supporting the corn against strong winds.
How might roots compare to different times in our faith lives? There have been times in my life where I’ve counted on my faith as a strong anchor, depended on it for support, counted on it for spiritual nourishment, and let it prop me up in stormy weather. Occasionally, my faith has provided a safe shelter.
What’s been your experience?
What kind of roots do you have?
How do they grow?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. ~Jeremiah 17:8
Have you ever paid any attention to roots? Tree roots, in particular. Besides seeking water and providing nutrients for the tree, there are some very specialized purposes for roots.
Some trees have a central tap root that goes straight down and creates a deep anchor for the tree.
The tropical Ceiba (pronounced say-bah) tree has very distinctive, thick, fibrous roots that can protrude from the ground as much as ten feet and stretch well out from the base of the trunk. (photo above) The roots make pockets and alcoves big enough that a person may hide in them. People cut out sections of the root to use for fires, medical purposes and teas.
Banyan trees have wide branches that get so heavy they need extra support. So the tree drops a root down from the branch, and eventually the root is so thick, it looks like another trunk. There’s a very old Banyan in Lahaina, Hawaii, which covers nearly an acre, has one main trunk, and sixteen huge aerial roots supporting its enormous branches. It’s an amazing tree. (photo below)
On a recent walk, I noticed prop roots growing on cornstalks about an inch above the ground, supporting the corn against strong winds.
How might roots compare to different times in our faith lives? There have been times in my life where I’ve counted on my faith as a strong anchor, depended on it for support, counted on it for spiritual nourishment, and let it prop me up in stormy weather. Occasionally, my faith has provided a safe shelter.
What’s been your experience?
What kind of roots do you have?
How do they grow?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
CREATORS
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ~Genesis 1:27
For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ~Psalm 139:13
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
~Isaiah 64:8
Do you think of yourself as a creative person? If you said “no,” you’re in good company! When surveyed, about half of those asked said they were not creative. And yet, we were made in the image of God – the Creator of everything! Besides the creation stories in which we see the full range of God’s creativity, scripture refers to God as a potter and a knitter. Being made in God’s image, there must be a little bit of creativity in every one of us. We just don’t exercise our creative impulses often.
Would you feel better about practicing your creativity if you knew that there is a difference between little “c” creativity and big “C” Creativity? Little “c” creativity is that which we undertake for our own enjoyment – no pressure, no critique, no sharing (unless you choose). Big “C” Creativity includes those masterpieces, great works of genius, art, music, building or invention.
Many people say they don’t have time, skills, tools, or money to indulge in the creativity they’d like to do. But most creative processes can start small, develop skills, and oddly enough help us feel like we have more time. There are also health benefits to exercising your creativity. Creative people say they’re less stressed, feel healthier, have a more positive outlook, are more socially engaged, and have a sense of personal fulfillment.
Since I’ve gotten more involved in photography, I see pictures everywhere! I notice light and shadows, shapes and colors, facial expressions, grand vistas, and tiny details. Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer and motivational speaker, says there’s a banquet spread before us every day, if we only take time to pay attention. I’m trying to pay attention!
Step out of your comfort zone and do a little creating, just for yourself! Even if it’s just getting out some old crayons and coloring a little bit. See if it doesn’t help you relax and take yourself a little less seriously. If you’re feeling adventurous, try something completely new!
What creative impulses have you had on which you haven’t acted?
What are the barriers to you trying to do that thing?
What would it take to overcome those barriers? Are you going to try it? You know you want to…
Prayer: Creator God, I know you put your creative spark in me. Show me how to use it to be a creator with You in this world. Amen.
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, images and text
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ~Genesis 1:27
For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ~Psalm 139:13
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
~Isaiah 64:8
Do you think of yourself as a creative person? If you said “no,” you’re in good company! When surveyed, about half of those asked said they were not creative. And yet, we were made in the image of God – the Creator of everything! Besides the creation stories in which we see the full range of God’s creativity, scripture refers to God as a potter and a knitter. Being made in God’s image, there must be a little bit of creativity in every one of us. We just don’t exercise our creative impulses often.
Would you feel better about practicing your creativity if you knew that there is a difference between little “c” creativity and big “C” Creativity? Little “c” creativity is that which we undertake for our own enjoyment – no pressure, no critique, no sharing (unless you choose). Big “C” Creativity includes those masterpieces, great works of genius, art, music, building or invention.
Many people say they don’t have time, skills, tools, or money to indulge in the creativity they’d like to do. But most creative processes can start small, develop skills, and oddly enough help us feel like we have more time. There are also health benefits to exercising your creativity. Creative people say they’re less stressed, feel healthier, have a more positive outlook, are more socially engaged, and have a sense of personal fulfillment.
Since I’ve gotten more involved in photography, I see pictures everywhere! I notice light and shadows, shapes and colors, facial expressions, grand vistas, and tiny details. Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer and motivational speaker, says there’s a banquet spread before us every day, if we only take time to pay attention. I’m trying to pay attention!
Step out of your comfort zone and do a little creating, just for yourself! Even if it’s just getting out some old crayons and coloring a little bit. See if it doesn’t help you relax and take yourself a little less seriously. If you’re feeling adventurous, try something completely new!
What creative impulses have you had on which you haven’t acted?
What are the barriers to you trying to do that thing?
What would it take to overcome those barriers? Are you going to try it? You know you want to…
Prayer: Creator God, I know you put your creative spark in me. Show me how to use it to be a creator with You in this world. Amen.
