In the pre-dawn darkness, the world is caressed and wrapped in beauty. The air is crisp and clean, delicious to the nostril and welcome in the lung. To the West, the silent, barren moon coolly reflects the light from an as yet invisible sun that burns and boils 150 million kilometres away. To the East, the road falls away before me, and in the valley below, the living white mist winds it way across the landscape. Like currents in an ocean of white, it wraps the land with silence and peace.
Fields and farms are visible by the fences, barns and trees that rise above the stream. Not far away near a neigbouring house, a row of tall young pines stand like sentinels, their silhouette somehow warm and welcoming. The horizon glows with an incredible pink-orange promise or warning that day will soon arrive. Above this glow, a large but solitary cloud wears the colour of blue slate. The scene is incredible, like a living picture created by an artist who understands the beauty of simplicity. For this brief moment, I am part of it, and it becomes part of me. My spirit drinks it in, like tonic for an introverted soul.
Steadily the light increases, and by the time I finish my walk, the sun is already leaking over the horizon. I hurry home. The day begins. There is a blog to write, meetings to attend, decisions to be made, budgets to be prepared, but my mind and heart lingers in this memory of awesome grace and beauty.
May your awareness be blessed by the gift of God today, wherever you may find it.
Posted by Carman
Showing posts with label Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirit. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Winds
Many of us have been dealing with the effects of wind this spring. My drive to work every morning is marked by noting which neighbourhood has the worst tree damage! Everything from stray branches to huge, hundred-year-old trees tipped right out of the ground.
A couple of mornings ago I observed the canvas and aluminum tubing shelter from the corner fruit and veggie stand draped unceremoniously around the cemetery gate and fence around the corner and across the street!
Of course, I've recently returned from Missouri where the tornado sirens kept me and Tiona in the basement most of one day. This after watching the horrific news pictures of tornado damage in nearby Joplin.
Are you thinking of the winds of Spirit this week? I've had a moment or two to reflect on the notion of the winds of Pentacost. It's much more traditional--maybe a whole lot more comfortable--to consider the wind of the Spirit as gentle and balmy. Not often is it thought of as an unstoppable power, a roaring freight train, though that's the most common descriptor of these tornadic forces we've been experiencing.
How are you thinking of the winds of the Spirit today?
Oh, and by the way, I began this post with the thought that your CEM staff is cast to all the directions of the wind this weekend. I had supposed I would give you a quick list of just how many things are going on today, tomorrow and Sunday. We'll be in the land of the mighty waters, the nation's capital, GTA West, Grand Valley. And you all will of course be doing what you are doing, blown by whatever wind blows you.
What kind of winds are blowing in your community? Are you feeling calm and refreshed by a gentle breeze? Or are you feeling a great and mighty blast from a Spirit on the move?
Looking forward to hearing how all these amazing events unfold.
Posted by Marion
A couple of mornings ago I observed the canvas and aluminum tubing shelter from the corner fruit and veggie stand draped unceremoniously around the cemetery gate and fence around the corner and across the street!
Of course, I've recently returned from Missouri where the tornado sirens kept me and Tiona in the basement most of one day. This after watching the horrific news pictures of tornado damage in nearby Joplin.
Are you thinking of the winds of Spirit this week? I've had a moment or two to reflect on the notion of the winds of Pentacost. It's much more traditional--maybe a whole lot more comfortable--to consider the wind of the Spirit as gentle and balmy. Not often is it thought of as an unstoppable power, a roaring freight train, though that's the most common descriptor of these tornadic forces we've been experiencing.
How are you thinking of the winds of the Spirit today?
Oh, and by the way, I began this post with the thought that your CEM staff is cast to all the directions of the wind this weekend. I had supposed I would give you a quick list of just how many things are going on today, tomorrow and Sunday. We'll be in the land of the mighty waters, the nation's capital, GTA West, Grand Valley. And you all will of course be doing what you are doing, blown by whatever wind blows you.
What kind of winds are blowing in your community? Are you feeling calm and refreshed by a gentle breeze? Or are you feeling a great and mighty blast from a Spirit on the move?
