Check out my new 'World Reflections" Section
Interesting stories and anecdotes that reach into insights I have gained abroad.
Healing Grief, On-line Course, by Terry Douglas.
You are invited to participate in an 8-
week, on-line course, entitled
Healing Grief Page that captures a journey of healing following deep loss.
Meditation — November 30, 2011
Posted on Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Scripture:
{B}ecause, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. Romans 10:9-10
Prayer
It was so dark before dawn on my walk; help me to sense the Lord’s presence even absent the moon’s glow.
Response
As you have learned, it is not with the eyes but with the heart that you sense the Lord’s touch—alone, in a crowd, or on a walk where your thoughts wander but your heart is firm. At all times, you are encouraged with the Lord’s grace to confess with your lips, though your sentiments might not be heard by a companion, they resonate within the depth of who you are and are becoming. The word confess connotes an honest profession of your heart-pulse as you negotiate around and up, as well as down, the path of life.
Who could have predicted in advance the many steps it has taken to reach where you are this moment? It is a singular cause for celebration—however tempted you are to mourn the loss of those who no longer accompany. Are you almost incredulous to realize that you are where you are, perhaps in a location you would not have anticipated, in the company of those who were strangers earlier, doing what you had not ever dreamed, and at an age almost impossible to comprehend.
And all you are to do is to confess with your lips, acknowledge with your heart that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead. Be heart-encouraged to confess who you really are and whom you aspire to be at whatever age in the Lord’s love that embraces you.
All for this morning.
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Meditation –November 29, 2011
Posted on Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Scripture:
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Mark 10:21
Prayer
Thank you for bringing my attention to the words that Jesus loved the questioner. Let me identify with one who continues to ask questions and requests prayerfully clarification.
Response
It’s good to realize that you were not set loose with a script already written that you are to follow. The dynamic of the Lord’s love is the freedom you have to exhibit in your daily life the Lord’s love by His grace. So indeed your transformation is revealed as you proclaim who you are becoming in each encounter with another soul, and you will discover as the Lord’s grace works in you that you demonstrate a love that is not easily defined, is many sided—flashing light as if from a many sided prism, touching even those nestled awkwardly in darkness.
What do you have to sell, you might ask? Could it be the posturing that makes ones acceptable and non-controversial? Might it not be that you are now graced to share who you are—the joy you experience, the loneliness that could paralyze you if you did not discern that blessings of alone-ness as you plunge deeper into soul awareness? What do you have to sell except the you that you were once inclined to protect from scrutiny by those traveling on the same path and who sought and seek desperately consolation and encouragement?
How to shed the ego, that weighty encumbrance that you sometimes balance on your shoulders—even when the path is strewn with rocks or embraced in darkness? That is the challenge. Spend a moment on those areas of you that reflect who you are or becoming at the deepest level, what you stand for and of which you are most protective. Does it involve aspirations, inspirations, challenges, setbacks, loves, concerns—name them. Bring them to the light into consciousness. And see [...]
Meditatiion — November 26, 2011
Posted on Saturday, November 26th, 2011
Scripture:
“But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36
Prayer
Grant that I remain watchful.
Response
As you have experienced in life, being watchful is operating with a wide peripheral vision. It’s becoming or being able to put life into perspective to such a degree that you view is not clouded by the past or a future that you plan. Being watchful in the present is glancing at the lines on your hands and smiling, seeing them as representative of who you are as you have stood and now stand your post or walk along the perimeter of life.
Being watchful is a calm acceptance of the weather you are enduring—be it bleak or sunny, blustery or warm—and having the sense to be in community or intimacy with fellow-souls who increase the peripheral vision of all. Being watchful takes into account all terrain—mountainous, flat-desert like, and even steep gorges where one must be particularly alert.
Consider today the community that serves to enhance the theme of watchfulness by identifying those with whom you share the intimacies of your soul and intentions; but then also consider the role you play in community and the intimacy shared to enhance the watchfulness and service of others.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — November 25, 2011
Posted on Friday, November 25th, 2011
Scripture:
As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14
Prayer
For some reason, my attention was drawn to His dominion is an everlasting dominion, as if to remind me that there is so much more awaiting beyond the vision of an horizon or a future event or year. Guide me to rest in the Lord’s presence.
Response
It is natural to look at life as a series of events or holidays and thus calculate how many are remaining, depending upon the age attained. These verses are to encourage you to discard your calculations and breathe in the awareness that your relationship with the Lord God is forever—as difficult it is to understand forever in mortal terms.
Allow your heart to be taken up in the visions that Daniel offers; see what it takes for you to join the chorus of creation in praising the Lord God though your words sometimes falter, your understanding—dimensioned, your conviction—challenged. Allow your works of service and compassion ring out in praise even if your voice is a whisper at times.
Now, with vision firmly fixed in your heart, what difference would it make today and the day after and beyond to display your growing confidence in the magnificent vision which Daniel has shared, retrieved from the deepest recesses of his soul.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — November 24,2011
Posted on Thursday, November 24th, 2011
Scripture:
Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.] Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Ice and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever. Daniel 3-68-74
Prayer
As I walked on the beach at dawn, the strong wind from the north stirred the endless ranks of waves to attack the shore and I was quiet beneath my hood. Help me Lord on this day to give deep thanksgiving for my family and friends, especially for those with whom I have shared joy and sorrow.
Response
Think of the hood as where you are in the tumult of the scene and buffet of the wind, yet apart in a sanctuary of your spirit where all is well. And it is as such times that your praise and thanksgiving are especially poignant and authentic. What other response could there be in this state, but to praise and exalt the Lord for this moment in time.
Yes, praise Him for the light in your life and the darkness that pushes you in His grace to go deeper, then deeper still. Yes, indeed, there are times when you feel stretched, but notice in the stretching that your wingspan is lengthened and you can soar that much higher and dive so much deeper.
This day of thanksgiving, do make a sincere effort to do more than consume the special feast in which so many contribute—and don’t neglect to thank those whose hands contributed to the bounty who have never entered your home. And don’t simply linger inside, but catch the magnificence of the Lord in whatever weather you are experiencing this day. Just don’t decide to kayak far, if [...]