©Shirley K. Weyrauch, images and text
The Way Ahead
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11
While on a retreat once, our leaders lined the participants up single file and led us into the brush around the retreat center. I was somewhere in the middle of the line. All I could see was the back of the person ahead of me and the bit of path that my feet were treading. I hated it. I wanted to see the way ahead, where we were going, what was coming up. We just had to trust the leader to know where we were going. I learned something about myself through that experience.
After I got home and continued processing the events of the retreat, I realized there are other things that obstruct my view – fog, big trucks on two lane roads, curves. I don’t particularly like these things either, at least not when I’m driving. Why do you suppose that is? And then there are unexpected things that happen – illness, weather, last minute schedule changes, accidents.
I like knowing where I’m going, how I’m going to get there, and what’s coming up ahead on the road and in my life. I don’t even trust the GPS in my car. I almost always look at a map to get an overview of my route. I suppose it gives me the illusion that I’m in control – in charge of my destiny. But am I? Really? Ever?
Oh, yes, the walk at the retreat center? We ended up at a labyrinth and spent a crystal clear morning walking it in silence. The reward was worth the journey through the unknown. Isn’t that often the way it works out?
How do you feel about things that obstruct your view of the way ahead?
Do we ever really know what’s ahead – on the road or in life?
What can we do to allay our fear of the unknown future?
Prayer: God you know how I like to think I am in control. Sometimes it must make you laugh. Help me to trust you and your plan for my life, even when I can’t see the way. Amen.
©2015 Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11
While on a retreat once, our leaders lined the participants up single file and led us into the brush around the retreat center. I was somewhere in the middle of the line. All I could see was the back of the person ahead of me and the bit of path that my feet were treading. I hated it. I wanted to see the way ahead, where we were going, what was coming up. We just had to trust the leader to know where we were going. I learned something about myself through that experience.
After I got home and continued processing the events of the retreat, I realized there are other things that obstruct my view – fog, big trucks on two lane roads, curves. I don’t particularly like these things either, at least not when I’m driving. Why do you suppose that is? And then there are unexpected things that happen – illness, weather, last minute schedule changes, accidents.
I like knowing where I’m going, how I’m going to get there, and what’s coming up ahead on the road and in my life. I don’t even trust the GPS in my car. I almost always look at a map to get an overview of my route. I suppose it gives me the illusion that I’m in control – in charge of my destiny. But am I? Really? Ever?
Oh, yes, the walk at the retreat center? We ended up at a labyrinth and spent a crystal clear morning walking it in silence. The reward was worth the journey through the unknown. Isn’t that often the way it works out?
How do you feel about things that obstruct your view of the way ahead?
Do we ever really know what’s ahead – on the road or in life?
What can we do to allay our fear of the unknown future?
Prayer: God you know how I like to think I am in control. Sometimes it must make you laugh. Help me to trust you and your plan for my life, even when I can’t see the way. Amen.
©2015 Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
June 7, 2015
Paddling
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. ~Matthew 18:20 NRSV
I was hanging out at the pier following a sunrise photo shoot, and along came a stand-up paddler. He paddled all alone across the harbor, beached his board, completed his errands, and then he took off again the way he’d come, paddling off into the rising sun.
Once the shoot was finished, we piled into our cars and started back to the retreat center. On the way, we saw a six-paddler outrigger canoe heading out and a single-paddler canoe returning. It made me wonder, is it easier paddling alone or with a team?
An article I read recently, recounted the experience of a novice paddler who had joined a seasoned racing team to paddle the forty miles along Molokai’s rocky, forest covered north shore cliffs. After the first day of rigorous, muscle straining paddling he asked the crew leader whether it was more important to paddle hard or paddle in sync with the others. The expert paddler replied, “One guy out of sync wrecks the rhythm. Everybody feels it. Everybody knows who it is.” The author said that thought haunted him throughout the next day’s journey.
Can we be Christians alone? There’s a story of a pastor who went to visit a member who had not been in church for a while. It was a cold winter’s day, and the member invited the pastor to join him beside the warm fire. Neither spoke. Using the fireplace tongs, the pastor reached into the fire and pulled out a glowing, red ember from the heap of coals. He placed it alone on the hearth. As time passed, the coal grew cool and turned grey. Taking up the tongs again, the pastor retrieved the now cold bit of coal and tucked it back among the burning coals. Soon it was red and hot like the others. A bit later, the pastor stood up and walked to the door. As he left, the member said, “See you Sunday, Pastor.”
When we practice our faith, are there some things we must do alone?
Are there things we can only practice in community with others? What if we’re not all in sync?
Is it possible to be a Christian all by yourself?
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a Christian, in my heart and in my living. Show me the way. Amen.
©2015 Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
Paddling
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. ~Matthew 18:20 NRSV
I was hanging out at the pier following a sunrise photo shoot, and along came a stand-up paddler. He paddled all alone across the harbor, beached his board, completed his errands, and then he took off again the way he’d come, paddling off into the rising sun.
Once the shoot was finished, we piled into our cars and started back to the retreat center. On the way, we saw a six-paddler outrigger canoe heading out and a single-paddler canoe returning. It made me wonder, is it easier paddling alone or with a team?
An article I read recently, recounted the experience of a novice paddler who had joined a seasoned racing team to paddle the forty miles along Molokai’s rocky, forest covered north shore cliffs. After the first day of rigorous, muscle straining paddling he asked the crew leader whether it was more important to paddle hard or paddle in sync with the others. The expert paddler replied, “One guy out of sync wrecks the rhythm. Everybody feels it. Everybody knows who it is.” The author said that thought haunted him throughout the next day’s journey.