Looking forward to hearing how all these amazing events unfold.
Posted by Marion
Friday, March 18, 2011
Abide
Think of the following as a meditation on Doctrine and Covenants 161:7.
If we truly did that, the spirit of love and peace would not, could not, stay in our hearts, at least if we think of our hearts as being a place deep in the centre of our being somewhere. It would spread. If the spirit of love and peace lived in our heart, it would grow and shift and also dwell in our mind, becoming part of our consciousness until it also became our unconsciousness. The spirit of love and peace would also come to dwell in our eyes so that what we looked upon we saw with eyes of love; eyes of peace. That spirit would be in our ears so that what we heard, we would hear lovingly, peacefully. That same spirit would be present in our arms, our touch, so that we held and touched the world differently, lovingly, peacefully.
If the spirit of love and peace truly lived in us, then we would live in the spirit of love and peace; we would truly be in the spirit of the One we follow. Perhaps another way to say this is that if the spirit of love and peace truly lived in our hearts this way, God would be more fully alive in us and we would live in the spirit as well as the Spirit of God.
If that abiding presence were our reality, I wonder, would the things that happen to us matter quite so much? Would not even things we think of as bad be seen differently? An earthquake would still be an earthquake and disaster would still be disastrous, but would we not respond to those events differently? Would we not seek to help those around us rather than just thinking about ourselves? Think of Jesus standing before Pilate, abiding in the spirit of love and peace, silent but looking at his judge through eyes of love, eyes of grace. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
May we abide in the spirit of love and peace today.
Posted by Carman
The Spirit of the One you follow is the spirit of love and peace. That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts of those who would embrace its call and live its message.What if we were to allow the spirit of love and peace to truly “abide” in our hearts? What if that spirit lived there, not just in these few moments of our quiet time, our morning devotions or evening prayers, but all day long? How might the world seem different if, in each moment of every day, we looked upon it with the spirit of love and peace in our hearts?
If we truly did that, the spirit of love and peace would not, could not, stay in our hearts, at least if we think of our hearts as being a place deep in the centre of our being somewhere. It would spread. If the spirit of love and peace lived in our heart, it would grow and shift and also dwell in our mind, becoming part of our consciousness until it also became our unconsciousness. The spirit of love and peace would also come to dwell in our eyes so that what we looked upon we saw with eyes of love; eyes of peace. That spirit would be in our ears so that what we heard, we would hear lovingly, peacefully. That same spirit would be present in our arms, our touch, so that we held and touched the world differently, lovingly, peacefully.
If the spirit of love and peace truly lived in us, then we would live in the spirit of love and peace; we would truly be in the spirit of the One we follow. Perhaps another way to say this is that if the spirit of love and peace truly lived in our hearts this way, God would be more fully alive in us and we would live in the spirit as well as the Spirit of God.
If that abiding presence were our reality, I wonder, would the things that happen to us matter quite so much? Would not even things we think of as bad be seen differently? An earthquake would still be an earthquake and disaster would still be disastrous, but would we not respond to those events differently? Would we not seek to help those around us rather than just thinking about ourselves? Think of Jesus standing before Pilate, abiding in the spirit of love and peace, silent but looking at his judge through eyes of love, eyes of grace. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
The Spirit of the One you follow is the spirit of love and peace. That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts of those who would embrace its call and live its message. The path will not always be easy, the choices will not always be clear, but the cause is sure and the Spirit will bear witness to the truth, and those who live the truth will know the hope and the joy of discipleship in the community of Christ. Amen. (D. & C. 161:7)
May we abide in the spirit of love and peace today.
Posted by Carman
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Stones
As you enter the gate at Erie Beach Campground these days, you quickly encounter a somewhat unusual structure. A small sculpture has been erected there with a plaque that reads, “FOR ALL YOU WHO COME AND GO FROM THIS PLACE, MAY YOU SHARE GOD’S BLESSING OF LOVE, HOPE AND PEACE.”
