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Interesting stories and anecdotes that reach into insights I have gained abroad.
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Meditation — January 27, 2012
Posted on Friday, January 27th, 2012
Scripture:
But you (God) delight in sincerity of heart, and in secret you teach me wisdom. Psalm 51:6
Prayer
The rain cackled in the brush and trees—almost in secret— this morning long before dawn. Teach me your wisdom.
Response
You got half the meaning, you must find a time and place where you will not be disturbed, and the second requirement for this special teaching is to listen. No need to get up so early, but when are up, you must be awake. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?
Consider the reward of your efforts. It’s as if you got the last seat for a special lecture or presentation. You take your seat and the next thing you remember is that your heart is comforted. The stress that you were experiencing rushing to be on time evaporates into a calm sense that all is well with your soul—and you didn’t even have to do something, but to be you. No acts, no postures, no words of feigned interest—just you and who you are at this precise moment. And then the surprise that grips you is that before you realize it, you are leaving the lecture hall with an overriding impulse, desire to share what you experienced—who you are now. And you do this, even though there are some, maybe many, who wonder.
Realize that in their wonder, you are witnessing to the Lord’s grace, love, and yes wisdom, sometimes far more eloquently than the most schooled clergy, and perhaps far more convincingly with your new found authenticity. And all this unfolds in you because the Lord delights, yes delights, in sincerity of heart.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — January 26, 2012
Posted on Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Scripture:
(Jesus) also said to them, “Take notice of what you are hearing. The standard you use will be used for you—and you will receive more besides; anyone who has, will be given more; anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he has.” Mark 4:24-25
Prayer
Take notice should be my watch words. How often I would say, isn’t that a coincidence. Keep me listening as now, alone before dawn, and perhaps even more when I am in a crowd.
Response
Yes, take notice are words to guide you in all aspects of life—moments or months of joy, sorrow, exhilaration, fatigue, clarity, uncertainty, in sunshine or bitter rain squalls. All cause those deep or gentle ridges or lines on your face and hands, and especially in and around your eyes if you are taking notice.
It is not to say that you are preparing for an exam with those weary eyes, but rather that you are succeeding in penetrating the mystery of life with all its wonder—the questions for which you seek answers. Ah, how to assure you that indeed answers are provided to your capacity, if only you take notice.
Take notice in the trials faced—even if you would like to look aside, in the pleas you hear or notice from those who might be desperately distracted, in the rapture that overcomes you and you can’t quite acknowledge His origin, in the peace you experience quite unexpectedly.Take notice.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — January 25, 2012
Posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Scripture:
And why now delay? Hurry and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. Acts 22:16
Prayer
Lord, can I plead that I haven’t had a cup of coffee yet this morning? Help me to catch the urgency of your commission.
Response
Oh, how just a few words— one anointed verse— has the power this morning to seize your attention, as if you too were blinded and thrown off a horse as Saul. You know where he was heading and for what purpose. Now the question for you this morning, thousands of miles distant from the geographic location and many thousands of years later, the question for you this morning is where are you headed? Please don’t rush to the wall to look over the calendar hanging there with your notations, or the calendar of events you maintain on your phone. No, ask yourself—because this morning the Lord has posed the question to you and followed up with, why now delay?
There simply is no opportunity to avoid the question. Your financial means, health, circumstances, qualifications, preparation, simply will not satisfy Him. Now don’t plead you don’t have a suitcase, or that it is not packed. What you are asked, urged, even commanded is to be baptized, to wash away your sins—begging forgiveness, and always calling on His name.
You might not have realized it earlier but you are a missionary—you hold a commission— in your midst among family, in the community among those you know intimately and those you just can’t recall their names and sometimes even their faces, and more challenging among those who suffer deeply from all faiths whose locales you will never, or should never, visit—and perhaps that is a blessing as well. And your fulfillment of the commission assigned to you rests not on your glibness or learning, but on the sincerity and authenticity of what you share, your witness, in the healing grace of the Lord, manifested in His forgiveness of you—not some reprobate you would like to point out.
All for this [...]
Share on Facebook continue readingMeditation — January 24, 2012
Posted on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
Scripture:
Gates, lift high your heads, raise high the ancient gateways, and the king of glory shall enter! Psalm 24:7
Prayer
Give me the grace to lift my consciousness this morning to your presence.
Response
Expand that prayer to include each and every morning. Raising your consciousness is like setting out on a journey—though sometimes weary—and praying that you will be alert to every opportunity and danger that you face in the unfolding day. And the danger may be no more than negligence of the spirit where you become immersed in the trivia of life without considering the gems that are tossed onto your path to retrieve and disperse further.
You might be surprised that the gems that are especially rare, are hidden sometimes in the grime of despair, sadness, illness , or even loneliness, but these are just the gems of inestimable worth that are there for you to discover, if you are diligent, determined, and not to be discouraged or to grow weary. Know you are on the right path when you display a bit of holy madness , enthusiasm in your prospecting.
So this day, prepare your pick and shovel and miner’s lamp to counter the darkened corridors you might traverse. Ask the question what do the pick, shovel, and lamp represent in your life and on your journey this day.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — January 23, 2012
Posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Scripture:
“But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he has first tied up the strong man. Only then can he plunder his house.” Mark 3:27
Prayer
Help me to be ever alert against any invasion of the sanctuary of my heart in the day as well as in the darkness that surrounds me at this moment.
Response
You are more alert than you give yourself credit and it might have something to do with growing up in the Bronx. Take those lessons that ultimately contributed to a discernment balanced with trust and questioning that doesn’t readily commit. However, once committed contributes to a resoluteness and steadfast quality.
So it is in a relationship with the Lord. It’s like being assigned the watch on a perimeter of an isolated outpost. With full confidence and not being fearful or paranoid, one undertakes the assignment with confidence that resources are at hand to fend off an unexpected assault—be that related to finances, health, lost love, family, or friends—or even calamities that range so wide. This assault can be disguised by a sprinkling of self-absorption and self-interest as one pursues personal goals .
So, this day walk around the perimeter of who you are and take stock of your fortifications, assess where you might be vulnerable, and define the threat—but finally appreciate the reserves that you possess in the grace and love of the Lord are there to meet all circumstances you might encounter—yes, all circumstances you might encounter.
All for this morning.
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