Can we be Christians alone? There’s a story of a pastor who went to visit a member who had not been in church for a while. It was a cold winter’s day, and the member invited the pastor to join him beside the warm fire. Neither spoke. Using the fireplace tongs, the pastor reached into the fire and pulled out a glowing, red ember from the heap of coals. He placed it alone on the hearth. As time passed, the coal grew cool and turned grey. Taking up the tongs again, the pastor retrieved the now cold bit of coal and tucked it back among the burning coals. Soon it was red and hot like the others. A bit later, the pastor stood up and walked to the door. As he left, the member said, “See you Sunday, Pastor.”
When we practice our faith, are there some things we must do alone?
Are there things we can only practice in community with others? What if we’re not all in sync?
Is it possible to be a Christian all by yourself?
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a Christian, in my heart and in my living. Show me the way. Amen.
©2015 Shirley K. Weyrauch, text and images
August 17, 2014
Living Honestly
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
~1 Thessalonians 5:11
How many times, when someone asks you how you are doing, have you smiled and breezily said, “Fine, thanks! And you?” The news this week of Robin Williams’ death has had me thinking quite a bit about that. This man, who seemingly had it all – family, wealth, fame, health – lived in such a dark place in his mind that he couldn’t see even a glimmer of light. In an NPR interview, a man who had known Williams for thirty-five years said he never saw the real Robin Williams. I think that must have been a very lonely way to live.
Would it have made a difference if he could have been himself with his friends? I don’t know. But I wonder if, given the chance, we wouldn’t all be better off if we stopped “putting on our game face” and were honest with each other. When life is hard, why don’t we say so? When burdens press down so heavily we can barely keep walking upright, why don’t we ask for help? When worries swirl around us, why don’t we share it with our church family and ask for prayer, a hug, a meal, an hour over a cup of coffee? Wouldn’t that be better, healthier for everyone?
When we keep our burdens to ourselves, we deny our friends and family the opportunity to support and encourage us. Life is hard enough. We don’t need to make it harder by carrying on all alone. There is a quote, “Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle” (attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson). How might our interactions with one another change, if we kept that thought in mind?
There’s been a lot of conflict in the world this week, and it’s replayed over and over in the news. It can really press down on us, if we let it. But we are people of hope. We have friends, family and our church to lift us up, to help us with our struggles, to lighten the load.
So when I ask you how you’re doing, I really want to know. Don’t just give me the polite response. Let’s really talk.
Prayer: God help us to take seriously your message of hope. Show us how to lift up and encourage one another in times of trial. Let us be your light to a weary world. Amen.
©2014 Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
Living Honestly
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
~1 Thessalonians 5:11
How many times, when someone asks you how you are doing, have you smiled and breezily said, “Fine, thanks! And you?” The news this week of Robin Williams’ death has had me thinking quite a bit about that. This man, who seemingly had it all – family, wealth, fame, health – lived in such a dark place in his mind that he couldn’t see even a glimmer of light. In an NPR interview, a man who had known Williams for thirty-five years said he never saw the real Robin Williams. I think that must have been a very lonely way to live.
Would it have made a difference if he could have been himself with his friends? I don’t know. But I wonder if, given the chance, we wouldn’t all be better off if we stopped “putting on our game face” and were honest with each other. When life is hard, why don’t we say so? When burdens press down so heavily we can barely keep walking upright, why don’t we ask for help? When worries swirl around us, why don’t we share it with our church family and ask for prayer, a hug, a meal, an hour over a cup of coffee? Wouldn’t that be better, healthier for everyone?
When we keep our burdens to ourselves, we deny our friends and family the opportunity to support and encourage us. Life is hard enough. We don’t need to make it harder by carrying on all alone. There is a quote, “Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle” (attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson). How might our interactions with one another change, if we kept that thought in mind?
There’s been a lot of conflict in the world this week, and it’s replayed over and over in the news. It can really press down on us, if we let it. But we are people of hope. We have friends, family and our church to lift us up, to help us with our struggles, to lighten the load.
So when I ask you how you’re doing, I really want to know. Don’t just give me the polite response. Let’s really talk.
Prayer: God help us to take seriously your message of hope. Show us how to lift up and encourage one another in times of trial. Let us be your light to a weary world. Amen.
©2014 Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
August 10, 2014
Play
But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. ~Mark 10:14-16
This week as I was driving, I heard a story on NPR about the importance of play for children. Studies have shown that free, unstructured play is necessary for their healthy physical, social and mental development. It helps the neurons in their brains make critical connections that affect their ability to function as social beings, be creative and solve problems. Play is also a predictor of their success in school.
Then I got to wondering about the importance of play for adults. A quick Google search yielded more than 27 million hits. I read about half a dozen of them. As I suspected, play is also important for adults, we just don’t believe it. We think it’s unproductive, childish, a waste of time. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Playful adults are more productive, experience stress relief, are better problem solvers and have better relationships with others.
What is play? Dr. Stuart Brown, who has studied play extensively, says play is art, books, movies, music, comedy, flirting and daydreaming. He “compares play to oxygen. He writes, ‘it’s all around us, yet goes mostly unnoticed or unappreciated until it is missing.’” Dr. Brown has reviewed “play histories” of all types of people to see what role play has had in their lives. He suggests that play is a “state of being” and that it is purposeless, fun and pleasurable. The focus of play is on the experience, not on accomplishing a goal. (Quote from: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/11/15/the-importance-of-play-for-adults/ )
When was the last time you played? What did you enjoy playing as a child?
