Waking UP!

Wow! Where do I start to unravel this one? I started a blog to hear God's still voice and BAM! I am slowly coming to understand a new depth to, “Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10. It starts with re-directing my mind from all of the business of the suburbs, work, and children, spouse; to just stopping. Just for a few minutes a day....... stop. re-direct your mind from the business and busyness of your life to be still. Be still and notice things. Pay attention to your breath, the quality of the sunlight, or lack of sun. Your body, its' pains and aches. I often watch my daughters fish swim in its tank. Know that every molecule of this world has been here for a very long time. Marvel at how unusual it is that those molecules should have come together in this manner. Come together to form a tree, or a car, or you. How in the the would did this happen? Was it circumstance? Or luck? I think not. Holy miracles are all around us, all of the time. It is hard to open your mind to them because we are so terribly concerned with the business of our lives. Beware, there are enemies to waking up. Being to busy, anxiety about the drama of your life, attachment to being accepted by others, Thinking that it is the world's fault you feel this way and that, seeking escape through thrills, poisonous relationships, alcohol, tobacco. Many, including myself, have a difficult time being comfortable in our own skin.  But why? God made us! From literal dirt he made us : carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and trace minerals. We are those elements and so much more!!!  Be still...... What a Holy miracle we all and this world are a part of.

Suffering And Glory

"Happy events make life delightful but they do not lead to self-discovery and growth and freedom.  That privilege is reserved to the things and persons and situations that cause us pain.

                                                                                     ---Anthony DeMello

March 17

Woke up this morning feeling a slight excitement for the day. Anticipation. I love it when I wake up with this feeling. It feels like a warm hope deep inside my heart. An excitement for the events of the day. I see the sun rise over the plateau behind my house. I love the change in the early morning clouds. I thank God for the morning. I am aware how temporary all life is.  I take a deep breath and savor this moment. My devotion this morning focused on the judgement seat of Christ. A difficult teaching. No bunnies running over green grass and rainbows. I will think and meditate about this today. Thich Naht Hanh reminded me of morning waking up. To devote myself to a path of peace and understanding. Can these ideas be harmonious? What does knowing that I will sit in God's judgement someday bring out in me today. I understand that sin over time creates a hard heart toward the sin. A numbness or unawareness of sin. In fact it is likely that I have and will do many sins and not realize them at all. But more simply I am confronted with the things that I know are sin and choose not to do anything about them. Or at least I have not chose to do anything about them in the past. We all grow and change with time. I search my heart for where God wants to work in me today. I feel that the Lord wants to work in me on compassionate speech today. No cussing, which actually I do quite often and with a unusual ease. Lord, help me to be more aware of my speech today. Let my communication reflect your love for the world. Let me communicate out of awareness of eternity. AMEN

Am I breathing?

Breathing.
How often do we think about breathing?
I have to confess that 95% percent of my day I forget about my breathing.
Its automatic. mindless. involuntary.
Thinking about my breathing brings my mind back from its tangents and allows me to focus on the moment.

I realize that I have everything I need right now.

God has given me my "daily bread". Thank you Lord. I am alive. I am breathing.

As I feel the air fill my lungs I realize how blessed I am.

Blessed to have people who love and rely on me.

These are gifts from above.

God has entrusted me with the care of a few of his children. WOW.

Am I caring for those relationships responsibly?

Breathing.

God has blessed me with this body.
I wonder if I am doing everything I can to take care of this temple He has given me.
Breathing.
Am I investing my talents, or burying them.
Do I let go and allow God to make of me what He wants or am I trying to live up to other's expectations?
No right now I'm simply breathing.....mindfully breathing.
My heart fills with gratitude.

Be still, don't over exert and rest. When I push it to hear I tend not to hear. If I rest and be still, His calm surrounds me and he opens the doors to his mysteries.
Rita S. had a vision of a vault in heaven filled with creative works to be released to us here. She saw a song descend onto a young man playing guitar during worship. As the inspired song rested on him, he sang prophetic healing words and a lady in a wheel chair. She got up and walked. Hearing this, I to was playing a small group setting. I remembered this vision of Rita and felt inspired to sing healing songs. As I sang a man next to me began to cry with joy as his hand of multiple surgeries was instantly and completely healed. That comes from resting in his guidance. Humbling and very cool - Brock

“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” John 14:6

I found myself home today washing dishes when the memory of John 14 and Jesus washing the feet of the disciples came to mind. I remember learning that in the Jewish culture that this act would have been reserved for either the individual them self or a servant. In modern days this act of Jesus' was like having your boss or pastor, someone who you respect dearly come into your home and ask," Where are the cleaning supplies? I'd like to wash your bathroom for you before we eat."  Most of us in this situation would say to our guest,"You don't need to do that." Or,"No way!" This is exactly what Peter said and Jesus rebuked him.

I see two things here. First, Jesus was a servant. He served His people and wishes us to humble ourselves to serve. We also have to have the humility to be served. In a small way I have felt this when my mom cleans up my home when our family leaves town. It is a little embarrassing. But it is an act of love.

In meditation while doing dishes, I find that the menial act of washing the family dishes is not menial at all but love in action. What could be more important than cleaning the tools that exist to feed my family and I. Today I don't rush through the dish washing, I take my time to do a good job with my mind on Jesus, and the importance of seemingly mundane (but actually prayerful) work.

Walking Meditation

Going for a walk is a good way to stop all of the distractions that get in the way of my awareness of the moment and still my mind so I can hear my own heart and sometimes God's voice. I have found it helpful to begin by focusing on my breathing and clear my mind of all the hustle going on. Another exercise I engage in is trying to listen to all of my five senses. What do I hear, smell, feel, and so on. I try to hear every sound around me. Feel every sensation in my body. Observe all of the detail around me. When I started this sort of meditation, I was only able to focus for a short period at a time before outside thoughts came rushing in. I've since discovered that meditation is like jogging or swimming. It takes practice and endurance to improve. Without any added effort I've found it easier to focus longer. A whole new world opens up, whether I'm in a park or a crowded mall. Sometimes I feel a feeling in my heart, quiet warmth, sometimes followed by a thought. I may sense profound joy, or sometimes calm. Usually I learn something that God is trying to reveal to me.  I do not think I get "advice" every day. Most times I walk and meditate, I am able to continue with my life with more awareness and appreciation.

My readings that have helped me listen.

I've been reading these three books a little at a time for a few years. They have given me some help in listening to God and in meditation. I've even started to understand how living "in the now" is so important. Please feel free to suggest books that have helped you.

Good Morning!

What is God trying to tell you today? Is there and issue or business that has has gone too long overdue? Perhaps a relationship that needs mending? Or is it time to make a new connection with our creator? Or do you just need rest and peace?