Created by Scott Scherer, the sculpture is known simply as the “Blessing Stone.” This eye-catching piece has the appearance of blue, living, water bubbling and swirling out of a rock. Its not a bad image for the refreshment we have come to expect from our camping experiences.
The idea of erecting such a marker was the brainchild of Kelly Knight. Kelly had been seen a marker placed by Camp Quality at another campground and been touched by it. She shares that she felt her life was blessed by the presence of this marker. Out of that experience, the idea of having a blessing stone at Erie Beach was born.
Like most ideas, this one took shape over time. Kelly says she had the thought that the stone needed to come from the lake, which is such a big part of the Erie Beach experience. Eventually an appropriate stone was found. In truth, it is not a stone at all, but a piece of old cement with a most intriguing history. It once formed part of the foundation of the old auditorium!
If you are not familiar with Erie Beach’s 100+ years of history, the old auditorium once stood down beside the lake. Here, previous generations of Erie Beach campers gathered to sing, pray, and worship. After years of the pounding waves eroded the shoreline, however, the structure finally had to be removed to prevent it washing away. The foundation was broken up and used to form part of a barrier to prevent further erosion and encroachment by the lake. This particular piece of concrete lay almost forgotten, with the waves lapping against it for many years, until it was recovered to become part of the blessings stone.
When I heard that story, I couldn’t help but think of the question asked in Ezekiel 37:3; “Mortal, can these bones live?” This question is followed by the prophecy, given in the Divine voice in 37:5; “I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live!” Of course, the question that occurred to me was a paraphrase of this text, which was, “Can these stones live?” And obviously, in the mind of the visionary and the hand of the artist, the answer is yes!
Posted by Carman
Monday, June 28, 2010
Rest
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. - Matt 11:28
The past few weeks have seen a number of excellent developments in Canada East Mission. Most of the highlights have been mentioned in What’s the Good Word? already. These include a gathering of ministers who now serve as mentors for several of our CPI pastors. They came together to study and learn about how they could best help those front-line leaders. Then we had MEGA; an event which brought together many young adult leaders with several of the Seventy for a weekend of fellowship and worship. This past weekend saw our nine newest High Priests, Evangelists and Bishop come together to study and learn how they can be more effective in their ministry within the mission centre.
I confess that this has also been a busy time with no days off and little chance for rest. I expected to feel tired, but I do not. Perhaps it is because of being somewhat strategic in planning for each day, deliberately sacrificing some activities in order to ensure sufficient sleep. Perhaps the joy of accomplishment overcomes the weariness of the effort. What ever the reason, I know myself to be blessed.
I was sharply reminded of the need for rest on Sunday evening during a family gathering when several people showed up dog-tired. Some had been working for weeks to get a house ready to sell. Others had been putting in long hours at work, and some I never did find out the reason for their obvious weariness. Interesting that here we were, on the evening of the Christian Sabbath, at the end of the weekend, and everyone was exhausted! It all serves as a reminder that each of us need time to rest. We need rest physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
My grandfather used to say, “A change is as good as a rest.” Later, I worked for a man who would often say (when he would think of some smaller task that needed doing), “We can do that sometime while we’re resting.” While there is truth in all these sayings, the fact remains that sometimes you just need to stop.
Consequently, with the Canada Day weekend approaching, we have decided to close the office and give our staff one extra day off. The staff will have a have four day weekend. (Okay three; none of really gets Sunday off!) Of course we will each need to decide what we will do with it; whether we rest or work hard doing something else. Hopefully we will come back rested and refreshed, and not exhausted.
May you also take time for your rest, and for communion with God. And may you also know yourself to be blessed in the process.
Posted by Carman
The past few weeks have seen a number of excellent developments in Canada East Mission. Most of the highlights have been mentioned in What’s the Good Word? already. These include a gathering of ministers who now serve as mentors for several of our CPI pastors. They came together to study and learn about how they could best help those front-line leaders. Then we had MEGA; an event which brought together many young adult leaders with several of the Seventy for a weekend of fellowship and worship. This past weekend saw our nine newest High Priests, Evangelists and Bishop come together to study and learn how they can be more effective in their ministry within the mission centre.