How can you add some play to your life? Change how you think about play. Hang out with other playful people. Take a walk. Create something – take pictures, draw, sing, knit, work with wood or clay. Play cards or board games. Plant flowers. Watch birds. See a movie. Eat out and laugh with friends. Stroll in the rain and stomp in puddles. Play with children or pets.
Try it and see what happens!
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ~George Bernard Shaw
©2014 Shirley K Weyrauch (text and images)
Play
But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. ~Mark 10:14-16
This week as I was driving, I heard a story on NPR about the importance of play for children. Studies have shown that free, unstructured play is necessary for their healthy physical, social and mental development. It helps the neurons in their brains make critical connections that affect their ability to function as social beings, be creative and solve problems. Play is also a predictor of their success in school.
Then I got to wondering about the importance of play for adults. A quick Google search yielded more than 27 million hits. I read about half a dozen of them. As I suspected, play is also important for adults, we just don’t believe it. We think it’s unproductive, childish, a waste of time. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Playful adults are more productive, experience stress relief, are better problem solvers and have better relationships with others.
What is play? Dr. Stuart Brown, who has studied play extensively, says play is art, books, movies, music, comedy, flirting and daydreaming. He “compares play to oxygen. He writes, ‘it’s all around us, yet goes mostly unnoticed or unappreciated until it is missing.’” Dr. Brown has reviewed “play histories” of all types of people to see what role play has had in their lives. He suggests that play is a “state of being” and that it is purposeless, fun and pleasurable. The focus of play is on the experience, not on accomplishing a goal. (Quote from: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/11/15/the-importance-of-play-for-adults/ )
When was the last time you played? What did you enjoy playing as a child?
How can you add some play to your life? Change how you think about play. Hang out with other playful people. Take a walk. Create something – take pictures, draw, sing, knit, work with wood or clay. Play cards or board games. Plant flowers. Watch birds. See a movie. Eat out and laugh with friends. Stroll in the rain and stomp in puddles. Play with children or pets.
Try it and see what happens!
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” ~George Bernard Shaw
©2014 Shirley K Weyrauch (text and images)
August 3, 2014
Gratitude
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever. ~Psalm 145:10-11, 21
As I’m writing this, it is a glorious morning! I woke up early, completed my workout, got home in time to have breakfast with my husband before we left for work, the sun is shining, the air is cool, it’s Friday, and I’m grateful for every bit of it!
What about those mornings which don’t go so well? When we wake up late, there’s no hot water, the empty milk jug is in the refrigerator, it’s raining, and the car is almost out of gas. It’s more of a challenge to be grateful on those days.
I’ve met Dewitt Jones, the creator of the website Celebrate What’s Right with the World. Instead of bemoaning all that is wrong, Dewitt posts a photo every day of something that catches his eye. And he has quite an eye. He sees beauty and artistry in both common and unusual places. I’m grateful for his perspective.
My friend Daria, posts frequent lists of blessings on her Facebook page. Sometimes they are big things like a good outcome for a friend who had surgery. But just as often they are little daily things – a cup of tea, the cat’s purr, a good book. Or things we take for granted – windshield wipers, favorite sneakers, girl’s night out. I’m so thankful that Daria reminds me to give thanks, even though I’m not as intentional about it as she is.
Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker, is credited with coining the phrase “an attitude of gratitude.” Oprah Winfrey encouraged her viewers to keep a gratitude journal. Both of them insisted that having an attitude of gratitude changed their lives. I know it changes my outlook.
How about you? What makes you feel gratitude?
From the good, old hymn “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done!” Let’s start a list!
Gratitude resources:
www.celebratewhatsright.com photos, blogs, articles, stories
www.gratefulness.org images, meditations, e-cards
www.beliefnet.com – articles, images, stories, blogs from a variety of faith perspectives
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (images and text)
Gratitude
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever. ~Psalm 145:10-11, 21
As I’m writing this, it is a glorious morning! I woke up early, completed my workout, got home in time to have breakfast with my husband before we left for work, the sun is shining, the air is cool, it’s Friday, and I’m grateful for every bit of it!
What about those mornings which don’t go so well? When we wake up late, there’s no hot water, the empty milk jug is in the refrigerator, it’s raining, and the car is almost out of gas. It’s more of a challenge to be grateful on those days.
I’ve met Dewitt Jones, the creator of the website Celebrate What’s Right with the World. Instead of bemoaning all that is wrong, Dewitt posts a photo every day of something that catches his eye. And he has quite an eye. He sees beauty and artistry in both common and unusual places. I’m grateful for his perspective.
My friend Daria, posts frequent lists of blessings on her Facebook page. Sometimes they are big things like a good outcome for a friend who had surgery. But just as often they are little daily things – a cup of tea, the cat’s purr, a good book. Or things we take for granted – windshield wipers, favorite sneakers, girl’s night out. I’m so thankful that Daria reminds me to give thanks, even though I’m not as intentional about it as she is.
Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker, is credited with coining the phrase “an attitude of gratitude.” Oprah Winfrey encouraged her viewers to keep a gratitude journal. Both of them insisted that having an attitude of gratitude changed their lives. I know it changes my outlook.
How about you? What makes you feel gratitude?
