Protection

I wake to the sound of sleet hitting the window.
What will today bring? Sun, rain, sleet, snow.
Rain soakes parched lands, raises rivers above flood levels.
The ice protects the buds, coats roads, cuts power.
Snow, comes in huge drifts, roofs peak.

Floods, avalances, accidents, power losses.
Quenched thirst, summer water, winter sports.

Weather is a lot like life and our emotions ...
Constantly in motion ... constantly emoting.

For those who today are in the "face" of winter harshness.
Prepare ... be with others ... stay warm.
Know you are not alone.

Community ...

A community might also be consider a communion of all the saints. Now no one I know of has ever called me a saint ... but I too am a member of the community, of the church, the communion of the saints. So I guess I am a saint.

Coming together in community, be it the church or a community in the cascades, the shared belief of the trinity ... the three in one ... that gives strength.

No panacea, no promises of perfection, not always of one mine or accord .. but heck ... give me a communion of saints ...

That's pretty special.

What communion of saints give you strength?

Warmth

For all who this day are living in the deep of winter.  

A bit of spring colors to warm your heart

bring a smile to your face

I leave this afternoon for a two day meeting in DC ... so I might not be able to update the blog.

Take care ... be safe ... 

What warms your heart?

What happened to the Sabbath?

"There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord." Lev 23:3

What happened to the Sabbath?

Wasn't that supposed to be what today was?

Now I'm not complaining mind you, but it felt like a lot of action today.  

The highlight of the day was worship ... listening to the word, praying, singing.

But there were a few things that seemed work related, 3 loads laundry, making chili, kitchen cleaning, vacuuming, changing beds, packing to leave tomorrow, running to the office, ...

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Maybe next week.  

Isn't it time to honor the sabbath?

A Work In Progress

Each of us is a work in progress.  Somedays it feels like one step forward and others it is two steps back.  The steps backward are part of the progress.  The good news is that there are more forward steps ... 

What direction did you go in today?

P.S. remember ... whichever way you went was part of the progress.  

What Next

There were lots of moments in time today. 

Feeling accomplished ... going through four boxes of papers and getting them down to one.

Feeling humbled ... going to a gallery opening and seeing how much there is to learn.

Feeling amazed ... that others like my work. 

Feeling lost ... is it Friday or Monday?

Feeling frustrated ... how come is there always so much to do.

Feeling annoyed ... come on Teddy, its 23 degrees, how long do we have to walk?

Feeling grateful ... I have been blessed beyond measure.

Feeling silly ... playing Phase 10 during break and lunch.

Feeling full ... I ate too much during break and lunch.

A colleague came into my office today and said that God told her to come and give me a hug!

Earlier in the morning when I started feeling annoyed ...  I caught myself needing to reframe what my thinking.  I needed to go to the person and see her for the child of God that she is ... rather than judging and wanting her to be someone else.

Lots of moments today ... I wonder what is next. 

 

The First Day of 2009: Expecting A Surprise

"Each day holds a surprise.  

But only if we expect it can we see, hear, 

or feel it when it comes to us.  

Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, 

whether it come so us as sorrow or as joy.  

It will open a new place in our hearts, 

a place where we can welcome new friends 

and celebrate more fully our shared humanity."  

Henri Nouwen

The Photographer Crystalized

Teddy Watching and Waiting for a Surprise

The Quiet Snow Waits

Nature and Man CoExist:  Surprisingly Pretty

Surprising Winter Colors