I confess that this has also been a busy time with no days off and little chance for rest. I expected to feel tired, but I do not. Perhaps it is because of being somewhat strategic in planning for each day, deliberately sacrificing some activities in order to ensure sufficient sleep. Perhaps the joy of accomplishment overcomes the weariness of the effort. What ever the reason, I know myself to be blessed.
I was sharply reminded of the need for rest on Sunday evening during a family gathering when several people showed up dog-tired. Some had been working for weeks to get a house ready to sell. Others had been putting in long hours at work, and some I never did find out the reason for their obvious weariness. Interesting that here we were, on the evening of the Christian Sabbath, at the end of the weekend, and everyone was exhausted! It all serves as a reminder that each of us need time to rest. We need rest physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
My grandfather used to say, “A change is as good as a rest.” Later, I worked for a man who would often say (when he would think of some smaller task that needed doing), “We can do that sometime while we’re resting.” While there is truth in all these sayings, the fact remains that sometimes you just need to stop.
Consequently, with the Canada Day weekend approaching, we have decided to close the office and give our staff one extra day off. The staff will have a have four day weekend. (Okay three; none of really gets Sunday off!) Of course we will each need to decide what we will do with it; whether we rest or work hard doing something else. Hopefully we will come back rested and refreshed, and not exhausted.
May you also take time for your rest, and for communion with God. And may you also know yourself to be blessed in the process.
Posted by Carman
Monday, May 24, 2010
Force
Some members of my family are great Star Wars fans. They can talk together about it for hours, indeed the conversation has been ongoing for years! There is just so much to say about that mythic story.
It is a myth, you know. That's why there is so much to say about it. It has layers and layers of meaning all wrapped up in images and plot lines and metaphors. One of the key elements of the movie is the Force.
What is this "Force" that pervades the story, that must be learned or experienced or understood? I'll leave that question to the Star Warriors among you. But as I've listened to those conversations, even had the wish "may the Force be with you" addressed to me a time or two, I suspect there is a link to what Christians call Spirit.
This Sunday the Christian calendar recognized Pentacost--the celebration of the Spirit entering the life of the post-Easter Christian community. Whether we imagine it as a wind, or fire or breath of God, or comforter, guide or protector, the Spirit is a force we cannot do without. Christianity through the centuries has painted itself red at this season. Christians sing and dance and give in to the urge to party in celebration of the coming of the Spirit into our community with new urgency.
We in this part of the world are welcoming summer with all its energy with a long weekend of summery activity. Let us not let ourselves get lazy or lethargic. This is not just a season for relaxing; it's a time to renew our strength for great things to come. It's a time to respond to whatever the Spirit is calling us to do.
As we consider this new season of warmth and wind and energy, let us put away our lesser selves and let the Force be with us!
Posted by Marion
It is a myth, you know. That's why there is so much to say about it. It has layers and layers of meaning all wrapped up in images and plot lines and metaphors. One of the key elements of the movie is the Force.
What is this "Force" that pervades the story, that must be learned or experienced or understood? I'll leave that question to the Star Warriors among you. But as I've listened to those conversations, even had the wish "may the Force be with you" addressed to me a time or two, I suspect there is a link to what Christians call Spirit.
This Sunday the Christian calendar recognized Pentacost--the celebration of the Spirit entering the life of the post-Easter Christian community. Whether we imagine it as a wind, or fire or breath of God, or comforter, guide or protector, the Spirit is a force we cannot do without. Christianity through the centuries has painted itself red at this season. Christians sing and dance and give in to the urge to party in celebration of the coming of the Spirit into our community with new urgency.
We in this part of the world are welcoming summer with all its energy with a long weekend of summery activity. Let us not let ourselves get lazy or lethargic. This is not just a season for relaxing; it's a time to renew our strength for great things to come. It's a time to respond to whatever the Spirit is calling us to do.