From the good, old hymn “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done!” Let’s start a list!
Gratitude resources:
www.celebratewhatsright.com photos, blogs, articles, stories
www.gratefulness.org images, meditations, e-cards
www.beliefnet.com – articles, images, stories, blogs from a variety of faith perspectives
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (images and text)
July 27, 2014
Time
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
I was supposed to be getting ready and packing for a trip, but my “to-do” list was too long. I was running out of time. What does that mean, exactly? Running out of time. Or for that matter, other sayings about time – time stood still, too much time on our hands, the time just got away from me, that time went so quickly. Where do we get these ideas about time?
God loosely created time – there was evening, there was morning, the first day – and called it good. But we humans had to break it down into smaller increments, label them and keep track of them. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries, millennia, ages, eons. Why do you suppose it matters to us so much? And we don’t do that very well, because every four years we have to add one day to our calendar, leap year, to make our calculations come out right. We live by our calendars, business planners, digital gadgets, timers and alarms.
The Blue Zones project, a partnership between National Geographic and leading longevity researchers headed by Dan Buettner, has identified five areas in the world where people live the longest and healthiest lives. These places have higher than usual numbers of centenarians and lower than usual middle aged mortality rates. They also boast lower percentages of chronic, age-related diseases. The researchers then set out to identify the reasons that these people lived such long and healthy lives.
What they found, they’ve labeled “The Power 9,” nine things that make a difference in how long people live. It includes activity levels; diet (what, when and how much they eat); a sense of purpose; moderate, regular wine consumption; strong family ties with multiple generations living together or nearby; a circle of close friends; belonging to and practicing with a community of faith; and lifestyles with low levels of stress.
This has me thinking about how I live and how I use my time. Management of time may be highly stress inducing. What would it be like to live less by the clock and more according to how we feel? Eat when we’re hungry? Sleep when we’re tired? Linger over a meal? Enjoy wine on the porch or patio at the end of the day? Engage in polite conversation with a neighbor or friend? Meditate, pray or relax in silence for a brief time during the day? Just take a few moments to breathe deeply and say “thanks”?
Even on vacations, we schedule our days. On my next trip, I’m going to try to live less by the clock and more by how I feel. Maybe I’ll even try to keep it up when I get home. Want to join me?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
Time
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1
I was supposed to be getting ready and packing for a trip, but my “to-do” list was too long. I was running out of time. What does that mean, exactly? Running out of time. Or for that matter, other sayings about time – time stood still, too much time on our hands, the time just got away from me, that time went so quickly. Where do we get these ideas about time?
God loosely created time – there was evening, there was morning, the first day – and called it good. But we humans had to break it down into smaller increments, label them and keep track of them. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries, millennia, ages, eons. Why do you suppose it matters to us so much? And we don’t do that very well, because every four years we have to add one day to our calendar, leap year, to make our calculations come out right. We live by our calendars, business planners, digital gadgets, timers and alarms.
The Blue Zones project, a partnership between National Geographic and leading longevity researchers headed by Dan Buettner, has identified five areas in the world where people live the longest and healthiest lives. These places have higher than usual numbers of centenarians and lower than usual middle aged mortality rates. They also boast lower percentages of chronic, age-related diseases. The researchers then set out to identify the reasons that these people lived such long and healthy lives.
What they found, they’ve labeled “The Power 9,” nine things that make a difference in how long people live. It includes activity levels; diet (what, when and how much they eat); a sense of purpose; moderate, regular wine consumption; strong family ties with multiple generations living together or nearby; a circle of close friends; belonging to and practicing with a community of faith; and lifestyles with low levels of stress.
This has me thinking about how I live and how I use my time. Management of time may be highly stress inducing. What would it be like to live less by the clock and more according to how we feel? Eat when we’re hungry? Sleep when we’re tired? Linger over a meal? Enjoy wine on the porch or patio at the end of the day? Engage in polite conversation with a neighbor or friend? Meditate, pray or relax in silence for a brief time during the day? Just take a few moments to breathe deeply and say “thanks”?
Even on vacations, we schedule our days. On my next trip, I’m going to try to live less by the clock and more by how I feel. Maybe I’ll even try to keep it up when I get home. Want to join me?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
July 20, 2014
Abundance
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~Ephesians 3:20-21
I have a book titled, “How Much is Enough?” Most of us have enough – likely more than enough. Some of us would probably even admit that we have too much – clothes in our closets that we never wear, food in the refrigerator that will spoil before we eat it, canned goods in the back of the pantry that will go out of date, junk in our basements and attics that might be useful to someone else, but is no longer used by us.
Walk into the frozen food aisle at the grocery store and peruse the vast array of ice cream flavors. Check out the produce department. Who knew there were so many kinds of apples? The cereal shelves are overflowing with bright, colorful boxes to entice the taste buds of the discriminate and indiscriminate alike. So many choices!
And yet we live as if there is not enough. We live with a scarcity mentality. We tell ourselves there is not enough – not enough time, not enough money, not enough stuff. Why?
The word “abundance” occurs in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible sixty-seven times. It means extremely plentiful, over sufficient supply, copious amounts. Often it’s used in reference to God’s generosity or mercy. The creation stories indicate that there was more than enough in the garden.
I sometimes wonder if my having more than enough means someone else has less than enough.
What do you think?
