Meditation – July 17, 2011

Posted on Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Scripture: In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. Romans 8:26
Prayer: Could it be the groaning I hear are those of the Spirit interceding, providing the sounds to my inexpressible prayers that seek vainly for solutions?
Response: Those groanings substitute for those occasions when you are absolutely perplexed in life, when you circle round and round trying to encompass life’s mysteries—sometimes challenges—and are silenced by frustration, exasperation, fading endurance. And then, without warning or introduction, if you listen quietly, you hear reflected in your being a wordless accompaniment of heart deep emotion that carries you in silence. Words fail to capture the experience, though it is distinguished by a confidence that you were heard and most specifically.
More important at such times is the clarity that enshrines the challenge or frustration or sadness you encounter. It is as if a secret key has been applied to the inexpressible, a translation of sorts, so that you are relieved of your inability to express aloud those innermost feelings that reside in recesses of the heart so rarely visited.
Understand that this visitation of the Spirit is not meant as a demonstration of power, but rather the application of healing balm to an injured heart, and a reassurance to you that such healing is immediately available in the most stressful conditions and circumstances, at all hours of the day and in the darkest night of the soul.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — July 4, 2011

Posted on Monday, July 4th, 2011

Scripture:
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the AlmightySay to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2
Prayer
Give me a deeper awareness of these words this morning.
Response
It is as if the gray dawn outside your window represents your growing awareness of the Lord’s presence and protection. The fortress of which the psalmist speaks is the dawning, grace-filled consciousness in which you dwell. Ever expansive on the one hand, and ever the fortress protecting you as your spirit takes flight on the other.
In the dimension of consciousness no harm can befall you. The Lord accompanies you in whatever realms you and your loved ones wander. You are protected in the growing light which you embrace, in all aspects of your life and in all seasons—yes, in all aspects of your life and in all seasons, and you have experienced many.
It like finding yourself in a darkened arena and as you become more alert to your surroundings, the alertness serves to cause the lights, first dimly, to glow and then to shine brightly, mysteries encountered in dealing with those around you diminish as the light within and around you lightens and enlightens you. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it will increase your close relationships, but it does mean that hidden subterfuges will be brought to light without rancor or disappointment. And why you might ask—because you are secure in the Lord’s refuge and fortress in whom you come to trust.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — July 3, 2011

Posted on Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Scripture:
But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. Romans 8:9-10
Prayer
These verses are at first reading almost contradictory and have me rushing to a footnote this early, quiet morning where only a spare bird is announcing the new day. Help me to reflect on the meaning of the words for today.
Response
See the weariness of the body as a reminder that you are much more than this sometimes frail body mass that lumbers through the days, insisting that its needs be met. In fact, you are of the spirit—that sometimes remote existence—or would you prefer consciousness—that is graced to rise before a sunrise, in the midst of a rainstorm, in the quiet of the night, in the intimacy of a sharing, and break through the barrier of flesh.
While you are not ready to consider the body dead, instead, embrace the truth in fully realizing that the Spirit of God has taken up residence in you. How to contemplate the transformation taking place? No longer will a photo suffice to measure a change. Rather, you will gauge who you are becoming by the ease with which you can spend in prayer, range in thoughtfulness as determined by those with whom you converse in the spirit, and most importantly the joy you convey.
In the spirit, you shed the flesh of anxiety, fear, loneliness, and embrace the pure essence of God’s love that manifests and reflects in all you are becoming in God’s grace. Feel this presence reinvigorating the weariness that you might encounter on days quite unaware.
All for this morning.
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Meditation — July 2, 2011

Posted on Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

Scripture:
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. Luke 2:46-47
Prayer
Help me to listen, ask questions and reach new understanding marked by wisdom.
Response
Of the three, listening is most essential, especially when a life direction is presented for which you need guidance, even direction. Listening is the heart murmuring that sounds gently, influenced by a reading of a couple of verses – as with this morning’s, and then considering its application to your life right now. Yes, the life unfolding filled with questions, may even contain doubts that cause unease. It is through your questions which are always answered that you find resolution that approaches harmony of spirit.
Reflect upon how questions have always served to clarify a situation in life, even if the questions are only internal. The question may be simply a why has this happened—what good is served, and then listening to the response in prayer even if the answer is not what you expected or wanted. Note: you will always receive an answer that at a minimum will serve to simplify your circumstances—at least those that have served to perplex you. Questions also serve a barometer as to who are becoming, not where you have been.
Take some time to day to make a list of three questions that you have loitering in your heart—unresolved. Ask the questions at intervals one at a time prayerfully and be alert to receive the answers. Your teacher is sitting opposite or walking beside you. Realize that the questions are known in advance, and it only takes unveiling them in prayer that the mystery and anxiousness dissolved in peace. And, finally, you too will be astounded at your interlocutor’s understanding and His answers.
All for this morning.
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Meditation – February 18, 2011

Posted on Friday, February 18th, 2011

Scripture: He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34
 
Prayer: Give me adherence to these words.
 
Response: Sounds pretty straightforward, though at times you defined denial as if to ignore the meaning, though you remember the words. Simply stated, put the interests and needs of others before your own. Just when you are feeling sorry for yourself, or wish the road would ease off from the steep incline, or focus on stones of various shapes before you, these words are meant to remind you to relax in His grace.  Then, you will discover that you are no longer counting the stones before your path, realize that leaning forward or into the incline seems to ease your burden; and it is then that you forget about your self-pity.by
Deny yourself by hearing the pleas of those in your vicinity above the churning of your desires that demand attention; take hold of the cross and face down and discover its fleeting nature. So strengthened and focused, you will find that you are being transformed into a worthy tracker of the Lord who beckons you forward.
If you wish to follow the Lord, don’t be distracted by your own needs, cinch up your burdens securely, and move briskly forward with no further hesitation, and defintely do not look back.
All for today.

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