The Rules of Engaging Grief

January 23, 2008

Scripture: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Prayer: Dear Lord, teach me about hope.

Response: There is much to tell you about hope.  Before defining it, hope takes seed in your heart.  And in the heart hope manifests your recognition of me, prompted by my grace to you.  It is as if you are standing before the classroom, alone, and you proclaim your confidence in what you heart sometimes most faintly is certain.

It is like being off the coast and a deep fog settles over your craft.  You hear a fog horn and know intuitively from where the sound originates indicating the narrow channel to the safe harbor.

Here is another image.  Hope is moving across a rope bridge swaying above a chasm and finding a rhythm in your steps that does not move against the rhythm of the bridge as you move to the other side and safety.

Hope is, as I have said, certainty in a storm that no matter of fear or agitation that surrounds can distract you from your goal.

And see what I promise besides.  In hope your strength is renewed.  As you expend effort, empty yourself, you find that I fill you with strength for the arduous path, so that you soar, exhilarating and accelerating on the wind, abandoning all the constraints that those land-bound choose for themselves, and you journey endlessly without any glimmer of fatigue, and let me say encouraged by the good humor you display

It is through hope that we meet.  Hope is the completed circle of my love in you.  In hope you raise a banner for all to see and for me to meet.

All for this day.

Scripture: “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” Jeremiah 31:33Prayer: Give me a deep understanding of this verse.

Response: Appreciate that these words in context concern the new covenant, one that is not limited by a collection of do’s and don’ts,  Rather, imprinted on your heart and mind is an echo presence that serves to validate your deepest longings, especially when you bring them to action, to consciousness.

You might want to call it intuition, inspiration, conscience, the muse, or a voice not further identified, but each has the spark that can lighten your way if you choose.

The feeling, it just seems right, reflects that spark, but it is more than that.  You agree graced with the capacity that is not bounded to embrace my love in action and service.  Don’t see this grace as something outlandish, or exaggerated.  As with things profound, the imprint of my love is simple.

You will gain confirmation of this writing on your heart when you pause, draw a breath, and be in a moment of time, allowing your intuition to guide your reflection upon any issue that you choose.  By that very deliberation action you tap into the flow of discernment for which you are searching.

What makes this discovery special is that it becomes proof for you that my covenant with you is deliberate and real.

Without exception, you all have written on your hearts this prescription.  It is for you, each of you, to recognize these words and to follow the direction as it applies to your path.

If you believe only that you enjoy a special relationship with me, that is sufficient and more than enough to devote some time to fathoming the meaning for you.

All for today.

Scripture: We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Prayer: And what of prayer?

Response: Good question for this morning.  How often do you pray to have your burden eased, or to seek a clarification in the direction upon which you are committed?  Today, I want to discuss the prayers that you offer for other fellow travelers on this road, some of whom, or most of whom, you do not even know.

In prayer you recognize a community of love that extends beyond the fingertips of your individual grasp or touch.  In the very act of prayer your gaze rises from your toes to embrace those around you and far distant.

It is through prayer for others that you are released to become one of generous spirit.  Such prayer is so generous, especially since the object of your prayer is unaware of your intention.  Though you are offering so much to another you receive ten fold in return because of this generosity and service.

In such prayer you will find that your eyes soften and you are filled with a growing compassion for those less fortunate who populate the earth, sometimes far distant. And interesting, you begin to discern signs that your prayers and intentions are having an impact on the actions and situations of others.

Prayer is most powerful, a hidden source of love of which you all have been beneficiaries, especially when you have endured much.  Prayer as a sign of my love is joy to the person in prayer as it is for the recipient of the prayerful intention - even a stranger.

Prayer knits a community together and let me say there is no boundary as to how large the community can be.  As I said, prayer manifests the unfolding of my love.

So take seriously and personally the power of prayer.  Reflect on the prayers that might have been intended for you, and in gratitude return the favor in prayer.

Prayer has the potential to take you out of self.

All for this morning

January 14, 2008

Scripture: Then I thought to understand this: but it was too hard for me; until I went in the sanctuary of God. Psalm 73:16-17

Prayer: This verse I found in Dag Hammarskjold’s Markings. Shed light for me on your sanctuary.

Response: I am pleased that you are asking about the sanctuary. Clearly, you understand that I am not talking about a structure though you can bring my sanctuary to the structure. Clearly, you understand that sanctuary is not a thing, a political, religious, or temporal facility.

My sanctuary is within each of you. It is there that I meet you. And do you know what? You don’t have to be alone. Yes, you can be and I encourage you to be with others in communion. However, just as you might have been reluctant to exercise outside in inclement weather, don’t blame the weather – lack of companions – for not coming to my sanctuary.

It is in my sanctuary within that you will hear me, that is, if you can be still in spirit, not rushing to provide words to fill a holy space of silence. It is here that you discover your heart and discover that your mind represents interests that sometimes fill the airwaves with monkey chatter.

Be still in my sanctuary. I required the prophets to take off their sandals because they were on holy ground. The sandals were not important but your attention and reverence are. Be still and listen and you will be rewarded beyond what you could have in your wildest dreams have anticipated.

In listening you will discover my path for you. No, don’t get excited. Nothing is predetermined. Your path is a direction for which you can serve in the years remaining to you. Service is entwined with love and, if you have missed this, love is my message.

So enter the sanctuary – cautiously at first, if you must – but enter it and discover for yourself the nourishment of spirit that you receive, that you experience.

All for now.

Scripture: We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

Prayer: Please help me to understand these words.

Response: Let me begin. Indeed, there are times, perhaps at different stages in your life when you find it difficult to pray, or events that surround you are simply too difficult to understand. You wonder about what is this life experience all about. For you it is truly not about things and stuff, but the real meaning seems to escape you.

Not only do you realize that there is not much you can control though you might have some small influence. It is at times like this, however, frequent or infrequent, that I am there to influence you, prod you, counsel you, console you, support you.And how do I do it, if it is the right word? I read the deepest recesses of your heart and give voice to that unspoken yearning in a holy groan.

What an expression, but digest its meaning. I give voice to your deepest sentiments of love that are blocked from expression as your mind seeks a rational explanation to the events in your life.I am the groan that you utter when no one else is around and you sit in loneliness, or walk along a deserted beach at sunrise, or seek to capture on a page a mystery of life that eludes you.Understand most clearly that not only are your prayers answered but that I even stir those prayers within you.

All for this morning.