How much is enough?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
Abundance
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~Ephesians 3:20-21
I have a book titled, “How Much is Enough?” Most of us have enough – likely more than enough. Some of us would probably even admit that we have too much – clothes in our closets that we never wear, food in the refrigerator that will spoil before we eat it, canned goods in the back of the pantry that will go out of date, junk in our basements and attics that might be useful to someone else, but is no longer used by us.
Walk into the frozen food aisle at the grocery store and peruse the vast array of ice cream flavors. Check out the produce department. Who knew there were so many kinds of apples? The cereal shelves are overflowing with bright, colorful boxes to entice the taste buds of the discriminate and indiscriminate alike. So many choices!
And yet we live as if there is not enough. We live with a scarcity mentality. We tell ourselves there is not enough – not enough time, not enough money, not enough stuff. Why?
The word “abundance” occurs in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible sixty-seven times. It means extremely plentiful, over sufficient supply, copious amounts. Often it’s used in reference to God’s generosity or mercy. The creation stories indicate that there was more than enough in the garden.
I sometimes wonder if my having more than enough means someone else has less than enough.
What do you think?
How much is enough?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
July 13, 2014
Silence
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ~1 Kings 19:11-12
I attended my first silent retreat in 2008. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wasn’t sure I would like it. The retreat center was already pretty quiet – no television, no radio, no easy access to computers, internet or cell signal. Not even a newspaper unless you knew where to look. For the first few days we participated in a variety of contemplative activities to prepare us for the time of silence. And then we were in it – 36 hours without talking.
Meal times were the hardest. It was challenging to sit across from someone at the table and not engage in polite conversation. We began our silence on Friday evening and concluded it on Sunday morning in worship together. I discovered that I can do silent retreats, and in fact, I crave silence.
When I returned from the retreat, I was immediately off to a pharmacy conference with several hundred people in attendance. The total opposite of silence! It was so overwhelming that I left dinner early and went back to my hotel room. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that there is a lot of noise in our lives, and we just accept it as normal. Our world is LOUD!
I’ve begun thinking of it as auditory clutter. My desk is cluttered most of the time. There’s clutter in my home that really should go. People throw trash into the ditch along my road cluttering up my landscape. And the soundtrack of my life could be filled with clutter too, if I allowed it.
Most of the time, when I am home alone, it’s quiet. No TV. No radio. No music. I do love music, but I’ve come to value the silence even more. I take my news in small, controlled quantities. I’m intentional about what I watch and when on the television. I celebrate good conversation with family and friends. I enjoy hearing the birds singing in my backyard. I like hearing myself think. It’s actually been quite freeing.
What’s your relationship with silence like?
What’s playing on the soundtrack of your life?
Can you hear yourself think?
Will you hear when God calls?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
Silence
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ~1 Kings 19:11-12
I attended my first silent retreat in 2008. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wasn’t sure I would like it. The retreat center was already pretty quiet – no television, no radio, no easy access to computers, internet or cell signal. Not even a newspaper unless you knew where to look. For the first few days we participated in a variety of contemplative activities to prepare us for the time of silence. And then we were in it – 36 hours without talking.
Meal times were the hardest. It was challenging to sit across from someone at the table and not engage in polite conversation. We began our silence on Friday evening and concluded it on Sunday morning in worship together. I discovered that I can do silent retreats, and in fact, I crave silence.
When I returned from the retreat, I was immediately off to a pharmacy conference with several hundred people in attendance. The total opposite of silence! It was so overwhelming that I left dinner early and went back to my hotel room. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that there is a lot of noise in our lives, and we just accept it as normal. Our world is LOUD!
I’ve begun thinking of it as auditory clutter. My desk is cluttered most of the time. There’s clutter in my home that really should go. People throw trash into the ditch along my road cluttering up my landscape. And the soundtrack of my life could be filled with clutter too, if I allowed it.
Most of the time, when I am home alone, it’s quiet. No TV. No radio. No music. I do love music, but I’ve come to value the silence even more. I take my news in small, controlled quantities. I’m intentional about what I watch and when on the television. I celebrate good conversation with family and friends. I enjoy hearing the birds singing in my backyard. I like hearing myself think. It’s actually been quite freeing.
What’s your relationship with silence like?
What’s playing on the soundtrack of your life?
Can you hear yourself think?
Will you hear when God calls?
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
July 6, 2014
Coconuts!
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
~Colossians 1:11-12a
We were on our way to a palm grove for a photo shoot, and my head was buzzing with ideas! I had been there before, and knew there was a lovely pool that would offer great reflections of the clear blue sky and the towering palm trees. I was anticipating a spectacular sunset over the shallow water lapping at the edge of the grove. I was ready!
What I hadn’t anticipated was a storm that tore through the grove a few days before our arrival and stripped many trees bare and left a few laying on the ground. The grove was a mess, and worse, the reflecting pool was filled with floating coconuts! I stared at it in disappointment. No reflections this evening. Deep breath…okay, there’s still the beach area and sunset. All is not lost.
When I was there before, it was a different season of the year, and there had been nearly three years of drought. As I approached the beach this time, I found it overgrown with barely any sand to stroll along, due to all the rain that had recently fallen. And the sun was going to set over the end of the island, not the water. Rats, another disappointment. Now what? My preconceived ideas weren’t working out.
I plunked myself down on a fallen tree and pouted. After a few minutes, I started looking around for other things to shoot, and decided I would only take photos of things I could see from where I was sitting. There wasn’t much at first glance, and I wasn’t going to get any award winning images, but there were interesting textures and patterns in the tree bark, the exposed roots, the sand at my feet, some leaves, birds and insects. I puttered around at that for about twenty minutes, until I realized it was time to head for the car.