As we consider this new season of warmth and wind and energy, let us put away our lesser selves and let the Force be with us!
Posted by Marion
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Practise
This is one of those vestiges of British spelling that really serves very well. Most usage dictionaries have caved in to the pressure to simplify and approve the spelling as "practice," whether for verb or noun. Webster's Dictionary excuses its users from making any distinction that Canadian teachers have been urging on their charges forever: "is" is the verb, "ice" is the noun.
At our CPI weekend with a member of the Spiritual Formation team we heard this advice. Practise the Practice.
In other words, it's really not much use to learn about spiritual disciplines unless you try to incorporate some of them, or one of them, in your everyday life. It was wonderful to hear our instructor talk about the practices, good to try some of them on for fit.
But as we've returned to our normal lives we've come with the assignment to consider which of the practices we want to move to that other column--the verb column. Which spiritual practices are we willing to make part of what we do (or practise) daily, or regularly, enough to make them into a habit?
Maybe just a different spelling isn't all that important. But for this old English teacher it's a reminder that knowing about an idea isn't enough. If it's going to work for me I must move it to a new place in my life and begin to introduce a new action that can make a difference if I practise the practice.
Being more centred, more focused, more balanced can be the positive results of doing what I've learned about. Ask a CPI participant near you for more information.
Posted by Marion
At our CPI weekend with a member of the Spiritual Formation team we heard this advice. Practise the Practice.
In other words, it's really not much use to learn about spiritual disciplines unless you try to incorporate some of them, or one of them, in your everyday life. It was wonderful to hear our instructor talk about the practices, good to try some of them on for fit.
But as we've returned to our normal lives we've come with the assignment to consider which of the practices we want to move to that other column--the verb column. Which spiritual practices are we willing to make part of what we do (or practise) daily, or regularly, enough to make them into a habit?
Maybe just a different spelling isn't all that important. But for this old English teacher it's a reminder that knowing about an idea isn't enough. If it's going to work for me I must move it to a new place in my life and begin to introduce a new action that can make a difference if I practise the practice.
Being more centred, more focused, more balanced can be the positive results of doing what I've learned about. Ask a CPI participant near you for more information.
Posted by Marion
Monday, March 29, 2010
Renewal
This past weekend, the weekend that included Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, was a wonderful time for me. I got to spend the weekend with members of my team and the twelve CEM pastors who are joined together in the first cohort of our Co-missioned Pastor Initiative (CPI).
This was the third of six retreats planned for this group; each one focused on a particular aspect of congregational leadership and ministry. This weekend was spent exploring and developing the spiritual disciplines. Together we sang, prayed, meditated, dwelt in the Word with Apostle Mary, laughed, listened to each other and listened for the voice of God. It was a wonderful, peaceful time.
I went to the retreat tired; I know I was not the only one. Life has been very busy for weeks now. The opportunity to sit in that circle under the direction of Evangelist Marvin Rice and be blessed by the overflow of Spirit that is a direct result of his own practice couldn’t have come at a better time. I came away refreshed, restored and renewed.
We have entered Holy Week; the climax of the Lenten season. It began yesterday with Palm Sunday. It will lead us through remembrance of incredible highs and unspeakable lows in the life of the first disciples, and of Jesus himself. It calls us to remembrance, reflection, and a renewal of our spiritual journey. As we walk through this most remarkable week, may you also take the time to reflect, recharge, and renew. In the midst of your own highs and lows and the busyness of your journey, may you find yourself refreshed in the peace of God’s Spirit this Easter season.
A prayer for you posted by Carman
This was the third of six retreats planned for this group; each one focused on a particular aspect of congregational leadership and ministry. This weekend was spent exploring and developing the spiritual disciplines. Together we sang, prayed, meditated, dwelt in the Word with Apostle Mary, laughed, listened to each other and listened for the voice of God. It was a wonderful, peaceful time.
I went to the retreat tired; I know I was not the only one. Life has been very busy for weeks now. The opportunity to sit in that circle under the direction of Evangelist Marvin Rice and be blessed by the overflow of Spirit that is a direct result of his own practice couldn’t have come at a better time. I came away refreshed, restored and renewed.
