Meditation — June 18, 2018
Posted on Monday, June 18th, 2018
Scripture: How much you have done, Yahweh, my God—your wonders, your plans for us—you have no equal. I will proclaim and speak of them; they are beyond number. Psalm 40 (of David):5
Prayer: Each day is an adventure, brimming with the unexpected and once adventure, writing thoughts and verse on a napkin, being in the presence of loved ones, or conversing with strangers sitting on either side of me.
Response: You have always seemed to search for the unexpected—or been able to adjust to it nonetheless. It is an indication that you recognize that you are on a journey, and more and more you realize that it is in the present time, not being haunted by a past or fearful of a future. As a result, your present time seems to have expanded in duration, experience, in possibilities, and clearly in the many personalities that you encounter, as well as the purposes of your prayers.
As you age, there is a certain exhilaration, expectation born of experience and adventure. The change, or should it be maturation, is that you are much more focused on the other whom you encounter. Less likely are you to ramble on without noticing your interlocutor and the thoughts and concerns stirring within.
Yes, how much the Lord has done for you—and does for you each day. Take note just today—and perhaps tomorrow, and the tomorrows that follow—of His presence in your life and the lives of those you encounter. Praise God!
All for this morning.
Meditation — June 17, 2018
Posted on Sunday, June 17th, 2018
Scripture: The upright will flourish like the palm tree, will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Planted in the house of Yahweh, they will flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they will still bear fruit, will remain fresh and green, to proclaim Yahweh’s integrity; my rock, in whom no fault can be found. Psalm 92:12-15
Prayer: I felt like a cedar of Lebanon as I viewed the sunrise at the edge of an empty ocean, and I prayed that I will bear fruit as my—old—age progresses.
Response: Transport yourself in reflection of the past to edge of the Mediterranean, or the Indian or Atlantic Ocean. Be still and experience the Lord’s presence in your life—even when mayhem seems to prevail outside.
In the grace of the Lord, you do flourish though it might catch you unaware at times, especially when you are listening, observing, and sharing gently your deepest thoughts.
This Father’s Day in your aloneness reach out to those surrounded by family and pray for each deeply—let your prayers flow steady as the canal flows this morning in the direction of the sunrise. Praise the Lord!
All for this morning.
Meditation — June 16, 2018
Posted on Saturday, June 16th, 2018
Scripture: I bless Yahweh who is my counsellor, even at night my heart instructs me. I keep Yahweh before me always, for with him at my right hand, nothing can shake me. So, my heart rejoices, my soul delights, my body too will rest secure, for you will not abandon me to Sheol, you cannot allow your faithful servant to see the abyss. You will teach me the path of life, unbounded joy in your presence, at your right hand, delight forever. Psalm 16 (of David):7-11
Prayer: Reading these words of scripture inspires and empowers me to experience this day in the Now, to be especially vigilant to catch the Lord’s presence as just behind the next corner, passing sentiments to me from a loved one, perceiving the depth of a mystery as if for the first time.
Response: Just behind the next corner includes hearing the words of a loved one or friend can be revealing the solution to a mystery as if for the first time—and you had ample opportunity last night at dinner with friends to do so.
As you are continuing to learn, enhance deliberately your ability to listen to those around you and whom you encounter in silence. Who would have thought that you attribute an insight to someone whom you hardly listened to previously?
Most important at this stage in your life is to be gentle—consciously so—to reach those who stand figuratively in a corner of doubt. Praise the Lord for ever reaching you, even when you are puzzled about the path or direction to travel. Praise the Lord!
All for this morning.
Meditation — June 15, 2018
Posted on Friday, June 15th, 2018
Scripture: Yahweh is my light and my salvation, whom should I fear? Yahweh is the fortress of my life, whom should I dread? . . .Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry, pity me, answer me! Of you my heart has said, “Seek his face!” Your face, Yahweh, I seek; do not turn away from me . . . Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold, put your hope in Yahweh. Psalm 27 (of David)
Prayer: David’s anointed words this morning prompt me to reflect in stillness upon the presence of the Lord in my life, and how I seek to be nourished in His presence each day as I set out again on my journey.
Response: One thing that you have learned over many, many years is that your days seem longer as you are inspired to be in the Present. It is in this state that you see and respond to experiences and encounters that in the past rush you would have missed or neglected.
These encounters are person to person, through phone and e-mails, and in prayer that coincidentally touches a loved one with confirmation of the Lord’s love and intention. So often a word or gesture is sufficient to trigger a response of love.
Yahweh is your light, your breath, your sense of deepest love as it was for David, and it is that light that opens the path through the at-times dark forest. Praise God!
All for this morning.
Meditation — June 14, 2018
Posted on Thursday, June 14th, 2018
Quote: Silence and solitude are the supreme luxuries of life. Thomas Merton as quoted by Basil Pennington in his The Monks of Mount Athos.
Prayer: This morning in the stillness and silence after a walk to the beach and back, never encountering another soul, I wondered indeed if I am experiencing the supreme luxuries of life.
Response: Throughout many years, you have endured months, days, moments of silence and solitude. Put aside the framework, or what caused you to pause in silence and solitude. It is as if you discovered an abandoned cabin in the woods after a long trek; entering it you find a comfortable area in which to rest, recover, and vitalize. Those are the attributes of stillness and solitude.
Not mentioned is the prompting for you to reflect on the Lord as you pause in prayer, especially the wordless whisper of the heart, as words are simply not sufficient to convey the deepest sentiments of your heart.
You have discovered that the cabin is indeed occupied by the expansive love of the Lord who greets you at the door and serves you with his magnificent grace of love, that will surely encourage you to be on the look out for the next opportunity to be alone in the company of the Lord. Praise God!
All for this morning.