I gathered up my gear and walked toward the parking area. Something inside me said, “Turn around.” I had been so disappointed that I almost didn’t hear it. But I did, so I turned to look back. There behind me was a spectacular sunset through the palm trees! My face must have split into a huge grin, and I remembered the advice of one of our teachers – show up in neutral. Neutral! Don’t show up with your ideas and plans – wait to see what is offered and accept it.
It’s a lesson I need reminding of every so often.
When have you been disappointed?
Did your own expectations play any role in setting you up for disappointment?
What might have been different if you had “shown up in neutral?”
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
Coconuts!
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
~Colossians 1:11-12a
We were on our way to a palm grove for a photo shoot, and my head was buzzing with ideas! I had been there before, and knew there was a lovely pool that would offer great reflections of the clear blue sky and the towering palm trees. I was anticipating a spectacular sunset over the shallow water lapping at the edge of the grove. I was ready!
What I hadn’t anticipated was a storm that tore through the grove a few days before our arrival and stripped many trees bare and left a few laying on the ground. The grove was a mess, and worse, the reflecting pool was filled with floating coconuts! I stared at it in disappointment. No reflections this evening. Deep breath…okay, there’s still the beach area and sunset. All is not lost.
When I was there before, it was a different season of the year, and there had been nearly three years of drought. As I approached the beach this time, I found it overgrown with barely any sand to stroll along, due to all the rain that had recently fallen. And the sun was going to set over the end of the island, not the water. Rats, another disappointment. Now what? My preconceived ideas weren’t working out.
I plunked myself down on a fallen tree and pouted. After a few minutes, I started looking around for other things to shoot, and decided I would only take photos of things I could see from where I was sitting. There wasn’t much at first glance, and I wasn’t going to get any award winning images, but there were interesting textures and patterns in the tree bark, the exposed roots, the sand at my feet, some leaves, birds and insects. I puttered around at that for about twenty minutes, until I realized it was time to head for the car.
I gathered up my gear and walked toward the parking area. Something inside me said, “Turn around.” I had been so disappointed that I almost didn’t hear it. But I did, so I turned to look back. There behind me was a spectacular sunset through the palm trees! My face must have split into a huge grin, and I remembered the advice of one of our teachers – show up in neutral. Neutral! Don’t show up with your ideas and plans – wait to see what is offered and accept it.
It’s a lesson I need reminding of every so often.
When have you been disappointed?
Did your own expectations play any role in setting you up for disappointment?
What might have been different if you had “shown up in neutral?”
©Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
June 29, 2014
Insignificance
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! ~Psalm 8:3-9
In these verses, the psalmist is wondering about his significance in the whole scheme of God’s creation. Have you ever looked into the vast unknown of a night sky and asked these same questions? If you’ve ever been able to view the sky from a place with little light pollution, its brilliance is startling. I wonder what makes someone become an astronaut?
I’ve had the privilege of traveling some, and there are other places that have brought me face to face with my own smallness. Sailing on a boat far enough from shore that I could no longer see land made me realize I had no power over the waters. Standing atop a two thousand foot cliff looking down into the Pacific Ocean made me feel miniscule, and I didn’t stray too close to the edge. I love a good thunderstorm, but the power of a tornado and the damage it can do is daunting. Holding onto the railing alongside the thundering water of Niagara Falls and feeling the concrete tremble sends a little quiver up my spine.
And yet God has entrusted this mighty creation to us as stewards and creative beings. Just as the psalmist recalled the charge to humans in Genesis, we must accept that call and not allow our sense of insignificance to lull us into thinking we can do nothing or have no impact.
What times or places have brought you to a realization of your smallness in relation to the limitlessness of the universe?
What are you doing to tend your part of God’s creation?
©Shirley K Weyrauch, 2014 (text and images)
June 22, 2014
Holy Ground
“Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ~Exodus 3:5
According to Celtic spiritual practices, there are thin places in the world. These are places where it is easier to sense God’s presence – where the separation between heaven and earth is thinner. There are Bible stories that seem to support that idea – Moses encountering God in the burning bush then later receiving the Ten Commandments, Jacob having his dream of angels on a ladder in the wilderness, Elijah meeting God in the silence at Mt. Horeb, Jesus withdrawing to the wilderness to pray.
However, in Genesis, God created everything and called it good. Then shouldn’t we be able to sense God’s presence everywhere? Probably, we should. I’m wondering if it’s a matter of intention. There are some places for me that feel like “thin places.” Our church camps - Templed and Pilgrim Hills, Ghost Ranch (a retreat center and camp in New Mexico), and the Hui Ho’olana (a retreat center on Molokai) are examples. But I went to those places to get away from the usual hubbub of life with the intention of listening for God, and found it easier to hear God there.
Where have you found thin places?
Is it possible for our homes and places of work to be thin places?
What’s been your experience?
© 2014 Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
Holy Ground
“Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ~Exodus 3:5
According to Celtic spiritual practices, there are thin places in the world. These are places where it is easier to sense God’s presence – where the separation between heaven and earth is thinner. There are Bible stories that seem to support that idea – Moses encountering God in the burning bush then later receiving the Ten Commandments, Jacob having his dream of angels on a ladder in the wilderness, Elijah meeting God in the silence at Mt. Horeb, Jesus withdrawing to the wilderness to pray.