We have entered Holy Week; the climax of the Lenten season. It began yesterday with Palm Sunday. It will lead us through remembrance of incredible highs and unspeakable lows in the life of the first disciples, and of Jesus himself. It calls us to remembrance, reflection, and a renewal of our spiritual journey. As we walk through this most remarkable week, may you also take the time to reflect, recharge, and renew. In the midst of your own highs and lows and the busyness of your journey, may you find yourself refreshed in the peace of God’s Spirit this Easter season.
A prayer for you posted by Carman
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Spirit
There is a lot of uncharacteristic Canadian excitement at the moment. It is all about the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. People are glued to their TV’s watching mogul skiing, speed skating, figure skating, and the awarding of medals. They check their computers for the latest results on curling and sports they probably never thought much about before. Now both women’s and men’s hockey has started, and the excitement is growing to fever pitch.
In the midst of all this amazing energy, I have found myself wondering what would happen if we each had that kind of passion for the ministry of the church. We may be about to find out.
In the past week, I have had two remarkable meeting with people in an effort to recruit them to volunteer ministry. In both cases, I was amazed to discover a level of passion for God and excitement to serve that I had not previously known they had, at least not to that degree. They were honoured to be asked, thrilled to be considered, and anxious to get started. And the best part is that for all of these people, the excitement grew out of their love for God. It was not about ego or to somehow become a public figure. It was about a chance to do something for God and make a difference in the lives of people they do not even know yet. They have true passion.
That’s the spirit we need! Do you have it?
Posted by Carman
In the midst of all this amazing energy, I have found myself wondering what would happen if we each had that kind of passion for the ministry of the church. We may be about to find out.
In the past week, I have had two remarkable meeting with people in an effort to recruit them to volunteer ministry. In both cases, I was amazed to discover a level of passion for God and excitement to serve that I had not previously known they had, at least not to that degree. They were honoured to be asked, thrilled to be considered, and anxious to get started. And the best part is that for all of these people, the excitement grew out of their love for God. It was not about ego or to somehow become a public figure. It was about a chance to do something for God and make a difference in the lives of people they do not even know yet. They have true passion.
That’s the spirit we need! Do you have it?
Posted by Carman
Monday, October 12, 2009
Cymbal
So many things I might share from the very rich conversations shared at last week's Retirees' Retreat!
Thanks to Red Butler for suggesting the link between "symbols" and "cymbals." Our discussion had done some spiraling around the notion of sybolism and sacrament. How important is the physical or material stuff we employ in our sacramental rituals? What is the function of this piece of bread, this drop of oil, this pool or lake or river we immerse in? How essential is this symbol? And how to understand its significance?
Then Red raised his arms holding up a grand set of imagined cymbals and brought his hands together with such a flourish we could almost hear the crash.
"It's the coming together of the Divine and the Human, the spirit and the matter. That's the symbol's job. Just like these cymbals." From that point in our week's conversations, whenever we would dig out the kernal of meaning and finally grasp what we'd been seeking, someone would raise their cymbals and we'd hear that Crash! of the Divine smashing into our human minds.
It was a great week!
Thanks to Red Butler for suggesting the link between "symbols" and "cymbals." Our discussion had done some spiraling around the notion of sybolism and sacrament. How important is the physical or material stuff we employ in our sacramental rituals? What is the function of this piece of bread, this drop of oil, this pool or lake or river we immerse in? How essential is this symbol? And how to understand its significance?
Then Red raised his arms holding up a grand set of imagined cymbals and brought his hands together with such a flourish we could almost hear the crash.
"It's the coming together of the Divine and the Human, the spirit and the matter. That's the symbol's job. Just like these cymbals." From that point in our week's conversations, whenever we would dig out the kernal of meaning and finally grasp what we'd been seeking, someone would raise their cymbals and we'd hear that Crash! of the Divine smashing into our human minds.
It was a great week!
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