However, in Genesis, God created everything and called it good. Then shouldn’t we be able to sense God’s presence everywhere? Probably, we should. I’m wondering if it’s a matter of intention. There are some places for me that feel like “thin places.” Our church camps - Templed and Pilgrim Hills, Ghost Ranch (a retreat center and camp in New Mexico), and the Hui Ho’olana (a retreat center on Molokai) are examples. But I went to those places to get away from the usual hubbub of life with the intention of listening for God, and found it easier to hear God there.
Where have you found thin places?
Is it possible for our homes and places of work to be thin places?
What’s been your experience?
© 2014 Shirley K. Weyrauch (text and images)
June 15, 2014
Burdened or Bedazzled?
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. ~James 1:2-4
One misty morning on my way home from the Y, I happened upon this hay field that had not been mown. It featured hundreds of spider webs gently waving in the light breeze! Now, spiders are not my favorite of all God’s creatures, especially not in those numbers, but on closer investigation, I discovered the webs were dripping with dainty water droplets from the fog. As the sun shone through them, they sparkled and glittered in the morning light.
Spider webs are amazing to begin with – so intricately woven, strong in spite of their fragile design. The water droplets added an extra burden of weight that could overwhelm their engineering and tear them apart, but this morning they were holding together beautifully.
It made me wonder what happens to us when we have burdens to bear? Do they give us an opportunity to shine? Or do they overwhelm us and beat us down? What hidden strength helps us to bear the challenging things that come in life?
James suggests we count it all as joy, which is hard to do, especially at the time one is involved in the problem. Looking back later, perhaps it’s possible to see how particular situations have shaped us. Maybe not joy, but perspective and appreciation.
What’s your experience?
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2014 (text and images)
Burdened or Bedazzled?
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. ~James 1:2-4
One misty morning on my way home from the Y, I happened upon this hay field that had not been mown. It featured hundreds of spider webs gently waving in the light breeze! Now, spiders are not my favorite of all God’s creatures, especially not in those numbers, but on closer investigation, I discovered the webs were dripping with dainty water droplets from the fog. As the sun shone through them, they sparkled and glittered in the morning light.
Spider webs are amazing to begin with – so intricately woven, strong in spite of their fragile design. The water droplets added an extra burden of weight that could overwhelm their engineering and tear them apart, but this morning they were holding together beautifully.
It made me wonder what happens to us when we have burdens to bear? Do they give us an opportunity to shine? Or do they overwhelm us and beat us down? What hidden strength helps us to bear the challenging things that come in life?
James suggests we count it all as joy, which is hard to do, especially at the time one is involved in the problem. Looking back later, perhaps it’s possible to see how particular situations have shaped us. Maybe not joy, but perspective and appreciation.
What’s your experience?
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2014 (text and images)
June 8, 2014
A Meditation on Birches
I did not see the birch trees when I first arrived at the Martin de Porres Center.
I was too busy navigating unfamiliar territory – my GPS says it’s right here, but I don’t see the entrance. Where should I park? Which building is where we are meeting? I had come to a gathering for Shalem grads and friends in Columbus, Ohio, feeling the need to reconnect with my Shalem peers and rekindle my passion for contemplative practice.
When we took a brief, mid-morning break, I walked outside to bask in a few moments of long anticipated spring sunshine, and there they were. A grove of birch trees, some with roots exposed, all with bark peeling, buds hinting at leaves beginning to unfurl. It was lovely.
In the afternoon, I attended a workshop on finger labyrinths, and part of the resource material told of “releasing” as you enter the labyrinth. “Let there be a shedding, a letting go of the details of your life, let go of control or expectations, allow your mind to become quiet,” it said.
A self-directed prayer station was listed as “Decluttering,” although the handout heading was “Making Room for God.” I was invited to examine my life and notice the clutter that gets in the way of my being with God and to let it go.
Are you sensing a pattern here? Shedding, releasing, decluttering…letting go of my details, noticing God’s details, making room for more of what I truly need. The Spirit and the birches showed me what I needed that day.
Is there something you’re being called to shed to make room for something new?
What newness might fill that space?
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2013 (image and text)
A Meditation on Birches
I did not see the birch trees when I first arrived at the Martin de Porres Center.
I was too busy navigating unfamiliar territory – my GPS says it’s right here, but I don’t see the entrance. Where should I park? Which building is where we are meeting? I had come to a gathering for Shalem grads and friends in Columbus, Ohio, feeling the need to reconnect with my Shalem peers and rekindle my passion for contemplative practice.
When we took a brief, mid-morning break, I walked outside to bask in a few moments of long anticipated spring sunshine, and there they were. A grove of birch trees, some with roots exposed, all with bark peeling, buds hinting at leaves beginning to unfurl. It was lovely.
In the afternoon, I attended a workshop on finger labyrinths, and part of the resource material told of “releasing” as you enter the labyrinth. “Let there be a shedding, a letting go of the details of your life, let go of control or expectations, allow your mind to become quiet,” it said.
A self-directed prayer station was listed as “Decluttering,” although the handout heading was “Making Room for God.” I was invited to examine my life and notice the clutter that gets in the way of my being with God and to let it go.
Are you sensing a pattern here? Shedding, releasing, decluttering…letting go of my details, noticing God’s details, making room for more of what I truly need. The Spirit and the birches showed me what I needed that day.
Is there something you’re being called to shed to make room for something new?
What newness might fill that space?
© Shirley K. Weyrauch, 2013 (image and text)